In the moments before the Santa Cruz County Fair’s third annual Diaper Derby, Loretta Estrada wanted to make sure everyone understood the competition rules. “You can coax them with the bottle, shake the rattle—I don’t care what you do,” fair board member Estrada told the nine families preparing for the big race. “But if your baby stands up, it will be disqualified!”
News
Desal Raises Questions for Some About Growth
During a recent forum led by UCSC Economics Ph.D. candidate Peter Towbin, community members gathered at the Cruzio Building on Cedar St. to discuss the various arguments for and against the proposed desalination plant. During the session, a fourth-generation Aptos woman squared off against a young couple from Chicago, arguing that without the influx of outsiders coming to Santa Cruz County, water would not be a problem. She said she’s against desalination because more available drinking water would make it possible for more outsiders to come.
Letters to the Editor: Sep 12-18
What is the true cost of Santa Cruz’s favorite monthly art event? Our readers write in about homeless issues, bike distributions and First Friday.
Council Candidates Weigh in on Downtown
A year ago, retail expert Bob Gibbs came to Santa Cruz and finished an economic development study. According to his analysis, making Pacific Avenue a two-way street would boost sales 30 percent and bring in new businesses to fill vacancies downtown. This year, the controversial two-way Pacific Avenue concept is still on the table, and the plan might not see a council vote until after the election.
Letters to the Editor: Sep 5-Sep 11
Meeting John Cage, the politics of burritos and remembering the good ol’ bad old days of medical care.
Happy Hour for Vitamin B12 Shots
Several weeks ago, an adventurous friend of mine told me about a local medical center’s “B12 Happy Hour” shots. No, not the kind thrown down the gullet and finished with lime, she clarified, the kind that is injected: 1,500 water-soluble migrograms of the coveted B vitamin delivered directly to the tender tissue of the rump—$17 between 3 and 6 in the afternoon every Wednesday.
Young Farmer Movement Saving Local Soil
California is losing farmers and farmland at an alarming rate, threatening the supply of local and organic crops even as demand for them increases. But a new generation of young farmers in Santa Cruz County is taking on a risky business to reclaim their home soil.
Bike Distribution Program Under New Management
Until about six months ago, Santa Cruz Police took bikes that were deemed abandoned or stolen and gave them to organizations like the Bike Church. Steve Schnaar, a Bike Church member, found that police recently decided to instead entrust The Bike Dojo, a downtown business, with the distributions—partly a cost-saving measure according to the police department.
City Council Candidates Host Kickoff Parties
Election season is here, and Santa Cruz city council candidates are planning their campaign kick-off parties, most of which are happening this week. Mayor Don Lane has locked down former Mayor Mike Rotkin, who will be performing live music (!) at Lane’s event. Set list is under wraps, but we’re sure the UCSC Marxist Theory lecturer won’t disappoint. “Back in the U.S.S.R.,” anyone?
Prop. 37 Advocates Push for GMO Labeling
It looks like a tomato. It’s red and round and a little sweet, with a bitter, savory aftertaste. Underneath its thin skin is fish DNA to prevent it from freezing prior to harvest. Is it a tomato? Mary Graydon-Fontana wouldn’t say so. “I don’t think that’s a tomato,” she says. “That’s a different species that they’re taking it from.”
