There used to be an ad calling Santa Cruz County the “dog in a pickup truck” capital of the world. I don’t see that many dogs in trucks anymore. Now, they are safely sequestered in SUVs.
But I submit we are the mural capital of the world. I’m not sure I’ve seen more giant and colorful artistic expressions anywhere else. We are planning a book on the county’s murals and their artists.
I was inspired to put Shaun Logan on the cover of this week’s issue because I see his work at the Hidden Beach bathroom almost every day. It pops and it may be the best-looking bathroom anywhere. It adds so much to our park.
One day I saw some county workers out there and asked who did the mural and they were going to get back to me… but I’m still waiting for that call.
Luckily, it turns out I know the artist’s, Cameron, who is not only a fellow harmonica player, but also runs an amazing charity that has been around for more than 40 years, the Santa Cruz County Youth Resource Bank (YRB), which has helped vulnerable children and youth overcome barriers and reach their potential. In 2025, YRB supported more than 600 local young people, providing assistance that might otherwise have been out of reach.
Assistance includes camp and class fees, sports programs and equipment, school expenses, specialized shoes, clothing, gift cards and other essential items.
YRB is a 100% volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. More than 95% of every dollar donated goes directly to helping local youth. Through referrals from trusted local professionals and agencies—including teachers, social workers and other youth-serving professionals—YRB helps children and young people who have fallen through the cracks of traditional support systems. To learn more about the Youth Resource Bank or make a donation, visit www.youthresourcebank.org.
It just showed me how small and wonderful our community is. I couldn’t find the muralist, but it turns out he was raised down the street from me, and his dad is so special. That’s the joy of being a local journalist. You dig a little deeper and you find wonderful stories, which is also my goal in publishing Growing Up. I love printing stories about our local heroes and sometimes villains.
Speaking of which: there’s a letter in this issue from Laurie Negro, who owns Betty Burgers in Aptos (where so many of our kids have worked), about the county’s ill-thought-out and wasteful spending to take over land for a train that will never happen and is completely unaffordable. We’ll have more follow-up on that one. The county’s plan will destroy another charitable business, Caroline’s Non-Profit Thrift Shop. The RTC has wasted millions and millions of dollars on studies and lawyers while they can’t fix potholes.
Another feature I love in this issue is John Koenig’s look into curiosities around the county. This one is a tribute to veterans, you must read.
