Ever since their four children were young, Lauro Navarro and his wife, Yolanda, dreamed of building a house for their family and grandchildren. In 2000 they bought a three-acre plot of land in Royal Oaks, near Aromas, and in 2007 they finished building their house. Now they are one of 299 families in Santa Cruz County who have lost their home to foreclosures this year.
Santa Cruz City Council Supports Durbin
Steve Tyler love James Durbin. So do J Lo and Santa Cruz Mayor Ryan Coonerty. In fact, City Council will be passing a resolution tonight in support of Durbin as he battles off all the other contenders on his way to stardom. Attending the session will be some of the people who helped James along the road to success, including Mary Lundberg of Kids on Broadway and Lindsay Chester from All About Theatre.
Rock Slide In Scotts Valley
Officially it may be spring, but Scotts Valley is still reeling from the latest effects of a stormy winter. A 200-foot rock slide that occurred at 2pm on Monday afternoon blocked Nelson Road and left dozens of homes inaccessible to rescue vehicles.
‘Big One’ Prediction Prompts Planning in Santa Cruz
Jim Berkland is considered to be a crank by many of his former colleagues. The retired geologist has gone on record several times predicting possible earthquakes in California. “I’ve predicted hundreds, including all 23 in the Bay Area since 1974,” he says. The problem, he says, is that officials are wary of him. He claims he was told not to make any more predictions, since they could cause mass panic. In 1989, he was suspended for two months from the US Geological Survey, ostensibly for predicting a major earthquake.
Ten Questions for Jeremy Neuner
Jeremy Neuner’s previous jobs include helicopter pilot in the Navy and the Economic Development Manager for the city of Santa Cruz, but that’s history. Now he’s the co-founder and CEO of a “little but growing company” called NextSpace, which just got $425,000 in angel investment and is planning to expand to Los Angeles and Silicon Valley (two locations are in the works) as well as double the size of its San Francisco facility.
Good News, Bad News for Santa Cruz Harbor
Cleanup continued at Santa Cruz Harbor over the weekend, right in time for National Tsunami Awareness & Preparedness Week, which begins today. Limited access was granted briefly to the harbor, though this was rescinded on Friday almost as soon as it was granted due to the high waves and stormy weather. Cleanup efforts slowed to a crawl, hindered by the inclement conditions.
Durbin Still In The Game
It seemed like a no-brainer, but there was a moment of tension last night when American Idol host Ryan Seacrest called up three contestants, among them James Durbin, and told the other two that they were safe. That could only mean one thing. Durbin’s safety was in jeopardy! But no, it was a silly little mind game by the producers and Durbin was declared safe as well. We’re onto your tricks, Seacrest.
Local Students Win Technology Award
Four students from Santa Cruz County will be among the 25 honored at this year’s National Center for Women and Information Technology awards. The awards are handed out to female students to encourage them to pursue careers in computer science. The prizes include $250, a camera and a visit to the Google campus. The students and their schools will also receive a plaque honoring their achievement.
Futzie Nutzle In Full Color
Still one charismatic guy after all these years, Futzie Nutzle recently worked his way through 40 years and two lattés reflecting upon his new show at the Cabrillo Gallery, which opens March 18 and runs through April 11, with a reception this Saturday. Even sitting still, Nutzle is a restless bundle of hippie tropes, from his long white hair and off-center pyramidal goatee to his agitated eyebrows and sly smile.
Attempt to Stamp Witchcraft Fails
It was a lovely day at the Sacred Grove, a store that specializes in, according to a sign in the store, “Witchcraft wares and magical supplies, potion brews and unique gifts” (eye of newt for Christmas is certainly a unique gift). They doubled, they doubled, they toiled, then came trouble, and not in the person of Lord Voldemort, either. This time the local qwiccamart was invaded by 41-year-old Kelly Piper, who took offense at the sign, marked with a black pentagram. He grabbed the sign and took off in a black Isuzu.
