Tucked away off Cedar Street, The Poet & The Patriot is a neighborhood hangout filled with laborers during the day and students at night. Its name refers to poet Padraig Pearse and Irish Labour Party founder James Connolly, both of whom were executed for their activism towards Irish statehood during the Easter Rising of 1916.

Bartender Jason Crane first visited the Poet when he was living around the corner as a UC Santa Cruz student. He found a home in this cross section of Santa Cruz society. After graduation, the Moorpark, CA, native moved back to Southern California, only to come back up north a few years later. He agreed to let Weekend Santa Cruz get to know him better.

Fourth of July is set to go off with a bang in Santa Cruz County. The world’s shortest parade, a 1950s sock-hop and a reading of the Declaration of Independence are just a few of the events planned to celebrate our country’s 233rd birthday. And yes, this year there will be fireworks. The Scotts Valley Recreation Department confirmed that the city’s annual fireworks display, the only one in Santa Cruz County, will happen as scheduled. It was cancelled in 2008 because the dry conditions created a fire hazard.

“We’re trying to get the word out that the fireworks are on,” said Carol O’Neil of the Scotts Valley Recreation Department.

You have to hand it to The Smithereens. Many ‘80s power pop groups, having once achieved success, are happy to rest on their laurels, touring on the nostalgia of thirtysomethings. Not so this band of Jersey boys, who have been constantly recording since their hit songs “A Girl Like You” and “Blood and Roses” were [...]