Good Times Santa Cruz

Psych-folk artist Ruth Garbus brings her quiet, genre-blurring sound to the Crepe Place on Aug. 20, performing music from Profound, an album that moves between indie folk, free jazz and R&B.

Richard Stockton talks with Washington State University psychologist Carrie Cuttler about research into how cannabis may affect men and women differently—from appetite and memory to pain tolerance.

Santa Cruz’s Danny Wright believes rainwater harvesting could be the next solar. His nonprofit Gravity Water and startup Cloudwell are turning rooftops into clean-water infrastructure, from schools in Nepal and Vietnam to a vision for cities worldwide.

From Danny Wright’s Gravity Water systems to Santa Cruz-born Goodles, Brad Kava considers the local innovators finding smarter ways to work with energy, water and food—and asks why we aren’t doing more of it already.

Santa Cruz startup Goodles keeps widening its noodle kingdom with protein pastas, instant cups and a new Twirly Mac line—wrapped in the kind of names, packaging and playful branding that have helped it land on shelves nationwide.

New Capitola shop Toriman Japanese Market pairs hard-to-find Japanese groceries with ready-to-eat favorites including yakitori, bento, miso soup, rice bowls and slow-simmered sukiyaki.

Christina Waters’ review of Sarah Hennies’ The Grain House continues to stir strong reactions, with readers defending both the critic’s right to challenge the work and the composer’s experimental vision.

What books did you love growing up?

Fed up with swiping? Santa Cruz singles are creating new ways to meet face-to-face, from a fast-growing 50-plus social group to outings, gallery crawls and speed dating—all built around the simple need for real human connection.

From Aries learning when abundance becomes overload to Pisces thriving where different worlds overlap, this week’s horoscope explores boundaries, perspective and the possibilities that emerge when old assumptions loosen.

Former Surfer editor Steve Hawk takes readers deep into the waves, dangers and dark corners of the California coast in his debut novel, Nearshore. He’ll read from the book Aug. 19 at Bookshop Santa Cruz.