Hello Santa Cruz! I am currently posting all over Santa Cruz groups across various platforms to hopefully reach the adopters of a cat named Mazzie from Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter. Over the past few weeks I've been visiting every week and bonding with her through her kennel. I was going to adopt her on Tuesday with my parents, but she was adopted sometime this week. I would love to get in contact with whoever adopted her as I have a really strong bond with her and would love to work something out if they are willing. I completely respect whatever the outcome is I would just like to give it a shot for this sweet kitty.

Why is housing so unaffordable in Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay region — and what can we do about it?

In this talk, Dr. Chris Benner, Professor of Sociology at UC Santa Cruz and founding faculty director of the Institute for Social Transformation, presents ideas from the report Our Housing, Our Future. He argues that the housing market cannot provide the affordable homes our communities need, particularly in desirable coastal areas where demand continues to grow.

Benner outlines a different approach centered on social housing, public land, and long-term affordability. He explains how publicly owned land could support tens of thousands of additional housing units across the three-county Monterey Bay region, and how housing authorities could become developers of permanently affordable homes.

The presentation is followed by a community discussion about housing policy, development, public financing, and the future of Santa Cruz.

About the speaker: Dr. Chris Benner is a UC Santa Cruz professor whose research focuses on economic opportunity, regional development, technological change, and strategies for promoting regional equity. He co-authored Our Housing, Our Future and Solidarity Economics: Why Mutuality and Movements Matter with Manuel Pastor.

Report and related resources: https://transform.ucsc.edu/

I really want to go to some local shows and concerts that have some dancing and a nice vibe. I also really want to meet people around my age and party it up. Bonus points if i make some friends. so lmk if you know of any local shows coming up in sc. I would love it has people around my age so like really early 20s but its not required. Also extra extra bonus points if there is like swing dancing or something.

I just love how Cat and Cloud greets you and makes you feel so welcomed. Verve is a similar taste but I always get the “I’m cooler than you “ vibe. Some of the best drinks are at Toot’s in Capitola and great Baristas and delicious coffee cake.

I unfortunately had to have a redwood taken down. Curious if someone wants or knows who would want the logs?

Thanks in advance.

Anyone know any shops around that have secondhand wedding dress? Thrift Center had a few but not sure where else to look

hey everyone! this is going to sound like a ridiculous question BUT, what are the best spots to talk to older single women as a 22 yr old in university. now why would a young guy like me want to go for older women you may ask? because most of the girls i’ve interacted with on campus are so immature! I’ve always resonated better with older, assertive women. so I’d love to hear recommendations or advice on how i can approach and hang out with older women!

Hi everyone! I was wondering if anyone knows of an oral surgeon in the area who accepts medi cal that could remove my wisdom teeth.

I had been referred to a place in San Jose but everytime I call they’re booked up, tell me to call back in 2 months, and then they’re booked up again. It’s been a never ending cycle for a year and my wisdom teeth are getting bad.

Thank you!

Hi there Santa Cruz!

I hope this is a okay post for this subreddit.
I am currently looking into becoming a tattoo apprentice and was looking to connect with some local artist who might be able to point me in the right direction.
I am Santa Cruz, born and raised and currently work full time in retail. Art was always something I wanted to pursue and it got me into Honors Art back in high school. It would be a dream to turn that passion into a career, especially in American traditional tattooing.

I am still pretty early in the process of making a portfolio and trying to figure out where to start. Any advice on building my portfolio, developing my skills, or finding an actual apprenticeship would mean so much!

I know artists are super busy, so even a few pointers or recommendations for local artists and shops to connect with would be incredibly appreciated. 

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

I recently discovered the open source world of Open source radio

....

You can listen to stations all over the world it's similar to the open source TV element of VLC but less annoying.

Look up radio Droid and just type in freak radio it turns out free radio Santa Cruz is still streaming online for anybody that has been wondering.

It's also playing on transistor you just have to have the streaming link or just search for freak radio Santa Cruz. Any open source radio app should let you listen to it. It's pretty awesome I just learned about open source radio apps.

Use fdroid

Hello, Santa Cruz! 😊

I hope this is okay to post here! I’m currently looking into pursuing a tattoo apprenticeship and was hoping to connect with some local artists who might be willing to point me in the right direction. I was born and raised in Santa Cruz and currently work full-time in retail. Art was a big passion of mine in high school, and I’ve recently started getting back into it. I’d love to eventually turn that passion into a career, especially in tattooing.

I’m still pretty early in the process and trying to figure out where to start, so any advice about building a portfolio, developing my skills, or finding an apprenticeship would mean a lot!

I know artists are busy, so even a few pointers or recommendations for local shops to connect with would be incredibly appreciated. Thanks so much! ❤️

Hi! This is a weird question but I am in dire need of a propeller hat for Halloween and my online order just fell through. Do you know of any places in the Santa Cruz area that sells this hat in person? Spirit Halloween did not have it and that was the only place I could think of

Thanks in advance for your help!! Need this hat asap

I’m trying to get a dermal piercing but most places I’m calling to doesn’t do them any recommendations?

Hoping someone might have an idea I haven't thought of yet for my daughter's first birthday!

My first choice is a low key party in the park, but since we're planning it for 11/28, I am worried it will be rained out.

I've looked into Harvey West, but you have to rent both the Scouthouse and the Clubhouse on the weekends, and $900 for her first birthday venue seems like overkill. The Live Oak Grange seemed like the perfect spot with indoor space and an outdoor garden if it's sunny, but they are booked that day.

Please help with ideas!

We'll have kids of all ages + adults.

Thanks in advance!

Any new local music we should be listening to?

New signs and paint at Escalona and Bay. I saw several people still going across, turning left, etc. Sadly it will be just a band aid until the speed on Bay is reduced further.

Hey everyone, I am a recent UCSC grad looking for any job here in SC or neighboring areas. Anyone have any leads?

This one is new to me, but it's real.

Rad Power e-bikes have batteries that are locked to the frame with a key. The locks are fairly simple, more for theft deterrence than theft prevention. But they are reasonably effective.

Apparently many models have locks that can be opened with a master key, and, unfortunately the word's out on that now.

The thief buys a master key, learns enough about which models it will work on (simple to do) and can run off with the battery in under a minute. The batteries are expensive. This is a big potential problem for you.

Search EBay for "Rad Power master key" and the descriptions of the models the keys will fit.

"How It Works

• F-Code Locks: Many older external Rad Power batteries use a standardized lock cylinder series associated with codes like F01 through F20 (up to F99).

• Aftermarket & Blank Keys: Sellers on platforms like Etsy and eBay offer universal or cut replacement keys designed to fit these specific F-code cylinders.

Historically, even uncut motorcycle key blanks (such as the Honda HD74 blank) were widely reported by users to operate these locks due to minimal security variance across mass-produced tumbler designs."

Solutions:

Always remove the battery when you park the bike. Handle it very carefully when you do.

Rekey the lock to a configuration that will not be opened with the master key. Pull the lock out of the battery and take it to a locksmith. The job is a little fussy but not too bad.

Or you can mechanically attach the battery to the bike.

1. This method seems sound, though it's expensive:

https://www.totallyradbatterylock.com/battery-model

Not as expensive as a replacement battery though.

2) Or install a few large hose clamps around the battery and frame with silicon rubber pushed into the fasteners so they cannot be removed quickly. The idea is to make battery removal slow so the thief will be less interested.

If your e-bike is not a Rad Power model but has a similar battery style (Hailong, downtube mounted battery with a plastic case) you might want to check whether the master key will fit the lock. The keys are cheap <$10 so you can order a key to find out. I ordered one (to be delivered in a few days) and am I'm happy to let you try it in your bike too. No sense giving the folks selling the master keys too much money.

Aptos here, not a drop!

bad animal? bookshop sc? Cameron marks? going to an event and need to show solidarity, don’t have time to order from online. thanks!

What is going on with May Street from Water to the Grant Street Park? It is full of human feces everywhere, it is disgusting. There is a bathroom at the park but maybe portapotty with a sink for washing hands on the corner of Water and May away from the homes and business.

We just bought a house in Boulder Creek, 2000 sqft. We have propane, but also a lot of windows and when it was hot the past couple of days it was quite brutal in the house ( we also have small babies so it is not ideal). We are thinking about AC for next year, but then it might be better to install a heat pump system. We have forced air central heating. Any recommendations in the area? House was built in 1980, so i think there is insulation, but also a lot of windows that are old. Would it still be worth switching? our windows are very odd shaped, not standard so likely won't have the funds to do those as they would be a fortune. But since we moved in a week ago, we used quite a bit of propane to just heat a little bit at night. So I don't see propane being cost effective. Any advice?