Events
October 2026
The full moon in August is traditionally called the Sturgeon Moon, named for the lake sturgeon that were most abundant in late summer in the Great Lakes region. Here in the Santa Cruz…
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Events
Events
Echoes of the Stagecoach Era
Patchen Pumpkin Patch
In an era where autumn farm visits have been swept up by commercialization, Patchen Pumpkin Patch offers a refreshing return to history and nature. Every October, a familiar phenomenon…
By Kelley Beck · Page 5
Events
Soquel U-Pick
Pumpkin Patch
Soquel U-pick is our small, family-run farm. We share it with the community and love the joy and education it brings to all who visit. Running a family farm is hard work. When we see kids…
By Heather Wingfield · Page 5
Events
October Events
Join us every Saturday and Sunday in October, from 4 to 6 p.m., for Harvest Nights at the Patchen Pumpkin Patch. Enjoy live music from JuneBug, savor mouth- watering bites, and sip…
By Rich Leonetti · Page 6
Events
Early Native American History
Join us on Thursday, October 22, from 7 to 9 p.m., for a presentation about early Native American history in our area by Martin Rizzo-Martinez. This free community event will be at the Loma…
By Roger Mason · Page 6
Events
95033 Swapmeet
Join us for a community swap meet on Saturday, October 3, from 9 a.m. to noon, in the Loma Prieta gym at 23800 Summit Road. Bring usable, clean items to share— whether it’s one item, an…
By Miriam Watson · Page 6
Events
Premier Cruz
A Mountain Cabernet Experience
Join us for Premier Cruz: A Mountain Cabernet Experience, a celebration of Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet in collaboration with our exclusive automotive partner, McLaren San Francisco. On…
By Brittany Archer · Page 7
Events
Artist of the Month: Mary Ellen McTamaney
Skyland Church is delighted to feature Mary Ellen McTamaney as the October artist of the month in Whitaker Hall, at Skyland Community Church. Her work can be viewed from 11:30 a.m. to 1…
By Nancy Jo Lopp · Page 7
Events
Pizzeria Vittoria
In October and November, join us for Freaky Fridays at Pizzeria Vittoria. Every Friday, enjoy spooky food specials, seasonal and fest biers (the official beer of Oktoberfest) in the cooler…
By Mike Lerman · Page 8
Events
Authentic Connection
An Interactive Communication — Workshop
Skyland Church kicks off a new season of free wellness workshops focused on personal growth, connection, and purposeful living. Join us on Saturday, November 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30…
By Anne Evans · Page 9
Events
Las Cumbres Holiday Bazaar
The Las Cumbres Holiday Bazaar, a traditional favorite event from the early days of Las Cumbres, will take place on Sunday, November 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Las Cumbres Community…
By Judy Yee · Page 9
Community
Community
Kittens Rescued Near Highway 17
From Trash to Treasure
In late August, Eddy Rosa posted on the 95033 Facebook group that he spotted kittens at the intersection of Summit and Old Summit Road, very close to Highway 17. Later that night, Christine…
By Kate Eldridge · Page 10
Community
Remembering Local Heroes
9-11 Memorial
The 9-11 memorial at the Summit Road off ramp from southbound Highway 17 was erected in November 2001, one of the first 9-11 memorials in the Bay Area. Every year for 25 years, Patti Hughes…
By Kathy McKinney · Page 10
Community
One Place for the Mountains
Introducing Hwy17.org
If you live in the mountains, you know the drill. A tree comes down across your road, and you piece together what happened from three Facebook groups, a text thread, and a neighbor at the…
By Eric Horton · Page 11
Community
Rooted in the Santa Cruz Mountains Since 1981
Summit Veterinary Hospital
Many community members are sad about Dr. Zibaee’s departure from Summit Veterinary Hospital. We are, too. Dr. Z has been an important part of our Summit Veterinary family, and we wish her…
By Julie Stacey · Page 11
Community
From East Germany to the Santa Cruz Mountains
How Cultural Exchange — Changed Romy Schwäbe’s Life
When Romy Schwäbe arrived in the United States at age 21, she didn’t realize how much one decision would expand her world. She came from East Germany to the suburbs of Boston as an au pair…
By Angela Wuerz · Page 12
Community
Fire insurance and Mountain Living
You’ve decided to live in the Santa Cruz Mountains. You wanted the redwoods and the morning mist. Then you applied for homeowners insurance, and you realized that the insurance companies…
By Keith Kanady · Page 13
Community
Keith is a broker associate with Compass.
Embers
In the Santa Cruz Mountains, the most dangerous part of a wildfire may arrive miles ahead of the flames. When most of us picture a wildfire destroying a home, we imagine a wall of flame…
By Dave Millman · Page 13
Community
Murder and the Missions
Early Law and Order. In the Santa Cruz Mountains, law and order has changed significantly over time. For 10,000 years, dozens of Native Americans in our area kept order through local norms…
By Debra Staab · Page 20
Community
Building Blocks Preschool
Extended Day Program and Waitlist — Updates
Our regular morning core program, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., is currently full and waitlisted. This is a wonderful reflection of the changes we’ve made to serve the needs of our…
By Teacher Jessie · Page 28
Community
Día de los Muertos
Santa Cruz MAH
The Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History hosts a Día de los Muertos community celebration featuring traditional music, dance, and art on Saturday, October 24, from noon to 3 p.m. This free…
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People
People
Death on the Graf Zeppelin
I am delighted to announce the October 23 release of Death on the Graf Zeppelin. This deeply researched historical mystery features the real-life Lady Grace Drummond-Hay as the sleuth. In…
By Shelley Adina Bates · Page 14
People
Mountain Scholarship Seniors Get Two Award Ceremonies
Loma Prieta Club
Receiving our very first Mesa Awards are Marina Jackson and Aldo Bernal. Established by a generous donation to the Loma Prieta Club by Gil and Barbara Mesa (LGHS Class of ‘62), these…
By Patti Hughes · Page 15
People
Murder and the Missions (continued)
originally from the Central Valley and a leader of the Indigenous people at Mission Santa Clara, finally had enough. Around 1831, Yozcolo, also called the “bandit Indian,” led a massive…
By Debra Staab · Page 21
People
The Scott House
We stumbled upon this month’s adventure while on a quest to find the large mushroom sculptures that used to be part of Santa’s Village, a Christmas-themed amusement park in Scotts Valley…
By Kathy McKinney · Page 22
People
The Scott House (continued)
much of present-day Scotts Valley Hiram constructed the house of locally milled redwood in the Greek revival style. Some of the redwood planks in the ceiling are impressively wide…
By Kathy McKinney · Page 23
Exploring
Exploring
More than a hike
The Shoreline
Most of the hikes that I write about offer walks on long trails, up hills, and through forests. Let’s do something a little bit easier. This option offers short walks, good views, and more…
By Neil Wiley · Page 18
Exploring
More than a hike (continued)
Even if you skip the other stops, this is a calming walk in the park. You can walk along an easy path by a quiet blue lake and grassy, green fields dotted with lovely trees. Several benches…
By Neil Wiley · Page 19
Schools
Schools
To improve his bite!
Dr. Brent C. Lay — Lexington School News
As we head into the new school year, we reflect on our history. Lexington School was originally built in 1859 in the town of Lexington, as a one-room schoolhouse. It was rebuilt a mile…
By Jason Deppong · Page 26