In 2005, three young musicians with a fascination for African-American folk music attended the Black Banjo Gathering in North Carolina, drawn in part by the promise of seeing fiddler Joe Thompson in action. Then in his mid-eighties, Thompson figured among the last remaining links to the originators of the long-dormant black string band tradition. Having picked up the fiddle in the 1920s, at the peak of string band popularity, Thompson had spent the better part of a century learning and playing foot-stomping rhythms, short and scratchy fiddle licks and plucky banjo lines in a just-about-any-instrument-will-do down-home style.
Billion Dollar Baby
A year ago, Richard C. Blum, then the chairman of the regents of the University of California, spoke at the Milken Institute’s Global Conference 2009, held at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. The corporate confab was hosted by Michael Milken, the “junk bond king” who went to prison in the aftermath of the savings and loan fiasco in the 1980s. Milken, who is barred from securities trading for life by federal regulators, has since recreated himself as a proponent of investing in for-profit educational corporations, an industry that regularly comes under government and media scrutiny in response to allegations of fraud made by dissatisfied students.
When’s a Good Time to Give a Nazi Salute?
At a hearing before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the city of Santa Cruz’s attorney, George Kovacevich, was grilled by the judges over the ejection of Robert Norse from a meeting for giving a Nazi salute. The city claims that the salute was disruptive, but the judges wanted to know if it was the salute itself that was disruptive or whether it was the time at which it was given. Would the salute have been acceptable, they asked, if it had been given during the normal public comment period?
Where Have All the Tourists Gone?
Tourism was down in Santa Cruz County in 2009, and not just a dip. Occupancy in the county’s hotels plunged to just over 50 percent. Sure, the recession is making it more difficult for people to take time off, but the sharp decline is having an impact on already low county revenues.
Methyl Iodide—Unsafe at Any Speed
The decision of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) to support the registration of the pesticide methyl iodide is irresponsible because its proposed mitigations will not avert potentially devastating health and environmental impacts. The proposed registration is misplaced in light of compelling evidence presented by the external scientific peer review committee commissioned by DPR. Once methyl iodide is approved, there will be no turning back from its dangerous and potentially lethal effects. Workers and families in rural regions deserve protection from this highly volatile and toxic pesticide. The only means to protect public health and the environment is to prohibit the use of methyl iodide in California.
Police Investigating Car Arsons
Forget about throwing rocks through windows. The SCPD is now trying to determine who set five random cars on fire between 2:50am and 3:30am Sunday morning in the city’s Midtown and Eastside neighborhoods.
Nazi Salute Goes to Court
Robert Norse will be appearing before the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals today in connection with a 2002 protest at a City Council meeting.
The Most Wonderful Time of The Year
If you aren’t dressed yet, no need to worry about what to wear. Today is the day we’ve all been waiting for, Naked Hiking Day, and the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail is likely to be filled with walkers and gawkers, seeing how people measure up to the towering redwoods… Of course, even the most ardent naked hikers know that you still have to wear a hat and sunscreen.
Santa Cruz Pirate Radio Walks Plank … Again
In a secret broadcasting studio somewhere in Santa Cruz, a ponytailed 62-year-old DJ is speaking crisply into a large, spongy microphone. “That was ‘Heart Full of Soul’ by the Yardbirds,1965, and before that ‘Indifference’ by Moby Grape,” he says. “I’m Uncle Dennis right here at Free Radio Santa Cruz, 101.1 FM and triple-w dot freak radio dot org.”
County Considers Crackdown on Coastal Rentals
County Supervisor John Leopold is disturbed by the impact coastal rentals are having on the neighborhoods stretching from Capitola and Santa Cruz.
