Hoailona doesn’t have many relatives, but he does have plenty of friends. He is one of a just 1,100 monk seals in the world today, and with that population declining by 4 percent every year, the species, now deemed critically endangered, could soon become extinct.
Articles by Danny Wool
Grahm Inducted into Winegrowers Hall of Fame
Randall Grahm, the founder of Bonny Doon Vineyard, has raised an “ungodly” number of grape varieties since he first established his vineyard in 1983. He’s also worked in a variety of styles, though today he is probably best known for his Rhone blends. On Saturday he was inducted into the Culinary Institute of America’s Vintners Hall of Fame in recognition of over one-quarter century of contributions to the California wine industry. These go “go well beyond what any one person could hope to accomplish in a lifetime,” said the chair of the nominating committee, W. Blake Gray.
County’s Buzzing With Bees
Vegetable gardening is enjoying a comeback across the country, thanks in large part to First Lady Michelle Obama. More and more people are also starting to raise chickens too. And then there is beekeeping—the perfect way for backyard farmers to pollinate their crops and stock up on honey. It’s a popular hobby across Santa Cruz County, but most people are doing it illegally. The problem is the permit. Not only do these cost $1,000, but applicants must also inform their neighbors and participate in a public hearing before the zoning commission. Then the results of the hearing can be appealed to City Council.
Dogs One Step Closer to Returning to Downtown
The Downtown Association’s board voted 8-1 yesterday to allow dog owners to bring their pets downtown over a six-month trial period. The decision is the first step in lifting a 34-year ban on dog on Pacific Avenue and the surrounding area. The Board’s recommendation included a number of stipulations, including a ban on dogs after dark, a ban on panhandling with dogs, and a requirement that leashes be between three and five feet long. In addition, no more than three dogs will be allowed in close proximity to one another.
Santa Cruz Composting Program Saved
Santa Cruz County will be keeping its composting program, despite the steep costs involved. For the past three years, the county has been composting food scraps from more than 50 local schools, hospitals, and restaurants. The amount of discarded food collected totals about 100 tons per month, which would otherwise go into the Buena Vista Landfill.
Layoffs, Furloughs on the Way for Santa Cruz County Schools
Over 23,000 pink slips are being sent to everyone who works in education across California this week. Almost no one is immune, regardless of whether they’re a principal or a janitor. Though final notices will only be sent out in the middle of May, just using last year as an indicator suggests that some 60 percent of the people receiving the pink slips will end up losing their jobs.
Best Breakfast Spot for Dogs
Ever wonder where to take your dog for breakfast? Consider Aldo’s. It was recently voted the “favorite breakfast restaurant” for man’s (and woman’s) best friend by voters in the Woofy Awards on the Woofers and Walkers website. After breakfast, you may want to take your dog to the museum—after all, even pooches need a little culture—and the Surfer’s Museum is now officially recognized as the county’s most dog-friendly attraction.
Norse Gets Another Day in Court
Someone ought to give Robert Norse a copy of How to Win Friends and Influence People. Back in 2002, Norse was ejected from a City Council meeting for giving a Nazi salute. In 2004 he was ejected yet again for parading in City Council chambers. In both cases, Norse was advocating on behalf of the city’s homeless. He sued City Council, claiming that his right to free speech was violated, but this was dismissed in November by a three-member panel of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Now a majority of justices on the court have agreed to reconsider his case.
Who Are the Tourists Who Come to Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz is definitely a tourist city. But what do we know about the people who visit here? This was the subject of a study conducted by the Santa Cruz County Conference and Visitors Council with the goal of gaining insights into how to better market to tourists and increase visits to the area, especially in the off season.
Forbes to UCSC: Hubba Hubba!
Some schools, like the University of Bologna or Oxford, have traditions stretching back centuries. Their ancient buildings are the centerpiece of their cities, and those cities are recognized as international treasures. But as the Roman poet Juvenal pointed out, “Never does nature say one thing and wisdom another.” That is why a rustic setting is so ideal for an institution of higher learning. It is also probably why Forbes magazine listed UCSC as one of the most beautiful campuses in the world.
