There’s almost nothing as intellectually stimulating as a TED Talk. TED, short for “Technology, Entertainment, Design,” has been a chance for people to hear some of the greatest innovators and thinkers around describe everything from why we know so much less about the world than we think we do to what we can learn about ourselves from how we tie our shoes.
Tagging Abatement Project Stifled by Budget Cuts
In just the past year, the Graffiti Removal Project’s volunteers have removed over 200,000 square feet of graffiti across Santa Cruz County, generally within 72 hours of when it first appeared.
Santa Cruz Poets, Santa Cruz Inspiration: Pascal Petit
From the French-born honorary local and author of five collections of poetry, a poem titled “The University among the Redwoods, Santa Cruz.”
Rowan In The Redwoods
Before Peter Rowan was an internationally recognized bluegrass artist, he was an Elvis Presley-loving, electric guitar-wielding product of the rock & roll ’50s. But as the ’50s rolled into the ’60s, his attention turned to the acoustic music scene that was emerging in his hometown of Boston. From folk, country and gospel to mountain ballads and the blues, Rowan took a shine to it all, but it was the high and lonesome sound of bluegrass that called him the loudest.
The Wild Frontier
Back in the late ’80s, amidst a bubbling music scene in the South Bay, the Frontier Wives led the pack as San Jose’s greatest hope for a breakout band. What fans loved about them—the duality of playing simple, drunken rock songs and writing well-crafted, subtly complex, clever tunes—may very have been their undoing. No one, including the band members, could figure out a proper label for their music. “There was no scene or genre that we could hang our hat on and say that we were a part of,” says drummer Lex van den Berghe. “It often felt like it was us against the world. It was the Frontier Wives and everyone else.”
Ten Questions for Geoffrey Dunn
The author of The Lies of Sarah Palin on his out-of-control reading habit, the many streets he loves and how time changes when you’re a cancer survivor.
Santa Cruz County Wastes Not
What’s in a name? When it comes to Santa Cruz County’s Zero Waste program, everything. Through recycling, reuse, composting, and other waste reduction efforts, the county diverts at least 70 percent of its waste from the landfill. That’s already one of the highest figures in the state. But by as soon as 2021, when the Buena Vista landfill, one of two in the county, is scheduled for closure, Recycling and Solid Waste Services resource planner Tim Goncharoff says Santa Cruz County may well have achieved its zero-waste goal. That means no more trash headed to an ignoble end at the dump. Nada. Zilch. Zero.
Eaton Street Bike Lanes Nearing Completion
The new sidewalks and bike lanes along Eaton Street should be completed next week.
Two Months After Storm, Road Is Still Blocked
Two months have passed since a torrential spring storm triggered a landslide on Nelson Road in Scotts Valley.
Lifelong Quaker Directed First Santa Cruz Head Start Program
In loving memory of Eleanor “Ellie” Speer Foster, who died of congestive heart failure on April 27, 2011 in Santa Cruz. An activist, humanitarian and dedicated advocate for peace and justice, Ellie was known and loved by many in and beyond the Santa Cruz community.
