Entertainment Live Music 

Santa Cruz County Live Music Weekend Roundup: December 12 – December 15

Live Music Santa Cruz! Here’s the weekend roundup for December 12 through December 15, 2024! There’s something for everyone! 🎸🎶 Holiday concerts 🎄Jazz 🎷 Bluegrass 🪕 Celtic 🎻 and Rock n’ Roll. Enjoy! 🤘 Thursday, December 12 Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s ‘A Christmas Carol’Various Dates through December 24 Santa Cruz Vets HallTix: santacruzshakespeare dot org/season-2024 Kyle Kovalik at Jack O’Neill LoungeThursday,… Read More
astrology Astrology 

Freedom to Explore and Expanding New Horizons | December Astrology

By Catie Cadge PhD Happy Holidays, Santa Cruz stargazers! I love the cold, clear nights of December, when planets shine bright. On December 7th, the Sun and Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius oppose Jupiter at 16°15’ Gemini. The great gaseous giant is closest to the Earth and the Sun lights up the planet’s surface, making Jupiter shine on with majestic glory!… Read More
Boulder Creek Santa Cruz CZU fire photo by Mary Andersen Fire Recovery Government 

4Leaf Recovery Permit Center Services Will Transition to Planning Department

The County’s contract with 4Leaf is set to expire at the end of the year. The project management firm has been providing building permit assistance to residents who are rebuilding after experiencing loss or damage to their homes after the CZU fire. The Planning department will resume all Recovery Permit Center services by January 1, 2025. 3rd District Supervisor Justin… Read More
Holiday Tree Ben Lomond Holidays Local News 

Ben Lomond to Spark Holiday Cheer with a Tree Lighting Party

By Blake Holiday The air in Ben Lomond will soon be filled with warmth and holiday spirit as the mountain community comes together for a brand-new tradition: an annual Tree Lighting Party at the Ben Lomond Fire Department. On Sunday, December 1, 2024, from 4 to 7 pm, the Ben Lomond Village Alliance (BLVA) will host this festive gathering that… Read More
Main Street SLV Venues 

Henflings Firehouse Tavern

By Julie Horner On Saturday, November 16, 2024, the Santa Cruz Mountains celebrated a rebirth of one of its most treasured community hubs, Henflings Tavern. Mario Ibarra, who also owns Aroma Restaurant in Ben Lomond and business partner Antonio Hernandez, who owns Avenue Cafe in Capitola were the honorees of the day; Mario cut the ribbon commemorating the next chapter… Read More
Local News Wildlife 

Albert the White Peacock of Boulder Creek

By Julie Horner On November 23, 2024 Boulder Creek’s wonderful wild white peacock was predated by a mountain lion. Neighbors reported that Albert was taken by a puma in the area of the Redwood Resort campgrounds at the south end of Boulder Creek. Albert lived free in this quiet residential neighborhood in the Santa Cruz Mountains, choosing secluded backyards to… Read More
highway 17 wildlife crossing Environment Local News 

Highway 17 Wildlife and Trail Crossings Project Moves Forward

The long-anticipated Highway 17 Wildlife and Trail Crossing Project reached a significant milestone with completion of the environmental review by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen). This is a significant step forward for this project that will enhance both wildlife health and safety and recreational access across the heavily used Highway 17 in an area that is a known… Read More
slv mama bears Local News Recreation Sports 

SLV’s Mama Bears: A Growing Community of Empowered, Athletic Moms

By Mary Andersen In the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains, a unique group of San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School moms came together in the middle of the pandemic to form Team Mama Bear — a volunteer-led triathlon club for local moms who want to challenge themselves and connect with one another. Founded in 2022, by Anne Less, Jackie Fogerty,… Read More