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Early morning fire torches kitchen, offices, dining room at Michael’s on Main in Soquel; cause not yet determined

Fire damage to the side dining room at Michael’s on Main.
(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)


BY LILY BELLI, WALLACE BAINE, KEVIN PAINCHAUD
Source:  Lookout Santa Cruz 

Quick Take

“It looks to me like nothing survived up there,” owner Michael Harrison told Lookout after the blaze first reported just after 4 a.m. Thursday at the Soquel restaurant and live music venue. “It’s completely gutted, with sunlight coming in through the roof.”

Published 6 Hours Ago 
A fire broke out early Thursday morning at Soquel restaurant Michael’s on Main. First reports from the scene show that the Michael’s building sustained significant damage to its interior. Fire officials said they didn’t yet know the fire’s cause. No one was injured in the blaze.
The kitchen, side dining room and offices sustained heavy damage. While financial and employee files, a Martin guitar and some art were lost, Michael Harrison, owner of Michael’s on Main, told Lookout’s Kevin Painchaud he is grateful firefighters were able to save a valuable collection of Grateful Dead art on the walls of the restaurant.

“It looks to me like nothing survived up there,” Harrison said. “It’s completely gutted, with sunlight coming in through the roof. We’ll see what it leads to.”
The restaurant is closed until further notice, with any rebuilding timeline subject to the thorough investigation now beginning.

The fire early Thursday as firefighters converged on Michael’s on Main.
(Via Michael Harrison)
[/url]
[url=https://lookout.co/santacruz/city-life/story/2022-08-22/staying-safe-on-a-budget-how-to-protect-your-home-from-california-wildfires]Santa Cruz fire dispatch received a call from a neighboring business and responded to the scene at 2591 Main St. in Soquel just before 4:30 a.m. The fire burned through the roof and rear of the building and damaged nearby power lines, reported Mike DeMars, fire marshal for the Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County. Power also went out for nearby buildings, and was expected to be out into Thursday evening.

The fire burned through the roof over the office at Michael’s on Main.
(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

“It looks like it started in the interior of the building,” DeMars said of the blaze. “That’s really all the information I have right now.”
Harrison said he received a phone call from his alarm company around 4 a.m. When he checked the cameras on the inside of the restaurant, only three or four of the 12 were working and he saw what looked like “clouds.” As he looked at his phone, he received a call from Said Karssli, the owner of Little Tampico, Michael’s on Main’s neighbor, alerting him that he had seen a fire break out at the restaurant. By the time Harrison arrived at the restaurant just before 5 a.m., five or six companies of firefighters were already on the scene.

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Harrison said he has “no idea” what could have started the fire. He explained that a manager had closed out the restaurant at 10 p.m. Wednesday and hadn’t noted anything unusual. He said he had also recently installed a new automatic fire suppression system that should have gone off but apparently never did.
Since 2017, Michael’s on Main has been programming an ambitious slate of live-music acts, featuring local and touring bands and regular Sunday afternoon Grateful Dead-themed jam sessions. Among its scheduled events now in doubt because of the fire is a benefit show to raise money for a park named for slain Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Deputy Damon Gutzwiller on Sept. 16, and the debut of a new dinner-theater event called “Body on the Beach” scheduled for Sept. 24.
The Michael’s on Main schedule is programmed by Tom Miller, the longtime music promoter and booker who created similar schedules at former live-music hot spots throughout Santa Cruz County, including O.T. Price’s Music Hall, Henfling’s Tavern and Don Quixote’s.

What was left of the kitchen at Michael’s on Main.
(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

Michael’s on Main was originally opened by Michael Clark in 2001 and soon won over local fans. Clark was committed to using ingredients from nearby farms and featured local artists, wineries and breweries on his menu, which offered classic American comfort food, including steaks, burgers and large salads. The outdoor dining area featuring a gazebo overlooking Soquel Creek became a draw for celebrations.
Clark sold the restaurant to Bonny Doon residents Harrison and wife Colleen in 2016. The couple maintained the charm that the bar, restaurant and music venue had cultivated over the previous 15 years, and kept many of the most popular menu items while slowly introducing new updates. 
In 2017, the couple hired local music promoter Miller, who left his previous tenure at Don Quixote’s in Felton when that venue came under new ownership. With Miller at the helm, Michael’s on Main became a notable music venue, featuring prominent blues, soul, bluegrass, Americana and rock acts. Local musicians who play regularly at Michael’s include Carolyn Sills Combo, Anthony Arya, James Durbin & The Lost Boys, China Cats, and AZA. It has also hosted a number of tribute bands, playing the familiar music of everyone from Neil Young to Fleetwood Mac, and frequent birthday shows for well-known local musicians.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

1/ 19
The scene early Thursday as firefighters converged on Michael’s on Main. 
(Via Clay Butler)
[img=414x0]https://lookout.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/58a6e46/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2673x1782+358+0/resize/1680x1120!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flookout-local-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3b%2F46%2Fb5d69ff2463eaf5024e1bb8dae12%2F20220901-054824.jpg[/img]
2/ 19
A Santa Cruz Fire truck crew hoses down the fire burning at Michael’s on Main. 
(Via Michael Harrison)
[img=414x0]https://lookout.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/06ad79b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2786x1857+365+0/resize/1680x1120!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flookout-local-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F44%2Fe9%2F3b7b6c0b48f480a62c69032c243d%2F20220901-055010.jpg[/img]
3/ 19
Crews responded to the fire around 4:30 a.m. Thursday. 
(Via Michael Harrison)

4/ 19
A number of fire engine and truck crews responded to the blaze at Michael’s on Main around 4:30 a.m. Thursday. 
(Via Michael Harrison)

5/ 19
Firefighters at Michael’s on Main early Thursday. 
(Via Clay Butler)

6/ 19
Firefighters at Michael’s on Main early Thursday. 
(Via Clay Butler)

7/ 19
Fire damage to the side dining room at Michael’s on Main. 
(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

8/ 19
What was left of the kitchen at Michael’s on Main. 
(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

9/ 19
The fire burned through the roof over the office at Michael’s on Main. 
(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

10/ 19
Michael Harrison, the owner of Michael’s on Main, surveys the damaged left behind from the fire Thursday morning. 
(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

11/ 19
A firefighter and fire marshal Mike DeMars (right) of the Central Fire District assess the damage at an entrance to the kitchen at Michael’s on Main. 
(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

12/ 19
A Central Fire District engine sends water to crews responding to the fire at Michael’s on Main. 
(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

13/ 19
Firefighters were able to save Grateful Dead artwork from Thursday’s fire at Michael’s on Main. 
(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

14/ 19
The scene Thursday morning along Main Street in Soquel outside Michael’s on Main. 
(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

15/ 19
Michael’s on Main owner Michael Harrison (left) talks with firefighters. 
(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

16/ 19
The entrance to Michael’s on Main. 
(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

17/ 19
Inside Michael’s on Main. 
(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

18/ 19
Inside Michael’s on Main in the wake of Thursday morning’s fire. 
(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

19/ 19
Inside Michael’s on Main in the wake of Thursday morning’s fire. 
(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)




LILY BELLI

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Lily Belli is the daughter of a chef who fell deeply in love with Santa Cruz’s rich food culture while attending UCSC. She previously wrote for the Good Times, Edible Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz Weekly and Thrillist.

Quote:Dog and sea lion play fetch on Santa Cruz beach in now viral video

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Updated: 1:37 PM PDT Sep 6, 2022
[/url]Josh Copitch  
[url=https://www.ksbw.com/news-team/63391016-65d3-4293-b3dd-d00e9d39aa62]Digital Media Manager


[b]SANTA CRUZ, Calif. —[/b]
A dog and a sea lion went viral for their game of catch after it was recorded at a beach in Santa Cruz over the weekend.
Dave Nelson was playing fetch with his dog Moe at the beach when he noticed a sea lion was following them up and down the beach as they played.
"It came all the way up to the beach and Moe went out and sniffed, and the Sea Lion gave a couple loving barks," Nelson told KSBW 8.
Nelson said that is when he started to record the fun.
The dog and the sea lion played fetch together for a bit before Nelson and Moe went home for the day.
[i]Video Credit: Dave Nelson | Liquidimagerystudios.com[/i]

Quote:CITY SERVICES INFORMATION FOR THE WEEK OF OCT 3 - 10, 2022

[b](CUTS DUE TO SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION (SEIU) STRIKE)[/b]

The City of Santa Cruz has been in negotiations for a new labor contract with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 521 since early this year. Despite the City’s good faith efforts to reach a fair agreement with SEIU Local 521, the union rejected the City’s last proposal for a three-year 12% compensation increase. SEIU has notified the city of their intent to strike next week, beginning October 3. 

Four of the City’s other labor groups – Fire Management, Fire Local, OE3 Middle Managers, and the Executive Team have reached agreement on their contracts – also for a 12% increase over three years.

All City services staffed by SEIU employees will be significantly impacted the week of October 3 – 10, 2022. Essential services including police, fire, water, and wastewater will be operational. Residents should expect the following:

• Public safety will remain a top priority –Dial 911 if there is ANY potential emergency. Police and Fire will respond as usual.
  
  
• No residential or commercial trash or recycling pick-up.
  
  
• Service and payment counters will be closed.
  
  
• All libraries other than Capitola and Scotts Valley will be closed.
  
  
• Capitola and Scotts Valley libraries will have limited service – [b]all libraries will be closed Oct 8[/b].
  
  
• Many parks will be closed and recreation programs cancelled - see complete list.
  
  
• Most service phones will not be attended – expect to leave messages that will be responded to after the strike.
  
  
• Most plan reviews, permit reviews, and inspections will be unavailable.
  
  
• Normal Planning services will be available.  Building services will be limited.  Check the Planning & Community Development Department’s website for details.
  

This is a dynamic situation – we apologize for possible changes to this information, based on staff availability.

 

Quote: [b]CITY OF SANTA CRUZ REACHES AGREEMENT WITH LABOR UNION; STRIKE AVERTED[/b] 

 [b]Santa Cruz (October 2, 2022) -[/b] The City of Santa Cruz announced today that it has reached agreement with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 521, and that the strike planned for October 3 is cancelled.  

The City and SEIU reached an agreement that provides 12% in on-going compensation increases over the next three years, and a one-time payment of $1,100. The agreement also helps to ensure all SEIU employees earn a living wage. The City reached similar agreements for 12% increases over three years with four other City employee groups, which were approved by the City Council last week.  

The City and SEIU have been in negotiations since early this year. “We are pleased to be able to structure a compensation package that better meets our employee’s short-term needs, while also being respectful of the City’s long-term financial picture,” said City Manager Matt Huffaker. 

A labor strike planned to begin at 7:00am Monday, October 3, has been called off. City operations will be delivered as normal Monday morning

Quote:SEIU Strike Service Impacts
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[b]CITY SERVICES INFORMATION FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 17 - 21[/b]

[b]SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION (SEIU) LOCAL 521 STRIKE[/b]

The City of Santa Cruz has been in negotiations for a new labor contract with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 521 since early this year. The City reached a tentative agreement with SEIU negotiators on October 2. However, union membership voted last week to reject the tentative agreement. The City received word October 10 that employees in the SEIU Local 521-represented bargaining unit will participate in a 5-day unfair practice strike at all City locations Monday, Oct 17 - Friday, Oct 21. 
[b]While essential services like police, fire, water, and sewer will remain unchanged[/b], a strike will have significant impacts on other services the City provides. We encourage residents to look for opportunities to prepare in advance for limited services. Residents should consider:

• There will be no refuse or food scrap pick-up, and both the landfill and recycling center will be closed.
  
  
• All library facilities except the Capitola Branch Library and the Scotts Valley Branch library will be closed until Sat, Oct 22. Capitola and Scotts Valley libraries will have limited hours: Mon-Thurs 10:00am - 6:00pm, and Fri 10:00am - 5:00pm. All library programs are cancelled except storytimes at Scotts Valley and Capitola - call to confirm day and time. Library partner organizations may have programs that take place after-hours - please contact the specific organization to confirm.
  
  
• Many City parks will be closed, and many recreation programs cancelled - please check the Parks and Recreation webpage.
  
  
• Most City service counters will be closed and phone lines will go to automated messages, with the exception of Planning and Community Development - see their schedule for 10/17 - 10/21. 
  

The City recognizes that a strike will be hard on the community. The City has been negotiating in good faith and is disappointed at the outcome of last week's SEIU Local 521 membership vote. Labor Agreements have been reached with four other employee work groups including Fire Local, Fire Management, OES Middle Management, and Executive. 
This is a dynamic situation  - please check back for updates on service impacts. Thank you.

Quote:BUSINESS
Day 3: Santa Cruz strike heats up with arrest of union worker
Negotiators continue work toward agreement between the city and labor union

• [color=var(--primary)][/url][/color]
  
  
• [color=var(--primary)][url=https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2022/10/19/day-3-santa-cruz-strike-heats-up-with-arrest-of-union-worker/?share=twitter&nb=1][/color]
  

[img=394x0]https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/STC-L-ASDAYTHREE-1020-01_101304758.jpeg?w=263[/img]
Trash and recycling overflow as the city service workers strike continues for a third day.  Credit: SEIU Local 521 organizers
By [color=var(--primary)]ARIC SLEEPER | asleeper@santacruzsentinel.com | 
PUBLISHED: October 19, 2022 at 4:53 p.m. | UPDATED: October 19, 2022 at 5:32 p.m.
SANTA CRUZ — Union member and wastewater treatment worker Peter Borba, 39, was arrested at the Wastewater Treatment Facility’s picket line around 8 a.m Wednesday as service workers with SEIU Local 521 continued their unfair labor practice strike for a third day.
Santa Cruz police responded to a call that strikers were blocking the entrance to the Wastewater Treatment Facility, preventing a truck from entering the facility, according to Santa Cruz Police Chief Bernie Escalante.
“Everyone moved to the side except Mr. Borba,” said Escalante. “Mr. Borba walked away from the officer, still impeding the flow of traffic into the facility. Mr. Borba was asked again and he verbally and physically refused by pushing past the officer’s arm trying to guide him to the side. Mr. Borba was taken into custody without further incident and booked into the county jail.”

The call resulted in the arrest of Borba for two charges: refusing to leave property or prevent someone from entering or exiting property; and obstructing, resisting or delaying of a peace officer. Both are misdemeanors.


Meanwhile, trash and recycling are piling up in dumpsters, bins and on the streets, to the frustration of residents, one of which, who remained unnamed, brought his large bag of trash to City Hall where he placed it in front of the City Council chamber. Libraries, parks and community centers remain closed, and no parking tickets will be issued until the union and city can reach an agreement.
[/color]

City workers picket outside of the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium Wednesday Credit: Aric Sleeper / Santa Cruz Sentinel

“Mediation between the city and SEIU Local 521 is ongoing,” said Santa Cruz City Manager Matt Huffaker. “City and SEIU Local 521 negotiators continue to work with a state mediator. An agreement has not been reached.”
Around 200 workers were gathered in front of the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium picketing and soliciting honks from supportive drivers. Among the chants, beeps and air horn honks, and even with temperatures around 85 degrees, union members said they aren’t going anywhere until an agreement is reached.
“I trust the bargaining team to come through with a fair contract for us,” said Jason Reiter, facility attendant at the London Nelson Community Center. “We’re not going anywhere until we get that contract, but it is our job and passion to serve the public, so we hope that it’s over soon.”
“We remain energized, and whether our energy goes up and down throughout the day isn’t going to change anything. We’re not going anywhere, said Shannon Toomes, recreation coordinator at the Civic Auditorium. “I know this strike, and what we are asking for is just and I know we are not asking for something that is unjust.”

No parking tickets will be issued until the strike is over. Credit: Aric Sleeper / Santa Cruz Sentinel

SEIU 521 Local filed unfair labor practice charges against the city of Santa Cruz in July for worker intimidation, unilateral changes to working conditions, exposure to hazardous working conditions and union busting.
According to city officials, fire and police, and water treatment and sewage services will not be affected by the strike.

Quote:
Strike Ends as Union and City of Santa Cruz Reach Agreement

The deal includes a 12% raise over three years and an $1,800 payment

ByTodd Guild

October 20, 2022

Monterey Bay Central Labor Council Executive Director Cesar Lara addresses union members and supporters during the unfair labor practices strike. PHOTO: Todd Guild

Two days after a historic strike shut many services in the City of Santa Cruz, causing trash and recycling to begin piling up, Service Employees International Union Local 521 has reached a tentative agreement with the City.
Under the agreement, employees will get a 12% raise over three years and an $1,800 payment, as well as pay increases that bring many positions closer to market rate.
It also includes a “furlough moratorium” for that three-year duration, the union says, referring to the 10% furlough members agreed to in 2008 and 2020.
A majority of union members rejected a previous offer by the City of a 12% increase and a $1,100 payment. 
“We strongly believe this settlement will begin to address our demands of bringing city positions up to meet market comparison, with additional commitments by the City to continue meeting to bring other classifications up to parity,” Chapter President Ken Bare said. “The support from our community was incredible, Santa Cruz City workers were strong and resilient, and their sacrifice to strike was historic. We will finally get the respect and dignity we fought for and deserve.” 
Santa Cruz City Manager Matt Huffaker did not immediately respond to a request for comment late Wednesday

Quote:Birders flock to Santa Cruz to spot rare Red Footed Booby
Updated: 9:49 AM PST Nov 17, 2022
[/url][url=https://www.ksbw.com/news-team/4c46d709-f813-4654-9dab-41a4c0c83ee1]Brisa Colón
Reporter

[b]SANTA CRUZ, Calif. —[/b]
A rare red-footed booby was spotted at the Santa Cruz Wharf. The tropical bird rarely migrated this far, leaving many in awe that it is here on the Central Coast.
“We only expect to see them in places like Hawaii and Baja California is probably as close as they normally live," said Ryan Carle, ecologist with Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge. "This is about as far of the tropical range they get."
It's not clear why it is here.
"We can't ask it questions of why it showed up here, but sometimes birds get sides led for whatever reason,” said Kevin Condon, director of The Bird School Project. 
The red-footed booby looks like a pelican. It has a long pointy bill and a blue wash on its face. Experts said the bird in Santa Cruz is a young bird as its feet aren’t bright red, rather, they are pale red. 
Carle says the bird is probably a lost bird and says it will be interesting to see if the bird sticks around during the cold Central Coast winter. 
“It seems like the booby has been doing fine finding food it goes off in the day from the wharf, and it seems to be going to catch fish,” Carle said. 
“The Monterey Bay just has so many different ecosystems and habitats that birds can utilize and sometimes stay,” Condon said. 
The bird has been seen landing on boats and most often seen on the wharf. 
"What I've heard is that coming at dawn or at dusk to the end of the ward is where you can observe this bird,” Condon said. 
Experts say the bird possibly has island syndrome, which makes it less afraid of humans. So, while the bird may not appear to be afraid as humans, doesn’t mean people should approach or touch the bird. So, if someone goes to the wharf, experts say they should keep a responsible distance. 
Avid bird watchers on the wharf say this is a bird on the top of their list. 
"We've been lifelong birders we keep a list of all the birds we've seen. And this is a life bird we can add him to our list,” says the Easterlings.

Quote:Dead whale washes up on Seaside beach
Updated: 9:22 PM PST Nov 22, 2022

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[/url]
Josh Copitch  
[url=https://www.ksbw.com/news-team/63391016-65d3-4293-b3dd-d00e9d39aa62]Digital Media Manager

[b]SEASIDE, Calif. —[/b]
A dead whale washed up at Monterey State Beach in Seaside. 
The whale was seen floating in the Monterey Bay Sunday afternoon but was found washed up on shore Monday morning near the Seaside State Beach parking lot. 
According to the Long Marine Lab Stranding Network, it is a 41-foot-long female fin whale. The organization is collecting samples to see if a cause of death can be determined. 
In the past, when a whale washed up on shore on the Monterey Peninsula, a team was called in to investigate the cause of death and state parks did not remove the carcass but let "nature run its course."
UC Santa Cruz professor, Ari Friedlaender, who specializes in whales, said it appears to have been dead for a number of days now. 
"It looks like that animal's been dead for some time, you know, a number of days, maybe a week or so.[i] [/i]You can see that the skin, the outer skin is kind of slacked off because it's been floating around," he said.
Friedlaender explains that the distortion of the whale is from other animals feeding off it. He adds that during these situations, experts will begin sampling to understand not only how it died but also how it lived. 
"We can look at hormones and stress levels so we can tell if she's pregnant or what the stress hormone levels were like. We can tell with the diet of the animal may have been like, by doing some chemical analysis there," he said.

(11-23-2022, 01:08 PM)Drunk Monk Wrote: Dead whale washes up on Seaside beach
Lots of wildlife here now...