Seven years ago, John was in crisis, cut off from the rest of humanity and disconnected from the people he loved. He was suffering extreme anxiety in social situations and having trouble sleeping, and even when he did sleep he was waking suddenly with night terrors. He was 23, fresh out of a five-year stint in the U.S. military, including six months fighting in Iraq, and could see no help in sight.
News
Activists Put Santa Cruz Underwater for an Evening
It was a curious scene as the sun set over Santa Cruz City Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 24. A team of wetsuit-clad activists, snorkelers and people in jellyfish costumes gathered for a downtown parade to show Santa Cruz how it all could look if people don’t take global warming seriously enough. County Treasurer Fred Keeley served as the evening’s tour guide.
The City of (Santa Cruz Next)Space Awards
This Saturday Santa Cruz Next, the civic group for young movers and shakers, will dole out honors to Jacob Martinez of Watsonville Technologia-Educacion-Comunidad Program, Monica Martinez of the Homeless Services Center, Mark Davidson, founder of Trips for Kids Santa Cruz and NextSpace’s Jeremy Neuner.
The Healthiest Guy in Santa Cruz
Wellness coach Karsten Mueller maintains a vigorous exercise regimen, he attributes his glowing good health primarily to nutrition.
Yoga Poses Reason for Caution
Steven Stewart thought he was doing something good for himself when he took up yoga 15 years ago. He still believes in its benefits. But as he stretched his shoulders during an exercise in 2008, Stewart unknowingly went too far, damaging his rotator cuffs and sending him on a painful path to renewed health. “That was a long recovery,” says Stewart, a 56-year-old chiropractor, adding that he has since resumed his yoga practice.
iFitness
Mobile apps for runners, yogis, dieters and more.
Soaking Senseless
The inside of a sensory deprivation tank feels exactly the way it sounds: like absolutely nothing. It’s been over an hour and I’m floating at Be and BE Well in a dark chamber filled with water and 800 pounds of Epsom salt—literally as much salt as the water will hold. There is nothing in here to see, hear, smell, taste or even feel.
PLATED: Heart o’ The Pinot
Up at the former summer estate of Alfred Hitchcock, the Brassfield family makes extremely small amounts of hand-crafted pinot noir wines for its Heart O’ The Mountain label, continuing a tradition of winemaking on the lofty Santa Cruz Mountains site that began back in 1881. With Brandon Brassfield at the helm, the family, once investors in Felton Empire Winery, replanted the sun-soaked vineyard with four different pinot noir clones, and with its first vintage in 2005 made a distinctive, terroir-driven impression.
Letters to the Editor, Jan. 25-31, 2012
Our readers sound off on why we shouldn’t trust the ancient Mayans( or their calendar) and a vote is cast in favor downtown pooches—but not their poop.
Ten Questions for A Strongman
Logan Christopher, the owner of Legendary Strength, on tearing up phone books, pulling vehicles by his hair and the one thing he can’t stand.
