With mail-in ballots already sent out by the Santa Cruz County Clerk, early voting for the Nov. 5 election has begun. Included in the mail-in voting kits are a sample ballot, an official ballot and a voter guide. There are 22 ballot drop box locations across the county where you can leave your ballot if you don’t want to mail it.
Aptos
Aptos Branch Library, 7695 Soquel Dr.
Polo Grounds near the dog park, 2255 Huntington Dr.
Cabrillo College Parking lot R by the stadium, 2372 Cabrillo College Dr.
Capitola
420 Capitola Ave., City Hall parking lot
Mall near the old Sears, 1855 41st Ave.
Public Library, 2005 Wharf Rd.
Corralitos
Corralitos Women’s Club, 33 Browns Valley Rd.
Davenport
Fire Station, 75 Marine View Ave.
Santa Cruz Mountains
Highlands Park, 8500 Highway 9, Ben Lomond
Boulder Creek Community Church, 12465 Highway 9, Boulder Creek
Covered Bridge Park, at Mt. Hermon and Graham Hill roads, Felton
Summit Store, 24197 Summit Rd., Los Gatos
Santa Cruz
701 Ocean St. in front of the County Government Center
Sheriff’s Crisis Center, 5300 Soquel Ave.
212 Church St. in the public parking lot
UCSC Quarry Plaza
Trescony Park, end of Trescony Street
Scotts Valley
1 Civic Center Dr. in the City Hall parking lot
Watsonville
316 Rodriguez St., municipal public parking lot 14
County Health Center, 1430 Freedom Blvd.
County Building at Westridge, 500 Westridge Dr.
Additionally, early voting centers are open 8am–5pm Mon.–Fri. at the following locations:
● Santa Cruz—Santa Cruz County Clerk/Elections, 701 Ocean St., Room 310
● Watsonville—Watsonville City Clerk’s Office, 275 Main St., 4th Floor
● Watsonville—Westridge County Building, 500 Westridge Dr.
Due to Santa Cruz’s status as a vote center county, you can cast your vote at any of the 24 locations open from Nov. 1–5 listed on the map at votescount.gov, meaning you don’t have to go to a specific site to cast your ballot.
Though online registration closed Oct. 21, you can register on or before election day at any of the previously listed polling sites by filling out a yellow same-day registration form.
If you are a student at UCSC and received a ballot from your home county anywhere across the state, you can drop it off at any Santa Cruz drop box and it will be safely transported to its county of origin.
As concerns over voter fraud have increased in recent years, the voter hotline remains open at 800-345-8683.
After five years, work is almost finished on the Watsonville Brillante mosaic, splashed across the otherwise dull concrete walls of the six-floor parking garage on Rodriguez Street. A ribbon-cutting street party is set for Oct. 26 to celebrate, says lead artist Kathleen Crocetti.
“We’re planning on closing down Rodriguez Street to make way for the celebration,” Crocetti says. “The community is invited to come meet all the amazing volunteers and artists that helped make this project happen.”
Entertainment will be provided by the Watsonville Community Band, Taiko drummers, White Hawk dancers and Esperanze del Valle folkorico dancers. Plus, there will be food trucks, work by local artists and booths for local nonprofits.
Many of the tiles used in the Watsonville Brillante project were donated by the Aromas-based company Fireclay.
Each phase of the project took six months and featured hundreds of mosaic panels that showcase cultural designs from countries around the globe. Tours of the project will run on the hour in English and on the half-hour in Spanish.
Crocetti said she won the Rydell Fellowship, which provided $20,000 through the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County.
“I used the money to travel to Europe where I got to see the architectural work of Antoni Gaudí,” she said. “When I came back I decided I wanted to create some kind of monumental artwork in Watsonville. I drew up a plan over the next year and half and presented it to the city. Then I created a nonprofit and secured donations to develop Watsonville Brillante.”
About 80% of the overall project includes ceramic tiles donated by the Aromas-based company Fireclay.
The free event runs 11am–5pm on Oct. 26 at the corner of Rodriguez and Second streets.
A hike is not about completion. It’s about discovery.
The Henry Cowell Observation Deck Loop Trail is 5.3 miles that includes a hill, sand, rocks and an observation deck with a 360-degree view of Monterey Bay and surrounding mountains. On a day as beautiful as today, the loop might take you to another world.
Ask these guys.
Sleepy John Sandidge, Ben Rice, Laurence Bedford, Sven Davis and I are hardly touchy-feely. We could wear T-shirts that say, “Wrinkled on the outside, cranky on the inside.” All five of us squeeze into Ben’s Tesla; the three of us in the backseat are so jammed together we can’t put our seatbelts on, but we’re packed in so tight we feel we don’t need to.
At the beginning of the car ride to the trailhead the talk is pragmatic; we share information about a water bucket rat trap Sleepy John has discovered called Drop in the Bucket, of how to keep our kitchens from turning into ant farms, our problems with meniscus knee issues, girlfriend issue and memory issues. I learn that a nicotine patch could improve my memory. I never had much luck with nicotine patches. It’s so hard to keep them lit.
No doubt our need to share survival information comes from the heaviness of the times. The upcoming Nov. 5 election that puts us on the brink of patriarchal fascism can make it hard to breathe. Walt Whitman contended that the gravest weakness of democracy is the artificial, culturally manufactured inequality of the genders, “a corruption of nature.”
But there is also a smell in the air of a robotic American empire in the making, a future defined by AI neuro-chips in brains where we simply feel what we want, and a computer will give us exactly that. Maybe in a year or two I’ll write about these hikes when we’re joined by one of the new Tesla robots, carrying our lunch, our water, and lighting our joints for us on the trail. But with a hiking robot we’d never get lost enough to wander, trailblaze and discover. We would lose so much.
We step out of the car—yes, a Tesla—on the east side of Graham Hill Road, just past Rollingwood Drive. The day and the forest are so beautiful our humanness feels restored. We’re alive. I begin to sense that, like me, the boys are hoping for a moment of transcendence on the trail.
Sleepy John’s name is an intentional misnomer; at 85 he has more energy than the law allows, or at least more than they can apprehend. After our 30-minute ascent from the Graham Hill entrance up to the trail toward the Henry Cowell Observation Deck, Sleepy John stops inside a circle of redwoods. “Guys, gotta take a blow.” We look up to find a natural cathedral, the trees point to the heavens like the red roofline of an In-N-Out Burger, maybe the closest any of us get to a church experience.
We tend to walk in the footsteps of Friedrich Nietzsche, who wrote, “I cannot believe in a God who needs to be praised all the time.” Furthermore: “I can only believe in a God who wants to dance.”
Sleepy John flops down on his back, stares straight up and says, “Oh, my god, the redwoods look like they are holding up the sky.” In a way, they are. Redwoods are stellar at capturing CO2 and producing oxygen. I turn to see my four supine friends, all staring straight up.
OUT OF BODY—BACK IN 10 MINUTES: Without saying a word, my companions look to the sky and go into a trance.
Though not a word is uttered about searching the sky for meaning, my four companions coalesce into a group meditation on the heavens. They breathe together. They don’t blink. My crankier-than-thou friends are sky gazing and redwood forest bathing.
It turns out that sky gazing is an established form of meditation that moves you out of your thoughts into space and emptiness. There is a social psychology study from the University of Toronto that finds that sky gazing can even make you a nicer person (“Awe, the Small Self, and Prosocial Behavior,” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology). The study says that sky gazing helps us feel “diminished in the presence of something greater than oneself … we realize how insignificant our problems are.”
Here’s the cool thing: “it may encourage people to forgo strict self-interest to improve the welfare of others.” Looking into the sky is where our empathetic imagination can roam free. There is hope for me and my hiking buddies yet; wrinkled on the outside, empathically cranky on the inside.
We climb the trail to the Henry Cowell Observation Deck where I try observational comedy: “Hiking is just walking where it’s OK to pee.” Damn those crickets.
The trail up to the Observation Deck is steep enough and long enough to test us a bit. On an ascent we bend toward the mountain, it’s how we compare ourselves to the earth. We hike silently, the uphill trail makes our usual banter turn into sucking in all the oxygen we can.
The Observation Deck is awesome. The view across Monterey Bay goes all the way to Fremont Peak. We marvel at the majesty of the old, dead Woodpecker Tree and the ancient geology surrounding us, and then the future of humanity rides up the trail.
From the Observation Deck we see a stunning mare, her black coat shining in the sunlight, carry a young woman up the trail; two spirits in feminine form who are separated only by a thin English saddle, moving as one with strength and beauty.
My disturbing ruminations about robots and patriarchal fascism evaporate with this arrival of new, fresh air. I see them as the future of humanity with promises of peacefulness and self-restraint. I ask the confident young woman on the black mare if I can take her picture. She smiles gently and says, “Of course.”
A vision for a powerful feminine future, embodying peacefulness, strength and self-restraint. Nice future. The way down on Pine Trail descends sharply and we feel lucky to not be walking uphill in sand.
When you make love, even though you and your partner know it’s going to be good, you never can really remember just how wonderful it feels until you do it. That is how we feel about today’s hike on the Henry Cowell Observation Deck Loop Trail.
To go back to Nietzsche, “Sit as little as possible; do not believe any idea that was not born in the open air and of free movement in which the muscles do not also revel. All prejudices emanate from the bowels. Sitting still is the real sin against the Holy Ghost.”
You can begin the trail at the Henry Cowell State Park Headquarters (where the circle is) or you can park along Graham Hill Road past Rollingwood Drive to walk the Observation Deck Loop. To get to the Observation Deck, go up Powder Mill Road, it becomes Ridge Road and then Pine Trail.
I remember being terrified that Santa Claus would find me awake when he came, so I hid under the covers. And I was scared of ghosts. Our mother would iron a white shirt at night and hang it on the door. From my bed I’d see the shirt moving and I was so scared that it was a ghost.
Lynn Gilham, 68, Retired
ALEX
It was the episode of Are You Afraidof the Dark where they got into a pool and there was an invisible monster in the pool. They eventually revealed that it was a red, seaweed-covered skeleton that looked like it had been under the ocean for a while. It gave me nightmares.
Alex Rowan, 35, Software Engineer
VENUS
It was an animated rendition of The Telltale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe. And something about the milky eye and the beating heart—it had music to it and it was really scary. I was maybe 5 or 6 and it absolutely terrified me.
Venus Rasmussen, 26, Good Vibes and Camouflage on Pacific Avenue
ELIE
I was afraid of ghosts. Where I came from in Africa, they have some ghosts. Like real ghosts. You can feel different feelings in your body, you just feel it, like this person is not real. He’s dead. And I was afraid of the dark, a dark place, I was like, oh God, get me out of here!
Elie Mabanza, 42, Singer/Musician
CLAIRE
My sister was into scary movies, and the first scary movie I watched with her was The Ring. That girl came out of the TV, and that image—I was having nightmares about that for months. In the movie you’re cursed if you see the VHS tape, and technically I’ve seen the tape, so…
Claire Rowan, 28, Nanny
AMY
I was scared of Chucky the doll. And La Cucaracha because my dad would make it seem scary, like it was going to get me.
Amy Arzua, 20, sociology major at UCSC
ARTIN
I was afraid of clowns after I saw a scary clown movie from the ’80s. I was scared for a long time after.
Artin Saffarnia, 19, electrical engineering major at UCSC
As local voters prepare to fill in their ballots for the Nov. 5 election, they are faced with a large array of candidates and local ballot initiatives that can seem daunting. We attempt to demystify the local ballot. For more information, visit Santa Cruz County’s election website at votescount.santacruzcountyca.gov.
Scotts Valley City Council
Seven candidates are vying for three seats:
Corky Roberson, 53, Food Sales
Mercedes Molloy, 24, CEO of Safe Squad Mobile App
Dustin Lopez,24, UC Santa Cruz student
Steve Clark, 60, Retired Santa Cruz Police Deputy Chief
Krista Jett, 37, Nurse at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital
John Lewis, 45, Information technology contractor and stay-at-home dad
Donna Lind (incumbent), 74, Retired Scotts Valley Police sergeant
Capitola City Council
Enrique Dolmo Jr., 49, Athletic director, campus security and transportation officer at New Brighton Middle School
Gerry Jensen, 56, Capitola Planning Commissioner, general contractor.
Margaux Morgan (incumbent), 37, Personal trainer and restaurant manager
Melinda Orbach, 40, Family nurse practitioner with Palo Alto Medical Foundation.
Watsonville City Council
With three seats up for election, only one is in play, as Eduardo Montesino and Vanessa Quiroz-Carter ran unopposed and will be appointed in lieu of election.
But the race for District 6 will be one to watch, as Trina Coffman-Gomez looks to unseat Jimmy Dutra.
Dutra, who was recently found liable for damages caused by sexual abuse of a minor in 2005, has stopped attending city council meetings in person. He has vowed to appeal the court case, but the situation is likely to affect his reelection efforts.
Coffman-Gomez, a local realtor, previously served on the council from 2012-2020.
Santa Cruz County Supervisor Board of Supervisors District 2
Kim De Serpa, who has served on the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees since 2010, is facing off against Capitola City Councilwoman Kristen Brown. Brown is currently the city’s Mayor and has sat on the board since 2016.
Brown got 32.7% of the vote in the March Primary, while De Serpa got 25.2%.
Both women are active in the community, and both would bring a wealth of experience to the table if elected. See bit.ly/4eMleeI for interviews with both.
Santa Cruz County Supervisor Board of Supervisors District 5
Bradford is small business owner and community organizer, while Martinez is the CEO of Encompass Community Services. Martinez garnered 46.43% of the vote in March Primary election, with Bradford taking 21.41%.
This measure proposes levying an $87 yearly parcel tax in the county, raising approximately $7.3 million annually. This ordinance would fund projects that “protect drinking water sources, rivers, creeks, streams, groundwater resources, beaches, and parks,” according to the measure text. Additional projects would be funded to reduce wildfire risks, preserve native wildlife, habitats, working lands and agriculture. The measure has no sunset provision and a citizen committee would oversee the funds, 40% of which would go to the county to dole out for approved projects.
This measure asks county voters to authorize $221 million in bonds to maintain 911 response times, protect local medical emergency and fire protection services and prepare for wildfires, floods and earthquakes by upgrading and repairing equipment and stations.
County homeowners would pay $29 for every $100,000 of assessed value annually, raising $11.6 million per year.
This measure asks district voters to authorize $24.5 million in bonds to improve 911 response times, maintain emergency medical services, strengthen wildfire protection and prevention, and construct a new Erba Lane station, according to the measure text. Area homeowners would pay $17 for every $100,000 of assessed value, generating $1.7 million annually.
This measure asks district voters to approve a special tax to replace the current $68 annual parcel tax. The new tax would be split by parcel size. Vacant parcels less than five acres would pay $50 annually, vacant parcels over 5 acres would pay $100 annually, while residential, commercial and other improved parcels would pay $290 annually. This would raise an estimated $440,000 per year.
In February, the San Lorenzo Valley Water District Board of Directors approved several new water rates. These were a fixed monthly water Service Charge, a fixed monthly capital charge, a fixed monthly private fire line charge and a variable monthly rate based on water usage.
A month later, a successful citizen’s ballot initiative—Measure U—was created to repeal the capital charge and limit future increases of the service charge to 2% per year.
Under Watsonville’s current rules, only registered voters can serve on the city’s Board of Library Trustees, as well as the the Parks and Recreation, Personnel and Planning commissions.
If passed by a majority of voters, Measure V would allow all Watsonville residents to serve in those positions, which are appointed by the city council.
Supporters say the change would allow all residents to have a say what goes on in their city, while opponents say that the important issues considered by the commissions should be left to registered voters.
No argument was filed against Measure W, which would make several non-substantive changes to Watsonville’s City Charter.
This includes revising both qualifications for city manager applicants and responsibilities for the position, and allowing the city to hire attorneys to assist the city attorney.
It would also make the Library Board a commission, and would allow the City Council to receive employment benefits, and allow the mayor to receive 25% more than the other council members.
Scotts Valley is asking voters to tax businesses to help with city services, such as repairing pothole and streets, wildfire prevention programs, maintaining parks/playfields; and other critical governmental services. The cost would raise business licenses from $90 to $150 per business with rates increasing incrementally for larger businesses based on gross receipts, generating approximately $1.1 million a year.
Asks for a quarter percent raise to sales tax expected to net $2.2 million a year for essential city services including public safety and emergency services, including repairing potholes, maintaining streets, sidewalks, bike lanes, beaches, fixing the new wharf, and recreation programs for youth. It currently has a quarter percent tax.
Based on the TV ads, this is a hot and expensive issue. The city is asking for a 2 cents per ounce tax on sweetened beverages claiming it will raise $1.3 million a year for improving parks, providing safe routes to schools, expanding recreational programs and helping fight diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Opponents claim it will make beverages unaffordable.
Under Prop. 2, the state would sell a $10 billion bond for new school construction and renovation projects.
Of this, $8.5 billion would be used for public schools, while $1.5 billion would go to community colleges.
School districts would apply for the funds on a first-come, first-served basis, and career technical education and charter school funds through a competitive application process.
In addition, $115 million would be used for reducing lead levels in water at public school sites.
State officials say the bond would cost about $500 million annually over 35-years, in addition to10% interest, all of which would come out of the state’s general fund.
In 2008, Californians passed Proposition 8, which limited marriage to one man and one woman and effectively banned same-sex marriage.
Two years later, a federal judge ruled that law unconstitutional, and when the United States Supreme Court declined to overturn that decision in 2013, it made same-sex marriage the law of the land.
But Prop. 8 remains still on the books. Prop. 3 would change the language in the California Constitution to allow everyone the right to marry.
New Bond for Natural Resources and Climate Activities.
Allows the state to sell a $10 billion bond for natural resources and climate activities.
Much of the bond money would be used for loans and grants to local governments, Native American tribes, not-for-profit organizations, and businesses. Some bond money would be available for state agencies to spend on state-run activities.
This includes $3.8 billion for drought, flood and water supply projects, $1.5 billion for forest health and wildfire prevention, $1.2 billion for sea-level rise projects and $1.2 billion for land conservation and habitat restoration. $700 million would go toward parks, and farms and agriculture would be eligible for $300 million.
Would cost roughly $400 million annually for 40 years, including 10% interest, which would come from the state’s general fund.
Currently, many local bonds require a two-thirds majority vote to pass. This law would lower that threshold for bonds funding affordable housing and public infrastructure projects to 55 percent.
The law would also require the governments to conduct annual audits, and to appoint citizens’ oversight committees.
Bans involuntary servitude for state prison inmates
Would change the state constitution to ban involuntary servitude as a punishment for crime, and stop state prisons from disciplining people who refuse to work.
This law would allow local governments to expand rent control rules by eliminating the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act. That law aimed to balance the interests of landlords and tenants by limiting the ability of jurisdiction to control rent increases.
Supporters say the new law would help renters in a challenging housing market.
Opponents warn that “rent control” includes housing requirements for low-income housing projects. If jurisdictions are able to set their own requirements, setting the number of required low-income units too high, for example, developers may be wary of creating new projects because they won’t pencil out financially.
In addition, the value of rental housing would decline because potential buyers would not want to pay as much.
The law could also decrease the number of available rental units because landlords would seek to sell their properties to permanent owners, opponents say.
Similar measures were defeated in 2018 and 2020. All three were forwarded by the Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation, known among other things for seeking to block new housing projects there.
Under federal law, the 340B program requires pharmaceutical companies to sell their drugs to nonprofits at discounted rates. Those non-profits then charge insurance companies full price, and keep the remainder for patient services.
One of those groups is the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which used some of those proceeds for housing projects and legislation that supports it. This includes Prop. 33.
Prop. 34 would require nonprofits that meet a very specific set of criteria to use 98% of those proceeds for direct patient care. But opponents say that those criteria are so narrow that it appears targeted specifically at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
Some opponents, in fact, call Prop 34 “The Revenge initiative,” for that organization’s support of Prop. 33.
Make the Managed Care Organization Provider Tax permanent
Since 2009, the state has charged a tax on certain health care plans, called the Managed Care Organization Provider Tax. This is estimated to bring in between $7 billion to $8 billion yearly, which is used to fund Medi-Cal, the state-federal health program for low-income people.
State officials say this helps allay that program’s costs, as Medi-Cal costs roughly $35 billion from the state’s general fund this year.
This tax is set to expire at the end of 2026. Prop. 35 would make the tax permanent beginning in 2027.
There was no opposition filed to this proposition.
Increases charges and sentences for drug and theft crimes
In 2014, voters approved Proposition 47, which reduced the penalties for some drug and theft charges.
While supporters saw that law as a way to ease overly strict consequences for crimes, Prop. 36 supporters say it resulted in an “explosion in crime” and the proliferation of hard drugs such as fentanyl.
Prop. 36 would increase theft of $950 or more from a misdemeanor to a felony if the perpetrator has previous convictions.
It would also lengthen prison sentences for theft or damage of property if three or more people committed the crime together.
In addition, crimes involving “hard” drugs such as fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine would require prison time.
Not a huge number of wineries make pinot blanc, but Ram’s Gate owner Jeff O’Neill loves different varieties of grape and planted four acres. When these voluptuous grapes were eventually crushed, the end result was the superb estate-grown Ram’s Gate Winery Pinot Blanc.
Winemaker Joe Nielsen took three different pinot blanc clones (Etude, Beringer and Bien Nacido), grown on the south-facing slopes of the Ram’s Gate estate, and made a knockout white ($40). Its notes of pear and white peach along with wheatgrass, honey and apricot linger on the tongue. Ram’s Gate says that six months spent in 86% neutral oak and 14% stainless steel make a combination that lends to a slight viscosity that is full-bodied and energetic.
Located in Sonoma at 28700 Arnold Drive, Ram’s Gate is a wonderful place to visit. Reach the winery at 707-721-8700. Ramsgatewinery.com
Dutch Treat
Visiting England in the summer, I tried Dutch Barn Vodka at some friends’ party. It’s delicious. It is made by Ellers Farm Distillery—and comedian Ricky Gervais is co-owner. Made in Yorkshire (where I’m from), of locally grown apples, tours are available of the distillery. I looked online to see if this vodka is now in the States, but not yet. Meantime, I died laughing at online ads with Ricky Gervais. Check them out. Dutchbarn.com
Ghostly Fun
Talking of spirits, Venus Spirits in Santa Cruz is doing a tour of the distillery and a class on the “spooky side” of tiki cocktails. Led by Lindsay Eshleman, it promises to be a “spooktacular” experience. 5:30–7pm Oct. 23. Venusspirits.com
French Deals
These reasonably priced French wines: Mas Des Bressades, Costieres De Nimes (about $20); Mas Carlot, La Terre Natale (about $13); and Hongrie Saint-Péray, M. Chapoutier Lieu-dit Hongrie (about $38); are all worth a swirl and a sip.
Secrets and hidden agendas have been preventing you from getting an accurate picture of what’s actually happening. But you now have the power to uncover them. I hope you will also consider the following bold moves: 1. Seek insights that could be the key to your future sexiness. 2. Change an aspect of your life you’ve always wanted to change but have never been able to. 3. Find out how far you can safely go in exploring the undersides of things. 4. Help your allies in ways that will ultimately inspire them to help you.
TAURUS — April 20-May 20
From the early 1910s to the late 1920s, silent films were the only kind of films that were made. The proper technology wasn’t available to pair sounds with images. “Talking pictures,” or “talkies,” finally came into prominence in the 1930s. Sadly, the majority of silent films, some of which were fine works of art, were poorly preserved or only exist now in second- or third-generation copies. I’m meditating on this situation as a metaphor for your life, Taurus. Are there parts of your history that seem lost, erased or unavailable? The coming weeks will be an excellent time to try to recover them. Remembering and reviving your past can be a potent healing agent.
GEMINI —May 21-June 20
An old proverb tells us, “You must run toward the future and catch it. It is not coming to meet you, but is fleeing from you, escaping into the unknown.” This adage isn’t true for you at all right now, Gemini. In fact, the future is dashing toward you from all directions. It is not shy or evasive, but is eager to embrace you and is full of welcoming energy. How should you respond? I recommend you make yourself very grounded. Root yourself firmly in an understanding of who you are and what you want. Show the future clearly which parts of it you really want and which parts are uninteresting to you.
CANCER —June 21-July 22
Early in his musical career, Cancerian innovator Harry Partch played traditional instruments and composed a regular string quartet. But by age 29, he was inventing and building novel instruments that had never before been used. Among the materials he used in constructing his Zymo-Xyl, Eucal Blossom and Chromelodeon were tree branches, light bulbs and wine bottles. I’m inviting you to enter into a Harry Partch phase of your cycle, Cancerian. The coming weeks will be an excellent time to express your unique genius—whether that’s in your art, your business, your personal life, or any other sphere where you love to express your authentic self.
LEO —July 23-Aug. 22
Life’s unpredictable flow will bring you interesting new blessings if you revamp your fundamentals. Listen closely, Leo, because this is a subtle turn of events: A whole slew of good fortune will arrive if you joyfully initiate creative shifts in your approaches to talking, walking, exercising, eating, sleeping, meditating and having fun. These aren’t necessarily earth-shaking transformations. They may be as delicate and nuanced as the following: 1. adding amusing words to your vocabulary; 2. playfully hopping and skipping as you stroll along; 3. sampling new cuisines; 4. keeping a notebook or recorder by your bed to capture your dreams; 5. trying novel ways to open your mind and heart; 6. seeking fresh pleasures that surprise you.
VIRGO —Aug. 23-Sept. 22
In an old Irish folk tale, the fairies give a queen a crystal cauldron with special properties. If anyone speaks three falsehoods in its presence, it cracks into three fragments. If someone utters three hearty truths while standing near it, the three pieces unite again. According to my metaphorical reading of your current destiny, Virgo, you are now in the vicinity of the broken cauldron. You have expressed one restorative truth and need to proclaim two more. Be gently brave and bold as you provide the healing words.
LIBRA —Sept. 23-Oct. 22
Let’s review the highlights of the recent months. First, you expanded your perspective, blew your mind and raised your consciousness. That was fabulous! Next, you wandered around half-dazed and thoroughly enchanted, pleased with your new freedom and spaciousness. That, too, was fantastic! Then, you luxuriously indulged in the sheer enjoyment of your whimsical explorations and experimentations. Again, that was marvelous! Now you’re ready to spend time integrating all the teachings and epiphanies that have surged into your life in recent months. This might be less exciting, but it’s equally important.
SCORPIO — Oct. 23-Nov. 21
As a teenager, I loved the music of Jefferson Airplane. I recall sitting on the couch in my New Jersey home and listening to their albums over and over again. Years later, I was performing on stage at a San Francisco nightclub with my band, World Entertainment War. In the audience was Paul Kantner, a founding member of Jefferson Airplane. After the show, he came backstage and introduced himself. He said he wanted his current band, Jefferson Starship, to cover two of my band’s songs on his future album. Which he did. I suspect you will soon experience a comparable version of my story, Scorpio. Your past will show up bearing a gift for your future. A seed planted long ago will finally blossom.
SAGITTARIUS — Nov. 22-Dec. 21
My horoscopes are directed toward individuals, not groups. Yet it’s impossible to provide oracles about your personal destiny without considering the collective influences that affect you. Every day, you are impacted by the culture you live in. For instance, you encounter news media that present propaganda as information and regard cynicism as a sign of intellectual vigor. You live on a planet where the climate is rapidly changing, endangering your stability and security. You are not a narrow-minded bigot who doles out hatred toward those who are unlike you, but you may have to deal with such people. I bring this to your attention, Sagittarius, because now is an excellent time to take an inventory of the world’s negative influences—and initiate aggressive measures to protect yourself from them. Even further, I hope you will cultivate and embody positive alternatives.
CAPRICORN —Dec. 22-Jan. 19
I suspect you will be extra attractive, appealing and engaging in the coming weeks. You may also be especially convincing, influential and inspirational. What do you plan to do with all this potency? How will you wield your flair? Here’s what I hope: You will dispense blessings everywhere you go. You will nurture the collective health and highest good of groups and communities you are part of. PS: In unexpected ways, being unselfish will generate wonderful selfish benefits.
AQUARIUS —Jan. 20-Feb. 18
Do you fantasize about being a masterful manager of your world? Have you imagined the joy of being the supreme sovereign of your holy destiny? Do you love the idea of rebelling against anyone who imagines they have the right to tell you what you should do and who you are? If you answered yes to those questions, I have excellent news, Aquarius: You are now primed to take exciting steps to further the goals I described. Here’s a helpful tip: Re-dedicate yourself to the fulfillment of your two deepest desires. Swear an oath to that intention.
PISCES —Feb. 19-March 20
The Liberation Season is here. How can you take maximum advantage of the emancipatory energies? Here are suggestions: 1. Plan adventures to frontier zones. 2. Sing and dance in the wilderness. 3. Experiment with fun and pleasure that are outside your usual repertoire. 4. Investigate what it would mean for you to be on the vanguard of your field. 5 Expand your understandings of sexuality. 6. Venture out on a pilgrimage. 7. Give yourself permission to fantasize extravagantly. 8. Consider engaging in a smart gamble. 8. Ramble, wander and explore.
The good news: Chefs all around Santa Cruz County have channeled their creative powers into crafting special menus to please both the palate and the pocketbook. Three courses, with three different items to choose from, multiplied by 31 different restaurants. That’s a delicious math problem.
The bad news: Many of these seasonal treats will be around for seven days only, during Santa Cruz Restaurant Week.
Who’s participating? Some restaurants are coastal landmarks popular with both locals and tourists, such as Gilda’s, the Crow’s Nest and Margaritaville. Others are neighborhood treasures that draw diners from around the county, like Tramonti, Sugo and La Posta. Some, like Rosie McCann’s, Obló and Mozaic, are part of the economic ecosystem that makes downtown Santa Cruz a destination for those in search of late-night entertainment.
Among the participants are eateries that have been around for decades. Gabriella Cafe, marking its 32nd anniversary, was created by owner Paul Cocking 32 years ago: “I saw the building and bought myself a job. Others are fresh faces, like Dos Pescados in Aptos and Hook and Line, both seafood-forward eateries marking their anniversaries in mere months.
For the next seven days, hometown folks and visitors alike can explore the culinary landscape, visiting favorite hangouts or trying something new. We talked to many of the participating chefs, and we’re sharing some of their comments on these pages.
But in short, all share one thing in common: a focus on produce grown in local soil, fish harvested from local waters, and meats from local butchers—as well as kitchen staff and managers with deep roots in the community. Stop by and say hi.
Chef Ben Krajl learned something important from the pandemic: when supplies were hard to find, he was happy to make everything in-house. He’s excited about sharing truly housemade tastes—even the breading for the coconut prawns and the fresh-cut potato skins—with new diners.
He’s pulling out the stops for Restaurant Week, as the restaurant on the golf course is celebrating its 10th year. His specials include his “go-to” Chinook Salmon with lemon zest compound butter. He’s also keen on the flatiron steak, a tender piece of meat with little fat, a red wine demi-glace served with oven potatoes and broccolini.
For the $35 lunch he has an outlaw burger, barbecue chicken salad or a mahi mahi sandwich with his own wasabi aioli and whiskey glaze. Appetizers include coconut prawns and a very special artichoke souffle. For dessert, berry cobblers with cornmeal crust topped with Marianne’s vanilla ice cream, peach crisp, or a gluten-free tort. And, he reminds us, there are gluten-free options for each meal.
The Surf and Turf special at Bruno’s Bar and Grill
Bruno’s Bar and Grill
Joanne Guzman, co-owner: “We want to showcase the things that people love about Bruno’s. We’re gonna be doing our wings. They’re super popular—the salt-and-vinegar English-style wings—and also our mango habanero wings. And our Brussels sprouts—those are a big hit. And then our pear gorgonzola salad. Those are the appetizers we’re offering. For entrees we have the salmon from our regular menu—it’s in a lemon beurre blanc sauce—and our ribs, with three different sauces to choose from. And then we did our Surf and Turf, because that’s one of our specials that people really love. Steak and prawns, mashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables. For desserts, we picked two of our most popular ones, and for the third, my husband always makes, every week, a different type of bread pudding—so he’s doing a raspberry chocolate with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. It’s good stuff.”
A preview of the menu at Gabriella Cafe
Gabriella Cafe
Paul Cocking, owner: “We’re doing some of our more popular items. Brussels sprouts are very popular, and our Caesar salad is another choice—our Caesar dressing is uniquely delicious. Some people are afraid of anchovies, but we put anchovies in there, which is not only authentic but a little tastier. People say that it’s the best they’ve had. We’re stuffing a kabocha squash with shiitake mushrooms and cashew nut cheese—that’s been very popular. We’re also doing it alternately with a vegan, gluten-free mole sauce. The fish this time is going to be a local yellowtail, which I personally like a lot. Nice to have a local fish on the menu. The duck confit is something you don’t see on a lot of menus. And then our desserts: chocolate torte, panna cotta, apple cobbler. We have a dedicated pastry chef, which a lot of restaurants are avoiding now and buying their pastries frozen from food companies.”
Hook and Line
Santos Majano, chef: “I’m excited to do Restaurant Week. We are a new restaurant, six months into it. My sous chef and I were like, ‘Let’s do something fun, let’s create something delicious and seasonally inspired, and let’s play with the theme. The market greens salad was inspired by the farmers market—Happy Boy, Blue Heron Farm, all those greens, with shaved radishes, shallot vinaigrette. The rockfish is local; we source from Real Good Fish and Ocean to Table—those are our two choices to go for seafood. It should be nice, fresh fish from our local waters. And that’s who we are, that’s who we represent. And we also have the squid with fried rice—that’s a very fun, simple dish, fresh herbs. The Moroccan spiced quinoa with sweet potatoes—that should be a fun dish for a vegetarian. Of course, you want to finish up the meal with something sweet and delicious. Pumpkins are in season, so why not do pumpkin cake?”
Habanero lime chicken tacos are back on the menu at Hula’s Island Grill and Tiki Room
Hula’s Island Grill and Tiki Room
Francisco Cervantes, general manager: “We’ve been in Santa Cruz for a while now, over 15 years. We’re excited to bring back for our Restaurant Week menu some of the old items which were fan favorites in years past, and we have newer items that we might add to our regular menu. We used to have a habanero lime chicken taco—those guys are coming back. And we’re bringing back the Mongolian beef bowl—the yellow curry sauce was delicious. We’re also trying some new items. We have Maui onion soup; we’re gonna see how it does. If it goes well, we might add that to our actual menu. For our desserts we brought back the Ohana Pie and Lilikoi Pie, which are staples, but this year we have a coconut layered cake; that guy’s real tasty. Layers of white cake with cream cheese frosting and oven-roasted coconut chips.”
First-course choices at Izakaya West End include pork belly bao buns.
Izakaya West End
Geoff Hargrave, chef and owner: “We want people to come in and see something new. We recently changed concepts, so it’s kind of important to do that. So we’re putting some effort into Restaurant Week this year. Our first course is a spicy vegan sesame broth known as tan tan broth, or two pork belly bao buns, or hamachi sashimi. Course two, there will be teriyaki-cured pink salmon over rice; it’s like a rice bowl with many accouterments. We have our ramen bowl—miso ramen with cured pork belly, enoki mushrooms and soft-boiled egg—and we’ll have a vegetarian option with tofu. Then the third is fried chicken—that’s with cornbread, mesquite smoked butter, sesame green beans and a spiced maple syrup. Typically we don’t have desserts, but for Restaurant Week we will have an ice cream mochi flight (green tea, black sesame and strawberry), a chocolate pot de crème and an ice cream sandwich with vanilla ice cream and sesame seed cookies.”
Jack O’Neill Restaurant and Lounge
Gus Trejo, executive chef: A standout feature of Jack O’Neill Restaurant at the Dream Inn is that it sources ingredients from local farms and fisheries. Gus Trejo says, “This one’s going to be savoring the local flavors. We’re supporting those micro farms that are rooted in sustainability and protect our watershed. I’m searching the best micro farms from Big Sur to Pescadero.” For Santa Cruz Restaurant Week Jack O’Neil Restaurant offers a three-course dinner that includes a choice of harvest salad with citrus vinaigrette or harvest soup with morning harvest vegetables. One entree is a Pacific “Gracie” Catch with heirloom beans, fennel and turmeric stew, rainbow chard, with crisp garlic chimichurri. Beef short ribs come with butter whipped potatoes, braised greens, jus, horseradish crème fraiche. Or there is Chickpea Stew, with flatbread, harvest vegetables and saffron rice.
The staff at Laili will be ready to serve up Mediterranean dishes for Restaurant Week.
Laili Restaurant
Xander Nicolai, general manager: “For Restaurant Week, we chose a selection of dishes that represent the heart of Laili’s culinary identity. Our appetizers, like the kadoo boranee and Mediterranean plate, offer a vibrant and flavorful introduction to the fusion of Mediterranean and Afghan influences that define us—rich in texture and layered with spice and freshness. The entrees, from the tender chicken kabob to the savory pomegranate eggplant, showcase our dedication to balancing bold, comforting flavors with refined, high-quality ingredients.
“Finally, our desserts, including the cardamom creme brulee and flourless chocolate torte, reflect our passion for creating indulgent, memorable endings that perfectly complement any meal. These selections capture the essence of our restaurant, where tradition meets innovation, and each dish tells a story of flavor, culture, and over 14 years of dedication to our craft.”
Mahi mahi tacos are a choice at Scotts Valley’s Laughing Monk (formerly known as Faultline Brewery)
Laughing Monk Brewery and Gastropub
Matt Laughlin, general manager: When he took over as general manage, Matt Laughlin says he knew all about the great bar food and the 20 different beers on tap, but he was blown away by the sense of community at this Scotts Valley neighborhood pub. “It’s where you come on a date night or where you come to host your kid’s birthday, or anything in between.”
Laughlin says, “Our community has asked us for a menu with seasonal differences, and we listen to what people want. I heard person after person talk about how much they missed the Brussel sprouts we used to serve. Brussel sprouts are kind of in season so, we put sprouts back on the menu with a little twist, we do them in Honey Sriracha.”
For restaurant week Laughing Monk will have the best in bar food with fish and chips, tacos, crispy chicken sandwich, a pesto pasta, burgers or Beyond Burgers and their smoked Gouda burger, two smash patties with smoked gouda and red caramelized onions.
Lillian’s chef Chris Moreno is planning for seasonal specials such as pear and gorgonzola fiocchetti.
Lillian’s Italian Kitchen
Chris Moreno, chef: “We’re proud of our eggplant parmesan—it’s my grandma’s recipe and it sounds so traditional Italian, but the way we do it, it’s one of my favorite things on the menu. Arancini has been a staple for us, and everybody loves it. I have to bring arancini home to my neighbors all the time. But you know … I will be more stoked on the specials that we’ll be offering. My brain, I get in the kitchen and I do different stuff every night. It could be vongole, it could be chicken cacciatore—we’re going to have our servers let our Restaurant Week customers know that whatever our special that night is will be available for them as an entree. You never know what we’re going to come out with on any given night. It could be an appetizer special or an entree special, or it could be both.”
Makai’s new green curry halibut ‘comes in fresh every day,’ says executive chef Chelsea Holmes
Makai Island Kitchen and Groggery
Chelsea Holmes, executive chef: “We just launched a new menu that I created two weeks ago. One of our specials is our tacos—sweet Shanghai-style braised pork topped with Korean cucumber salad on a fluffy bao bun. They are fantastic. For soup or salad selections, we are running our brand-new chicken tom kha soup. It’s got kaffir lime, a coconut milk base, shrimp paste and chicken thighs—it’s like happiness in a bowl. It’s so good. One of the specials for Restaurant Week only is vegetarian hot and sour soup with egg and tofu. I always try to do something that’s vegetarian for Restaurant Week. One of the main highlights is we have a new green curry halibut. We cook the halibut skin side down in a pan, simmer it in the green curry sauce with vegetables, and then we serve it with the skin off. It never gets tough. And it comes in fresh every day.”
Pistachio pudding is a popular item at Mozaic.
Mozaic
Jay Dib, owner: “We are Mediterranean with a Middle Eastern flair. The three-course dinner starts with a choice of three appetizers. We have grilled prawns, and we have a classic hummus with pita bread, and the third one is homemade dolmas—vegetarian. As main courses, we have sustainable farm-raised salmon, which comes with rice and sautéed vegetables. We have grilled chicken breast on skewers—chicken souvlaki—with rice and sautéed vegetables along with Greek salad. And the third dish will be lamb shanks, bone in, with rice and sautéed vegetables as well. For the dessert we have baklava and pistachio pudding. It’s a flan style flavored with rosewater and orange blossom and topped with honey and salted pistachios. That’s a very popular item on the menu. It’s a signature dessert that Mozaic offers. … We have a full bar and we have a belly dancer every Friday. We thank the locals for their support for the past nine years. And we want to have the exposure to people who haven’t tried us.”
Pete’s Fish House
Desmond Schneider executive chef: “We are offering modified dishes that represent our current season’s menu. We are additionally offering supplemental caviar options for a few of the dishes and giving the diner the option to pick and choose their courses from the options we are offering for Restaurant Week. We wanted to include dishes that have been favorites since we opened—kanpachi crudo, sautéed mussels, tiramisu—and also showcase some items that will reflect our change in season moving into the fall: a butternut squash bisque for a starter, and a halibut ballotine entree.”
Among the Restaurant Week items at The Point: pan-seared scallops.
The Point Kitchen & Bar
Erick Gonzalez, general manager: “We feel that our Restaurant Week menu is truly an incredible deal. We will feature dishes like ribeyes, scallops and pastas. Normally our ribeye and scallops plates go for $42 on their own. Basically giving them away so we can showcase to new customers. Everything is house-made from our dressings, and sauces, to our sides.
“Our 12oz ribeye is our best-selling entree and sprouts are our best-selling appetizer. Many customers believe we have the best polenta, which is made with three different cheeses. We have salad, soup, meat, seafood, vegetarian option, dairy-free dessert. I think we have every type of customer covered with the nine featured items.”
This week’s entrees include ribeye, pan-seared scallops and butternut squash gnocchi. Appies are a BLT chopped salad, soup and crispy Brussels sprouts. Desserts? Sorbet with berries, creme brulée and New York–style cheesecake.
“Last year was a huge success, biggest week for us of the year.”
Crabcakes can be had during Restaurant Week at Riva Fish House.
Riva Fish House
Chelsea Holmes, executive chef: “For the appetizers we’re offering a personal-sized order of the cheesy garlic bread—with or without crab. Or we have a crabcake appetizer. And we’re also offering an oyster trio, which is one of each of our oysters: guacamole, Rockefeller and diabla—all broiled. For the soup or salad we’re offering a cup of chowder or one of our salads. Also, for Restaurant Week only, we’re going to run a yellow coconut curry chicken soup. For entrees we’re going to offer cioppino, and our surf-and-turf tacos—shrimp, prawns or veggie. But we are also bringing back our Land and Sea Plate, which will be a grilled six-ounce New York with a three-prawn skewer topped with chimichurri, served with house-made mashed potatoes and garlic-butter vegetables. I think that’s going to be the winner.”
Charro soup is a starter at Seabright Social.
Seabright Social
Keiki McKay, co-owner: “We chose the Chanterelle Mushroom Pinsa, as Jon Bates, partner and general manager, is an avid mushroom forager and is traveling this week to the Oregon coast to forage for mushrooms. This special pinsa is only available during Restaurant Week due to the seasonal availability of the chanterelles. Pinsa Romana is similar to pizza. It is a flatbread that originated in ancient Rome and is known for crispy edges and soft interior. The dough is made from a combination of soy, rice and wheat flour, which makes Roman Pinsa low gluten and a much lighter and easier to digest alternative to traditional pizza.”
Sevy’s Bar and Kitchen
Ken Drew, chef: “Since Restaurant Week happens at the same time every year—autumn—I use it as the transition point from our summer menu into more of a fall/winter menu. Because of that, our ingredients will change to match the season. During Restaurant Week, we typically use more seasonal products—cranberries, carrots, butternut squash, pears … more earthy flavors. Before the year’s end, we always update our restaurant menu to include many dishes that were successful during Restaurant Week.”
Ling cod, sourced locally, makes for a hearty entree at Tramonti.
Tramonti
Luca Viara, co-owner and founder: “We just switched to the updated menu for the fall/winter, so we included some of those dishes for Restaurant Week. … For the seasonal appetizer we have a French onion soup. My business partner Eric [Taillan] is French and I’m Italian—we have a lot of influence from the two sides of the Alps. The burrata, which is something that we always offer, is with roasted heirloom beets instead of the caponata that we serve for the summer. We also have as an appetizer our meatballs and polenta, which is probably one of the most sold dishes. It’s usually a main, but we decided to do a smaller portion. Regarding the main, we will have gnocchi pasta served with a lamb ragu; this is only for Restaurant Week. We have a ling cod—delicious fish, very hearty for winter. We get it locally. And then we have a pizza with porcini mushrooms. But in the case of Restaurant Week we serve it with fresh shaved black truffle. … In addition to panna cotta and sorbet, for dessert we have the tiramisu…we cannot take it off the menu—people would protest.”
Venus Spirits | Beachside
Steven Patlan, chef, Venus Beachside: “We just added the kale salad to our menu on the Beachside, which we’re sharing with Westside for Restaurant Week … organic baby kale from Bay Farms with candied pecans and feta and a lemon poppyseed vinaigrette and some apples. I’m trying to use as much fruits and vegetables from the season—apples, pears, persimmons, pomegranates and figs. … The Manhattan filet and the cacio y pepe—those are new dishes that I’m creating exclusively for this Restaurant Week. Cacio e pepe—a really nice, comfort humble pasta dish—has fresh cracked peppercorn, Parmigiana regianno imported from Italy, bucatini pasta, pecorino romano. My rendition has a Parmesan nage, which isn’t really traditional but I think it will help elevate the dish and make it a little creamier. The steak we’re offering is a Manhattan filet—it’s the center of a New York steak, the best part—with crispy duck fat potatoes. We’re going to be serving that with broccolini and a sherry demi-glace that Carlos is sharing from the Westside location, so I think it’s going to bring the whole dish together.”
Both locations of Venus Cocktails and Kitchen will offer the same Restaurant Week menu, which includes shrimp and grits.
Venus Spirits | Westside
Carlos Perez, chef, Westside: “You’ll be able to see a little bit of our styles [from both locations] during Restaurant Week. Our theme [on the Westside] is elevated comfort food. We have shrimp and grits: some really nice, creamy white hominy grits that we serve with sauteed vegetables—collard greens, sun-dried tomatoes, sweet peppers—and Andouille sausage that we get from Neto’s Sausage, and some beautiful cajun-style shrimp. For appetizers, the lamb lollipop is going to be an old-school, traditional lamb with a romesco sauce and a mint herb oil. The scallop appetizer is one of my favorite ones—a Hokkaido scallop that sits on top of a vanilla corn puree that is a play on a Mexican esquite salad, so it’s going to have charred corn, cotija cheese, Aleppo peppers and micro greens. Really nice, really vibrant.”
Halibut risotto, summer’s best-selling special at Zelda’s, made the cut for the Restaurant Week menu.
Zelda’s on the Beach
Jill Ealy, owner: “We often use Restaurant Week to highlight our best dishes or specials that we are considering adding to the menu. This year we are doing both, with our very popular cioppino and summer’s best-selling special, halibut risotto. We also wanted to ensure guests had the option to taste our homemade coconut cheesecake and bread pudding.”
All Restaurant Week Participants
Back Nine Grill and Bar 555 Hwy. 17, Santa Cruz, 831-226-2350, backninegrill.com
Bruno’s Bar & Grill 230 Mt. Hermon Rd., Ste. G, Scotts Valley, 831-438-2227, brunosbarandgrill.com
A new film explores the short but eventful life of Santa Cruz surfer Shawn “Barney” Barron. The wave rider first caught attention for his small wave aerial style but soon transitioned into a giant killer, charging the biggest waves on Earth while launching an art career that included dabbling in short filmmaking. There is debate on how much drug use should be part of the conversation when it comes to his 2015 death by a heart attack at the young age of 44. What isn’t debated is that he was a one-of-a-kind force of nature who left his mark on the surfing world. KEITH LOWELL JENSEN
INFO: 7:15pm, Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $10. 423-8209.
FRIDAY 10/25
CLASSIC ROCK
STEELY DEAD
The smiley hippy girl decked out in tie-dye is roller skating down Haight Street. A 30-year-old man in a ’70s leisure suit walks toward her in a cocaine-powered strut, his long, well-styled hair thinning a bit on top. They collide. “Hey, you got your Steely Dan in my Dead!” “Woah, you got your Grateful Dead in my Steely Dan!” “WHAT?” They stop and look at each other. Their minds open. They have a taste. “Mmmm, it’s delicious.” If you dig these two great tastes, the chances are good you’ll find they taste even better together. KLJ INFO: 8pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton. $35. 760-1387.
ROCK
DION LUNADON
Originally from New Zealand, New York-based rock ’n’ roll bassist Dion Lunadon is known for his work with bands the D4 and A Place To Bury Strangers, contributing to albums like Worship and Transfixiation. His latest project, Memory Burn, is raucous, garage rock luster with no filler. Relentless and gritty, the Kiwi’s EP delivers distortion, rebellious lyricism and Stooges-esque production. San Jose garage punk trio Jonny Manak and the Depressives support the artist, renowned for their fast, surf-infused sets featuring no-frills rock ’n’ roll. MELISA YURIAR
After 16 years and four well-received psych-rock records, the three-piece band is going on an “indefinite hiatus,” according to a statement released by the band last month across their socials. Established in Los Angeles in 2008 by vocalist-lyricist Bardo Martinez, guitarist Carlos Arévalo and bassist Eduardo Arenas, the musicians’ incredible musical adventure began with small performances around the dive bar circuit in Southern California. Now, they’re coheadlining iconic venues like the Hollywood Bowl. The Tanto Arriba Como Abajo (As Above, So Below) tour comes at the helm of their latest record, Notebook Fantasy. Slightly more psych-rock and pop-leaning than their previous projects, this reverb-heavy, guitar-laden, vocal-driven LP is their most imaginative work yet. MY
INFO: 7pm, Quarry Amphitheater, 1156 High St., Santa Cruz. $47. 459-4184.
POP
SUKI WATERHOUSE
Suki Waterhouse has been in the spotlight for a decade and a half as a model and actress. She started performing music a decade ago, but her tunes didn’t take off until 2022 with the viral hit “Good Looking,” a song she originally released five years earlier. “Good Looking” isn’t exactly the style of music you’d expect from an actor. It’s moody, jilted and offbeat but also strangely catchy. It wasn’t a one-off. Her new record, Memoir of a Sparklemuffin, takes her formula of blending R&B, New Wave nostalgia and lo-fi production and makes pop gold out of it.Waterhouse performed as an opening act for Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour on August 17 2024 at Wembley Stadium, and shares a daughter born in March with husband, Robert Pattinson, the intense, broodingly talented English actor who by the way, often travels with his wife.
AARON CARNES/KRISTEN MCLAUGHLIN
INFO: 9pm, Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $63. 713-5492.
FESTIVAL
DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS
Join the local community at the MAH to celebrate, honor and learn about Día de los Muertos. The event is free to attend and includes a self-guided presentation of community altars. Attendees will also enjoy performances by Centeotl Danza y Baile and Ensamble Musical de Senderos. For those unfamiliar with the holiday, this is a perfect opportunity to learn about it directly from the community. For those who already celebrate, this is a special space where everyone may honor their ancestors within a communal space in a unique and memorable way. ISABELLA MARIE SANGALINE
INFO: Noon, Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz. Free. 429-1964.
ROCK
THE MOMMYHEADS
Indie pop band the Mommyheads are an experience unto themselves. With catchy melodies and a distinct knack for songwriting, they exist between worlds: partly funny, pinches of darkness, and all wrapped in a flaky crust of love. The Mommyheads aren’t for everyone and that’s okay—neither are XTC, King Crimson or the Flaming Lips, the three bands they’ve been compared to. Like ol’ Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “To be great is to be misunderstood.” Joining them at the intimate Crepe Place are Bart Davenport (’60s-influenced garage rock band the Loved Ones) and Hod and the Helpers, whose original painting of their first album cover remains a stage backdrop at the beloved local restaurant. MAT WEIR
Coming out of the DIY and all-ages music scene of New York City, all-female trio Thick got its start in 2014. The group’s releases have established the trio’s sharp and intelligent take on pop and punk, and Thick has continued its creative roll. In the years since Happy Now’s release, bassist Kate Black, guitarist Nikki Sisti and new drummer Kaleen Reading have released three singles. The latest, “Mother,” displays Thick’s melodic virtues, high-octane rock power and street-level smarts. Rain on Fridays and Casino Youth are also on the bill. BILL KOPP
INFO: 8pm, Catalyst, 1101 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $25. 713-5492.
WEDNESDAY 10/30
FOLK
THE SOFTIES
Stop everything, released an album and are touring for the first time since 2000?!? Looks like it’s time to bust out the private poetry journal ’cause we’re going crying. Comprised of Rose Melberg and Jen Sbragia, the Softies embodied the minimalist sound of harmonizing vocals and guitar in a wave of folk resurgence before it was cool. They even toured several times, once opening for the late, great Elliott Smith. Their intimate songs expose the delicate nature of being a human, full of raw emotion, nostalgia and heartbreak. The cozy SubRosa is the perfect setting for their music to take root in the soul of any listener. MW
INFO: 7pm, SubRosa, 703 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $20. 426-5242.
ROCK
FRANKIE AND THE WITCH FINGERS
Frankie and the Witch Fingers are part of the modern-day psych-surf-garage revival movement. Their 2013 debut cassette Sidewalk set the tone: healthy doses of fuzz and jangle, a primitive yet vital rhythm section, breezy vocal harmonies and a seething, minor-key approach. A decade later, the group refined and streamlined its attack with Data Doom, rocking harder and heavier in a sort of Redd Kross meets Black Sabbath manner while maintaining what made it special. Psychedelic rockers Spoon Benders open. BK
ARIES — March 21-April 19
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During Santa Cruz Restaurant Week, hometown folks and visitors alike can explore the culinary landscape, visiting favorite hangouts or trying something new.
