One of the brightest stars in the world of bluegrass and old-time music is also one of its youngest. Already a veteran performer and recording artist with three albums and an EP to her name, Nora Brown hasn’t yet reached her 20th birthday.
Acclaimed for her work on a somewhat unusual instrument—the fretless, nylon-string banjo—Brown cultivates folk traditions, carrying them forward for current and future generations of listeners. Joined by old-time fiddler Stephanie Coleman, Brown comes to Kuumbwa Jazz Center on Jan. 7.
Brown released her debut album, Cinnamon Tree, in 2019. She was 13 years old. Today she readily concedes that at that point, she “didn’t have much of a creative idea” about what she wanted the record to sound like. “I was [just] like, ‘I’m learning these songs. I like to play them.’” So she did. Six years later, she still looks back fondly on that experience. “There were a lot of people around guiding me on the journey of recording,” she says. “They were excited to give me an opportunity.”
But six years is a long time, especially in the life of a teenager. So by the time Brown made 2023’s Lady of the Lake—an EP with Coleman—she had taken a much more active role. “There was a much more curatorial instinct that had to be awakened,” she says.
Much of Brown’s repertoire is built around the folk tradition: passing songs along from musician to musician, from one generation to another. That process keeps the songs alive; it not only preserves them but reinvents the music with each new interpretation.
Brown’s family home in Brooklyn is filled with records. “I’m often listening through that stuff,” she says, searching for ideas. But Brown is far from a copyist; when it comes to adding a song to her repertoire, she focuses on giving it her own interpretation. “I wouldn’t say I feel a responsibility to hold true to a source recording,” she emphasizes. On the contrary, she feels an internal pressure to change things.
“There are real gems—old field recordings from the ’20s, ’30s, and even more recently, up to the 1970s—that are just perfect,” she enthuses. “You’re like, ‘Wow, this musician was incredible.’” And in those cases, even though the particular song itself might be far older than the recording, that version becomes accepted as the version. “But that sort of denies the fact that the process [of interpretation] was happening even at that time,” she says. “People were altering things; that’s the folk process.”
With that in mind, when Brown scours archives of old recordings, she tries to focus on the song itself, not the recording. “A skill that I’m trying to cultivate is to see the song: just the melody, just the rhythm, just the components that make up that song.” She readily concedes that it’s impossible to do that fully, but insists that it’s worth the effort to try. Sometimes Brown will tell herself that she doesn’t even like the way that the artist on the recording has interpreted the song; that framework gives her the freedom to explore her own interpretation.
It’s often the case that once an artist gets five or six years into their recording and touring career, they grow bored with the approach that got them started. They might branch off onto a wildly divergent path: a concept album, perhaps. Or maybe a record backed by an electric band. But Brown waves away such ideas. Those sorts of questions “don’t even come to my mind,” she says. “I’m finding creative fulfillment.”
But at the same time, Brown doesn’t believe that she is traveling on any sort of set path to begin with. “I’m really still learning about what I like to do as an artist,” she says. “It’s so much of a process of learning that I’m not looking for any big [changes]. It’s more like, ‘More work needs to be done.’”
Brown’s current run of concert dates fits neatly into the winter break between her college semesters. She seems to have found the balance that suits her. Brown believes that if music is an artist’s only means of financial support, that can pose a threat. “There’s something good about a model in which you don’t have to rely [solely] on your art to make money,” she says. Finding oneself in that situation “can lead to a loss of enjoyment in the work, a kind of pressure that stifles creativity,” she suggests.
In an interview six years ago, Brown told me, “I’m not sure if I want to continue a career in music for my entire adult life.” Reminded of that quote, she shrugs. “Not much has changed, to be honest,” she says. “It’s definitely the time of life to be wondering those things. I moved away from home to go to college, and I am focused on school.”
For now, Nora Brown is in her happy place: preserving the folk tradition while engaging in collaborative artistry with Coleman. “It’s a joyful experience,” she says, “to blend your sound with someone else’s.”
Nora Brown and Stephanie Coleman perform at 7pm on Jan. 7 at Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. $29.14 adv/$31.50 door.
Storms, both weather and economic, defined this year in Santa Cruz. Locals did what they could to stifle and recover from both.
JANUARY
TERMINAL CONDITION
The year started off with a literal bang, as the battery energy storage system (BESS) facility in Moss Landing caught fire. The chemistry of the lithium-ion batteries meant that water from firefighters’ hoses only fueled the blaze, which burned for days, emitting a black plume of toxic smoke andtons of toxins into soil and water.
The incident spurred reactions from local and state lawmakers hoping to rein in the BESS industry.
FAIR PLAY
After firing previous manager Dave Kegebein—and after a manager before him departed under mysterious circumstances—the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds announced that manager Zeke Fraser had resigned after less than two years. Later in 2025, the governing board hired Dori Rose Inda, who has extensive experience managing nonprofits. Based on the success of last year’s fair, we assume her time is going well.
PIER PRESSURE
On Dec. 23, a storm damaged the end of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, forcing its closure. This was evidenced spectacularly when a public bathroom broke free and washed up on a nearby beach. The wharf reopened less than a week later, 150 feet shorter and minus the Dolphin restaurant, which was under repair at the time and is gone.
TRUMP CARD
Santa Cruz County officials began to prepare in earnest for President Trump’s hard-line immigration policies, with many undocumented residents and nonprofits predicting a severe impact on the local workforce, the economy and the families that live here. Since that time, those fears have played out, with an estimated 65,000 in ICE custody as of Nov. 16. Many protests and demonstrations have followed throughout the U.S.
BYE BRUCE
We said goodbye to former Santa Cruz County Supervisor Bruce McPherson, who retired from the board after a 25-year career in politics the month before.
LEAVE THOSE TEACHERS ALONE
The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees made $5 million in cuts, knowing that the financial picture would worsen as enrollment declined and federal funding slowed. Indeed, the board is back to the chopping block, with roughly 150 positions at risk of layoff.
FEBRUARY
LAYOFFS REJECTED
The PVUSD Board of Trusteesconsidered—andlargely rejected—roughly 100 layoffs district staff said were meant to ease upcoming budget troubles. But wait, there’s more. The layoffs kicked in by the end of the year to much protest.
BID BARRED
A man who committed one of the most gruesome crimes we’ve ever heardlost a bid for parole. Adrian Gonzalez lured 8-year-old Madyson “Maddy” Middleton into his apartment in the Tannery in Santa Cruz, then raped and killed her before dumping her body in a recycling bin.
MARCH
DUAL RALLIES
With our communities cleaved to pieces by national politics, it’s more important than ever to reach out to all sides of the issue. We went to an invitation-only viewing party whereTrump supporters gathered to watch the president give a speech. While reporters were not welcome inside, we managed to convince an organizer to talk to us. We also spoke to protestors outside.
LOUNGING AROUND
Californians approved recreational pot in 2016. The county supervisors took the next logical step by approving smoking lounges à la Netherlands. In concept, anyway. The red tape required in the actual creation of one means that we’re years away from people lighting up indoors, county officials say.
VILLAGE PEOPLE
A village of 34 tiny homes for unhoused people in the parking lot of a Watsonville church continued to take shape, to the chagrin of neighbors. The project, which opened in September, is intended to help clear the Pajaro River Levee of unsanctioned encampments in advance of a project to rebuild it.
THE CUPBOARD IS BARE
Second Harvest Food Bank, which helps fill the pantries of thousands of county residents who need the help, began to sound the alarm of impending budget cuts and increased need that could impact the nonprofit’s ability to provide its services.
SMOKE ’EM IF YOU GOT ’EM
Remember when you needed a doctor’s note to buy weed? Later you could buy it and take it home to smoke. In March, the county has approved making dispensaries into social sites, like bars, where you can smoke inside the lounge, talk to friends and get an education on cannabis. They are still refining the rules, such as who is responsible if a patron gets in a car accident after smoking, but to the chagrin of alcohol lobbies, we can expect the opening of cannabis lounges.
SLUGFEST
Why aren’t we the slug capital of the world? Not only do we have the only university that uses the bright yellow banana slug as its mascot and the psychedelic mollusks populate our forests, but the longest-running band in Santa Cruz is named for them: the Banana Slug String Band, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this month. In a field filled with the starving musicians, the Slugs found a way to afford trips to Hawaii: they play educational, environmental songs for kids in schools. Check out our cover story on the band right here.
YOU CAN GO HOME AGAIN
After a seven-year hiatus, former owners Adam Bergeron and wife Jaimi Holker repurchased The Crêpe Place, a restaurant and independent music center in Midtown that features bands inside and outside in the exotic gardens. Adam explains that he and Jaimi came back because they missed it from the moment they sold it to Chuck Platt on Jan. 26, 2018. They feel magic in the Crêpe Place. “It’s one of those kinds of places that is either special to you or not. A lot of people find it special, and we’re two of them.”
CUTS TO THE NEEDY
Two months into the new federal administration, nonprofits began feeling the effects of what short-lived Trump crony Elon Musk called DOGE, a program that was supposed to help balance the budget but ended up costing more than it saved. Locally, a program that helps the hungry was suffering. The Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz is facing major problems serving its clientele after getting hit with cuts by the Trump Administration, according to CEO Erica Padilla-Chavez.
“We actually got four cancellations in one week that amounted to over $250,000 of food that didn’t come in,” she said. “It was milk, it was pork chops, it was cheese. It’s basic, essential nutrients that our community needs.” The food bank was not prepared for these cancellations and its budget didn’t account for such a profound loss of food.
Second Harvest helps feed 65,000 people each month, according to its website, including children, seniors, veterans, homeless and working poor people, whose jobs don’t pay enough to support their families.
BREAKING UP WITH AMAZON
They are everywhere, those boxes with the smile on them that put a frown on the faces of local business owners. Amazon, the company that allowed its founder to build rockets and a yacht so big a bridge had to be removed to get it out of the shipping yard, is sadly ubiquitous. But our writer, Joan Hammel, took a stand and broke up with the company and shopped only in our county. Could it be done? Was it easy? Check out her cover story for the answers.
SAFETY FIRST
How sad is it that women have to worry about leaving their drinks behind when they use a bar restroom, for fear that someone will drug them? It’s not a theoretical fear. It’s been happening. Luckily, bars and legislators have taken preventive measures. Santa Cruz is at the forefront of making bars safer by offering patrons a new type of coaster that can quickly detect if your cocktail has been spiked. Simply smear a few droplets of your drink on the testing area of the coaster and it can tell if ketamine or GHB, often referred to as “date rape drugs,” are present.
APRIL
EARTH DAY RETURNS WITH PUNCH
Downtown Santa Cruz spilled onto Pacific Avenue on April 19 as Earth Day 2025 roared back with a full lineup of sustainability fervor and community spirit. The annual celebration, anchored by live music from SambaDá, a zero-waste fashion showcase by FashionTeens, vendor booths and free face painting, drew families, activists, and eco-curious locals alike. The event’s return marked a reinvigoration of environmental advocacy after years of pandemic disruption, spotlighting climate action and green living amid county efforts to energize recycling and public participation in sustainability. Good Times chronicled the bustle along Abbott Square Market as activists, artists, and small businesses converged to celebrate the planet and push for tangible change.
HIDDEN BEACH PARK GETS NEW RESTROOMS
Santa Cruz County marked the ribbon-cutting for the new restroom facilities at Hidden Beach County Park near the end of April. The project, years in planning and community discussion, aimed to upgrade aging infrastructure at one of the county’s most beloved coastal access points. Community leaders and park advocates lauded the improvements as a small but meaningful step toward accommodating rising park usage. The new facility reflects broader efforts by local officials to balance environmental stewardship with increased recreational demand, recognizing the importance of inclusive public spaces. The celebration brought out families and volunteers who have long championed better amenities in Santa Cruz’s treasured outdoor spaces.
BRIDGE HOUSING CONSTRUCTION BEGINS
Ground formally broke in early April on a new bridge housing building intended to serve people experiencing homelessness across central Santa Cruz County. The project, a collaboration between county housing agencies and nonprofit partners, aims to blend temporary shelter with case management, employment support and pathways to stable housing. Local advocates see the facility as a humane intervention in a crisis that has taxed county resources and civic patience for years. Critics, meanwhile, pushed for more transparency in siting and long-term operational funding. Still, the start of construction represented a significant milestone in Santa Cruz County’s slow pivot toward scalable solutions to homelessness.
COUNTY BUDGET PASSES WITH CONTROVERSY
April closed with the release of Santa Cruz County’s $1.23 billion 2025-26 proposed budget, a trove of figures that set the stage for summer fiscal debates. The budget outlined funding for core services—from public health and parks to permitting and infrastructure upgrades—and shined a spotlight on rising costs amid inflationary pressures. Public comment sessions drew stakeholders concerned about housing, environmental programs and public safety. In the shadow of statewide economic uncertainty, county supervisors urged constituents to engage in the process, framing the budget as a blueprint for resilience, equity and community care in the year ahead.
MAY
WATER CONTAMINATION AT FARMWORKER HOUSING SPURS FIXES
In a story that galvanized the Pajaro Valley community, residents of farmworker housing reported unacceptable levels of contaminants in tap water early in May. The outcry prompted immediate county and state responses, including infrastructure assessments and expedited remediation plans. Local advocates said the episode highlighted persistent environmental injustices in unincorporated areas where essential services lag. County officials responded with a commitment to prioritize upgrades and promised more rigorous testing regimes. The incident sparked spirited debate in Watsonville City Council meetings and community forums, with residents demanding transparency and long-term solutions for safe drinking water.
CARMAGEDDON AS HIGHWAY 1 RESEMBLES LOS ANGELES FREEWAYS
Chaos on Highway 1 in Capitola and Live Oak became a defining theme of May as closures and lane shifts for maintenance snarled morning commutes. Parents, workers and cyclists inundated city hotlines with complaints as delays stretched for miles. Local commentary in Good Times captured the fraught blend of practical frustration and deep concern about infrastructural neglect in one of the county’s busiest corridors. Road work along the beach at the Murray Street Bridge and lane closures on Highway 1 made for an ugly mess.
BABY BURNING MAN
For those who can’t get enough of the late summer Burning Man Festival, locals started unSCRUZ, an art and camping gathering in Hollister, filled with Santa Cruzans. The May 1-3 event is described by organizers as “a radically inclusive regional burning man event.” This year’s unSCruz—which spread out over the San Benito County fairgrounds, indoors and outdoors, in a wide spectrum of venues—includes a sound rooms, open art sessions, creative kitchens, acrobatics, experimental lighted and flame-breathing vehicles, games, bizarre architectural constructs, music, dance, unique campers and tents all under the umbrella of non-judgmental acceptance.
HOW DO YOU WANT THE CRUZ TO LOOK?
Santa Cruz County launched a series of public workshops and surveys in May to shape the Measure Q Vision Plan—a long-range blueprint for land use, housing, and economic development. County planners emphasized community input as critical to balancing growth with environmental protections, particularly in unincorporated areas facing housing crunches and climate threats. Sessions drew a broad cross-section of perspectives, from homeowners wary of density to advocates pressing for equitable access to affordable housing. The initiative underscored the county’s attempt to craft policy through engagement rather than top-down decisions.
OUT OF THE CLOSET AND INTO THE STREETS
Santa Cruz celebrated the 50th anniversary of Pride celebrations biggly with three days of parties, dances, music, art and a giant parade. Since 1975, Santa Cruz Pride has convened an annual event, parade or festival that brings nearly 5,000 people to downtown Santa Cruz. The 50th anniversary of Santa Cruz Pride is a milestone in history for the visibility and celebration of a vibrant LGBTQ+ community unlike any across the country. It is a time to celebrate all people and allies across the county.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING CELEBRATION
May’s designation as Affordable Housing Month was marked by a cascade of events, including ribbon cuttings, informational webinars and community celebrations. Four new condominium units became available through Measure J, part of ongoing efforts to add supply in a market that has squeezed working families for years. Nonprofit partners, housing advocates and county officials touted the progress while acknowledging that incremental gains fall short of demand. The month’s festivities showcased success stories, creative financing tools and cross-sector collaborations aimed at expanding access to stable, affordable homes throughout Santa Cruz County.
JUNE
CHILDCARE LOAN PROGRAM OPENS
June also saw the launch of a forgivable loan program aimed at childcare providers, a rare win for working families and small business owners juggling high costs. The Child Care Developer Fee Loan Program opened applications for eligible providers seeking capital to expand or launch new facilities. County officials and advocates hailed the move as a practical investment in early childhood education and economic mobility. Parents who have long pressed for affordable, accessible care welcomed the initiative, though many underscored that supply still lags far behind need.
HOW HIGH WILL THE SEA RISE?
Amid ongoing climate anxieties, Santa Cruz County kicked off a sea-level rise vulnerability assessment survey aimed at charting future coastal resilience strategies. The initiative invited residents and stakeholders to weigh in on priorities for shoreline protection, infrastructure adaptation and community preparedness. The project emerged as part of a broader suite of environmental planning actions intended to position the county for decades of shifting coastal dynamics. Early responses suggested strong interest in collective problem-solving, though debates simmered over costs, equity, and the balance between human use and ecological preservation.
JULY
CRACKING DOWN ON ILLEGAL DUMPING
July brought the first full month under Santa Cruz County’s new illegal dumping penalty regime—a cultural pivot with teeth. With fines now in the thousands and cameras installed at frequent dumping sites, the county documented early compliance improvements and several misdemeanor referrals. Enforcement crews teamed with community volunteers to clear notorious hotspots, from rural side roads to forgotten lots. Environmental advocates crowed that the banished era of casual dumping may finally be nearing its end, while civil liberties critics cautioned about surveillance scope and equity. Regardless, public streets and hillsides looked noticeably cleaner as summer peaked.
HOMELESSNESS DOWN
The annual Point-in-Time Count of people experiencing homelessness, released in early August but grounded in July fieldwork, suggested modest progress in shelter placement and outreach engagement. County outreach teams, nonprofits and volunteers logged hundreds of interviews and service referrals during the chilly early morning count, finding small dips in unsheltered numbers compared with prior years. Leaders attributed the shift to coordinated job training, housing subsidies and bridge housing expansions. Still, advocates stressed that progress was fragile and that housing supply, rent pressures and mental health resources remain critical pressure points.
TERRIBLE COUNTY FOR WALKING, BIKINGMid-July saw the Santa Cruz County Community Traffic Safety Coalition release a comprehensive crash report highlighting trends over the past decade. The data detailed persistent hotspots for collisions, vulnerable road user injuries, and disproportionate impacts on lower-income neighborhoods. Public officials and activists seized the report as a call to reimagine street design, prioritize safe crossings and expand education campaigns. Some residents pushed back on enforcement-centric proposals, urging instead for infrastructure redesigns like protected bike lanes and traffic calming measures. The summer debate fused data with grassroots demands, shaping conversations heading into the fall legislative cycle.
GREEN VALLEY ART CELEBRATED
Local culture punctuated the summer when a new public art installation along Green Valley Road drew community praise. The work, funded through local arts grants and neighborhood partnerships, transformed a stretch of thoroughfare into a vibrant corridor celebrating community heritage. Residents brought picnics, cameras and kids to the launch party, blending visual delight with a reaffirmed sense of place. The installation became a social media favorite and a touchstone for broader conversations about investing in shared public aesthetics amid civic priorities like housing and climate resilience.
AUGUST
COTONI-COAST DAIRIES TRAIL OPENS TO PRAISE
August delivered long-awaited access to new trails at the Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument, expanding opportunities for hiking, biking and nature connection on protected landscapes. The first wave of trails offered sweeping coastal views and interpretive signage, and outdoor groups called the opening a milestone for recreation and conservation alike. Local outfitters reported brisk weekend traffic, and park stewards reminded visitors to respect sensitive habitats. The rollout anchored broader conversations about access versus preservation in one of Santa Cruz County’s ecological crown jewels.
GREEN VALLEY ROAD MULTI-USE TRAIL OPENS
Santa Cruz County cut the ribbon in August on the new Green Valley Road multi-use trail, a connective spine for walkers, cyclists and commuters linking rural and urban pockets. Elected officials and community members lauded the project as a victory for sustainable transport and healthier lifestyles. The trail quickly drew daily users, from dog walkers to road warriors seeking scenic shortcut alternatives. Still, adjacent traffic and safety concerns sparked a side conversation about the need for complementary lighting and crossings to ensure year-round usability.
SHORT-TERM RENTAL REFORMS PASSCounty supervisors in August gave tentative approval to updated short-term rental reforms intended to balance tourism demand with neighborhood livability. The measures, which refined permit processes and introduced new compliance requirements, aimed to reduce disruptive party rentals and preserve housing stock. Local hosts reacted with mixed reviews—some welcoming clearer rules, others warning about potential reductions in supplemental income. Community groups framed the changes as long-overdue tools for protecting residential character in year-round neighborhoods.
ANNUAL PARKS & REC DOG POOL PARTY RETURNSSummer’s tail end saw the tail-wagging return of the annual Parks & Rex Dog Pool Party, an over-the-top celebration of community and canine culture. Families packed the pool deck with pups in bow ties, bandanas and blow-ups, sharing laughs and local brewery sips. The event underscored a lighter side of county life: spirited, quirky and deeply communal. Good Times spotlighted the splash-filled afternoon as a quintessential Santa Cruz moment, blending absurdity with heartfelt neighborliness under the August sun.
SEPTEMBER
WEEK WITHOUT DRIVING PROMOTES TRANSIT AND TRAILS
In late September, Santa Cruz County launched its first “Week Without Driving,” urging residents to ditch cars in favor of transit, biking and walking. The initiative offered free transit passes, pop-up bike repair stations, and a calendar of events promoting alternative mobility. Coverage in The Pajaronian and county outlets highlighted packed bike lanes, commuters rediscovering walking routes, and spirited debate about long-term sustainable transport investment. Supporters touted the effort as practical climate action; detractors cited lingering gaps in infrastructure that still make car alternatives challenging for some residents.
WHO ARE THE PEOPLE WHO SHAPED SANTA CRUZ?
For our 50th anniversary, Good Times looked at 50 people who helped make our county what it is today. Did we get them all? Who did we miss? Who do you think should be there? Should we do another one next year with 51 people? Drop us a line.
HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN RELEASEDA draft of Santa Cruz County’s updated Hazard Mitigation Plan was released for public review in September, outlining strategies for preparing for wildfires, floods, earthquakes and sea-level rise. The plan drew from community input, scientific assessments and emergency management insights. While some residents worried about property impacts and insurance costs, many praised the transparent, data-driven approach. Workshops and comment periods through October aim to refine the draft before final adoption. Advocates see the plan as a crucial roadmap in an era of increasing climate extremes.
BOARD MOVES TO BAN RECREATIONAL NITROUS SALES In a quirky but serious policy move, county supervisors voted in late September to push toward banning recreational nitrous oxide sales—a response to spikes in youth misuse labeled a public health concern. Supporters argued the ban would remove easy access to potentially harmful substances, while small business owners and civil liberties proponents raised questions about enforcement. The debate blended public safety rhetoric with local culture—and sparked late-night barroom discussions across Santa Cruz’s eclectic blocks.
OCTOBER
LIGHTS, CAMERAS, IT’S BACK
Huge news for Santa Cruz film buffs: the Santa Cruz film festival is back with 90 films in six venues and it inspired our weirdest cover of the year. After many of the films, visiting filmmakers, directors and producers participated in Q&A sessions with the audiences. Let’s hope it’s back again next year. It really put us on the film map, along with the great Watsonville Film Festival.
WHAT THE CLUCK?
Santa Cruz County has been home to so many movies, some among the best and some dismal. So what will come of the film called Poutrygeist2 being shot in town this month? Reporter Mat Weir went undercover and got to work on the film to give us an insider’s view of the film that takes its place along with Us, The Tripper and—of course—The Lost Boys. “For those of us who are new to the Troma world, it was a bloody, gore-filled, offensive dream come true. Even if it meant flying out halfway across the country,” Weir writes.
PINBALL WIZARDS
Sure, we know there are plenty of arcade games at the Boardwalk, but I bet you didn’t know there’s a new pinball palace in Soquel. It’s quite amazing. Called Nine and Three Quarters (bonus points if you know where the name comes from), it’s a two-story building tucked away in a warehouse near the Honda dealership and the dispensary on Soquel Drive. You have to really look for it. But once you get there, you can play all the machines you want for $10 an hour or you can buy a membership to play with no limits. Owner Dean Roblee brings in some really cool contemporary games and is in the process of building his own West Coast-style machines. For those of us who complain there’s not enough to do for teens here, well, this one is a homerun.
NOVEMBER
THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE WAS BUILT IN LESS TIME
Businesses along the waterfront and near the Murray Street Bridge are suffering while it’s taking three years to retrofit the roadway. Before the work, the coastal route was packed with cars and local businesses were full. Owners asked the city council to build a bike and pedestrian passage along the adjacent railroad bridge, but the city said it couldn’t be done because Progressive Railroad had the rights to the tracks.
BIG BROTHER?
Local police agencies have been using license plate readers—cameras that take pictures of your car’s plates—to help solve crimes. But local agencies have found out that the information has been going out nationwide, possibly for use in efforts to track immigrants. A group called Get the Flock Out (the company that makes the readers is called Flock) has asked local cities to stop sharing the information and to better monitor who has access to it.
“I think that the federal government used 9/11 to strip away a substantial amount of our freedoms and rights with the so-called Patriot Act,” said Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley. “I’m not over that.”
DECEMBER
TOXIC PLUME
While people complained that they were getting sick from the smoke from the Moss Landing lithium-ion battery fire last January and officials downplayed the effects of a fire they couldn’t put out, a San Jose State study showed the effects were worse than declared. Tons of toxic metals ended up in some of the most fertile fields in the country. Meanwhile, local officials are debating building another battery plant in Watsonville and the state is leaning toward building many more of them.
TRAIL OVER TRACKS
After years and years of study and debate and millions of dollars spent on consultants, the county’s Regional Transportation Commission finally realized we couldn’t afford a $4.5 billion train and voted to make a more affordable bike and walking path from Santa Cruz to Aptos.
OPEN HEARTS AND POCKETS
The Los Angeles Times listed Santa Cruz in its top 10 counties nationwide per capita for donating to nonprofits. The county was eighth on a list that included Los Angeles; Marin; Hampshire, Mass; Buncombe, N.C.; Kings, N.Y.; Ulster, N.Y.; Chittenden, Vt.; Ventura; and Santa Barbara. The list was researched by GoFundMe.
RUM DUM DUM
Who knew you could find 650 kinds of rum in one place on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf? Stop by Makai restaurant, the one with the tiki theme, and you can get a college course on the intricacies of the pirates’ favorite libation, which is made worldwide. Owner Peter Drobac travels the world finding fascinating versions of a beverage that is too often underrated and buried beneath eggnog or pineapple.
‘I have so many records,” says San Francisco-based singer-songwriter Chuck Prophet, talking about his collection. “And I don’t know if I could tell you what it is that makes me return to some.”
His latest release, Wake the Dead, is the sort of record that listeners will want to engage with again and again.
Over the course of his more than four decades as a recording artist—10 albums with Green on Red, 17 solo albums and a long list of guest credits and collaborations—Chuck Prophet has explored a wide variety of musical styles. His music has moved through rock, alt-country, punk, garage, psychedelia and more. And he’s no dilettante: Prophet’s excursions into those various genres and sub-genres are expressions of his deep, authentic and wide-encompassing musical values.
“I’ve been making records a long time,” he explains, emphasizing that all of his releases share an important characteristic. “The one thing that they all have in common is that somewhere along the line I got excited about something,” he says.
Luckily for Prophet and followers of his work, that excitement happens often. And it happened against the backdrop of a difficult period. First, he and most everyone else was sidelined by the pandemic. Moreover, Prophet faced a diagnosis of stage four lymphoma, followed by treatment and recovery. In normal times, he’d be busy: on tour, preparing for a tour or “wrestling a record to the ground,” he explains. “But I had a lot of downtime, and it afforded me the time to do a lot of listening.”
What he listened to was cumbia (folk and dance music of the Latin American tradition) and chicha, a Peruvian hybrid music style that incorporates huyano (Andean folk), psych- and surf-rock. “It’s very guitar-centric dance music,” Prophet says, “and it can get you out of your head.” He fell in love with the styles, and began writing songs informed by his new musical discoveries. “And then,” he says, “I started fantasizing about making a record.”
For that project, Prophet connected with Salinas-based cumbia group ¿Qiensave? That group—four members of whom are siblings—had already made two albums, an EP and a remix collection before working with him on what would become Wake the Dead. “The way I make records is to ‘circle my prey,’” Prophet says with a chuckle, admitting that he “kind of imposes” himself on the musicians with whom he works.
But in the case of ¿Qiensave? he found that they taught him a great deal. “Subtle things,” he says, “like, ‘Why don’t you make that a major chord?’ I’m pretty grateful to them.” Prophet also enthuses about the band of brothers’ “blood harmonies; there’s nothing [else] like it. When we utilized that on the record, it gave a lot of flavor.”
There’s also a clear—if not wholly intentional—topical feel to the music. “Sally Was a Cop” is a song Prophet co-wrote more than a decade ago with Alejandro Escovedo, first heard on the latter’s 2012 album Big Station. But—especially with its new cumbia-inflected arrangement—it feels like a subtle comment on current-day masked government thugs.
Yet Prophet says that when he co-wrote the tune circa 2010, he was inspired by an observation by an acclaimed author. “Cormac McCarthy was on Oprah or something,” he says, “and someone asked him how he was able to write with such graphic violence.” Prophet says that McCarthy replied that he needed only to look around at what was happening, and then imagine what it might be like in 20 or 30 years. The lyrics of “Sally Was a Cop” mention “marching of the street, people hiding in their cupboards,” so apparently that dystopian vision has arrived in America a few years ahead of schedule.
Calling himself “a brat,” Prophet laughs and says that he “never had much of a relationship with mortality; I pretty much figured it was for other people.” But his encounter with lymphoma changed things. “I’m a little more aware that I have a limited amount of time on this planet,” he admits. “And I just don’t have time for everything.”
Yet with admirable consistency, Chuck Prophet finds time to write and record new music. “I’ve always done it out of necessity,” he says, noting that a new record usually means another tour, which keeps the musicians gainfully employed. “For a lot of people, the road is a real grind,” he observes, emphasizing that even after all these years—and at age 62—he enjoys touring. “When I get in the van, that’s like a vacation.”
Against that backdrop, writing and recording is much more than a means to an end; for Prophet, it’s a rewarding endeavor unto itself. “If I’m lucky enough to get a bunch of songs I’m excited about, and if I’m lucky enough to get people in a room to record them,” he says, “I’m in.”
And Chuck Prophet is clearly excited both by the opportunity to tour with his current band, and by his new crop of songs on Wake the Dead. “Anybody can write a song,” Prophet observes. “That’s the craft part. But the thing that makes us return to a record? That’s the magic.”
Chuck Prophet and His Cumbia Shoes take the stage at 8pm on Dec. 28 at Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $25 adv/$30 door. 479-1854. moesalley.com
DEATH AND SAXES Tenor Sax man John Bouwsma plays it smooth and cool as he leads his jazz sextet, made up of himself, Harrison Brand on guitar, Jamie Brudnick on double bass and drummer Ben Sibley on sticks and skins. This may be the perfect Boxing Day festivity, mellow and chill, creating a space and opportunity to recover from the busy, hectic, enforced merriment of the Christmas Holiday. Have a flight of Discretion’s own brews or enjoy something from their selection of non-alcoholic beverages. No one’s going to make you sing along about jingling bells. Jollyness is totally optional. KEITH LOWELL JENSEN
EDGE OF THE WEST Billing themselves as a “cosmic country jam band,” Edge of the West are made up of experienced touring musicians who have individually played with legends such as Todd Snider, Jefferson Starship, New Riders of the Purple Sage, and even the great Bo Diddley. They’re frequently joined by musician pals with equally impressive pedigrees. Expect a good mix of originals and covers by their 1970s West Coast musical heroes like The Grateful Dead, New Riders and Gram Parsons, as well as some deep cuts that may become new favorites. Of course, as a jam band, there will be surprises, even to the band members. KLJ
KWANZAA CELEBRATION Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith), the seven principles that unite everyone during Kwanzaa. These shared values provide the foundation for the seven-day celebration. On the second day of Kwanzaa, Kujichagulia, the MAH welcomes all to celebrate with music, remarks by local dignitaries and, of course, candle lighting. This warm and welcoming event is free to everyone. Those who have been celebrating Kwanzaa for years and those still learning about the cultural holiday can come together to honor and celebrate the African and African-American culture, heritage and shared values that connect the community. ISABELLA MARIE SANGALINE
INFO: Noon, The MAH, 705 Front St, Santa Cruz. Free. 429-1964.
SOFT ROCK TRIBUTE
FLEETWOOD MACRAMÉ Though Fleetwood Mac got its start as an impressive part of the late-’60s British blues boom, by the mid-1970s, only rhythm section Mick Fleetwood and John McVie remained from the original lineup. Joined by superb singer-songwriter Christine McVie, eventually came Americans Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, ushering in a SoCal soft-rock sound that shifted millions of units. That blockbuster ’70s lineup released its last album in 2003, but the music endures, as evidenced by the plethora of tribute bands performing their hits. This Bay Area outfit may win the award for cleverest name, one that evokes the era of Fleetwood Mac’s biggest successes. BILL KOPP
ELDRITH For the past two years, Eldrith has been bringing the slow and heavy back into the Santa Cruz scene. With a mix of clean, funereal vocals and abrasive death growls, Eldrith writes music that ascends the ladders to heaven and drops into the bowels of hell, giving the listener more than just a song, but an entire journey. Just listen to their 11-minute and 40-second track on Spotify, “Fractured,” to get a taste of what the guys bring to the table. Joining them are Rest in Decay and the premier of Alexander Undead, so make sure to get there early. MAT WEIR
INFO: 9pm, Blue Lagoon, 923 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $10. 423-7117.
ROCK
MIDNIGHT DUMPSTER FIRE Midnight Dumpster Fire wants it known they are not like other bands. Consisting of five locals who have been playing in the Santa Cruz music scene for decades, Midnight Dumpster Fire takes the fury of punk and applies it to rock melodies for an alternative/indie sound that gets the kids moshing and everyone else nodding their heads. For the past two years, they’ve played with a list of bands as mixed as their sound, including Unholy Things, No Ordinary Yokel, and Nuisance in Public. This week they hit The Crepe Place with Chrome Serpent, a sludge metal group, for a night that is guaranteed to shred some faces. MW
CHUCK PROPHET AND HIS CUMBIA SHOES Rock veteran Chuck Prophet trades his guitar for cumbia shoes in an intoxicating dive into rhythmic Latin sounds. Flashes of rock ’n’ roll, punk, surf, and soul weave through tracks that inspire dance. Although his repertoire contains over a dozen critically acclaimed solo albums since 1990, earning praise from the likes of Rolling Stone, Prophet’s music often goes overlooked. It’s not hard to hear the honest passion in his songwriting. In this newest album, the California native blends cumbia’s rich tradition with his signature storytelling to create something altogether fresh and infectious. SHELLY NOVO
WHITE ALBUM ENSEMBLE The Beatles broke up in 1969, but their music and legacy endure, as made clear by the popularity of the newly revised and updated Anthology documentary now on Disney+. Covering the Beatles is a rite of passage for budding musicians. Their timeless tunes are part of several generations’ shared cultural lexicon. But getting the tunes right isn’t as easy as it might seem. A coterie of Santa Cruz’s best players came together as The White Album Ensemble with the goal of doing just that. The core six musicians add auxiliary players as needed to take on the more complex arrangements. Performance on Dec. 30 as well. BK
INFO: 8pm, Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $35. 423-8209.
TUESDAY 12/30
PSYCHEDELIC
MONOPHONICS With powerhouse vocals and commanding keys, Kelly Finnigan leads Monophonics through a cosmic blend of psychedelic soul and heavy grooves. Austin Bohlman on drums, Max Ramey on bass, and Aquilles Magaña on guitar hold down a tight rhythm section while Ryan Scott’s trumpet and Jason Cressey’s trombone elevate performances with old school soul textures. Since 2012, Monophonics has been perfecting their fusion of late ’60s and early ’70s R&B and contemporary psychedelic rock. Energetic live shows captivate audiences across continents, in venues from London to Istanbul. With their 2022 album, Sage Motel, on Colemine Records, earning praise from NPR and BBC, Monophonics continues delivering timeless, soulful performances. SN
New Year’s Eve is a week away—it’s high time to plan now for where to spend the last night of this millennium’s first quarter-century. Plenty of live shows to choose from, plus other only-in-Santa-Cruz options.
LIVE MUSIC
Organists’ Kaleidophone—Dec. 31, 4–6pm. Peace United Church, 900 High St., Santa Cruz. Ten organists come together for a feast of music, both solos and in ensemble with other instruments. Chocolate, champagne and cider reception follows the concert. Free-will donations go to the PUCC Aeolian-Skinner Organ Maintenance Fund. 831-426-2010.
In the Midnight Hour—Dec. 31, 6pm–1am. Brookdale Lodge, 11570 Highway 9, Brookdale. Make it a San Lorenzo Valley New Year’s Eve with live music from Redwoods Groove, appetizers, a balloon drop, a virtual fireworks show and a bubbly toast at River Run inside the Brookdale Lodge. Extra add-ons: car service to a dinner at Aroma Restaurant in Ben Lomond and lodging at the Lodge. $60.54 adv, $76.54 door.
Junebug Bayer—Dec. 31, 6pm. Seascape Beach Resort, 1 Seascape Resort Dr., Aptos. Armed with guitar, harmonica, and kazoo, Bayer welcomes in the new year with original tunes and classic folk and jazz from the 1920s to the present.
Rio Road—Dec. 31, 7–10pm. Cork and Fork, 1955 41st Ave., Suite B8, Capitola. In addition to live music, there will be craft beer, small plates and—most of all—lots of wine available. 831-435-1110.
Spun—Dec. 31, 7pm–12:30apm. Vino by the Sea, 55 Municipal Wharf, Suite B, Santa Cruz. A night of dancing with Spun, a balloon drop and champagne toast, plus two drinks. Add-on: prix fixe dinner. $25–$60.54. 831-426-0750. vino-by-the-sea.com
Jive Machine, Floratura and Coffee Zombie Collective—Dec. 31, doors 7:30pm, show 8:30pm. Dress up for the photo booth and be prepared to move to the sounds of three diverse local bands. Midnight champagne toast and drink specials. $35.46 adv, $40.46 door. moesalley.com
New Year’s Eve Speakeasy—Dec. 31, 8pm–12:30am. Bruno’s Bar & Grill, 230 Mount Hermon Rd., Suite G, Scotts Valley. Bruno’s embraces the 1920s vibe with live music by Fire Peach, craft cocktails, dancing and a midnight toast. $40. brunosbarandgrill.com
James Durbin’s New Year’s—Dec. 31, 8:30pm doors. The Inn at Pasatiempo, 555 Highway 17, Santa Cruz. The local troubadour and his Lost Boys celebrate the new year with live music, hors d’oeuvres, party favors and a photobooth. This year’s theme: Miami Vice, that suave, pastel ’80s aesthetic. 21 and over. $92.55.
Alex Lucero Band—Dec. 31, 8:30pm–1am. Chaminade Resort & Spa, One Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz. Live music by Lucero and company, sweet snacks and a champagne toast. 21 and over. $108.40.
Matt Masih & The Messengers—Dec. 31, 9pm. Crow’s Nest, 2218 East Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz. Gaze at the harbor as Masih and band deliver funk, soul and groove. Party favors and champagne; $20 cover. crowsnest-santacruz.com
Tommy Castro and the Painkillers—Dec. 31, 9pm doors, 10pm show. Felton Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton. Bandleader Tommy Castro’s 17-album oeuvre has ranged widely through R&B, soul and rock, but with his eighth Alligator Records release, Closer to the Bone, he returns to his blues roots. $78.19. feltonmusichall.com
Harry & The Hitmen—Dec. 31, 9pm. Crepe Place, The band hosts its 11th New Year’s Eve bash, ending with a “very special” set starting at midnight, with party hats, noise makers and a champagne toast. $25. thecrepeplace.com
China Cats—Dec. 31, doors 8pm, show 9pm. Santa Cruz Veterans Memorial Hall, 842 Front St., Santa Cruz. The Grateful Dead tribute band puts out the jams for a night of merrymaking, plus a champagne toast, NYE countdown and balloon drop, and a psychedelic liquid light show from Mad Alchemy. $45 adv/$50 door. mountainmusicproductions.com
Kentucky Mule—Dec. 31, 9pm–midnight. Abbot Square Market, 725 Front St., Santa Cruz. The local alternative country band, led by vocalist and songwriter Coleton Joe Tidwell, sings in the new year.
New Year’s Eve Party—Dec. 31, 9:30pm. Joe’s Bar, 13118 Highway 9, Boulder Creek. Live music from Santa Cruz rock power group New Horizons and Americana/rock and roll fusion act Jacks and Dogs. No cover. drinkatjoes.com
And More …
Prix-Fixe Dinner at High Tide—Dec. 31, 5–9pm. La Bahia Hotel & Spa, 215 Beach St., Santa Cruz. Newly opened resort La Bahia offers a five-course Pacific Rim–inspired tasting menu with champagne toast and amuse bouche at High Tide restaurant. $185 per person. labahiahotel.com
Roll in the New Year—5–8:30pm or 9pm–12:30am. Boardwalk Bowl, 115 Cliff St., Santa Cruz. Party favors, a countdown and the customary toast (champagne or apple cider). $189 per lane plus tax (five-person maximum). 831-426-3324.
Last Night DIY Twilight Parade—Dec. 31, 5:30–7:30pm. Meet at Spruce Street and Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz. The 20th anniversary of this free-form parade kicks off at the parking lot behind Ace Hardware and the Bike Church and ends with a street party at Pacific and Cooper. Free. lastnightdiy.org
Midnight Cabaret—Dec. 31, 6:30pm–1:30am. Cat Alley Street, 1011 Pacific Ave., 6pm–1:30am. This brand-new entertainment option upstairs at the Catalyst, open Thursdays–Sundays, will welcome 2026 on Wednesday with six DJs spinning. $40. catalleystreet.com
New Year’s Train—Dec. 31, 6:30–7:30pm, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz. Ride vintage train cars made festive with holiday lights, illuminated hula hoopers and a live DJ. $58–$74. 831-423-5590.
Best Coast Burlesque Presents ‘Bawdy’—Dec. 31, 7 & 10pm. Actor’s Theatre, 1001 Center St., Santa Cruz. Pop the cork on 2026 at one of two shows—both offer a champagne toast (or sparkling cider). Local performers Babraham Lincoln and Rizzo Rogue welcome Morgan Hill’s Shiza Minnelli, plus Angelenos Jessabell Thunder, Daphne Moon and Tito Bonito, Washingtonians Dulce D’Jour and Valerie Veils, and Ms. Mykie from Austin. $42.39.
Interfaith Vigil at Holy Cross—Dec. 31, 7:30–9:30pm. Holy Cross Hall, 170 High St., Santa Cruz. People of different faiths and those who claim no affiliation with an organized religion will join together for an evening of meditation. Free. 831-469-3560.
Gathering in Gratitude 2026—Dec. 31, 8pm–midnight. The 418 Project, 155 S. River St., Santa Cruz. Step into “a living, breathing jungle filled with rhythm, color, ceremony and wild collective joy.” Highlights include an installation by Liminal Space and music from Sambada and Sitar Power. $44.52 (low-income and VIP admissions also available). 831-466-9770. the418project.org
Pono New Year’s Eve Party—Dec. 31, 9pm–1am. Pono Hawaiian Grill Downtown Santa Cruz, 120 Union St., Santa Cruz. Food and drink specials, a live DJ and a midnight toast are planned for a 21-and-over crowd. ponohawaiiangrill.com
Lumina 2025—Dec. 31, 9pm. Santa Cruz Art Expressions, 1545½ Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. The New Year’s Eve celebration will feature DJs, hourly ball drop countdowns (U.S. timezones), an open bar, immersive projections and work by local artists. Intimate venue; holds just around 80 people. $33.85. (831) 333-6063.
What were your most memorable times outdoors in 2025?
ELIZABETH
My friend took me sailing on his boat out of Moss Landing Harbor for my birthday, and I visited friends in Maine. My friend’s family has a cabin near a lake with forest paths. It was very green and I took quiet walks by myself.
Elizabeth Arzouni, 38, Administrative Operations Manager
JASPER
Swimming in the ocean on a summer day is hard to beat. My girlfriend and I throw on wet suits and swim at Cowells. Then we played beach volleyball on Wednesday nights at Main Beach.
Jasper Panelli, 27, Shaka Body Balms and Lotions
KELSEY
My partner and I went to Redwood National and State Parks. The old-grove trees there are life-changing. A Park volunteer told me they’ve traced a root system back 30,000 years! So the question is, do redwoods ever die, or do they just fall and regrow on a cycle of two to three thousand years?
Kelsey Donnellan, 36, CEO at Little Pineapple Collaborative
XANDER
Backpacking with my friends in Henry Coe State Park. We hiked 12 miles in one day, and I almost got lost from my friends. We lived on oatmeal and dehydrated food mixed with hot water. It was exhilarating and made me appreciate basic stuff—fast food like In-N-Out, and just sitting on the couch.
X’ander Peña, 19, Cabrillo College Business Major
LINDA
I just got back from visiting my daughter and her husband in Thailand. I went to welcome their newborn into the world. It was joyful walking through the different neighborhoods. And of course, going to see the wats, the temples.
Linda Cover, 80, Teaching Artist/Tannery Arts Community
MICHAEL
Experiencing the Blue Wave election victories at election night parties, and I’ve attended every one of the No Kings rallies in the last year. At the last one there were 15,000 people, and I was there. I love Santa Cruz.
Michael A Collins, 67, Author/KSQD Radio Commentator “First Person Singular” Grassroots Activist
In the Brazilian rainforest, Cecropia trees and Azteca ants have a special relationship. The trees’ hollow branches serve as nesting spaces for the ants and offer them sugar-rich food. In return, the ants aggressively defend the trees from herbivores and predators, protecting them from damage. This mutualism benefits both species. The trees get protection that enhances their growth, while the ants gain shelter and nutrition. In the coming months, Aries, I invite you to seek symbiosis that’s equally vigorous. Enjoy the fun challenge of reducing your solo struggles as you rouse collaborations that boost your power and everyone else’s. The goal is intelligent alliance, not compromise. Be resourceful as you trade a bit too much independence for just the right amount of interdependence.
TAURUS April 20-May 20
When potters center clay on a wheel, they typically use one hand inside the vessel to apply steady, controlled force. The other hand remains fluid, guiding and stabilizing the outer rim of the spinning clay. This balanced use of pressure—one hand firm and bracing, the other adapting minutely to the shifting clay—helps bring the lump into perfect symmetry. I propose you make this a prime metaphor in the coming months, Taurus: control meeting surrender. You will be crafting a new balance between security and surprise. Too much rigidity, and the form cracks; too much flow, and it collapses. Practice the middle art.
GEMINI May 21-June 20
Poet Audre Lorde spoke of how caring for herself was the exact opposite of being selfish. It was the foundation of her ability to serve and inspire other people. My Aunt Sophie used to say, “You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first.” Educator Stephen Covey advised, “Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender; it’s holy ground. There’s no greater investment.” Poet Vironika Tugaleva writes, “Learning to love yourself is essential and life-changing.” Everything I just said should be your keynotes in the coming months, Gemini. Boost your self-care to sublime levels.
CANCER June 21-July 22
A remarkable species of jellyfish can circumvent the aging and death process that affects all other animals. Turritopsis dohrnii converts its mature, specialized cells back into stem cells, essentially recycling its own body into youth. The process may repeat indefinitely, making the animal theoretically immortal. In the coming months, Cancerian, your emotional wisdom will also show amazing regenerative power. Challenging and intriguing situations will be opportunities for you to initiate stunning acts of renewal. Like the jellyfish, you won’t merely manage change but will use it as a catalyst for vigorous growth. Have you ever before been blessed by such wildly rejuvenative powers of metamorphosis? I don’t think so.
LEO July 23-Aug. 22
According to ancient Egyptian myth, the sun god Ra rode a celestial boat across the sky by day. Each night, he plunged into the underworld to wrangle with chaos so he could rebirth light in time for the dawn. That’s your mythic assignment for the coming months, Leo: not to be nonstop luminous, but to renew and nurture your radiance in the dark. Your courage will lie in feeling and learning from your doubts without identifying with them. Your magnetism and wisdom will deepen as you descend. You won’t be less golden for passing through shadow.
VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22
In medieval monasteries, scribes added whimsical drawings called drolleries into the margins of sacred manuscripts. These marginalia included scenes like frogs playing harps, nuns chasing rabbits, and fantastical creatures engaged in playful or absurd activities. How should we interpret these seemingly prankish additions? Scholars disagree. In any case, I recommend you experiment with drolleries of your own, Virgo. Inject improvisation into duty. Add ornament to order. The coming months will reward your serious play. You’ll accomplish more by enjoying the work than by obsessing on perfecting it. A touch of friskiness may even improve efficiency. So when you edit, doodle; when you analyze, wink.
LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct. 22
Italy’s Orto Botanico di Padova is the world’s oldest botanical garden still in its original location. Since its inception 480 years ago, it has been a center for botanical research, education and conservation. Its layout is striking, a square-inscribed in a circle, symbolizing harmonious order. In the coming months, Libra, you will be wise to associate yourself intimately with a similar wonder: an enduring source of beauty and revelation that you can both serve and benefit from.
SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21
Astronaut Chris Hadfield has spent 166 days orbiting the Earth in the International Space Station. In the microgravity of outer space, he says, motion is very smooth; objects and people float. He marvels at how everything is always moving, and yet the pace itself is tranquil and unhurried. I foresee you enjoying a lot of this kind of grace in the coming months, Scorpio: momentum without mania; constant fluidic movement that’s never hectic or rushed. What a great privilege! I expect you will rack up many flowing accomplishments.
SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec. 21
In Kyoto’s famous moss gardens, caretakers practice artful arrangement rather than total removal of shed foliage. They use delicate tools to gather trees’ cast-off leaves and arrange them on the moss to create visual harmony rather than bare tidiness. This approach reflects the Japanese aesthetic principles of embracing imperfection. Supposed “flaws” become part of the beauty of the garden. I propose that you regularly adopt a metaphorically comparable approach in the coming months, Sagittarius. Integrate rather than edit. Be creative with what’s changing form. Treat so-called messes and unexpected plot twists not as blemishes but as rich textures that feel meaningful and inspiring.
CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19
A newly planted orchard spends its first year growing roots, not fruit. Underground and unseen, the real work happens. I surmise that’s like what you will be doing in the coming months, Capricorn: mostly invisible stabilization and preparation. If anyone asks you what you’re producing, smile inscrutably and say, “Depth.” Be committed to the quiet, hidden work rather than any showy song and dance. As my rough and rugged spirit guide Esther likes to say, “You don’t got to prove nothin’ to nobody!” The nourishment you will be storing up will sustain later abundance.
AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb. 18
Engineers may engage in “stress testing.” They evaluate a system’s hardiness and reliability by subjecting it to pressure or force. I suspect that life will bring you a benevolent version of this trial in the coming months, Aquarius. That’s a good thing! It’s not meant to break you, but to prove how much resilience you have developed. Situations that might have formerly cracked your confidence will affirm and reveal your upgraded endurance. Take note of your composure and congratulate yourself for it. You will have every right to exult in the vivid evidence of how much you’ve grown.
PISCES Feb. 19-March 20
Piscean author Anaïs Nin wrote, “Love never dies a natural death. It dies because we don’t know how to replenish its source.” Apply her counsel dynamically during the coming months, dear Pisces. Be the great replenisher. Make yourself into a fountain of beauty as you share lavishly. Nurture tenderness and adoration with unexpected flowers, gorgeous music in the midst of the routine, and affection expressed through artful thoughtfulness. Be brilliant and persistent in ensuring that love thrives. Your elegant generosity and fond attention should enrich everything you touch.
The options are s’mores pancakes, chocolate chip pancakes, blueberry lemon ricotta pancakes, peach cobbler pancakes, blueberry banana pancakes, tiramisu pancakes and cookie butter pancakes.
Or brioche French toast, raspberry cream cheese French toast, banana apricot French toast, California French toast and blueberry cream French toast.
And that’s just the opening salvo with the menu at The Breakfast Club at Midtown, a San Jose-based chain that’s been a buzz-worthy hit on the South Bay Area/East Bay breakfast circuit since its line-out-the-door debut in San Jose.
If you’re still thinking about the pancake/F-toast play, the good news is The Club offers a “Midtown Trio” choice of three among any.
The cult Club is on a rapid expansion run, with recent openings in Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Castro Valley, Morgan Hill, Livermore and San Mateo.
Next up for Midtown: downtown Santa Cruz.
Construction is underway in the dormant space that formerly hosted Assembly and Alderwood Pacific (1108 Pacific Ave.). Opening date is several months off.
Breakfast Club scales up on personality, social-media-ready plating, generous portions, and a vibe that feels part neighborhood hangout (comfort food forward, at reasonable prices), part party (DJs play weekend brunch at several locations).
I tested it out in Castro Valley, and I get the formula. The music was as boisterous as the Korean chicken fried rice and loaded Baltimore Bloody Mary in front of me, and the service was sincere.
And there’s a lot more for an aggressive appetite beyond flapjacks, from surf-and-turf Benedicts to ribeye sandwiches to jalapeño patty melts, all side-saddled with a wide selection of exotic mimosas and a full bar.
You won’t see me write about franchises much in these spaces, but it feels like a solid addition for DTSC. bcmidtown.com
SHOOT AND SCORE
Venus Spirits’ annual bartender cocktail throwdown last week was a full-on scene, with minimal elbow room and max crowd excitement. Georgette Flores of Front & Cooper and Jack O’Neill Lounge in Santa Cruz took the $200 grand prize in the creative category for a rum drink with miso and other Far East-leaning flavors; venusspirits.com. … The Santa Cruz Warriors celebrate Pajama Night at their home game against the Osceola Magic on Saturday, Dec. 27; meanwhile Sea Dubs president Chris Murphy co-captains the Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County Holiday Food & Fund Drive. thefoodbank.org/holiday-food-fund-drive
FEELING BLUE
Monterey Bay Area’s commercial crab season will start on Jan. 5, 2026, per California Department of Fish & Wildlife; check out the Whale Safe Fisheries tab at wildlife.ca.gov to follow along and sign up for alerts. … Blue Zones and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine recently launched the “Blue Zones Certification Course for Physicians and Health Professionals,” which recognizes clinicians with the knowledge and tools to promote longevity, well-being and health equity, both in the exam room and in their communities. learning.lifestylemedicine.org
CLEAR CHOICE
Goodwill Central Coast is on a mission to roll into 2026 by decluttering for a cause, shopping sustainably, and supporting programs that help local residents build brighter futures: Set yourself up for a nice 2026 reset by clearing out the stuff that doesn’t bring you joy and make a tax-deductible donation to clean up your 2025 tax action too, ccgoodwill.org. … Gretchen Rubin, organize on the way forward: ”One of the things about happiness that continually surprises me is the degree to which, for most people, outer order contributes to inner calm, and inner self-command.”
Windy City natives J.R. Chapman and his wife, Viviana, are former corporate dining professionals who now own and operate Girasol Pizza, a mobile pop-up featuring tavern-style Chicago thin-crust pizza. They came to Silicon Valley pursuing careers in tech before the pandemic made them pause to evaluate their lives and what they wanted moving forward.
J.R. says they decided to go back to the roots of what they knew and loved, using food and hospitality to take care of people and make them smile. They centered their spirits around a shared childhood love of pizza, wanting an authentic Chicago-style experience here. J.R. leveled up his game by working with a master pizzaiolo, and then Girasol (meaning “sunflower” in Spanish) was born.
Their pies are available for private events and at collaborative spaces like wineries and breweries. Da 4 Star is the classic signature offering, topped with sausage, mushroom, onion, green pepper, green olives and mozzarella. Another favorite is the Little Village, named after a Mexican neighborhood in Chicago, whimsically combining chunky sweet corn cheese sauce, summer squash, poblano peppers, avocado cream and spiced girasol pepitas. The Red Hot is also fire, a bounty of pepperoni, yellow onion and Italian cheeses, giardiniera and herbs, and the Italian beef sandwich is a very popular non-pizza pick.
What reignited your culinary flame?
J.R. CHAPMAN: Taking a continuing education class focusing on the craft of pizza in my corporate chef role at the time woke something up in me. I was sitting in class and the teacher was talking about the science of dough and all the various styles of pizza out there, and it blew my mind. I haven’t stopped thinking about pizza ever since. Viviana and I are taking our strong complement of skills and passionately applying them at Girasol, sharing our love with the community.
Dish on that beef sandwich.
In addition to pizza, another item we wanted to offer was an authentic Italian beef sandwich, made famous recently by The Bear. It’s something you can’t find outside of Chicago. We had planned on offering it before the show, but now it’s a no-brainer. It’s overnight-marinated slow-roasted beef, sliced thinly and simmered in rich beef au jus. This goes between a sandwich roll and then “baptized” into the au jus, topped with sweet and hot peppers and classic Chicago giardiniera.
On his new album Wake the Dead, Chuck Prophet finds creative renewal through cumbia rhythms, collaboration with Salinas band ¿Qiensave?, and hard-earned perspective shaped by illness and recovery. 8pm on Dec. 28 at Moe’s Alley
The Bay Area outfit Fleetwood Macramé may win the award for cleverest name that evokes the era of Fleetwood Mac’s biggest successes. At Felton Music Hall 8pm Saturday 12/27
From live bands and burlesque to parades, prix-fixe dinners, and midnight toasts, Santa Cruz offers a wide range of ways to ring in the New Year on Dec. 31.
Santa Cruz residents share their most memorable outdoor moments of 2025, from ocean swims and redwood forests to backpacking trips, travel abroad, and civic gatherings.
This week’s Free Will Astrology offers poetic guidance for every zodiac sign, exploring themes of renewal, collaboration, resilience, and love as 2025 draws to a close.
