On the final weekend of Santa Cruz County Open Studios I was heading to San Jose to see “Modified” at the Art Ark gallery but, overcome by a new cold I just couldn’t ignore, exited Highway 17 to return to Santa Cruz. I saw an Open Studios sign and, on an impulse, decided that if I were only going to see one more studio before I curl up under blankets, it would be one I’d never visited, in a direction I’d never been.
Why I’m Voting ‘No’ on Prop 19
Once, as a teenage pothead, I was issued an admonishment from an older family friend to get off the goddamned reefer. In response, I think I muttered something about peace, love and industrial hemp; I can’t remember. However, I do recall telling him that pot is harmless and that government resources ought to be directed toward combating the real threat of hard drugs. His reply was awfully memorable—you’ll have to admit, it’s a real gem, no matter what your personal feelings are regarding pot use. He said: “Pot is worse than those other drugs, because on pot, you can be a junky and live, whereas a methhead or dope fiend will have the common courtesy to kick the bucket before long, if he doesn’t kick the habit.”
Suspect in Watsonville Shooting to Be Tried as an Adult
Christian Speaker, the 17-year-old suspected of shooting store clerk Yahya Ahmed dead during a robbery, will be tried as an adult.
School Gets Funds to Encourage Kids to Walk and Bike
Gault Elementary School in Santa Cruz is about to receive $450,000 to encourage its students to ride their bikes or walk to school.
Endorsements: Santa Cruz City Council
Eight candidates are competing for three open seats on the Santa Cruz City Council in an election that could well see a seismic shift toward the center for a body long dominated by progressives. Termed-out are the left-leaning Mike Rotkin and Cynthia Mathews; up for re-election is pragmatic incumbent Lynn Robinson.
Grave Matters In Santa Cruz
Ocean Street Extension is a dead end—quite literally, for its residents interred at Santa Cruz Memorial Park, catching up on their eternal rest at the mausoleum or awaiting the fiery furnaces at the crematorium.
Endorsements: Measure H
Measure H is being touted as a way to fund extra police officers, which many residents and business owners have been demanding ever since gang violence began intensifying on the Westside. The May 1 mayhem added to the sense of urgency. But faced with a 1.5 percent increase in the utility tax (from 7 to 8.5 percent), which would add $5-6 a month to the average household’s financial burden, some of those same people are now balking.
Crematorium Poses Threat to Development Project
Just about any housing development is faced with some unique problem or other from day one. Then there is the 40-unit residential development on Ocean Street Extension in Santa Cruz. The $8.5 million dollar project may have to be cancelled because it sits too close to a cemetery. And Halloween is just a week away.
Drive for Schools Rakes in the Cash
The state has no more money to add to the school budget and neither do local authorities. Instead, it’s up to the citizens themselves to lend a hand, and perhaps even benefit from their efforts. This Sunday, Drive for Schools, sponsored by the Boardwalk and Toyota and Subaru of Santa Cruz, held its drawing for the winner of this year’s raffle. The winner was Hillary Hirano of Santa Cruz, who has two sons attending school in Scotts Valley. Her prize was a choice between a Toyota Prius, a Subaru Outback or a check for $25,000. The real winners, though, were the 67 public schools across Santa Cruz County, who will share in the $384,000 that this year’s raffle brought in.
Minor Arrested in Watsonville Slaying
Police have arrested a 17-year-old male for the murder of Yahya Ahmed last Tuesday.
