This Week on the Central Coast…
“No Kings” protests pop-up across the central coast, Santa Cruz begins biking incentives, and PVUSD introduces an aviation program.
Monterey
“No Kings” Protests Erupt Across the Central Coast”
Window by the Bay Park and Del Monte Avenue in Monterey were flooded by over 5,000 protestors. Signs and flags waved to a chorus of car horns throughout the day as attendees displayed their disdain for the president and stood in solidarity with Los Angeles.
Across the Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz held its own protests. Organized by the nonprofit Indivisible, the events combined marches, speeches, and music to make the peoples’ voices heard. The protest in Santa Cruz started at 10am and ended around 12pm in order to not interfere with the previously-planned Juneteenth celebrations. Event organizers estimated over 5,000 attendees, many of whom proudly waved American flags. “This flag stands for liberty,” said one attendee. “Which is exactly what’s being taken away from us.”
Just as the Santa Cruz protests ended, a new one started in Watsonville in the afternoon. An estimated 1,200 people crowded the Watsonville Plaza with their own signs and flags, including a “Revolutionary War-era American flag, with ‘76’ emblazoned on the blue field with 13 stars.” “This is to remind people that at one time we did get rid of a king.”
Santa Cruz
Biking Incentives Start This Week
Santa Cruz County is making efforts to seriously reduce the amount of cars on the road. The county is offering vouchers that help reduce the cost of purchasing a bike. “People can get $300 for a traditional bike, $800 for a standard e-bike, and $1,200 for a cargo or adaptive e-bike.“ Another option is for an annual bikeshare pass for BCycles, normally valued at $250. All vouchers are only available to those who are currently receiving health benefits through a verifiable source
The vouchers may also be redeemed by nonprofit organizations that offer community services, such as job placement. This will allow these organizations to build their own shareable fleet.
PVUSD Program Teaches Aviation Skills
The Pajaro Valley Unified School District is starting a new program that will teach students to build, and eventually fly, their own small plane from scratch. “Students will receive foundational academics in aircraft maintenance, aviation safety, aeronautical engineering and flight systems, along with hands-on training.”
The program was made possible by partnerships with several aviation companies. DART Aerospace will supply “The RV-12 Airplane Build Lab”, an extension of their company that will serve to engage middle school and high school students in hands-on aviation training. “This program provides critical on-ramps to high-demand careers with fast-growing companies and sectors across the emerging aviation economy.”
The Experimental Aircraft Association will provide space in their hangar in Watsonville for students to use. Their mission aligns perfectly with the PVUSD’s in teaching people more about the aviation industry.
Joby Aviation, a home-grown Santa Cruz company, will support the program with technical guidance and industry insight, especially with sustainable flight technology.
Tango Flight is overseeing the program. The nonprofit partners with schools “to inspire the next generation of engineers, pilots, aviation mechanics and technicians.”
The new program will launch in the Fall of this year and student recruitment and staff training will begin in the summer. For more information about recruitment or the program itself, contact Julie Edwards, the Director of Strategic Educational Operations for PVUSD (search for Julie Edwards).
Thanks for reading!
Now - July 13, “Hers, His, Theirs, Ours: Queer Expression” art show in Watsonville
June 17, Monterey Jazz All Star Ensemble Dinner Series at Estéban Restaurant
June 18, Juneteenth 2025 at Hartnell College
June 18, Twilight Concert at Capitola Village
June 20-22, Monterey Skates at the King Room at the Monterey County Fairgrounds
June 21, Food Truck Night on West Market Street, Salinas
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