Steve Jackel moseys about the premises of Jackel Enterprises, occasionally interrupting his monologue to point out an irregular slab of Monterey cypress—wood with umber lines that swirl into a speckling of eyes—or a bisected redwood log with burnt bark, evidence of the fire it didn’t survive. Jackel acquired these pieces of lumber because his business involves “urban, suburban and rural forestry.” He salvages trees that would probably otherwise be taken to the landfill after falling on a road during a storm or being cut down to make room for new landscaping.
News
Credit Unions See Boost from Bank Transfer Day
As we steam toward Bank Transfer Day this Saturday, Nov. 5, local credit unions are staffing up and making extra copies of their application forms. Indeed, it seems that L.A. art gallery owner Kristen Christian’s initiative—to dump your lyin’, cheatin’, extra-fee-chargin’, bailout-hoardin’, refi-refusin’ corporate bank and cast your lot and your shekels with a locally owned bank or credit union—is already yielding some results locally.
Weird Al: King of Strange
The singing satirist, who comes to the Civic Auditorium this Friday, Nov. 4, talked to Santa Cruz Weekly last month about his career, the radio DJ who made him famous and the art of poking fun.
PLATED: The Dinner Will Be Televised
After more than a decade on the Pacific Avenue mall Hoffman’s Bakery and Restaurant, built with hard work and persistence by June and Ed Hoffman, is enjoying a renaissance of interest sparked by the recent re-model filmed for the Food Network’s “Restaurant Impossible.”
The Front Page Views of Xiaoze Xie
In Xiaoze Xie’s large-scale oil paintings, future history is spied through stacks of folded newspapers, their headlines and front-page photos only partially visible to our eyes. Xie’s work is alternatingly soothing—thanks to the artist’s color choices and flattened gesture—and confrontational. Our response, to be lulled as well as shocked, mirrors world events as well as the emotional interior of global citizens of crumbling political infrastructures. Just as the artist intended.
Big Tent Trouble at Occupy Santa Cruz
Occupy Santa Cruz originally chose San Lorenzo Park in part, as one participant who nominated the location put it, “in solidarity with our homeless brothers and sisters,” but tensions are growing between the movement and the homeless and transient community.
Miguel Pupo Wins 2011 Coldwater Classic
Steamer Lane is a world-class wave. It’s one of the best places there is to watch a surf contest. Some of the top surfers from across the globe competed in this year’s O’Neill Coldwater Classic. But none of that matters if the swell doesn’t deliver.
Hurried Hearings Set for Two-Way Pacific Trial
Meetings to be held Nov. 3 and 8 will test the out the idea of turning Pacific Avenue two-way. The council’s decision to try the scenario represents a 180-degree turnaround since retail expert Bob Gibbs first brought up the idea at a city council meeting in September.
Pajaro Valley Teachers Call for Smaller Classes
There was good news for teachers and students when the Pajaro Valley school board met on Wednesday. After years of dwindling funds, they were finally debating what to do with a $9 million surplus and another $5.6 million set aside to cover additional cuts.
Free Parking Disappearing from Downtown
Finding a free parking spot downtown isn’t about to get easier anytime soon. The city council voted on Tuesday, Oct. 25 to proceed with plans to start charging at one of the last free downtown parking lots—at River and Front streets north of Trader Joe’s.
