The Editor’s Desk

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July 1, 2026

Santa Cruz California editor of good times news media print and web — **Brad Kava** | Good Times Editor

We aren’t quite Malibu, where every time you walk into a coffee shop or drug store, you recognize a movie actor, but we are surrounded by stars and incredibly talented people.

Someone once asked why Cabrillo College has so many instructors who could be at an Ivy League college and the answer was simple. Look around the campus and off to the sea. We live in paradise and it encourages people to come here for work.

Which leads to our cover story, about the new director of the 418 Project, an arts community that is going to grow bigger with director Dennis Bartok, whose credentials include working for Robert De Niro’s production company, Tribeca Productions. Later, he worked for America Cinematheque for 28 years, a nonprofit that provided diverse film programming and in-person discussions and events with thousands of filmmakers and luminaries, presenting new and repertory cinema to Los Angeles.

He was head of programming, general manager and executive director.

He was also a screenwriter who wrote and produced an anthology horror film called Trapped Ashes.

Basically, he brings serious cred and contacts to our town, as the cover story by writer DNA illustrates.

Have you had too much sun this summer? DId you think your skin was hopeless? Health writer Elizabeth Borelli found hope for all of us. I love that she had walked by this place for years before she finally walked in and had some major revelations. Have you heard of a Pilates facial? You will in her column.

In the serious news department: we share the county grand jury’s concerns about Santa Cruz being a terribly unsafe place to walk (or bike, which it didn’t cover). We have so many fatalities and injuries, it feels like we live in a Third World country. You would think we pay enough in taxes to get some sidewalks.

And the blasts have started already around the beaches from illegal fireworks. What’s been done to enforce the law over the years? You’ll be surprised to read our story.

On the food front, you can see what’s doing in the Hotel Paradox and why locals should pretend to be tourists and have a good meal there.

Entertainment: Beth Stelling is a nationally-known comic who is doing a show in our mountain Felton theater.

And, of course, you want to know what to do on the Fourth. We have everything you need to know about the parades, fireworks, concerts and air shows. FUN.

What do Santa Cruzans want for the country’s 250th birthday? Check out Street Talk to see the answers before you buy your presents.

Thanks for reading and have a great holiday.

Brad Kava | Editor

PHOTO CONTEST

Fruit skewers arranged like an American flag with blueberries, raspberries and white cheese or melon in a glass dish.

FLAG SALAD A creative entrée at a solstice party on 6/20. Photograph by Jim Sullivan

GOOD IDEA

Driscoll’s Charitable Giving Program is celebrating its 20th year.

In 2005, Driscoll’s formalized its legacy of giving back by including employees in directing charitable giving toward causes they care about most. Since then, Driscoll’s has donated $29 million in grants and sponsorships to support thousands of initiatives in 13 countries. They strengthen communities where they grow and/or sell, with a heavy emphasis on the US and with an extra helping of support here at home in Santa Cruz County.

Our local grower of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries (both organic and conventional), Driscoll’s, founded in 1904, is headquartered in Watsonville, and is still family-owned.

GOOD WORK

Starting July 1, the City of Santa Cruz will relaunch the popular GO BIKE! Downtown E-Bike Rebate program and increase the value of rebates to a $500 base amount and $1,000 for income-qualified individuals.

Now in its sixth year, GO BIKE! is an annual investment by the City that encourages more downtown workers to use bikes for transportation. The number of rebates available is limited; , two rebate tiers are available: a $500 base rebate (previously $400) and a $1,000 rebate for income-qualified individuals (previously $800). Anyone who works within the Downtown Parking District is eligible to apply.

To apply, people need to fill out the application, watch a bike safety training video, and complete a training quiz and survey. Learn more at gosantacruzcounty.org.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“If the law supposes that, the law is a ass — a idiot.”
—Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist

Crimson & Clover

Vine & Dine

Josie Cowden

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July 1, 2026

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The Paring is making some very interesting wines. One of these is their 2021 Red Wine ($25).

Based in Lompoc, California, the winery sources its grapes primarily from three different regions on the vanguard: Santa Ynez Valley, Sta. Rita Hills and Santa Maria Valley. A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Petite Verdot, the result is a delicious crimson red wine that smacks of cedar, toast, coffee and tobacco. This enticing amalgam of dark fruits, black plums and black currants adds an abundance of aroma and flavor.

The folks at The Paring say that their wines are for pleasure and meant to be at home anywhere, pairing beautifully with casual barbecues as well as feasts that pull out all the stops.

In other words: The Paring is for sharing!

Theparing.com

Leak– proof, of course

ZULU makes a variety of water bottles. The 101 oz leak-proof container keeps water cold for days, or hot up to 24 hours. It comes with a great carry handle, and it’s BPA–free and dishwasher safe. It’s ideal for coffee, tea or water. About $40. ZULU makes a wide range of other products. ZULUAthletic.com

Celebrity chocolates

Chouquette makes really good chocolate. Their chocolate-covered caramels are delicious, and they come with all different kinds of designs, including some with faces of celebrities, such as Taylor Swift. The company also makes Chocolate Puzzles, which come in 16 pieces, and custom puzzles are available too. Chouquette.us.com

Careful with that oil

This great gadget is handy for spraying olive oil just where it’s needed, and it’s ideal to keep on your kitchen counter for your air fryer, salad, barbecue and more. About $30. Flairosol.com

Things to do in Santa Cruz

Things To Do This Week

GT Staff

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July 1, 2026

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THURSDAY 7/2

COUNTRY

ELLIS BULLARD Somewhere along the line, Nashville lost the plot. Over the last several decades, country music became distilled, watered down and turned into toothless, gutless pop music. So that’s why we got to thank our lucky stars for artists like Ellis Bullard for keeping the true honky tonk flavor bold, spicy and at the forefront. For almost the entirety of the past decade, Bullard has toured across these United States, giving the people what they want: cowboy boots, broken hearts, lap steel guitar and plenty of ruckus. With a voice like Waylon, Bullard keeps the tradition of old school country alive with songs like “What’s a Man to Do?” and “It Ain’t Easy Needing Green.” MAT WEIR

INFO: 8pm, Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $15-$20. 479-1854.

AMERICANA

GOLDPINE Nashville duo Goldpine is the wife-and-husband team of Kassie and Benjamin Wilson. Goldpine’s first big break was a win at the Rocky Mountain Songwriter Contest. The duo followed that up with an appearance on NPR’s “Mountain Stage.” Goldpine’s third and latest album is Three, described as “aggressive Americana.” The album showcases the duo’s sharp and emotionally resonant songwriting chops and captures them in the best possible light. The album features performances recorded on the road in 2024 in front of enthusiastic audiences. Goldpine’s current tour brings the duo to an assortment of intimate venues and concert halls. BILL KOPP

INFO: 7pm, The Ugly Mug, 4640 Soquel Drive, Soquel. $20. 477-1341.

FRIDAY 7/3

ROCK

JAMES DURBIN & THE LOST BOYS WITH TED WELTY Some of our readers out there might remember a time when Santa Cruz was the happening place for the Fourth of July. However, over the past 24 years, it’s been varied at best. Thankfully, we still have some rockers in town, and this weekend the shenanigans kick off with some of the best in the biz. James Durbin and The Lost Boys play everyone’s favorite hard rock anthems throughout the decades just as fresh as when they were released. So, start the weekend off with a free show, food trucks, beer, wine, and even a raffle at Lighthouse Field. And maybe, just maybe, we can make the holiday a big one in town once again. MW

INFO: 2pm, Lighthouse Point Lawn, 701 West Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz. Free. 420-5030.

THEATRE

ESCAPING QUEENS A story written by Capitola’s very own, Joe Ortiz, comes to life at The Santa Cruz Actors’ Theatre. Escaping Queens follows an immigrant family as they navigate the challenges of poverty and a father’s problems with gambling, alcohol, and women. The musical paints a cast of colorful characters, from neighborhood bookies to a doo wop group to all the shades and personalities in a mixed Italian and Puerto Rican family. Based on Ortiz~~Oritz~~’s own memoir, Pastina—My Father’s Misfortune, My Mother’s Good Soup, the emotional turbulence of navigating an escape from New York is presented as a compelling and sophisticated story that asks if children are fated to repeat their parents’ mistakes. SN

INFO: 7pm, Santa Cruz Actors’ Theatre, 1001 Center Street, Santa Cruz. $32-$35. 431-8666.

SATURDAY 7/4

CELEBRATION

FREE DAY 2026 Come celebrate freedom with Discretion Brewing. But let’s be clear. The beer is not free. This is about Discretion Brewing’s yearly brand-new IPA, which ~~that~~ will be available. Starting at 2:30, the band This Close will be cranking out covers of Pink Floyd, Grateful Dead and more classic freedom-inducing tunes. Can you bring your dog? Yes. Can you bring your kids? Yes. Can you bring your dogs’ kids? Take it easy. Freedom has its limits. Cornhole, pizza, and sandwiches are prerequisites for freedom, so those bases are covered. Santa Cruz is lucky to have such a safe space for beer, music, and well, freedom. DNA

INFO: 12pm, Discretion Brewing, 2703 41st Ave., Ste. A, Soquel. Free. 316-0662.

INDIE ROCK

MORILLO Artist/composer/drummer/DJ Zach Morillo spent four years playing drums with a reggae band called Jahfe. Eons ago, Morillo was playing Bar Mitzvahs, b~~. B~~ut his training as a traditional jazz drummer has served him well. Morillo toured the world as a drummer for Childish Gambino and Rhye and performed at Red Rocks, Coachella and other jaw-dropping festivals and venues. For the last few years, Morillo has explored a new side of his syncopated soul. With three albums, three EPeps and a boatload of singles out on revered labels, Morillo’s inner sound has now infiltrated dance floors across the globe. DNA

INFO: 8pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton, $26. 704-7113.

TUESDAY 7/7

LITERARY

A HISTORY OF RAILROAD DOGS Humans weren’t the only creatures riding trains across the continent by the 1860s. Stray dogs rode these trains across the country, hopping on and off at will. These canine vagabonds are considered to be “America’s first true canine celebrities,” as their stories were documented by rail crews and newspaper writers. Working-class people saw these dogs, such as Railroad Jack and Owney, as heroes. They embodied a level of freedom that most people of that time could only dream of. Dr. Paul Koudounaris uncovers and brings these fascinating stories of daring pups living lives along the rails to the surface with his new book, Go West, Young Dog! ISABELLA MARIE SANGALINE

INFO: 5:30pm, The MAH, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz. $20. 429-1964.

WEDNESDAY 7/8

R&B

TAE AND THE NEIGHBORLY Tae and the Neighborly offer up tracks that skink into the soul. Blending R&B, soul, pop, and rock, their music is ripe with nostalgic melodies, warm guitar, and twinkly keys. At the center is Tae, whose rich voice ripples with emotion and soulfulness as she sings ballads of time gone by, love, and caring for one another. The group united over ~~the neighborly generosity of~~ offering a requested cup of sugar. This sentiment of neighborly generosity is seen throughout their lyrics, with songs that advocate social change and self-love. SHELLY NOVO

INFO: 7pm, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz. $29-$32. 427-2227.

AMERICANA

DYLAN LEBLANC Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, and paying his musical dues there and in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, alternative country singer-songwriter Dylan LeBlanc has punk roots. His original music weds the immediacy of that style to bleak and visceral lyrics. The title track of his fourth album, Renegade, climbed to the #31 spot on Billboard’s Adult Alternative Airplay (AAA) chart in 2019. His fifth and latest album is 2023’s Coyote. That record earned widespread praise from critics at American Songwriter, MOJO, Uncut and PopMatters. LeBlanc’s current tour crisscrosses the U.S. with jaunts to France, Sweden, Ireland, England, Scotland, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. BK

INFO: 8pm, Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $20-$25. 429-6994.

[1]@br**@*****ys.com there are two names here. Is it supposed to be both? or one or the other?

Summer Glow

Wellness

Elizabeth Borelli

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July 1, 2026

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Summer in Santa Cruz is a mixed blessing for our skin. We spend days at the beach, or outdoors hiking, gardening, and lingering over dinner on the patio. While all that sunshine nourishes the soul, it can leave our skin feeling a little less radiant by the time Labor Day rolls around.

The combination of sunscreen, saltwater, sweat, and sun exposure can wreak havoc on your skin. Which raises an intriguing question: once the damage is done, is a targeted skincare treatment enough to undo it?

I’ll admit, I was skeptical.

Which may explain why I’d passed by Glow Prescription Skincare hundreds of times without giving it much thought, even though I live right around the corner. Just off my regular route to Gayle’s Bakery, it had somehow blended into the scenery. Funny how we can overlook what’s right in front of us until we’re ready for it.

Since I wasn’t looking for another skincare treatment or one more miracle anti-aging claim, I just kept going. Until curiosity got the better of me.

A visit to the website introduced founder and lead aesthetician Milene Freire. At first glance, she looked exactly as you’d expect someone in her profession to look: radiant, polished, and thirty-something youthful. Then I read her story.

Freire’s expertise has taken her around the world. Originally from Brazil, she earned her California aesthetics license more than two decades ago before working in some of San Francisco’s premier spas. Her career later led her to Switzerland, where she trained alongside renowned dermatologist Dr. Bettina Rümmelein, expanding her knowledge of advanced medical aesthetics. Today, she has brought that international experience to her boutique Capitola studio, blending evidence-based skincare with a warm, personalized approach.

One treatment immediately caught my eye: the Pilates Facial. The name alone was enough to pique my interest.

Described as a workout for your face, the 75-minute treatment combines microcurrent technology to stimulate facial muscles, ultrasound to encourage circulation and lymphatic drainage, LED light therapy to support collagen production, and a customized peel designed to brighten tired summer skin.

As someone who believes in strength training to preserve muscle everywhere else, I couldn’t help wondering, why skip the face?

A few days later, I found myself settling into Glow Prescription’s beautifully designed reception area. The atmosphere was calm and inviting, and before long Milene appeared.

Yes, she has beautiful skin. And she was happy to correct my thirty-something estimate, as my jaw continued to drop. But what struck me most was her enthusiasm. She genuinely loves talking about skin, not from the perspective of chasing perfection, but of helping people understand how it functions and what it needs.

As the treatment began, she explained that healthy skin is less about expensive products than consistent habits. “We’re always looking for one miracle product,” she said. “But beautiful skin is really about taking care of it every day.”

That philosophy resonated with me. It reminded me of nutrition. There isn’t one superfood that transforms your health overnight. Instead, it’s the daily choices, plant-based whole foods, movement, sleep, stress management that add up over time.

The same is true for skin. Freire emphasized that sunscreen remains the single most important anti-aging product we own. Beyond that, she recommends gentle exfoliation, antioxidants, hydration, and treatments that encourage collagen production, rather than simply masking signs of aging.

The Pilates Facial is designed to do just that. Microcurrent technology delivers tiny electrical currents that stimulate facial muscles, much like resistance training activates muscles throughout the body. LED red light therapy has been studied for its ability to support collagen production and reduce inflammation, while ultrasound encourages circulation and lymphatic flow, leaving skin looking refreshed rather than puffy.

No, I didn’t emerge looking 20 years younger. Thankfully, that’s not what Freire promises. But she emphasizes the importance of embracing the skin you’re in, in my case, wrinkles and all.

As someone who writes frequently about healthy aging, I’ve become increasingly interested in treatments that support the body’s natural processes rather than attempting to erase every wrinkle. Good nutrition, exercise, restorative sleep, stress management and yes, intentional skincare, all contribute to how we age.

There may never be a miracle cream, but there are knowledgeable professionals who understand both the science of skin and the value of slowing down long enough to care for it. By the time I left, my skin felt amazingly smooth and looked visibly brighter. This was a splurge to be sure, one you may or may not invest in.

Stories like Milene’s are part of what makes Santa Cruz’s wellness community so compelling. Behind many of the small studios and storefronts are practitioners whose careers have taken them around the world, bringing global expertise to our little corner of the coast. Whether you book a Pilates Facial or simply stop in for a consultation, a visit to Glow Prescription is more than a skincare appointment; it’s a reminder that healthy aging isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about finding knowledgeable guides who help you feel comfortable, confident, and radiant in the skin you’re in at every age.

He Escaped Queens

Stage

Siran Babayan

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July 1, 2026

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Food has always played a big role in Joe Ortiz’s career. In 1978, he opened Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria in Capitola with his wife, Gayle. In 2025, he published his memoir, Pastina: My Father’s Misfortune, My Mother’s Good Soup. He’s penned cookbooks and articles for Bon Appetit, Sunset and Food & Wine magazines. He even created a musical inspired by bread. “I lived in a thick ragout of food, argument, and activity,” he writes in his autobiography.

That book describes much of what happens in Ortiz’s musical, Escaping Queens – Over the Roof, which runs at the Santa Cruz Actors’ Theatre July 3 through August 2. Co-directed by Greg Fritsch and Cathy D. Warner, with music and lyrics by Ortiz, the two-act show recounts Ortiz’s chaotic youth in New York and his family’s move to California, and how food figured into that journey.

“We wanted to show that music, food and humor were the things that sustained us during this difficult time,” says Ortiz. “The humor is important to get across in a show this heavy.”

Ortiz was born in 1946 in Manhattan and raised in Queens. His mother, Antonietta, was an Italian homemaker and his father, Herman, was a Puerto Rican shoe repairman, who drank and gambled too much. He was also physically abusive.

“My mother was my protector,” says Ortiz. “She protected me from everything. She knew early on that she had a tough husband, who was full of personality, joy and humor. But he had his ways of stepping over the balance and there was always an issue in our house with money and drinking. There was always conflict. Typical children-of-immigrants situation. My mother tried to make it all work. She eventually stood up to him. My father was often gone and always coming up with schemes to make money, which never materialized. He was supposed to take care of me, but he was often gone.”

In an attempt to dodge a bookie and avoid paying his debts, Ortiz’s father fled to Wilmington, Ca., where he bought a house and started a new life. Six-year-old Ortiz, his mother and older sister, Laura, would later join him, escaping over the roof of their apartment building that overlooked the Queensboro Bridge. His mother eventually left his father and opened her own restaurant in California.

“The bridge hung over us,” says Ortiz. “It’s a real symbol of our frustration and anxiety.”

In Ortiz’s home, his mother’s cooking didn’t just provide sustenance. It symbolized “hope and salvation” and “curative blessings.” His memoir even includes recipes for some two-dozen dishes like arroz con pollo, braciole, chicken cacciatore and pastina, a soup with star-shaped pasta, chicken and vegetables that “symbolized my mother’s nurturing.”

“Most of it is comfort food that we were attracted to to assuage the tough lifestyle,” says Ortiz.

After graduating from San Jose State University, Ortiz settled in Santa Cruz. He worked as a house painter by day and a musician by night, playing in rock, folk and country bands in clubs and bars. Ortiz actually started piecing together his memoir as far back as 1989, but wouldn’t publish it until decades later. During that time, Ortiz developed skits in restaurants and set them to music.

“I got the bug in terms of the theater experience,” says Ortiz.

He wrote his first food-based production, Bread!: The Musical, and a one-woman cabaret show, Smoke. The latter has been running for the last 25 years and returns in September to the Audrey Stanley Grove at DeLaveaga Park. Both have starred local jazz singer and long-time collaborator Lori Rivera.

Like Ortiz, Rivera also had a Puerto Rican father. Inspired by their shared backgrounds, Ortiz decided to interpret his own family dynamics for the stage. Escaping Queens debuted in 2012 at the Cabrillo Stage. Later, Ortiz and Fritsch held concert readings in New York and San Francisco, and over the years have revised and refined the story and some of the songs.

“The story is about child abuse, but it’s also about somebody standing up and saying ‘This is not gonna happen anymore,’” says Ortiz. “The idea is about breaking the cycle. Some people get lucky and they don’t become abusers, but that’s not always the case. So it really had to be Mama’s story. Mama had to really see and understand the child abuse, and react to it and take a stand. Once we got to that we realized we had the climax of our story.”

The musical’s latest revival features Rivera and Adam Saucedo as Ortiz’s parents, and Ryan Stallings as Ortiz, though the actor in the show is a few years older. Other characters include Ortiz’s aunt, Rose, the neighborhood bookie, Freddie, and a group of doo-wop singers. The music reflects Ortiz’s childhood in the 1950s, and songs like “Mama’s Kitchen” and “She Feeds Me Macaroni (But I Need My Rice and Beans)” – which Ortiz calls “argument songs” – reflect his parents’ sometimes playful, sometimes combative bickering.

“It’s a potpourri of all the music that influenced us at the time,” says Ortiz. “My mother was into musical theater. Rodgers and Hammerstein and Rodgers and Hart. So there’s that element. My sister was into Big Band singers. Julie London, Peggy Lee and Ella Fitzgerald. My dad liked going to the Copacabana. So there’s a couple of Latin tunes. It’s a mixture of all the songs that not only influenced our lives, but told the story.”

Though the musical chronicles the struggles of his early life, Ortiz says the larger story of a child of immigrant parents can be relatable to anyone.

“Peasants are always looking for a better life and we reflect that in the play,” says Ortiz.” It’s a universal story and people can relate to it in terms of leaving their homeland and searching out a better life.”

Escaping Queens – Over the Roof runs July 3-Aug. 2 at Santa Cruz Actors’ Theatre, 1001 Center St., Santa Cruz. Hours: 7 p.m. & 2 p.m.; admission $32-$35.

PULL QUOTE

Though the musical chronicles the struggles of his early life, Ortiz says the larger story of a child of immigrant parents can be relatable to anyone.

“Peasants are always looking for a better life and we reflect that in the play,” says Ortiz.” It’s a universal story and people can relate to it in terms of leaving their homeland and searching out a better life.”

No Glass Ceiling

Comedy

DNA

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July 1, 2026

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Comedian Beth Stelling is nobody’s fool. For the better part of two decades, Stelling has Forrest Gumped her way back and forth across the country, making strangers laugh in bars, theaters, festivals and on screens of all sizes. With a persistence and intensity normally reserved for high-level competitive athletes, Stelling’s humor, cleverness and personal transparency make her a national treasure.

The mountains are going to ring with laughter when Stelling brings her new hour of material to Felton Music Hall July 9. From Conan to Comedy Central’s @midnight, Chelsea Lately, The Pete Holmes Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live, the Ohio-born comic is at the top of her game.

Two years ago, at 38, Stelling returned to her high school sport, and was successful in joining the U.S. Women’s Masters Field Hockey Team. Over the last few years, besides a full-time life as a touring comedian, Stelling represented the U.S. in Buenos Aires and South Africa. Combine this with the 21st-century twist of touring comics having to post five times a week and respond to comments, and there’s not much time left for anything else.

“I get a lot of negative stuff from men on Instagram and especially Facebook,” says Stelling, who is in her car, on the road to another show. “I had a back and forth with this 65-year-old man named Chris yesterday and today. He rattled something off and I replied.”

“It ended with him saying, ‘You’re right. I just watched 60 seconds and looked at your other stuff, and seen all your credits, and it’s not easy what you do. You’ve accomplished so much. And I’ll think twice before I just rattle something off on a 60-second clip from eight years ago.’ And I was like, yeah, that’s pretty much all I ask. Like, leave me alone. If you don’t like it, move on. But why are you trying to tear me down? So weird,” Stelling says.

Stand-up comedy is primarily a community of broken misfit humans, and Stelling was the rare bird who had the competitive edge of a field hockey player, and understood the level of focus needed for success, combined with a ruthless work ethic. Her adaptability to read a field, and see where possible opportunities are, led to Stelling becoming a valued comedy writer on HBO’s Crashing.

From whatever angle you look at Stelling – successful comedy series writer (Crashing), multiple comedy specials Boner Appétit to You (2015), The Standups (2017), Girl Daddy (2020), and If You Didn’t Want Me Then (2023), or graduating from college magna cum laude – you’re looking at a comedic olympiad. New material isn’t a problem.

“I think I have an overabundance of material at this point,” says Stelling.

“I was operating, for a good chunk of my career, under the old model, which was: put out an hour, start the new one right away, tour it, and then put out another hour. But now with everybody being a comedian, and YouTube, and the oversaturation with comics chasing followers and subscriptions, that’s not really the case anymore. There are still perhaps a few tastemakers in the business selecting art that they care about – whether that person has followers or not – but usually they do not. Now it’s operating from a place of an algorithmic subscription-based draw,” Stelling says.

Stelling is young, but old enough to remember when TV and radio were the most important ways to get the word out about upcoming shows. Now it’s the artist’s responsibility to get the word out. One should ask at what point do artists become part of the machine, rather than critics of its pointless machinations? For Stelling, that question is an everyday consideration.

“I’m not too into reading about economics and the structure of capitalism. I have a loose understanding of it from living in society. But we’re being made to be workers. Art and artistry used to be something that was a relief from that kind of work. And now artists have become the same type of worker, except that we’re trying to compete against each other and figure out algorithms by capturing every moment of our day. There’s also a lot of pay-to-play happening. A lot of people pay to be in your feed, even if you’re not following them, which I am morally against,” Stelling says.

“I’m type A. I work hard. I’m not lazy. I’m not a drug addict. Not that those two are synonymous. But I’m not up against an obstacle keeping me from doing my art or getting in the way of it. And yet it makes me feel lazy that I don’t want to be online every day posting. Posting something every day that isn’t finished or ready. So it’s an odd feeling. Just a cog in the machine of capitalism if you think that I should work, and put something out every day, for free, on the internet.”

The traditional path to a comic’s livelihood might have changed, but this all star comedy road dog has no intention of slowing down.

Beth Stelling will appear on Thursday, July 9 at 8pm at Felton Music Hall, 6275 HWY 9, Felton, CA. Tickets are $34.59. More info at feltonmusichall.com

Flavor Savior

Dining Reviews

Mark C. Anderson

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July 1, 2026

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It’s not often you order every single appetizer available—and each one bends the bounds of what you expect, in the best way.

But so it went at my penultimate visit to Bad Animal (1011 Cedar St., Santa Cruz). To be fair, there were only three starters, which has changed, but they were glorious: a cheese-and-bread understated creation bursting with umami born of melty gruyèere made with Fruition porter (aka “a Welsh Rarebit”); a citrus salad that sang with ancho chile zing and herb-spiked brightness and a pair of kimchi-Fogline pork croquettes that look cute and basic then prove rich and textural.

Those items are long gone from celebrated Brazilian-Korean-American Chef Nick Hahn’s menu but that’s a good thing, because he’s letting what he gets at the Santa Cruz Farmers Market that unfurls nearby every Wednesday (among other farm-fresh stops) dictate what he’s working with.

Asked about a few of his favorites, he rattles off prized producers like Blue Heron Farms, Dirty Girl Produce, Four Sisters Farms, Blossoms Farms, Schletewitz Family Farms and Live Earth Farm.

“We do the rounds,” Hahn says. “I love all the farms and try to support as many as I can.”

That makes midweek a great time to visit—if you can get a seat.

When I stopped by last week the place was packed and our group didn’t have time to wait it out, though if you do that’s not a bad sentence to receive, because you can explore Bad Animal’s sublime used and rare book selection, ideally with a glass of wine from the curated, obscure and natural-leaning lineup of small producers.

The tasty update on the food menu: Hahn’s mini-and-mighty appetizer list has tripled in size.

“We’re a little more settled in now,” says Hahn, who took leadership of the kitchen at the start of the year. “I was able to expand the team and build them up, so I figured we had more capacity to expand the menu, which was always the goal—and [the starters] are a side to the menu we do because I want people to try a bunch of things, share things, and experience different flavor profiles and textures that make eating really fun.”

Now Marin Miyagi oysters, snap peas with labneh and dukkah, plums with chèevre and sorrel, “radishes + butter,” speckled tomato-and-cucumber salad, artichoke-and-maitake-mushroom crostini, halibut-chili crisp crudo, summer squash cavatelli, and cheesy gougères all await, at least as of last week.

Don’t let the modest dish titles fool you. Hahn has a gift for turning simple and fresh into complex and OMG.

badanimalbooks.com

Turbo tastes

The upcoming Annual Santa Cruz Mountains Brewgrass Festival co-ferments live bluegrass and Americana music beneath the redwoods, with craft beer from regional breweries, local food trucks, and family-friendly action, headlined by Sam Bush and Jesse Daniel, with additional acts Rainbow Girls, Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band, Dominique and the Diamonds, Deep Thicket Dwellers, plus an optional VIP Tasting Train—yes, you read that correctly—from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk with beer tastings and live music from Wild Iris, all happening Aug. 1 at Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton, scmbrewgrassfest.com… High Tide, the upscale restaurant at Santa Cruz’s new La Bahia Hotel & Spa, is giving Santa Cruz residents with local ID 10% off Sunday through Thursday, labahiahotel.com… World Central Kitchen has again rapidly mobilized, this time to Venezuela to support earthquake victims, wck.org… A big camp-out benefit for EcoFarm, Hoes Down 2026: 35 Years of Digging Deep, is now set for Oct.3, 2026, at Full Belly Farms in Capay Valley, eco-farm.org… Flavor hack: Bake homemade tortilla chips by brushing on a touch of your chosen oil and some seasonings for easy (and healthier) flavor than frying…As baker/author Abby Jimenez writes in The Friend Zone: ““The only things you like sprung on you are snacks.”

Aire Apparent

Foodie File

Andrew Steingrube

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July 1, 2026

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Hired a year ago as Director of Operations at Solaire Restaurant & Bar (located in Hotel Paradox), Susan Croal was living in Chicago working in hospitality management when general manager Troy Christian, also her mentor and former boss, asked her to come help with food and beverage for a couple of weeks.

Croal ended up falling in love with not only the Santa Cruz community and lifestyle, but also the staff at Solaire and she decided to stay. Feeling like the restaurant lacked an identity and cohesive vision, Croal and Christian utilized their extensive expertise to streamline the offerings, revamp the menu and focus on building local relationships.

Solaire’s space is wide open and airy, integrating seamlessly with their locally renowned pool amidst a “nature meets art” sensibility and aura that Croal says is modern, funky and eclectic. When it comes to the food, she says the breakfast burrito is one hit and they also have a popular weekend brunch highlighted by the classic French sandwich Croque Madame with prosciutto, gruyèere cheese, sunny side egg and sauce Mornay.

On the lunch/dinner side, Croal recommends appetizers like the loaded Paradox Nachos underneath housemade carnitas and the local Pacific calamari with yogurt aioli. Entrée highlights include double smash burgers, local fresh-caught fish and Croal’s personal go-to: tempura-battered mahi mahi tacos with flavors both bright and tangy. Dessert options include carrot and chocolate cakes, and their full bar has a strong selection of craft cocktails.

Tell me about Solaire’s community outreach.

SUSAN CROAL: When I started here, it was apparent that we lacked a place in the Santa Cruz dining scene. We focused on a neighborhood night (Tuesdays), catered specifically to locals that features $2 Modelos and $3 street tacos. We have also focused on partnering with local artists and purveyors, showcasing their products and harvests in various applications throughout the restaurant and hotel.

What’s on tap this summer?

We are looking forward to another robust pool season and activations with some of our talented local artists. This includes our Duck-Duck-Goose with White Rabbit Social Club, which is a multi-artist showcase featuring ducks and geese painted and sculpted in a variety of creative ways. Our pool space is a total vibe and open every day for not only hotel guests, but also through a limited number of day passes.

611 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, 831-600-4525; solairesantacruz.com

July Fourth Parades

Gwyneth Holcomb

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July 1, 2026

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From the beach to the mountains, there are plenty of patriotic processions

The Fourth of July is around the corner, and what better way to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday than with one of the parades taking place? From Santa Cruz to Watsonville, Santa Cruz County has plenty of parades to offer this Independence Day.

Families can start the morning in Boulder Creek with a pancake breakfast, hit Aptos to catch the “World’s Shortest Parade,” or head to Watsonville to kick off the 4th of July with a flyover by the West Coast Ravens.

Seabright’s inaugural Fourth of July Parade

The Seabright neighborhood is hosting its first Fourth of July parade.

Starting at 10am in front of the Seabright Beach parking lot on East Cliff Drive (near Cliff Drive Vista Point), the parade will follow East Cliff Drive before turning onto Seabright Avenue. It is scheduled to end at the intersection of Seabright Avenue and Murray Street in front of Day’s Market by approximately 11am.

Event Coordinator Shane Skelton started organizing the parade a year ago, working with the Santa Cruz Neighbors Association to put it together.

“I’ve always thought it would be really cool if Santa Cruz actually had a Fourth of July parade,” said Skelton. “It’s nice just to be able to walk down to a parade and enjoy it in your own neighborhood.”

The parade will include live music, themed vehicle floats and costumed participants. Locals can apply to volunteer for event setup or to participate.

Local drivers should plan in advance, as parts of East Cliff Drive and Seabright Avenue will be closed to through traffic from 8am–noon. In addition, starting at 7am, “No Parking” mandates will be in effect along the parade route.

Parade starting address: Cliff Drive Vista Point, 1156 East Cliff Drive

Ending address: Day’s Market, 526 Seabright Ave.

Boulder Creek’s over 100-year-old parade

The Fourth of July parade traditions will extend into the Santa Cruz Mountains, where the town is hosting its annual Fourth of July Parade in the historic downtown of Boulder Creek, according to Tess Fitzgerald, president of the Boulder Creek Business Association.

The Parade will run from 10am–noon in downtown Boulder Creek, but the Fourth of July festivities will begin well before, at 7am., with a pancake breakfast at the Boulder Creek firehouse, additionally hosted by the Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire Department.

Prices are $5 for children under 12 and $15 for adults. Proceeds from the breakfast will go towards purchasing medical and rescue equipment for the department.

“It’s just a really good family event,” said Fitzgerald. “It’s a lot of fun — we love it.”

The parade will be grand marshaled by Dr. Kenneth Reed, a longtime community physician, said Fitzgerald.

According to the association, in 2005, Reed came out of retirement to help provide medical care for the victims of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana.

He’s served the Boulder Creek community for decades and has been a longtime supporter of the business association, Fitzgerald added. “One of those quiet helpers that don’t really look for attention, but aim to serve.”

The parade will include decorative floats and is aiming to have about 70 entries, according to Fitzgerald.

“And I heard it on good authority that we’ll have the sheriff up there,” said Fitzgerald. “So we’ll have our little semi-celebrity rolling through the parade as well.”

Following the parade, at Junction Park, the Boulder Creek Recreation and Parks District is hosting a “4th of July BBQ & Bands Party” from noon–4pm.

The event will feature gold panning for children, local vendors, food trucks, beverages, and live music from two bands, said Kelly Pruden, the event coordinator and office manager.

Drivers in the area should plan for a closure of Highway 9 through downtown Boulder Creek for the duration of the parade, approximately 10am–noon, according to Pruden, with a detour route provided.

To register a parade entry or for more information, individuals can visit the Boulder Creek Business Association website (bcba.net).

Parade starting address: Downtown Boulder Creek, Mountain Street, Boulder Creek

Parade ending address: CA-9 & CA-236, Boulder Creek

BBQ & Bands After Party: Junction Park, Middleton Avenue and Junction Avenue, Boulder Creek

Pancake breakfast: Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire House, 13230 Central Avenue, Boulder Creek

In Scotts Valley: A parade that starts with a plane

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?… Wait, no, it’s a 4th of July Parade and Block Party (with a flyover).

The City of Scotts Valley is hosting a 4th of July Parade, starting at 11am. The parade will kick off with a flyover, then march up and down Scotts Valley Drive before ending at Carbonero Way.

Coinciding with the parade, from 9am–3pm, the city will co-host a Block Party with the Boys and Girls Club on Scotts Valley Drive, featuring food trucks from Food Trucks A Go Go,and live music, with a beer garden hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Scotts Valley. The city’s Parks and Recreation department will block off the parking lot for the festivities, which will be decked out with awnings and hay bales for seating and optimal viewing of the parade.

Attendees should note that parts of Scotts Valley Drive will be closed for the festivities.

Parade starting and ending address: Scotts Valley Dr. and Carbonero Way, Scotts Valley

Block party address: Boys and Girls Club, 5060 Scotts Valley Dr., Scotts Valley

In Aptos: the “World’s Shortest Parade”

In Aptos, for the 65th year in a row, the Aptos Chamber of Commerce is organizing the “World’s Shortest Parade,” which may be short in length, but won’t be short on fun.

Starting at 10am in front of the Wells Fargo Bank at the corner of State Park Drive and Soquel Drive in Aptos Village, the parade will last about an hour and will be grand marshaled by Seascape Golf Club in honor of the club’s 100th anniversary, according to the Aptos Chamber of Commerce.

According to John Hibble, the Aptos Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Director, in 1961, the parade was created to celebrate the rejection of the Granite Rock Company’s proposal to move to Aptos. The celebratory parade on the following 4th of July lasted only 10 minutes, earning it the name “World’s Shortest Parade.”

Following the parade, from noon–4pm, spectators can attend the party at Aptos Village County Park. The park will include live music from The Joint Chiefs, vendors, food and drink, and fun for the whole family.

To register to participate in or sponsor the parade, individuals can visit the Chamber of Commerce website (aAptoscChamber.com) or call 831-688-1467.

Parade starting address: Wells Fargo Bank, corner of State Park Drive and Soquel Drive, 7701 Soquel Drive, Aptos~~, CA 95003~~

Party in the Park: Aptos Village County Park, 100 Aptos Creek Road, Aptos

Celebrate the Spirit of Watsonville Parade

The Ccity of Watsonville is hosting the Spirit of Watsonville Parade, starting at 12:30pm in the historic downtown.

The parade will plans to feature community organizations, local businesses, and public safety personnel, along with a flyover by the West Coast Ravens.

Following the parade, at the Watsonville Municipal Airport, residents can attend the Fire in the Sky Open House. The event includes ~~plans for~~ aircraft di s plays, flyovers, live music, a patriotic parachute flag jump, and more, starting at 4:30pm. To end the evening, a fireworks show will begin at roughly 8:30pm.

Drivers should be aware that Main Street between Freedom Boulevard and First Street, as well as neighboring streets, will be temporarily closed from 8:30am to 4:30pm. In addition, from 3pm to 8pm, due to the Fire in the Sky event, Airport Boulevard between Hangar Way and Airport Road will be closed.

Residents and drivers can visit watsonville.gov for more information on the upcoming events and traffic.

Parade starting address: St Patrick’s Catholic Parish, 721 Main Street, Watsonville

Fire in the Sky Open House: Watsonville Municipal Airport, 100 Aviation Way, Watsonville

DANGER AFOOT

Gwyneth Holcomb

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July 1, 2026

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Santa Cruz County is one of the most dangerous places in the state to walk, according to a new report from the 2025- 2026 Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury published last week.

The report, titled ‘Walking in Santa Cruz County is Not for the Faint of Heart,” listed a total of 678 recorded pedestrians killed or seriously injured in the county between 2017 and 2023. Additionally, it lists 199 pedestrians killed or seriously injured in the City of Watsonville and 218 in the City of Santa Cruz.

According to the report, the county ranks in the top 20% of worst-performing California counties for the number of pedestrians killed or seriously injured (KSI) in traffic collisions.

“While the County and its cities have adopted modern transportation policies and safety frameworks, pedestrian safety outcomes remain poor relative to other California counties,” reads the report.

There is a lack of safety infrastructure for pedestrians, agreed Paula Bradley, a retired city planner and a representative for the City of Capitola on the SCCRTC Bicycle Advisory Committee, and, in her experience, one of the fundamental problems is that “there’s a limited amount of money they have to do repairs,” Bradley said.

According to this report, the Jury investigated the cities of Watsonville and Santa Cruz and the unincorporated areas, which have a persistently high number of pedestrians killed or seriously injured and has communicated a goal of implementing a Vision Zero strategy—a multidisciplinary approach to traffic fatalities and severe injuries. The cities of Scotts Valley and Capitola were not included in the report.

“Personally, it’d be nice to see less of a car-centric approach when it comes to designing throughways and streets,” said Adi Biacs, a 25-year-old bike mechanic.

“Drivers and cars are just like not really paying attention, even to the people walking around,” added Biacs.

The Jury statement reports that since the county and cities of Watsonville and Santa Cruz have yet to implement a Vision Zero strategy, “possibly resulting in more pedestrian deaths and serious injuries than would have otherwise occurred.”

The safety report identifies a lack of sidewalk and crosswalk maintenance, the prioritization of speeding enforcement over enforcement of driving under the influence, as among the concerns and causes of dangerous pedestrian conditions.

“I think it signals that there’s a lot of work to be done,” said Ryan Coonerty, who is running for mayor of Santa Cruz. “There’s an obligation that the city has to put in traffic calming, safe routes to schools, and other initiatives, and we also, as a community, just need to do a better job about being more cognizant when we’re driving.”

He added that he knows personally how deadly and devastating accidents can be after he lost his friend and colleague, Allison Endert, in an accident.

The report concludes with final recommendations to the County Board of Supervisors and the city councils of Watsonville and Santa Cruz to focus on enacting policies and conducting community outreach to create better response systems for sidewalk and pedestrian hazards.

The County Board of Supervisors and city councils of Watsonville and Santa Cruz were given 90 days to respond to the Jury report.

In a statement, the Regional Transportation Commission shared that “the RTC is committed to being a strong partner in the multiagency Community Traffic Safety Coalition as it works to develop Vision Zero action plans with real metrics and accountability.”

Residents had strong responses on Facebook:

“I absolutely believe it,” wrote Carl Bendix on the KSBW Facebook page. ‘Especially the downtown area. Clueless pedestrians, bicycle and e-bike traffic is scary. Far too many are not paying attention to anything but their phones. And they don’t seem to be concerned for their own safety, They leave that to everyone else. Even the drunk who doesn’t stop. The really scary ones appear at night wearing dark clothing, no lights on bicycles, and on the wrong side of the road.”

Added Jim Denton: “Pedestrians crossing streets looking at their phones combined with drivers looking at their phones can create the perfect storm. Everyone can see pedestrians looking at their phones while drivers keep them hidden from view. Everyone seems to be entitled to do whatever they want.”

Mike Parisi wrote: “This is one of the BIG reasons to support a wide, multi-lane (as in separate lanes for walking, bikes and e-bikes) continuous, county-wide trail …it will save lives!”

Good TimesGood Times

Good TimesGood Times

PHOTO CONTEST

GOOD IDEA

GOOD WORK

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“If the law supposes that, the law is a ass — a idiot.” —Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist

Leak– proof, of course

Celebrity chocolates

Careful with that oil

THURSDAY 7/2

COUNTRY

INFO: 8pm, Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $15-$20. 479-1854.

AMERICANA

INFO: 7pm, The Ugly Mug, 4640 Soquel Drive, Soquel. $20. 477-1341.

FRIDAY 7/3

ROCK

INFO: 2pm, Lighthouse Point Lawn, 701 West Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz. Free. 420-5030.

THEATRE

INFO: 7pm, Santa Cruz Actors’ Theatre, 1001 Center Street, Santa Cruz. $32-$35. 431-8666.

SATURDAY 7/4

CELEBRATION

INFO: 12pm, Discretion Brewing, 2703 41st Ave., Ste. A, Soquel. Free. 316-0662.

INDIE ROCK

INFO: 8pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton, $26. 704-7113.

TUESDAY 7/7

LITERARY

INFO: 5:30pm, The MAH, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz. $20. 429-1964.

WEDNESDAY 7/8

R&B

INFO: 7pm, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz. $29-$32. 427-2227.

AMERICANA

INFO: 8pm, Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $20-$25. 429-6994.

Turbo tastes

In Scotts Valley: A parade that starts with a plane

In Aptos: the “World’s Shortest Parade”

“If the law supposes that, the law is a ass — a idiot.”
—Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist