The term “two-way player” has a whole range of definitions.
In the case of Mad Yolks (1411 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz), two-way takes on a stack of meanings.
They go two ways on fresh-and-fast-casual options, with Poke House spots in Monterey and downtown S.C. (1543 Pacific Ave.).
Meanwhile, they give their Poke House fare two chances at enjoyment, by teaming up with Too Good to Go (toogoodtogo.com/en-us), which limits food waste by hooking up app users with deals on leftover day-of inventory.
And the twins behind Mad Yolks and its brioche egg sandwich brunch boom just added a second spot in San Jose (1087 Meridian Ave. #40), while they suss out the possibilities for a location in Capitola.
So yes, they’re making plays, while continuing to provide signature items for Santa Cruz Warriors practices and season ticket holder events, while flying Yolked signage at games.
“It’s exciting to be a ‘part of the team’ and support the local squad, see them play and have some interaction with the players, who give us some love on social media,” says co-owner Henry Wong. “We find it very fun and very cool.”
Looking ahead, the Wave City Warriors play the Mexico City Capitanes Jan. 17, then take on the Stockton Kings Jan. 20 and Salt Lake City Stars Jan. 24 and 25. madyolks.com, santacruz.gleague.nba.com
BEAN MACHINE
Coffee connoisseur-roaster-barista Eddie Alaniz has done the Lord’s work by replacing a former Starbucks at Capitola Mall (1855 41st Ave.) with his own Coffee Conspiracy. The craft operation, which soft-opened Dec. 22, got moving as a bicycle coffee cart along East Cliff Drive, before moving to now-online Honey B’s Market and later doing his own micro cafe on Locust Street. Fans can support his effort by peeking at his Go Fund Me. “What began as a small, scrappy idea has grown into something bigger than I ever could have imagined—a brand that thrives on the love and support of a community that’s always had my back,” Alaniz writes. gofundme.com/f/coffeeconspiracy.
DRIVING THAT TRAIN
One of the better developments of the year gone by happened when gifted chef and Santa Cruz native Mikey Adams took the helm at Alderwood (155 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz), saying, “I love this town, and it’s always been my dream to be a chef in Santa Cruz.” While he ups the flavor quotient with his wood-fired seafood, Alderwood has introduced a weekly hang with Grateful Dead Sundays, with Deadhead tunes, happy hour deals 5-6:30pm, special themed cocktails and prime rib. alderwoodsantacruz.com
FLAVOR LIT
Casa Nostra in Scotts Valley shut down late last week, citing financial and personnel challenges…The freshly released 2023 Le Cigare Volant by Bonny Doon Vineyard and vino legend Randall Grahm signals his 40th vintage of the iconic brand, bonnydoonvineyard.com…Charlie Hong Kong owner Carolyn Rudolph decided to stop serving soda at her landmark restaurant (1141 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz) ahead of the city’s tax on sugary beverages, which starts May 1—mineral water with low or no sugar for all, charliehongkong.com.
There have been years when staying home on New Year’s Eve seemed like the best option. Not this one. If you like EDM, classic rock, Indian music or burlesque, Santa Cruz has you covered.
Check out our critics’ suggestions.
ROCK
Ring in the New Year with American Idol finalist and international recording artist James Durbin at the Inn at Pasatiempo’s 1920s-themed celebration, A Night at the Speakeasy. Each ticket includes access to all festivities at the glamorous evening, including a concert by headliner Durbin and the Lost Boys—expect to hear plenty of ’70s and ’80s rock—hors d’oeuvres, party favors, a photo booth and a no-host bar. Dress to impress in 1920s glamour and join in on the fun with hosts James and Heidi Durbin and Santa Cruz’s own Lost Boys. MELISA YURIAR
INFO: 8pm–12:30am, Inn at Pasatiempo, 555 Hwy. 17, Santa Cruz. $87.21, adv. (including fees). 21+. eventbrite.com
SOUL MUSIC
Harry and the Hitmen have dug through crates of classic soul records with names like Motown, Stax, Volt and Chess on the label, finding all the choicest sides and rehearsing until they have them down tight enough to get loose, showing these classics the proper respect when they suit up and present the music that they love to an appreciative and equally well-dressed audience of soul fans. They write their own original tunes as well, taking influence from the masters of the genre and turning out “new soul classics.” Wolf Jett will be on hand Tuesday to kick start the dancing. KEITH LOWELL JENSEN
There is no better place to ring in 2025 than at a sexy and fun burlesque show with friends. Drawing together some of the best performers from up and down the coast, If’n Wendy will host Best Coast Burlesque’s New Years Eve Extravaganza at the Santa Cruz Actors’ Theatre. There will be two showings, so those who celebrate early and those who celebrate late can equally enjoy the show to its fullest extent. Each show will include a complimentary toast of champagne or NA sparkling cider, so everyone can clink in the new year together. So relax, unwind and enjoy the best burlesque on the best coast. ISABELLA MARIE SANGALINE
INFO: 7pm (doors open at 6:15) or 10pm (doors open 9:15), Actors’ Theatre, 1001 Center St., Santa Cruz. $33.85. 21+. eventbrite.com
RAVING
Break out your galactic gear and celebrate with cosmic lasers, dazzling projections and oversized props like towering robots and massive alien spaceships that will transport you to another galaxy. Dress in your NYE best or go all out in galactic-themed outfits—think astronauts, aliens, or metallic, glittery, or holographic styles. Experience an epic countdown to 2025 with stunning effects that will leave you feeling out of this world as you ring in the new year! Music by local DJs, food and drink specials, fun, fantasy and escapism promised. DJ Nola Cruz warms up the crowd 9-10pm, followed by DJ Robin Applewood from 10-11pm (the Pulse of the Party); DJ Maniakal handles the Countdown from 11pm–1am.
INFO: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., Santa Cruz. $69.99. 21+. santacruztickets.com
SITAR POWER
AT 418 PROJECT Sitar Power fuels an ‘artist-led gathering in gratitude.’ Photo: Contributed
One of Santa Cruz’s most spectacular musicians—and his equally amazing son—will host a night of Indian music to bring in 2025. Called “An Artist-led Gathering in Gratitude,” Ashwin Batish presents his Indian fusion band, Sitar Power, with bands including Mamus, who play folk/soul revival, and the Limina Space Collective, an art experience. It takes place at the 418 Project from 8pm on. There are no-host bars, live music with an open mic, a midnight aerial dance, wandering artists, a photo Casbah and spoken word performers. Sounds like an amazing way to travel the world right here in town.
INFO: 8pm, 418 Project, 155 S. River St., Santa Cruz. $32.95-$211.45. 18+. eventbrite.com
BEATS ANTIQUE AND YAIMA
It’s impossible to describe Beats Antique using just a single genre. One listen to their album, Shadowbox, and their unique hybrid of sound makes perfect sense. Sidecar Tommy, David Satori and Zoe Jakes make up the band. Mostly recorded at their studio in Oakland (which has been around since the ’50s), the Bay Area band also recorded in Russia and Israel, with guest artists from both. The album touches on down-tempo Middle Eastern influences to cinematic orchestral arrangements.
YAIMA is a Cascadian elemental and alchemical electronic music duo based in Seattle.
Members Mas Higasa and Pepper Proud allow the listener to journey through sonic soundscapes traversing sensually stimulating and heart-centered compositions. Their music is reminiscent of groups such as Purity Ring, Massive Attack, Bjork, Portishead, Wildlight, Emancipator and Lulacruza.
INFO: Doors 8pm, show 9pm, Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $64.87–$93.92. catalystclub.com
INTERGALACTIC NYE BASH WITH SPACE HEATER
Space Heater is a Santa Cruz-based band with one foot planted firmly in the foundations of funk, while the other foot prefers a galaxy far, far away. Blending the funky sounds inspired from Prince and James Brown to Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, the Heat will likewise take you on a delicious journey careening through cosmic jams, landing you squarely on the dance floor with ecstatic revelers. With an expanding roster of sultry originals and the occasional cover song, you won’t have much choice but to shake that thang…
INFO: Doors 8pm, show 9pm, Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $30/adv, $35/day of show. 21+. moesalley.com
MORE OPTIONS
If none of the above fits quite right, try these events on for size:
The Time Travelers Ball: Glamour Through the Decades, presented by Big Queer Events, offers a space for participants to pay tribute to their favorite fashion era, and enjoy a drag and burlesque show with over a dozen performers (8:30–10pm) and music curated by DJ Father Taj. The de rigueur midnight champagne toast will be enhanced by a charcuterie station. Doors open at 7pm at the Courtyard by Marriott, 313 Riverside Ave., Santa Cruz. eventbrite.com
Santa Cruz Art Expressions hosts Lumina, with diversions that include “surreal projections, intriquing art, dance beats and lasers” as well as DJs, hourly ball drop countdowns and immersive projections. 8pm at Santa Cruz Art Expressions, 1545½ Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $28.52. eventbrite.com
China Cats New Years Eve features the Grateful Dead tribute band plus liquid light show, 9pm at Veterans Hall, 846 Front St., Santa Cruz. $50. mountainmusicproductions.com
Fishhook reels in revelers with “good times, dancing and rock & roll,” plus party favors and a champagne toast, 9pm at the Crow’s Nest, 2218 East Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz. $20. crowsnest-santacruz.com
Bruno’s Bar and Grill throws a NYE Black and White Ball in Scotts Valley, with music by Fire Peach and all the New Year’s necessities: party crowns, noisemakers, and a full bar. 8pm at Bruno’s, 230 Mount Hermon Rd., Suite G, Scotts Valley. $25. brunosbarandgrill.com
The Joint Chiefs convene at Sevy’s for a night of music-filled night with food & drink specials, and happy hour from 8–10pm. Book a reservation on Open Table or take the first-come, first-serve bar seating. 8pm–12:30am, Sevy’s Bar + Kitchen, 7500 Old Dominion Ct., Aptos. sevysbarandkitchen.com
The T. Rollin Trio deliver covers from the ’60s to the ’90s, plus originals. 9:30pm at Joe’s Bar, 13118 Highway 9, Boulder Creek. No cover. drinkatjoes.com
Heavy surf on Monday smashed into the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, shearing off a 125-foot section off the end and sending an already-closed business into the ocean, along with a public restroom and two pieces of heavy construction equipment.
Emergency officials rescued several people who fell into the ocean as they repaired damages from the storms in 2023, said Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley.
A Bobcat tractor and a crane also fell into the ocean, he said.
“A lot of debris is in the water moving toward the beach,” Keeley said.
Santa Cruz Police received a call about the damage at 12:44pm.
A large swath of Santa Cruz’s beachside has been closed, including the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Cowell’s Beach and the Small Yacht Harbor.
No existing businesses are thought to be structurally damaged, but on Monday afternoon, engineers were inspecting the wharf to assess the extent of the damage, Keeley said.
But with surf conditions expected to get worse—and with damage assessments ongoing—it’s unclear how that will change. The damage, he pointed out, occurred during low tide.
“We’re going to have a high tide in a couple of hours, and that could cause additional problems for us,” he said.
Joe Schwappach, a worker at The Picnic Basket, a Santa Cruz eatery between the Boardwalk and the Wharf, was surprised by the commotion as several police vehicles raced by.
“And then we looked out and we saw a bunch of driftwood in the ocean,” Schwappach said. “And then we realized that the pier collapsed and drifted all the way down the beach on to the point down there.”
There are no reports of significant injuries.
“Due to life-threatening ocean conditions, please avoid all coastal areas, including overlook areas such as rocks, jetties, or cliffs,” Santa Cruz spokeswoman Katie Lee said. “Dangerous and powerful waves can sweep across entire beaches unexpectedly. Do not enter the water, and do not cross flooded streets. Conditions will remain dangerous through noon on Dec. 24.”
At Sunset State Beach, emergency responders arrived at approximately 11:30am for a report that a man was injured by a large piece of driftwood. Witnesses said that at least five people were trapped at the bottom of the stairs close to the entrance of the beach.
Nearly a dozen emergency response vehicles responded to the scene, and emergency workers worked for more than 10 minutes to remove the man from under a giant piece of driftwood.
“He appeared conscious for a time, conversing with personnel as they worked to free him from under the driftwood, but fell into a state of seeming unconsciousness shortly after efforts began,” a witness said.
Emergency workers could be seen performing CPR on the man for more than a half hour before he was taken to a local hospital.
Additional reporting by Zen Weaver, Drew Penner and Antonio Ramirez.
At approximately 12:44 p.m. today, a call was received reporting that the end of the Santa Cruz municipal wharf, where the Dolphin Restaurant and Restroom #3 were located, collapsed into the ocean along with three construction workers.
Due to ongoing construction, this area has been closed to the public since January 2024.Two victims were rescued by Lifeguard Unit 3166, and one victim self-rescued. There are no reports of significant injuries at this time.
A drone deployed by the Santa Cruz Police Department confirmed that no additional victims were in the water and assessed the extent of the damage.
The municipal wharf will be closed until further notice.
Due to the high surf advisory and the large amounts of debris, including potential hazardous materials released during the incident, Main Beach and Cowell’s Beach are also closed.
Due to life-threatening ocean conditions, please avoid all coastal areas, including overlook areas such as rocks, jetties, or cliffs. Dangerous and powerful waves can sweep across entire beaches unexpectedly. Do not enter the water, and do not cross flooded streets. Conditions will remain dangerous through noon on Tuesday, Dec. 24.
Please share this information with friends, family, and out-of-town visitors to help ensure everyone’s safety.
The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees will appoint a new member to replace outgoing Trustee Kim De Serpa, rather than hold a costly special election.
The trustees made the 6–0 vote Wednesday night after a discussion that turned contentious as the board bickered with trustee-elect Gabe Medina, who was in the audience
De Serpa has held the Trustee Area 1 seat since 2010. She resigned last week after being elected to the County Board of Supervisors.
The district has 60 days to fill the position.
A special election would cost the district $80,000.
Medina suggested the district should be more transparent in the process of bringing in a new trustee. The district should also update the applications to identify when people applying for the position have made campaign donations to current members, he said.
He pointed out that Trustee Misty Navarro, who was appointed in October, made two separate $250 donations—one on Sept. 10 and the other on Sept. 16—to Kim De Serpa in her campaign for Santa Cruz County supervisor.
“It doesn’t seem like there was good play involved in making that decision,” he said.
In a text message on Thursday, Medina wrote, “the process lacked transparency, and raised concerns about public confidence in decision-making.”
“Overall, it felt like a rushed process, and we missed an opportunity to involve the voices of those most impacted,” he added.
Creating a survey for the people living in Trustee Area I, Medina said, would help assure that they have a say in the process.
“We have a recurring issue of ‘friends hiring friends,’ and this decision appeared to be another clear example of that dynamic,” Medina said. “Addressing such practices is crucial to rebuilding trust and ensuring that appointments are based on merit and community input rather than personal connections.”
Medina also said a poll of his 1,700 constituents showed that many wished they could have had more input in the process when Navarro was appointed.
Medina also said that Navarro’s title should be changed to “interim trustee,” since she was appointed and not elected.
In her comments, Navarro defended her contribution to De Serpa’s campaign and her position on the board.
She also decried the “contentious” nature of the meeting.
“I hope that when we’re on the board together we can do so in a more kind and respectful manner,” she said.
Navarro said that she has known De Serpa professionally for five years.
“I made a campaign contribution to her because I know who she is, and I know all the hard work that she does and I support her being on the (Board of Supervisors). (That) has nothing to do with being on this board.
“The reason I am on this board is that I have children in the district who go to these schools. I care about these students, I work with these students every single day, and frankly your comments are incredibly insulting.”
•••
The trustees also heard reports on a potential teacher housing complex for the district, and the dual project of a performing arts center and a pool at Pajaro Valley High School.
All three projects, still in the conceptual stage, will be funded by Measure M, the $315 million bond approved in the November election.
The district is considering seven school sites for the teacher housing project: Aptos and Renaissance high schools, Rolling Hills Middle School, Diamond Tech and Freedom, H.A. Hyde and Amesti elementary schools.
District officials see this project as a way to attract and retain teachers. A project in Santa Cruz City School District is charging 65% of the market rate, said Ralph Le Roux of 19six Architects, which was chosen for that project. It is estimated to cost between $60 and $91 million. The performing arts center and pool at PV High are estimated at $25 million.
An athletic field, completed in 2019, was funded by Measure L, the $150 million bond approved in 2012.
Le Roux said it will be at least five years before the project takes shape.
John and Ruth Mallery had a dream—to create a safe and nurturing environment where unsupervised and at-risk young people can thrive and become productive, caring citizens.
In 1965 they founded the Boys’ Club of Santa Cruz, and in 1969, the dream came true: a clubhouse on Center Street—with a swimming pool, game room, wood shop, art studio, library and a state-of-the-art gym.
In 1990, the club became the Boys and Girls Club, expanding the inclusiveness that is a guiding principle to embrace all kids.
Generations have grown from kids to parents, relying on the Boys and Girls Club as a safe and educational space between home and school.
The Boys and Girls Club is participating in Santa Cruz Gives, the holiday fundraising program started by Good Times in 2015. Donations raised through Santa Cruz Gives will go toward a major revitalization of the club’s five-lane, 22-yard indoor swimming pool, the jewel of the Center Street location, where youth safely enjoy aquatics programs that promote physical fitness and camaraderie.
“This space is a beloved space,” says Lis DuBois, executive director. “Donors tell us their kids learned to swim in this pool 30 years ago.”
Community partners have funded the beginning of the project, but more support is needed. DuBois wants all to know that gifts of any amount will make a difference.
To witness what the original Boys and Girls Club has become is Illuminating and heartwarming. There are so many rooms devoted to so many different activities, it’s a mystery how it all fits within one modest and welcoming location.
Central to it all is a truly expansive, inviting playroom, connecting to a well-used study and homework room, an arts and crafts space, a music studio (filled with guitars, keyboards and drums), indoor basketball courts, and a game room.
50+ YEARS AND COUNTING The local Boys and Girls Club offers learning, fun, sports and a place to feel at home. PHOTO: Jay Melena
Many of the kids walk to the center after school with adult accompaniment for safety, but the club provides rides from schools that are beyond walking distance or separated by highways.
“Transportation continues to be a big challenge for us,” says Andy Cunningham, development director.
Upon arrival, the kids have free play time and then a snack. Work on class assignments follows, and then time for sports and creative activities. A full kitchen serves hot meals, and the club welcomes food donations to keep it well-stocked.
“Things that we can always put to use are pre-packaged and safe snacks and food, because we always feed kids every single day,” DuBois says.
All of the clubs have Amazon Wish lists. The club also welcomes new art supplies. “We go through markers like nobody’s business,” says DuBois. “Also sports equipment, like jump ropes and dodgeballs that get beaten up very quickly. Puzzles are really popular. Legos, board games. Books for the club’s library spaces.”
DuBois and Cunningham want to remind well-intentioned givers that unusable items are a strain on resources to pay for removal and disposal. A useful donation is always appreciated. But as DuBois explains, “Our greatest needs, honestly, are financial donations to support high-quality staff who interact with our kids.”
The vast majority of the 51 full and part-time employees are paid professional staff, having been thoroughly screened and vetted. Partnerships with UCSC and Cabrillo College provide volunteer interns, and a cohort of parents coaches the club’s basketball league.
The time that kids have with school teachers is measured in semesters, but the connections formed with mentors at the club can last for years.
“The single greatest gift that we give kids is human connection,” DuBois says.
Much has happened and much has changed since the 1960s. UC Santa Cruz grew from a fledgling university with 600 students to more than 17,000. Silicon Valley was born and led a tech revolution.
The club would like to emulate Watsonville’s successful Digital Nest curriculum and adapt it to a middle-school level. The kids are already being taught computer coding, digital citizenship and digital literacy.
“There are years of deferred maintenance that we need to tackle now,” says Andy Cunningham, “and we’re getting ready to serve the new Santa Cruz for the next 50 years.”
Giving Time
Founded by Good Times in 2015, Santa Cruz Gives has raised more than $5 million to help local nonprofits. These are some of the 63 participating groups, and the programs that will be funded by readers’ donations. From now through Dec. 31, find out more at SantaCruzGives.org.
Amah Mutsun Land Trust—Creating its first-ever climate change program.
Arts Council Santa Cruz County—Expanding Summer Arts Education Institute.
BirchBark Foundation—Helping families faced with fixable but unaffordable veterinary care.
Equine Healing Collaborative—Raising funds to cover 200 therapy sessions.
Free Guitars 4 Kids—Distributing 240 guitars to four school
KSQD 90.7FM—Offering workshops for community members and radio hosts to learn and improve broadcast skills.
Live Like Coco Foundation—Stocking a new bookmobile.
Pajaro Valley Arts—Building a thriving arts hub for Watsonville.
Santa Cruz Shakespeare—Adding to a transportation fund for students.
Senderos—Funding cultural arts pathways for Latino youth.
Tannery World Dance and Cultural Center—Funding dance scholarships.
Theatre 831—Serving as stewards of the Colligan Theater.
Unchained—Providing support to Canines Teaching Compassion program.
Village Santa Cruz County—Building co-generational connection.
Santa Cruz Gives is funded by the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, Applewood Foundation, Joe Collins, Driscoll’s, Inc., Monterey Peninsula Foundation, 1440 Foundation, Santa Cruz County Bank, and Wynn Capital Management, as well as readers of Good Times, Pajaronian and Press Banner.
In 2025, I would love for you to specialize in making new connections and deepening your existing connections. I hope you will summon extra creativity and panache as you regularly blend your beautiful energies with others’ beautiful energies. I predict you will thrive on linking elements that should be linked but have never been before. What do you think, Aries? Does it sound fun to become a playful master of mixing and combining? Would you enjoy generating splashy unifications that serve your dreams?
TAURUS April 20-May 20
“Confidence is 10 percent hard work and 90 percent delusion,” declared Taurus comedian Tina Fey. But I believe you will disprove that assessment in the coming months. The work you do will be unusually replete with grace and dynamism. It will be focused and diligent work, yes, but more importantly, it will be smart work that’s largely free of delusion. That’s why I’m inclined to revise Fey’s formula for your sake. In 2025, your brimming levels of confidence will be primarily due to your fine, conscientious, effective work.
GEMINI May 21-June 20
In the 1960s, a Swedish journalist tried an experiment. He wanted to see if art critics could distinguish between abstract paintings made by skilled artists and those created by a four-year-old chimpanzee whose pseudonym was Pierre Brassau. Surprise! Many of the critics treated all the paintings with equal respect. One even gave special praise to Pierre Brassau, describing his strokes of color as having “the delicacy of a ballet dancer.” I’m authorizing you to unleash your inner Pierre Brassau in the coming months, Gemini. Be an innocent rookie, a newcomer with great instincts, an exuberant amateur who specializes in fun experiments. Do you know what beginner’s mind is? You approach every experience with zero assumptions or expectations, as if you were seeing everything for the first time. For more, read this: wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoshin.
CANCER June 21-July 22
Ohio’s Cuyahoga River used to catch on fire regularly. The cause was pollution. For a hundred years, industries had poured their wastes into the waterway. The surface was often dotted with oil slicks. But after a notorious river fire in 1969, the locals decided to remedy the situation, aided by the newly established Environmental Protection Agency. Today, the Cuyahoga still isn’t 100% clean, but it’s far better. It hosts kayaking, fishing and paddle boarding. I propose we use its rehabilitation as a symbol for you in 2025. You will have welcome opportunities to clean up messes that have lingered for far too long. Please take full advantage of these cosmic invitations to sweep karmic debris out of your life.
LEO July 23-Aug. 22
Steve Jobs, founder of Apple computers, said, “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” I propose that you make this one of your mottoes in 2025. More than ever before, you will have exceptional power to transform the environments you share with others. You will have an enhanced ability to revise and reinvigorate the systems and the rules you use. Don’t underestimate your influence during the coming months, Leo. Assume that people will be listening especially closely to your ideas and extra receptive to be affected by you.
VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22
I will give you four related terms to describe your key motif in 2025: 1. Your Soul’s Code. 2. Your Master Plan. 3. Your Destiny’s Blueprint. 4. Your Mission Statement. All four are rooted in this epic question: What is your overarching purpose here on earth, and how are you fulfilling it? The coming months will be a time when you can make dramatic progress in formulating vivid, detailed visions of the life you want to live. You can also undertake robust action steps to make those visions more of a practical reality. I encourage you to write your big-picture, long-range dreams in a special notebook or a file on your tech device. Keep adding to the text throughout the coming months.
LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct. 22
People in India were the first to discover diamonds buried in the earth. Most historians believe it happened in the 4th century BCE. For the next two millennia, India remained the only source of diamonds. Finally, new stashes were found in Brazil in 1725 and in South Africa in the 1870s. Let’s use this 2,000- year gap as a metaphor for your life. I suspect that far too many months have passed since you have located a fresh source of a certain treasure or bounty you crave. That will change in 2025. Here come long-delayed blessings!
SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21
In my vision of your life in 2025, you will dramatically enhance how togetherness works for you. Below are four questions to help guide your explorations and breakthroughs. 1. Is it feasible to change yourself in ways that enable you to have a more satisfying relationship with romantic love? 2. Will you include your intimate relationships as an essential part of your spiritual path—and vice versa? 3. What work on yourself can you do to heal your old wounds and thereby make yourself a better partner and collaborator? 4. Can you help your best allies to heal their wounds and thereby become better partners and collaborators?
SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec. 21
In Japanese, the word for “frog” sounds similar to the word meaning “to return.” That’s one reason frogs have been lucky in some circles of Japanese culture. They symbolize the blessing that occurs when travelers return home safely, or when health is restored, or when spent money is replenished. I bring this to your attention, Sagittarius, because I suspect 2025 will be a time when satisfying and enjoyable returns will be a key theme. Consider keeping the likeness of a lovable frog in your living space.
CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19
Since 1985, musician David Gilmour has led Pink Floyd. The band has sold over 250 million records. He’s in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in both the UK and the US. But my favorite thing about Gilmour is that he’s a passionate activist who has crusaded for animal rights, environmentalism, poverty and human rights. A few years ago, he auctioned off 120 of his guitars, raising over $21 million for an environmentalist charity. In accordance with astrological omens, I propose we make him one of your inspirational role models in 2025, Capricorn. May he mobilize you to use your stature and clout to perform an array of good works that are of service to your world.
AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb. 18
Aquarian author Virginia Woolf extolled the virtues of cultivating a supple soul that thrives on change. She pledged to be relentless in her commitment to be authentically herself and not succumb to groupthink. I recommend you make these two of your featured themes in 2025. To inspire your efforts, I will quote her radical perspective at length: “Movement and change are the essence of our being; rigidity is death; conformity is death: let us say what comes into our heads, repeat ourselves, contradict ourselves, fling out the wildest nonsense, and follow the most fantastic fancies without caring what the world does or thinks or says.”
PISCES Feb. 19-March 20
In 1992, two friends promised each other that if either of them ever won the lottery, they would share it with the other. Twenty-eight years later, that’s exactly what happened. In 2020, Thomas Cook bought a ticket that turned out to be the winner of the Powerhouse jackpot in Wisconsin. He called Joseph Feeney with the good news. After paying taxes, both men were $5.7 million richer. I am not predicting the exact same sequence for your future, Pisces. But like Cook and Feeney, I expect you will glean pleasing rewards generated from seeds planted in the past.
Published in cooperation between Online Sweeps and Good Times
Sweepstakes contests are more popular than ever across the United States. That trend is visible in nearly every U.S. state.
California is no different, as residents are searching for information on sweepstakes contests at a rate that’s perhaps higher than ever. Phrases like “sweepstakes near me” are high-volume search terms in the last 30 days from Google users in the Golden State.
This article examines Google Trends’ analysis of California residents’ searches for the specific term “sweepstakes” over the past 30 days.
Californians Searching For Sweepstakes
The following insights are derived from a Google Trends analysis of the term “sweepstakes” among California searchers from the period of November 6 through December 6, 2024.
When comparing different regions for the same search terms, Google Trends assigns a score of 100 to the region that produced the highest search volume for the term. All other regions in the comparison get a score based on a percentage of search volume.
For example, if the Reno, NV metro area scores a 100, then that’s the area that’s produced the highest search volume for the term “sweepstakes” in the last 30 days. If the Monterey-Salinas area scores a 51, then that area has produced 51 percent of the search traffic that the Reno metro area has over the same period.
Keeping in mind that the Reno metro area includes parts of northeast California, the Google Trends scored look like this:
Search Term “Sweepstakes” on Google Trends in California (Nov. 6-Dec. 6, 2024)
100—Reno (metro area)
51—Monterey-Salinas
47—Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto
42—Fresno-Visalia
38—San Diego
37—Los Angeles
35—Eureka
34—Yuma/El Centro
29—Chico-Redding
29—Bay Area
The Reno metro area produced the highest search volume for “sweepstakes” by a pretty wide margin.
As an interesting note, “sweepstakes” searches in this region were quite low through the first two weeks of November, then suddenly spiked on November 21. The surge in interest sustained through most of the remainder of the time period studied here.
Compared to the Reno metro area, other regions of California showed pretty similar search volume across the board for “sweepstakes.”
Related Queries and Breakout Terms
Zooming out on California and looking at the state as a whole, several queries related to the term “sweepstakes” surged in interest in the state in the studied time period.
The following terms qualified as “breakout” queries over the given time period. “Breakout” terms on Google Trends are defined as terms that grew by more than 5,000 percent during the study.
Breakout Terms Related to Sweepstakes
Sweepstakes near me
Starbucks sweepstakes
New sweepstakes casinos
Ed McMahon sweepstakes
Online sweepstakes casinos
HGTV.com sweepstakes
Luckyland
Jackpota
TLC sweepstakes
Golden Dragon sweepstakes
Wow Vegas
Mega Bonanza Casino
PCH Lotto
Stake
Coinbase sweepstakes
We see a clear trend of a sudden surge in interest for several different sweepstakes contests and formats at the same time from California searchers. California sweepstake rules are particularly strict, requiring sponsors to provide clear disclosures about prize odds, sponsor details, and ensuring that entries provide equal chances of winning
Let’s take a look at the traditional sweepstakes contests on the list:
Starbucks For Life Sweepstakes—One of the world’s most popular coffee brands is promoting its winter seasonal beverages with a massive sweepstakes contest. The grand prize comes in the form of “Starbucks for Life,” which grants the winner credit for one drink per day from Starbucks for the next 30 years. There will be five grand prize winners and more than 10 million prizes total in this contest.
HGTV Dream Home Sweepstakes—HGTV runs multiple sweepstakes contests year-round. The most popular of these contests is the annual Dream Home giveaway, and the 2025 version of that contest begins on Dec. 17. The winner of this sweepstakes wins a package that includes a $2.2 million dream home. $100,000 cash and a new 2025 Mercedes Benz. The odds of winning the grand prize in this contest depend on how many total entries it gets, and you expect that number to end up somewhere in the region of 150 million to 1.
TLC Giveaway Sweepstakes—Like HGTV, TLC offers sweepstakes contests throughout the year. Most of these contests are $5K Giveaways, with a grand prize of $5,000. The odds of winning these contests depend on the number of entrants.
In summary, the surge in interest for sweepstakes contests among California residents reflects a broader trend seen across the United States. Overall, this dynamic landscape of sweepstakes not only captivates participants but also underscores the importance of informed engagement in the exciting world of contests and giveaways.
Former NFL cornerback Reggie Stephens trains with Santa Cruz students every Sunday.
He works with kids on developing athletic skills, extending their academic experience, helping with college placement, and potentially receiving scholarships through the Reggie Stephens Foundation.
Stephens’ foundation provides comprehensive programs for boys and girls—basketball, speed and agility training, a boys’ football program, and a girls’ flag football tournament coming in January 2025.
“No matter what the sport is, we have conditioning training available; we never turn anyone away,” Stephens says.
The foundation also supports education through study sessions, as well as its newest initiative: arts and culture programs for youth.
Inspired by Stephens’ background in music, the foundation provides cultural enrichment programs to serve youth in multiple dimensions, from the arts to athletics.
Stephens, an alumnus of Santa Cruz High School and Cabrillo College, started the program in 2017 after his retirement from the NFL. He also coached his son at Scotts Valley. After his son was awarded a full-ride scholarship at Pepperdine, Stephens recalls, he wanted to help more kids from his hometown achieve the same goal.
In 2018 there were about 60 participants in the camp. Today, RSF works with more than 300 kids throughout the Central Coast.
The program’s main priority is getting kids to college. One way Stephens pursues that goal is through organizing field trips to Morgan State University and other HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities), broadening students’ perspectives and helping them explore new opportunities.
“I want kids to know there’s a world outside of this area, and I know kids from here can be overlooked,” Stephens says.
RSF supports students in attending any college. The foundation also encourages students to consider a variety of colleges and universities.
“There’s no reason kids shouldn’t go to college,” Stephens asserts. “I’ve helped over 30 kids to college using my resources as a former NFL player. I’ve helped kids fill out college applications, study hard to achieve scholarships on and off the field, and mostly I’ve helped kids with their confidence to believe they can do it. You seek it, you believe it, I’m going to help you achieve it.”
While the foundation focuses on athletic development, it also provides opportunities for mentorship for all students. Stephens explains how students help one another. For instance, Tyreese Lundy, an older Soquel High running back, worked with Preston Dean, who plays in Pop Warner games.
“I offer the kids a comfortable space to work in. Each Sunday, kids come in with something new to work on,” Stephens says.
To donate to Reggie Stephens’ foundation, readers can go to SantaCruzGives.org.
This year, RSF received a grant from Community Foundation Santa Cruz, the first time the program received outside money from anything other than Stephens’ fundraising efforts—including a golf tournament. Stephens anticipates using the money to take more kids on the field trip next time around. “Seeing kids fly on a plane for the first time, being able to attend Morgan State and see the opportunity they have, is healing.”
Off the field, Reggie emphasizes the tutoring program RSF offers. The program is planning a partnership with Santa Cruz Athletic Club to create a weight training and tutoring room for members of RSF in 2025.
“I do it because our area needs someone in this role to make sure our kids don’t fall through the cracks. To make sure they have the best opportunity, to be the best athlete, go to college. … For the kids who struggle to make the team, watching them develop, it’s the most healing thing,” Stephens says.
A Parent’s Perspective
Jon Brown recalls his son’s involvement with RSF, which began in 2017–2018. Stephens recognized Qwentin Brown’s potential as an athlete, and during the pandemic, when training opportunities were scarce, he offered personalized support and helped the young athlete stay prepared.
By Qwentin’s senior year in 2021-2022, Stephens had become integral to his athletic development. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-era recruiting, Stephens provided scouting support and encouraged perseverance.
“I recall our family being worried about recruits not initially giving us offers,” Brown recounts. When the road to college basketball seemed unclear, “Reggie reminded us to remain calm.”
Stephens’ belief in Qwentin’s abilities eventually helped secure an offer from Brown University.
Jon emphasizes the trust he placed in Stephens over the years. “At some point, as a parent, you realize you’ve maxed out your knowledge,” Jon says. “Reggie was that person I could trust to guide my son to the next level.”
After four years of working together, Jon asserts, “Whatever Reggie says, we’re going to do it.”
Even after Qwentin’s graduation, the bond remains strong. “To this day, my kid still calls Reggie. That’s the kind of relationship they have,” Jon shares. Now, Jon’s nine-year-old son has joined RSF, affectionately calling him “Uncle Reggie.”
Giving Time
Good Times readers can donate to the Reggie Stephens Foundation via the Santa Cruz Gives program. Founded by Good Times in 2015, Santa Cruz Gives has raised more than $5 million to help local charities (63 this year). These are some of the participating groups that—like this week’s featured nonprofits—provide essential services to children in Santa Cruz County.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Santa Cruz County—Training mentors for children with mental health issues.
Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County—Upgrading the clubhouse for the next generation.
Camp Opportunity—Sending at-risk kids to camp.
CASA of Santa Cruz County—Recruiting advocates for juveniles in foster care.
Center for Farmworker Families—Conducting computer literacy training.
Community Bridges—Providing diapers to low-income parents.
Girls Inc.—Training to set health and wellness goals
Hopes Closet—Giving socks, shoes and underwear to kids.
Mentors Driving Change for Boys, Men and Dads—Offering programs to empower boys.
Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance—Hosting a youth conference.
Pajaro Valley Shelter Services—Conducting family-strengthening workshops.
Positive Discipline—Parenting programs in English, Spanish and Mixteco.
Ventures—Fundingcollege savings programs for babies born in Santa Cruz County.
Walnut Avenue Family & Women’s Center—Supporting the Early Education Center.
From now through Dec. 31, readers can donate to the program. Find out more at SantaCruzGives.org. Santa Cruz Gives is funded by the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, Applewood Foundation, Joe Collins, Driscoll’s, Inc., Monterey Peninsula Foundation, 1440 Foundation, Santa Cruz County Bank, and Wynn Capital Management, as well as readers of Good Times, Pajaronian and Press Banner.
Unlike many of Northern California’s most groundbreaking ideas, this one skipped the garage in favor of a parking lot. In the late 1970s, before the rise of Silicon Valley startups, a small group of educators from the Live Oak School District came together to transform an abandoned parking lot at Green Acres Elementary School into a vibrant, thriving garden.
That marked the beginning of Life Lab—one of the 63 organizations to which Good Times readers can donate during Santa Cruz Gives.
The founders envisioned the gardens as living laboratories where students could go beyond studying science to making hands-on discoveries, just like real scientists. This concept inspired the name Life Lab, reflecting the idea of a garden as a living laboratory. This visionary approach laid the foundation, and it continues to grow and evolve over the years.
Life Lab Executive Director Whitney Cohen, who joined the organization in 2007 as program director, stepped into her current role this past summer. She explains that in 2000, Life Lab established the garden classroom on the UC Santa Cruz campus, which they rent from UCSC. As an independent nonprofit, Life Lab works closely with UCSC while occupying and maintaining the Demonstration Gardens on campus.
Visiting the chicken coop is a popular activity. Photo courtesy of Life Lab
Cohen says, “We’ve expanded our mission to cultivate a love of learning with nourishing food provided through garden-based education. Today we have a network of thousands of educators throughout the country who use our curriculum and our professional development trainings to implement school gardens. It’s the heart of what we do at Life Lab.
“And I think it’s important to note that this is happening in a school context, where indoors all day under fluorescent lights doesn’t work well for many children,” Cohen adds.
“The second way to experience Life Lab is through field trips and summer camps held in the garden classroom,” Cohen explains.
“We believe that when children have regular positive experiences, like in natural outdoor garden classrooms, they develop a connection to place. And then as they caretake that place through watering and planting the seeds, they also develop internally, a sense of purpose and pride and kinship with each other and with the world around them.”
Good Times: What are some measurable ways this impacts students?
Whitney Cohen: One Watsonville school recently reported that this year they’re working on reducing chronic absenteeism, which is happening in many schools. It’s a statewide effort, but one of the methods they’re using at Starlight is to invite children to the chicken coop in the school garden as an incentive for attendance. So, if a chronically absent student attends for a certain number of days, then one of their incentives is they’ll get to visit and hold the chickens at the chicken coop. Because for some children, that’s one of the reasons they want to come to school.
Photo courtesy Life Lab
What would you say is the most impactful program you offer and why?
Well, of course, I think all of our programs have powerful impacts in different ways, but one I think that is particularly relevant in today’s world of division and polarization is our summer camps.
Because in Life Lab Garden classroom summer camps, we intentionally bring together young people from very different backgrounds to share experiences. Things like making fresh strawberry popsicles or singing songs or doing garden chores together or climbing our giant bay tree together.
And we do it to help build authentic community, the kind that inspires them to genuinely see each other and care for one another. So right now, I think of that as something that’s super relevant to the world.
Are there any partnerships or initiatives that you’re particularly proud of this year?
Life Lab was asked by the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation, which is the giving arm of Sprouts Markets to co-host the first ever National School Garden conference. So, in 2022, we co-hosted the growing School Garden Summit in Denver for a little over 400 people. And then in 2024, we hosted it again in San Diego for over 500 people. And now we’re planning a School Garden Summit for 2026. The investment from our local community in this approach to learning is creating a movement that’s having impacts across the country.
Do you have a favorite story that illustrates the magic of garden-based learning?
I’m thinking of another school that has a Life Lab School Garden in Watsonville. The students one day were meeting outside of the school garden to plant in some planter boxes. One of the students—a little girl who teachers knew was going through a hard time—pleaded with her Life Lab instructor to let her go into the garden.
“Please!” she said, “I’ll be quick. I just need to give the garden something.” Eventually the instructor let her go and she went in quickly, and then came back out. And at the end of the school day, Lila, that school’s garden instructor, went into the garden. What the girl had left was a little letter, written in second-grade scrawl, and it said, “Hi garden. I love to be here when I’m mad or sad and to see you makes me good.”
Just to provide that source of healing to a child when they’re going through a hard time is such an honor. I just think of this as the biggest gift of school gardens.
How is participating in Santa Cruz Gives helped Life Lab grow its impact in the local community?
Equity is really essential to Life Lab, and I talked about the power of bringing together children from diverse backgrounds and the teamwork, the community building—that comes from that.
And the only reason we’re able to do that, to have students from all walks of life, joined together in the garden, is because of the people locally who donate to Life Lab through Santa Cruz Gives. It translates directly into the number of camp spots we’re able to offer to children experiencing poverty or in the foster care system or experiencing homelessness or resettling as refugees. It’s also what makes Life Lab a leader in the Nationwide movement.
At Life Lab our staff, our board and our community of donors is doing everything we can to ensure that every child knows they are an essential member of the web of life, and we do that by providing them with these school garden experiences. And, our hope is that, that serves as the foundation for every choice those children make and the way that they lead in the future.
What’s the best way for people to get involved or support your mission?
Right now, it’s to donate through Santa Cruz Gives. All of our work in Santa Cruz is only possible in partnership with our treasured local community of support.
The term “two-way player” has a whole range of definitions.
In the case of Mad Yolks (1411 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz), two-way takes on a stack of meanings.
They go two ways on fresh-and-fast-casual options, with Poke House spots in Monterey and downtown S.C. (1543 Pacific Ave.).
Meanwhile, they give their Poke House fare two chances at enjoyment, by teaming up with...
Santa Cruz Police released this report:
At approximately 12:44 p.m. today, a call was received reporting that the end of the Santa Cruz municipal wharf, where the Dolphin Restaurant and Restroom #3 were located, collapsed into the ocean along with three construction workers.
Due to ongoing construction, this area has been closed to the public since January 2024.Two victims...
Published in cooperation between Online Sweeps and Good Times
Sweepstakes contests are more popular than ever across the United States. That trend is visible in nearly every U.S. state.
California is no different, as residents are searching for information on sweepstakes contests at a rate that's perhaps higher than ever. Phrases like “sweepstakes near me” are high-volume search terms in the...
