Free Will Astrology

Astrology

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July 2, 2025

ARIES March 21-April 19

Greek philosopher Socrates declared, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” That extreme statement is a foundational idea of Western philosophy. It’s hard to do! To be ceaselessly devoted to questioning yourself is a demanding assignment. But here’s the good news: I think you will find it extra liberating in the coming weeks. Blessings and luck will flow your way as you challenge your dogmas and expand your worldview. Your humble curiosity will attract just the influences you need.

TAURUS April 20-May 20

Recently, I brought an amazing Taurus to your attention: the German polymath Athanasius Kircher, who lived from 1601 to 1680. Once again, I will draw on his life to provide guidance for you. Though he’s relatively unknown today, he was the Leonardo da Vinci of his age—a person with a vast range of interests. His many admirers called him “Master of a Hundred Arts.” He traveled extensively and wrote 40 books that covered a wide array of subjects. For years, he curated a “cabinet of curiosities” or “wonder-room” filled with interesting and mysterious objects. In the coming weeks, I invite you to be inspired by his way of being, Taurus. Be richly miscellaneous and wildly versatile.

GEMINI May 21-June 20

How does a person become a creative genius in their field? What must they do to become the best? In his book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell said that one way to accomplish these goals is to devote 10,000 hours to practicing and mastering your skill set. There’s some value in that theory, though the full truth is more nuanced. Determined, focused effort that’s guided by mentors and bolstered by good feedback is more crucial than simply logging hours. Having access to essential resources is another necessity. I bring these thoughts to your attention, Gemini, because I believe the coming months will be a favorable time to summon a high level of disciplined devotion as you expedite your journey toward mastery.

CANCER June 21-July 22

There’s a story from West African tradition in which a potter listens to the raw material she has gathered from the earth. She waits for it to tell her what it wants to become. In this view, the potter is not a dictator but a midwife. I believe this is an excellent metaphor for you, Cancerian. Let’s imagine that you are both the potter and the clay. A new form is ready to emerge, but it won’t respond to force. You must attune to what wants to be born through you. Are you trying to shape your destiny too insistently, when it’s already confiding in you about its preferred shape? Surrender to the conversation.

LEO July 23-Aug. 22

Here’s my odd but ultimately rewarding invitation: Tune in to the nagging aches and itches that chafe at the bottom of your heart and in the back of your mind. For now, don’t try to scratch them or rub them. Simply observe them and feel them, with curiosity and reverence. Allow them to air their grievances and tell you their truths. Immerse yourself in the feelings they arouse. It may take 10 minutes, or it might take longer, but if you maintain this vigil, your aches and itches will ultimately provide you with smart guidance. They will teach you what questions you need to ask and how to go in quest for the healing answers.

VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22

Wise gardeners may plan their planting by the moon’s phases. Through study of the natural world, they understand that seeds sown at the ripe moment will flourish, while those planted at random times may be less hardy. In this spirit, I offer you the following counsel for the coming weeks: Your attention to timing will be a great asset. Before tinkering with projects or making commitments, assess the cycles at play in everything: the level of your life energy, the moods of others and the tenor of the wider world. By aligning your moves with subtle rhythms, you will optimize your ability to get exactly what you want.

LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct. 22

In parts of Italy, grapevines were once trained not on wires or trellises, but on living trees, usually maples or poplars. The vines spiraled upward, drawing strength and structure from their tall allies. The practice kept grapes off the ground, improved air circulation and allowed for mixed land use, such as growing cereals between the rows of trees and vines. In the coming weeks, Libra, I advise you to be inspired by this phenomenon. Climb while in relationship. Who or what is your living trellis? Rather than pushing forward on your own, align with influences that offer height, grounding and steady companionship. When you spiral upward together, your fruits will be sweeter and more robust.

SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21

Migratory monarch butterflies travel thousands of miles, guided by instincts and cues invisible to humans. They trust they will find what they need along the way. Like them, you may soon feel called to venture beyond your comfort zone—intellectually, socially or geographically. I advise you to rely on your curiosity and adaptability. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, the journey will lead you to resources and help you hadn’t anticipated. The path may be crooked. The detours could be enigmatic. But if you are committed to enjoying the expansive exploration, you’ll get what you didn’t even know you needed.

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec. 21

Your assignment is to uncover hidden treasures. Use the metaphorical version of your peripheral vision to become aware of valuable stuff you are missing and resources you are neglecting. Here’s another way to imagine your task: There may be situations, relationships or opportunities that have not yet revealed their full power and glory. Now is a perfect moment to discern their pregnant potential. So dig deeper, Sagittarius—through reflection, research or conversation. Trust that your open-hearted, open-minded probing will guide you to unexpected gems.

CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19

The legendary jazz musician Louis Armstrong said, “If you have to ask what jazz is, you’ll never know.” What did he mean by that? That we shouldn’t try to use words to describe and understand this complex music? Countless jazz critics, scholars and musicians might disagree with that statement. They have written millions of words analyzing the nature of jazz. In that spirit, I am urging you to devote extra energy in the coming weeks to articulating clear ideas about your best mysteries. Relish the prospect of defining what is hard to define. You can still enjoy the raw experience even as you try to get closer to explaining it.

AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb. 18

In the Andean highlands, there’s a concept called ayni, a venerated principle of reciprocity. “Today for you, tomorrow for me,” it says. This isn’t a transactional deal. It’s a relational expansiveness. People help and support others not because they expect an immediate return. Rather, they trust that life will ultimately find ways to repay them. I suggest you explore this approach in the coming weeks, Aquarius. Experiment with giving freely, without expectation. Conversely, have blithe faith that you will receive what you need. Now is prime time to enhance and fine-tune your web of mutual nourishment.

PISCES Feb. 19-March 20

How often do I, your calm, sensible counselor, provide you with a carte blanche to indulge in exuberant gratification, a free pass for exciting adventures, and a divine authorization to indulge in luxurious abundance and lavish pleasure? Not often, dear Pisces. So I advise you not to spend another minute wondering what to do next. As soon as possible, start claiming full possession of your extra blessings from the gods of joy and celebration and revelry. Here’s your meditation question: What are the best ways to express your lust for life?

Homework: What aptitude of yours do you underestimate? Use it more aggressively! Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com

Street Talk

Street Talk

John Koenig

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July 2, 2025

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King Kong or Godzilla?

I’ll pick King Kong. Godzilla comes out of the water, and then what? He stomps around a good bit, but out of the city he’s at a disadvantage. Kong can swing around and do his acrobatics —and if King Kong is pushed to the limit, he’s got that monkey rage

Braden Reynolds, 21, Language Studies major with a minor in Japanese, UCSC

I go with Godzilla. I just like the general look of the character—and how he glows when he uses his powers.

Marina F, 12, Student

I like the reptile factor, I go with the reptile. If it’s an aquatic battle, I’m going to give it to Godzilla, he’s a better swimmer, but if you’re talking about climbing in the city, it might go to King Kong.

Sarah F, 47, Patent Agent

Godzilla, 100%. Always gotta go with the lizard. I grew up with him, from 8 years old. I had King Kong too, but Godzilla is just rad. He’s awesome with the spikes and the breath. And he had Baby Godzilla too. I thought it was so hilarious when I was a kid

Troy Geddes, 61, Comic Slinger at Comicopolis, Downtown Santa Cruz

I like Godzilla better—he kinda reminds me of a sassy cat. He has some attitude on him, and I like that. But my favorite is actually Mothra, I thought it was more action packed, it will forever be the best.

Charlene Mayo, 19, Economics Major, UCSC / Pizza pleasurer at Pleasure Pizza on Pacific Av

I gotta go for the ape, the human-relative monster. We gotta side with him.

Matt Regehr, 25, Machine learning and Artificial intelligence Major, UCSC

Soquel Supernova

Foodie File

Andrew Steingrube

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July 2, 2025

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Before becoming co-owner of Star of Siam four months ago, Benjawan Baynard was born and raised in Thailand and grew up around food, helping her mom run a catering business that would ultimately inspire her restaurant industry career. She started by working locally in Thai restaurants, at first in the kitchen and then slowly more front-of-house work as her English improved—and she did a stint as a server/sushi chef at Star of Siam a decade ago.

The place was out of business for a couple years before Baynard asked the landlord what happened and was subsequently offered ownership. Jumping at the chance to revive the business, she reimagined the space to an open, modern ambiance with Thai paintings and murals accentuated by artwork of the Golden Shower Tree, Thailand’s national symbol.

Baynard defines the menu as central Thai cuisine with paramount focus on fresh ingredients and a combination of her own learned recipes and her mom’s classic ones from home. Highlighted appetizers are grilled chicken lettuce wraps with housemade peanut and spicy green chili sauces, and the signature creamy and flavorful tom kha soup. Entrée favorites include pan-fried salmon in panang curry and Thai basil spaghetti combining a choice of protein, veggies, garlic and chili whirled amongst stir-fried noodles and topped with crispy fried basil. Dessert leans tropical with fried tempura coconut ice cream and sweet coconut cream tapioca.

What did you learn about food from your mom?

BENJAWAN BAYNARD: She was very good at being detail-oriented and paying attention to all the little things when cooking. And she would remember the specific preferences of the people she cooked for, and she always said cooking for customers should be like cooking for family. My mom was kind and friendly too, so I try and follow in her footsteps by not only how she cooked, but also how she treated people.

Describe Star of Siam’s rebirth.

Because I worked here a long time ago, I was able to make many connections with our longtime customers that I’ve known. When I reopened, I renovated but wanted it to still feel like home for our regulars. And with the food, we tried to keep most of the same menu items, but improve upon them as well as add some of my own recipes.

3005 Porter St., Soquel, 831-281-2264; starofsiams.com

Fogging Up

Dining Reviews

Mark C. Anderson

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July 2, 2025

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Lip-smacking beers—Fog of Fidens, Fog This!, Life Finds a Way and Significant Otter included—were to be expected.

Same for slick bar design, strategic positioning and approachable service.

But not everything at the latest outpost of Humble Sea Brewing Co.’s widening dynasty (Pier 39, San Francisco)—now freshly open seven days a week—is so predictable.

I wouldn’t have guessed, for example, it would already feel like it’s been there for awhile, or have its own raft of regulars after a month.

Such is the power of great craft beer, and building out places with consistent DNA and their own individual expressions, now appearing in Felton, Alameda and Pacifica, on Santa Cruz Wharf and at the OG Westside locale.

“We want each location to offer a totally different experience, so it feels like a little adventure hopping between them,” says co-creator Frank Scott Kreuger, pun perhaps unintended. “You might visit one with your kids on a sunny weekend, and another with your beer geek buddies after a hike.”

The brisk evolution had me believing a Humble Sea e-blast announcing a Smithsonian Institute collaboration, which HSBC titled “Capitol Records.”

“They wanna put [flagship beer] Socks & Sandals in a museum,” it reads. “No joke. Right next to the Constitution. It all started almost 20 years ago in [HSBC co-founder] Nick’s garage as a Pliny clone. Then it became Cut & Run IPA about 10 years ago.

“After hundreds (literally) of iterations, it’s the juicy, citrusy, fog-blasted masterpiece you crush today. Most dialed-in hoppy beer we make.”

It turns out the Smithsonian honor was a hoax.

The quality of the S.F. destination—and Socks & Sandals—I can attest, are 100-p accurate.

humblesea.com

SHROOMNEWAL

One of the more original foodie ideas to emerge from Santa Cruz in the last few years is applying a new name to its smiley-face product. Paul and Katie Lazazzera have trampolined from the “Shroomsicles” title to Benni Pops in recent months, to better emphasize the benefits of mushrooms in their popsicles while appealing to a broader audience. “Turns out, people hear ‘shroom’ and think they’re about to eat a frozen portobello on a stick or go on an interstellar adventure,” Katie writes on their website. “Spoiler: they’re not doin’ either.” My favorite popsicle doubles as their signature, the lion’s mane mousse, which leads an array of flavors like reishi cinnamon roll and cordyceps orange vanilla, all designed to unleash adaptogenic might with dessert-level satisfaction. A bunch of spots including Terra Superfoods (1010 Pacific Ave., Suite A/B, Santa Cruz), Soul Salad (7957 Soquel Drive, Aptos) and Blue Zone Waters (1715 Mission St., Santa Cruz) all stock the summer-friendly pops, more via bennipops.com.

FLAVORFUL FUN

Good Times wellness columnist Elizabeth Borelli, creator of speaking-coaching-workshopping hub The Mindful Mediterranean and author of Tastes Like La Dolce Vita, is getting vivid with the good life across several events, including a food-and-vino tasting with winemaker Dave Moulton in the historic Burrell School garden (July 12); “Embracing La Dolce Vita!: A 6-Step Mediterranean Diet Workshop” at Cabrillo College (July 26); and “From the Farmers Market to your Plate—Explore, Taste, and Create!” at the Aptos Farmers Market (Aug. 2); and makes 50 of her A Taste of the Mediterranean plant-based recipes free (!), at elizabethborelli.com…Winemaking revolutionary Randall Grahm is hosting his first public tours of Popelouchum vineyard for small groups, with swirls of a few wines and a box lunch prepared by chef Jarad Gallagher, using property produce, on July 5-6, 18-19, 20, and 25-27, popelouchum.com…Attention, carb heads: Next month Tombstone frozen pizza is launching “French Fry Style Crust Pizza,” so there’s that to look forward to?…San Francisco’s own Om Malike, coax us out: “I like the muted sounds, the shroud of grey, and the silence that comes with fog.”

Things to do in Santa Cruz

Things To Do This Week

GT Staff

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July 2, 2025

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THURSDAY 7/3

SKATING

WHEELIE GOOD THURSDAYS

This is Santa Cruz, the home of NHS, Santa Cruz Skateboards, The Boardroom, and Derby skatepark. Skateboarding is a part of the city’s DNA. There’s another kind of skating that’s just as important to Santa Cruz but doesn’t get nearly as much recognition: Roller skates. For too long, roller skates have been the forgotten stepchild, despite Santa Cruz being home to the Roller Palladium and the award-winning Derby Girls. This summer, that’s about to change. On four different Thursdays throughout July and August, the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium is opening its doors for four hours of non-stop skating. Santa Cruzans can start training for Derby Girl tryouts on the very track they play on. MAT WEIR

INFO: 5:30pm, Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., Santa Cruz. $10/adv, $12/door. 420-5240.

PUNK

KEPI GHOULIE

The mighty Kepi Ghoulie, he of Groovie Ghoulies fame, a living breathing cartoon who has magically become a real live boy, master of poppy, kitschy punk, whether he’s applying brightly colored paint to canvas, or making loud melodic, irresistibly boppable sounds with his well travelled guitar and amp, is a world builder, and the world of Kepi is a fun and frenetic place to pass the time. Your inner child is invited to come out and play, and dance, and sing along, and celebrate being alive in a present with such a fun past. KEITH LOWELL JENSEN

INFO: 8pm, Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $10. 429-6994.

FRIDAY 7/4

AMERICANA

ALEX LUCERO BAND

Santa Cruz-based Alex Lucero leads this lively soul/Americana outfit. The group placed in the Top 3 in the Battle of the Bands competition at the Whale Rock Music Festival. Lucero has released six albums to date, five of those with the group. In addition to the standard guitar/bass/keys/drums setup (with Lucero on bass and lead vocals), the group’s musical arsenal features melodica and saxophone, expanding their sonic vocabulary. The Alex Lucero Band’s latest single is “Long as You Like.” Party band The Swag Tones open the show. BILL KOPP

INFO: 1pm, El Vaquero Winery, 2901 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville. $20. 607-8118.

SATURDAY 7/5

BEER

FREE DAY

Freedom isn’t free. With the current state of things, it’s an idea that many are waking up to by looking out into the state of America and wondering, “Is this freedom?” This Saturday, Discretion Brewery invites freedom (and beer-loving) Americans to celebrate the principles this country was founded on in their garden with the release of their annual Free Day IPA. Each year it’s a different recipe, because they have the freedom to do so and aren’t trapped by the tyranny of repetitive taste. Pair it with an assortment of Italian finger food from Sugo and rock out with a free selection of live music. What better way to celebrate being American? MW

INFO: Noon, Discretion Brewery, 2703 41st Ave., Capitola. Free. 316-0662.

ALT COUNTRY

VANDOLIERS

Draped in a Lone Star outfit with twangy guitar, wailing fiddle, heartfelt lyrics, and often donning boots and cowboy hats, Vandoliers present their most personal record yet, Life Behind Bars. Frontwoman Jenni Rose offers unflinching honesty in her lyrics that detail her journey through addiction and gender dysphoria. This Dallas-born collective delivers a performance both cathartic and celebratory, with a range that incorporates rock, punk, and even mariachi. With upbeat, often shirtless performances, Vandoliers bring country and punk fans together. SHELLY NOVO

INFO: 8:30pm, Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $20/adv, $25/door. 479-1854.

FLAMENCO

SANTA CRUZ FLAMENCO

The proud Spanish cultural tradition of flamenco is more than 250 years old, and the form has long been an integral part of Andalusian culture. This evening of live flamenco features guitarist Robbie Aguilar, who studied the style in Spain and has performed extensively with San Francisco’s Theatre Flamenco. The ensemble also includes vocalist Roberto Zamora and guest dancer Melissa Cruz. The evening will also feature a troupe of five dancers, plus students from Marianna Mejia’s Flamenco Romantico. This performance is part of Santa Cruz Flamenco’s Ritmo y Pasîon (Rhythm and Passion) series. BK

INFO: 5pm, Santa Cruz Actors’ Theatre, 1001 Center St., Santa Cruz. $30. 431-8666.

SUNDAY 7/6

THEATRE

J.E.N.

J.E.N. brilliantly weaves together incisive comedy, a history lesson, and poignant commentary on consumerism and the climate crisis. From the minds of Rachel Ropella and Jennifer Kehl comes a hilarious guide through not only the morning routines of women through the ages, but also their thoughts and desires. Kehl delights audiences with incarnations of women from neanderthal caves to apocalyptic futures. Delivering belly laughs, J.E.N. makes us wonder if we are so different from our predecessors, or if we all share the same human folly. SN

INFO: 3:30pm, Santa Cruz Actors’ Theatre, 1001 Center St., Santa Cruz. $15. 431-8666.

TUESDAY 7/8

LOUNGE

KOLUMBO

With Frank LoCrasto at the center of the cyclone, the four members of psychedelic lounge act Kolumbo lock in and create a vibe that transports you to another place. Lounge is often thought of as mellow, but there’s delightful interplay between these musicians, building and then relieving tension, making sounds that work together to form the original ASMR. The goods can be sampled in advance. Sandy Legs, Kolumbo’s first full-length album, was released last year. Headphones and the volume set to a reasonable side of loud are recommended, but it still can’t match the aural delight of a live jam. KLJ

INFO: 8pm, Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $10. 429-6994.

LITERATURE

WHITNEY HANSON

Life is always changing, whether or not it is wanted. Whitney Hanson compares life’s changes to the weather in her recently revised bestselling poetry book, Climate. Some days are bright and sunny while others are calm and gray. At times, the constant change can feel tumultuous, and hard to accept. She guides the reader through her experience, accepting and embracing the internal and external changes life brings. Hanson believes that through poetry, people can form deeper connections with each other. Her honest and vulnerable prose gives space for readers to recognize their own journey to accept change. ISABELLA MARIE SANGALINE

INFO: 7pm, Bookshop Santa Cruz, 1520 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. Free. 423-0900.

LETTERS

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor

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July 2, 2025

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TRAIN SUGGESTION

It is unfortunate that the version of moving forward for bringing rail transportation to Santa Cruz County has been dropped in the lap of residents. What has been presented is a “gold-plated,” brand-new system with higher volumes of service.

The beginning system does not have to be done that way at all. A rail system can be started with a slower, less expensive beginning with basic bridge repairs for lightweight battery-powered equipment that does not have to cost that much to start out. Basic grants then can be used to improve as it goes along. Many transit lines have been started and improved that way.

Don’t let the real estate developers and moneyed people with houses next to the line that sometimes have too much influence over elected officials let this environmentally friendly potential means of transportation slip away. An incremental, simple, less costly system will work. Let’s work harder to find this simpler system and get a chance to get it started.

Steve Ferrari | Capitola

ART EXHIBIT

I am a teacher for Santa Cruz City Schools. On July 1, I have an art exhibition going at the Santa Cruz Coffee Roasters and I am hoping to get some publicity. It contains the work of more than 30 artists and calligraphers from all around the world, all of whom I commissioned to help create a cycle of illustrated poems. The work of many local artists is represented in the collection. Ten years ago I wrote a song for the band One Direction and spent the better part of my royalties putting this thing together. Thanks for your consideration.

Scott Mehner | Santa Cruz

GAMER ALERT

I’m Brian Riggsbee, the owner of Retro Game Books, LLC. We were founded in 2020 and have since produced seven retro gaming themed books. We’re also a small business—I’m the only employee and I commission artists and writers on projects.

Our books range from history books to curated art galleries. Our most recent project is Video Game Maps: SNES, which is being broken into a three-volume hardcover series.

I would be honored if your site ever did a spotlight on our business and/or projects.

Brian Riggsbee | retrogamebooks.com

ONLINE COMMENTS

PRAISE FOR UKRAINIAN COVERAGE

It’s sad to see how divided our country has become. Such nonsensical comments pouring out the untruths we too often hear today. Thank you, GT, for letting this story be told. What’s happening in Ukraine is real and if we think it can’t happen in our country? Think again. Any insult toward the author Steve Kettmann is obviously shared like an arrow of hate, not knowledge.

Jim Furlong | GoodTimes.sc

The Editor’s Desk

Letters to the Editor

Brad Kava

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July 2, 2025

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

Good Times is celebrating the big 5-0 and as anyone who has run a business knows, that’s a huge accomplishment. We are so happy about it that we are doing three issues to celebrate the people who have made Santa Cruz great over our past five decades.

Our issue this week commemorates the local businesses that have also reached 50 birthdays or more. We figured we’d find 50 of them, but lo and behold, we found many more. So many, we can’t fit them all in the printed edition, but have spilled them over to our website, goodtimes.sc, which also says something about what businesses have had to do to survive–branch out to the online world. And if we missed some, drop us a line and tell us about them (ed****@*****ys.com).

We’ve had to branch out to the online world, at the same time that online has been strangling so many brick-and-mortar businesses.

When you take a look through the ones we are listing, you realize the things they’ve overcome. Several floods, a huge earthquake that leveled much of downtown, fires, a pandemic, and economic woes as rising costs for housing, gas, transportation and food cut everyone’s access to life, liberty, happiness. And of course there’s the internet, which has turned everything we knew about doing business upside down.

When you look at these businesses that have made it, you realize just what local loyalty means. The community has supported them for generations despite the travails and the seeming convenience of shopping online. Shop local has been more than a mantra; it’s a way to keep our dollars flowing back to the community.

The owners of Amazon or Meta are buying yachts and jets, while our local businesses are supporting your kids’ schools, sports teams and local charities. And our community knows this; that’s why so many local businesses are staying in business.

Our future 50th issues include the people who made a difference here, the events that shaped the county and what Santa Cruz will look like over the next 50 years. Send us your nominations and suggestions.

And very importantly: We’re having a free birthday bash at 4pm July 11 outside our office at 107 Dakota Ave. with some up-and-coming local bands and food and drink. Party on. See you there.

Thanks for reading.

Brad Kava | Editor

PHOTO CONTEST

SUMMER FUN Considering it is now summertime (oh sweet, golden summer) I thought it made perfect sense to share this image of a lovely girl named Fiona. Photograph and painting by Julia Craig

GOOD WORK

The Santa Cruz RTC was awarded $128.7 million in grants from the California Transportation Commission for several projects, including these:

Auxiliary lanes and bus-on-shoulder facilities on Highway 1 from State Park Drive to Freedom Boulevard; Coastal Rail Trail Segment 12 between State Park Drive and Rio del Mar Boulevard, including four bicycle and pedestrian overcrossings; protected bike lanes, signal upgrades and sidewalk gap closures, ADA curb ramps, and enhanced crosswalks on Soquel Drive; and Improvements for METRO buses, including boarding platforms, signal priority at 60 traffic lights, shelters and real-time displays.

GOOD IDEA

With thousands expected to visit Santa Cruz for the upcoming Independence Day holiday weekend, the Santa Cruz City Council has implemented measures to ensure the safety and cleanliness of the City for all residents and visitors. A citywide Safety Enhancement Zone will be in effect from Friday, July 4, at 8am to Monday, July 7, at 8am.

Under the Safety Enhancement Zone designation, fines for violations of the City’s municipal code—including the illegal discharge of fireworks, littering and public consumption of alcohol—will be tripled.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Truth matters. Checks and balances matter.”
—Maria Ressa

Mike Rotkin, 1945-2025

Local News

Geoffrey Dunn

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June 25, 2025

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The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways; the point, however, is to change it. —Karl Marx, Theses on Feuerbach, #11, 1845

The loss of Mike Rotkin—former mayor of Santa Cruz, key figure in the Community Studies program at UCSC, a civil rights advocate and practitioner of civil disobedience, husband, father, friend, mentor, Marxist, humanist, feminist, musician, outdoorsman, environmentalist, transportation guru, basketball and softball player, shape-shifter, ad infinitum—has been felt throughout the community since he passed away last week from an arduous battle with leukemia. He was 79.

Let me be candid and direct: the news hit me like a truck. We had been friends and colleagues and comrades for more than 50 years—I first met him in my late teens when I was working as a fish cutter on the Santa Cruz Wharf—and few people in that half-century have had the type of profound and long-lasting impact on my life as he did.

I was certainly not alone. I have been hearing it throughout the community, from all quarters, from people of all ages and all walks of life. He was an extremely kind and civil man, thoughtful, bright, committed and humorous. Seemingly ubiquitous. And hard-working. Fucking hard-working. I am not sure he ever slept.

When I ran into Mayor Fred Keeley last week on the Santa Cruz Wharf (ironically not more than 30 yards away from where I had first met Rotkin), I mentioned Mike’s death, and Keeley responded ebulliently and emphatically, “Wasn’t he a great guy? He was a great guy!” He then went on to tell a colorful story about traveling to L.A. with Rotkin just as the Rodney King riots were hitting in the spring of 1992. The story perfectly revealed Rotkin’s subtle yet devilish sense of humor (you can ask Keeley for the punchline). Mike was a jokester at heart, always upbeat and occasionally devilish, with a persistent beatific smile on his face.

These last few days, I have been reading Sarah Rabkin’s superb and fascinating oral history of Rotkin, “On the Rise and Fall of Community Studies at UCSC, 1969-2010” (available online at escholarship.org). It’s an engaging 450-page document. I dare say that Mike comes back to life as you immerse yourself in this remarkable interview. I could actually hear his voice and his chuckling throughout.

What comes across in a rather striking manner are the ways in which Mike came to his politics as a young adult (not really in his teenage years, as I presumed). Mike’s was an American Graffiti childhood (he graduated high school in 1963), in which he was in the marching band (he played a variety of instruments) and a rather mediocre and uninspired student. It wasn’t until he served as a social worker and community activist in the rural South that he found his political passion and direction.

Most guys I grew up with were frustrated jocks. Mike was a decent (albeit enthusiastic) athlete (we were teammates on a campus softball team in the ’80s) but he was actually a frustrated Eagle Scout. That’s right. The great Marxist radical’s adolescent failure was not attaining the top rank in the Boy Scouts as an “Eagle.”

Several years ago Mike set it up so that his parents, Irv and Esther (absolutely delightful, smart-as-hell, liberal, relocated New Yorkers with quick tongues), enrolled in a two-day program on Santa Cruz County history I was teaching at the Monte Toyon Camp and Conference Center in the Santa Cruz Mountains. They were absolutely wonderful, clearly loving and adoring of their son, but Esther couldn’t help but tell me the story about how she kept Mike from achieving his dream of becoming an Eagle because she wouldn’t sign off on him being a “good citizen” at home. “I think he’s held it against me ever since,” she said. “But I think it was good for him.”

When Mike first ran for the Santa Cruz City Council in 1979, along with Bruce Van Allen, he did so as a socialist-feminist (a great distinction from the Goldwater-loving conservatives who dominated the council in the post-World War II era). Indeed, Mike was best known in his early years on campus for teaching an “Introduction to Marxism” class (in which I once served as a teaching assistant) that was always packed and which he taught for decades.

Mike was what I would call a practical, or pragmatic, Marxist. He preferred the early canon, the humanist Marx, though he also embraced Marx’s criticism of capital structures. In the aftermath of the 1989 earthquake, after he had served on the council for many years (and by then had been mayor more than once), he broke with many of his former colleagues because he felt economic development was a necessity for sustaining the municipal enterprise (the City of Santa Cruz) that he and his progressive colleagues were now overseeing.

I am blessed with a lifetime of memories of Mike and I will have lots more to process once I finish this brief tribute to his memory. During a protest at UCSC in the early 1980s (in which he and I were both arrested and bused to the police station downtown), I angrily (and perhaps threateningly) confronted UCSC chancellor Robert Sinsheimer. Mike took me aside. He agreed with my position but he chastised me about my style. He thought it was ineffective and counter-productive. And being ineffective was not part of Mike’s political vocabulary.

Looking back, I don’t ever remember Mike angry. Firm and assertive, yes. Argumentative, sure. Angry, no. It wasn’t his style. It wasn’t who he was—neither as a person, nor as an activist or elected official.

Mike was a radical but he most often took the high road. He was a fierce and competitive debator in a political skirmish, but there were lines he didn’t cross. Even when he disagreed with you (and he and I had our moments), he was considerate—passionate without being overly confrontational. And more often than not he prevailed.

In his oral history with Rabkin (again, I encourage you to read it), Mike looked back on his truly protean and far-reaching career. “I’m a very fortunate person,” he declared, “that I did what I love doing, I got paid well for it, more than comfortably for it, and was able to integrate the different things that I did…So I [found] it challenging, and exciting, and fun work. I’ve never been bored, since I moved to Santa Cruz in 1969, for five minutes in my entire life, I have to say. So—it’s worked out well for me.”

Much of what we think of as “Santa Cruz”—from our community’s vast array of social programs, the Greenbelt, pay equity, and on and on—are, and will remain, a reflection of Mike’s work. His loss is painful, even staggering, but his legacy here is vast and will be long-lived.

Mike Rokin is survived by his beloved wife of three decades, Madelyn McCaul, and stepchildren Phillip Greensite, Jesse Mantonak and Jarel Chavez (Octavio). There is a GofundMe page set up to fund a bench in his honor along West Cliff Drive. A celebration of his life will be held on what would have been his 80th birthday, on Sept. 17.

Palacios Steps Down

Tarmo Hannula

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June 25, 2025

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The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors announced that County Executive Officer Carlos J. Palacios will step down in December after more than 30 years in local government leadership. He was sworn in as county administrative officer in 2017, becoming the county’s first Latino leader following 20 years as the city manager of Watsonville.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve the people of Santa Cruz County,” Palacios said. “I am incredibly proud of the progress we have made together—from responding to crises to building a stronger, healthier and more equitable community. None of it would have been possible without the tireless work of county staff, the partnership of community organizations, and the leadership of the Board of Supervisors. I look forward to supporting a smooth transition and seeing what the future holds for this remarkable county.”

Board of Supervisors Chair Felipe Hernandez added, “Carlos was Watsonville’s city manager when I served my first term as councilmember. He has been one of the most consequential public servants in the history of Santa Cruz County. He led us through some of the toughest times our community has ever faced—from wildfires to a pandemic to historic flooding—with grace, resolve and a deep sense of compassion.”

One of Palacios’ signature accomplishments was the creation of Santa Cruz County’s first Strategic Plan, a community-informed roadmap to guide operations and policy priorities, said Jason Hoppin, public information officer for Santa Cruz County.

The plan was complemented by an Operational Plan and a public-facing dashboard to track progress, earning a 2021 California State Association of Counties Merit Award for innovation in government operations.

Hoppin said that Palacios played a key role in the acquisition and renovation of 500 Westridge Drive in Watsonville, the new South County Government Center in the Pajaro Valley at the former West Marine facility.

Other accomplishments by Palacios:

Establishing the Office of Response, Recovery & Resilience (OR3), which improved disaster preparedness and laid groundwork for improving community resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Helped establish the Public Defender’s Office, transitioning from a decades-long contract model, and worked with the Sheriff’s Office to reopen the Sobering Center to provide care-first alternatives to incarceration.
Helped lead a successful unification of the Planning and Public Works departments into the Community Development and Infrastructure Department, streamlining permitting processes and customer service and creating the Unified Permit Center.

Launched the county’s Housing for Health Division, aligning homelessness response with behavioral health and supportive housing and the Children’s Crisis Stabilization Center, and launched the Focused Intervention Teams and mobile crisis response units.
Spearheaded the transformation of Watsonville Community Hospital into a public entity.

Storage Wars

GT Staff

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June 25, 2025

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The Santa Cruz County Commission on the Environment is convening a series of public technical workshops to examine the role and risks of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in modernizing the energy grid.

The workshops, scheduled for June 25, July 30 and Aug. 27, will be held 5–8pm in the Board Chambers at the Santa Cruz County Governmental Center, 701 Ocean St., Santa Cruz.

BESS facilities are believed to be a critical component of California’s shift away from fossil fuels, allowing excess energy—especially solar and wind—to be stored for use when renewable generation is unavailable.

Industry experts say these systems can enhance grid stability and help utilities meet peak demand while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

But as interest in BESS projects grows, so do community concerns about public safety, emergency response readiness and long-term environmental impacts.

The June 25 workshop will feature presentations on climate change, the importance of energy storage and the role of BESS in the regional power grid.

Key speakers include Dr. Mark Jacobson, director of Stanford University’s Atmosphere/Energy Program and a leading expert on clean energy systems, and a representative from Central Coast Community Energy (3CE), which has committed to achieving 100 percent renewable energy by 2030. Additional experts will be featured as part of the review.

“These workshops are a chance for the community to engage with world-class experts and better understand the opportunities and risks associated with large-scale energy storage,” said Kris Damhorst, chair of the Commission on the Environment. “As we respond to the climate crisis, it’s essential that we examine how new technologies align with our values, safety needs and long-term environmental goals.”

While technical in nature, the sessions are designed to be accessible to the general public. The workshops will not address land use planning, zoning decisions, or specific project proposals.

To join via Zoom, visit bit.ly/3HJdFtN.

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