Bike Rage In The Park

On Wednesday, police say that cyclist Eric Lamb began shouting obscenities at two young children who were playing in his way while he was riding through San Lorenzo Park. He then allegedly swerved intentionally to hit them, striking a 3-year-old with his bike.

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City Councilmember Gets Community Service

Tony Madrigal will pay a fine and participate in a work release program.

After City CouncilmemberTony Madrigal failed to appear for his original court date, a judge sentenced him to three days in jail and a $774 fine for reckless driving. Madrigal was stopped by a CHP officer for driving erratically in his Prius. According to police, he was driving north on Highway 1 near Mar Monte when another driver called 911 to report him. He was not speeding or driving drunk, police say; instead he was texting and typing on his laptop while driving, which was causing him to swerve between lanes and endanger other drivers.

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Educating Palates at Cabrillo

Utterly calm and collected, chef Mike Wille introduced a series of winemakers to assembled diners out on the back lawn of the Sesnon House a few weeks ago. Gathered at long tables draped in white linen, the guests were about to embark on a five-course culinary journey accompanied by wines from the viticulturists of Surf City Vintners. And every bite was the handiwork of student chefs.

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Social Service Funds Under Scrutiny

Vice Mayor Ryan Coonerty says 'the old system is coming to an end.' Photo by Curtis Cartier.

With the recession and the annual deficit, Santa Cruz has been forced to cut social service funding by 50 percent from what it was a decade ago. Still, the city offers about $1 million every year to a variety of programs that assist the needy. Few people contest that the programs are necessary, but some contest the lack of oversight in the distribution of funds. According to some City Council members, Santa Cruz has become a “magnet” for homeless people and others seeking aid.

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Homing Pigeons Looking For A Home

A healthy homing pigeon is a glorious creature.

Fifteen homing pigeons were found abandoned outside Paradise Park Masonic Lodge off Highway 9 on Monday. Now Animal Services is looking for the person who left them there. According to reports, the birds, which were likely pets, were starving and infested with parasites.  Had they not been found, they would have probably died of exposure or been eaten by other animals. According to animal rescue services, the animals did not know how to forage for themselves.

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The Exhibitionist: Fragile Strength

Charlene Doiron Reinhart, 'In My Solitude,' clay

The expressions are inscrutable. Wide-set eyes cast down or to the side; lids lowered like shades against intrusion; lips relaxed, sometimes slightly open: the ashen clay figures of Charlene Doiron Reinhart look inward and take the viewer with them. Like the white-painted characters in Butoh theatre, their expressions are communicated by the whole highly stylized form and given power by eloquent naturalistic details.

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