One reader supports an East Coast effort to fight obesity. Others chime in about alternatives to desalination and what really makes a good dive bar.
News
Melatonin Shows Encouraging Medical Signs
Imagine an organ that regulates everything from sleep and mood to sex and food—an organ that Renee Descartes referred to as “the seat of the soul.” It’s called the pineal gland, and current research indicates that the possibilities for this hormone are endless.
Hard Work Pays Off for Michael’s on Main
Tanned and relaxed, Michael Clark looks as engaged with his culinary commitment as he did 11 years ago, when he opened Michael’s on Main in Soquel village.
Projected Water Swap Flows Reduced
New figures unveiled at a June 14 forum didn’t bode particularly well for a plan environmentalists hope could be an alternative to desalination. County water resources director John Ricker spoke at a forum hosted by the Engineers for Water Alternatives.
Camaraderie Abounds at Gaming Tourney
The Super Smash Bros. Brawl tournament at the grand opening weekend of Level Up Video Games in downtown Santa Cruz is bracket-style, starting with 54 and ending with 1. By 1pm the first round is over and most of the little kids have been beaten. Now teenagers and young adults prepare for Round Two.
Jim Denevan’s Table-to-Farm Revolution
On a farm outside Santa Barbara, Jim Denevan, 50, is making his way down a long table set between rows of lettuce and ripe fennel. With a wine glass cupped behind his back and a battered straw hat clinging to his bald dome, he greets his guests, pausing to hunker down near the occasional chair and chat.
Musician Balks at City’s Admissions Tax
On Sunday, June 10, Bay Area singer songwriter Melody Walker held a free show at the Backstage Lounge in Santa Cruz. The catch? She hadn’t intended the show to be free. After what she calls a strange “shakedown” voicemail from the city asking for a pre-show deposit on the estimated total admission sales, Walker investigated. She didn’t like what she found out and opted to play for free rather than give a cut to the gov.
Letters to the Editor: June 13-19
One reader questions Thrive’s scientific claims and another wonders where a two-way Pacific Avenue fits into the city’s plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Foodshed Project Spotlights Local Foods
Meat maestro Chris LeVeque of El Salchichero knows his way around a fiery barbecue sauce. Gearing up for the biggest barbecue day of the year, LeVeque will be joined by charcuterie artist and chef Brad Briske in a barbecue demo and tasting on July 4, 3-5pm. And it’s all part of an exciting new food awareness program that will include farmers, food artisans, community organizations and local chefs. Thanks to a USDA grant, our Santa Cruz Community Farmers Markets have joined forces with the Ecological Farming Association to offer a summer-long series of lively educational celebrations.
Forum Explores Water Swap Scenario
Engineers for Water Alternatives is hosting a June 14 forum about conjunctive use, also known as water swapping, which is currently being studied by the county. The possible swap would involve pumping the San Lorenzo River’s surplus flows to other places in the county. The idea has made county water resource director John Ricker, who leads the study, quite popular with desal opponents—even though Ricker has doubts that this is the game-changer environmentalists have been awaiting.
