He doesn’t even try to pretend that he’s not enjoying it. Jake Gandolfo is making his way through the Felton Farmers Market on a savagely hot Tuesday, me half a step behind, scribbling and plying him for information about the next few episodes of MasterChef. Did he win? Did he get the boot? He’s giving up nothing.
News
Milpitas Teen Arrested in Home Invasion
A 17-year-old teen from Milpitas was arrested for a home-invasion robbery that occurred near downtown Santa Cruz on Friday.
Salvia, Spice and Everything Nice … and Legal
Police in Santa Cruz County are worried about a new series of substances that are leaving people stoned, hallucinating and acting recklessly. The problem, they say, is that two of the substances are also perfectly legal. They are sold in shops throughout the county, and police can do nothing about them.
Santa Cruz County Asks State to Stop PG&E’s Smart Meter Installations
Plenty of people across Santa Cruz County are furious at PG&E’s efforts to install smart meters in homes and businesses. In addition to complaints about the meters’ accuracy, many people, led by the Wireless Radiation Alert Network, are suggesting that the wireless signals can have an adverse affect on residents’ health.
Beer and Pot Pair up for Fundraising
Last night, the Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing Company held a special fundraiser. For every beer sold, $1 went to support the Wo/Men’s Alliance for Medical Marijuana and help them build a new home. WAMM says that it has been economically strapped recently, or as Valerie Corral puts it, “financially marginalized … it’s often month to month.”
Santa Cruz Fall Arts: Dance, Books & Classical
Fire up the iCal—it’s going to be a busy autumn, not least for lovers of dance. In their 40th anniversary season, Tandy Beal and Company kick things off, you might say, with the premiere of HereafterHere: A Self Guided Tour of Eternity. A multimedia exploration of people’s perceptions of the afterlife, the piece includes original compositions by Beal’s partner John Scoville and incorporates the efforts of two dozen dancers and actors. Beal’s distinctive fingerprints are all over this piece, which runs at the Cabrillo Crocker Theater Sept. 10-12.
Tablet Computers Win Over Local Governments
Tess Fitzgerald, clerk to Santa Cruz County’s Board of Supervisors, has long been distressed by the amount of money it costs just to print the Board’s weekly meeting agendas—a whopping $14,000 per year, not counting staff time. That has been reduced drastically, now that the Board is using HP’s EliteBook tablet PCs. The EliteBooks cost $1,300 each, but considering paper costs, the savings are well worth it.
Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite
Did anyone ever say to you, “Good night. Sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite”? You’d better hope so. The infestation of bed bugs, first noticed in New York City, has been making its way across the country, with hot spots in Philadelphia and Columbus, Ohio. “Go West, young bug!” seems to be their motto, and there are already signs of infestations appearing right here in Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz Fall Arts: Kuumbwa At 35
In 1975 a group of young music lovers, inspired by the local talent and undeterred by their collective inexperience, set about establishing a jazz society. “Ultimately, we wanted to have a home for jazz in Santa Cruz,” says Tim Jackson, one of the society’s founding members. “But we had no money or experience; just had some half-baked ideas.”
Woman’s Sentence Upheld for BB Gun
Back in July, SantaCruz.com reported about the case of Barbara Saldinger, 47, a medical doctor with a degree from Stanford who raises horses as a hobby. Four years ago, Saldinger unwittingly became involved in a major gun rights case. Ironically, the only gun she’s ever owned is a BB gun. Involved in a property dispute with her neighbors, Janette Magoc and Jack Bloxham, she waved a BB gun at Magoc and a friend.
