The young and the carless could do a lot worse than Santa Cruz. Those without four wheels to call their own can take the bus for daily business, rent a Zipcar for emergency sightseeing purposes or join the ranks of the two-wheeled and hop on a bike.
News
The Exhibitionist: 01SJ
In order to use the Zip Line suspended over a wetland that had appeared overnight I joined the Imaginary Airforce. After wetland education and a thrilling ride, I chatted with Angel Borrego Cubero, architectural design professor at the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid. We talked about bridges as metaphors for connection but in loco usually separating people, neighborhoods, ecosystems. His Mutant Bridges fit into the ecology of a place.
Five Inmates in SC County Jail Deported
Last month the county initiated a new immigration status-check on prisoners in the Santa Cruz County Jail. Since then, the program has led to the deportation of five prisoners, including a convicted felon. All of them were in the country illegally.
Santa Cruz City School District Consolidating Office Space
Yesterday, Santa Cruz Schools started consolidating on office space, moving employees from rented properties to properties already owned by the school district. Buses are now being parked at Harbor High School, and the maintenance and operations office has been moved to a district-owned property on Palm Street.
County Fair Draws Huge Crowd for Last Day
Thousands of people flocked to the Santa Cruz County Fair on Sunday to mark the 125-year-old event’s final day for 2010.
New Vice Chancellor for UCSC
UCSC Chancellor George Blumenthal has appointed Alison Galloway, 56, as Vice Chancellor of the university in charge of academic and financial activities. Galloway, a forensic anthropologist, chairs the Anthropology Department and is the former chair of the Academic Senate.
Scotts Valley Debates Sales Tax Extension
In 2005, voters in Scotts Valley approved a quarter-cent sales tax for five years in an effort to cover the town’s budget deficit. Now the tax is about to expire, and that source of funding will dry up. City Councilmember Stephany Aguilar says that the city has no choice but to extend the tax, and she’s collecting signatures to have an extension placed on the ballot next year. Without it, she says, Scotts Valley is faced with a $926,000 deficit. “We need to keep it at least status quo until the economy rebounds,” she says.
Another Threat to Sea Otters
Earlier this week, SantaCruz.com reported that the local sea otter population has been declining because of the leakage of chemical fertilizers and industrial farm waste into the local waters. Now the California Department of Fish and Game reports that scientists have identified a second threat to the dwindling otter population: sharks. In August alone, 19 dead and injured sea otters were found with signs of shark bites.
Sherry Austin’s Second Act
An iron gate looms above the entrance to Sherry Austin’s property. The local singer/songwriter has left it open in expectation of a visit, but the only person in sight is a silver-haired woman puttering around the expansive lawns. She could be taken for a gardener, but she resembles press photos just enough to leave room for doubt.
Crash Leads to Suspected Drug Dealer’s Arrest
Pedro Gomez, 25 was entering Santa Cruz through River Street Monday morning when he swerved as the road curved.
