This Week on the Central Coast…
Woody’s voted best airport restaurant, Joby Aviation gets financial support, and poetry and wellness festivals in Santa Cruz
Monterey
Woody’s at the Airport Named Best Airport Sit-Down Restaurant
This week, USA Today held their annual 10 Best Reader’s Choice contest and named Woody’s at the Airport the best Airport Sit-Down Restaurant in the United States for the second year in a row. Nominees were picked by a panel of experts, including USA Today editors. The public then voted from the top twenty nominees to decide the winner.
Woody’s offers a variety of dishes that emphasize the bounty of local products in the area. From fresh seafood straight from the Monterey Bay, to premium steaks cooked to perfection, to hyper-local seasonal veggies, there is sure to be something on the menu for everyone. In addition to the impressive menu, the restaurant is also located before security, allowing even the general public to enjoy lunch while planes takeoff.
Woody’s at the Airport has been a locals’ favorite for years now and it’s great to see it gaining national attention. Let’s just hope it doesn’t get ‘too’ popular.
Santa Cruz
Joby Aviation Gets a Financial Boost from Toyota
Joby Aviation is a new transportation company headquartered in Santa Cruz County. Rather than using cars, Joby is building electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) helicopters to transport riders short distances in a more eco-friendly way. Joby also has offices in San Carlos and Marina, California, as well as international offices in Shenzhen, China and Munich, Germany.
This week, Toyota provided additional funding to support the company’s certification and commercial production. This brings Toyota’s investment in the company to $894 million, further cementing their shared vision in air mobility.
While they don’t have any Vertiports in the area, it is reasonable to expect one to be constructed in either Santa Cruz or Marina to be close to their headquarters. Joby is planning to be ready for commercial operations by 2025.
Waves of Wellness: Santa Cruz Festival
This week, the Waves of Wellness festival in Santa Cruz was announced. The unique festival is an event that celebrates community, sustainability, and holistic health. There will be over 27 different venders participating. The festival will be separated into different zones: the Flow Zone for balance, the Zen Zone for relaxation, and the Vitality Zone for energy.
The festival is intended to promote the Positive Ripple Effect, which is the idea that when someone is happy in life, that energy spreads to everyone around them. Waves of Wellness is sure to be a unique event that feels like a natural fit for Santa Cruz.
Writers of Color Santa Cruz Hosting Poetry Reading at MAH
Next Thursday, The Writers of Color Santa Cruz County is hosting a poetry reading event at the Museum of Art & History (MAH). The event will feature poetry, music, and art following the theme of “Voices of Resilience and Hope”.
The organization aims to create an inclusive, supportive environment for writers of all ethnicities and backgrounds. Formed in 2021, Writers of Color has been promoting community events that showcase these writers’ stories and talents.
The poetry reading will be this Thursday, October 10, from 6pm to 9pm at the MAH.