This Week on the Central Coast
SC gets to Orange Tier, Boardwalk opens, Food Truck Market series begins. New ocean research / arts building could open in PG.
Santa Cruz moves to orange tier.
Last Wednesday, Santa Cruz County was able to move into Orange Tier. Under the new tier, Santa Cruz is allowed to have 50% capacity at most indoor business, 25% capacity in gyms, and 25% capacity at the boardwalk. Also, all retail is allowed to open “with modifications”. With the new tier assignment happening just before spring break, business owners in Santa Cruz saw a very busy weekend.
The boardwalk in particular saw huge crowds of locals and tourists. For the first time in over a year, the Giant Dipper was open. The boardwalk maintained its 25% capacity limits by closing its gates when too many people had entered.
New Center for Ocean Arts, Science, and Technology
The building formerly occupied by Southwest Fisheries Science Center is available for purchase. The site is a federal building which was voted to be sold off as part of a set of buildings across the United States. “Steve Hauk, a Pacific Grove writer and art gallery owner”, along with Dr. Charles Green of Cornell University and “Darcie Fohrman, who creates museum exhibitions locally and nationally”, are attempting to turn the site into a new Center for Ocean, Arts, Science, and Technology (COAST). The idea is to blend the science of the ocean and ocean conservation with art. Green believes that art can help inspire people to make positive changes to help the environment. The group made a point that sometimes scientific facts are not enough to prompt a change in people’s behaviors. The next steps for the group is to seek approval from the Pacific Grove City Council.
The West Cliff Food Truck Summer Series has come back for its third consecutive year at the Santa Cruz lighthouse. On Friday, several local food trucks gathered for the event. “Currently, the trucks featured are Drink Monkey, Pana, Taquizas Gabriel, nomad momos and Scrumptious Fish and Chips.” More information on each of the food trucks can be found on the Brothers Promotions page. The next food truck market will be on May 21. The event offers locals the chance to grab some food to-go while enjoying the ocean views.
