Nick Sestanovich
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Nick Sestanovich
@nsestanovich.bsky.social
200 followers 100 following 820 posts
Writer for the Santa Cruz Sentinel, previously Vacaville Reporter and Benicia Herald. Still trying to figure out what to do here.
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Work has begun on the remodel of the second story rooftop at the Watsonville Public Library. Expected to be completed in March, it will feature a new outdoor space with a presentation screen, meeting areas and a cafe that serves coffee and pastries.
www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/11/20/w...
Work begins on Watsonville library rooftop outdoor space
Through the passage of Measure R in 2022, this outdoor space featuring such amenities as planter gardens, a presentation screen and cafe pavilion is going to see the light of day — in more ways tha…
www.santacruzsentinel.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:28 PM
nsestanovich.bsky.social
This week in the Santa Cruz area: The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Zepparella, Sihasin, and a performance of two classic Bob Dylan albums to raise funds for Housing Matters.
www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/11/19/c...
Calendar of Events | Brian Jonestown Massacre reclaim stage at Rio
In 2023, the Brian Jonestown Massacre played the Rio Theatre in support of their 20th studio album “The Future is Your Past.” Now in their 35th year and following a European tour, the S…
www.santacruzsentinel.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:29 PM
nsestanovich.bsky.social
The Watsonville City Council approved allocating $12,500 toward Second Harvest Food Bank to pay for food procured during the first week of November when federal funding for CalFresh was paused.
www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/11/19/w...
Watsonville City Council approves $12,500 allocation toward Second Harvest
The Watsonville City Council unanimously voted to allocate $12,500 toward Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County at its Tuesday meeting. The vote also authorized an agreement where the city wou…
www.santacruzsentinel.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:26 PM
nsestanovich.bsky.social
Watsonville's annual Holiday Tree Lighting returns Friday, this time with the redwood outside the library serving as a Christmas tree. Watsonville also has a holiday celebration called Noche de Brillo slated for Dec. 14.
www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/11/18/w...
Watsonville | Holiday Tree Lighting set for Friday in new location
The Holiday Tree Lighting is 5 to 6 p.m. Friday near the redwood trees outside the Watsonville Public Library, 275 Main St. The event is free and open to the public.
www.santacruzsentinel.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:46 PM
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Joe Ortiz, co-owner of Gayle's Bakery, has published a new memoir "Pastina: My Father's Misfortune, My Mother's Good Soup."
www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/11/17/r...
Capitola | Restaurateur, playwright Joe Ortiz authors new memoir
Local restaurateur Joe Ortiz, published author, poet, playwright and co-owner of Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria, has retold his childhood story in his memoir “Pastina: My Father&#8217…
www.santacruzsentinel.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:35 PM
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The Watsonville City Council will consider weekly allocations of $12,500 toward Second Harvest Food Bank as federal funding remains uncertain.
www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/11/17/w...
Watsonville City Council to consider $100k contribution to Second Harvest Food Bank
The city of Watsonville will consider up to $100,000 to support Second Harvest through the end of the year as an agreement between the city and food bank will go before the City Council Tuesday.
www.santacruzsentinel.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:33 PM
nsestanovich.bsky.social
Sometimes when I'm bored, I make jokey playlists. This was one of those instances.
November 15, 2025 at 4:58 PM
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The Pajaro Valley school board presented a proposal to cut up to 160 to 170 positions, including counselors, mental health clinicians and instructional aides hired with one-time COVID funds. The cuts will return to the board for a vote Dec. 11.
www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/11/13/c...
Community airs concerns about proposed staff cuts at Pajaro Valley school board meeting
The budget reductions, which will go before the board for a formal vote at its Dec. 11 meeting, would result in cuts to multiple certificated counselors, mental health clinicians, instructional ass…
www.santacruzsentinel.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:07 PM
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This week in the Santa Cruz area: The Aquabats, Built to Spill, Emily Scott Robinson/Andrea von Kampen and a reggae concert fundraiser for Hurricane Melissa relief.
www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/11/12/c...
Calendar of Events | Aquabats stir the waters at Catalyst
SANTA CRUZ Aquabats stir the waters at Catalyst When the Aquabats play the Catalyst Club Friday, they won’t just be making a splash. They will be making a wave. Since 1994, the Huntington Bea…
www.santacruzsentinel.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:39 PM
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Are you ready kids (and adults)? UC Santa Cruz will be tackling a variety of themes with its production of "The SpongeBob Musical," which opens tomorrow.
www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/11/12/u...
UC Santa Cruz takes audiences under the sea with ‘SpongeBob Musical’
SANTA CRUZ — In the past, UC Santa Cruz’s Performance, Play and Design Department has put on productions that deal with adult themes, and that will certainly be true of this quarter&#82…
www.santacruzsentinel.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:38 PM
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Santa Cruz author John Malkin has written a new book called "Punk Spirit!" featuring interviews with members of Bad Religion, the Dead Kennedys, The Ramones and other notable punk bands, all talking about punk's relation to spirituality.
www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/11/11/s...
Santa Cruz author explores intersection of punk rock and spirituality in new book ‘Punk Spirit!’
Many would probably not associate spirituality with punk rock, but as Santa Cruz author John Malkin has long posited — and whose beliefs have been confirmed through more than 20 years’ worth …
www.santacruzsentinel.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:35 PM
nsestanovich.bsky.social
The Pajaro Valley school board will discuss potential staffing reductions at its Wednesday meeting. The reductions will go up for a vote Dec. 11.
www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/11/10/p...
Pajaro Valley school board to discuss potential staffing reductions
Approximately 170 certificated and classified positions throughout the Pajaro Valley Unified School District are being considered for potential staffing reductions, per a presentation slated for We…
www.santacruzsentinel.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:39 PM
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Santa Cruz County Parks and Recreation is calling upon artists to submit artwork ideas for its new Pace Trails project, which seeks to create new trails to connect Quail Hollow Ranch to the previously inaccessible Pace property.
www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/11/09/s...
Santa Cruz County calling upon artists to create piece for Pace Trails project
Santa Cruz County Parks and Recreation is seeking to expand the Quail Hollow Ranch trail network by connecting to the nearby Pace property through a newly constructed short trail. While this new ha…
www.santacruzsentinel.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:24 PM
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The Watsonville City Council voted 4-3 to rescind its Project Labor Agreement, leaving the option open to return with a modified labor agreement.
www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/11/06/w...
Watsonville City Council rescinds original Project Labor Agreement resolution
Following a discussion that lasted more than three hours, the Watsonville City Council voted 4-3 to revoke its initial Project Labor Agreement resolution, while still allowing for the option to wor…
www.santacruzsentinel.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:35 PM
nsestanovich.bsky.social
This week in the Santa Cruz area: The Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash, Earl Sweatshirt and a joint set between Patterson Hood and Craig Finn.
www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/11/05/c...
Calendar of Events | Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash walk the line at El Vaquero Winery
San Diego Americana band Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash have not shied away from Cash’s influence. They put it right in their name, with the blessing of Cash himself who also let them record son…
www.santacruzsentinel.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:34 PM
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Nonprofits Hijos del Sol and Community Bridges have joined forces for a new mural in Pajaro highlighting the community's resilience after the 2023 flood.
www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/11/04/p...
Pajaro mural highlighting community’s resilience nears completion
An otherwise unadorned wall on the side of an industrial building next to Pajaro Food Center has become a canvas for artists at the Salinas-based youth art studio Hijos del Sol to paint images depi…
www.santacruzsentinel.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:37 PM
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Terry Healey, who underwent a permanent facial disfiguration after being diagnosed with a rare cancer 40 years ago, will be discussing his new book "The Resilience Mindset" at the Capitola Library Thursday.
www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/11/03/a...
Author Terry Healey to share story, tips for resilience at Capitola Library
Terry Healey, an author whose cancer led to permanent facial disfigurement, will be sharing his story and key points from the book through an author talk at the Capitola Branch Library Thursday.
www.santacruzsentinel.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:36 PM
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Monarch Services will be joining forces with other local organizations to host a screening of Jennifer Seibel Newsom's masculinity documentary "The Mask You Live in."
www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/11/03/o...
Organizations host screening of documentary on masculinity in Santa Cruz County
Monarch Services has joined forces with local organizations to host a series of screenings of the documentary “The Mask You Live in” and panel discussions at CineLux theaters throughout…
www.santacruzsentinel.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:34 PM
nsestanovich.bsky.social
Lama Tenzin Choegyal, who founded the Children's Educational Development Society in India, paid a visit to Mount Madonna School yesterday.
www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/10/30/m...
Mount Madonna School receives visit from monk Lama Tenzin Choegyal
WATSONVILLE — Every year, seniors at Mount Madonna School take a pilgrimage to India to witness its culture firsthand, including its education system. Last year, they visited the Children&#82…
www.santacruzsentinel.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:34 PM
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Encompass Services and Pajaro Valley Unified School District will be partnering to provide services to students enrolled in the local Head Start program as it faces a temporary closure amid the government shutdown.
www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/10/30/e...
Encompass, Pajaro Valley Unified partner to provide support amid temporary Head Start closure
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — With Encompass Services’ Head Start programs currently in jeopardy amid the ongoing government shutdown, the agency has partnered with the Pajaro Valley Unified Scho…
www.santacruzsentinel.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:33 PM
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The Watsonville City Council approved a letter to the Board of Supervisors expressing concerns about a proposed battery energy storage system on Minto Road.
www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/10/29/w...
Watsonville City Council approves modified letter to Board of Supervisors on concerns over battery storage project
The Watsonville City Council approved a letter to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors expressing concerns about a proposed battery energy storage system on Minto Road, outside Watsonville&#8…
www.santacruzsentinel.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:27 PM
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Manuel Bersamin, who served as Watsonville's first Filipino American mayor and was most recently serving as a Cabrillo College Governing Board trustee, died Friday at the age of 67.
www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/10/29/p...
Pajaro Valley mourns Manuel Bersamin, Watsonville’s first Filipino American mayor
Manuel Bersamin — who left a legacy of service in the Pajaro Valley that included a nearly decadelong stint on the Watsonville City Council, serving for a year as the city’s first Filipino Am…
www.santacruzsentinel.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:24 PM
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Landmark Elementary School held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for two new playgrounds, one of which has ADA-accessible features.
www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/10/28/w...
Watsonville | Landmark Elementary School celebrates new playgrounds
WATSONVILLE — Feelings of jubilation and the sounds of laughter emanated from the blacktop during Landmark Elementary School’s after-school program Monday … and that was before their ne…
www.santacruzsentinel.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:44 PM
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Members of the Watsonville City Council have written a letter to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors expressing concerns about a proposed battery energy storage system on Minto Road. That letter will be voted on at Tuesday's council meeting.
www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/10/27/m...
Members of Watsonville City Council express concerns about proposed battery storage center
Members of the Watsonville City Council authored a letter to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors expressing concerns about a proposed battery energy storage system on Minto Road outside Wats…
www.santacruzsentinel.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:42 PM
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The victim in Sunday's crash at the Santa Cruz Wharf has been identified.
www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/10/27/s...
Scotts Valley man identified as victim in Santa Cruz Wharf crash
The victim of a Sunday morning crash at the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf that resulted in a vehicle driving through the railing and into the Monterey Bay has been identified as William Westerman, 65,…
www.santacruzsentinel.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:41 PM