Hey, Santa Cruz!
🦋 Start the week with an ethereal experience. Take a self-guided monarch butterfly walk at Natural Bridges Mon., Oct. 19 (11am-5pm) and visit California’s only State Monarch Preserve. The butterflies typically begin arriving in mid-October, with late October and November often offering the best viewing. On warm days, you may find yourself surrounded by fluttering wings; in cooler weather, look for clusters tucked high in the trees. Bring binoculars or a camera with a zoom lens for a better view. The walk is free; vehicle parking is $10.
🎃 Santa Cruz does not believe in limiting Halloween to a single day. The Wharf’s 13 Days of Halloween kicks off today, Mon., Oct. 19, with a pumpkin scavenger hunt, a festive photo spot and seasonal specials through Oct. 31. Find five pumpkins in a row on your scavenger card and collect a Halloween prize. Then head back Sat., Oct. 24, for “Thriller” dancers at 4pm and Hocus Pocus at Wharf Commons at 6:30pm. Bring chairs, blankets and your warmest attire for watching a movie over the ocean. The screening is weather dependent.
🍄 Calling all artists, theme-camp dreamers and mutant-vehicle masterminds! unSCruz is getting a head start on its 2027 festival, Luminous Mycelium, with applications opening today, Mon., Oct. 19, at noon for theme camps, art installations, mutant vehicles and art grants. Have something wonderfully weird in mind? Applications close Nov. 15, but early submissions get reviewed first – and art-grant hopefuls should include a detailed budget. Let those bright ideas sprout.
🐦 A little birdsong and some ocean air while you learn more about our winged neighbors. Sounds great! Enthusiastic Bird Watchers at La Selva Beach Library Tues., Oct. 20 (1:30-2:30pm) combines a bird talk with a guided walk through the neighborhood and along the shoreline. Bring binoculars if you have them; curiosity is the only equipment required. For adults.
🌿 Curious about Buddhist perspectives on death and rebirth? Land of Medicine Buddha begins a new module of its Discovering Buddhism course with Geshe Tenzin Legtsok Tues., Oct. 20 (6:30-8:30pm). The six-session series offers an opportunity to explore these teachings in depth, meeting Tuesdays through Dec. 1, with no class Nov. 17.
🍽️ So many restaurants, so many things you’ve been wanting to order. Santa Cruz Restaurant Week runs Oct. 21–28, with participating restaurants serving three-course dinners for $45, $55 or $65. Coming right after International Chefs Day, it’s a delicious way to celebrate the talent in our local kitchens. Revisit a favorite or discover somewhere new – and leave room for dessert. It’s literally part of the deal.
🎬 This week’s Boardwalk Fright Flicks selection: Jordan Peele’s Get Out, Weds., Oct. 21, at the historic Grove Ballroom. Doors open at 7:30pm; the movie starts at 8pm. Your $18 ticket includes a drink – and probably a renewed appreciation for your own relatively normal family gatherings. Ages 21+.
🐶 Every underdog deserves a love story. National Make a Dog’s Day Thurs., Oct. 22, shines a light on shelter dogs who are too often overlooked, especially older dogs and those with disabilities. Subaru’s annual celebration encourages people to adopt, foster or help these ‘Underdogs’ find homes. Feeling inspired? Head over to the Santa Cruz SPCA – they’re always happy to help you find your four-legged love match.
🤝 New connections, local bites and vintage arcade games – now that’s mixing business with pleasure. Members of business associations from across Santa Cruz County will gather at the County Wide All Business Mixer at the MAH Thurs., Oct. 22 (5:30-7:30pm), for an evening of networking and exploring the museum’s exhibitions. Food and drinks are provided by Hula’s Island Grill, Pacific Cookie Company, Big Basin Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing and Sante Adairius. Tickets are $17.85, with proceeds benefiting the museum. Networking never tasted so good.
🧛 Santa Carla’s vampires have aged remarkably well. The Lost Boys comes to The 418 Project Fri., Oct. 23 (7:30-10pm), for a screening with live soundtrack music by The Dead Cassettes and stories from the people who helped make it happen. Jennifer Otter Bickerdike hosts a conversation with Jamison Newlander, a.k.a. Alan Frog, and Judy Bouley, who cast locals for the film. A chance to revisit the movie AND hear what went on behind the scenes? Definitely leave the crypt for this one!
🌱 Before the weekend gets too heavy on candy and chili, put those hands to work at the Felton Discovery Park Garden Work Party Sat., Oct. 24 (9–11am). Help beautify a community park, spend a little time outdoors and start Saturday with something you can feel good about. Sign up here.
🕯️ Honoring ancestors, remembering loved ones and keeping their stories alive are at the heart of Día de los Muertos, a deeply meaningful Mexican cultural tradition. The MAH’s Día de los Muertos celebration Sat., Oct. 24 (noon-3pm) features traditional music and dance by Senderos, hands-on activities and ofrendas – altars honoring the dead – created by community organizations. View these tributes and share in a tradition that connects families and generations through remembrance. Admission is free.
🌶️ The competition is heating up. Bring a spoon, some ice water and your strongest opinions. The Boardwalk Chili Cook-Off is Sat., Oct. 24, with professional and amateur cooks competing for chili bragging rights – and your People’s Choice vote. Public tasting begins at 1pm, with winners announced at 4pm. Admission is free; $15 tasting kits include eight tastes and go on sale at 10am. Pace yourselves.
🍬 Those Halloween costumes deserve more than one outing – and a parade of their own. Watsonville’s Downtown Candy Crawl Sat., Oct. 24 (2-6pm), sends kids ages 13 and under trick-or-treating through downtown businesses. Join a costume parade around City Plaza at 2:30pm or 5pm; meet at the information booth to participate. It’s all free, with no registration required. Bring your own candy container – just make sure it has enough room!
🥕 Dinner tastes even better when it does some good. The Homeless Garden Project’s Sustain Supper takes place at Natural Bridges Farm on Santa Cruz’s Westside Sat., Oct. 24 (4-6:30pm). The meal supports job training, transitional employment and support services for people experiencing homelessness. Reserve your spot here.
🔪🎃 Not many events try to hook you with “guts, glory and breakfast,” but Aptos St. BBQ’s annual Pumpkin Carving Contest delivers all three Sun., Oct. 25 (10am). Carve your way toward the grand prize: a $250 gift card, with prizes for second and third place, too. Participants get free donuts, cider and breakfast tacos, while CHP officers serve as guest judges. Entry is free, but spots are limited and online registration is required. Time to find out whether your carving skills extend beyond two triangles and a crooked smile.
🌳 If your ideal Sunday involves fewer pumpkin innards, Quail Hollow Ranch Community Day Sun., Oct. 25 (10am-2pm) offers guided hikes, a look inside the historic ranch house, microscope viewing, and gardening and art activities. Take an easy walk on the Discovery Trail or try the more challenging new Pace Trail. Admission is free, with hot dogs and beverages available for purchase from River Dogs of Boulder Creek.
There’s another packed week on your social calendar. Now let’s find out what’s up in the news.
News Highlights:
Flu Season Gets an Early Start in California
County Building Shuts Down Amidst White Powder Scare
25,000 County Residents Could Lose Medi-Cal Coverage
No Kings Rallies Focus on Early Voting
Online and Mail Voter Registration Deadline Is Today
Watsonville Hospital Holds Town Hall on Financial Crisis
Hospice Layoffs Raise Concerns About Patient Care
Felton Sidewalk Project Gets a Public Town Hall
Aptos Parking Lot Dispute Heads to Trial
PVUSD Reports Gains in College Readiness and Attendance
$6 Million Gift Will Fund New Big Basin Center
Plus Cannabis Rituals, the Sisterhood of Surfing, Authentic Texas BBQ, 11th Hour - Now with Cocktails(!), a Tale of Two Fests, Double-Trouble with Emus…and much more!
TOP STORIES
Flu Season Gets an Early Start in California
California health officials report an earlier-than-usual start to flu season, while national flu test positivity rose from 3.9% to 5% in the week ending Oct. 10, with the highest activity on the West Coast. It’s still too soon to know how severe the season will be.
County Building Shuts Down Amidst White Powder Scare
The Santa Cruz County Governmental Center on Ocean Street in Santa Cruz was evacuated Friday morning – along with the adjacent Superior Courthouse – after a suspicious white powder was reportedly mailed to U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta’s office. The substance was later found to be inert.
25,000 County Residents Could Lose Medi-Cal Coverage
About 25,000 Santa Cruz County residents could lose their Medi-Cal health insurance by the end of 2028 because of federal and state changes, according to the county’s main Medi-Cal health plan, Central California Alliance for Health.
No Kings Rallies Focus on Early Voting
Santa Cruz County residents gathered for No Kings demonstrations Sat., Oct. 17, protesting the Trump administration and encouraging early voting ahead of the November election.
Online and Mail Voter Registration Deadline Is Today
Today, Oct. 19, is the last day to register to vote online or by mail; after today, you’ll need to register in person.
Watsonville Hospital Holds Town Hall on Financial Crisis
Facing an operating deficit of approximately $85,000 a day, Watsonville Community Hospital will discuss its financial future and possible maternity-service cuts Thurs., Oct. 22, from 5:30–6:30pm in the Watsonville Civic Plaza Community Room.
Hospice Layoffs Raise Concerns About Patient Care
Layoffs affecting at least 11 Hospice of Santa Cruz County employees are scheduled to take effect Mon., Oct. 19, prompting staff concerns about patient care following last year’s merger with a national nonprofit.
Felton Sidewalk Project Gets a Public Town Hall
Residents can question Caltrans about Felton’s Highway 9 sidewalk project, construction timelines and other valley road projects Thurs., Oct. 22 at 6:30pm in San Lorenzo Valley High School’s Performing Arts Center.
Aptos Parking Lot Dispute Heads to Trial
A trial scheduled to begin Mon., Oct. 19, will address an Aptos Village parking lot dispute: the Regional Transportation Commission says an 1876 deed gave the railroad ownership of the land, while the property owner says it granted only the right to use it for railroad purposes.
PVUSD Reports Gains in College Readiness and Attendance
Pajaro Valley Unified reported a 7.4% increase in its college-and-career-readiness indicator and improved attendance, although districtwide math scores remained flat.
$6 Million Gift Will Fund New Big Basin Center
A $6 million donation from the Reyneri family will fully fund construction of a new Redwood Ecology Interpretive Center at Big Basin, marking a major step in rebuilding visitor facilities destroyed by the 2020 CZU fire.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Between keeping up with the news and figuring out what’s for dinner, it’s easy to miss a story or two. Here are a few highlights from Good Times on what’s happening, who’s making moves and what all the buzz is about across the county this week.
In this week’s Altered States column, Richard Stockton ponders the ritual of puff, puff, pass to the left. Why two puffs? Why do we pass in one direction? He put those questions to three cannabis researchers who help explain the ritual. Read on to learn what he discovered.
Wellness columnist Elizabeth Borelli explores surfing, sisterhood and the joy of the ocean as this year marks the 30th anniversary of Women on Waves, a celebration of female surfers.
In The Foodie File, Andrew Steingrube heads to Mission St. Barbecue, a Santa Cruz barbecue destination for 13 years, for what he describes as a taste of Texas. Also on the menu: a hometown homecoming in Boulder Creek. Andrew checks out The Clubhouse at Boulder Creek Golf Club, where owner Matt Robles went from cleaning golf carts as a kid to buying the place – with comfort food, cocktails and a vision for reviving a community gathering spot.
Who knew 11th Hour Coffee had a spirited evening side? Mark C. Anderson checks out After Hours, the cocktail bar inside the downtown coffeehouse, where inventive cocktails and mocktails meet Chubb’s fried chicken sandwiches. He also previews an oceanfront dinner celebrating women in food – with wine pairings and a table set right on Cowell Beach.
Two distinct but perfectly paired festivals happened last week. The 26th Santa Cruz Film Festival (SCFF) opened last week, alongside the much-needed laughter orgy of the Santa Cruz Comedy Festival, a DIY festival that survived both plague and fire and is now in its 13th year.
Read your Free Will Astrology horoscope from Rob Brezsny here.
👀WAIT, WHAT?! 🪶🚔 🤣
I definitely had to fact check this one… but multiple news sources confirm: an escaped emu really did wander into traffic near Harper Street and 17th Avenue in Live Oak. CHP officers helped its owner safely corral the feathered fugitive. Then came the part that made me check again: Santa Cruz County sheriff’s deputies had their own encounter with a second escaped emu, deploying treats to keep it out of traffic until its owner arrived. Two loose emus. One county. What are the odds? I imagine the birds would defend their actions: “Well, we can’t fly, so we decided to take surface streets.”