If Safeway goes through with plans to nearly double its Aptos store’s size, Rodney Hoffer says the possible megamarket-to-be would look “real nice.” The most recent sketches show brown wooden timbers and stilts to give the one-stop shopping destination somewhat of a mountain-cabin atmosphere. “At least it’s it not going to look like a box like the one on 41st Avenue,” says Hoffer, owner of Ace Hardware, currently in the Rancho Del Mar complex, which Safeway bought this year.
Canon Takes First in ‘Diaper Derby’
In the moments before the Santa Cruz County Fair’s third annual Diaper Derby, Loretta Estrada wanted to make sure everyone understood the competition rules. “You can coax them with the bottle, shake the rattle—I don’t care what you do,” fair board member Estrada told the nine families preparing for the big race. “But if your baby stands up, it will be disqualified!”
Hotel Paradox Opens New Restaurant
Hotel Paradox showed that the house dining room, Solaire, is serious about its modernist ambience, streamlined menu and visuals. It’s a welcome contrast to days gone by at this vintage Ocean Avenue location.
Why TED Is a Viral Sensation
I met TED at a time in my life when everything felt at once possible and unattainable. It was my second year of college, and I was jaded. I had spent the year before immersed in my classes, and for the first time in my life, I felt like I had the power to make a mark. But with all the negativity in the news, and too much political spin in my volunteer experiences, I ended up feeling more powerless and ineffectual than ever. Like so many bright-eyed younguns, I wanted to make a change, but didn’t even know where to start—or if it would even matter in the end. I needed help believing in humanity again.
Local aerialist Allie Cooper Takes TEDx Out of Its Comfort Zone
When the list of events for TEDx Santa Cruz’s second year came out, there was one that was completely unexpected. Sandwiched into the very TED-esque list of speakers was the collaboration between Santa Cruz aerialist Allie Cooper, local electronic artist and producer LoWGritt, and San Francisco MC Sight on the Mic. But everything that made it wrong for TEDx is what made it perfect for TEDx.
Desal Raises Questions for Some About Growth
During a recent forum led by UCSC Economics Ph.D. candidate Peter Towbin, community members gathered at the Cruzio Building on Cedar St. to discuss the various arguments for and against the proposed desalination plant. During the session, a fourth-generation Aptos woman squared off against a young couple from Chicago, arguing that without the influx of outsiders coming to Santa Cruz County, water would not be a problem. She said she’s against desalination because more available drinking water would make it possible for more outsiders to come.
Letters to the Editor: Sep 12-18
What is the true cost of Santa Cruz’s favorite monthly art event? Our readers write in about homeless issues, bike distributions and First Friday.
Council Candidates Weigh in on Downtown
A year ago, retail expert Bob Gibbs came to Santa Cruz and finished an economic development study. According to his analysis, making Pacific Avenue a two-way street would boost sales 30 percent and bring in new businesses to fill vacancies downtown. This year, the controversial two-way Pacific Avenue concept is still on the table, and the plan might not see a council vote until after the election.
Green Day to Play Santa Cruz Civic Dec. 4
It was reaffirmed just how just how big Green Day has become when the 2000-seat Santa Cruz Civic was announced today as one of the “intimate venues” the band will play as part of the first leg of their “¡UNO!, ¡DOS!, ¡TRÉ!” tour, before expanding into an arena tour in 2013. Green Day will play the Civic Dec. 4, with tickets going on sale Sept. 14 at 10am.
Letters to the Editor: Sep 5-Sep 11
Meeting John Cage, the politics of burritos and remembering the good ol’ bad old days of medical care.
