Lookout Santa Cruz

Applications for the California Arts Council’s Individual Artists Fellowship program will open on April 15th.

The individual arts fellowship, which launches on the central coast, will accept applications from creators across Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and Ventura counties. 

There are three fellowships being awarded: Emerging Artist Fellows for artists beginning their public careers, with a $5,000 award; Established Artist Fellows for mid-career artists with a consistent body of work, with a $10,000 award; and the Legacy Artist Fellows for artists with a significant body of work produced over a substantial period of time, with a $50,000 award.

The California Arts Council has selected Arts Council Santa Cruz County, which focuses exclusively on the Central Coast, as one of eight organizations statewide to lead the Individual Artists Fellowship. 

By collaborating with local arts agencies across neighboring counties, the program ensures that artists throughout the region receive the application support needed to access these state-funded fellowships.

The fellowships provide unrestricted funding, allowing artists to use the awards for any purpose that supports their creative endeavors.

Applicant orientations will be offered on April 15 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., and April 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Zoom.. 

For marketing materials and toolkits, click here. 

For more information and links to register, click here.

The post Applications for artist fellowships open April 15th appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

Esta traducción fue generada utilizando inteligencia artificial y ha sido revisada por un hablante nativo de español; si bien nos esforzamos por lograr precisión, pueden ocurrir algunos errores de traducción. Para leer el artículo en inglés, haga clic aquí.

La ciudad de Watsonville y su departamento de policía están organizando un par de reuniones comunitarias para recopilar la opinión de los residentes sobre una nueva propuesta para liberar al violador convicto Michael Cheek de la custodia estatal y alojarlo en un hotel ubicado en el principal corredor comercial de la ciudad.

La propuesta, presentada por el Departamento de Hospitales Estatales de California (DSH), solicita al Tribunal Superior del Condado de Santa Cruz que libere a Cheek de la custodia y lo ubique en un motel situado en el 970 de Main St. en Watsonville, una zona cercana a parques y espacios orientados a familias. Si el tribunal rechaza la ubicación en Watsonville, Cheek podría ser alojado en un hotel en Ocean Street en Santa Cruz.

Las reuniones comunitarias están programadas para el 13 de abril a las 5:30 p.m. en la escuela secundaria Cesar Chavez y el 20 de abril a las 5:30 p.m. en la escuela primaria Starlight, según un comunicado de prensa de la ciudad.

Cheek fue condenado en 1980 por secuestrar a una mujer de 21 años en Seacliff State Beach y violarla a punta de pistola. Tras escapar de la custodia un año después, fue condenado por cometer un delito casi idéntico contra una menor de 15 años en el condado de Lake.

Cheek ha estado bajo custodia estatal desde 1981 y ha pasado casi 26 años en un hospital estatal del condado de Fresno. Fue autorizado para su liberación en 2019, pero el estado no pudo encontrar un lugar adecuado en la comunidad. En 2024, un plan para trasladarlo a una vivienda supervisada en un vecindario de Aptos se frustró tras las objeciones de funcionarios públicos y vecinos.

Funcionarios de Watsonville y Santa Cruz han expresado una fuerte oposición a la propuesta, afirmando que ubicar a Cheek en sus comunidades no es lo mejor para los residentes. Autoridades de Santa Cruz han señalado que se oponen a que Cheek sea ubicado en cualquier parte del condado de Santa Cruz.

La policía de Watsonville está alentando a operadores de educación en casa o guarderías cercanas al lugar propuesto a comunicarse con el capitán Donny Thul al 831-768-3314 o por correo electrónico a donny.thul@watsonville.gov. La ciudad también indicó que quienes no puedan asistir a las reuniones pueden enviar sus comentarios al tribunal antes del 27 de abril a través del correo electrónico criminalinfo@santacruzcourt.org.

Una audiencia sobre la posible ubicación está programada para el 22 de mayo a la 1:30 p.m. en el Tribunal Superior de Santa Cruz.

¿Tiene algo que decir? Lookout da la bienvenida a cartas al editor, dentro de nuestras políticas, de los lectores. Pautas aquí.

The post Watsonville organiza reuniones comunitarias tras propuesta de ubicar al violador Michael Cheek en un hotel de Main Street appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

The City of Watsonville and its police department are hosting a pair of town halls to gather community input about a new proposal to release convicted rapist Michael Cheek from state custody into a hotel located on the city’s main commercial corridor. 

The proposal, filed by the California Department of State Hospitals (DSH), is asking the Santa Cruz County Superior Court to release Cheek from custody and house him in a motel located at 970 Main St. in Watsonville, an area near parks and family-oriented spaces. If the court rejects the Watsonville location, Cheek could be placed in a hotel on Ocean Street in Santa Cruz. 

A map showing the location where the California Department of State Hospitals is proposing to place convicted rapist Michael Cheek. Credit: City of Watsonville

The town halls are scheduled for April 13 at 5:30 p.m. at Cesar Chavez Middle School and April 20 at 5:30 p.m. at Starlight Elementary School, according to a media release from the city. 

Cheek was convicted in 1980 of kidnapping a 21-year-old woman off Seacliff State Beach and raping her at gunpoint. After escaping from custody a year later, Cheek was convicted of committing a nearly identical crime against a 15-year-old in Lake County. 

Cheek has been in state custody since 1981, and has spent nearly 26 years in a Fresno County state hospital. He was cleared for release in 2019, but the state couldn’t find a placement in a community setting. In 2024, a plan to release him into a supervised home in an Aptos neighborhood fell through following objections from public officials and neighbors. 

Watsonville and Santa Cruz city officials have strongly opposed the proposal, saying that placing Cheek in their communities is not in the best interest of residents. Santa Cruz officials say they object to  placing Cheek anywhere in Santa Cruz County. 

Watsonville police are encouraging homeschool or daycare operators that are nearby the proposed location to contact Watsonville Police Capt. Donny Thul at 831-768-3314 or donny.thul@watsonville.gov. The city also said those unable to attend the town halls can submit their comments to the court by April 27 via email at criminalinfo@santacruzcourt.org.

A placement hearing is scheduled for May 22 at 1:30 p.m. at the Santa Cruz Superior Court.

The post Watsonville to hold town hall meetings following proposal to place convicted rapist Michael Cheek in Main Street hotel appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

After years of mounting costs and declining business, longstanding vegetarian restaurant Dharma’s in Capitola warned it could close, prompting an immediate surge of community support that filled tables and boosted short-term revenue. As owner Yogi Shapiro prepares to take over from his father, he’s now working to adjust prices, portions and the restaurant’s model to stay viable in a changing dining landscape.

The post A call for help brings diners back to Dharma’s, but long-term challenges remain  appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

National Weather Service meteorologists say they cannot determine whether Santa Cruz set heat records during last month’s extreme temperatures because a 130-year-old volunteer-run climate station — the only site meeting strict long-term data standards — stopped operating in 2022, leaving a gap in the official record despite widespread unofficial measurements from other local sensors.

The post Did Santa Cruz have record-breaking heat last month? NWS meteorologists can’t say after 130-year-old weather station stopped running in 2022  appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

This April is Global Volunteer Month—a time to honor the thousands of volunteers who show up for our community all year long. Research backs up what volunteers already know: service strengthens people, reduces isolation, and builds purpose. It reminds us we’re not alone.

When the world feels heavy, when we’re facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, volunteering brings us back to center—back to what matters. Back to community. Back to the knowing that one person can make a difference.

However you choose to give matters. Because volunteering changes everything!

This month, we invite you to take action: Volunteer your time, advocate for your favorite cause, or donate to support the power of volunteerism in our community.

April 18th: The biggest beach clean up of the year! Join Inspector Planet, Santa Clara University, UCSC Athletics, and the Volunteer Center to celebrate community, connection, and clean beaches! All ages and abilities are welcome. 10 Ways to Volunteer Locally

1. Join the Main Beach Clean-Up
   Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
   Let’s come together in community and service. All ages and abilities welcome—whether you’re a long-time volunteer or this is your first time, you are ready to clean the beach or cheer from the deck. Together, let’s celebrate our volunteer community!
   
2. Help Seniors Age Safely at Home
   Install grab bars, change light bulbs, fix smoke detectors. Join the Helping Hands team where small repairs make a big difference. Flexible schedule, meet new friends, stay active while helping older neighbors stay safe.
   
3. Teach Adults English Literacy
   Help adults reach their educational goals and build brighter futures for themselves and their families. Attend a free information session to learn more!
   
4. Get Outdoors with the Santa Cruz County Parks Department:
   Restore habitats, support pollinators, keep our parks beautiful – choose from various outdoor maintenance and beautification roles across the county.
   
5. She Is Beautiful 5k/10k Race – Volunteer Day May 9
   Support domestic violence survivors and families at this uplifting community event on May 9 along West Cliff Drive. Perfect for individuals, families, and workplace teams.
   
6. Prepare Our Community for Emergencies
   Join our volunteer outreach team! Learn how to give presentations or talk one-on-one about disaster preparedness. Help neighbors be prepared, stay safe, and get ready with Listos California and the Volunteer Center.
   
7. Pitch In Santa Cruz County
   Join the community-wide cleanup effort in May with hundreds of neighbors across our community. Find your neighborhood and sign up to Pitch In!
   
8. Bake Birthday Cakes for Foster Kids – Cake4Kids
   Bake and decorate homemade cakes in your own kitchen, then deliver to youth in foster care and at-risk youth. You choose when and how often. (Ages 16+).
   
9. Help Coordinate Rides for Seniors
   As a transportation dispatcher, you will volunteer from home, helping local seniors find rides to doctors appointments, grocery stores, pharmacies, and other essential destinations!
   
10. Find Your Perfect Fit Not sure where you belong? We’ll match you with an opportunity based on your time, skills, and passion. Get matched!

Celebrate Together

After volunteering this month, join us to celebrate! The Be the Difference Awards on May 20 honors the volunteers, nonprofits, and community leaders making Santa Cruz County stronger.

In addition to this year’s honorees, we’ll honor Volunteer Center Executive Director Karen Delaney as she transitions to retirement, marking 40 years of transformative service and visionary leadership that built this thriving volunteer movement.

Whether you are a volunteer or you’re simply inspired by this community, you’re invited to celebrate what’s possible when we show up for one another!

About the Volunteer Center

At the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County, we connect people for good because meaningful service is the heart of a strong, vibrant community and a healthy, happy life.

For 60 years, Santa Cruz County has trusted the Volunteer Center to help people connect for good, turning compassion into belonging and lasting impact. Our vision is a community where giving is the way of life — where everyone’s gifts matter, kindness is celebrated, and together we build a stronger, healthier, more connected community where everyone thrives.

Learn more at scvolunteercenter.org

The post April is for action: 10 ways to volunteer now in Santa Cruz County appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

With the weekend nearly here, check out things to do around Santa Cruz County with a recommendation from Lily Belli and a specially curated list from Lookout’s BOLO events calendar.

The post Best of Santa Cruz County arts & food events this weekend, April 9-12 appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

The city of Santa Cruz will celebrate the completion of the Wharf End Interim Repairs project, reopening of the southern end of the Santa Cruz Wharf to the public. 

Construction began on Nov 25, 2025 after winter storm damage in 2024. 

The celebration is scheduled for April 29, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., on the south end of the wharf.

The repairs mark a milestone in maintaining one of Santa Cruz’s most iconic community spaces.

“The wharf is where our community comes together to connect, enjoy the coast, and experience everything that makes Santa Cruz special,” parks and recreation director Tony Elliot said. “These repairs ensure this space remains accessible, welcoming, and resilient for years to come.” 

For more information about the Santa Cruz Wharf, ongoing improvements, and upcoming events, visit www.santacruzca.gov/wharf. 

The post Santa Cruz to celebrate completion of wharf repairs appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

The Santa Cruz County housing market began to heat up in March, as usual, with home sales and inventory both ticking up noticeably. Realtors say that some high-end buyers have shifted their perspective, opting to take out mortgages instead of paying all cash, in order to maintain their liquidity among geopolitical and economic uncertainties.

The post Santa Cruz County home sales tick up as more look to invest in real estate appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

OPINION: While Pleasure Point’s female surfer statue has broad support, Nikki Hotvedt takes issue with the proposed location and a process she says has moved forward too quickly.

The post The last patch of old Santa Cruz dirt: Pleasure Point’s female surf statue is kicking up a community dilemma appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

Esta traducción fue generada utilizando inteligencia artificial y ha sido revisada por un hablante nativo de español; si bien nos esforzamos por lograr precisión, pueden ocurrir algunos errores de traducción. Para leer el artículo en inglés, haga clic aquí.

La ciudad de Santa Cruz se opone a una propuesta para la liberación del violador condenado Michael Cheek de la custodia estatal a un hotel a pocas cuadras del Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

La propuesta, presentada por el California Department of State Hospitals (DSH), solicita al Santa Cruz County Superior Court que lo libere de la custodia y lo aloje en un hotel en Main Street en Watsonville. Si el tribunal rechaza la ubicación en Watsonville, Cheek podría ser ubicado en un hotel en Ocean Street en Santa Cruz.

Cheek fue condenado en 1980 por secuestrar a una mujer de 21 años en Seacliff State Beach y violarla a punta de pistola. Después de escapar de la custodia un año después, Cheek fue condenado por cometer un crimen casi idéntico contra una joven de 15 años en el Lake County. 

Cheek ha estado bajo custodia estatal desde 1981 y ha pasado casi 26 años en un hospital estatal del Fresno County. Fue autorizado para su liberación en 2019, pero el estado no pudo encontrar una ubicación en un entorno comunitario. En 2024, un plan para liberarlo en una vivienda supervisada en un vecindario de Aptos fracasó tras objeciones de funcionarios públicos y vecinos.

Cheek “no debería residir en ningún entorno de hotel”, dijeron funcionarios de la ciudad de Santa Cruz en un comunicado de prensa el martes por la noche. El comunicado también indicó que la ubicación propuesta es frecuentemente ocupada por familias y niños, “creando contacto inevitable con posibles víctimas.”

La ciudad de Santa Cruz también se opone al enfoque del DSH de ubicar a Cheek en cualquier parte del condado de Santa Cruz.

En Watsonville, funcionarios de la ciudad dijeron el martes que ubicar a Cheek en su ciudad no es lo mejor para la comunidad. La ubicación propuesta está en el centro de un corredor comercial concurrido de la comunidad, cerca de parques y espacios para familias, dijeron los funcionarios en un comunicado. La ciudad trabaja para organizar una reunión pública para recopilar opiniones de la comunidad y alienta a los residentes a enviar comentarios al tribunal antes del 27 de abril por correo electrónico a criminalinfo@santacruzcourt.org.

Una audiencia de ubicación está programada para el 22 de mayo a la 1:30 p.m. en el Tribunal Superior de Santa Cruz.

¿Tiene algo que decir? Lookout da la bienvenida a cartas al editor, dentro de nuestras políticas, de los lectores. Pautas aquí.

The post La ciudad de Santa Cruz se opone firmemente a un plan para colocar al violador Michael Cheek en un hotel de Santa Cruz appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

The City of Santa Cruz is opposing a proposal to the release of convicted rapist Michael Cheek from state custody into a hotel blocks away from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. 

The proposal, filed by the California Department of State Hospitals (DSH), is asking for the Santa Cruz County Superior Court to release him from custody and house him in a hotel on Main Street in Watsonville. If the court rejects the Watsonville location, Cheek could be placed in a hotel on Ocean Street in Santa Cruz. 

Cheek was convicted in 1980 of kidnapping a 21-year-old woman off Seacliff State Beach and raping her at gunpoint. After escaping from custody a year later, Cheek was convicted of committing a nearly identical crime against a 15-year-old in Lake County. 

Cheek has been in state custody since 1981, and has spent nearly 26 years in a Fresno County state hospital. He was cleared for release in 2019, but the state couldn’t find a placement in a community setting. In 2024, a plan to release him into a supervised home in an Aptos neighborhood fell through following objections from public officials and neighbors. 

Cheek “should not reside in any hotel setting,” Santa Cruz city officials said in a media release Tuesday evening. The statement also said that the proposed location is frequently occupied by families and children, “creating unavoidable contact with potential victims.”

The city of Santa Cruz also is objecting to DSH’s focus on placing Cheek anywhere in Santa Cruz County. 

In Watsonville, city officials said Tuesday that placing Cheek in their city is not in the best interest of the community. The proposed location is centered in the community’s busy commercial corridor, near parks and family-serving spaces, the officials said in a statement. The city is working to organize a town hall to gather input from the community, and encourages residents to submit comments to the court by April 27 via email at criminalinfo@santacruzcourt.org. 

A placement hearing is scheduled for May 22 at 1:30 p.m. at the Santa Cruz Superior Court.

The post City of Santa Cruz strongly opposing plan to place rapist Michael Cheek in Santa Cruz hotel appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

More than 40 protesters gathered at the intersection of Ocean and Water Streets on Tuesday evening for a rapid-response protest against the U.S.-Israel war in Iran and President Donald Trump’s increasingly serious threats against the country. The protest, organized by Indivisible Santa Cruz County, was announced just hours earlier on social media.

Trump, however, walked back the threats later on Tuesday, and announced a two-week pause in attacks on Iran. Iran accepted the ceasefire, and Israel joined as well, according to news reports.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Tensions had ballooned in recent days, coming to a head Tuesday morning, when Trump wrote a threatening message on social media that “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought again,” if Iran did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz. 

Trump has backed down from deadlines multiple times since the war began. Indivisible volunteer and clinical psychologist Diane Bridgeman said that while the pattern is exhausting, and at times predictable, it’s important that people don’t normalize the behavior.

Aptos resident Mike Borg. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

“We have to start questioning why we’re allowing him to continue to do it,” she said. “He’s so immoral and I worry about the younger generation, and what they’re learning from the way he treats people.”

Aptos resident Mike Borg stood at the sidewalk in a taco costume to represent the popular acronym TACO, standing for “Trump Always Chickens Out.” He said that although Trump walking back his threats wasn’t surprising, his violent rhetoric was more serious. Borg said people need to keep the pressure up through protesting, writing to legislators, and staying informed.

The post Last-minute protest against Trump’s Iran threats draws community response appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

Jessica M. Pasko’s weekly column returns with news of Santa Cruz County getting more than half a million from pharmacy giant Walgreens and local businesses’ chance to get in on World Cup fever, plus names, numbers and dates to know.

The post This week in Santa Cruz County business: County reaches settlement with Walgreens; businesses invited to partake in World Cup promotions appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

When a wildfire moves through an area, it is often not the flames that reach homes first. It is wind-driven embers, carried long distances, landing on roofs, in gutters, and near small openings. If those embers find dry debris or a vulnerable entry point, they can ignite a home even when the fire itself is not nearby. 

In the Santa Cruz Mountains and surrounding wildfire exposure areas, this is one of the most common ways homes are lost. Many homeowners focus on defensible space and vegetation, which are critical, but the roof system is just as important. With insurance becoming more limited and expensive in higher-risk areas, more homeowners are looking for practical ways to reduce that risk. The good news is that fire hardening your roof does not always require a full replacement. 

If you only address a few things, start here: 

● Keep the roof and gutters clear of leaves and debris 

● Install gutter guards 

● Upgrade vulnerable vents to ember-resistant vents 

● Use a Class A fire-rated roofing system when replacement is needed 

Focusing on these key areas can significantly reduce the chances of embers finding a place to ignite. 

What homeowners can do 

Some of the most effective fire hardening steps come down to regular maintenance. Homeowners can stay on top of these items themselves, or have them handled as part of a roof and gutter maintenance service. 

Keeping the roof clear of leaves, pine needles, and debris is one of the most important steps. These materials can easily ignite if embers land on them. The same applies to gutters, where debris tends to collect and dry out over time. Regular cleaning helps reduce that risk. 

It is also important to trim back tree branches that hang over or near the roof. This not only reduces the amount of debris that falls onto the roof, but also helps limit how close potential fuel sources are to the home.

Lower-cost upgrades that make a difference 

For homeowners who want to go a step further, there are several practical upgrades that can significantly improve how a roof performs during a wildfire. At Moriarty’s Roofing, these are some of the most common improvements we recommend. 

Gutter guards are one of the simplest and most effective upgrades. They help prevent leaves and debris from building up in gutters, reducing one of the most common ignition points. 

Upgrading attic, soffit, and roof vents to ember-resistant vents is another key improvement. Standard vents can allow embers to enter the attic, while ember-resistant designs help block that pathway. 

Sealing small gaps and openings around roof edges, ridges, and tiles is also important. These small entry points are often overlooked, but they can allow embers to get underneath roofing materials. Similarly, repairing damaged flashing around pipes, skylights, and other roof openings helps reduce vulnerable areas. 

When a full roof replacement makes sense 

Not every home needs a new roof to improve fire resistance. However, if a roof is older, worn, or made of more combustible materials, replacement can be one of the most effective long-term improvements. 

Modern Class A fire-rated roofing systems are designed to provide a much higher level of protection against fire exposure. Homes with older wood shake or other vulnerable roofing materials benefit the most from upgrading to a more fire-resistant system. 

A practical approach to reducing risk 

Fire hardening is not about eliminating risk entirely. It is about reducing the chances that embers can find a place to ignite. Most homeowners do not need to tackle everything at once. Starting with the most common vulnerabilities, especially debris buildup and unprotected openings, can go a long way. 

If you are not sure where your roof stands, Moriarty’s Roofing can help identify the most important next steps for your home.

About Moriarty’s Roofing 

Moriarty’s Roofing is a local full-service roofing contractor that has been serving Santa Cruz County for 25 years. The company provides residential and commercial roofing, roof repairs, gutters, skylights, waterproofing, and roof replacements, with a focus on quality workmanship, durable materials, and long-term protection. Moriarty’s Roofing is also the only Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Roofing Contractor in Santa Cruz County. Learn more at https://www.moriartysroofing.com or call (831) 466-9948.

The post How to fire harden your roof in Santa Cruz’s wildfire zones appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

Businesses operating in Santa Cruz County must register with the county clerk. Lookout Santa Cruz reviews the public filings from local businesses to report on new businesses starting in the area.

Here is what’s new in local business recently.

New businesses

• DEBUT, DEBUT ULTRASOUND BOUTIQUE was registered at 6101 Gushee St., #472, Felton, by Debut & Co LLC as a limited liability company on March 23.
• ALLTRONICS REPAIR SHOP, ALLTRONICS TV REPAIR was registered at 11 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville, by Adrian Carreno Diaz as an individual business on March 23.
• JOHN F WISE was registered at 669 Bronte Ave., Watsonville, by John F. Wise as an individual business on March 24.
• SC GLASSWORKS was registered at 677 Beach Dr., Watsonville, by SC Glassworks LLC as a limited liability company on March 25.
• ACOSTA CONSTRUCTION was registered at 5098 Wilder Dr., #2, Soquel, by Juan Carlos Acosta Trejo as an individual business on March 25.
• SILVER SCROLL GAMING was registered at 190 Railroad Ave., Ben Lomond, by Gianna Goodpaster as an individual business on March 25.
• DENTISTRY FOR ANIMALS-APTOS was registered at 8035 Soquel Dr., #45, Aptos, by Animal Dermatology Group, Inc. as a corporation on March 25.
• SOQUEL CREEK REDWOOD was registered at 200 7th Ave., Suite 190, Santa Cruz, by Aden Dahar Cury as a general partnership on March 25.
• R & D MOTORSPORTS was registered at 3301B Portola Drive, Santa Cruz, by Lozano Motorsports Inc as a corporation on March 25.
• CALIFORNIA LIFE CARE MEDICAL CLINIC was registered at 9571 Highway 9, Ben Lomond, by California Rehab Physicians Professional Corporation as a corporation on March 25.
• KATE’S CURIO was registered at 509 Bay Ave., Capitola, by Foof And Goose Enterprises LLC as a limited liability company on March 25.
• TerraNova Law was registered at 10 A Kenyon Ave., Watsonville, by Katiana Gonzalez as an individual business on March 26.
• ADVANCED MOBILE DENTAL HYGIENE PRACTICE OF ROYA HAMLABADI, RDHAP was registered at 318 Cider Court, Scotts Valley, by Roya Hamlabadi as an individual business on March 27.
• RESEARCH-BASED ACUPUNCTURE was registered at 4301 Scotts Valley Dr. #2, Scotts Valley CA 95066 by Professional Corporation Research-based Acupuncture as a corporation on March 30.
• EASYMOVE was registered at 1911 Kinsley St., Apt. 1, Santa Cruz, by Yhon Sebastian Prieto Palomino as an individual business on March 30.
• HIGH NOTE GOODS was registered at 3014 Atherton Dr., Aptos, by Martha Kehoe as an individual business on March 30.
• GONE BY TUESDAY was registered at 101 Cooper St., Santa Cruz, by Atlas Mae Ventures LLC as a limited liability company on March 30.
• COIN DROP ARCADE was registered at 16 Crescent Dr., Scotts Valley, by Kacey Lewis as an individual business on March 30.
• ALYSSA BONDI THERAPY was registered at 1099 38th Ave., Spc. 41, Santa Cruz, by Alyssa Bondi as an individual business on March 30.
• CRDN of South Bay and Central Coast was registered at 1896 Main St., Watsonville, by Shalom Cleaner, Inc. as a corporation on April 1.
• EVA HOLT CONSULTING GROUP LLC was registered at 3611 Portola Ave., Santa Cruz, by Eva Holt Consulting Group LLC as a limited liability company on April 1.
• ADRENALINE SURFBOARDS was registered at 829 Monterey Ave., Capitola, by Andrew Hayden Carroll as an individual business on April 1.
• BIG BASIN ROAD ASSOCIATION was registered at 28800 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, by Kristel Krepelka on April 1.
• SANCTUARY OF THE HEART was registered at 6974 Empire Grade, Santa Cruz, by Lisa Mayi Goodenough as an individual business on April 1.
• SEPTIC GURUS was registered at 719 Navarra Dr., Scotts Valley, by Hudson Brothers Inc. as a corporation on April 1.
• THE TRUST ADVISORY was registered at 5435 Scotts Valley Dr., Suite F, Scotts Valley, by Streamline Real Estate Inc. as a corporation on April 2.
• HR STRATEGIES was registered at 430 Semple Ave., Aptos, by Brenda A. Rogers as an individual business on April 2.
• THE BEAUTY BAR was registered at 500 Soquel Ave., Suite B, Santa Cruz, by Melanie Teresa Meyer as a general partnership on April 2.
• WAREP was registered at 132 Dufour St., Santa Cruz, by Hall Conservation Solutions LLC as a limited liability company on April 3.

Have news that should be in Lookout Briefs? Send your news releases, including contact information, to news@lookoutlocal.com.

MORE LOCAL COVERAGE

The post Santa Cruz County business filings: Week of April 7 appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

Dear friends,

We need to share something with you that is long overdue. 

Dharma’s has been struggling financially — not for months, but for years. We had hoped that we could turn things around quietly, but the math is simple and unforgiving: the cost of ingredients, labor, utilities, and everything it takes to keep a restaurant running has climbed steadily, while business has continued to decrease. We’ve cut where we can, restructured how we operate, and worked to find every possible efficiency. But the gap remains.

Right now, our family is having real conversations about the future — whether we can keep Dharma’s going, whether it’s time to close, or whether someone else might carry it forward. Nothing is decided yet. But we can no longer act as if everything is fine and will simply work itself out.

We want you to know this because you are Dharma’s. Every family that made us your Friday night spot, every one who grew up playing with the toy dinosaurs, every college student who discovered us and kept coming back for more, every regular who walks in and doesn’t need a menu — you built this place as much as we did.

What we ask of you now is to spread the word. Make dining with us a regular thing again. Bring someone new. Share our name with people who have never walked through the door. The truth is, every table filled makes a real difference right now more than it ever has.

We’re writing this from a place of sincerity and deep gratitude. We believe wholeheartedly in what Dharma’s is and what it stands for. Forty-four years of feeding this community, of showing that a laid back vegetarian joint can be the thing that brings people and community together. That is something truly special. That is something worth celebrating, and something worth fighting for and supporting. 

Thank you for every meal you’ve shared with us, for every kind word, for making a small family restaurant feel like it belongs to everyone. 

With love,

The Dharma’s Family

The post Dharma’s speaks honestly: A beloved local restaurant at a crossroads appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

This post is updated throughout the day to reflect the latest incidents. It was last updated at 7:30 a.m..

Here’s what’s happening on the roads this morning…

▼︎ new incidents

Road incidents as of 7:30 a.m. on April 7

• A lane on westbound SR-152 at Clifford Drive/Ohlone Parkway in Watsonville and Pajaro is closed for asphalt paving. The closure will last until July 3.
   
• A traffic collision with no injuries happened at the intersection of Highway 9 and Brackney Rd in San Lorenzo Valley. The vehicles ended up on the right shoulder. The incident was first reported as a 911 hang up and later confirmed as a non-injury collision. It was reported today.
   

Disclosure: Traffic incidents are partially generated by artificial intelligence. We are constantly working to improve the accuracy and quality of our AI-generated content. However, there may still be errors or inaccuracies. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

The post Tuesday morning traffic: SR-152 lane closed for paving; minor Hwy 9 collision appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

A spirited and entertaining “Reefer Madness” from Renegade Theater Company at the Veterans Memorial Building in downtown Santa Cruz features a talented cast and sharp visual design, but overpowering sound mutes the lyrics and blurs the show’s comic bite.

The post ‘Reefer Madness’ is a blast – if you can hear it appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

Starting Monday, Dominican Hospital will share a new president, Christine McSweeney, with a hospital in Redwood City, located 47 miles north of Santa Cruz. 

Both hospitals are part of CommonSpirit Health, which is one of the largest nonprofit hospital chains in the country. 

McSweeney’s appointment represents a departure from the previous leadership structure in which Dominican Hospital’s president/chief executive officer leads only that hospital full-time. Dominican’s president, Dr. Nanette Mickiewicz, announced her retirement late last fall after overseeing the hospital for nearly 20 years. Prior to her tenure as president, Mickiewicz was chief medical officer for more than six years. 

McSweeney comes to the region after serving as president of Holy Cross Hospital-Jordan Valley and West Valley in West Jordan, Utah, since 2023. She has more than a decade of health care administration experience, earning a master’s degree in business administration at Arizona State University, and is a fellow at the American College of Healthcare Executives.

“I am honored and excited to join Dignity Health’s California Region and lead these two distinguished hospitals,” McSweeney said in a statement. “I am deeply committed to continuing the excellent work already underway at both facilities and working collaboratively with our dedicated caregivers, staff, and the communities we serve.”

Since 1988, Dominican Hospital has been part of Catholic Healthcare West, which became Dignity Health in 2012. In 2019, the nonprofit health care chain merged with Catholic Health Initiatives to form CommonSpirit Health. BJ Predum, Central Coast market president for Dignity Health, said the hospitals are “incredibly fortunate” to welcome McSweeney. 

“Christine’s exceptional leadership, commitment to quality, and ability to foster strong teams make her the ideal person to guide Sequoia and Dominican Hospitals forward,” Predum said in a statement. 

The entrance to Dignity Health Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

McSweeney will be taking the reins of Dominican at a challenging time, with rising costs and staffing concerns. 

Crystal Crafton, chief nurse representative with the union representing the hospital’s nurses, raised those concerns but said nurses are eager to meet her.   

“As our patients know very well,” Crafton said, “Dominican has longstanding issues with understaffing, poor retention, and limited hospital capacity for our growing community. 

“We hope Ms. McSweeney recognizes the value and expertise of the nurses and the medical staff at Dominican and uses her leadership role to address these patient safety issues.”

Dominican Hospital’s CommonSpirit spokesperson, Christine McMurry, declined to answer several questions about the hire, including whether McSweeney will live in Santa Cruz and how she’ll recruit new doctors. 

“Since Ms. McSweeney is not yet serving as the CEO, I do not have additional information to share at this time,” McMurry said via email. 

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The post Dominican Hospital to share a new president with Redwood City’s Sequoia Hospital appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.