The Pajaronian

Keeping our eye on the Clock

My father, an Air Force fighter pilot, and our family, were stationed in Yokohama Japan in 1947 as part of the post-World War II occupation force. Fortunately, I was too young to understand the magnitude of the complete obliteration of the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the vaporization of their 170,000 residents.
Albert Einstein, Robert Oppenheimer, and other creators of these first atomic bombs, horrified at what they had created, and realizing the potential of nuclear weapons to end humanity, created The Doomsday Clock, which is maintained by The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists today and assesses how close civilization is to the apocalypse. In 1947 it was set at seven minutes to midnight and it has risen to 17 minutes to midnight in 1991 (due to Strategic Arms ReductionTreaties [START] around the world), but the clock has been ticking down since then, and in 2017 it shifted the scale from minutes to seconds.
Two months ago, The Bulletin reset the clock to 85 seconds to midnight—the closest we have ever been to annihilation of life on Earth. Several of the reasons it was reset are: The expiration of the nuclear START treaties between the US and Russia, and aggressive geopolitics by Russia, China, and the USA.
About two weeks ago, our president, referring to Iran, said,
“A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.”
Those are the facts.
Please review the unspeakable horror of Nagasaki and Hiroshima and take whatever political action you can at bit.ly/4cZVrl0

Don Eggleston

Aptos

•••

Getting rest critically important

A couple of years back, I was involved in a car accident after falling asleep while driving. It’s something I never imagined would happen to me. One moment I was on the road, and the next I woke up to the sound of impact. It was terrifying, and it forced me to confront how dangerous exhaustion can be.

I’m sharing this because I don’t want anyone else to learn this lesson the hard way. We often push ourselves, long hours at work, stress, meltaly drained, and we convince ourselves we’re fine to drive. I thought the same thing. I was wrong.

I’m grateful to be here today, and that gratitude is exactly why I want to raise awareness. If my story encourages even one person to pull over, rest, or ask for help instead of pushing through fatigue, then speaking up is worth it.

Please take care of yourselves and each other. No destination is worth risking your life.

Manuel Gomez

Watsonville

•••

Support for Tony Nuñez

I first met Tony Nunez when he was a Sports Journalist for our local newspaper. I then saw him become the Editor of the newspaper. He left and became a Spokesperson for a nonprofit that gives great services to those in our County. And during that time he was elected to the new Pajaro Valley Health Care District Board.

He is currently the Chair of the Board. As a former city councilmember and Mayor I have observed Tony develop the skills, knowledge and experience needed to be a successful Supervisor for District 4.

As a journalist and editor of our newspaper Tony needed to learn to ask insightful questions and become an active listener to build trust and rapport with those being interviewed so their information would be authentic. He learned to deliver accurate and impactful journalism.

As Supervisor Tony will continue to ask those “why?” questions, be transparent and connect with our District members.

As a Spokesperson Tony has learned to remain calm in handling difficult questions in crisis situations. He has learned to connect with the community members with clear communication and relatability. As a Supervisor Tony will not offer opinion but instead be prepared for challenging questions with genuine information.

As a member of the Pajaro Valley Health Care District Board and now as Chair Tony helped bring the Watsonville Hospital into community ownership. This included leading the largest fundraising effort in the County. It meant winning support for Measure N to fund long overdue improvements to the hospital. 

For the future Tony intends for the hospital to offer the best healthcare available to our community and stay under local control. As a Supervisor Tony will continue to be a leader for our Watsonville/Pajaro Valley community.

Tony advocates the expansion of health care, housing for working families, safer roads and streets, more parks and open spaces, good jobs and small businesses, child care and support for schools, and services that help seniors age with dignity. As I have illustrated he has developed the skills, knowledge and experience to make these challenges happen. Please volunteer, donate, and/or vote for Tony Nunez, Supervisor District 4.

Rebecca García

Watsonville

International Worker’s Day

The Monterey Bay Central Labor Council will hold its annual Labor Day Picnic May 1 on International Worker’s Day, also known in many countries as Labor Day.

With a theme of “Honor Working People” the day starts with a 1pm car caravan that stops at the Target Store on Main Street in Watsonville in the Overlook Center. A protest is scheduled there from 2- 3pm followed by a march from Target to Romo Park in downtown Watsonville. 

At 4pm a rally and escuelita (little school) is set for Romo Park on Main Street. Topics to be addressed at the rally include “Tax billionaires and corporations,” Fund healthcare and education,” and “Not war and deportation.”

The event is co-sponsored  by Santa Cruz Immigration Coalition and Indivisible.

•••

Reel Work Festival

Also, in line with Labor Day and labor issues, the 25th Annual Reel Work Festival takes place from Apr. 22 to May 16. A few of the films featured include:

“A Hobo in the Great Depression – Hard time history of the US in 1932,” Apr. 26, 5pm.

“Baristas vs Billionaires,” Apr. 29, 7pm.

“The Mamdani Effect – Socialism delivers in NYC,” May 1, 7 pm.

“Iron Ladies – Women confront Thatcher in UK mine closures,” May 2, 7pm.

“Built on Hope – International short films on labor rights,” May 3, 5pm.

“Big Scary ‘S’ Word – Socialism is as American as apple pie,” May 6, 7pm.

For information, visit reelwork.org/schedule.htm.

•••

Spring Mariachi Festival 

Cabrillo College will host its Spring Mariachi Festival featuring six local Mariachi ensembles, this Sunday April 26 at 3pm at Cabrillo’s Crocker Theater on the Aptos Campus, 6500 Soquel Drive. 

Performances will be by Cabrillo Mariachi, UC Santa Cruz’s Mariachi Eterno, Mariachi Monarca, Mariachi Alma de Mexico, Mariachi El Sistema de Juveníl, and Mariachi Libertad.

The community is invited to the 3pm event. For tickets and information, visit  bit.ly/4mHscGQ

•••

Public invited to local bike ride

Anyone interested in bicycling is invited to the Watsonville Community Bike Ride Sunday. Headed up by Supervisor Felipe Hernandez and Watsonville Mayor Kristal Salcido, the ride will follow the Ohlone Loop Trail. 

People can learn about bike safety as well as take part in a fun raffle that features bike gear giveaways. Free burritos and refreshments will be provided for all riders and bikes will be available for loan for those without bikes.

The ride starts at 11am at 150 Westridge Dr. off of Ohlone Parkway. For information, visit bikesantacruzcounty.org/events.

•••

Cinco de Mayo Festival 

The annual Cinco De Mayo Festival will unfold in downtown Watsonville on May 3 at Watsonville Plaza from 11:30am-5pm.

Includes live music, dance performances, food booths, arts and crafts and information tables.

Editor’s note: This the second part of a two-part series on travel writer Tarmo Hannula’s recent trip to Paso Robles. To see part 1, click here.

On a recent overnight road trip to Atascadero, after exploring the innards of the Salinas Valley, my wife Sarah and I checked into the historic Carlton Hotel in the downtown Atascadero.

Much like nearby Paso Robles, we noticed the downtown area was festooned with wine bars, tasting rooms, microbreweries, wineries, beer gardens and the like. Then add a bunch of cafes, coffee houses and ice cream shops.

An early model Cadillac that is dressed up like a car in the movie, “Ghost Busters,” is shown in Atascadero.(Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)

Our big night out, by plan, was a dinner in Paso Robles with our longtime friends Brett and Lucia, who live there. They suggested Catch Seafood Bar and Grill, 836 West 11th St. We met them and were lucky to squeeze in for a fine dinner.

The area was abuzz with life and the Downtown City Park across the street was charged with people milling about. 

After dinner we walked around the town and wandered into a large art gallery—Studios on the Park—dedicated to scores of artists who stacked the place with everything from neon lighted art to photos, paintings, ceramics, weavings, quilts and on and on. 

Downtown Atascadero features buildings old and new. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)

Our night at The Carlton proved to be a quiet and comfortable spot with ample parking right outside on surrounding streets.

The following morning started at JonnyBoy’s Bagelry & Jewish Delicatessen for bagels and lox, a short walk from The Carlton. We wandered past the Historic Atascadero City Hall which was completed in 1918 before catching Hwy 101 north.

Our drive back to Watsonville took us through endless vineyards, rolling farms and vast stretches of dramatic green pastures and hills punctuated with oak and eucalyptus trees.

On many of our road trips up and down California, we’ve made efforts to visit most of the 21 California Missions. On this trip we stopped by the missions at San Miguel, built in 1797, Mission San Antonio de Padua (1771) and Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad (1791).

Just south of San Ardo, we went west off of Hwy 101 on Jolon Road to Mission Road past Fort Hunter Liggett to the majestic San Antonio de Padua. Adding to the drama were the snow-dusted Santa Lucia Mountains as a backdrop. The historic displays inside the building, the chapel, the outdoor “kitchen” and remains of crumbling outbuildings painted a rich picture of life 255 years ago. 

Years ago we stayed at a hotel, The Hacienda, on the grounds of Fort Hunter Liggett. Our room was called The Cowboy Room. There was even a bowling alley nearby and a restaurant. Now, on this trip, when we approached the fort, we were met by two soldiers armed with assault rifles at the sentry booth. Their tone was serious and plainly unwelcoming. So, of course, we left.

Again, taking as many backroads as possible, we passed King City and Greenfield and got on San Ardo Road to the mission at Soledad. The cactus, the tile roof, aged walls, surrounding flowers and wild birds put a colorful cap on our short journey.

The Elkhorn Slough Foundation (ESF) Board of Directors announced Tuesday the hiring of Taylor Honrath as its next Executive Director. 

“We are pleased to welcome Taylor to this new role,” said Board President Susan Matcham. “He has been an outstanding Deputy Director, and we’re confident that he will excel as Executive Director.”

Taylor Honrath

Honrath has guided ESF’s fundraising efforts for the past seven years, including the recently completed Elkhorn Forever conservation campaign, which raised more than $13 million

for land acquisition and habitat restoration in the Elkhorn Slough watershed, said ESF spokesman Ross Robertson.

“I’m honored to be selected by the Board to lead the organization at such a pivotal moment in its history,” Honrath said. “I’m excited to work with my colleagues at ESF and our partners at the Elkhorn Slough Reserve to increase the scope and visibility of our conservation efforts.”

He succeeds ESF’s long-serving founding Executive Director, Mark Silberstein, who is transitioning into an advisory role.

Prior to joining ESF, Honrath worked in nonprofit management and fundraising, led legislative advocacy for renewable energy policy in California, and worked on a variety of state and national political campaigns.ESF is a community-supported nonprofit land trust whose mission is to conserve and restore Elkhorn Slough and its watershed. ESF protects more than 4,200 acres of rare habitat, including oak woodlands, coastal prairie, maritime chaparral, and wetlands. For information, visit elkhornslough.org.

Grey Bears, which has been helping seniors for more than five decades, has unveiled plans to renovate an 11,000 square-foot warehouse next to its existing mid-county facility. 

The space, formally a warehouse for Palace Art & Office Supply, will serve as a home of the Grey Bears Healthy Food Program. 

“This critical infrastructure expansion supports the organization’s mission to meet rapidly growing demand for senior nutrition and community services,” said Executive Director Jennifer Merchant. “We’re bursting at the seams. This is an opportunity for us to create a home where we can live in for the next 50-plus years.”

Grey Bears in Santa Cruz is currently working on transforming this 11,000 square-foot warehouse into their Healthy Food Program facility. (Tarmo Hannula/The Panaronian) 

Building plans, submitted to the County of Santa Cruz in February, include a renovated multi-use warehouse space, expanded ADA restrooms, permanent indoor market designed to feel like a neighborhood grocery store, expanded interior refrigeration and storage capacity, and a state-of-the-art kitchen nearly double the size of the existing kitchen. That kitchen in 2025 was used to serve 63,000 meals.

“This new facility allows us to support the next generation of seniors,” said Kayla Traber, Development Director. “We all know that Santa Cruz County has the fastest growing senior population in the state of California and this project will allow us to support local seniors to thrive in their community and have a place where they belong.” 

Grey Bears purchased the warehouse in 2024 for $4 million and has already begun transitioning some administrative operations into the building. Full renovation efforts will take several years, with projected completion by 2028. The total project is anticipated to cost $9.6 million dollars. 

Community support for the project includes philanthropists Rebecca and Bud Colligan, Julie Packard, the Packard Foundation, Monterey Peninsula Foundation and the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County. Grey Bears also received a matching grant from the 1440 Foundation, which agreed to match dollar-for-dollar up to $500,000 in donations to support the project.  

The project is 80% funded, with $1.8 million remaining to be raised. Grey Bears is asking the community to help with donations.

Additionally, Grey Bears runs a large thrift store of repurposed donated household items that helps with their funding.“We promote activity, seniors learning and volunteering to keep our community engaged and connected,” Grey Bears said. To donate and learn more, visit greybears.org.

These women take part in the Mother’s March in Watsonville on Jan. 30, 1957.

More than 400 women were set to take part in the event to raise money for polio. They raised $4,800 the previous year, and that year were aiming for $5,000.

Agricultural emissions, industry in Watsonville, heavy machinery and semi-trucks that transport produce from across the country: there are countless pollutants in the Pajaro Valley that can affect air quality. But for many years, residents of the Pajaro Valley have lacked access to timely, accurate data on air quality. 

Javier Gonzaléz-Rocha, a Watsonville native and applied mathematics professor at UC Santa Cruz, is looking to change that. 

González-Rocha is developing a network of drones and small sensors that can be attached to homes. He uses data collected from these monitors to try and paint a clearer picture of the air quality in the Pajaro Valley, as data that appears on common weather apps is often inaccurate. His team has deployed 35 monitors across the region, mostly on the outside of homes in Watsonville, Corralitos and Castroville. 

“People who live and work in the Pajaro Valley spend extensive amounts of time outdoors. We’re surrounded by fields that are harvested by humans, they’re out there all day,” said González-Rocha. “This is very much impacting their quality of life. It all has implications for their health.”

The Pajaro Valley often sees air pollution in the form of particles like PM2.5. Measuring only 2.5 micrometers—about 30 times less than a human hair—PM2.5 particles can easily enter the lungs and are known to worsen conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and heart disease.

Pursuing the project has led González-Rocha and his team to uncover unexpected sources of pollution.

While flying a drone to collect measurements, his team noticed that air quality began to worsen as the sun set over the Pajaro Valley. Investigating why this was, they found that the change may have been caused by people burning their trash in the evening. 

“The idea would not be to reprimand someone for doing that, but to try to understand the root cause—why they’re burning trash, and how do we create education and programs that support community members so they don’t have to do it,” Gonzalez-Rocha said. 

González-Rocha developed the data alongside graduate students at UCSC and is working with the community organization Regeneración to get information out to people in the Pajaro Valley. 

Eloy Ortiz, a special projects manager at Regeneración has been working with González-Rocha for the past two years on ensuring that those living in the Pajaro Valley are making good use of the air quality data. The organization hosts listening sessions to present data and understand the concerns that the larger community has. 

“For me, it’s about educating people about health issues and what they might be exposed to and potentially building resources to help people,” said Ortiz. “For residents, for people who are working outside, for people who are working in agriculture, for people who are working in gardens, for people who are labouring outside.”

The goal of the project is to ensure that people of the Pajaro Valley can make informed decisions about air quality. Those involved believe that decisions about whether or not to go for a run, to allow children to play outside, to wear a mask while working should be strongly and accurately informed.

“What’s really exciting about this is that it opens the conversation.” González-Rocha said. “It creates a great opportunity for thinking about the systems in place to protect our community and make decisions. This gives us an entry point to really think about how all stakeholders can work together to make meaningful progress towards climate resilience.”
Anyone interested in getting involved can visit regenerationpajarovalley.org or contact Eloy Ortiz at El**@**********************ey.org.

Watsonville High senior Lisandro Pantoja last week got a sneak preview of what the best track-and-field athletes within the section have to offer.

The mighty and powerful Wildcat placed sixth in the discus event with a toss of 148 feet at the 45th annual Central Coast Section Top 8 Invitational at Los Gatos High on April 18.

“I feel like I belong in these types of meets,” said Pantoja, who also took 13th in the shot put event with a throw of 44 feet, 5 inches. “There’s always mixed feelings of what if I mess up, all those negative things.”

Nevertheless, the former Wildcatz football lineman continues to work on having a positive outlook as his final season in a gold and black uniform nearly comes to an end.

“I’ve had a few bad meets, so I’m trying to work on having a better attitude,” Pantoja said. “Be more optimistic.”

Watsonville head coach Rob Cornett said his stud hurler is having a successful spring campaign, yet Pantoja hasn’t been able to reach his top mark of 156-5 such as he did in last year’s Mission Championships at Rancho San Juan.

“A little bit of a form flaw that we have to fix. It takes a lot of repetition to do it,” Cornett said. “[Pantoja’s] working on it, but he’s consistently throwing over 140s, which is really good. Not a lack of strength, that’s for sure.”

Pantoja recorded a season-best throw of 153 feet at the Winter Time Trials on Feb. 28. He came close to beating that mark with a toss of 152-6, while also setting a personal best of 46-11 in the shot put at the Leland Don Bell Quicksilver Classic on April 4.

The following week, Pantoja made an appearance at the prestigious Arcadia Invitational in Southern California, placing 14th with a throw of 146-10 in the discus.

“There was so much more competition,” Pantoja said. “It was a really odd environment for track and field because it’s rare to see a lot of people go out of their way to view the meet…Stanford-packed like it was a football game.”

In the shot put, athletes have a choice between what is called the glide (linear) or spin technique.

But there’s no such thing as a linear throw in the discus, which is why most athletes will opt for the spin technique because throwing off a rotation is better than going in a linear motion. 

“But by doing so, it’s technically 10 times harder,” Cornett said. “[Pantoja’s] doing it well. So that’s getting him that rotational speed that’s getting him to where we need to be.” 

Pantoja added it’s not just about chucking a heavy ball or disc.

“A lot of coordination skills are required,” he said. “Of course, you have to be fast, explosive, balanced, and there’s the mental aspect of it.”

Luis Marquez, a senior, has been another good thrower who has been doing well inside the ring for the ‘Catz. He set a personal best in the discus with a toss of 139-11 at the Allen Dunn Haybaler Invite on April 18, and a record throw of 43-5 1/2 in the shot put at the 53rd Avis Kelley Invitational on March 28.

“I have high hopes for [Marquez], too,” Cornett said.

Watsonville sophomore Noel Navarro, who began the season with some lower back issues, is getting close to breaking 40 seconds in the 300 hurdles. He set a personal best of 41.91 while notching his sixth first place finish of the season during a Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission Division meet on April 21.

“[Navarro’s] starting to turn some heads,” Cornett said. 

Junior distance runner Nain Garcia-Ferreyra has held a steady pace throughout the season, earning three first place finishes in the 800 and three wins in the 1600.

Cornett is hoping Garcia-Ferreyra will have enough to take him to the CCS finals but it’s a really rough section. 

“There are some great runners in our section,” Cornett said. “But then again, that kind of competition breeds good marks for [Garcia-Ferreyra], too. That’s going to push him.”

On the girls side, sophomore Noemi Torres is having a record-setting season after tossing a personal best of 28-9 in the shot put at the Avis Kelley Invitational and hurling a 91-2 at the Haybaler Invite.  

The ‘Catz have a newcomer in sophomore Victoria Perez, who is leaving quite the impression in the shot put and discus. She set a personal best mark of 82-1 in the discus at the Haybaler Invite, and tossed a 26-4 in the shot put in last week’s Mission Division meet. 

Brianna Vanegas, a junior, hit a personal best in the triple jump with a leap of 31-11 at the Haybaler Invite.

“It’s going to put [Vanegas] in the mix of going to PCAL Masters to get to the CCS Championships,” Cornett said.

Cornett said last week they competed against a challenging Pacific Grove squad, and they faced a tough Monte Vista Christian group on March 26.

Both schools were promoted from the Cypress to the Mission following a successful season in 2025.

“[Pacifc Grove and MVC] were really good down there, and just got better,” Cornett said. “They came into our league with high expectations, and they’re doing it. So it’s gonna be tough against those two, they just got some very outstanding athletes.”

Monte Vista Christian senior Conor Gilliam placed eighth in 1 minute, 58.37 seconds in the 800-meters boys race at last week’s CCS Top 8.

Gilliam was also part of the 4×800 relay team with senior Gavin Beckmen, and freshmen Owen Beckmen and Joseph Palacios, who took 11th in 8:35.40. 

MVC junior Isaiah Ortega placed 15th with a jump of 10 feet in the pole vault, 

MVC sophomore Anna Conca (5:08.27) and junior Finley Castro (5:29.33) placed ninth and 17th, respectively, in the 1600 girls race. Teammate senior Nylie Joneson finished 10th with a jump of nine feet in the pole vault event.

Other formidable opponents in the Mission Division include Alvarez, Carmel, Monterey and Stevenson.

The goal for Cornett moving forward is to prepare the ‘Catz for the upcoming PCAL Mission Championships at Watsonville High on Friday at 4pm.

Then hopefully after that it’s on to the Masters Meet at Monte Vista Christian on May 8 at 4pm.

“Again, it’s the cliche of taking it one meet at a time,” said Cornett with confidence. “But we’re gonna get Masters and then see how many we can get through to CCS.”

#tdi_1 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item1 { background: url(https://pajaronian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/PAJ2617-CCS-Top-8-WEB-2-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; } #tdi_1 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item2 { background: url(https://pajaronian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/PAJ2617-CCS-Top-8-WEB-1-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; } 1 of 2 Monte Vista Christian sophomore Anna Conca, left, competes in the 1600-meters race during the 45th annual Central Coast Section Top 8 Invitational at Los Gatos High on April 18. (Raul Ebio/The Pajaronian) Watsonville High senior Lisandro Pantoja placed sixth in the discus event during the 45th annual Central Coast Section Top 8 Invitational at Los Gatos High on April 18. (Raul Ebio/The Pajaronian)

This article was contributed by Social Boosting

Instagram growth in 2026 isn’t easy. Reach is tighter, the algorithm is pickier and getting noticed organically feels like shouting into the void. That’s why creators and businesses are searching for the best sites to buy Instagram likes and followers safely to push their content without risking their account.

But not every provider is safe. Some sell bots. Some tank your engagement. A few mess with your account security. Only a handful deliver real Instagram likes and followers from active accounts.

This guide breaks down the safest providers in 2026, what “safe” really means and how to choose the right social media growth service without putting your account at risk. Our ranking is based on 14 months of hands-on testing across real Instagram accounts, from under 1K followers to 50K+. No provider paid for placement.

Trusted Providers to Buy Instagram Likes and Followers (Ranked)

Here are the providers that actually hold up under scrutiny. Our ranking is based on real orders, tracked retention rates over 60 days, support ticket response times and how each provider’s likes behaved in Instagram’s analytics dashboard.

1. SocialBoosting—Best Site to Purchase Instagram Likes and Followers Safely

If you only remember one name from this article, make it SocialBoosting. It’s the most reliable, transparent and genuinely safe provider we’ve tested, and it’s earned that reputation consistently year after year. 

Thousands of creators worldwide already trust it to power their Instagram account growth, and once you dig into what they actually offer, it’s easy to see why.

SocialBoosting gives you a real choice between two tiers, and both are built around safety:

• High-Quality Likes—Fast delivery, secure purchase, no password required and 24/7 support. Perfect for steady, organic-looking growth.
• Premium Likes—Everything in High-Quality, plus likes from verified, active accounts, guaranteed instant delivery, a 30-day refill guarantee, long-term impact and an increased chance of landing on the Explore page.

Why SocialBoosting sits at #1:

• 100 percent real engagement, zero bots—Every like comes from an active Instagram user, which is exactly what the algorithm (and your audience) respects.
• Smart drip-feed delivery on packages above 1,000 likes, distributing engagement gradually so nothing looks suspicious or triggers a flag.
• No password required, ever—They only ask for your username and the post URL. That’s it.
• Refill guarantee—If any likes drop off, they’re replaced free of charge. You keep what you paid for.
• Money-back guarantee—If they don’t deliver what’s promised, you get a full refund. No hoops, no fine print.
• Flexible payments—All major credit and debit cards, plus Apple Pay and Google Pay, with encrypted checkout.
• 24/7 customer support that actually responds, not bot replies.
• Transparent, scalable pricing—Packages start at just $2.15 for 50 likes and scale all the way up to 20K likes, with serious discounts on larger tiers (up to 77 percent off).

What really sets SocialBoosting apart is the philosophy behind it. The team treats your account like their own, which shows up in the conservative delivery speeds, the verified-account sourcing on Premium packages and the fact that they publicly offer a full money-back guarantee. They’re not gambling with your reputation, and they don’t want you to either.

They also offer a free Instagram likes and followers trial, so you can test quality firsthand before committing to anything. That kind of confidence in their own product is rare in this industry.

Field-Tested Insight: We placed a 2,500-like order on a test account and tracked retention daily for 60 days. Dropoff was under 2 percent, and the likes were spread across accounts with bios, posts and consistent activity. Compared to the industry average (15-30 percent dropoff within the first week), this was the clearest quality benchmark we recorded.

Best for: Creators, businesses and anyone who wants long-term, risk-free growth backed by real guarantees.

Check SocialBoosting’s Instagram likes packages.

2. Boostme

Boostme is another name that deserves real credit. It’s a dependable provider that takes quality seriously, and it’s earned a loyal user base for good reason.

What Boostme does well:

• High-quality likes from real-looking accounts
• Drip-feed delivery available on most packages
• Clean, easy-to-navigate ordering process
• Responsive support team
• Competitive pricing without cutting corners on quality

Boostme isn’t quite as polished as SocialBoosting when it comes to refill policies and delivery consistency on larger orders, but it’s a strong second choice. In our testing, a 1,000-like order arrived within 4 hours with roughly 7 percent dropoff over 30 days, which is solid by industry standards. If you want a trusted alternative or you’re testing providers side by side, Boostme holds up.

Best for: Users who want reliable quality at a fair price.

3. Media Mister

Media Mister has been around since 2012, which gives it a certain credibility. It serves multiple platforms, not just Instagram, and its likes tend to be of decent quality.

• Slower delivery (which can be a plus for safety)
• Wide range of services across platforms
• No password needed

The downside? Support can be slow (we waited over 18 hours for a response on one test ticket), and the interface feels dated.

Best for: Users who want a veteran provider with cross-platform options.

4. SocialWick

SocialWick is popular for fast delivery and a big menu of services. It’s been praised for its dashboard and ease of use.

• Fast turnaround
• Packages for likes, followers, views and more
• Decent quality on standard tiers

However, quality can be inconsistent on the cheaper packages. In one test order, we saw roughly 22 percent dropoff within two weeks on a budget-tier package, and refills weren’t processed until we followed up manually.

Best for: Users who prioritize speed over premium quality.

5. Views4You

Views4You is newer but has built a name for itself with sleek branding and a focus on video-related engagement. Their likes are reasonably priced and delivery is usually smooth.

• Clean UX
• Free trial options on some services
• Okay-quality likes

Not the top pick for safety-first users, but a fair middle-of-the-road option.

Best for: Casual users testing the waters.

6. Twicsy

Twicsy is one of the older names in the space and markets heavily toward influencers. Prices are on the higher side, but the service does deliver.

• Established brand
• Fast delivery
• Multiple package sizes

The quality is decent but not outstanding, and the pricing feels steep compared to SocialBoosting or Boostme for similar output. You’re partly paying for the brand name.

Best for: Users who want a well-known brand and don’t mind paying extra.

What Does “Safe” Mean When Buying Instagram Likes and Followers?

Real safety comes down to five non-negotiable criteria:

• Real users, not bots—active Instagram accounts, not empty shells
• Drip-feed delivery—paced, natural growth (no 5,000-like spikes)
• No password required—ever
• Refill or refund guarantees—drops get replaced
• Secure, encrypted payments—Stripe, PayPal or crypto only

Pro Tip: In our testing, posts that got likes within 30 minutes of going live saw up to 3x better reach. Timing matters as much as quantity, which is why drip-feed delivery is the gold standard.

If a site misses even one, move on.

Comparison Table: Safe Instagram Likes Providers (2026) ProviderReal LikesDeliveryRefill GuaranteeBest ForSocialBoosting✅ High-quality realDrip-feed, natural✅ LifetimeSafest overall choiceBoostme✅ RealDrip-feed available✅ YesReliable runner-upMedia Mister✅ DecentSlow, steady⚠️ LimitedVeteran usersSocialWick⚠️ MixedFast⚠️ InconsistentSpeed seekersViews4You✅ OkayModerate⚠️ PartialCasual usersTwicsy✅ DecentFast✅ YesBrand-name fans How We Tested These Services

To keep this ranking honest, we didn’t rely on marketing claims. We put our own budget and test accounts on the line. Over a 60-day period, our team ran a controlled study across 12 unique Instagram test accounts to see which providers actually deliver.

Our 5-Point Rating Methodology

Every service was scored on a weighted system (0-10) across five areas:

• Retention Rate (40 percent)—Follower counts tracked at 24 hours, 7 days and 30 days. Drops above 15 percent without auto-refill got penalized.
• Profile Authenticity (25 percent)—We manually audited 100 random followers per order, checking for profile pictures, bios and recent activity.
• Safety & Security (15 percent)—Password-required services were disqualified instantly. We also monitored for shadowbans and action blocks.
• Customer Support (10 percent)—We sent “missing follower” inquiries to every provider and measured response time plus refill willingness.
• Payment Security (10 percent)—All transactions verified through SSL-encrypted gateways or secure processors like Apple Pay.

MetricSocialBoostingBoostme (Budget)Bot Sites (Excluded)30-Day Retention97 percent84 percent42 percentAvg. Delivery Time12-48 hours4-6 hoursUnder 1 hourAccount QualityBio + 3+ postsBio onlyNo photo, no bioRisk LevelVery LowLowHigh Why Instagram Followers Still Matter in 2026

Followers still shape how your account is perceived. When someone lands on your profile, the first thing they notice is the numbers. That’s social proof in action. People naturally trust accounts that look established.

There’s also the algorithm side. More followers and engagement send positive signals, which often leads to better reach over time. And for creators and businesses alike, a strong follower count simply makes you look more credible.

Real Benefits of More Followers and Likes

• Increased visibility, especially on new posts
• Higher engagement that pushes content to wider audiences
• Stronger credibility and social proof
• Better chances of attracting organic followers over time

Think of it as the initial push that makes everything else easier.

How to Choose a Safe Instagram Likes Provider

Here’s a quick checklist before you hit “buy” anywhere:

• No password requirement—non-negotiable
• Drip-feed delivery—keeps the algorithm happy
• Real accounts—no bots, no empty profiles
• Refill or refund policy—clearly stated on the site
• Secure payment gateway—Stripe, PayPal or crypto
• Responsive support—test this before placing a big order
• Transparent pricing—no hidden renewal traps

Pro Tip: Before placing any large order, send the support team a simple pre-sales question. How fast they reply and how clearly they answer tells you everything about what post-purchase support will look like. This single test has saved us from bad providers more than once.

If a provider fails even one of these, skip it. There are plenty of safe Instagram likes providers that meet every criterion.

Risks of Buying Instagram Likes

Let’s be real for a minute. Buying likes isn’t risk-free, no matter what any site promises. Here’s what can actually go wrong, based on patterns we’ve observed across hundreds of test orders and client accounts:

• Engagement mismatch—10,000 likes on a post with 200 comments looks suspicious. Balance matters.
• Fake accounts getting wiped—If the likes come from bots, Instagram’s periodic purges (which typically run every 4-8 weeks) will delete them, leaving your post looking weaker than before.
• Algorithm flags—Sudden, unnatural spikes can trigger shadowban-like effects. We’ve seen reach drop by up to 60 percent on accounts that bought cheap bulk likes with no drip-feed.
• Reputational damage—Savvy users can spot fake engagement, and it can hurt credibility. Brand partners often run their own audits before sponsoring creators.

This is exactly why the provider you choose matters more than the price. Cheap, low-quality likes are almost guaranteed to cause problems. Premium, real Instagram likes from providers like SocialBoosting are designed to blend in and stay put.

Expert Warning: The biggest mistake we see creators make is buying likes on every single post. Instagram’s algorithm looks at engagement patterns over time. If every post suddenly has similar like counts, the pattern becomes detectable. Mix it up. Buy likes on your best content only, not across the board.

Do Bought Likes Affect Engagement Rate?

Short answer: it depends on how you do it.

Short-term: A boost of real-looking likes can improve your post’s visibility in the algorithm, pushing it to the Explore page or broader reach pools. In testing, we saw a 40-70 percent increase in non-follower impressions on posts that received quality likes within the first hour.

Long-term: If you overdo it or buy low-quality likes, your engagement rate (likes + comments ÷ followers) can actually drop because bought likes rarely come with comments or shares.

How to avoid issues:

• Start small. Test with modest packages.
• Spread likes across multiple posts, not just one.
• Pair with organic content strategy.
• Always use drip-feed delivery.
• Match the like count to realistic engagement ratios for your account size (usually 3-8 percent of follower count per post).

Done right, bought likes support your growth. Done wrong, they sabotage it.

Best Strategy: Combine Paid Likes + Organic Growth

Here’s the truth nobody selling likes wants to say out loud: bought likes are a support tool, not a strategy.

The creators who actually grow long-term do this:

1. Post consistently with strong content.
2. Use paid likes as an early push to signal the algorithm.
3. Engage genuinely with their community.
4. Layer in Reels, Stories and collaborations.

Providers like SocialBoosting work best when they’re part of a bigger plan. Buy likes to give momentum, not to fake a presence that doesn’t exist. That’s how you get organic-looking engagement that compounds over time.

Pro Tip: The most effective pattern we’ve seen is buying a modest like package (around 300-500 likes) within the first 30 minutes of posting a Reel. It nudges the algorithm to push the content to a wider test audience, and if the content is actually good, the organic snowball does the rest. This “ignition strategy” has consistently outperformed dumping 5,000 likes on a single post.

Top Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Instagram Likes

Before choosing a provider, it’s just as important to understand the common mistakes that can put your account at risk or waste your budget. 

• Ordering 10,000 likes on a brand-new account
• Choosing the cheapest provider to “test”
• Ignoring drip-feed options
• Sharing your password (just don’t)
• Buying likes without also posting new content
• Skipping the refill policy check
• Buying likes on private accounts (they won’t deliver properly)
• Ordering during Instagram’s periodic purge windows without refill coverage

Avoiding these pitfalls ensures your investment actually supports your growth instead of harming your account’s performance. 

Final Take

If you want the best sites to buy Instagram likes safely in 2026, the ranking is clear:

• SocialBoosting is the safest, most reliable and highest-quality option on the market. It’s the provider we’d trust with our own accounts, full stop.
• Boostme is a strong second choice with solid quality and fair pricing.
• The rest (Media Mister, SocialWick, Views4You, Twicsy) each have their niche, but none match the consistency and safety of the top two.

Remember: the goal isn’t just likes. It’s sustainable growth without risking your account. Pick a provider that respects that, pair it with real content and you’ll actually see results that last.

Frequently Asked Questions Which is the safest option to buy Instagram likes and followers?

The safest option in 2026 is SocialBoosting. They deliver likes from real, active accounts, use drip-feed delivery, require no password and include refill guarantees. SocialBoosting ranks #1 for safety and retention, while Boostme is a strong alternative.

Does buying Instagram likes and followers actually help?

Yes, but only short-term. Paid engagement can boost visibility and provide initial social proof. However, long-term growth still depends on content quality and real audience interaction.

Can Instagram ban your account for buying likes and followers?

Direct bans are rare. Instagram typically removes fake engagement or limits reach if activity looks unnatural. Using a high-quality provider with gradual delivery minimizes this risk.

Are Instagram likes and followers real?

With premium providers, yes. Likes come from active accounts with profiles and activity. Lower-quality providers often use bots or inactive accounts.

How fast is Instagram likes delivery?

Delivery depends on the provider. Safe services use gradual (drip-feed) delivery, which can take a few hours to a few days. Instant large deliveries can signal low-quality service.

What is drip-feed delivery on Instagram?

Drip-feed delivery means likes are added gradually over time instead of all at once. This mimics natural growth and reduces the risk of triggering Instagram’s spam detection.

Is buying Instagram likes safe in 2026?

Yes, if you choose a reliable provider. Modern services use smarter delivery methods that align with Instagram’s algorithm, making the process safer than before.

Can people tell if you bought Instagram likes?

Not with high-quality providers. Likes come from realistic accounts and blend naturally. Low-quality services are easier to spot due to fake or empty profiles.

Disclaimer

Not all Instagram followers and likes boosting services are created equal. Providers that use bot accounts or generic spam comments or likes can damage your profile’s credibility and engagement rate, and may violate Instagram’s terms of service. 

The services featured in this guide deliver comments from real, active Instagram accounts through legitimate methods. Each has a documented track record, a long-standing reputation with clients and no verified cases of profiles being penalized as a direct result of using their services.

The editorial staff of the Pajaronain was not involved in the creation of this content. The content is for general information and does not constitute the financial, medical or professional advice of this publication. Readers should consult qualified professionals regarding their individual circumstances. The Pajaronian disclaims any liability for loss or damage resulting from reliance on this content.

Rob and Jolynn Diepenbroek, with their dog, Loki, check out rows of early-day cars at the weekly Cars and Coffee event in East Lake Village Shopping Center. The free Saturday gathering, from 9-11am at 936 E. Lake Ave. in Watsonville, is a place for car and truck owners of yesteryear models to meet the public and share their stories. Dozens of vehicles, from a 1941 Pontiac Eight to a ‘68 Cougar filled out the event that also served as a donation station for children’s clothes thanks to Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services. The donations help kids and their families who are battling cancer.

In the early 1980s, when her eponymous bakery was in its infancy, Gayle Ortiz learned that a developer planned to turn the land surrounding the Rispin Mansion in Capitola into a senior living complex and several private homes.

That plan did not sit well with Ortiz, who believed the palatial home should be preserved. She jumped into action.

“We felt like that was going to take it out of the public realm, and we asked the City Council to buy it,” said Ortiz, who also heads Capitola Cares, a group raising funds to rebuild the mansion grounds.

The council agreed, and the city made the $1 million purchase.

Some four decades later, elected officials, Capitola city employees and community members gathered to celebrate the completion of the Park at Rispin Mansion, a gardenscape that allows visitors to stroll the grounds of the 105-year-old building.

While Ortiz’s hopes of turning the once-lavish home at 2000 Wharf Road into a museum were sidelined after a 2009 fire, she said she was pleased to see the park come to fruition.

“It was beautiful before it burned,” she said. “Over the years, there’s been a lot of disappointments. But we’ve got to put those aside and see what’s happening today. And maybe someday, something will happen with the museum.”

Because of heavy rain Tuesday, the ceremony was held inside the Capitola Library just across the street from the new park. Both projects were part of a broader vision when City Manager Jamie Goldstein arrived in 2008, along with improvements to Clares Street.

“Here we are in a state-of-the-art library that this city put together,” he said. “Clares Street is a beautiful, multimodal street. And now today, thanks to our public works team and City Council support, the park across the street from Rispin Mansion is open.”

The Park at Rispin Mansion project — which cost about $1 million — was funded through the city’s general fund and voter-approved sources, including a Proposition 68 State of California Parks and Water Bond grant and Santa Cruz County Measure Q park improvement funds. Those funds helped pay for decorative hardscaping and utility work during construction.

The park features ADA-accessible pathways and a loop trail, concrete plazas and seating areas, native and riparian landscaping, modifications to the historic garden wall, as well as fencing, lighting, benches and recycling and trash bins.

Additional landscaping is planned, including a historic fountain to be funded in part through a $150,000 fundraising effort. That will include a chance to purchase a personalized paver stone.

For information, visit capitolacares.org.

Mayor Barbara Morgan said Rispin is the city’s first new park since 2006.

“One of the greatest parts of this project is really having access to outdoor space, which we know is really important in this community,” she said.Capitola celebrates Park at Rispin Mansion

A countywide celebration of visual and performing arts kicked off April 16 and will run through April 26. 

The Ripple Effect Santa Cruz County Arts Festival is the County’s effort to highlight the creative community during California’s Arts, Culture and Creativity Month. 

Organizers said the event brings together local artists, cultural organizations, and venues to showcase a broad range of artistic disciplines, including visual arts, music, dance, theater, poetry, fashion and interactive workshops.

“Tree Red and Yellow Ticket Cones (left) and “Garden Party Series 1-4”) by William Marino are part of the current exhibit at PV Arts, “Hot Off the Walls: Art to Go!”  (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)

Events include exhibitions, performances, pop-ups, and hands-on workshops across multiple venues throughout the county. While some activities are free, others, such as the finale, require tickets. 

Each venue manages its own events and ticketing, and parking options vary by location. 

The grassroots, volunteer-driven festival aims to strengthen the local arts community and economy, organizers said.
Watsonville events include “Many Truths, One World: Mariposa Arts Showcase & Artwork” by Claraty Arts at Watsonville Center for the Arts; the ongoing PV Arts exhibit, “Hot off the Walls, and recent paintings by Annie Morhauser at Annieglass. 

American singer, songwriter and musician in the country rock genre, Emmylou Harris is shown on stage with the Red Dirt Band Saturday at the Santa Cruz Civic as part of the Ripple Effect. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)

On Saturday Watsonville Public Library, 275 Main St., will host the Poets’ Circle featuring Watsonville writer Madeline “Maddie” Aliah, an award-winning teen author whose work spans poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. She will be joined by her mother, Geneffa Jahan, a longtime Cabrillo College English instructor and poet from 1-3pm. 

On Sunday the Guelaguetza Festival from 10-4pm in Santa Cruz. It will feature around 150 performers, food vendors with traditional Oaxacan plates and more.

An acrylic painting by Julia Morales Gonzalez, “Bus Stop,” at Watsonville Center for the Arts, is part of the Ripple Effect Arts Festival. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)

The Vive Oaxaca Guelaguetza is an authentic cultural festival with food, dance, music, and crafts presented each spring by Senderos. Similar to festivals in Oaxaca, Mexico, Guelaguetza is a Zapotec word that means “a commitment of sharing and cooperation.” Guelaguetza is a celebration that honors the gods for sufficient rainfall and a bountiful harvest, organizers said.

The festival takes place at Branciforte Small Schools campus, 840 North Branciforte Ave., Santa Cruz. Admission is $10, and children under 5 are free.For information, visit rippleartsfestsantacruz.org.

Monte Vista Christian School on Tuesday announced it hired 40-year-old Joe Sturdivant as the new head football coach just in time for the upcoming 2026 fall season.

Sturdivant replaced Spencer Ferrari-Wood, who spent the past three seasons at the helm.

According to a press release issued by the school, Sturdivant brings an impressive background of building successful programs at the high school, collegiate and international levels.

“Awesome opportunity to minister the young men and the families,” said Sturdivant on the “Mind of The Mustang” podcast. “It’s an incredible opportunity to build something pretty special.”

In his playing days, Sturdivant attended Parkview High in Lindbergh, Ga. and was a defensive back at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He played defensive back, wide receiver and linebacker for the USA Football men’s national team following stints with professional football teams in Austria and Germany. 

Sturdivant’s coaching experience includes assistant coach at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., head coach at Parkview and Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School in Georgia, and head football coach for professional football organizations in Europe. 

According to the press release, Sturdivant coached 11 professional football players, including nine who reached the NFL while helping numerous student-athletes earn NCAA Division I opportunities.

“I enjoyed being part of building things, and investing,” said Sturdivant on the podcast. “There’s a way to do something, it’s just a way to go about winning programs.” 

In Georgia, Sturdivant accumulated a perfect 52-0 record while coaching at Parkview and Rabun Gap-Nacoochee high schools.  

Sturdivant said on the podcast he was the first coach hired at IMG Academy by former professional quarterback Chris Winkie, who served as director of football at the time.

IMG Academy is a renowned private school with the reputation of having the nation’s best facilities.

“There’s no magic wand when you talk about building a program,” Sturdivant said. “What are we going to do that’s different at Monte Vista? One, it starts with an attitude. Somebody’s going to hoist a trophy up at the end of the year, why not us?”

In addition to leading the Mustangs football program, Sturdivant will serve as a physical education teacher.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Joe to MVC,” said MVC Athletic Director Dustin Mones in the press release. “He brings the experience and leadership to build a high-level football program, but more importantly he understands our mission.”

Mones added, “At Monte Vista Christian we believe athletics is a training ground for life. We are looking for leaders who will develop young men of character, competitors who pursue excellence, and teams that represent Christ well. Joe is exactly that kind of leader.” 

Mones mentioned on the “Mind of The Mustang” podcast the school had upwards of 50 resumes submitted for the vacant job. 

“We were blessed with unbelievable options, and in the end we found the man for the job,” Mones said. “Super excited, he’s a wonderful man of God who’s also a really well tenured football coach.”