Free Will Astrology

Astrology

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March 17, 2026

ARIES March 21-April 19

In 1960, Aries primatologist Jane Goodall arrived in Tanzania to study the social and family lives of chimpanzees. Her intention was to engage in patient, long‑term observation. In subsequent months, she saw the creatures using tools, a skill that scientists had previously believed only humans could do. She also found that “it isn’t only human beings who have personality, who are capable of rational thought and emotions like joy and sorrow.” Her discoveries revolutionized our understanding of animal intelligence. I recommend her approach to you in the coming weeks, Aries. Your diligent, tenacious attention can supplant outmoded assumptions. Let the details and rhythms of what you’re studying reveal their deeper truths. Your affectionate watchfulness will change the story.

TAURUS April 20-May 20

Ancient Romans had a household deity called Cardea, goddess of hinges and thresholds. She protected the pivot points, like the places where the inside meets the outside and where one state transforms into another. In the coming weeks, you Tauruses will benefit from befriending a similar deity. I hope you will pay eager attention to the metaphorical hinges in your world: the thresholds, portals, transitions and in-between times. They may sometimes feel awkward because they lack the certainty you crave. But I guarantee that they are where the best magic congregates.

GEMINI May 21-June 20

You are fluent in the art of fruitful contradiction. While others pursue one-dimensional consistency, you thrive on the fact that the truth is too wild and multifaceted to be captured in a single, simple story. You make spirited use of paradox and enjoy being enchanted by riddles. You can be both serious and playful, committed and curious, strong and receptive. In the coming weeks, Gemini, I hope you will express these superpowers to the max. The world doesn’t need another person who separates everything into neat little categories. Your nimble intelligence and charming multiplicity are the gifts your allies need most.

CANCER June 21-July 22

In traditional Japanese aesthetics, wabi-sabi celebrates imperfection, impermanence and the soulfulness that comes with age. A weathered wooden gate may be considered more beautiful than a new one. Its surface has a silvery grain from years of exposure to rain and sun. Its hinges creak from long use by countless passersby. Let’s invoke this lovely concept as we ruminate on your life, Cancerian. In my astrological estimation, it’s important that in the coming months you don’t treat your incompleteness as a deficit requiring correction. Consider the possibility that your supposed blemishes may be among your most interesting features. The idiosyncratic aspects of your character are precisely what make you a source of vitality.

LEO July 23-Aug. 22

In medieval Japan, swordsmiths would undertake spiritual purifications before beginning work on a new blade: abstinence, ritual bathing, prayer and fasting. They believed that the quality of their consciousness influenced the quality of their creation—that the blade would absorb the maker’s mental and spiritual state. I bring this to your attention because you’re in a phase when your inner condition will have extra potent effects on everything you build, develop or initiate. My advice: Prepare yourself with impeccable care before launching new projects. Purify your motivations. Clarify your vision. The creations you will be generating could serve you well for a long time.

VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22

Master chess players don’t necessarily calculate more moves ahead than amateurs. Their years of study enable them to perceive the developing trends in a single glance, bypassing complex analysis. What appears to be stellar intuition is actually compressed expertise. You’re in a phase when you can make abundant use of this capacity, Virgo. Again and again, your accumulated experience will crystallize into immediate knowing. So don’t second-guess your first assessments, OK? Trust the pattern recognition that you have cultivated through the years.

LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct. 22

The cosmic powers have granted you a triple-strength, extra-long, time-release dose of sweet, fresh certainty. During the grace period that’s beginning, you will be less tempted to indulge in doubt and indecision. A fountain of resolve will rise up in you whenever you need it. Though at first the lucid serenity you feel may seem odd, you could grow accustomed to it—so much so that you could permanently lose up to 20% of your chronic tendency to vacillate.

SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21

Crows can hold grudges against individual humans for years. But they also remember acts of kindness and bring gifts like shiny objects and buttons to those who’ve helped them. They’re capable of both revenge and gratitude, and they never forget either. I suspect you’re entering a period when you’ll need to decide which of your crow-like qualities to emphasize, Scorpio. You have legitimate grievances worth remembering. You have also received gifts worth honoring. My counsel: Spend 20% of your emotional energy on remembering wrongs (enough to protect yourself) and 80% on remembering what has helped you thrive. Make gratitude your primary teacher, even as you stay wisely wary.

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec. 21

More than any other zodiac sign, you Sagittarians can be both a discontented rebel and a sunny celebrant of life. You can see clearly what’s out of alignment and needs adjustment without surrendering your wry, amused tolerance. This double capacity will be especially useful to you in the coming days. You may not find many allies who share this aptitude, though, so you should lean on your own instincts and heed the following suggestions: Be joyfully defiant. Be a generous agitator and an open-hearted critic. Blessings will find their way to you as you subvert the stale status quo with creativity and kindness.

CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19

Your persistence and endurance are among your greatest gifts to the world. You’re committed to building useful structures that outlast transitory moods and trends. On behalf of all the other signs, I say THANK YOU!, dear Capricorn. You understand that real power comes from showing up consistently and doing unglamorous work, refraining from the temptation to score quick and superficial victories. May you always recognize that your pragmatism is a form of loving faith. Your cautionary care is rooted in generosity. Now here’s my plea: More than ever before, the rest of us need you to express these talents with full vigor.

AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb. 18

One of your power symbols right now is the place where two tributaries blend into a single river. A second is where your favorite tree enters the earth. Here are other images to excite your imagination and stimulate your creativity: the boundary between cloud and sky, the darkness where your friend’s shadow overlaps yours, and the time between when the sun sets and night falls. To sum up, Aquarius, I hope you will access extra inspiration in liminal areas. Seek the vibrant revelations that arise where one mystery coalesces with another.

PISCES Feb. 19-March 20

Poet Mark Doty wrote, “The sea doesn’t reward those who are too anxious, too greedy or too impatient. We should lie as empty, open and choiceless as a beach—waiting for gifts from the sea.” This quote captures your Piscean genius when it’s working at its best. Others may exhaust themselves trying to force results, but you know that the best gifts often come to those who are patient, open and relaxed. This is true right now more than ever before. I hope you will practice intense receptivity. Protect your permeability like the superpower it is. Be as supple and responsive as you dare.

Homework: What message will you send the person you’ll be in three years? Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com

Making the Mountains Sing

Cover Stories

DNA

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March 17, 2026

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Nestled up amongst the regal clusters of old-growth Coast Redwoods, and infused by the sweet fragrance of the Douglas Fir of the Santa Cruz Mountains, there have always been pods of musicians, and aggregates of musical excellence. Young and not-so-young instrumentalists trying to find the universal tone and the perfect song. In recent years, the soaring thrust of the Cosmic Mountain Music of Wolf Jett (who have a new album coming out on April 2) has led the way. In close pursuit, hot on their heels and finally reaching bigger audiences, are The Coffis Brothers.

Led by Ben Lomond’s Kellen and Jamie Coffis, The Coffis Brothers are poised to level up and break through the vast ranks of bands. Their annual party at Moe’s Alley, Coffis Space 4, takes place on March 21st.

The Coffis Brothers have honed a high-flying, tempered confidence and musical assuredness over the years, sharpening their edge. That dynamic plays out onstage when, in the midst of a scorching jam, everything gels into pure upbeat rock and roll with each of the five members contributing their particular skillset and the telepathic communication that comes with familiarity. The Coffis Brothers have primed the pump for 16 years with over one thousand performances and are ready for takeoff.

Mountain Time

In the 1990s, up in Ben Lomond, Kellen and Jamie’s mom, Vicki, raised her boys to love music. A musician herself, with a background in early childhood education, she imbued her children with fun core memories of communal musical creativity and the upside of live performance.

Note: While The Coffis Brothers tour together, these interviews were conducted at different times along their tour.

Kellen Coffis — vocals, guitar

”When I showed interest in playing guitar, she (Vicki) got me connected with Steve Palazzo (whose bluegrass band Homefire played for 25 years in Santa Cruz). He’s still teaching out of his home on the Westside. She had us doing it early, so it didn’t feel like a weird thing, you know? Our mom used to perform under the name Vicki Neville. Which also happens to be Jamie’s and my middle name,” says Kellen, who was having a rare zero day away from touring and recording, and providing a deep cut Coffis Brother’s factoid.

Both Jamie and Kellen came up through the San Lorenzo Valley public school system: elementary through high school.

Jamie Coffis — vocals, keyboards.

“We always got along pretty much well,” says Jamie during a break on their winter tour. “There were brother moments, I’m sure. And you should probably ask him because I’m the older one. So from my perspective, it was peachy. We’re three years apart, but we were into the same things. We played sports and we liked the same cartoons. We were simpatico. Not a ton of dust-ups.

“Kellen was a little more involved in music. We took lessons. It was required that we were doing some kind of music thing. I was taking piano lessons and I wasn’t a great student. I took to it, but I never got super disciplined. Kellen, on the other hand, was more obsessed with it. He expanded his abilities faster than I did. He was in talent shows. And I know that he did put a little group together. They recorded something to send to the radio. But we were not in a high school band together. The Coffis Brothers did not form until I moved back home from college in my 20s,” Jamie explains.

Kellen Coffis

“In high school, that’s where Kyle (Poppen) and I started playing music. We were friends in elementary school. But in high school, we would get together on the weekends. And we had a few other guys who were musicians, and we would just play music. It grew to the point where we needed a bass player and a drum set. So it was that kind of thing. We would get together regularly throughout the high school years and jam. Funny thing is how Jamie and I took a break. We didn’t play music together until years later. Our musical journey started when we would sing with our mom. We’d sing together, but then his piano kind of took him in a different direction. And my guitar took me in my direction. It took a while for us to reconnect musically,” Kellen remembers.

Kyle Poppen — lead guitar

For those keeping score, the band has two brothers out of five members. But Kyle Poppen is a close third.

“Kellen and I actually went to preschool together, believe it or not. When I played underage soccer, their dad was my coach, and Jamie was the assistant coach. I was on the team with Kellen and played soccer with Kellen all the way through high school. We used to play music together in high school. We never had a band or anything. But yeah, I’ve been hanging out with Kellen for practically 28 years or something,” says Kyle, having just driven into Salt Lake City for another gig.

Kellen Coffis

“Our high school group never felt like a band to me. We listened to KFOX in high school. A classic rock radio station. They did a cover band contest and we entered that one time. So you had to come up with a name. For that, we called ourselves Highway 9, which is not a good name,” Kellen laughs.

Cory Graves — drums

Drummer Cory Graves, grew up in Albany, California. Always musically inclined, Graves was the kind of musician who always felt driven by the beat. His parents had met in Santa Cruz in the 1970’s and when college choices came around he was drawn to UCSC.

“Probably starting in middle school through high school, I joined the jazz band. Post-graduation too. I still do some freelance jazz stuff, but definitely not as much as I used to. Drums have always been my main instrument. I play some piano and guitar. And I have written songs, but never really done anything like professionally except for drums,” Cory relates.

“The band right before this band, was like a jump blues outfit out of the Bay Area called the Alpha Rhythm Kings. It was a midpoint between swing and rock and roll. There’s a lot of heavy backbeat, but with jazz chords and jazz instrumentation. I was in that for a couple of years in San Francisco. But it’s the kind of band where everyone drives to the gig themselves, and everyone splits the money equally. It’s not like a long-term project for the rest of the musicians. It’s like one guy’s project that he just hires people for,” Grave recollects, pit stopping at Blackwell’s Corner.

“We’re going to Mammoth, but they’ve had, nine feet of snow and all the roads in Tahoe are closed. So we’re doing the south route through Bakersfield,” Graves adds.

Kellen Coffis

“We had plans to make a record with Tim Bluhm back in 2018. And just kind of coincidentally, right around that time, we had signed with Blue Rose Music. So we made two records with Blue Rose. So I’ve done three with Tim and we just spent a week at his house working on another one with him, which should be our seventh record. And this new project’s fun because we were just at his house for five days, doing it all there. Usually we’ve gone to a bigger studio and that has some benefits too. We just knew we wanted to be in a smaller room, and a smaller space. His house he’s turned it into a great studio and we could all be there together. And, it was a really good week,” says Kellen, who also does a public river trip with Bluhm in Idaho each year (August 15–20, 2026).

Tim Bluhm — producer

Known primarily as the lead singer in the beloved Bay Area band, The Mother Hips, Bluhm is also a producer who has helped bands like Jackie Greene, Hot Buttered Rum, Dave Brogan, and Little Wings. Bluhm is currently finishing up his latest collaboration with The Coffis Brothers, which was recorded in his home.

“I use my ears and I listen, and I watch and I get to know the band, and sort of make a determination of what they’re doing. I judge if it could be better and how it could be better. I also think how I can possibly empower them to be better. And it’s tricky to do.

All of us musicians, any artist, even at 24 years old, has already put a bunch of time into refining their craft and finding their voice as a singer and as a songwriter and as a guitar player. And so it requires some discretion and delicacy to try to get the best out of somebody without irritating them, or pissing them off too much. I mean, I’m bound to do it. Making records has a lot of things about it that are irritating. And the key is to work through those things. And hopefully, as a producer, I can get a little more out of somebody without them really realizing it or without them turning on me, thinking I’m a control freak. It’s so subjective. You have to be careful,” says Bluhm.

Aidan Collins — bass

Growing up in Sonoma County, in the Santa Rosa to Sebastopol area, where the morning fog rolls in low and evaporates by noon, Aidan seemed destined to find The Coffis Brothers.

“I went to a rehearsal at their house in Ben Lomond and I met their parents for the first time and that kind of sealed the deal for me, because their parents were so sweet and kind and they reminded me a lot of my parents. As well as other people’s parents that I grew up with. There’s a lot of crossover between the Santa Cruz Boomer generation and the Sonoma County one,” says Collins, just about to unload for another show.

When one steps back and takes a look at The Coffis Brothers, it becomes apparent that some members have a better idea of fashion. Collins stands out with his iconic laid-back look, looking like he stepped out of a photo shoot from the 1960s.

“It’s changed over the years, but I like clothes. I know what I like and I like dressing a certain way. I think it’s a really important part of when you walk on stage. At least for me, it’s a part of the deal to put on something that makes you feel confident and comfortable and makes you feel like you belong on that stage. So I try to think about that. Honestly, Kyle and I feed off of each other because he’ll get a jacket or a shirt, and I’ll think like, that’s a cool shirt. If I ever see one of those in the wild, I’m going to pick one up too,” Collins admits.

The Mountain Men

The Coffis Brothers seated together outdoors on a wooden bench in a forest setting — **ON THE BENCH** Equal parts band and family, The Coffis Brothers, are bringing their mountain music to playing bigger stages. PHOTO :Bethany Johanna

Mountain ranges have always been considered holy. From the Himalayas to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia, to the Sierra Nevada mountains of the great Northwest of California, mountains are known as the heart of the world. The axis mundi. What the world revolves around.

The Coffis Brothers world, all five members, in increasing and varying degrees, have revolved around similar ethos and tastes in music. Their trove of songs are cut from the same bolt of fabric as the Everly Brothers, the Beatles, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

With six albums under their collective belt, a new one in the wings, and reaching bigger stages by touring with (UCSC’s) troubadour John Craigie, The Coffis Brothers are scaling the heights one step at a time and are ready for their next opportunity.

Coffis Space 4 happens on Saturday, March 21st at 8:00pm at Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. Tickets are $30 and available at moesalley.com
More info at coffisbrothers.com

The Editor’s Desk

Brad Kava

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March 17, 2026

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

Any Santa Cruz musician will tell you, there’s no higher mountain to climb than the one that leads to success, preferably out of town and across the world.

And in many ways, that kind of success is harder here, where there is so much competition. We’ve got so many players, so many songwriters, so many cover bands. On any night of the week, you can hear something great, or more than one thing.

On one hand, that’s a plus: there are places to play, compared to, say, San Jose, where people prefer DJ music. ( I speak from experience. When I lived over the hill, I spent all my free time commuting here or to San Francisco to hear live performances.)

But Santa Cruz is a musical heaven, almost on a level with Austin, TX, for original musicians. (Austin is so amazing that when you fly in, there are great bands welcoming you with sets at the airport.)

So reading our cover story about the mountain-bred Coffis Brothers and their slow rise up the ranks, is a pleasure. They are touring; they are making a national name for themselves And now they are playing a mini-festival of two nights at Moe’s Alley, which has become a tradition.

It’s taken a lot of discipline and a lot of shows (some 1,000, according to the article by writer DNA).

He says they: “have honed a high-flying, tempered confidence and musical assuredness over the years, sharpening their edge.”

What listeners hear are delightful harmonies, assured playing and songs that stick in your head. What more can you want?

You’ll thank us if you check out their two Moe’s gigs.

Speaking of Moe’s…one of my favorite new bands is playing there also this week, The Third Mind. They blew my mind the first time I saw them there, with a mix of psychedelic jam folk music, akin to the way bands like the Dead and Quicksilver started out with in the 1960s. I didn’t think anyone made music like this anymore, with long soaring jams that make the singer take long breaks, but they are a real treat, always up for a surprise. In my interview, guitarist Dave Alvin says they are so spontaneous that they don’t know what they are going to do 85% of the time.

That keeps the music fresh for the band and, of course, for their fans.

And, like I said…we have too much music. Also, this week there’s also a tribute to one of our best singers ever, Tammi Brown. We cover that inside.

Thanks for reading and have a great week.

Brad Kava | Editor

PHOTO CONTEST

AIR BIKE Spectacular view: flyin’ high on Capitola dirt jumps. Photograph by Ali Eppy

GOOD IDEA

Opportunity Grant Scholarships are awarded annually to students whose families cannot afford private music lessons. Applications for the 2026-2027 school year are due April 21, 2026. Applications are available on the Santa Cruz County Music Teachers’ Association website: sccmtac.org.

Students can study piano, voice, string (violin, viola), and wind instruments (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, and trumpet) with distinguished teachers. Lessons for other string and wind instruments are subject to the availability of qualified teachers, so students should apply if interested.

Students must be enrolled in a Santa Cruz County school or be home-schooled residents in grades 2 through 12 during the coming school year. Students should have access to a practice instrument and transportation to weekly lessons.

Since 1995, over $160,000 in scholarships have been awarded to students, with participating teachers donating approximately the same amount as reduced tuition.

GOOD WORK

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, condemned President Trump and Republicans’ un-American efforts to end the constitutional right to birthright citizenship. As the son of Mexican immigrants himself, Padilla underscored that the 14th Amendment clearly grants citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States.”

In his remarks, Padilla also slammed the Administration’s treatment of Narciso Barranco — a father of three U.S. citizen Marine veterans — who was violently detained by masked Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents in Orange County last summer. His case was finally dismissed by an immigration judge last month after the Administration tried to deport him.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”
—George Bernard Shaw

Letters

Letters to the Editor

John Koenig

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March 17, 2026

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SERVICE BEFORE POLITICS

Democracy, the very fiber on which our nation was built, is a fragile experiment, and it requires us all to participate in it to make it flourish and thrive. The upcoming District 4 supervisor race also reminds us that public confidence and trust are necessary and important for our democracy to flourish. Each institution has a role in protecting it, and we take that responsibility at Community Bridges seriously.

Following the announcement that Tony Nunez, our Marketing & Communications Director, would run for supervisor, we worked internally to establish clear guardrails to ensure we continue to honor our longstanding commitment to neutrality among candidates and that no agency assets, materials, time, or support are used in ways that could compromise that trust.

We believe it is important to be transparent about this step because public-serving and public-facing organizations must hold themselves to a high standard, especially when an employee seeks elected office. These safeguards are designed not only to protect our organization, but also to protect the integrity of the community’s electoral process and the confidence residents place in community institutions such as Community Bridges.

We admire all candidates willing to serve, including Elias Gonzales and incumbent Supervisor Felipe Hernandez with his decades of public service, and we wish each of them well. Our mission, however, extends beyond any election cycle or political party. People who rely on our services need ongoing support, commitment to collaboration, consistency, fairness, and stability every day, regardless of any election outcomes. As a non-profit institution, we are legally required to remain separate from all campaign activities related to individual candidates. We will continue to work with all of our elected officials across the political and social spectrum to help ensure that we fulfill our mission and continue working on the shared goals of supporting all residents across the Central Coast.

Raymon Cancino | Chief Executive Officer, Community Bridges

ENDLESS WAR

Trump says it’s “more fun to sink ships” than to capture them. Hegseth referred to the sinking of an Iranian warship as a “quiet death”. The President of the United States says it’s “fun” to sink ships and let people have a “quiet death”.

What kind of people are these? These are words of madmen, war criminals, who are killing people in the name of America.

Sam Earnshaw | Watsonville

ONLINE COMMENTS

REMEMBERING THE BILL RANEY AND THE NICKELODEON

In many ways the Nick was the soul of downtown, along with the bookstores.I have many fond memories of a rainy matinee in an uncrowded theater…

Dave McClellan | GoodTimes.sc

MORE ON THE NICKELODEON

May Bill rest in peace knowing he had an amazing impact on the city he loved, Santa Cruz. I missed the first ten years of the Nick while living in another college town called Ann Arbor or A Squared. The Nick helped bridge the gap. I knew Bill and Nancy as members of the local , over-thirty coed soccer team in Happy Valley. They also helped significantly documenting the history of of the neighboring Happy Valley School for the 150 Sesquicentennial Celebration in 2014 that brought more than 400 alumni, parents, teachers and students together. Bill will be missed.

George Purnell | GoodTimes.sc

Bar Thrall

Dining Reviews

Mark C. Anderson

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March 17, 2026

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Make it a double: Downtown Santa Cruz has added two top-shelf bars in the last few weeks. When’s the last time that happened?

Last Thursday, March 12, The Hotel (1003 Cedar St., Santa Cruz) opened its doors ever so quietly, to the loud and surprised shouts of joy from locals passing by, then jaunting up the stairs and marveling at the reincarnation of a storied space.

The spot above The Red Room has enjoyed a number of legendary lives, and originally was Surf City’s first hotel, circa 1877.

Now it benefits from new floors, reappointed—and spacious—lounge areas, a pool table, a gorgeous L-shaped bar, and eight signature cocktails ($14).

Red cocktail with orange peel garnish on bar at The Hotel Santa Cruz — **COCKTAIL CRAFT** Signature drinks at The Hotel showcase bold flavors and refined presentation in a historic downtown setting. Photo: Mark C. Anderson

The two I tried, the Do Not Disturb (with Huxal Mezcal, Cocchi Rosa, Campari and orange) and Madonna Inn (gin, dill!, vermouth, citrus herb oil), impressed with depth and identity.

They appear on a menu also dotted with botanical/spirit-free possibilities ($6-$12) and a bunch of craft beer on tap ($8-$12).

The forthcoming food menu (arriving as soon as this weekend) throws down $4 stylish empanadas; a bunch of $5 snacks like micro baked potatoes and bacon-wrapped dates; swanky—and rotating—charcuterie boards ($23); and a signature French dip ($18 with fries) plus a double patty double cheeseburger ($16 with papas).

“We’re finding different ways to honor its history with the menus and the way we’re emphasizing the space as one for community and uplift,” manager Sloan Cipa says.

That triumphant opening was preceded by breathlessly anticipated Alley Oop! in the former Poet & Patriot (320 Cedar St., Suite E, Santa Cruz).

More on my visit there next week. The teasers there: A friend of mine was so moved by the experience he wrote a pop song demo inspired by it, one that’s already getting a lot of attention from known producers.

And this: I never thought I’d be saying two of the most adored bars in Santa Cruz history are quite possibly better than ever.

GETTING RIPPED

Bay Area Brewers Guild Association Executive Director Sayre Piotrkowski called me out the other day. Well, to be fair, he banged all food media.

His beef: Why do we fawn over top-ranked restaurants—versus breweries—even when they demand a lot more $$$ to enjoy, and are accessible for a lot fewer people?

If Monterey Bay had two of the country’s top eight restaurants, we’d hear all about them, he continued. Meanwhile, it does have the #4 and #8 small brew ops, per the rigorous folks at Craft Beer & Brewing, yet not much buzz.

Maybe he hasn’t been reading this column, because I bring up #8 Humble Sea Brewing a lot, and will now because 1) Its outdoor beer garden on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf is now open (and will be through October), with tasty-making Shock Waves Food Truck on deck; and 2) its ninth anniversary celebration is happening all month, leading up to the climactic party March 21, humblesea.com.

Meanwhile #4, Alvarado Street Brewery (asb.beer)—which is based across the bay but flows from a lot of taps up here—has made a game-changing move.

Out in the fields of Castroville, work on a huge new “legacy brewery” complete with expansive production space—for experimental beers as well as popular kegs and cans—plus a beer garden, food truck zone and tasting room represents some of the biggest local brew news in a while.

The square feet of the facility, coming online this year, will probably double, or triple, or quadruple, the number of Castroville residents (7,000).

So there’s another double upgrade to toast.

Melded and Melted

Foodie File

Andrew Steingrube

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March 17, 2026

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Featuring pizza in a blended style of homemade Italian meets Mexican, The Originals Pizza is led by head chef and co-owner Israel Arroyo. His path to pizza prominence began at 16, baking at home with his mom, his hobby evolving to passion as he fell in love with combining his Mexican food skillset with Italian-style pizza.

After owning two pizzerias in Mexico, he wanted a pizza joint here and made that dream a reality by opening The Originals in May 2025. Offering indoor/outdoor dining and take-out, Arroyo says his restaurant’s ambiance mixes Italian and Mexican vibes just like his pizzas, adding a modern touch and welcoming home-like feel.

The signature pie offering is the Mexican Style with a refried bean base instead of traditional tomato sauce, then topped with chorizo, red onion, jalapeño and cilantro. The Maui Munch is also mack-worthy, combining ham, pineapple, cherries and cream cheese and the Pacific Prawns is another outside-the-box offering. They also have more traditional pizzas, all utilizing a made-in-house daily Mexican-spiced dough that is thin and crisp. Non-pizza picks abound too, like pasta options of buffalo chicken alfredo, veggie primavera and spaghetti with meatballs, as well as calzones and salads.

Describe your inspo for opening The Originals.

ISRAEL ARROYO: Having tried pizza both in Mexico and here in America, I felt the need to introduce Mexican customers to Italian-style pizza, and that is why I opened pizzerias in Mexico. Down there, I felt like I was offering pizzas that no one else was, like pesto and spinach/artichoke. I got really good feedback from guests, and became inspired to then offer Mexican-style pizzas but in American instead, coming full circle. The experience I gained in Mexico really inspired me to come up with and offer unique pizzas here in America that blend Italian and Mexican styles and ingredients.

What has been the reaction to your food?

I have gotten really good feedback from our guests since we opened, with many customers raving, especially about the unique Mexican approach I have. They often comment on how much they enjoy our unique style pizzas that they can’t find anywhere else. And we are always open-minded, I love to listen to our customers and become inspired by their requests, and really love to try new things and push the boundaries of pizza.

2623 41^st Avenue, Soquel, 831-888-6993

Things to do in Santa Cruz

Things To Do This Week

GT Staff

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March 17, 2026

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THURSDAY 3/19

PSYCH IMPROV

THE THIRD MIND A supergroup of sorts, The Third Mind features guitarist Dave Alvin and bassist Victor Krummenacher among its coterie of stellar musicians. But the group sounds nothing like any of the members’ other projects. Based on improvisation (not jamming!), The Third Mind injects exploratory innovation into covers and originals. Few other bands have the moxie to tackle “East/West.” They also capture the essence of the Grateful Dead’s “Dark Star” in five minutes, something Jerry and his pals never managed to do. In just a few short years the group has amassed a tidy catalog, but seeing them live is the best option. BILL KOPP

INFO: 8pm, Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $35/adv, $40/door. 479-1854.

FRIDAY 3/20

THEATER

GREASE It is time to shake it at the sock hop! Students at Pacific Collegiate School are working together to bring the classic musical Grease to the Landing. The play follows a group of 1950s teens as they navigate the ups and downs of being a teenager. Together, they go through the teenage trails and tribulations of peer pressure, love, and politics while also surviving high school. It’s an emotional rollercoaster ride, as audiences watch the cast process the world around them through catchy songs. The songs will have everyone doing the hand jive in their seats. Join the students of Pacific Collegiate School and find out if Sandy pierces her ears at the party. Goes until 3/29. ISABELLA MARIE SANGALINE

INFO: 7pm, The Landing, 251B Kings Village Rd, Scotts Valley. $20. 479-7785.

ROOTS

TOUBAB KREWE If you’re familiar with Asheville, North Carolina you might think of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains or the rivers that flow through this beautiful region of America. But Asheville is also ripe with bands. Toubab Krewe formed in 2005, and from the get-go, their choice of traditional West African instruments, alongside modern technology set them apart from everyone else. They’ve played the biggest festivals, but inside a tight room they can achieve complete trance mode. With beats thousands of years old, alongside frenetic guitar crunching and solos, Toubab Krewe is unique, visionary and body moving adventure—like a scene from Sinners. DNA

INFO: 9pm, Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Drive, Santa Cruz, $25/adv, $30/door. 479-1854.

FUNK

FLORATURA Funky, jazzy and definitely flowy, Santa Cruz’s own Floratura invites listeners to step into a warm groove. They’re a neo-soul act with psychedelic jam band vibes that embrace the love. Check out their debut album, (appropriately named) Oasis Glow, that dropped last month. Spun throughout are tunes in the vein of Herbie Hancock, Curtis Mayfield and Erykah Badu. Get ready for a night of dancing, celebrating and a spiritual beauty that only music can conjure where magic is alive and love is abound. MAT WEIR

INFO: 7pm, Woodhouse Brewing, 119 Madrone St., Santa Cruz. Free. 313-9461.

SATURDAY 3/21

INDIE

LIZ COOPER Taking herself apart just to put herself back together again, Liz Cooper explores layers of identity in her newest record, New Day. While reflecting on themes of coming out, moving to a new city, getting into and leaving a relationship, Cooper wrote the album by recording demos alone in her apartment. Taking on this endeavor autonomously, rather than in her habitual manner of writing with a full band, Cooper executed the theme of reinvention musically, as well as in her lyrics. Tired of being boxed in as an Americana artist, she’s conjured up a psychedelic pop experiment with bold textures and boisterous new anthems. SHELLY NOVO

INFO: 8pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton. $22.704-7113.

INDIE POP

LANDON CONRATH Starting out as a drummer, Landon Conrath ventured out on his own and developed his own brand of indie pop. Debuting in 2020, Conrath gained traction when his music landed on multiple Spotify playlists. His second album, Employee of the Year, was well received by critics, many of whom noted the degree to which Conrath’s songwriting had progressed in a relatively short time. His brand of confessional pop had earned him a following, and a heavy touring schedule has put Conrath in front of more and more listeners who appreciate his winning style. BK

INFO: 9pm, Catalyst, 1101 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $29. 713-5492.

TUESDAY 3/24

ALT ROCK

JEFF TWEEDY Juxtaposed by gravely vocals, gritty guitars, and grungy feedback, Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy is a cool glass of water on a hot day. Singing and playing with friends of family in an act of resistance against hopelessness and dread this age seems to bring, he presents, Twilight Override, in an effort to fight back against the twilight he feels in his own life. This triple record featuring 30 songs is poetry to guide the weary traveler home. With fuzzy melodies, listless piano, and acoustic guitar to transport you to a Midwest back porch, Tweedy sends love letters that disrupt the void. SN

INFO: 7:30pm, Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz. $23.50. 423-8209.

JAZZ

Immanuel Wilkins Quartet posing with saxophone and upright bass in a black and white portrait — **Immanuel Wilkins Quartet**. Photo: Ming Smith

IMMANUEL WILKINS QUARTET For those who think jazz is an archaic genre, it’s time to step out of the 1960s and into the 21st Century. Welcome to the world of Immanuel Wilkins. When he broke out onto the scene in 2020 with his debut Omega (on the world-famous Blue Note Records), this alto sax player took the genre by storm. Since then, he has been playing and arranging pieces that tap into the soul of the art form while keeping his movements fresh, modern and innovative. Throughout the years, Wilkins has continuously impressed audiences and critics alike, earning him awards around the globe. MW

INFO: 7pm, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $24-$47. 427-2227.

WEDNESDAY 3/25

BLUEGRASS

Members of the band Magoo seated with acoustic guitar, mandolin and upright bass in a studio portrait — **Magoo.** Photo: Jeff Fasano

MAGOO Denver, Colorado’s Magoo is one of the tightest bluegrass bands you’ll ever see. The young group all hold award-winning titles. Dobroist Dylan Flynn, Flatpicker Erik Hill, Mandolinist Courtlyn Bills and bassist Denton Turner are the best of the rest. Together, Magoo recently won first place at UllrGrass Band Competition and Clash of the Strings, and second at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Competition. Their new debut album, What a Life, just came out and it’s time to celebrate with a band that exudes excellence and brings bluegrass into the 21st century. The songwriting will ground you in the now, the harmonies will have you travel to Appalachia. DNA

INFO: 8pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton. $17. 704-7113.

Spicy Trip

Christina Waters

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March 17, 2026

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For decades he was the eye in the brilliant culinary storm that was India Joze Restaurant.

Catering all over the county to the delight of special events and roving foodies, he then took his talents over to a tiny hole-in-the-wall on Front Street and continued to whip up meals that belied belief. King of Spices, Jozseph Schultz is also a cultural historian and eco-anthropologist who’ll be joining up with Judy Slattum and Made Surya for a Taste of Bali, its markets, spices and authentic restaurants.

Filled with temples and artwork, Bali is a mirror of Santa Cruz, and Santa Cruz is in many ways a mirror of Bali, “where everybody’s an artist,” says Jozseph. Its beauty will form the content and background of the August tour.

How are you handling the transition from restaurant chef to private citizen?

SCHULTZ: I had a restaurant for 50 years. That doesn’t even make sense! India Joze was my social life. So trying to recreate that, after the sort of disaster of Covid which destroyed everybody’s social life, well I haven’t really gotten my feet under me yet. The dream is to have my country place spiffy enough that I can have people come over, either for money or not. I don’t care, you know, I can cook for them, and we can hang out and talk and have the idealized, the platonic form of human interaction, which is talking and eating. And cooking.

What are the biggest changes you’ve observed in local dining culture in the past decade? Can we blame Covid, or the economy, or were big changes already happening?

This used to be a cheap place to live, [laughter]. So it was great for artists. Back when we had India Joze, everybody would come; those were magic times. Being a cheap place to live means you have a pool of workers who don’t need to make very much to make ends meet. Now it’s completely insane. Today I would have to pay restaurant workers $30 an hour, so that’s changed forever and that does not change back. My hat’s off to anybody who tries to keep a restaurant open today.

So that means that the great, deep social connection that is food is also falling away.

What would you like to be doing now? Continue catering?

I’d like to create an idealized society where people can get together and see each other and socialize. Catering is arduous. If you start from zero, it involves setting up something, and break it all down, put it away, and all that takes infinitely longer than doing it. In the restaurant, it was all there. The people, the money, the infrastructure. All I had to do was really cook. But things are in progress.

What are you looking forward to on this trip to Bali?

Food is a concrete thing, but it’s also a metaphor. I’m interested in how food works in Bali. There’s a deeply artistic strain in Bali. Bali has an integrated society. Everybody goes to the ceremonies, the very rich people and the very poor people. They’ll all mingle in Bali, not like here.

It’s beautiful and wonderful and extraordinary, but it’s a museum in some ways. When conquered, they slaughtered the aristocracy in Bali in the early 1900s. Then it reestablished as a self-consciously cultural museum. Bali is filled with rituals and spirits. There’s tremendous amounts of ritual. And it goes on all the time, ritual and ceremony and offerings. It’s absolutely inescapable to an extent. Yet there’s a kind of freedom available when you don’t have to question every single thing you do. And has a very, very high level of social cooperation, because they are a rice-field culture. They’re one of the only sustainable agricultural places on earth. The geography is much like the Big Island of Hawaii. In the cooperation that has developed, spirituality is a part.

The Balinese believe that paradise isn’t somewhere else. They already live in Paradise. As Phil Oakes said, in an ugly world, the only real protest is beauty, right?

Specifics?

As far as how the tour will happen, we will interact with the culture in coconut workshops, my cooking demos, temple sites, farm tours, visits to coffee and clove plantations, touring rice fields and palm sugar villages. Lots of tastings.And of course there are countless food stalls and restaurants. There’s an incredible variety of food, you can get great sushi in Bali.

Photos, itinerary and details can be found at danutours.com. A Taste of Bali with India Joe Schultz – August 17-30

Is Our Water Safe?

Richard Stockton

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March 17, 2026

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In late February and early March,thousands of Santa Cruz South County residents received letters warning that tests had detected chromium-6 above California’s new drinking-water standard in more than twenty groundwater sources. One South County woman said, “That’s the same poison that was in the water in the Erin Brockovich movie. Do I lose my breasts or lose my uterus?”

Chromium-6 has a hell of a reputation, thanks to Brockovich taking on PG&E in Hinkley, CA, and subsequently the Julia Roberts movie. But the situation in Santa Cruz County is different. Local scientists say the chromium-6 detected here appears to come from the natural geology beneath the Central Coast, not from industrial pollution. While the numbers that triggered the letters exceed California’s new regulatory limit for chromium (10 parts per billion,) they are still far below the concentrations that helped Julia Roberts win an Oscar. In the famous Erin Brockovich-PG&E case, chromium-6 concentrations in groundwater near the industrial source reached tens of thousands of parts per billion. The readings that triggered notices in parts of Santa Cruz County are from natural sources, generally between about 10 and 40 parts per billion,thousands of times lower. Before we start picturing tanker trucks hauling bottled water up and down Highway 1, here’s what scientists and water officials say about the situation: the discovery deserves attention, chromium-6 is not a great long-term diet, but we are not in crisis.

What chromium-6 is

Sierra Ryan, Water Resources Program Manager for Environmental Health, Santa Cruz County, says, “Chromium-6 is a metal found naturally occurring in parts of Santa Cruz County. It is found in the geologic features South and East of Valencia Creek. In some locations it exceeds the recently changed California Drinking Water Standards.” Under the right conditions, trace amounts can convert into the hexavalent form and dissolve into water. Ryan says, “It is naturally occurring, we have no history of industry that would cause contamination.”

This process has been documented in aquifers throughout California. Blair Robertson, a public information officer with the State Water Resources Control Board, said the phenomenon is well known to hydrologists. “In much of California, including parts of the Central Coast, chromium-6 in groundwater is largely associated with natural geology, specifically chromium-bearing rocks that can release it into water under certain conditions,” Robertson said.

Why the notices went out now?

The reason residents are hearing about chromium-6 now has less to do with new contamination and more to do with new rules. California recently adopted a maximum contaminant level of 10 parts per billion for chromium-6 in drinking water, one of the strictest standards anywhere in the world. Water systems must now notify customers if levels exceed that threshold. The new standard reflects California’s precautionary approach to public health. Long-term exposure at high concentrations has been linked to cancer risk, so, regulators set limits designed to protect people over a lifetime of drinking water.

When do chromium levels become dangerous?

How high does the level of chromium-6 in water have to get before is causes cancer? The honest answer is: No amount is thought to be completely ideal, but very low amounts mean very low risk.There is no cliff where chromium-6 suddenly becomes dangerous; the risk rises gradually, and regulators argue over how much risk is acceptable.

0.02 parts per billion (ppb)was set by the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) as the level associated with about aone-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk for someone drinking that water every day over a lifetime (EPA.) California’s current legal drinking-water limit is 10ppb for chromium 6. It reflects what the state determined was feasible to require of water systems while still protecting public health (California Water Board).

Should people worry?

Robertson explained that California’s standard includes a large margin of safety. “Exceedances don’t mean the water is immediately unsafe to drink,” he said. “They trigger regulatory requirements, but they do trigger regulatory requirements to bring the levels down.” The current federal standard for total chromium in drinking water is 100 parts per billion. Canada regulates chromium-6 at 50 parts per billion. The highest naturally occurring readings seen locally, according to county water experts, are less than half of the federal standard and below the Canadian limit.

Santa Cruz has spent years debating water supply solutions, including the desalination plant voters rejected in 2014. Some residents have wondered whether that decision played a role in the chromium-6 notices. I asked Sierra Ryan if the Desalination Plant had been built, would we be having this conversation? She said that we would.

“The desalination plant would have served the City of Santa Cruz and some of Soquel Creek service areas. Chromium-6 is found in Watsonville, which wasn’t part of the planned service area. Soquel Creek would likely still use some of their wells in the south part of their service area, and numerous small water systems would also still be facing this issue.” The geology beneath Santa Cruz County would still be there regardless of how coastal cities produce water.

Soquel Water District Program Manager Melanie Mow Schumacher says, “Since this new state regulation has been set, there are several water supplies in our county that need to address it. Soquel Creek Water District currently has a treatment project out to bid and we aim to begin construction later this year.”

If there is a takeaway from this story, it may be this: drinking water systems are constantly evolving as science improves. Water managers test for contaminants more precisely than ever before. Standards change. Regulations tighten. New treatment technologies emerge. Chromium-6 is a known carcinogen, but the difference today is that it is being detected because monitoring has improved and standards have become more protective. If you’re concerned about your water, that’s a good thing to be concerned about. Reach out to your water department. I found them very responsive.

Make Your Skin Glow

Wellness

Elizabeth Borelli

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March 17, 2026

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Our skin is our largest organ. Our exoderm is an echo of our lifestyle choices, as all sun worshipers and sleep skippers eventually come to learn. Eating the right foods can make a big difference in the way you face the world.

In fact, research shows the Mediterranean Diet is consistently associated with slower skin aging, better elasticity, and fewer wrinkles by supplying amply antioxidants, healthy fats, and nutrients involved in collagen production. Not surprising since this is the dietary pattern most closely associated with gut health and longevity as well.

Here are the foods most strongly linked with dermal health:

Olive Oil

Extra-virgin olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats and polyphenols that help protect skin from oxidative damage and inflammation. Here in Santa Cruz, local growers like Belle Farms deliver the real deal.

Skin benefits

Supports skin elasticity
Helps reduce inflammation linked to wrinkles
Provides vitamin E, which protects skin cells

Mediterranean diet studies have repeatedly found that higher olive oil intake correlates with fewer signs of skin aging.

Make the most of it: replace butter, canola, corn and vegetable oils with extra virgin olive oil. Use it in cooking and drizzle it liberally on salads.

Fatty Fish [1] [2]

Omega rich, sustainably harvested fish provide omega-3 fatty acids, which help maintain the skin barrier and reduce dryness and inflammation.

Skin benefits

Supports skin hydration
May reduce inflammatory skin conditions
Helps maintain smooth skin texture

Omega-3s also help counteract UV-related skin damage.

Make the most of it.. Baked, steamed, grilled or canned wild salmon twice a week is a great addition to your meal plan. Note: Be sure to avoid farm-raised salmon and select sustainably harvested choices to avoid antibiotics or toxins in your seafood.

Tomatoes help

Tomatoes contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect skin from sun-induced damage.

Skin benefits

Supports collagen stability
Helps reduce oxidative damage from UV exposure
Linked with smoother skin texture

Make the most of it. Cooking tomatoes with olive oil increases lycopene absorption. Diced sundried tomatoes make a rich and delicious addition to your green, bean and whole grain dishes.

Leafy Greens

Leafy greens like spinach, kale, and chard provide vitamin C, beta-carotene, and lutein, nutrients that help defend skin against oxidative stress. It’s easy to stock up on locally grown varieties at any of our community farmers’ markets.

Skin benefits

Supports collagen production
Protects skin from free radicals
Helps maintain skin tone and clarity

Make the most of it. Sauté spinach with olive oil and garlic for a delicious side dish. Try a simple kale salad or Swiss chard sauté with your favorite plant protein for a simple, delicious and fortifying meal.

Berries

Berries are among the richest sources of polyphenols and vitamin C, both critical for skin repair and collagen synthesis.

Skin benefits

Boosts collagen production
Reduces oxidative stress
Helps maintain firmness

How to use them: Enjoy berries fresh from the basket,or add frozen berries to your morning oatmeal or chia pudding for an antioxidant and protein-rich way to start your day right!

Nuts and Seeds

Almonds, walnuts, and seeds like hemp, chia and pumpkin supply vitamin E, healthy fats, and minerals essential for maintaining skin structure.

Skin benefits

Protects skin from oxidative damage
Helps maintain skin barrier integrity
Supports elasticity

Make the most of it: Snack on almonds, add walnuts to oatmeal, hemp seeds to smoothies or make a chia pudding.Toasted pumpkin seeds are delicious on your daily salad.

Avocados

Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats and vitamin E, nutrients associated with improved skin elasticity.

Skin benefits

Supports collagen structure
Helps maintain skin moisture
Reduces inflammation

Make the most of them: Dice into salads, slice over omelets or mash into a topping for your favorite sourdough toast.

Simple takeaway:

Foods most associated with youthful skin tend to share three qualities:

Antioxidants (berries, tomatoes, greens)
Healthy fats (olive oil, fish, nuts, avocado)
Collagen-supporting nutrients (vitamin C, carotenoids)

Together, these foods form the backbone of the Mediterranean diet—one of the eating patterns most consistently linked with slower biological aging and healthy, glowing skin.

Elizabeth Borelli is a local wellness advocate and workshop teacher. To learn more about the Mediterranean Diet, benefits and recipes, visit ElizabethBorelli.com

[1]Can we shorten this to just ‘Fatty Fish’ It’ll save a little space

[2]sure

Good TimesGood Times

Good TimesGood Times

ARIES March 21-April 19

TAURUS April 20-May 20

GEMINI May 21-June 20

LEO July 23-Aug. 22

VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22

LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct. 22

SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec. 21

CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19

AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb. 18

PISCES Feb. 19-March 20

PHOTO CONTEST

GOOD IDEA

GOOD WORK

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.” —George Bernard Shaw

SERVICE BEFORE POLITICS

ONLINE COMMENTS

REMEMBERING THE BILL RANEY AND THE NICKELODEON

MORE ON THE NICKELODEON

GETTING RIPPED

THURSDAY 3/19

PSYCH IMPROV

INFO: 8pm, Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $35/adv, $40/door. 479-1854.

FRIDAY 3/20

THEATER

ROOTS

INFO: 9pm, Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Drive, Santa Cruz, $25/adv, $30/door. 479-1854.

FUNK

INFO: 7pm, Woodhouse Brewing, 119 Madrone St., Santa Cruz. Free. 313-9461.

SATURDAY 3/21

INDIE

INFO: 8pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton. $22.704-7113.

INDIE POP

INFO: 9pm, Catalyst, 1101 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $29. 713-5492.

TUESDAY 3/24

ALT ROCK

INFO: 7:30pm, Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz. $23.50. 423-8209.

JAZZ

INFO: 7pm, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $24-$47. 427-2227.

WEDNESDAY 3/25

BLUEGRASS

INFO: 8pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton. $17. 704-7113.

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”
—George Bernard Shaw