At 75, Watsonville artist Aranda keeps it fresh
WATSONVILLE—Watsonville artist Guillermo Aranda sat in his second-floor studio on West Lake Avenue last week working on a new painting of a heron. The unfinished work was spread out on a table covered with various paints, sketches and several drafts of birds in flight—one...
‘Weathering With You’ a beautiful film with an unclear message
Japanese director Makoto Shinkai made a name for himself when he released “Your Name” in 2016. The fantasy-drama about two teenagers who swap bodies achieved global critical acclaim and became the highest-grossing Japanese animated film of all time.
Shinkai followed this success with “Weathering With...
Freedom Meat Lockers is a delight | Try This
Todd Guild
Freedom Meat Lockers
One of my favorite things to do for lunch in Watsonville is head over to Freedom Meat Lockers, which in addition to its high-quality selection of carnivores’ delights, also offers a deli counter.
Normally when I hear the word ‘deli’ I cringe,...
‘Watsonville is in the Heart’ 2021 calendar released
WATSONVILLE—For the second year running, a group from Watsonville’s Filipino community is releasing a calendar highlighting family histories.
The “Watsonville is in the Heart” calendar is part of the Tobera Project, an ongoing project aiming to preserve, honor and celebrate that history, especially those of...
UCSC produces podcast about 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Daniel J. Story was a second-grader living in the Midwest when the Loma Prieta Earthquake struck California on Oct. 17, 1989. He recalls it flashing on the news, and his teacher being worried about people she knew in the area.
But Story admits...
WHS teacher publishes Spanish-language book on education
WATSONVILLE—Juan Carlos Pozo Block has spent the past two decades teaching in Watsonville, working with students from various backgrounds and levels of education.
This year, that experience culminated in a new book in which the author, who goes by the pen name JC Pozo, shares...
Watsonville native embraces his roots while diving into L.A. music scene
For rapper and singer Kabwasa, staying connected to his hometown of Watsonville is a priority—even as he makes waves in the music scene in Los Angeles.
Raised in a house just off Rodriguez Street, Kabwasa was surrounded by music from an early age. He attended...
City to host Drive-Thru Trunk-or-Treat event Friday
WATSONVILLE—The City of Watsonville Parks and Community Services Department and the County of Santa Cruz will host a Drive-Thru Trunk-or-Treat event Friday between 4:30-7:30pm, or until supplies last.
Families are invited to drive their vehicles through Ramsay Park, 1301 Main St., starting at the Main...
PV Arts opens ‘Mi Casa es Tu Casa’ exhibit
WATSONVILLE—In late September, Pajaro Valley Arts (PVA) was finally able to open its gallery’s doors after a six-month closure due to Covid-19. For the first two weeks, the organization displayed “Campesinos: Workers of the Land,” a show that had been installed the week shelter-in-place...
Ballet theater filming virtual ‘Nutcracker’ performance
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—For years, the annual “Nutcracker, Clara's Dream” was a winter holiday staple put on by the Santa Cruz Ballet Theater. With their own take of Tchaivovsky’s ballet, that was typically staged at the Santa Cruz Civic, Cabrillo College’s Crocker Theater and the...
O’Neill Sea Odyssey hosting Virtual Earth Day event Thursday
SANTA CRUZ—On Thursday, April 22, O’Neill Sea Odyssey and its partners will celebrate the 51st anniversary of Earth Day with a free virtual event...