Aptos Times: February 1, 2026

Sheriff’s Office Has Theory on Gun Found at Aptos High

Press Releases Sow Confusion About Arrest Being Made

By JON CHOWN

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office believe a weapon and ammunition that were recently found on the Aptos High School campus had been left there for weeks following an assault on campus on Dec. 27 during the Christmas break.

On Sunday, Jan. 18 local resident Mike Perez was walking his dog when he discovered a backpack containing an assault-style weapon and hundreds of rounds of ammunition on the Aptos High School campus near the baseball field. ... continued on page 4

The Glad Hatter

You might have seen Santa Cruz resident Steve Engel at a festival and noticed his hat because these are not your typical lids. Some have flashing lights, others twirling flowers, whistles, bells — one even has a dragon that spews fire and has eyes that light up.

Full Story page 7

Housing Proposed on Old Par 3 Golf

Full Story page 6

Santa Cruz Celebrates MLK

Thousands of people marched through downtown Santa Cruz on Jan. 19, the Rev. Martin Luther King’s birthday, but it wasn’t just to celebrate the legacy of the civil rights leader, it was also to protest against the current administration.

Full Story page 12

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4 A Harrassed Hero: Mike Perez May Have Saved Lives; Now He’d Like to be Left Alone, By Jon Chown

6 Housing Proposed on Old Par 3 Golf Course: Development Could Be Approved Without Public Input, By Jon Chown

7 The Glad Hatter: Retired Engineer Tinkers with Headwear

10 Amateur Radio Clubs Host ‘Winter Field Day’ Event: Hobby Becomes Crucially Important During Emergencies, By Tad Stearn

11 Aptos Neighbors Rally Against Un-Hosted Vacation Rental, By Claudia Iseman

12 Santa Cruz Celebrates MLK Day With Parade, By Jon Chown

13 Poltz to Bring the Joy to Felton: Folk Singer Known for Quirky, Witty Songwriting, By Jon Chown

15 California Counties Must Jump Through New Hoops to Get Homelessness Funds, By Marisa Kendall and Ben Christopher

Study Finds Coastal Wetlands Support More Wildlife Than Expected 23 Getting Wiggly With It: SCG Students Teach Community, By Carlo Albano • Baroque Festival Season Opens With Brass and Organ Fundraiser • Santa Cruz RTC Assumes Control of Rail Line

24 Miracles Santa Cruz is Transforming Lives: Disabilities are Overcome With the Power of Theater 30 Santa Cruz METRO Launches free Seabright Shuttle to Ease Bridge Construction Impacts

Santa Cruz Vac and Sew: Top Quality, Great Service and a Fun Community

Fundraisers Coming For Watsonville Dubz In Memoriam

18 Jorge Andrés Burgueño Céja: 1973 ~ 2026

18 There’s Older Buildings than the Bayview

Still Losing Power Despite What PG&E Says

Columnists 21 Newsom Wants to Overhaul Oversight of California Schools: Will Students Benefit?, By Dan Walters

25 For 65 Years, We’ve Loved Serving This Community, From the office of the Soquel Creek Water District

27 Dormant Pruning Promotes Fruit Production, By Tony Tomeo

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A Harrassed Hero

Mike Perez May Have Saved Lives; Now He’d Like to be Left Alone

By JON CHOWN

Aptos resident Mike Perez never set out to be a hero, but he stepped up when the moment arrived. Instead of praise or fame, however, he’d mostly like to be left alone.

Perez, 55, was walking his dog, Bear, near Aptos High School when he discovered a firearm and ammunition in a backpack that has since been at the center of news coverage. At first, authorities feared the weapon had been staged for a future attack on the school. Police now

On Wednesday, the Sheriff’s Office released a statement linking the weapon to the altercation at the school in December where two juveniles with guns assaulted another juvenile.

The theory is that the weapon and backpack were dropped there as the assailants ran away. Fingerprints are being analyzed to confirm this, but it could take days before the results are known. An arrest was made in December and the juvenile is still in detention, according to Santa Cruz County Supervisor Kim DeSerpa.

“I’ve been following this very closely,” she said. “I talked to the sheriff earlier today.”

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However, conflicting reports from the Pajaro Valley Unified School District and the Sheriff’s Office regarding the situation have created confusion for parents, students, the public and local media. Wednesday evening the Sheriff’s Office announced an arrest had been made and local media assumed it was recent and reported it as such, though vaguely. Thursday morning, Sgt. Ryan Farotte clarified the situation.

There was an incident in late December that involved an assault on the campus where

believe it was left behind after an altercation on campus Dec. 27.

Whatever the reason it was there, discovering the weapon and taking it out of circulation may have saved lives.

“Anytime somebody finds something like that, it’s a good thing. A firearm left in the open like that is a very dangerous situation,” said Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Sgt. Ryan Farotte. Perez is a recovering alcoholic who has been

firearms were present but not discharged,” Farotte said. “We believe the gun is related to the assault that happened in December, but we can’t be sure yet. We are still continuing to investigate.”

Meanwhile, PVUSD released two press statements saying the gun was connected to a burglary in December and that authorities had confirmed there was no ongoing threat. The district later issued a third statement saying an arrest had been made, referring to the juvenile’s arrest in December, but without clearly explaining the connection.

According to the district, since the discovery of the gun, law enforcement has conducted extensive safety measures, including comprehensive campus searches supported by a bomb-detection K-9 unit and bomb squad, increased patrols and staffing at schools countywide, and ongoing coordination with the County Office of Education and regional law enforcement partners.

West said he could not share many details because of the ongoing investigation.

Aptos High students and parents remain on edge, and attendance has reportedly dropped significantly. Melody Kent, who

has a daughter who is a senior at Aptos High School and a son in eighth grade at Aptos Junior High School, said neither has attended school in recent days.

“I kept my kids home from school again today,” Kent said Wednesday. “I feel like they’re not giving us enough information. I understand it’s an investigation, but what do you do as a parent?”

Kent said she initially thought the incident might have been an attempt to get attention, but became more concerned after seeing images of the weapon and learning about the amount of ammunition found.

“If this is really true, then it’s worse than we thought,” she said.

Kent also said it is long overdue for a new cell tower near Aptos High School. During busy times, she said, reception is limited, making it difficult to send or receive text messages. In the event of a mass-casualty incident, she said, the lack of communication could make the situation even worse.

“It’s nuts,” she said. “Our kids have been taught what to do in active shooter situations since kindergarten. I just hope they figure out what this is about.” n

fighting Stage 4 colon cancer for the past five years. He has been partially disabled all of his life because of a condition in which his hip does not fit properly into its joint, and he has undergone two hip replacement surgeries. He freely admits he is struggling.

He said his life began to feel like it was being picked apart after he posted online about finding the weapon.

“It’s making me feel like crap,” Perez said. “They even question why I have a neck gaiter on. It’s because my skin is falling off my face because I have cancer.”

Perez was walking his dog near Aptos High School on Jan. 18, as he often does, when he made the discovery.

“We were walking around the school and Bear stops and looks over at the poison oak area, and then he put up his paw like he was pointing,” Perez said. “I saw him looking into the woods, so I’m thinking there is a predator there or a loose dog.”

Perez went to take a closer look and noticed a tree branch had been snapped off and laid in the opposite direction, as if to hide something.

“That’s what caught my eye,” he said. “So I grabbed a big stick and knocked off the leaves.”

What he saw immediately frightened him.

“When I saw the gun and pulled it up and saw what it was, I wanted to get out of there,” Perez said. “I crouched down and I’m looking around for the guy who’s coming for this bag. I’m thinking this dude is coming back.”

Perez said the bullets looked unusual and unlike anything he had seen before. Deputies later told him they were armor-piercing rounds. He said the trigger appeared damaged and the weapon looked like it could discharge if jostled.

“It looked very sketchy,” he said.

Perez disassembled the gun so it could not be used, opened the chamber to ensure it was clear, then called 911 and waited. He said he feared the owner might return at any moment.

“I figured he was out there,” he said. “I didn’t know what to do, but I knew I couldn’t just leave the weapon there, so I stood guard.”

About 30 minutes later, deputies arrived and recovered the weapon. Perez said he was immediately treated as a suspect.

“I feel vindicated now,” he said.

Soon afterward, online harassment began. In addition to accusations from people he has never met suggesting he was involved with the weapon, Perez said others accused him of trying to benefit from the situation.

hip condition),” he said. “Mine was stolen, and my dad had sold my car thinking I was going to die. But it wasn’t even my idea. I’m not trying to get rich off this, believe me.”

Perez moved back to Santa Cruz County during the COVID-19 pandemic to care for his mother, who is 87. When he later became ill, he initially thought he had contracted COVID-19. Instead, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer.

He underwent chemotherapy and radiation, which he said were grueling and initially ineffective. Doctors recommended another surgery, but he said he could not go through with it.

Facing death, Perez said he relapsed into drinking. “Then I said, ‘F this. I prayed to God: Heal me or kill me.’ A day later I had zero desire to drink,” he said. “I went back to the hospital, they did an MRI and the tumor was gone. They’re still scratching their heads about it.”

“A parent mentioned creating a GoFundMe and I replied that I could use a bike (due to his

Perez said he remains physically and mentally weak from the ordeal, which made the online criticism especially painful. He said he is now trying to gain weight and rebuild strength so he can better care for his mother.

“My bike got stolen, I’ve got no wheels, and life is pretty damn hard right now,” he said.

“I walk Bear as far as I can go. When someone suggested getting Bear some wheels with a GoFundMe or whatever, I thought that would be amazing. I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up. We’re asking for nothing. We just want to be good neighbors and have fun while we can.”

Perez and Bear were recently invited over to the nearby California Highway Patrol office and Bear was made a Junior Officer. Perez said the little dog got loose and ran under everyone’s desk until they offered him some treats and corralled him.

“He’s God sent,” Perez said of his black Pomeranian. “I had nothing to do with the walk. I never do. I let him go wherever he wants and I just follow. I am just his human. … He gave me a reason to live. … He is my hero.” n

Housing Proposed on Old Par 3 Golf Course Development Could Be Approved Without Public Input

By JON CHOWN

Adeveloper has submitted a preliminary application to Santa Cruz County for a large housing project on the site of the former Aptos Par 3 golf course, proposing nearly 200 for-sale townhomes and a sevenstory affordable apartment building on land recently rezoned to encourage residential development by bypassing public hearings.

The project, known as Village on the Green, is proposed for 2600 Mar Vista Drive and involves two parcels totaling 13.85 acres along the east side of Mar Vista Drive, near the intersection of Soquel Drive. The site sits adjacent to Highway 1 and has been vacant since the golf course closed in 2000, though a portion of the property has been leased in recent years to a landscaping business.

On Nov. 20, the applicant, Swenson Builders, initiated the pre-application process. The proposal calls for 197 for-sale, three-bedroom townhomes, each with an attached two-car garage, along with a sevenstory apartment building containing 215 affordable housing units and 274 parking spaces.

County planners emphasized that the project remains in the early stages.

“This project is in the early proposal stages; the application in process is a Development Review Group consultation,” said Rebecca Rockom, project planner with Santa Cruz County Community

Coastal Living Meets Community

Development & Infrastructure. “While still in the preliminary stages, the project has been added to the Major Project page on the County website due to the scale of the proposal and potential public interest.”

The DRG process functions as an enhanced pre-application review for complex

projects, Rockom said, involving multiple county departments and outside agencies such as Public Works, Fire, and Environmental Planning. The goal is to identify issues, required studies and potential conditions before a formal development application is submitted.

Once preliminary plans are circulated, county staff will meet with the developer and give feedback, along with a letter outlining comments and corrections the applicant must address before moving forward. No public meetings have yet been scheduled for the project, and because of how the property has been rezoned, there might not be any.

“This is being driven by the state and it’s not kidding around,” said Kim DeSerpa, Santa Cruz County Supervisor for District 2. “They basically tell you who many units you must have. Gavin Newsom is not kidding.”

The proposal comes amid broader county efforts to address housing shortages mandated by state law.

“Old Par 3” page 8

COMMUNITY NEWS

The Glad Hatter

Retired Engineer Tinkers with Headwear

You might have seen Santa Cruz resident Steve Engel at a festival and noticed his hat because these are not your typical lids. Some have flashing lights, others twirling flowers, whistles, bells — one even has a dragon that spews fire and has eyes that light up.

“The hats get messed up at the festivals, but what the heck, that’s what they’re for,” he said.

At 83, Engel never imagined he’d be making the most bizarre hats you’ve ever seen. A retired aerospace engineer, he first worked for United Aircraft and designed jet engine exhaust nozzles. He then moved to Burbank and worked for Lockheed on a project to reduce aircraft flyover noise. Other projects would follow, but all the while he dreamed of inventing something of his own and producing it as a manufacturer.

Then, while on vacation one year, he came up with an idea for a better, safer ski binding. He got it patented and began to look for manufacturers, but was told that producing it wouldn’t be profitable. It dashed his dream.

“I started an amateur rocketeer club as a teenager. That was always my dream, but I ended up with a ski binding,” he said.

Engel left engineering and got into real estate. He started investing in and managing properties and was quite successful. He migrated to Santa Cruz by accident. After promising to put his three daughters through school, the first one chose UC Santa Cruz and the other two followed her. He and his wife bought an apartment here so they could visit them easily. Eventually, he bought two homes across the street from each other on Sunny Lane.

Then tragedy struck. Engel’s wife Christiane was diagnosed with terminal cancer and the couple decided to move into one of the homes to be closer to the grandchildren. She passed a year later in 2022. Engel then split his time between his home in Los Angeles and Santa Cruz, but then the 2025 Palisades Fire destroyed it. So, he is in Santa Cruz full time, but with grandchildren growing up across the street, it’s where he wants to be most.

“The grandkids come over and right away start pushing buttons,” Engel says, as he points to a shelf full of odd-looking gadgets, mixed with various hats in his home’s entry hallway.

Engel makes his hats mostly using parts from erector sets and items he finds in various toys, mechanical instruments or just plain oddities. They are often solarpowered and have items that will spin around or move.

Some are battery powered and spark or make loud noises, and others seem a little dangerous, like the one he calls “Danger Hat.” A plate installed on the top of the hat holds parts of an erector set, a cake container lid, a Tesla coil and four AAA batteries.

He has it dismantled for safety, but puts it together to show me. He sets it down on the ground and turns it on. A copper wire scrapes across the cake pin lid, making a spark and it’s loud, like a string of firecrackers going off.

“This one took me years to figure out, but I can’t operate it while wearing it. It hurts my ears too much,” he said.

“The Glad Hatter” page 8

“Old Par 3” from page 6

Santa Cruz County’s 2023 Housing Element determined that existing zoning did not allow enough housing to meet its Regional Housing Needs Allocation, or RHNA. To address this, the county identified 75 parcels for rezoning in unincorporated areas.

The Mar Vista Drive site was one of those parcels. It was rezoned from Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PR) to Residential Flexible (RF) as part of the county’s Housing Element Rezone Program, adopted in 2023.

A “-Min” combining district was added to the property, allowing certain multifamily housing developments to be approved ministerially, or “by right,” provided they meet objective standards and affordability requirements.

When a project is approved ministerially, county staff can approve it without public hearing, as long as the project complies

“The Glad Hatter” from page 7 They often have items that spin around. One has glow in the dark wire ties that spin, while another has plastic flowers that will rotate around. There’s a lighthouse with a tower that lights up on yet another. Engel is constantly experimenting with new ideas. He put a train set on a hat, but he couldn’t dance and keep the engine on the tracks.

“I find this stuff online and just buy it. Ten years later I might find a use for it. I just try stuff out. I’ve got a lot of half-made stuff,” he said.

One experiment he stopped working on has strange-looking bits of rope, about two inches long, that look like they could spin around on top of a hat.

“I wanted to do fire, and this is what fire spinners use when they jump rope. It’s Kevlar and you can light it.” he said, pointing to the short bits of rope. “But I decided to be more cautious.”

Engel won Best Hat in 2024 at the Santa Cruz County regional Burning Man event, the UnScruz festival. His Explodofone Hat is ringed with empty .32 shells that he places

with objective zoning and design standards, meets the affordability requirements spelled out in the ordinance, and fits within the allowed use for height, density, setbacks, and so on. The intention is to reduce barriers to development, especially housing.

The Village on the Green proposal has not yet been submitted for formal permitting. More environmental review and public input could occur later, depending on how the project advances. The public will have to wait and see.

DeSerpa said the project will have open space and will have homes for all levels of affordability. She said she would push for public hearings, but state requirements to build more housing are pushing these types of projects forward all over the state.

“It’s happening in every county across the state. I wouldn’t say this is a done deal, but there is a ministerial overlay. If people want to comment on it, I will hear them, any day of the week.” n

bits of Quickmatch inside, used to light commercial fireworks. He fires them electronically and flames shoot out of the shells.

“I put some magician’s flash paper in there too and it gives a lot more fire,” he said.

Engel slowly worked his way into hat making. He attended his first Burning Man festival in 2004 and created a replica of the man with an erector set. Solar-powered, its limbs would move. He mounted it on his shoulders while he rode around on his bike, but discovered it was just too cumbersome. The next year he made a smaller version of the same sculpture and put it on a hat. That worked better and he decided to make more hats. Now, whatever fun he is off to find, he has a hat for it.

“I just experiment around. There’s not much I do on paper,” he said.

And if he is called the Glad Hatter?

“I’ve heard worse,” he said. “I am glad to do it.” n

Amateur Radio Clubs Host ‘Winter Field Day’ Event Hobby Becomes Crucially Important During Emergencies

By TAD STEARN

SANTA CRUZ — The Santa Cruz and San Lorenzo Valley Amateur Radio Clubs hosted a weekend long “Winter Field Day” Jan. 24-25 at the Santa Cruz County Mounted Posse House and equestrian grounds.

Winter Field Day, organized by the Winter Field Day Association, is a training and educational event for amateur radio operators to practice setting up field stations in remote locations and connect with other participants around the world. The annual event takes place on the last full weekend in January.

Amateur radio, or ham radio, has been around as long as radio itself, dating back to the early 1900s. Since that time amateur radio has evolved from early unregulated tinkering to a global network of licensed hobbyists. The Santa Cruz Amateur Radio Club, founded in 1916, dates back to those early days of radio.

The unique call signs used by ham radio are assigned by the FCC to identify individual licensed radio operators, their

location and license type. If you’ve seen a license plate on a car with a series of five or six letters and numbers, usually starting with a K or W with a 6 in the

middle, chances are it was an amateur radio enthusiast’s call sign, with the 6 indicating the California region.

Jim Wason,

vice president of the Santa

Cruz Amateur Radio Club, is a long-time radio operator and a wealth of information about amateur radio in general. While he acknowledges there’s a world of complex radio gear out there, Wason says people who may be interested in amateur radio shouldn’t be intimidated by the technology.

“There are so many different aspects to ham radio. You don’t need to get into the tech side if you don’t want to” he reassures. “You can start with a $19 handheld radio that goes in your pocket. And a license. You can get as far into it as you want.”

One of the most powerful things about ham radio, he says, is there’s always somebody out there to talk to.

Locally, Winter Field Day is organized as a fun opportunity for radio club members to socialize, share tips and technology, practice communications and hold in depth training sessions.

“Winter Field Day” page 22

COMMUNITY NEWS

Aptos Neighbors Rally Against Un-Hosted Vacation Rental

By CLAUDIA ISEMAN

Following a county-wide crack down in February 2024, short-term rental permits in the Aptos/La Selva district have been especially hard to obtain. Despite the stricter rules and regulations, the majority of residents remain opposed to un-hosted vacation rentals on their streets.

On Townsend Drive in Aptos, resident Jack Brown mounted a campaign to derail an un-hosted short term rental two doors down from him at 519 Townsend Drive. Brown received a postcard in the mail informing him of his right to make a public comment on the proposed rental.

“We were completely shocked,” says Brown. “These are absentee owners. They’re never here and there are problems; like their smoke detector going off. Then their water main broke. How are they going to manage a vacation rental?”

Brown got together with his neighbors and collected 128 signatures in hopes of getting the permit denied. Brown admits he frequently uses Airbnb when he travels, but insists he doesn’t use the rental to host parties or cause problems in the neighborhood.

Brown says he’s heard from homeowners nearby about bad experiences with short-term rentals regarding traffic and noise and he doesn’t want that to happen on his street.

According to Tiffany Martinez, Communications Officer for the Santa Cruz County Department of Community Development and Infrastructure, staff members from the development division reviewed the public comment on Jan. 23 and will issue a report.

“Further restrictions on the permit could apply and it’s possible the permit could be set back, but not necessarily denied,” said Martinez.

She expects homeowners will get approval for the permit at 519 Townsend Drive. Martinez says the county has increased enforcement of STRs and if homeowners don’t follow the rules they risk having their permit revoked.

“Santa Cruz County feels short term rentals exacerbate the housing shortage, limit available parking and increase noise levels,” said Martinez.

Across the bay, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors sent a proposed ban on un-hosted STRs to county staff earlier in January.

The county has struggled for years to find a fair ordinance affecting residents of Carmel Valley, Carmel Highlands and Big Sur. “It’s just crazy!” said Lynda Marin, Secretary of the Monterey County Vacation Rental Alliance. “We’ve been working on this (an ordinance) for 10 years,” said Marin. The MCVRA is well organized and boasts about 200 members.

The alliance has an attorney and filed a lawsuit against the county in November 2024, claiming the ordinance was unnecessarily restrictive and parts of the proposed ordinance are illegal.

“We love our homes and our neighbors. We want to be an asset to the neighborhood,” said Marin. “We already have a lawsuit in place and we are not giving up,” she added. n

Santa Cruz Celebrates MLK Day With Parade

By JON CHOWN

SANTA CRUZ — Thousands of people marched through downtown Santa Cruz on Jan. 19, the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, but it wasn’t just to celebrate the legacy of the civil rights leader, it was also to protest against the current administration.

A swell of people carrying banners, waving signs, and even some pushing elaborate statues made of paper mache, gathered at the Black Lives Matter mural near Santa Cruz City Hall at 10 a.m., lined up and then marched — or danced — through downtown. The event, themed “Stepping

Into the Future Together” was organized by the NAACP Santa Cruz County Branch.

“I think this is really a blessing to see this number of people here,” said Don Williams, a 38-year resident of Santa Cruz who attended the march with his two grown daughters. “There›s a lot of craziness going on in the world today. Today is a day of service. A day to uplift somebody. Take time to put your ear to the ground and hear what is going on.”

There seemed to be a lot going on, with a wide array of messages and policies regarding social justice being promoted.

Miriam Stombler was marching with a group of friends and carrying a cardboard polar bear sign. Others in her group carried other endangered species and a banner reading Help! Mother Earth.

“I’m glad to see so many people all here together for the community,” said Stombler.

Many others showed up to protest against the administration. Tim Tonsing, a Santa Cruz resident, stood on the sidewalk, watching the parade, and shouting about his displeasure with President Donald Trump.

“Silence is consent. People need to speak up now,” Tonsing said. “I’ll probably be arrested next year for doing this same thing.”

was

Poltz to Bring the Joy to Felton

Folk Singer Known for Quirky, Witty Songwriting

By JON CHOWN

Steve Poltz will not let current events get him down, and if you’re feeling blue, he has a message for you.

“Love a Little Bigger, Forgive a Little Quicker.”

It is the title of his new single from his new album “JoyRide,” released Jan. 30, but it’s been an ethos of most of his life. He will likely play some tracks from it during his upcoming performance at Felton Music Hall on Feb. 7, but it’s Poltz, so who really knows? And that’s why his fans love him.

Poltz is a singer-songwriter known for witty lyrics and wild stories. His career spans more than three decades. He’s a folk singer, but you’ll never hear him singing an angry word. Protest, he will, but happily. Poltz said anger and angst are just not in his blood.

“I’ve tried it and I didn’t wear that suit well. I felt like I was cosplaying,” Poltz said. “And I didn’t like the way it made me feel. It wasn’t good medicine. We need good medicine. We need love.”

Poltz was born in Nova Scotia, Canada, but grew up in Southern California, graduating from Palm Springs High School before eventually landing in San Diego, which he still calls home. He began playing music seriously in the late 1980s and gained early attention as a founding member of the San Diego-based band The Rugburns. The group earned a cult following before breaking up in the mid-1990s.

In 1996 he co-wrote “You Were Meant for Me” with Jewel. The song became a major hit and remains one of the most recognizable pop-folk songs of the ’90s. While the success brought financial stability and industry attention, Poltz chose to follow his own winding path. He has released a long list of solo albums, including “One Left Shoe,” “Dreamhouse” and “Shine On.” But he’s really known for his live performances. His songs touch on all sorts of emotional issues we all experience: heartbreak, regret, the

desire for revenge, loneliness and, of course, politics, but mostly all with humor.

“I’m following the muse wherever it goes and it’s 100 percent of the time a joyful muse,” he said.

It could have been different. Poltz said his earliest memories are pretty dark. He was born in 1960 and his very first recollection is of his mother ironing the laundry and crying as she watched John F. Kennedy’s funeral.

“That’s not a great memory,”he said. “I very well remember Bobby Kennedy getting shot, and Martin Luther King Jr., and the riots in Watts, and the riots in Detroit. I remember it all. So what’s happening now is nothing new. We’ve always been a very divided country. I’ve seen it. … It’s an age-old story.”

Poltz said he dwells on the positive instead. “I love people and love how people are different. We may never get along, but it doesn’t dissuade me from trying. I’m always an optimist. I’m spreading good vibes and I want people who come to my shows to have a respite.”

Poltz is especially known for his live performances, often taking requests, telling hilarious stories and sometimes even making up songs as he goes along. Nobody knows where he is going next — even Poltz doesn’t know because he doesn’t create a set list.

“I’ve never written a set list in my life,” said Poltz. “I get really excited to know I have a show that night and not know what’s going to happen.”

He explained that over his career, he has had time to see which songs work with an audience, which ones don’t, which songs will sparkle at certain moments or for certain situations. He has a host of songs he can fire off when the moment calls for it. One new song he finds audiences particularly enjoy is “Son of God.” In it, Poltz has a conversation with Jesus, who is trying to downsize. For instance, does Steve want Jesus’ set of Funk & Wagnalls encyclopedias?

“I just like to go out and battle the energy,” he said. “Over the years I’ve been able to acquire different arrows in my quiver that I might need at one certain part of a show. I might see somebody yawning and need to wake them up.”

Poltz said he’s looking forward to visiting Santa Cruz, seeing the trees and the people.

“I get so much joy from making music,” he said. “I’m just trying to bring a little levity to this crazy life we have.” n

Steve Poltz will appear at Felton Music Hall on Feb. 7. Tickets are $46.29 in advance and are available at Feltonmusichall.com.

S anta C ruz V a C and S ew

Top Quality, Great Service and a Fun Community

For more than six decades, the sewing and vacuum shop on Santa Cruz’s Ocean Avenue has been a constant in the community. Known for years as Judy’s Sewing & Vacuum Center, the store was on the brink of closing when current owners Clare and Nick happened to stop in and strike up a conversation that would change the future of the business.

Seven years later, operating as Santa Cruz Vac & Sew, the shop has not only survived but evolved into a thriving community hub where creativity, craftsmanship and connection come together.

Santa Cruz Vac & Sew is a familyowned business, the last of its kind in the region and the only dedicated sewing and vacuum sales and service shop serving both Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. For Clare and Nick, the decision to buy the store was less about profit and more about purpose. Both came from high-tech careers, a world Nick describes as ambitious but impersonal. “There’s sort of an emptiness in Silicon Valley,” he said. “You don’t get a feeling that anybody is real.”

Clare, a Santa Cruz native and lifelong sewist, said she felt pulled to return home to her roots. Her first job was at a local fabric store, and sewing had always been her refuge after long days in tech. When the previous owner, Judy Holloway, put the business up for sale, Clare’s mother urged her to take a look. Holloway wanted to sell to someone who truly understood sewing. “She knew it was me instantaneously,” Clare said. “I love what I’m doing, which is to sew and to teach people how to sew.”

That passion is evident the moment customers walk into their shop, which houses thousands of bolts of fabric and one of the largest selections of premium sewing and vacuum machines on the Central Coast. Santa Cruz Vac & Sew is an

authorized dealer for Baby Lock, Pfaff and Viking sewing and embroidery machines, as well as Miele, Sebo, Riccar and Simplicity vacuums.

“We like to sell something we can stand behind and know the customer will be satisfied with,” Nick said.

Equally central to the business are its staff. Paul, in his 46th year of sewing machine repair, and Russ, who has fixed vacuums for 39 years, are local legends.

Dennis, the main salesperson, brings more than 25 years of experience. “They’re all icons over here,” Nick said. In an era dominated by online shopping and disposable products, Santa Cruz Vac & Sew offers longevity and personal service.

What truly distinguishes the shop, however, is its role as a gathering place.

“We’re not a shop, we are a community here,” Clare said. Classes run every day of the week, filling the store with the hum of machines and conversation. The shop also sells project kits with all the materials and instructions needed, making it easy for beginners to get started.

Youth classes are especially close to Clare’s heart and are consistently sold out. Children as young as 10 learn to sew through fun, hands-on projects that build patience, motor skills and confidence.

“We’ve planted a seed,” Clare said. “I want them to be inspired. We’re going to bring up a whole new generation of sewers in this community.”

Competing with online giants like Amazon is an ongoing challenge, but

Santa Cruz Vac & Sew has something they don’t: expertise, service and community. Whether it is helping a customer choose the right machine, repairing a vacuum that has served a family for decades, or witnessing the pride of a child finishing their first project, the rewards are tangible.

At Santa Cruz Vac & Sew, Clare and Nick enrich the Santa Cruz community one stitch at a time. n

806 Ocean St, Santa Cruz

California Counties Must Jump Through New Hoops to Get Homelessness Funds

By MARISA KENDALL and BEN CHRISTOPHER

Gov. Gavin Newsom has threatened many times to withhold state homelessness funds from cities and counties that aren’t doing enough to get people off the streets.

This year, those threats seem more real than ever. In fact, Santa Cruz County has already seen a reduction in funding.

Newsom’s administration and the Legislature are adding new strings to that money, which they hope will help address one of the state’s most obvious policy failures: Despite California’s large recent investments in homelessness, encampments are still rampant on city streets. But cities and counties already are chafing under the tightening requirements, which they worry will make it harder to access crucial state funds without directly improving conditions on the street.

To access state Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention money, cities and counties are being pressured to enact a policy regulating homeless encampments that passes state muster — a potential challenge

in a state where local jurisdictions’ rules on encampments vary greatly, and many localities have no policy at all. The state also wants localities to get a “prohousing designation,”

a special status awarded to places that go above and beyond to build housing. Only 60 of California’s 541 cities and counties — home to about 15% of the state population

— have achieved that designation so far. The city of Santa Cruz is among them; Santa Cruz County is not, but is working on it, as are other local municipalities.

Newsom, the Legislature, local officials and other stakeholders will spend the next several months fighting over those terms and hashing out the conditions for the $500 million in homelessness funding proposed in this year’s budget.

Until those details are resolved, exactly what standard cities and counties will be held to — and what will happen to those that don’t comply — is unclear. But one thing is clear: The state is done freely handing out cash.

Some counties are already feeling the heat. They report increased scrutiny as they apply for homelessness funds already approved in the 2024–25 budget, which have only recently been made available due to bureaucratic delays.

“Homelessness Funds” page 20

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CALIFORNIA NEWS

Study Finds Coastal Wetlands Support More Wildlife Than Expected

MOSS LANDING — Coastal wetlands across the United States support a far wider range of wildlife than many people realize, according to a new national study that also warns those benefits could decline as sea levels rise and flooding becomes more frequent.

The study, led by the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, documented 146 species of mammals, birds and reptiles using coastal wetlands, based on images captured by 109 motion-activated cameras deployed at 32 sites within 25 reserves from Alaska to Hawaiʻi to Mexico.

Researchers recorded animals ranging from bears in Alaska and feral hogs in Mississippi to armadillos in Florida and the koloa maoli, Hawaiʻi’s native duck.

California’s Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve collaborated with scientists nationwide on what researchers describe as the first coordinated assessment of wildlife use in coastal wetlands across North America. The study used standardized methods at every site, allowing comparisons across regions that had not previously been possible.

The research was led by Dr. Kerstin Wasson, research coordinator at the Elkhorn Slough Reserve, and Dr. Kenny Raposa of the Narragansett Bay Reserve in Rhode Island.

“I love collaborative studies that connect wetlands across the nation,” Wasson said. “This was one of my favorites because we captured such stunning images of different animals in our wetlands.”

Many of the animals documented are active primarily at night and are rarely seen by visitors, making camera traps a valuable tool for understanding how wildlife uses wetland habitats, Wasson said.

“At every reserve, we saw how important wetlands are as nursery habitats for many species and how they provide foraging opportunities and resting refuges,” she said. “Here at Elkhorn Slough, raccoons are the most common mammals in our marshes, but we also regularly see deer, coyotes, bobcats and skunks.”

The findings challenge the perception that wetlands primarily benefit fish and birds. Large predators, including mountain lions, black bears and wolves, were recorded alongside more familiar species, highlighting the connection between wetlands and surrounding uplands and the need for landscape-scale conservation.

“This is the strength of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System,” said Rebecca Roth, executive director of the National Estuarine Research Reserve Association. “It provides a unique national platform for collaborative, applied science that responds directly to community needs.”

The study also raises concerns about the future of wetland wildlife. Researchers found that animal activity dropped sharply during high tides, suggesting that rising sea levels and increased flooding could make marshes less usable for many species.

“These results highlight why protecting and restoring wetlands is so important,” Raposa said. “They also show the need for climate adaptation strategies, such as allowing marshes to migrate inland and conserving nearby uplands.”

LOCAL SPORTS

Fundraisers Coming For Watsonville Dubz

Two fundraisers are coming up that will give the community an opportunity to show support for the Watsonville Dubz 12U travel baseball team.

On March 28, the team will be hosting a golf fundraiser at Springs Hills Golf Course. Four-man teams will compete in a scramble tournament with raffles, and local businesses providing food and drinks along the way. And this month, On Feb. 20, The Dubz will host a Bingo Night at Straw Hat Pizza from 6 to 9 p.m.

Dubz coach Ruben Abrego said the community has been very supportive of the team, helping with car washes, donated food, equipment and more. Abrego and other parents started the team in 2025 with one goal: to provide local youth the chance to play competitive baseball at the highest level while teaching values of teamwork, dedication, and sportsmanship.

“We started as just a group of volunteer Little League coaches that wanted to get together in the summer and get the kids ready for the next Little League season,” Abrego said.

Little League is more than just a pastime, said Abrego. It can be an important part of growing up. It can help them build confidence, build character, teach them to be

responsible to others, and how to encourage others on the team.

“As coaches, we know this translates into who they become as an adult,” he said.

“To see the joy on the kids faces and all the hard work they’ve been doing is very rewarding. We want them to grow in, not only their game, but their life.”

The cost for the golf tournament is $150 per person. For more information or to sign up, contact Fred Martinez at (831) 566-2911. n

For more information on Pizza Night, see the calendar section.

Jorge Andrés Burgueño Céja

1973 ~ 2026

Jorge Andrés Burgueño Céja unexpectedly passed away peacefully at home on January 17, 2026, in Aptos, California, at the young age of 52. He passed after a courageous, lifelong battle with epilepsy.

Andrés was born on July 29, 1973, in Villa Juárez, Nayarit, Mexico, to Virginia Céja López and Andrea Burgueño Virgen, both of Villa Juárez. He later made his way to the United States, a journey whose story reads like a movie script—one that left anyone who heard it in awe.

Andrés graduated from Yerba Buena High School in San Jose, California, in 1992.

Andrés competed in cross country and track and field under Coach Bean, breaking records that ultimately took him to Los Angeles to try out for the Olympics. Coach Bean, along with his wife, played a pivotal role in Andrés’s life—welcoming him into their home and raising him as one of their own.

Known affectionately as “the wine guy,” Andrés spent nearly 19 years as a manager at the local Rancho Safeway in Aptos, where he made a lasting impression on coworkers and customers alike. His passion for wine

went far beyond his work; he dedicated himself to daily study in pursuit of becoming a sommelier.

Through determination and hard work, he achieved Level Three certification, leaving only two levels remaining to complete his dream. Andrés was also known for “Andrés Street Style Tacos.” He was passionate about providing catering throughout the Santa Cruz County region and was incredibly proud that his dad taught him how to become a taco guy. Van essa’s dad, Santiago, also encouraged them and pro vided the supplies they needed to start their small business.

Andrés was happily married to his wife and life partner, Vanessa Burgueño

Murillo, for 18 years. Together, they built a life rooted in love, laughter, and devotion to family. His infectious smile and bright, energetic personality left an impact on everyone he met. Andrés is survived by his beloved wife, Vanessa; his children Samuel, Emma, Guillermo, and Claudia Burgueño; and his seven siblings—five sisters and two brothers. He is reunited in passing with his older brother, Guillermo.

Family was the center of Andrés’s world. He dedicated his life to his wife and children, always making sure they knew how deeply loved they were.

Beyond his family, Andrés had many passions, including his love for Volkswagen

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

There’s Older Buildings than the Bayview

Editor’s note: This letter points to an error of omission made in the recent story “Bayview Hotel in Escrow Again,” which left out the word “commercial.” In the first paragraph, the story should have read “the oldest commercial building in Aptos, and possibly the county.” We apologize for the error and thank Mr. Sandidge for pointing it out.

In the opening paragraph of Jon Chown’s article it is stated “... the oldest building in Aptos and possibly the entire county … The Bayview Hotel

in Aptos, was built around 1870-78 by French Basque immigrant Jose Arano.”

Santa Cruz County›s building history spans from Spanish mission era adobes like the Santa Cruz Mission (1791) and Castro Adobe (1848-50), showcasing early Ohlone and Mexican Rancho life, to Gold Rush-era structures, early civic buildings (1850s), and later Victorian homes (like the Stick-Eastlake Hinds House, 1888-89)

Many people have taken history classes from Sandy Lydon who taught the important course about Santa Cruz County, from before

cars and his involvement with the Santa Cruz Dub’n VW Club. He was the inspiration behind the Santa Cruz Dub’n VW Show, which raised thousands of dollars for local education. Community mattered deeply to Andrés, and he was always thinking of ways to make a positive impact.

Andrés will be remembered for his generosity, his passion, his unforgettable smile, and the joy he brought to so many lives. His legacy lives on through the family, friends, and community he loved so dearly.

A viewing and rosary will be held on Friday, January 30, from 5 – 9 p.m. with rosary starting at 6:30 p.m. at Mehl’s Colonial Chapel, 222 E. Lake Ave. in Watsonville.

Funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, January 31 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 435 Monterey Ave. in Capitola, with a Celebration of Life to follow from Noon – 7 p.m. at Aptos Village Clubhouse, 100 Aptos Creek Rd.

All are welcome to attend. Please wear LIGHT colors, preferably light blue or white. NO BLACK CLOTHING.

the arrival of Europeans up to the modern era. Ross Eric Gibson writes about local history. The earliest notable Victorian-era houses in Santa Cruz County include:

• Alzina House (1850s): Though simpler, this redwood clapboard home by early settler Francisco Alzina on Mission Hill (now at 109 Sylvar Street) is considered the oldest wood-framed house in the city, predating the more ornate Victorian styles but marking the shift away from adobe.

• Louis Schwartz House (1867): Located at 222 Mission Street, this Gothic Revival home with distinctive bargeboards represents the earlier, more severe Victorian taste before the Queen Anne boom.

• Hinds House (1888-89): A prime example of the Stick-Eastlake style, this grand mansion at 529 Chestnut Street is the largest surviving of its type in the county and is listed on the National Register.

Examples from the Peak Victorian Era (1890s) Watsonville’s earliest significant Victorian homes, built by famed architect William Weeks, include the Redman-Hirahara House, a significant farm estate built in 1897 by architect William H. Weeks.

After decades of ownership by the Hirahara family, who transformed it into a community space after internment, the house has fallen into disrepair and is currently facing demolition after being delisted from the county’s historic inventory. Here is also the Porter House (c. 1870s), located at 29 Bishop, this home represents an earlier Victorian presence in Watsonville. — Ron Sandidge, Aptos

GOT ROOF PROBLEMS?

“Homelessness Funds” from page 15

According to Accountability California, the Santa Cruz County region received about $24.5 million in Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention funding in 2025, with nearly $21 million going directly to the county. The funds are distributed in five rounds. The final round of funding for the county, $5.08 million, was reduced by about $840,000 from the previous year due to the county’s failure to reduce homelessness enough.

Supporters of the new accountability measures say cities and counties have long collected state funds without proving they were using them effectively. Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, a Democrat from La Palma in Orange County, said the message from the state is clear: If local governments want the money, they must show results.

But others warn the new requirements could slow progress.

“I worry that we may leave more cities out,” said Carolyn Coleman, executive director and CEO of the League of California Cities, “and that we may cause delays in the ability to get more people housed sooner.”

A Tougher Application Process

Applying for state homelessness funds feels very different this year, said Robert Ratner, director of Santa Cruz County’s Housing for Health program. Although the county approved an encampment policy in September and has begun pursuing a prohousing designation, the state still returned its application with extensive

housing administrators in a difficult position, since they have no authority over enforcement policies.

“We’re housing providers,” she said. “We try to figure out how to provide people housing. We don’t want to weigh in on enforcement. At all.”

Local leaders worry that future funding rounds may require cities and counties not just to plan for compliance, but to already meet all benchmarks before receiving funds.

It’s All About Accountability

The debate centers on the state’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention program, the primary source of state homelessness funding for local governments.

Although originally introduced as onetime funding in 2019, the program became a recurring part of the state’s homelessness strategy. For four consecutive years, California distributed roughly $1 billion annually through the program.

Last year, however, the Legislature committed to $500 million — about half of previous funding levels — contingent on new accountability requirements.

Those requirements include having a state-approved housing plan, obtaining a prohousing designation, adopting a local encampment policy consistent with state guidance, providing local matching funds and demonstrating measurable progress on homelessness outcomes.

“It has felt, at times, like the goal post keeps moving a little bit,” Ratner said.

In Mendocino County, the state appears to be withholding funds until the county can explain how it plans to pass an encampment

“They’re holding the counties’ feet to the fire,” said Megan Van Sant, senior program manager with the Mendocino County Department of Social Services.

Van Sant said the requirement puts

Lawmakers expect further debate over the final requirements in the coming months. Critics argue that tying funding to factors like prohousing designations could penalize service providers for issues beyond their control.

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said the state should focus on more direct measures of success.

“We’re making this way too complicated,” he said. n

This article was originally published on ©CalMatters and republished under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercialNoDerivatives license.

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Newsom Wants to Overhaul Oversight of California Schools: Will Students Benefit?

By DAN WALTERS

Gov. Gavin Newsom dropped a brief and vaguely worded section into his State of the State address earlier this month, suggesting an overhaul of how California’s vast public education system is managed.

“It’s long overdue that we modernize the management of our educational system,” Newsom said, “and so in the budget I’ll be submitting tomorrow, I’m proposing that we unify the policymaking by the State Board of Education and the Department of Education, allowing the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to align our education policies from early childhood through college.”

The budget’s passage on this was longer, but still failed to explicitly say what Newsom had in mind.

The proposal cited two reports that criticized the multiple, often overlapping and sometimes competitive, state and local entities that govern schools. One was California’s Master Plan for Education, published in 2002. The other came from Policy Analysis for California Education, or PACE, a multi-university think tank, and was issued just weeks earlier.

The budget proposed moving oversight authority of the management of the state Department of Education and local districts under the California Board of Education.

Without saying so directly, Newsom would strip the elected state superintendent of schools of managerial authority over the state Department of Education, relegating the officeholder to an ombudsman or advisory

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Still Losing Power

Despite What PG&E Says

Hello, I’m writing in regards to the article titled “Trees Near Mar Monte Avenue Removed” by Claudia Iseman which was published in the 1-15-26 edition of the Aptos Times. The article quotes a PG&E official stating, “During the storms over Christmas, we had no outages,” which implies that the tree work that has been done thus far has improved the frequent power outages we experience on Mar Monte.

This statement is a total lie. I live in the 32-38 Mar Monte cul-de-sac directly across the eucalyptus grove and our power was out for nearly 14 hours on December 24.

In fact, that was the fourth outage we have experienced since September 2025, so removing the trees seems to have little impact. I’m in favor of the work that’s being done, but find it insensitive of PG&E to comment on the situation inaccurately.

Power outages occur in our neighborhood frequently, regardless of the time of year and regardless whether a tree has fallen, and it’s a touchy subject for our neighborhood. I would appreciate it if the author of the article was made aware of the erroneous statement that was published. n

— Erin Lingren, Aptos

role. Management would instead be vested in the Board of Education, whose members are appointed by the governor, along with an appointed executive director.

“These changes will strengthen governance of California’s education system to provide coherence and meaningful accountability to address the needs of students, parents, teachers, school staff, and administrators,” the budget proposal declared.

“California Schools” page 23

Field Day” from page 10

A “Get-on-the-Air” (GOTA) station allowed anyone to try amateur radio firsthand, and a contest took place where participants worldwide contacted as many other stations as possible to hone their operating skills.

But fun and games aside, the event also has a very serious purpose. Winter Field Day’s main objective is to help radio operators improve their preparedness for emergencies and enhance their skills in adverse conditions.

The Association and individual clubs around the globe strongly encourage ham radio operators to practice portable emergency communications in winter environments, as freezing temperatures, wet conditions, snow, ice and other hazards pose unique operational challenges. In the event operators are called upon to provide communication support during an emergency, the skills required to quickly establish radio communications can save lives.

In times of crisis, local volunteer organizations such as Santa Cruz Communications Support and Santa Cruz County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) supplement critical public safety communications. Disaster response readiness is their mission when other forms of communication have been disabled or when operating in remote locations. These volunteers coordinate with other first responders and organizations such as the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) when called upon for assistance or search and rescue.

Wason, who is also a member of CERT and ARES, knows the importance of this all too well. “This part of the world is the Disneyland of natural disasters”, he explains. “Between the San Lorenzo River, San Andreas Fault, wildfires, winter storms, mudslides, we have just about everything here.”

“We need to practice and be ready,”

said Wason. “Like the recent search for the missing woman in Bonny Doon, I threw my radio and gear into the truck, and within an hour and half of getting the call we had a dozen radio operators up there and went into the field to help with search and rescue and radio communications. We wouldn’t be able to do that without practice, practice, practice. And every situation is different.”

Wason pointed out that this network of volunteers and radio enthusiasts can always use new members and volunteers.

“Amateur radio has a reputation as an older guy’s hobby. Our club has been operating for 110 years, one of the oldest, started by Melvin Wilder of Wilder Ranch,” he said.

Membership has fluctuated over the years, but lately the clubs have seen an uptick in interest from the next generation, including students from UCSC who are bringing new energy and interest. That’s important, not just from a club membership standpoint, but also as a future resource for emergency communications expertise.

In between disasters, ham radio operators do enjoy the lighter side of the hobby. As Wason points out, you get a chance to communicate with like-minded people on the other side of the world.

“Every afternoon a Japanese operator checks in and wants to talk, so it’s always nice to talk to him and find out what’s going on in Japan,” he said. “It’s fun to make long distance contacts. Yesterday I contacted Turkey, and after that New Zealand. That’s the essence of ham radio. We have certain rules and regulations, but nothing is encrypted. It’s open source and world’s our oyster. We can play with everything.” n •••

For more inf about amateur radio or local club membership, contact: Santa Cruz County Amateur Radio Club: https://k6bj.org/wordpress/ — San Lorenzo Valley Amateur Radio Club: https://www.slvarc.org

Getting Wiggly With It: SCG Students Teach Community

By Carlo Albano

Santa Cruz Gardens students have been digging deep into their community. On Nov. 9-10, SCG Green Team leadership students came out during their fall garden workday to lead a bustling composting workshop for the community.

“These workshops are important because you’re not going to keep buying a bunch of things, like new worm castings. You

Festival Season Opens With Brass and Organ Fundraiser

SANTA CRUZ. — The Santa Cruz Baroque Festival will launch its 2026 concert season with a fundraising performance, Musical Stories of Brass and Organ, on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 4 p.m. at Calvary Episcopal Church, 532 Center St.

The program features organist Jörg Reddin and the Santa Cruz Brass Quintet, led by Scott Wilkinson, performing works

“California Schools” from page 21

The current superintendent, former state legislator Tony Thurmond, complained that he was not consulted about what would be a major overhaul of responsibility for a system that serves nearly 6 million students and accounts for the largest single portion of the state budget.

“This governance proposal doesn’t establish any structures proven to move the needle on student outcomes,” Thurmond said. “Instead, it shifts authority to implement TK-12 education programs away from the official who California voters have elected to lead our state’s public schools.”

save,” says Taylor Murphy. “It’s also really fun to do.”

SCG is in its third year as a recognized Ocean Guardian School, focused on watershed stewardship and advocacy and managed by NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. Part of being honored as an Ocean Guardian School means conducting external outreach — sharing with the community ways in which everyone can protect local watersheds. This is exactly what SCG Green Team leaders did.

“Composting is important because it makes things break down faster,” say Olin Wilson and Lyanna Vega. “Composting creates a cycle to reduce our waste.”

Ms. Jade extrapolated further about that waste: “When you place organic matter in the trash or landfill, it doesn›t compost the healthy way, but instead creates methane. This is a harmful greenhouse gas that impacts our watersheds by creating warming ocean temperatures and harming marine ecosystems.”

Focusing specifically on methane reduction by diverting food scraps away from landfills, students modeled an easy way to compost at home. Students demonstrated how to vermicompost in a tiered system, specifically with red wiggler worms. Vermicomposting — or composting organic waste with worms — is an effective way to

compost organic matter such as household food scraps. Students emphasized that red wigglers are best for the job because they are surface feeders, eating one-quarter to one-half of their body weight in food per day.

In the process, the worm waste also creates a highly sought-after and pricey garden amendment: worm castings. Caring

for easy, engaging invertebrates while helping the planet was a key takeaway.

For more info about vermicomposting, visit: https://rodaleinstitute.org/science/ articles/vermicomposting-for-beginners/ Red wigglers are available at most local garden stores. n

Carlo Albano is the principal of Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary.

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

from Giovanni Gabrieli to Johann Sebastian Bach. The concert will highlight fascinating stories behind the music, including insights into Bach’s famous Toccata in D minor.

The full 2026 season begins Feb. 8 with a solo organ recital, Themes and Variations, at Holy Cross Church, 126 High St, featuring variations, chaconnes, and passacaglias by Sweelinck, Böhm, Couperin, and Bach, including two newly authenticated Bach chaconnes, BWV 1178 and 1179,

It appears Newsom’s administration had been laying the groundwork for the power shift long before the State of the State address.

The PACE report issued in December was part of that process and called for exactly what Newsom is proposing.

“California’s education governance system is a complex network of agencies and entities designed to serve the most diverse and expansive TK-12 population in the United States,” the PACE report said. “This system incorporates state, regional, and local levels of authority, each tasked with specific responsibilities and oversight.”

“However, its complexity often results

in what organizers hope will be a North American premiere.

Other season highlights include Baroque Songs and Arias (Feb. 21), Baroque Festival meets Family (March 1), Secular and Sacred Vocal Music (March 7), and All Bach Solo Violin (April 25). Tickets are available online at Instant Seats, by phone at 831-457-9693, or by mail at P.O. Box 482, Santa Cruz, CA 95061. For more info, call or email manager@ santacruzbaroquefestival.org.

in overlapping responsibilities, fragmented authority, and challenges in ensuring streamlined decision-making.”

PACE also issued a statement backing the change from Michael Kirst, a leading academic authority on education and architect of the Local Control Funding Formula enacted in 2012 under then-Gov. Jerry Brown.

Kirst called the proposal “a new vision and a dramatic overhaul” that would address what he described as a 19th-century governance structure.

“The lack of fundamental change since then has hindered education progress,” he said.

•••

Santa Cruz RTC Assumes Control of Rail Line

SANTA CRUZ — The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) will become the common carrier for a portion of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line following the termination of its agreement with Progressive Rail Incorporated, officials announced in mid January.

“Briefs” page 26

Politics aside, Newsom’s proposal would streamline a governance system that is currently opaque and fragmented, shielding many points of authority from accountability.

At the same time, by vesting nearly total authority in the governor and appointed officials, it would make it harder for a governor to avoid accountability if educational achievement — which now lags — does not significantly improve. n

This article was originally published on ©CalMatters and was republished under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercialNoDerivatives license.

Miracles Santa Cruz is Transforming Lives Disabilities are Overcome With the Power of Theater

The story begins years ago with founder Lizz Hodgin Weihrauch and her son Daniel.

For four years, most every Saturday Lizz and Daniel drove from Santa Cruz to San Jose so Daniel — who has Down syndrome and a stutter — could participate in a specialized theater program. While Daniel was naturally quiet offstage, the transformation under the lights was undeniable.

“He’s loud, dynamic — there’s no stuttering or whispering,” Hodgin recalls. “It’s like he becomes a completely different person.”

Moved by that experience, Weihrauch partnered with colleagues Mike Nichols and Stephen Ferro to bring the same opportunity closer to home. Together, they founded Miracles Santa Cruz in 2013 with a shared vision: create a welcoming space where individuals with disabilities are celebrated, supported, and given access to the transformative power of the arts.

More than a decade later, that vision continues to thrive. Nichols has returned to the program and now leads Miracles Santa Cruz, while Ferro remains actively involved as a volunteer. Ferro’s son, Addan, who also has Down syndrome, participates in the program — bringing the founding story full circle.

The director of our current show, Brad Roades, is a local actor, director and script writer.

Roades wrote: “Miracles Santa Cruz has been one of the most rewarding theatrical experiences in my almost 60 years of theatre.

Each performer brings a diverse set of talents and willingness to learn and participate that is refreshing. We have been able to create a show out of what interests them. Every week each performer picks a song to sing or dance to which is part of our process which we call showcase.

This group brings the most interesting and diverse music, from Disney to opera to current country music or reggae. We then help them take some of those showcase selections and then build a show around it. This year the major theme has developed into ‘See Me. I Matter.’ I encourage people to come and share the joy these performers have when they get a moment to shine.”

“Miracles Santa Cruz” page 26

For 65 Years, We’ve Loved Serving This Community

From the office of the Soquel Creek Water District

Love stories don’t always come with grand gestures. Sometimes, they show up quietly — day after day — in the form of reliability, care, and commitment. For us at Soquel Creek Water District, that kind of love has flowed steadily through our community for 65 years.

As Valentine’s Day reminds us to appreciate what we care about most, it’s also a fitting moment to reflect on one of our community’s most essential relationships: our shared connection to water.

A Relationship Built Over Time

Since the District was formed in 1961, our mission has changed from flood prevention to providing clean, reliable water to the people who live and work here as well as groundwater sustainability. What began as a response to flooding and later to water supply issues has grown into a long-standing partnership with the community—one shaped by changing needs, new challenges, and a shared responsibility to protect a limited resource.

In those early years, water systems were smaller and less connected. Pipes were made of different materials, technology was simpler, and the community itself was growing. But even then, there was an understanding that water required care — that it wasn’t something to take for granted.

Over the decades, the District expanded and improved our infrastructure, upgrading aging pipelines, improving water quality monitoring, all while keeping service reliable through earthquakes, droughts, storms, and everyday demands. This work wasn’t flashy, but it mattered — and it still does.

Love Means Showing Up

Real love is consistent. It shows up at inconvenient times. It works behind the scenes. It’s there when things get hard.

For the District, that has meant responding to emergencies like the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and the Bates Creek

Washout in 2023, investing in infrastructure before failures occur, and adapting to new water quality standards and environmental regulations. It has meant listening to the community, adjusting course when needed, and planning for challenges that won’t fully arrive for decades.

It has also meant encouraging water efficiency. Over time, customers across the District have embraced water-saving practices, proving that stewardship isn’t just a policy goal, but a shared community value.

and confidence in the path ahead. Water challenges are becoming more complex, but the values guiding us remain unchanged: service, stewardship, transparency, and partnership.

Much of that work happens quietly — underground, behind the scenes, and out of sight. But every day, District crews are out in neighborhoods across the community: fixing leaks, maintaining pipes, upgrading infrastructure, and making sure clean water is there when you turn on the tap.

Caring for Water Today

Today, serving this community means more than delivering water to homes and businesses. It means protecting the groundwater basin that supplies it — especially as seawater intrusion threatens wells along the coast and climate change places increasing pressure on local resources.

That commitment is reflected in our Pure Water Soquel project, which replenishes the groundwater basin using highly purified recycled water. It’s a forward-thinking solution rooted in science, community input, and long-term responsibility — designed to ensure that future generations have access to the same dependable water supply this community relies on today.

At the same time, our staff continues the everyday work that rarely makes headlines: assisting customers, maintaining pipes and pumps, responding to leaks, monitoring water quality, making presentations, and ensuring that water is there when you turn on the tap — every morning, every season, every year.

Looking Ahead with Care

Love isn’t just about honoring the past; it’s about planning for the future.

As we mark our 65th anniversary, we do so with gratitude for the community we serve

So if you see a Soquel Creek Water District truck parked on your street, or a crew working nearby, give a wave. Say hello. Know that we are part of a 65-year commitment to this community — one pipe, one street, one connection at a time.

This Valentine’s season, we celebrate a relationship built on trust and care — one that continues to grow stronger with time.

Because loving this community means showing up, doing the hard work, and protecting what matters most.

For 65 years, that’s been the heart of our mission. And it always will be. n

Love’s in the Air

The Christmas Tree Becomes the Valentine’s Tree

Esoteric Astrology • February 2026 • By Risa

D’Angeles

As February begins we have multiple celebrations (needed in the dark of winter). The celebrations are Tu B’Shevat (Jewish Arbor Day) and St. Brigid’s Day (February 1), Candlemas, Purification, Baptism, Cross Quarter and Groundhog Day (February 2 — will winter last long?). All under Sun, Mercury, Mars, Venus and Pluto in Aquarius. February 14 is Valentine’s Day. On Candlemas, our Christmas tree becomes a Valentine’s tree.

Aquarius is the third air sign after Gemini (talk) and Libra (relationship). Aquarius is fixed air, a mental sign to develop the thinking mind. So that humanity can focus the mind, be equipoised in the higher mind. Aquarius as spiritual air is subtle matter, the light, electricity and energy field around the physical body – the etheric body. Here one understands the secrets of time and space and invisible intelligence. The mysteries of the ancient world, the finer sciences (astrology, energy healing, etc.) will emerge once again in Aquarius.

that flows through humanity eternally. This is the “Voice of Silence” of ancient scriptures. Aquarius is the Ray of White Magic. Aquarius, on the higher levels, is a training ground for the servers of humanity, the White Magicians, apprenticing the Christ.

The secret to space (or air) is that space is pulsating with life and potency. And this pulsation moves in rhythmic structural waves through space. Aquarius rules this reality – from a seeming nothing, there is something. The water pot of Aquarius creates a humming sound

ARIES

Experiences and thoughts, dreams and visions are beginning to shift and change and these will more clearly define who you have become. As new ideals and visions occur, they become your daily reality. There is a call to study and research, discover, create and/or find groups that are like-minded. Groups and people that create a template for community. As the new appears, fear and trepidation are no longer your partners. Wisdom’s coming. It would be good to study astrology.

TAURUS

Your future is being placed in front of you. Your study of money and resources, assets, gold, silver and metals should be first on your list each day. Through sharing your knowledge you create a large portion of everyone else’s future. You are thus asked to lead with others in partnership and create the visions others will uphold and bring into form and matter. Any wasting of time, any illusions or a Pollyanna-ish idea of reality fall away. Take care of your health. You need someone by your side. They sustain you.

GEMINI

You might need (want) to take up a new study, be committed to learning, return to school, seek another profession. Or perhaps it’s to put together an expanded job description to a job in another land. It seems as if you’ll travel to one or more areas of the world or perhaps to communities in order to visit friends, assess living there and review their spiritual emphasis and orientation. Work is challenging and money may become more of an issue. Judge its (your, their) worth carefully. Then share.

CANCER

Great benefits, at first very subtly, begin to appear in your life. Later you realize the benefit is really a joy that has quietly entered your life as if on little cat’s feet. You find your thinking is clarifying and being reshaped to fit the present times. Intuition, perception and visions become more and more available. Allow nothing to interrupt or impose demands upon your field. Fear could do this. Love, the great healer, neutralizes fear, adds optimism, and unfolds the twelve petals of the heart.

Neptune just entered Aries (all things new), which is quickening the appearance of Aquarius. We notice the past is beginning to disappear. New realities, new ideas are beginning to appear in our government, country and the world. Operations are being conducted in a manner both unusual and historic.

At the beginning of a new era/age, what is no longer needed is withdrawn. In the destruction (Neptune) of the old-world order and in the chaos (Uranus) of these modern times, the work of the new creation (Aquarius) is going forward (Aries). There is much that must be done to change conditions, institute new values and produce the bringing in of an entirely new culture and civilization — under spiritual control as it was known in old Atlantean days, only this time on a much higher turn of the spiral and with the intelligent cooperation and wise assistance of humanity, which was the factor lacking in the earlier civilization. And so now we move forward quickly with more changes to come. n

LEO

You become more aware of working with powerful forces these days. They are cosmic forces — energies from the stars, sun, moon and planets. We act out those forces. But if we don’t, those around us will act them out for us. Life is a paradox, a dream, a mirror, a drama, a play, everyone doing their part. This is a secret mysterious piece of information — to know people in our environments act out the movements of the heavens. Observe everything through this lens. Then begin to laugh like the Dalai Lama. He knows this secret too. It’s occult and esoteric.

VIRGO

Take hold, tend and care for the family’s resources and begin to restructure them, making changes as needed, rearranging all financial comings and goings. You have this ability. Place more into savings; use the money for tangible goods, preparing for the future when goods may not be readily available. Community is most important. Who in your daily life, family and work world, is your community? If no one comes to mind, then begin developing one with love and goodwill and right relations.

LIBRA

Some shift and/or transformation has, is or will be occurring in your domestic world, It is a good thing, creating expansion and changes in your self-identity. Perhaps there is something, a move, an interruption, a revelation that upends the foundation that has held you steady. This change will create more discipline in your life. Perhaps there is a distance or a withholding or an absence or a task needing to be completed allowing for a depth of feeling in your personal world. Think good fortune, health and healing, order and structure. “Be of love, too, (a little) more careful than of everything.” Who wrote that poem?

SCORPIO

The message for you, your personal seed thought, the way ahead, the north star in your life is “creativity.” I suggest you study this word from all levels, and then list for yourself all the ways you are creative. Then list all the ways you wish you were creative. Then list all those you think are creative. Then list creative people you recognize. Then define the word creative. It’s etymology. From these exercises create an art piece that expresses your joys and sorrows, enjoyments, talents, abilities, hopes, wishes and dreams. The creative field is wide open now. Bring it down and in. Shaping it like a mudra.

SAGITTARIUS

Everything about you now needs freedom and the sense of being sovereign. Everyone now becomes very personal, very inner and your creative potential opens in direct relation to your spiritual insights and endeavors. Everything domestic is most important. And if you think not, then make it so through gratitude (for everything), which then brings upon you blessings and grace. Grace is an esoteric word for Initiation, a change in consciousness, a spiritual expansion, which you’re going through. You laugh, too, like the Dalai Lama.

CAPRICORN

You’re inspired to study family lineage, history and relatives so you can have a realistic (knowledgeable and compassionate) view of where you came from and who you are. This gives you a foundation, stability and a sense of self within a cycle of history. There can be great misunderstandings in family communication, a cross between idealism and freedom. Then all reality somehow gets lost. And you, too. There’s a mantram that is useful to recite daily. “Let reality govern my every thought and truth be the master of my life.” Family is our first community.

AQUARIUS

Take conscious care with your personal resources, with what you consider of value. Take care with how you relate and¬ communicate with people. Realize that things in matter, although having monetary value, are not the same as people who have feelings, hopes, dreams, sorrows and needs. Try not to overspend and don’t loan or borrow money to friends. Know there are financial benefits coming your way. Also realize when you care for others, your well-being and self-identity grow exponentially. It’s time for you to be in community. You’re needed there.

PISCES

You are considering how to expand your talents, gifts and abilities. How to bring them into the world. There is new freedom of identity approaching, much of which had been lost in a cloud of unknowing for the past several years. You will experience a new destiny, a celebration, a bit of self-indulgence, horizons widening, opportunities appearing, new projects initiated and the arts incorporated in your daily life. You had almost given up. Study the word celebration. Write out what you hope to create in the coming new year. Plant seeds on Candlemas.

“Miracles Santa Cruz” from page 24

Every Monday evening, performers ages 14 and up gather at the Colligan Theater at the Tannery Arts Center. No prior theater experience is required — just curiosity, courage, and enthusiasm. Rehearsals are filled with breakthroughs: first solos, confident lines, and friendships that extend far beyond the stage.

Miracles Santa Cruz invites the community to be part of a story where possibility shines — and every voice truly matters.

Come see our show on Saturday, Feb. 7, 7 p.m. at the Colligan Theatre! Free Admission with a $20 suggested donation. n •••

If you are wanting to be a part of this or know more, email miraclessc831@gmail.com or check out our website, miraclessc.com.

“Briefs” from page 23

The decision ends months of unproductive negotiations and allows the RTC to move forward with development of the Coastal Rail Trail while preserving existing freight and recreational rail uses.

The commission emphasized it remains committed to continuing freight service for the three existing customers in Watsonville and maintaining the popular Beach Train excursion service operated by Roaring Camp Railroads.

“Unfortunately, Progressive Rail has been unwilling to find a workable path forward while making unrealistic and unattainable demands,” said RTC Executive Director Sarah Christensen.

“Terminating this agreement is a necessary next step to move forward with implementing the Coastal Rail Trail and future passenger rail opportunities while protecting the public’s investment in this corridor.”

Factors cited in the decision included Progressive Rail’s lack of cooperation on the interim rail trail project, failure to meet maintenance obligations, and obstruction of broader community use, as well as the need to protect roughly $120 million in grant funding for the trail.

The RTC will now solicit proposals from qualified operators for freight service in Watsonville and complete the necessary filings to assume carrier status north of the city. n

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Dormant Pruning Promotes Fruit Production

By Tony Tomeo

While they are dormant through winter, deciduous fruit trees require specialized ‘dormant pruning.’

Exceptions are rare.

Most need major pruning that might seem to be excessive. Without such pruning, fruit trees produce more fruit than they can sustain. Excessive fruit is very likely to be of inferior quality, beyond reach, and heavy enough to disfigure limbs.

Dormant pruning limits the volume and weight of fruit that can develop during a following season. By eliminating structural deficiencies and maintaining compact form, it improves the structural integrity of trees. It eliminates diseased stems, and concentrates resources into healthy stems. Dormant pruning concentrates resources into less but better fruit too.

Dormant pruning is necessary because of extensive breeding to improve the quality and quantity of fruit that fruit trees produce. The ancestors of modern cultivars of fruit produce either smaller or less abundant fruit that they can generally support in the wild. However, even some wild fruit trees will produce better fruit with pruning to concentrate resources.

The many various types of fruit trees need various types of specialized dormant pruning. Unfortunately, such trees, which are so commonly available from nurseries, do not come with instructions. It is important to be aware of the sort of maintenance any particular fruit tree will require, prior to incorporating it into a garden. Some dormant pruning is extreme!

The various stone fruits are the most popular deciduous fruit trees. They are of the genus ‘Prunus.’ Their fruits contain single large seeds, or ‘stones.’ This includes apricot,

cherry, nectarine, peach, plum, prune, almond and all their hybrids. They need the most intense dormant pruning. (Almond nuts are stones of leathery fruits that are the hulls of the nuts.)

Although uncommon within the mild coastal climates of Southern California, pome fruits, primarily apple and pear, are very popular too. They require specialized dormant pruning that is very different from what stone fruits need. Likewise, persimmon, pomegranate, fig, mulberry, currant, kiwi, grape and cane berries, each need customized dormant pruning.

•••

Persimmon

Mostother deciduous fruit trees provide delightfully profuse spring bloom as well as fruit. Persimmon, Diospyros kaki, does not. It compensates though, with brilliant orange foliar color for autumn. Defoliation reveals comparably bright orange ripe fruit. The awkwardly bulky fruit may look silly on lanky limbs of otherwise bare trees, but they sure are yummy!

Persimmon trees will not require a pollinator to generate an abundance of fruit. However, according to some experts, paired trees of different cultivars produce more abundant fruit of slightly better quality. Abundance is not necessarily an asset though. Unfortunately, all that very perishable fruit ripens at the same time. Fruit is inedible before completely ripe.

Mature persimmon trees can get big enough to become moderate shade trees. If they do, their abundant fruit will be too high to reach, and will generate a horrendous mess when it falls. Although they are handsome trees, they should probably stay relatively short and compact. New trees should be planted while dormant during winter, preferably bare root. •••

Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

ONGOING EVENTS

Mondays

BRIDGE CLUB

10:30 a.m.-Noon, 7695 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA 95003

The Aptos Branch Library hosts Bridge Club sessions on Mondays (except holidays).

Bridge Club is a partnership between Santa Cruz County Parks and Santa Cruz Public Libraries.

Register at scparks.com or in-person the day of the event.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS

7 p.m., Congregational Church Preschool Meeting Room, 4951 Soquel Ave., Soquel

Overeaters Anonymous welcomes any type of eating disorder or problems with food.

No dues, fees or weigh-ins.

Meetings take place at Congregational Church in the preschool meeting room.

All are welcome.

Overeaters Anonymous (OA) has meetings daily both in-person and on-line in Santa Cruz County at santacruzoa.org

Fourth Mondays

THE SPOKEN EXPERIENCE

Noon – 1 p.m., Capitola Branch Library, 2005 Wharf Rd

Each month a community of readers gather to share selections from a featured poet.

Join local poets Paola Bruni, Elaine Fletcher Chapman and Jessica Cohn as they lead the discussion.

February’s artist: Billy Collins

Tuesdays

BINGO AT MCSC

1-3 p.m., Mid County Senior Center, 829 Bay Avenue, Capitola (behind the Party Store)

TUESDAY NIGHT SALSA SOCIAL

Hot Dogs, Chili and snacks available for purchase courtesy of our Snack Shack. A lot of fun for all and a possible big win!

Door opens at 12:15 p.m.

7 – 10 p.m., Abbott Square Market, 725 Front St., Santa Cruz Join a midweek salsa social at Abbott Square Market with salsa, cumbia, merengue, and bachata. Free and open to all skill levels—just bring energy and dancing shoes.

More information: www.abbottsquaremarket.com

Thursdays

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING

7:15-9:15 p.m., Peace United Church 900 High St, Santa Cruz. Beginners welcome, partners not required. $10 each. First class free. Come dance!

HAPPY HOUR

5-7 p.m., California Coffee, 9105 Soquel Drive, Aptos California Coffee in Redwood Village hosts an open mic happy hour every week.

Third Thursdays

SIP AND STROLL

6-9 p.m. (check-in 5 p.m.), Seacliff Inn, 7500 Old Dominion Court, Aptos

Come to the Seacliff Inn: Tapestry Collection by Hilton, for a Sip & Stroll event where local artists to show and sell their works.

Wines are 30% off, and the featured winery will offer tastings of three varietals for $10 per person.

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote? E-mail info (no PDFs please) to info@cyber-times.com

Details of this and more Sevy’s events at www.sevysbarand kitchen.com/events

Fridays (except First Friday of the Month)

LA SELVA BEACH LIBRARY BRIDGE GROUP

10:30-Noon, La Selva Beach Public Library, 316 Estrella Ave. Come for bridge from 10:30 to noon at the La Selva Beach library.

Call La Selva Library to reserve your seat: 831-427-7710.

First Saturdays

CAPITOLA BEACH CLEANUP

9-10 a.m., Esplanade Park

Help preserve and maintain the coastal beauty of Capitola. Join a beach cleanup every month at Esplanade Park. Keep Capitola Salty is a grassroots movement dedicated to responsible efforts helping to maintain and preserve the environment, scenic beauty and coastal recreational activities of Capitola.

This movement is always looking for volunteers. Email KeepCapitolaSalty@gmail.com.

Second Saturdays

HISTORICAL AIRCRAFT DISPLAY

10 a.m.-4 p.m., Watsonville Municipal Airport, 100 Aviation Way Watsonville Municipal Airport hosts a Historical Aircraft Display every second Saturday. Admission is free.

Saturdays and Sundays

ELKHORN SLOUGH: FREE TOUR OF THE PRESERVE

10 a.m. | 11 a.m., Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville

Docent-led tours offer visitors a guided introduction to Elkhorn Slough’s remarkable landscapes, wildlife, and tidal wetlands.

Each walk is tailored to participants’ interests and abilities, creating an engaging, educational experience.

Space is limited, and tours are first-come, firstserved.

WEEKLY FARMERS’ MARKETS

WEDNESDAYS

Guests can sign up at the Visitor Center front desk or call ahead the same morning at (831) 728-2822 for availability.

First Sundays

SANTA CRUZ DINNER CLUB

5 p.m., Various member homes throughout county Love to cook, entertain and socialize?

Santa Cruz Dinner Club’s monthly events are held in several homes throughout Santa Cruz County, where members enjoy delicious meals, fine wine and good conversation.

Joining the club provides a great opportunity to cook, to entertain, and to meet locals that share your interests. Learn more about the Santa Cruz Dinner Club by contacting Rhonda Mills at rhondaloves2paint@gmail.com to learn more.

DATED EVENTS

Sunday February 1

COCO MONTOYA

4 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz Celebrated blues guitarist and vocalist Coco Montoya brings fiery electric blues and soulful storytelling to Moe’s Alley.

Known for his passionate guitar work and gritty voice, Montoya blends traditional blues with powerful contemporary flair.

Doors open at 3 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

Monday February 2

JOEL ROSS – GOOD VIBES

7 p.m., Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St, Santa Cruz Vibraphonist and composer Joel Ross blends jazz, hip hop, and Chicago improvised music into a globally acclaimed sound.

Doors and dinner start at 6 p.m. All ages welcome.

For tickets, dinner specials, and more information, visit www. kuumbwajazz.org.

DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ — 1 – 5 PM, Cedar St. & Church St.

A bustling market featuring certified organic produce, artisanal foods, seafood, baked goods, flowers, and prepared foods. EBT/SNAP accepted, and Market Match doubles purchases (up to $10). Free entry; metered and garage parking available — free after 6 PM. Live local music and street closures add vibrant atmosphere. Full vendor list and updates at santacruzfarmersmarket.org.

FRIDAYS

WATSONVILLE (Certified) — 3 – 7 PM, Peck St & Main St. Allyear market offering Watsonville-grown produce, seafood, dairy, flowers, hot foods, artisan goods. Free entry; metered parking available. EBT/SNAP + Market Match. Vendor news via local AARP events.

SATURDAYS

WESTSIDE SANTA CRUZ — 9 AM – 1 PM, Mission St Ext & Western Dr.

Yearround market offering 100% certified-organic produce, seafood, meats, flowers, prepared meals, espresso bar, and artisan goods. Free parking on site. EBT/SNAP + Market Match. Often hosts pop-up breakfast events. Perfect for starting your weekend with fresh food and community energy. Full details at santacruzfarmersmarket.org.

APTOS (at Cabrillo College) — 8 AM – Noon, 6500 Soquel Drive

Celebrated coastal market with over 90 vendors selling produce, sustainable seafood, artisan breads, honey, meats, flowers, and hot food. EBT/WIC accepted. Free/year-round weekend oasis for local flavors and crafts. Hosted by MontereyBayFarmers.

SUNDAYS

LIVE OAK/EASTSIDE — 9 AM – 1 PM, 15th & East Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz Vibrant seaside Sunday market featuring organic produce, fresh seafood, hot food stands (Mexican, crepes, brunch), pastries, coffee, flowers. Free parking, EBT/SNAP, Market Match, and monthly family-oriented events.

WATSONVILLE FAIRGROUNDS — 9 AM – 4 PM, 2601 E Lake Ave, Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Year-round market with wide selection of local produce, meats, seafood, crafts, and prepared foods. EBT/SNAP accepted. Parking onsite. Great for combining a market visit with other Fairgrounds activities.

28 / February 1st 2026 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Tuesday February 3

SAY SHE SHE WITH SPECIAL GUEST KATZÙ OSO

Doors 7 p.m., Show 8 p.m., Moe’s Alley, Santa Cruz NYC punk-chic, discodelic band Say She She delivers powerful three-part harmonies and irresistible grooves that combine music, rebellion, and empowerment.

Fronted by Nya Gazelle Brown, Sabrina Cunningham, and Piya Malik, the band inspires movement, thought, and strength. Ages 21+.

Tickets: $30 in advance, $35 day of show.

TOWN HALL MEETING WITH SUPERVISOR MONICA MARTINEZ

6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Felton Community Hall, 6191 Highway 9 Residents of San Lorenzo Valley, Scotts Valley, and surrounding areas are invited to a town hall with Santa Cruz County Supervisor Monica Martinez.

Discuss priorities like storm response, road conditions, wildfire preparedness, and more.

Learn about the County’s strategic plan and share input to help guide future projects.

For more information, contact Supervisor Martinez’s office.

Thursday February 5

AWE @ THE MAH: PUBLIC LECTURE WITH DR. DACHER KELTNER

6 p.m., Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, 705 Front Street The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History kicks off its 30th anniversary year with a special lecture by psychologist Dr. Dacher Keltner, exploring the science of awe and its role in connection, reflection, and well-being.

Participants can purchase books, get them signed, and join an optional oceanside Awe Walk. More information at scmah.org.

FRESH START: EMPOWERING IMMIGRANTS WITH SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE FOR A SUCCESSFUL LIFE IN THE U.S. 6:30 p.m., Aptos Branch Library’s Betty Leonard Community Room, 7695 Soquel Drive, Aptos

Hear a panel discussion on the immigration process, legal services for immigrants and current challenges facing immigrant communities.

Panelists from Community Action Board, Senderos and Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey will share insights and answer audience questions.

This is a hybrid event.

For details and registration, visit santacruzpl.libnet.info/events.

TRIO GRANDE WITH GILAD HEKSELMAN, WILL VINSON & NATE WOOD

7 p.m., Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St, Santa Cruz Trio Grande, featuring saxophonist Will Vinson, guitarist Gilad Hekselman, and drummer Nate Wood, delivers a critically acclaimed mix of jazz tradition and contemporary innovation. Doors and dinner begin at 6 p.m.

All ages welcome.

For tickets, dinner specials, and more information, visit www. kuumbwajazz.org.

Friday February 6

BEATS ANTIQUE

Doors 7 p.m., Show 8 p.m., Rio Theatre, Santa Cruz Beats Antique, a U.S.-based experimental world fusion and electronic music group, blends diverse genres with live performances featuring heavy percussion, samples, Tribal Fusion dance, and performance art. All ages are welcome.

Fully standing, general admission. Tickets: $45.95.

SOUL MAJESTIC “BOB MARLEY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION” WITH KNOLIJ TAFARI + SELECTA 7

9 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz Soul Majestic honor Bob Marley with a reggae celebration featuring vocalist KnoLij Tafari and Selecta 7 on the decks. Expect roots rhythms, uplifting grooves, and classic reggae vibes. Doors open at 8 p.m. For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

Saturday February 7

PROPOSITION MOLE PRESENTS ‘TIL DEATH DO US PART: A WHACK-A-MOLE DRAG SHOW

8 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz A flamboyant night of drag, dance, and spectacle hosted by Proposition Mole.

Expect high-energy performances, creative costumes, and a lively atmosphere.

Doors open at 8 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

SPARE PARTS ARTS: A VISIT TO A LIGHTING DESIGNER/ ROBOT SCULPTOR’S STUDIO

10 a.m.–noon, , 3025 Porter St., Soquel

Explore Mario Guizar’s whimsical lighting and art studio, where robot sculptures and other creations are built from spare lamp and clock parts.

Guizar will share his story and creative process.

A robot sculpture coloring page will be available. Rain or shine. For details, visit santacruzpl.libnet.info/events.

FALLEN OFFICER FOUNDATION 20TH ANNIVERSARY BALL

5 p.m. – 11 p.m., The Grove at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St.

Join the Fallen Officer Foundation for its 20th Anniversary Ball, honoring local first responders and supporting families of fallen and injured officers.

The elegant evening features a silent and live auction with items generously donated by the community.

Tickets are $150. Your participation—through attendance or donations—directly impacts those who serve Santa Cruz County.

More information and tickets available online.

TRESTLES & THE DIRTY TURKEYS

8 p.m., The Catalyst Club, 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz Catch Trestle Donor reception follows at 6 p.m.. For more information, visit santacruzbaroque.org.

Sunday February 8

KARAOKE: LOVE IS IN THE AIR

2–4 p.m., Market Street Theater, 222 Market Street, Santa Cruz

Sing your heart out at this fun, all-ages karaoke event celebrating love and community.

All voices are welcome, whether you’re a seasoned singer or just want to cheer others on. Suggested donation is $10, or $5 for kids.

Proceeds benefit the Market Street Senior Center. For more information, visit https://www.marketstreetseniorcenter. org or call (831) 423-6640.

Monday February 9

ALFREDO RODRIGUEZ & PEDRITO MARTINEZ

7 p.m., Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St, Santa Cruz

Cuban-born pianist Alfredo Rodriguez and percussionist Pedrito Martinez combine classical and folkloric roots to create a vibrant, genre-defying sound. Doors and dinner start at 6 p.m.

All ages welcome.

For tickets, dinner specials, and more information, visit www. kuumbwajazz.org.

Tuesday February 10

WRITING WORKSHOP: UNDERDOG STORIES

6:30 p.m., Scotts Valley Branch Library, Fireside Room, 251 Kings Village Road

Explore the underdog story theme from Spare Parts in this interactive writing workshop led by local author Anne Janzer.

Participants will examine key storytelling elements and apply them through guided prompts. Open to all genres. This is a hybrid event. For details and registration, visit santacruzpl.libnet.info/ events.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

WATSONVILLE DUBZ BINGO NIGHT

Friday February 20

6 – 9 p.m., Straw Hat Pizza, 2026 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville

The Watsonville Dubz 12U travel baseball team hosts Bingo Night, featuring prizes and pizza.

Five games are $10. Proceeds support the team’s travel and tournament costs as they prepare to compete in Cooperstown, NY in 2026.

Sponsored by Straw Hat Pizza and Universal Janitorial. For details, visit santacruzpl.libnet.info/events.

Wednesday February 11

MEET THE AUTHOR: MARY FLODIN

10:30 – 11:30 a.m., Porter Memorial Library, 305 Porter St., Aptos Mary Flodin presents Incident at Cougar Creek, a magical eco-thriller set on Central California’s Cougar Creek Coast Ranch.

Explore a story of nature, murder, and supernatural secrets. Free and open to all. Coffee provided. More information: portermemoriallibrary.org.

WESTERN WEDNESDAY #87: JERRY B. LOGAN & THE COUNTRY SQUIRES + HENRY WARDE

7:30 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz

A night of Americana and country-flavored roots music with Jerry B. Logan & The Country Squires, plus soulful singer-songsmith Henry Warde.

Doors open at 7 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

Wednesday February 11 and Saturday February 14

CONCERTINO STRINGS: BAROQUE & BEYOND WITH EMILY SINCLAIR

WED: 11:30 a.m. | SAT: 3 p.m., Boulder Creek United Methodist Church Concertino Strings, Boulder Creek’s 25-piece orchestra,

performs a Baroque-inspired program featuring soprano Emily Sinclair.

Works honor late harpsichordist and organist Roy Stegman, highlighting connections between British and German composers over four centuries.

Admission is free, programs last about an hour, and the atmosphere is casual.

More information: concertinostrings.com.

Thursday February 12

LIVE IN THE ATRIUM: 76TH STREET

8 p.m., The Catalyst Club, 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz Singer-songwriters Haley Gold and Spencer Bryant of 76th Street bring powerful harmonies and storytelling from their Americana and indie roots.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets and details available at https://catalystclub.com/events/.

KAHIL EL’ZABAR’S ETHNIC HERITAGE ENSEMBLE

7 p.m., Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St, Santa Cruz Drummer and composer Kahil El’Zabar leads the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble in a dynamic exploration of African American music and its African roots.

Doors and dinner begin at 6 p.m.

All ages welcome.

For tickets, dinner specials, and more information, visit www. kuumbwajazz.org.

THE DEAD CASSETTES WITH BIRDCALLS + SLOW COAST

8 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz Indie and alternative rock come together as The Dead Cassettes headline with support from Birdcalls and Slow Coast. Expect dynamic guitar work and melodic hooks. Doors open at 7 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

Friday February 13

THE WHITE ALBUM ENSEMBLE – BEATLES MUSIC UNPLUGGED

7 p.m., Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St, Santa Cruz The White Album Ensemble presents an intimate acoustic tribute to The Beatles, performing full albums with rich harmonies and acoustic instrumentation.

Doors open at 6 p.m.

All ages welcome.

For tickets or questions, visit www.whitealbumensemble.com or email booking@whitealbumlive.com.

BRAVO THE BAGCHASER X LOU DEEZI: R2DC TOUR

9 p.m., The Catalyst Club, 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz Hip-hop night with Bravo the Bagchaser and lou deezi, featuring Lil Maru, GMoneyDT, and PlayerrWays. Expect energetic flows and beats.

Doors open at 8 p.m.

Tickets and details available at https://catalystclub.com/events/.

WAILING SOULS WITH BOOM DRAW + DJ SPLEECE

9 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz Legendary reggae ensemble Wailing Souls bring classic harmonies and roots sound, joined by Boom Draw and DJ Spleece for a night of reggae rhythms and powerful grooves.

Doors at 8 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

Saturday February 14

VALENTINE’S DAY WITH TUCK & PATTI

7:30 p.m., Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St, Santa Cruz Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Tuck & Patti, the acclaimed vocal/guitar duo known for over forty years of genrespanning music.

Doors and dinner start at 6 p.m. All ages welcome. Advance ordering of the Valentine’s Day dinner is required.

For tickets, dinner specials, and more information, visit www. kuumbwajazz.org.

Sunday February 15

LONG BEACH DUB ALLSTARS WITH BEDOUIN SOUNDCLASH

8 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz Legendary reggae rock fusion band Long Beach Dub Allstars headline with support from Bedouin Soundclash, blending dub, rock, and Caribbean beats into soulful, high-energy sets.

Doors at 7 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

Monday February 16

BBNO$ – THE INTERNET EXPLORER TOUR

9 p.m., The Catalyst Club, 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz Canadian rapper and internet personality bbno$ brings his genre-bending hip-hop and playful lyricism to Santa Cruz on his tour stop.

Doors open at 8 p.m.

Tickets and details available at https://catalystclub.com/events/.

APTOS LITTLE LEAGUE SPRING 2026 REGISTRATION DEADLINE

11:59 p.m., Online registration at aptoslittleleague.org

This is the final day to register players for Aptos Little League’s Spring 2026 season in the lower divisions, including T-Ball through AA.

“Calendar” page 30

COMMUNITY NEWS

Santa Cruz METRO Launches free Seabright Shuttle to Ease Bridge Construction Impacts

SANTA CRUZ — The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) has launched the Seabright Shuttle, a free, on-demand microtransit service aimed at helping residents, employees, and visitors travel within the Seabright neighborhood during the Murray Street Bridge Retrofit Project.

The pilot program, which began Jan. 26, operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., providing curb-to-curb rides using METRO’s accessible ParaCruz vans. Riders can travel from their homes or businesses to the nearest METRO bus stop or from a bus stop to any destination within the Seabright service zone, reducing the need for personal vehicles.

“Construction on the Murray Street Bridge has created temporary challenges for the Seabright community,” said METRO CEO Corey Aldridge. “This shuttle provides a reliable, convenient, and accessible mobility option that keeps people connected to work, school, services, and the broader METRO network.”

“Calendar” from page 29

The season includes ongoing field renovations and a full slate of spring play. Visit https://www.aptosll.org for registration details, division information, and updates.

Wednesday February 18

REBIRTH BRASS BAND

8 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz

Grammy-winning New Orleans brass powerhouse Rebirth Brass Band brings its fiery blend of jazz, funk, soul, and R&B.

With decades of experience and international acclaim, this band defines Crescent City brass energy.

Doors open at 7 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

Thursday February 19

(((FOLKYEAH!))) PRESENTS: BITCHIN BAJAS

8 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz

Experimental and ambient collective Bitchin Bajas deliver hypnotic soundscapes blending electronics and psych-folk textures.

Doors at 7 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

Thursday February 19

JIM LAUDERDALE

7 p.m., Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St, Santa Cruz Americana artist Jim Lauderdale brings his dynamic vocals

and genre-spanning songs to Kuumbwa, performing country, bluegrass, roots, and soul.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m.

All ages welcome.

For tickets and more information, call Snazzy Productions at 831-479-9421.

Friday February 20

JACK WEST: GUITAR INNOVATOR PERFORMANCE

Time TBD, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz Guitarist, composer, and inventor Jack West performs in support of his latest releases, Guitars On Life and Essential Curvature.

The program features repertoire from both albums, with guitarist Walter Strauss joining for Guitars On Lifeand Jack West’s Slide Guitar Ensemble performing Essential Curvature.

For tickets, dinner specials, and more information, visit www. kuumbwajazz.org.

Friday February 20

and Saturday February 21

DON CARLOS WITH ANCESTREE AND PACIFIC VIBRATION

9 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz Reggae legend Don Carlos kicks off a two-night engagement on Friday with Ancestree, serving roots vibes and conscious lyrics.

Don is joined Saturday by Pacific Vibration for more reggae grooves and soulful performances.

Doors at 8 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

JOSE GONZALEZ LANDSCAPING

Saturday February 21

Sunday February 22

CLAM CHOWDER COOK-OFF

All Day, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St Join the Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off, the country’s largest and longest-running competition. Amateur chefs compete on Saturday, followed by professionals on Sunday, with amateurs welcome to join the pros.

Teams vie for prizes and bragging rights for the best clam chowder. Rain or shine.

More information and registration details available at https:// beachboardwalk.com/clam-chowder-cook-off/.

Sunday February 22

THE ELOVATERS – SUNBURN TOUR 2026

7 p.m., The Catalyst Club, 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz Reggae-rock fusion from The Elovaters with support from Shwayze.

Their sun-soaked, reggae-inspired sound has chart success and festival presence.

Doors open at 6 p.m.

Tickets and details available at https://catalystclub.com/events/.

MARK HUMMEL’S ALLSTAR HARMONICA BLOWOUT

4 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz Blues harmonica maestro Mark Hummel leads a star-studded harmonica revue featuring some of the best players in blues today.

Doors at 3 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

Trips can be booked by calling METRO ParaCruz at (831) 425-4664, available until 5 p.m., or via the Mobility by Ecolane app. Riders receive a 30-minute pickup window, and typical wait times range from five to 45 minutes. Vehicles stop curbside and transport passengers to the nearest METRO fixedroute stop, allowing seamless connections to regular bus service.

All rides on the Seabright Shuttle are free when connecting to or from a METRO bus. Key pickup and drop-off points include Broadway & Seabright for downtown Santa Cruz trips, and Soquel Avenue & Frederick for Watsonville-bound travel. Returning passengers can catch the shuttle at Broadway & Cayuga or Soquel & San Juan Avenue. n

For more information, including the service map and instructions for riders with mobility devices, visit scmtd.com or call (831) 425-4664.

Monday February 23

COMMUNITY FILM SCREENING: THE MASK YOU LIVE IN 6 p.m., CineLux Scotts Valley Café & Lounge, Scotts Valley The Scotts Valley community screening of The Mask You Live In offers a free opportunity to view the documentary and participate in a discussion on boys’ experiences with identity and societal expectations.

Subtitles in Spanish and interpretation are provided. More information: https://santacruzcoe.org.

Tuesday Feburary 24

AN EVENING WITH JOSHUA DAVIS

6:30 p.m., Colligan Theater, 1010 River St., Santa Cruz Author Joshua Davis discusses Spare Parts and how discovering four students from Carl Hayden School reshaped his understanding of leadership, opportunity and perseverance.

He explores how their journey goes beyond robotics to redefine the American Dream. Doors open at 6 p.m. Donations are encouraged.

For details and registration, visit santacruzpl.libnet.info/events.

RONNIE BAKER BROOKS

7 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz Blues guitarist Ronnie Baker Brooks brings dynamic modern blues and soulful riffs, backed by expressive vocals and groove-laden performances.

Doors at 6 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/. “Calendar” page 31

SCCAS Featured Pet

Portia-on Your Love

Portia (A327822), was found near Callaghan Park in Watsonville a little less than 2 weeks ago. She’s a beautiful young dog — probably some kind of Belgian shepherd or shepherd/ husky mix about 1-1/2 years old.

Portia was initially pretty shy and wary at the shelter, but she’s gotten more comfortable, and we’re starting to get to know her better. She seems to be naturally a bit wary, and she may not have had a lot of experience with new places, people and things in her early life.

With compassionate and positive exposure, she does gain confidence, and she’s had lots of nice walks and play sessions with volunteers and some fun play time with other dogs after controlled introductions.

Since she came in as a stray, we don’t have any history of how she does with children or cats.

We’ve discovered she really loves DIGGING! She’ll likely be safest if her next home doesn’t include extended, unsupervised time in a back yard, and she’ll be happiest if she gets some chances (at the beach or in a designated spot in her yard) to do a little digging for fun!

The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is full of adoptable animals. Fostering animals is an awesome way to improve a Shelter animal’s life and fill your home with love and fun! If you are interested in fostering any kind of animal please email jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us. You can also Follow SCCAS on Instagram and/or Facebook to stay up-to-date on shelter news and where to find adoptable pets around town at breweries, stores and events. All adoptions are first come, first served.

Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s full-service, open-admission shelter 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062 • Hours: Daily 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Arrive before 4 p.m. for “meet and greet”)

580 Airport Blvd., Watsonville, 95076 • Hours: Tues.-Sat. 9:30 a.m. – noon; 1–5 p.m. (Closed Sun/Mon)

Website: www.scanimalshelter.org

SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us

“Calendar” from page 30

Wednesday February 25

NOT.GREENDAY WITH TESS & THE DETAILS

8 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz High-energy tribute to Green Day featuring Tess & The Details, delivering punk rock anthems with precision and passion.

Doors at 7 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

Friday February 27

SUMMER SALT: RESIDE NORTH AMERICA TOUR

8 p.m., The Catalyst Club, 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz Surf-pop and bossa nova vibes from Summer Salt, supported by Boyscott and Wabie. Their hazy melodies evoke coastal drives and reflective moods.

Doors open at 7 p.m.

Tickets and details available at https://catalystclub.com/events/.

BEAUSOLEIL AVEC MICHAEL DOUCET

7 p.m., Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St, Santa Cruz BeauSoleil, led by fiddler Michael Doucet, delivers fifty years of acclaimed Cajun music blending jazz, blues, and folk.

Doors and dinner start at 6 p.m.

All ages welcome.

For tickets, dinner specials, and more information, visit www. kuumbwajazz.org.

B-SIDE PLAYERS WITH DJ WYZE 1

9 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz Eclectic fusion band B-Side Players blend Latin, jazz, funk, and global rhythms; DJ Wyze 1 spins before and between sets.

Doors at 8 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

in the Air

© Statepoint Media

Saturday February 28

THE ITALS

9 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz Iconic roots reggae trio The Itals deliver smooth harmonies and timeless reggae classics. D oors at 8 p.m.

For tickets and details, visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/.

DB.BOUTABAG

9 p.m., The Catalyst Club, 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz Electronic beats and dynamic stage presence from DB.Boutabag make for an exciting Friday night show. Doors open at 8 p.m.

Tickets and details available at https://catalystclub.com/ events/.

THE POETS’ CIRCLE READING SERIES

1 p.m. - 3 p.m., Watsonville Civic Plaza Community Room, 275 Main Street, Watsonville, CA 95076

The Poets’ Circle Reading Series returns for 2026, featuring Watsonville Poet Laureate Victoria (Vicky) Bañales.

The event includes her poetry reading, an open mic, and refreshments. Bañales is an educator, writer, and founder of Journal X.

Hosted by Magdalena Montagne with the Watsonville Public Library.

More information: magdamontagne@gmail.com.

Wednesday March 4

TWO FEET: THE NEXT STEPS TOUR

8 p.m., The Catalyst Club, 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz Genre-blending electronic and alternative sounds from Two Feet, with VIP experiences available. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Tickets and details available at https://catalystclub.com/ events/. n