Cultured Cream Cheescake with Wild Blueberries & Thyme Column Alison Steele Columns Food & Drink 

Cultured Cream Cheescake with Wild Blueberries & Thyme

By Alison Steele Waking up in Virginia after a long day of traveling from California to the mountain south, before breakfast, before banjo, I am outside on the front porch with the sunrise. Early morning birdsong is the most heartswelling sound I have ever heard, like an old hymn from my childhood reassuring me that all is well with my… Read More
Entertainment Live Music 

Santa Cruz Live Music Weekend Roundup: July 24 – July 28

Live Music Santa Cruz! The weekend roundup of concerts and festivals. Easy at-a-glance quick reference music guide. By Julie Horner Wednesday, July 24 Ripatti & Rose at Chaminade Resort & SpaWednesday, July 24 | 5:30 – 8:30One Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz The Joint Chiefs at Capitola Twilight Concert SeriesWednesday, July 24 | 6:00 – 8:00Capitola Beach-Esplanade Park, 108 Monterey Ave.,… Read More
matt hartle grateful sundays Music 

Grateful Sundays: Celebrating Eight Years of Community

By Ed Levy Grateful Sundays, a weekly meeting of like-minded music and dance enthusiasts, many of whom have followed the Grateful Dead for generations, got its start on Mother’s Day, 2017 at Michael’s on Main in Soquel. Michael Harrison, the venue’s owner, was himself a Deadhead and had decorated the place with personal memorabilia from being on tour with the… Read More
dr steven leib blue zones Health Local News 

Dr. Steven Leib Pioneers New Goals for Longevity In Santa Cruz County

By Haley Sage  Around the world, Santa Cruz holds an association with one of its natural icons, the almighty Redwood: a symbol of fortitude, resilience, and longevity. Now, our region may qualify for a new distinction to represent a different aspect of long life: the prestigious designation of Blue Zone. According to the Blue Zones organization (bluezones.com), Blue Zones are… Read More
LOGGING ARCH History Local News 

Logging History Revealed: Track-Laid Log Arch Discovered in the Santa Cruz Mountains

By Julie Horner “The glory days of the lumber mills are history,” Santa Cruz Mountains tree expert Bruce Baker said. “What the forest chooses to reveal to the random explorer is nobody’s business. It happens when it happens. Our role is to observe and protect.” When Bruce’s name appears in the caller ID, you pick up. There is always an… Read More
Mount Hermon June Beetle Environment Local News 

Protecting the Endangered Mount Hermon June Beetle

By Gael Norrington It’s summer again and all across the country Junebugs are busy with the business of procreation. Here in the sandhills of the San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley, you may encounter a singularly rare species, the Mount Hermon June Beetle (Polyphylla barbata), which is found nowhere else on the planet. Dependent on a limited environment in the… Read More
Moms Film Local News Theater 

Santa Cruz Mountains Short Film at Cannes

Abby Nuccio’s Mom(s) & Young Actors’ Theatre Camp  By Julie Horner Mom(s), a short film written by and starring Pacific Collegiate School student Abby Nuccio, 13, debuted at the Emerging FIlmmaker Showcase at Cannes Film Festival in France and was nominated for the 2024 Emerging Filmmaker Showcase LGBTQ+ Films award at the American Pavilion during the Festival. Abby is the… Read More
Entertainment Live Music 

Santa Cruz Live Music Weekend Roundup: July 19 – 21

Live Music Santa Cruz! The weekend roundup of concerts and festivals. Easy at-a-glance quick reference music guide. By Julie Horner Friday, July 19 Bob Burnett at MJA Vineyards Westside Tasting RoomFridays | 3:30 – 6:30Ingalls St., Santa Cruz The Country Squires at Highway 1 BrewingFriday, July 19 | 5:00 – 7:005720 Cabrillo Hwy, Pescadero Dirt Rakers at San Gregorio General… Read More
Infrastructure Local News Water 

San Lorenzo Valley Water District Tank Replacement

The San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) announced on June 2, 2024 that it will be replacing 12 water storage tanks in several locations in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Among them, the Redwood Park Tank, Echo Tanks, Highland Tank, Felton Heights Tank, and South Tanks. The work replaces old leaky redwood construction and plastic tanks damaged by the CZU fire… Read More