“I regret that we could not respond favorably to your request. Sincerely, W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency,” read the rejection letter, sent in June. It was a pleasant enough way of saying, “Sorry about that $38 million—but good luck with your budget!”
News
New Live Oak School Goes Green
The Green Acres Elementary School in Live Oak is about to become home to the first completely green educational facility in the county.
Dark Lord Strikes Back at Watsonville Movie-Goers
The movie was over a decade in the making. Ever since he got his first taste of wizardry at Hogwarts, Harry Potter and his friends have been pitted in a struggle to the death against the Dark Lord (whose name shall not be mentioned). They met one last time at midnight Friday in the epic Final Battle, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2. Fans around the country rushed to theaters to see the Boy Who Lived take on his mortal enemy. Many came armed with wands, not wanting to risk an encounter with Tom Marvolo Riddle without adequate defenses against the Dark Arts.
Driver in Fatal Crash to Appear in Court Today
The District Attorney’s office says that Eric Rsel Weers will appear in court today to be charged with the murder of Ana Barajas.
Naked Reggae Fest This Weekend
At the Santa Cruz Full Moon Music Festival this Saturday night, that bright lunar light in the sky might not be the only moon to see. The two-day music festival this weekend takes place at the clothing-optional Lupin Lodge—which means there may be a few bright fleshy moons on display.
Crash Victim Identified
Police have identified the victim of Monday’s fatal crash on Highway 17 as Ana Luz Barajas, 48.
The Dogs Are Back in Town
“Who let the dogs out?” The Santa Cruz city council, of course. At its weekly meeting on Tuesday, the council voted 4-2 to lift the 30-year ban on dogs downtown on a three-month trial basis. A final reading of the new ordinance is scheduled for July 26, and the ban will be lifted 30 days later.
Study Lends Some Credence to Wifi Claims
Electromagnetic hypersensitivity is not recognized by any established American medical body. Nevertheless, worldwide, many people are increasingly reporting pain and irritation that they believe is traceable to the presence of wireless devices. In May, the World Health Organization (WHO) determined that enough evidence exists linking brain cancer to the use of cell phones to officially classify “radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans,” giving some credence to claims that SmartMeters and wireless routers are dangerous to human health.
Growing Up Potter
Every generation has its defining moments. The way folks of a certain age remember exactly where they were when J.F.K. was shot or when they watched Princess Diana walk down the aisle, I remember where I was at 10 minutes to 8am on July 21, 2007: the parking lot of a Target off I-5 somewhere in the Central Valley.
In Soquel, A Luthier’s Mystery Solved
The violin was not David Morse’s first calling. Between 1978 and 1993, he made fine guitars for clients worldwide at the rate of two to three per year. His foray into the world of violins began in 1984 when he collected damaged and discarded instruments from public schools in Tucson and reconditioned them for students and amateur players at The Soundpost, his shop in Santa Cruz. He began building his own violins around 1986, closed The Soundpost in 1991, and has produced fine instruments from his Soquel workshop ever since.
