Santa Cruz News: Stabbing, Schools, Water & What’s Next 👀🗞️
Hey Santa Cruz! ☀️🌊
🎶🔥Along with the heat wave, the musical energy around town last week was also fire, with a number of great shows! I had my first Coffis Space experience at Moe’s Alley on Saturday and it 100% lived up to the hype. I know I’m late to the party on this one, but so glad I’m in on it now. I love discovering new bands and great live shows and this one delivered. The packed audience also fell hard for opening act Taylor Rae.
This week, we should shift into that sweet spot of Spring where it’s hard to stay inside.🌸
👉 If you’re looking for inspiration to get out and about, here are a few ideas:
If you’re craving something more grounding, there are always plenty of yoga, breathwork and sound bath offerings around town.🧘♀️✨
On Thursday 3/26 (4-8pm), The Olive Tree poetry open mic takes over the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH). It’s part writing workshop, part open mic, and a welcoming space for local voices to share their work. Whether you’re reading or just listening, it’s a community-centered night that taps into Santa Cruz’s long-standing love of the spoken word.✍️🎤
The Santa Cruz Symphony returns this weekend with Amadeus, at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium on Saturday 3/28 and the Mello Center in Watsonville on Sunday 3/29. A little insider tip: the Symphony’s open rehearsal (Friday, 3/27, 7:30pm–10pm at the Civic) is completely free – no tickets required. It’s easy to pop into and a great way to introduce kids to the symphony in a more relaxed setting – without the pressure of needing them to sit perfectly still.🎻
If you’re in more of a sing-along, feel-good mood, The Sound of Music is on stage March 27–29 at Cabrillo’s Crocker Theater. It’s a classic for a reason – familiar songs, big performances, and an easy, uplifting night out (another great one if you’ve got kids in tow).🎭🎶
☕🚗And for an entirely different kind of gathering, Cars & Coffee rolls into Watsonville Plaza Saturday 3/28 at 9am. It’s a low-key community hang with a range of cars on display – fun to take it all in, even if you couldn’t tell a classic from a custom. Grab a coffee, wander around and maybe make a day of it in Watsonville.
Alright Santa Cruz… that’s your week ahead. Now, onto the headlines. Thanks for reading!
News Highlights
Two Hospitalized, Suspect Arrested After Stabbing
Capitola Mall Rezoning Approved
PVUSD Financial Strains May Lead to Schools Closing
Is Our Water Safe?
Historic Santa Cruz Radio Station Building for Sale
Cesar Chavez Allegations Spark Strong Local Reactions
Proposed Female Surfer Statue Heads for County Review
Sales Tax Measure Seeks to Save METRO from Cuts
Plus the Coffis Brothers Level Up, a Taste of Bali Calls, Two New Bars Open, Food that Makes Your Skin Glow, Puzzling Satellites……and Much More!
TOP STORIES
Two Hospitalized, Suspect Arrested After Stabbing
Two people were taken to the hospital, and a suspect was arrested following a stabbing in downtown Santa Cruz Saturday afternoon, according to police. Witnesses say the incident began after a verbal altercation between two people in line at Food Not Bombs, an organization that regularly gives out free meals to community members.
Capitola Mall Rezoning Approved
At a special meeting last week, the Capitola City Council approved updated zoning ordinances for the 46-acre Capitola Mall site. The city hopes that rezoning the area will facilitate the development of residential units as well as commercial space and a hotel.
PVUSD Financial Strains May Lead to Schools Closing
At least 85 Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD) teachers received layoff notices last week. School closures are also still a possibility. The District still faces long-term financial instability tied to declining enrollment.
Thousands of Santa Cruz South County residents recently received letters warning that tests had detected chromium-6 above California’s new drinking-water standard in more than twenty groundwater sources.
Cesar Chavez Allegations Spark Strong Local Reactions
Sexual abuse allegations tied to César Chávez are hitting especially hard in Watsonville and across Santa Cruz County, where his legacy is deeply woven into the farmworker community. Local leaders and organizations are now grappling with what this means – and what comes next.
Proposed Female Surfer Statue Heads for County Review
The proposal for a female surfer statue in Pleasure Point, which recently generated mixed feedback at a packed community discussion, is now moving toward an April 3 review by the county zoning administrator.
Sales Tax Measure Seeks to Save METRO from Cuts
A group called Friends of Santa Cruz METRO is gathering signatures to get a half-cent countywide sales tax measure on the November ballot. To qualify, 10,500 signatures must be collected by May 11. Without a local funding source, METRO could be forced to lay off more than 100 employees.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Led by Ben Lomond’s Kellen and Jamie Coffis, The Coffis Brothers are poised to level up and break through the vast ranks of bands. (Side note: based on the amazing show they put on Saturday at Moe’s, the world is in for a treat when they break out!)
Christina Waters tells us that for decades Jozseph Schultz was the eye in the brilliant culinary storm that was India Joze Restaurant. He is also a cultural historian and eco-anthropologist who will team up with Judy Slattum and Made Surya for a Taste of Bali, (Aug 17-30), a trip that will explore Bali’s spices, markets, kitchens and restaurants.
Downtown Santa Cruz has added two top-shelf bars in the last few weeks: The Hotel and Alley Oop. From the “it’s hard work but someone’s got to do it” department, Mark C. Anderson taste tested the signature cocktails. Check out his experiences!
Mexico Meets Italy at Originals Pizza
The Originals Pizza in Soquel is led by head chef and co-owner Israel Arroyo. His path to pizza prominence began at 16, baking at home with his mom, his hobby evolving into passion as he fell in love with combining his Mexican food skillset with Italian-style pizza.
Wellness columnist and author Elizabeth Borelli tells us our skin is our largest organ. “Our exoderm is an echo of our lifestyle choices, as all sun worshipers and sleep skippers eventually come to learn,” she writes. “Eating the right foods can make a big difference in the way you face the world.”
Linda Rosewood chronicles a feminist utopia with deep Santa Cruz roots in her new book “A Circle Outside.”
😳 Wait, What?! 🛰️🌍🧩
NASA has a monthly “satellite puzzler” where they post a real image of Earth from space and ask people to guess what they’re looking at. It turns out the planet is a lot harder to recognize from above than you’d think.