This Week on the Central Coast…
Killer whales in the bay, a new K9 police officer, a familiar restaurant opens a new location, and a Watsonville native stars alongside Pedro Pascal.
Monterey
Killer Whales Feeding on Salmon
Last week a pod of killer whales was spotted swimming through Monterey Bay. According to Monterey Bay Whale Watch, the pod contained around twenty southern resident killer whales. The whale watching company originally assumed the orcas were part of the Bigg’s species, but after observing them, realized they were southern resident killer whales. “Very straight dorsal fins, rounded dorsal tips and unique eyepatches” are key identifiers of southern resident killer whales, which are an endangered population with only 73 individuals.
The pod was feasting on salmon, another key indicator of southern resident killer whales - Bigg’s species primarily prey on mammals like seals and whales. Drone footage from the event showed the whales breaching in celebration. This is only the tenth time in the last twenty-five years that southern resident killer whales have been spotted in Monterey Bay.
Salinas
Golden Retriever Joins Salinas PD
K9 Rex is the newest addition to the Salinas police force. He is a one-year-old from Mexico and is the first Golden Retriever K9 Officer on the force. He and his partner, Officer Brianna Wilcox, completed their training together. K9 Rex’s job will not be chasing down bad guys, but sniffing out narcotics they might be hiding.
He “specializes in detection, so right now (he) is a narcotics detection K9, and soon we will add firearms to (his) repertoire,” said another officer. He went on to explain that when narcotics dogs are in the field, they aren’t necessarily working, but actually playing hide and seek. A good play drive is necessary for them.
K9 Rex will replace the Chocolate Lab that recently retired. “Officer Rex certainly has big paws to fill and a name to make for all the Goldens out there.”
Santa Cruz
Silver Spur Opens a Second Location
The beloved Soquel breakfast staple, Silver Spur, opened a second location in Watsonville this week. The new location is in the East Lake Village Shopping Center, replacing the former Carmona’s BBQ Deli between Ace Hardware and Staff of Life. “It has been entirely redecorated, and has room to seat roughly 100.”
The shopping center has seen a boost in traffic as it has turned into a destination location with Fruition Brewing, Ozzy’s Pizzeria, and Sushi-Qu also drawing attention. Silver Spur II will bring a brunch option to the area. The new location serves up all the favorites of the original with the goal of keeping the food and service consistent. “We’re not switching Soquel for Watsonville. We’re adding a second location to continue to serve Santa Cruz County.”
There is one change that the Watsonville location will offer: a beer and wine list, including mimosas. This addition will probably happen within the next few weeks.
WHS Alumni Starring Alongside Pedro Pascal
Sedrick Cabrera grew up in Watsonville where he attended Hall District Elementary School, Pajaro Middle School, and graduated from Watsonville High School. Throughout his time in school, Cabrera was a three-sport athlete who avoided drama classes. “He constantly brushed aside stage teacher David Scott’s entreaties to join a theater production”.
However, when he started college, he quickly realized that he couldn’t compete with the other athletes. Needing an elective, he joined an acting class where he flourished. This led to Cabrera going for an audition and wowed everyone. “[The director] said, ‘wow, I’m looking at your resume, you’ve never done theater? … You are like a real raw talent.’”
Now, fourteen years later, he is starring alongside Tom Hanks and Pedro Pascal, who is known for his roles in The Mandalorian and The Last of Us. The film is called Freaky Tales and tells four interconnected stories set in 1987 Oakland. Currently, Cabrera lives in San Francisco, a place he says “respects the heart of the hustler” and appreciates independent artists.
Thanks, Ralph!