A hand uses a laptop touchpad beneath an overlaid chatbot icon wearing a graduation cap.

Pockets of Disruption

As AI unsettles career expectations, Santa Cruz County students are reconsidering their paths. Roz Spafford explores local enrollment trends, students’ concerns and why educators emphasize subject knowledge, collaboration and learning to adapt.
Two wooden Fascination game lanes lead to grids of holes beneath a yellow “No Bouncing” sign at the MAH.

High Score

From pinball to midway prizes, the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History’s High Score exhibit celebrates the Boardwalk’s gaming past. Vintage machines, archival surprises and playable favorites reveal how generations found fun and connection at the arcade.
A hand uses a laptop touchpad beneath an overlaid chatbot icon wearing a graduation cap.

Pockets of Disruption

As AI unsettles career expectations, Santa Cruz County students are reconsidering their paths. Roz Spafford explores local enrollment trends, students’ concerns and why educators emphasize subject knowledge, collaboration and learning to adapt.
Two wooden Fascination game lanes lead to grids of holes beneath a yellow “No Bouncing” sign at the MAH.

High Score

From pinball to midway prizes, the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History’s High Score exhibit celebrates the Boardwalk’s gaming past. Vintage machines, archival surprises and playable favorites reveal how generations found fun and connection at the arcade.
Michael Gaither in a bright red shirt beside a microphone, eyes closed.

Things to do in Santa Cruz

Michael Gaither and his band bring Halloween songs and dance-floor spirit to Whale City in Aptos on Oct. 31, with a costume contest, libations and no cover charge. Music starts at 5:30pm.
Overhead view of six sample cups of vegan mac and cheese, with varied pasta shapes and toppings including broccoli and peppers.

Dairy Departed

Santa Cruz’s first Vegan Mac Down serves up dairy-free comfort food and a win for Soy Cheesy. Mark C. Anderson also visits new downtown market Tomato Tomato and shares news from Monterey Bay’s fishing community.
Sliced pizza topped with tomato sauce, melted cheese and rounds of salami, pepperoni, and peppers with a blistered crust on a metal tray.

Pizza Progression

From serving tables in Milan to studying pizza-making in Naples, Sandro Costanza followed his passion to La Bufala Pizzeria. At Abbott Square, he and his wife, Luciana, serve Neapolitan-style pies that bake in about 90 seconds.
Overhead view of six sample cups of vegan mac and cheese, with varied pasta shapes and toppings including broccoli and peppers.

Dairy Departed

Santa Cruz’s first Vegan Mac Down serves up dairy-free comfort food and a win for Soy Cheesy. Mark C. Anderson also visits new downtown market Tomato Tomato and shares news from Monterey Bay’s fishing community.
Sliced pizza topped with tomato sauce, melted cheese and rounds of salami, pepperoni, and peppers with a blistered crust on a metal tray.

Pizza Progression

From serving tables in Milan to studying pizza-making in Naples, Sandro Costanza followed his passion to La Bufala Pizzeria. At Abbott Square, he and his wife, Luciana, serve Neapolitan-style pies that bake in about 90 seconds.
Carlin Truong conducts with a raised baton and an outstretched hand as string musicians perform behind him.

Distinguished Artists

A remarkable piano meets Alexander Kobrin’s artistry, Ensemble Monterey opens an ambitious season, and local chamber ensembles offer more reasons to listen.
fingers typing on a vintage typewriter

Letters

Steve Pleich invites support for the 36th Veterans Community Thanksgiving Dinner, while Whitney Wilde questions parking fees at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center and their impact on coastal access.
Two dancers face each other beside a brick wall, one turning with long dark hair sweeping outward.

The Editor’s Desk

What would Santa Cruz lose without Salsa by the Sea? Brad Kava reflects on the dancing that brings people together and introduces an issue filled with local creativity, community and a few pumpkin opinions.
fingers typing on a vintage typewriter

Letters

Steve Pleich invites support for the 36th Veterans Community Thanksgiving Dinner, while Whitney Wilde questions parking fees at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center and their impact on coastal access.
Two dancers face each other beside a brick wall, one turning with long dark hair sweeping outward.

The Editor’s Desk

What would Santa Cruz lose without Salsa by the Sea? Brad Kava reflects on the dancing that brings people together and introduces an issue filled with local creativity, community and a few pumpkin opinions.
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