Music at Skypark wraps up 16th season this Sunday
The free outdoor Music at Skypark concert series concludes its 16th season this Sunday, Sept. 28, at Skypark in Scotts Valley. Organized by the volunteer Kiwanis Club of Scotts Valley, the events have raised nearly $250,000 for local public school music and arts programs.
The Sunday lineup features The Inciters from 1:30-3pm, a 10-piece band blending rock, ska, reggae and New Wave, led by three female vocalists. Following them, headliner The Houserockers will perform from 3:45-5:15pm, a horn-driven band known for its energetic, foot-stomping sound and multiple performances at the series.
Attendees can enjoy food, wine, beer and other concessions from local vendors, with volunteer opportunities and sponsorships available. For more information, visit svkiwanis.org or contact Mike Stewart at 831-334-8899 or Jim Melehan at ji*****@*sn.com.
County launches first-ever ‘Week Without Driving’ campaign
From Sept. 29 to Oct. 5, Santa Cruz County is inviting residents to step out of their cars and into a new perspective during the inaugural Week Without Driving campaign. This weeklong challenge encourages participants to experience life without a personal vehicle—mirroring the daily reality of nearly 30% of Americans who walk, roll, bike, carpool or rely on public transit.
To kick off the campaign, a community celebration will be held at Capitola Mall on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 11am, featuring local organizations, transit experts and advocates for accessible transportation.
Hosted by the County of Santa Cruz Community Development and Infrastructure Department, the Santa Cruz County Community Traffic Safety Coalition and Santa Cruz METRO (METRO), the event will include: informational booths from County agencies, cycling groups and accessibility advocates; stories from residents who navigate Santa Cruz County without a car; opportunity to connect with and hear from local officials and transportation planners; and raffles, games and food trucks.
In support of Week Without Driving and CA Clean Air Day, Santa Cruz METRO will be offering free fares on Oct. 1 countywide. Also, residents can log trips at gosantacruzcounty.org, including bike, walk, transit or carpool, during the week to be automatically entered into a raffle for prizes from the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC).
Santa Cruz County’s geography—marked by mountainous terrain and rural communities—poses unique transportation challenges. While Highway 1 remains the primary corridor, alternatives are often limited. Recent efforts, including the Soquel Drive Buffered Bike Lane and Congestion Mitigation Project, Santa Cruz METRO’s Reimagine METRO initiative and expanded safety initiatives, signal progress toward multimodal accessibility. Yet, gaps persist, especially in Watsonville, San Lorenzo Valley and North County.
Organizers hope the campaign will spark long-term conversations about transportation equity, infrastructure investment and inclusive mobility. Residents are encouraged to share their experiences, connect with local officials and explore alternatives to driving that benefit the entire community. To register, or for more information, visit bit.ly/wwd-santacruzcounty.
County board meetings to relocate during Chambers upgrade
The County of Santa Cruz has announced that upcoming Board of Supervisors meetings will be held at alternate locations while the County undertakes long-planned renovations to modernize and improve Board Chambers at the Government Center.
The project is necessary to update outdated equipment and facilities and improve the experience for residents attending meetings in-person or online. Once completed, the revitalized Board Chambers will feature a modern reorientation of the space to incorporate natural light, creating a more welcoming and accessible environment for residents.
The project will include new seating and upgraded safety features to improve comfort and security for both the public and staff. The chambers will be equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual and broadcasting technology, ensuring clear sound, reliable streaming and enhanced participation for community members attending in person or virtually.
The project is being funded through cable franchise fees that cannot, under federal law, be used for reasons other than public, educational and governmental access purposes.
Following are the temporary board locations: Sept. 30, Watsonville City Council Chambers, 275 Main St. (Top Floor), Watsonville; Oct. 7, Government Center Community Room, 701 Ocean St. (Basement), Santa Cruz; Oct. 21, Scotts Valley City Council Chambers, 1 Civic Center Drive, Scotts Valley; Nov. 4, Watsonville City Council Chambers, 275 Main St. (Top Floor), Watsonville; Nov. 18, Government Center Community Room, 701 Ocean St. (Basement), Santa Cruz; Dec. 9, Capitola City Council Chambers, 720 Capitola Ave., Capitola; and Dec. 16, Government Center Community Room, 701 Ocean St. (Basement), Santa Cruz.
All Board of Supervisors meetings will continue to begin at 9am. Agendas and supporting materials remain available to the public at santacruzcountyca.gov. For questions, call 831-454-2323.
