The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 13 will review proposed rules governing large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS), which are expected to allow the controversial facilities to be built in unincorporated areas of the county while giving local officials a measure of control over where they are placed.
Supervisors will consider the principal components of a draft ordinance that would amend the county’s General Plan and County Code to permit BESS facilities, under a new combining district. The proposal would apply outside the coastal zone and focus on facilities located near existing electrical transmission substations.
County staff are recommending that the board direct the start of environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act, using the draft amendments as the basis for analysis. If approved, the proposal would also be referred to the Agricultural Advisory Commission and the Planning Commission for review and recommendations.
The draft ordinance includes a series of safety, land-use and environmental requirements developed in response to board direction given during a Nov. 18 presentation on energy storage regulations.
At that meeting, supervisors asked staff to strengthen standards related to public safety, agricultural land protection and emergency response.
Among the proposed requirements are 300-foot setbacks from residences, enhanced access for first responders, on-site runoff containment, noise limits, security measures and a dedicated water supply.
Developers would be required to use best available technology, conduct soil and water testing before and after construction, and submit a decommissioning plan addressing battery disposal.
The proposal also addresses agricultural impacts, calling for mitigation when energy storage facilities are sited on agricultural land.
This includes a 3-to-1 replacement ratio for agricultural resources, though staff note that such requirements could be modified to avoid making projects infeasible and instead circumvent local permitting by applying through the state.
Developers would be required to cover all costs associated with energy storage facilities, including road and drainage upgrades, first responder training and emergency response equipment. Financial guarantees, such as bonding or insurance, would also be required to cover potential hazardous incidents.
County officials say BESS facilities are a critical part of a push to shift away from fossil fuels and toward sustainable green energy.
BESS facilities take electricity from sources such as solar and wind and store it for use during peak demand and outages. But they have drawn scrutiny in some communities over fire risk and land-use compatibility.
Locally, those concerns were sparked by the Jan. 16, 2025 fire at the Vistra plant in Moss Landing that burned for days and sent a massive plume of toxic black smoke into the air and tons of toxic metals into the soil.
The board is not expected to adopt an ordinance at the Jan. 13 meeting. Under the proposed timeline, staff would return with a status report in August, and recommendations for adoption by November.
The meeting begins at 9am at the county government center. Public comment will be taken, and agenda materials are available at bit.ly/4jnLrDz
The City of Watsonville has named longtime firefighter Corey Schaefer as its next fire chief following the retirement of Chief Rudy López.
Schaefer, a 27-year veteran of the Watsonville Fire Department, has served as acting fire chief since August and was selected after a recruitment process led by city management.
“After a thoughtful and thorough recruitment process, Corey emerged as the clear choice to lead the department,” City Manager Tamara Vides said in a statement. She cited his leadership during his time as acting chief, as well as his operational experience and commitment to the department and the community.
Schaefer joined the Watsonville Fire Department in June 1998 as a reserve firefighter and advanced through the ranks over nearly three decades. His career includes service as Firefighter II, paramedic/firefighter, fire captain, division chief and battalion chief.
“I am honored to have been selected as the next fire chief of the City of Watsonville Fire Department,” Schaefer said. He thanked colleagues and family members for their support, particularly his wife, Erin, and said he looks forward to continuing to work with city staff, firefighters and the community.
Schaefer was among the first group of paramedic/firefighters hired when the department implemented Advanced Life Support services, expanding emergency medical care in Watsonville. He also led the department’s fleet purchasing and design efforts, helping standardize fire apparatus.
His experience includes leading strike team deployments to major wildland fires across California. In addition to emergency response work, Schaefer has been involved in firefighter training, health and wellness efforts, including teaching leadership fundamentals through the Santa Cruz County Training Officers Association. He currently serves as chief liaison to the Santa Cruz County Firefighters Health and Wellness Committee and participates in the county’s peer support network for first responders.
Schaefer will officially assume the role of fire chief on Jan. 1.
The announcement came one week after the city announced it had a new police chief.
What’s the quirkiest holiday gift you received this year?
LEILANI
My best friend gave me a picture of her with Santa!
Leilani Callum, 20, UCSC Biology Major
LUCAS
A gardening rake back scratcher.
Lucas Corsi, 20, Student at Pasadena City College
ZOE
I did not ask for this gift, but I got lottery tickets—in a gift bag. I won five dollars.
Zoë Rygg, 24, Clinical Psychology Research Coordinator at UCSF
JOSH
One gift that my little sister got me was a haphazardly wrapped stocking-stuffer—a pair of socks that say, “The future is female.” They’re a nice baby blue color. Great fuzzy socks, great message. I like to think it’s positive reinforcement.
ALANA
My friend Zoë and I are big New York Times cooking subscribers, and she got me a 365-day desk calendar where you tear off the pages and every day is a different recipe.
Alana Webre, 25, Energy Analyst at California Energy Commission
ADRIAN
I got license plate registration tags for my motorcycle that my sister gave me. I thought that was unusual! I got a bike that I inherited from her. I opened my Christmas present and there were tags, and she said, “there you go!” I was like, what kind of present is this?
Adrian Aguayo, 46, Tattoo Artist at Eight’s & Aces
This story has been updated with quotes from people who attended the event.
Protests erupted across the United States on Saturday following President Donald Trump’s military attack on Venezuela late Friday.
Protests erupted across the United States on Saturday following President Donald Trump’s military attack on Venezuela late Friday.
Demonstrations were held throughout the Monterey Bay region, including in Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Salinas and Monterey.
In Watsonville at the protest organized by Indivisible Pajaro Valley, protesters waved signs, protesters waved signs reading “No Blood for Oil,” “No New Wars,” and “Enough Is Enough.”The two-hour protest drew cheers and honking horns from passing motorists.
“We processed this in about an hour based on emails and social media,” said Olivia Millard, founder of Indivisible Pajaro Valley. “Everybody in this group instantly understood the role that they had to play, and by 10:30 we were on. It’s a pretty good turnout with no advance warning. For instances like this I think it is really important that people recognize that they are not alone in their anger and how they are being taken advantage of.”
Pajaro Valley Unified School District Trustee Gabe Medina showed up with a homemade sign that read, “Peace through war is an oxymoron.”
“I’m out here today to protest what our government is doing in Venezuela,” he said. “With immigration going on right now, with us getting so many refugees coming to the United States because of interference that we have done in these South American countries, Central American and even Mexico — it sets a really bad precedent. I’m just really worried that if we allow this to happen in Venezuela, when’s it going to stop. Is it going to Colombia, Cuba, Panama? That is going to increase the amount of refugees that are coming into the United States and then we’re going to criminalize those people. It’s this endless cycle.”
Medina said he has several friends that live in the country’s capital city of Caracas who informed him of the bombings. “This is horrible that this is going on.”
Following airstrikes on civilian and government sites in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, U.S. troops detained President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and transported them to the United States to face criminal charges, according to international news reports. The action has sent shockwaves around the world.
The Trump administration said Maduro was captured to face U.S. drug-trafficking charges and to dismantle what it described as a criminal regime.
“It was an assault like people have not seen since World War II,” Trump told reporters during a Saturday press conference. “It was a force against a heavily fortified military fortress in the heart of Caracas to bring outlaw dictator Nicolás Maduro to justice. This was one of the most stunning, effective and powerful displays of American military might and competence in American history.”
Trump has framed the operation as part of a broader strategy to combat narcotics trafficking, weaken Maduro’s grip on power and reassert U.S. influence in the region, including over Venezuela’s oil resources.
The move drew sharp criticism from local, state and federal lawmakers.
“‘E pluribus unum: out of many, one’ guides our democracy and reminds us that our strength comes from shared responsibility and respect for the rule of law,” said Assemblymember Dawn Addis. “While Venezuela’s leaders have caused immense harm to their own people, President Trump bypassing Congress and the American people in a direct takeover does not make us safer. We are a nation of laws, and the president must operate within, not outside of, them. American democracy is a flame that has never been blown out, and we cannot allow one man’s autocratic ideation to extinguish it now.”
Addis said she plans to introduce legislation next week aimed at protecting democratic governance.
Published in cooperation between LR and Good Times
Live casino gaming has crossed an intriguing threshold. What started as a niche experiment—placing a real dealer in front of a camera and inviting remote players to join—has now matured into one of the most sophisticated forms of digital entertainment.
A new life for the great classics
Poker, roulette and even the once mechanical world of slots have been reinvented with modern audiovisual techniques, cleaner interfaces and a hybrid format that mixes entertainment with strategic play. Many of these titles have been elevated by the adoption of green-screen studios, enhanced graphics and tailored atmospheres designed to replicate the tension and rhythm of a casino floor. At the center of this transformation sits a widespread shift in player expectations: people want interactivity, presence and reliability, not just automated outcomes. Online gaming platforms are experiencing a second wave of success, thanks to the rise of live casino. The enthusiastic adoption of the latest technological innovations, which have transformed classic games such as poker and blackjack into almost real-life experiences, has proven to be a winning choice. These innovations have reshaped the entire ecosystem, proving that even the most familiar games can find renewed appeal when presented with modern tools and a more human touch.
The unstoppable blackjack in modern times
Among all the games rejuvenated by new technologies, blackjack has taken the most significant leap. The combination of HD streaming and ultra-low-latency delivery—often powered by WebRTC pipelines, improved server infrastructures and widespread 5G connectivity—has eliminated the shaky, blurred visual feeds that once plagued early experiments. Now, players can clearly see the flip of each card, every gesture made by the dealer and every chip moved on the table — as though they were watching a film being played out in front of them. This allows games to develop smoothly, much like actual live games. In addition, the user interface is now much faster; requests to ‘hit’, ‘stand’, ‘double’ or ‘split’ are registered immediately, resulting in a consistent flow of the game instead of the long delays experienced in computer-based gaming. The technology behind these advancements is even more impressive. These systems use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and Computer Vision technology to scan and read cards continually as they are dealt to players, updating the matching Digital User Interface in real time. Automated OCR/computer vision technology provides forensic-level accuracy to confirm that each system has captured everything. Data-driven oversight plays a crucial role as well. AI-assisted monitoring and sophisticated analytics engines evaluate patterns of play, optimize table operations and detect suspicious behavior faster than any human supervisor could. Gone are the cluttered pop-ups and intrusive banners; instead, players see an uncluttered virtual felt, clean controls and a layout adapted seamlessly for desktop, tablet or smartphone use. The simplicity of the design actually reinforces the realism: the more the screen resembles a genuine table, the easier it becomes to suspend disbelief.
Presence and the psychology of trust
Even with all the technological advances, the strongest force behind the rise of live blackjack may be psychological rather than mechanical. Players trust what they can see, and the presence of a live dealer resolving each hand in real time creates a form of authenticity that no algorithmic certification can match.
A remote player observing the shuffle, the burn and the distribution of each card feels anchored in a process that is both familiar and visible. Many seasoned gamblers insist that watching a human dealer act openly is inherently more reassuring than relying on an invisible random number generator, no matter how rigorously certified the machine may be.
There is also a subtle emotional comfort in interacting with a person rather than a system. A friendly greeting, a quick exchange in chat or even the background sounds of a studio can create a sense of connection that pure software cannot replicate. This connection has a practical side as well: it offers players a psychological buffer, making them feel safer and more in control of their decisions.
The option for players to leave the table, switch to another or simply pause the session functions as an informal exit strategy that reflects the experience you might have had if you were physically in a casino. While live dealers provide commentary as they deal cards, shuffle and help players throughout a round, they reinstate some of the structural aspects and/or rituals that might have been lost in an all-digital blackjack game.
This creates a paradox in today’s gaming environment: the more advanced technology becomes, the more significant the human factor seems to players. The interaction between innovative technology and humans is creating a new definition of authenticity in an increasingly digital arena, demonstrating that, whatever the future of live blackjack may be, both aspects of the current definition will continue to evolve.
Before major eruptions, volcanoes may emit harmonic tremors. Lasting for hours or days, they are signals that pressure is building. A similar phenomenon is simmering in your sphere, Aries. Be alert. What rhythmic clues are vibrating through your system? What pressure is mounting that could eventually erupt? I’m not saying you should interpret them with a worried mind. In fact, they are offering you valuable intelligence about what needs to be released. You can either ignore them and let the eruption surprise you, or you can pay attention and arrange for controlled venting.
TAURUS April 20-May 20
Your heartbeat isn’t regular like a metronome, but slightly irregular. The phenomenon is called heart rate variability and is a sign of health. A perfectly regular heartbeat is actually a warning sign. Your heart knows something your mind might not believe: Perfect consistency is pathological. Variation is vitality. The rhythm of life includes the beautiful irregularity of a system that’s alive enough to respond and adapt. Keep these truths uppermost in mind during 2026, Taurus. You will thrive on changeability and fluctuation.
GEMINI May 21-June 20
The Greenland shark waits for animals to fall asleep, then eats them while they’re unconscious. Since it’s too slow to chase anything, it has evolved a patient approach to hunting. It acts on the understanding that everything eventually lets its guard down. I suggest you cultivate similar patience in 2026, Gemini. There’s no need to rush toward what you want. Position yourself correctly and wait for moments of opportunity. You’re playing a long game.
CANCER June 21-July 22
Atmospheric rivers are massive moisture highways in the sky. Meteorologists have been documenting newly identified patterns in how these marvels work. They’ve learned that tiny changes in ocean temperature can redirect thousands of miles of incoming rain. This will be an excellent metaphor for you in 2026, dear Cancerian. You’ll be in atmospheric-river mode. Small shifts in perspective and slight recalibrations of intention will send your momentum flowing in different and better directions. No drama required! Simple micro-adjustments will reroute larger currents. Attend devotedly and zestfully to the subtleties.
LEO July 23-Aug. 22
Certain fungi can break down pollutants like pesticides and plastics into less toxic substances. These mushrooms digest what’s considered indigestible, transforming poison into nutrients. I suspect you will have a metaphorically comparable capacity in 2026, dear Leo: a superpower that enables you to metabolize blight and taint. I predict you will exult as you eliminate stuff that’s useless and harmful. Please indulge your unusual talent to the max!
VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22
The US Library of Congress adds 60,000 items to its collection every week but only catalogs a fraction of them immediately. So vast amounts of knowledge sit there, acquired but not yet processed, waiting for librarians to create the finding aids that make them accessible. You’re in a similar situation, Virgo. You’ve accumulated extraordinary amounts of information, experience and skill. But how much of it is cataloged? How much is accessible when you need it? In the coming months, I hope you won’t acquire more. Instead, you will spend time with your archives and process what you have already gathered. What do you know that you’ve forgotten you know? What experiences hold wisdom you’ve never extracted?
LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct. 22
Vault doors often require two keys, turned simultaneously, to open. Why? Such a practice furthers risk reduction and fraud prevention. Let’s make this a potent metaphor for you in 2026, Libra. It will symbolize cooperation and balance as well as an enhancement of your security. The treasures you’ll be trying to access will require dual input. One key is yours: intellect, agility, charm, initiative. The second must come from a collaborator, mentor, friend, an unexpected stranger, or even a spirit guide. Just assume that the vault won’t open through brilliance alone. It will require synchronization.
SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21
In December 1968, US astronaut Bill Anders was orbiting the moon inside the Apollo 8 spacecraft. He snapped a photo that showed the Earth as a blue-and-white sphere rising over the gray lunar surface against the blackness of space. This iconic image helped fuel the environmental movement and transformed how humans visualized their home. You’re at a comparable pivot, Scorpio. In 2026, you will see familiar situations from new angles, and this will reorganize your understanding of how life works. That’s a good thing! Be alert for watershed moments that bring revolutionary blessings.
SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec. 21
The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland is made of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed when ancient lava cooled and contracted. Legend says a giant built it as a bridge to Scotland. Both stories are true, one geologically and the other mythologically. Your life in the coming months will remind you that multiple explanations can coexist without canceling each other. The scientific story of lava cooling doesn’t make the giant story less meaningful. The giant story doesn’t make the geology less accurate. Conclusion: You don’t have to choose between competing narratives about your life as if only one can be true. What if both are? The practical explanation and mythic explanation describe the same phenomenon from different angles. You can be both the cooling lava and the giant building the bridge.
CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19
Computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web. He helped ensure its core technologies were released to the world without patents or royalties. Universal, open access mattered more to him than personal profit. That single decision was a profound gift to the world. Billions benefited. In his generous spirit, dear Capricorn, I’ll ask whether there are any ideas, knowledge, or resources you’re holding in reserve that could multiply through sharing. In 2026, I invite you to be like Berners-Lee: a magnanimous strategist who understands that things may gain value through distribution, not restriction. Your intelligence will be worth more unleashed than protected. Your innovations will need the crowd to fulfill their purpose.
AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb. 18
In the myths of Mali’s Dogon people, Nommo is an amphibious, telepathic being who brought language, rhythm and balance to Earth—and then departed. If things fall out of harmony, it’s believed, Nommo will return, speaking the lost syllables that realign the cosmos. You’re a bit like Nommo these days, Aquarius. Parts of your world may be in disarray, and your sacred task is to listen for the lost syllables. What’s missing in the dialogue? What notes aren’t being sung? If you seek gently and speak truly, restoration will follow.
PISCES Feb. 19-March 20
The longest chess game theoretically possible is 5,949 moves, but most games end in under 40. Chess masters don’t win by seeing every possibility. Instead, they recognize patterns and anticipate which paths are worth exploring. Let’s apply this as a useful metaphor, Pisces. In 2016, it’s crucial that you don’t waste energy by considering improbable scenarios that will never materialize. You should be determined not to miss emerging themes because you’re too busy calculating unlikely variations. According to my prognosis, you don’t need to see further; you need to see more precisely and accurately. The chess master’s advantage isn’t exhaustive analysis; it’s knowing what to ignore. Ninety percent of your options don’t matter. Ten percent do.
This past year has been marked by the horns of dilemma.
2025 has been a year of debate with locals looking at two sides of issues that have split our community and hold no easy answers.
First, the giant buildings that have sprouted up in downtown Santa Cruz like mushrooms. If you haven’t been down there in a while, it’s shocking to see what looks like a big-city skyline along the San Lorenzo River, with apartments lit up, replacing a street of low-lying, humble structures.
There was a time when Santa Cruz kept buildings smaller because of earthquakes and small-town aesthetics, staying more like Carmel than San Jose. We were our own little Mayberry.
But we constantly heard complaints about not enough housing, particularly not enough affordable housing, and we wanted government to do something about it.
And it did.
Combined with big developers, they reshaped the city, adding thousands of apartments, not all with parking (but that’s another story). They also added housing on top of a new library and are turning our once cute small town into a not-so-small town. Mushroom buildings are cropping up around the county, also.
There are those who hate it and want to keep things how they were. There are always those people, no matter what changes are made.
They also worry that we don’t have the services to increase our county population of around 270,000: not enough water, roadways or hospitals.
Then, there are those who say this is great progress, bringing in more places to live, more people to shop downtown, making a walkable city and, presumably, adding affordable housing for teachers, police officers, firefighters, single-income families, students and retail workers.
Is that what we are getting, or are these luxury second homes for Silicon Valley workers? That remains to be seen.
Then there’s another big split about what is green and what is dangerous.
The state is on a path to shape a future of renewable energy, using solar and wind to replace burning fossil fuels. It makes sense and sounds perfect.
Until you realize that you need to store that energy somewhere, in giant batteries that keep power flowing when wind or sun isn’t.
And there’s the rub, as we learned at the beginning of this year. When those lithium-ion batteries catch fire, there’s no way to put them out. Last January’s fire at Moss Landing released 55 tons of toxic metals into the fields and waterways around the plant and ignited much debate.
Plans to build more battery plants, including one on the books for Watsonville, near homes, schools and farms, have divided the community again.
Is cutting down on burning hazardous fuels worth the risks of burning battery chemicals? That debate will reach a climax in the coming year, presumably, and tensions are high over it.
Take a look back at our year in review cover story and see how it stacks up with your thoughts on the year.
Thanks for reading.
Brad Kava/Editor
PHOTO CONTEST
SCHOOL WITH A VIEW This flying fowl looks like it owns the place up here at the UCSC fields. Photograph by Jo Koumouitzes
GOOD IDEA
U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) pushed the Trump Administration to reverse its shortsighted staff cuts and harmful reductions to critical weather forecasting services and snowpack surveys at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). With an atmospheric river struck on California, which caused severe flooding in Redding, the senators raised the alarm that these dangerous cuts will restrict California’s preparation for dangerous storms and floods—threatening public safety, property and agriculture—while damaging the state’s water supply.
GOOD WORK
A landmark of Santa Cruz’s dance community is coming back to life. The building formerly occupied by Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre, long cherished as the training ground for generations of local dancers, is reopening this January as the new home of Agape Dance Academy and Santa Cruz Dance Theater, marking a pivotal turning point for concert dance in the area.
Starting in February, the facility is poised to once again pulse with daily training, creation and performance preparation. But this time, the vision extends far beyond restoring a familiar space at 2800 S Rodeo Gulch Rd, Suite C.
SCDT Artistic Director Conrad Useldinger hopes to make the building a launchpad for a boom in professional concert dance in Santa Cruz.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
‘How does it change us as a nation to witness countless acts of cruelty by our government?’
—Erwin Chemerinsky Dean of UC Berkeley School of Law
Formed in 2007 by former members of the Flying Other Brothers, Moonalice combines psychedelic soul and Americana. The large (ten-piece) ensemble features luminaries from the musical scene, including Lester Chambers (Chambers Brothers) and son Dylan, Pete Sears (Jefferson Starship, Hot Tuna), John Molo (Bruce Hornsby and the Range) and others, led by musician and venture capitalist Roger McNamee. The group has released five albums to date; 2023’s Light Side of the Moonalice: An Acoustic Adventure is their latest. The group’s ethos is summed up in their best-known tune, “It’s 4:20 Somewhere.” BILL KOPP
Flynn Creek Circus features contortionists, trapeze artists, jugglers, acrobats and of course a clown or two. The circus has evolved, but it’s still the greatest show on earth for children of all ages now with more fantasy, fairytale and myth informing a plot that creates a throughline as each amazing act inspires and amazes audiences with just what incredible creatures human beings really are. In Flynn Creek Circus’ latest offering, The Bridge, the Troll’s goat and his stubborn shadow serve as narrators on the journey through a story inspired by Nordic legend. And note, there are special shows that are not for children of all ages, but rather those over 21. Goes through Sunday. KEITH LOWELL JENSEN
Australia’s AC/DC would have to be on any Mount Rushmore of great and iconic hard rock bands, and for over a decade now Noise Pollution have helped fans celebrate the beloved Aussie rockers, playing the songs of the Young brothers, Angus and Malcolm, and beloved vocalists Bon Scott and Brian Johnson. Vocalist Syd (Brian) Ross and lead guitarist Nick (Angus) Torri front the band as they play the hits, fan faves and some deep cuts in chronological order, tracing the careers of these rock ’n’ roll giants. KLJ
New year, new music. Just in case 2026 is just another chance for the universe to open a maelstrom of hellish new cycles, take this moment to at least start it off right. Josh Skelly’s bluesy Americana rock is the perfect thing to celebrate new beginnings and take one’s mind off the outside world. Even if just for a little bit. Hailing from Sunnyvale, Skelly plays with an old soul that conjures up images of the old days of traveling troubadour musicians, telling stories through song instead of just trying to write formulaic, generic pop disguised as introspective art. Plus it’s a free show at a great brewery—sounds like a no-brainer! MAT WEIR
INFO: 3pm, Discretion Brewing, 2703 41st Ave., Suite A, Soquel. Free. 316-0662.
SATURDAY
LO-FI WARMTH Richard Tripps performs Saturday at the Crepe Place. PHOTO: Athena Peterson
INDIE
RICHARD TRIPPS
Cozy and nostalgic, Richard Tripps straddles introspection and breezy coastal mysticism to craft indie rock textured with lo-fi warmth. His self-titled debut channels the spirit of The Velvet Underground and Leonard Cohen by way of jangly guitar and ethereal vocals. Part of the charm is his love of analog recording. Whether on four-track tape or recorded in a former Catholic Church, his dreamy psychedelic lyrics explore memory, loss and Saturn’s returns. His follow-up, captured in a Big Sur tent cabin along the river, leans further into analog authenticity. These contemplations on California’s natural landscape feel haunted, but hopeful. SHELLY NOVO
Marlon Asher slow-cooks traditional roots reggae with contemporary ganja jams to create Rastafarian anthems. Emerging from Trinidad, Asher’s smoky, laid-back delivery celebrates herb culture. His breakout hit, “Ganja Farmer,” blends agricultural pride with Rastafarian spirituality, and although it sparked some controversy, it’s unapologetically conscious of farmers’ struggles. Meditative tracks drift into conscious reflections carried by Asher’s weathered crooning. Incorporating modern dancehall and classic reggae basslines, his catalog documents everyday struggles while maintaining reggae’s spirit of gratitude and peace. SN
Across the ocean and on a different continent, people living in Palestine face genocide. Stories about Gaza are on the news every day, but it is hard to imagine the lived experiences of the people who are actually there. This book captures the stories of the people, the hardship, the tragedy, the hopes and the dreams of those whom author and photographer Salem Medhat Alaydi knew and met as they all faced fear, bombings, hunger and displacement. Though the author is still in Palestine, two locals—Unhae Langis and Dr. Rolla Alaydi (a relative of the author)—will read from the book and host a discussion afterwards. Copies of the book will be available to purchase. ISABELLA MARIE SANGALINE
For some of us, it’s a yearly tradition to watch The Lord of the Rings during the holiday season. There’s something about elves and magic and a time with no running water that really just screams “winter.” For those who are in agreement, this Wednesday’s show at the Crepe Place is the perfect soundtrack. Self-described as “Dungeon folk forged in the Santa Cruz Mountains,” Summoning Circle plays traditional western folk that utilizes a quiver of instruments like guitar, dulcimer and violin to create music that is appropriately as enchanted as their name. Check out their debut recording, Spell Book, Vol. 1, but don’t be surprised if some mischievous fae appears for some trickery. MW
Brooklyn-born roots musician Nora Brown is all of 19 years old, but she’s already a major sensation. This popular fixture on the festival circuit also gave a TED talk, appeared on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert, and is an in-demand instructor. Brown, a multi-instrumentalist whose instrument of choice is the fretless, nylon-stringed banjo, has also released four solo albums plus an EP, 2023’s Lady of the Lake with master old-time fiddler Stephanie Coleman. This run of dates takes place during Brown’s college semester break, and features her in performance with longtime collaborator Coleman as well. BK
INFO: 7pm, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $29-$32. 427-2227.
In the modern world ruled by likes, streams and views, a lot of artists like to say their music can’t be classified under any single genre. More often than not, it’s usually a nice story they like to tell themselves in order to feel they stand out from the rest of the DIY artists across the endless sea of the internet.
However, once in a while, with enough searching and digging, a band comes along so explosively original they truly can’t be contained. They’re loud when they should be low. They change up timing, tempo and styles often within the same song. And they’re not afraid to make sure everyone knows they take their music seriously, especially when not taking themselves seriously.
Enter Red 40, the new(ish) four-piece experimental rock act that has been igniting the local scene. This week, they’ll make their Crepe Place debut with psych metal trio Supernaut and hard rockers Dead Engine.
“All the content surrounding our songs—like the lyrics, the titles and the overall vibe that we have—is cooked up between us when we’re sitting in a room together, trying to think of the most funny, ridiculous shit we can,” guitar player Christian Stewart says. “It’s about having a good time.”
It’s a sentiment that pumps through the music’s veins. The closest thing I can think of to describe them is the avant garde Mr. Bungle hanging out with Herbie Hancock at Hunter Thompson’s house. Red 40 incorporates elements of jazz, funk, hardcore and metal, garnished with the carnival portion of Tom Waits’ brain. They aren’t afraid of pushing their music into new territory, no matter how weird it gets.
That’s probably partly due to three of the four members having backgrounds in science at UC Santa Cruz.
“We’re friends of the scientific method in Red 40,” drummer Will Davies says, laughing.
It was Davies and Stewart who founded the band in 2024 after they met in class and realized they both had a passion for music. They decided to combine Stewart’s metal background with Davies’ love for jazz and practiced in a jam room at Stevenson College. Soon after, Davies brought in bassist Sam Kaplan and the initial incarnation of Red 40 was born.
“I was trying to keep up,” Kaplan says of that first practice.
However, according to Stewart and Davies, Kaplan wasn’t just keeping up but forging new territory.
“At that point we had one song—‘Devil Wings’—and started writing ‘Mr. Lee,’ Stewart remembers. “I showed [Kaplan] the riffs I had and he busted out with the bass line that still is the part.”
Red 40 remained a trio for almost a year and played numerous shows around town, often at backyard parties and house shows.
“The thing about the college scene is that it was easy for us to play in front of people who were open to weird, instrumental music,” Davies says.
However, at the beginning of 2025 the band would expand to include singer Taylor Posey who—at the time—was playing with the now-defunct local punk outfit S.A.M. but was looking for something different.
“I saw an Instagram ad saying they were looking for a vocalist,” Posey remembers. He sent them a message and after a little back-and-forth communication, they sent him a demo tape.
“It was 40 minutes long with a 15-minute conversation of them talking about selling a one-of-one Red 40 hat,” Posey laughs. “I listened to the whole thing because it was so fucking funny!”
Since then they have operated as a quartet, playing an array of different shows, including in-between bouts at indie wrestling matches and a mini West Coast tour earlier this year with fellow local act Rosewood.
This past August they released their debut EP, Isle of Red 40, which expands the musical spectrum while still remaining focused enough to deliver catchy earworms that have no problem pulling an RFK and making themselves home. From the chaotic “Greaseball” to the rolling “Devil Wings,” Isle of Red 40 is a case study in what makes music interesting.
So imagine my happiness when they said one of their main focal points in the next year will be putting out a full-length for the world to love and fear.
But what does the science say?
“Our hypothesis for the new year is: Red 40 busting out the wazoo in 2026,” Kaplan says, laughing.
Looks like we’ll have to give it the ol’ college try and find out for ourselves.
Red 40 plays at 8pm on Jan. 2 at The Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $10. 429-6994.
Other Brother Beer Co. has something special brewing for the holidays. The independent craft beer outfit has debuted its second location in Aptos Village as of last week (10 Parade St Suite B, Aptos).
The new outpost sits next to Cat & Cloud Coffee Co. and brings Other Brother’s lively brewery presence north from its Seaside home.
At around 1,400 square feet—a micro to its macro 6,000-square-foot OG brewpub-production space—this satellite taproom enjoys its own opportunities, #1 being the proximity of Forest of Nisene Marks State Park and a bunch of other fun food-and-drink destinations.
The fleet of 22 rotating taps mirrors headquarters’ lineup, with a strong roster of craft sours, IPAs, lagers and collaborative brews listed on chalkboard tiles above, plus on-tap wines.
The vibe reflects the original’s community- and dog-friendly atmosphere, albeit scaled to the village setting.
OBBC Executive Chef Josie Lewis guides kitchen operations at both locations, importing popular Seaside items, while introducing new sandwiches, salads, and a chicken Parmesan, with pop-up nights anticipated to add variety.
Brand Manager and Creative Director Evan Loewy knows that the approachable food and excellent beers will continue to drive intrigue, but prioritizes a complementary element.
“Why we wanted to start this business in the first place was to have a venue to offer music, art shows, as much creativity as possible, you name it,” he says. “All these things.” otherbrotherbeer.com
SWIRLING DEVELOPMENT
Raise a glass as high as the hills: The Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Improvement District, which will be known as the Santa Cruz Mountains Heritage District, is now a thing. That means more than 70 wineries and nearly 300 small growers across Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties—producing wines shaped by the elevation and the ocean’s cooling influence—now have fresh resources to market the AVA.
Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association Executive Director Keikilani McKay provides a little context. “The district ensures a coordinated, consistent presence for the Santa Cruz Mountains wine region in a way that no single winery could achieve alone,” she says. “In short, every winery benefits from a stronger regional brand and collective marketing that attracts more visitors and consumers to Santa Cruz Mountains wines.
It is also important to note that the assessment fee revenue model represents a stable source of funding in this economy and is meant to offer a lifeline amid rising operating costs, declining sales, and tariff concerns.” The district is the fifth in the state; the assessment fee applies to wine sales occurring within the state (including wine club shipments); and kicks in Jan. 1; winesofthesantacruzmountain.com.
STAY UP
As 2025 kicks, here comes a closing look back at some noteworthy additions from the months gone by: Insomnia Cookies (1010 Pacific Ave., Suites C&D, Santa Cruz), Cliffside Coffee Bar (Pleasure Point Park, East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz), The Foodlab + The Landing (7990 Highway 1, Moss Landing), Vin Vivant (115 San Jose Ave. #G, Capitola), Gabrielita Tamaleria (Pacific Ave. near Lincoln St., Santa Cruz), Emilie and the Frenchies (7564 Soquel Dr., Aptos), Mad Yolks #2 (830 41st Ave., Santa Cruz), Salty Otter Sports Grill (110 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz), Fusion Fare Restaurant (1003 Cedar St., Santa Cruz), Silver Spur #2 (1040 E Lake Ave., Watsonville), D20 Pizza (1520 Mission St., Santa Cruz), Mane Kitchen & Cocktails (1222 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz), and Home Away (4901 Soquel Drive, Soquel)…Gandalf, via J.R.R. Tolkien and The Fellowship of the Ring, give us some wisdom to conclude an eventful year: “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
In the wake of the Moss Landing battery fire, Santa Cruz County supervisors will review proposed rules governing large-scale battery energy storage systems, focusing on safety, land use, and environmental protections.
This week’s Street Talk asks locals about the quirkiest holiday gifts they received this year, including unexpected stocking stuffers and practical surprises.
This story has been updated with quotes from people who attended the event.
Protests erupted across the United States on Saturday following President Donald Trump’s military attack on Venezuela late Friday.
Protests erupted across the United States on Saturday following President Donald Trump’s military attack on Venezuela late Friday.
Demonstrations were held throughout the Monterey Bay region, including in Santa Cruz, Watsonville,...
Published in cooperation between LR and Good Times
Live casino gaming has crossed an intriguing threshold. What started as a niche experiment—placing a real dealer in front of a camera and inviting remote players to join—has now matured into one of the most sophisticated forms of digital entertainment.
A new life for the great classics
Poker, roulette and even the once mechanical...
ARIES March 21-April 19
Before major eruptions, volcanoes may emit harmonic tremors. Lasting for hours or days, they are signals that pressure is building. A similar phenomenon is simmering in your sphere, Aries. Be alert. What rhythmic clues are vibrating through your system? What pressure is mounting that could eventually erupt? I’m not saying you should interpret them with a...
The ten-piece ensemble Moonalice combines psychedelic soul and Americana, featuring luminaries from the musical scene. Friday at Felton Music Hall, 8pm
