Author Jeff Dwyer has done his homework when it comes to Santa Cruz hauntings. The dead are accessible to humans of all ages, and the North Bay writer’s Ghost Hunter’s Guide to Monterey and California’s Central Coast (Spirit Publishing, 2010) holds tantalizing tidbits for anyone tired of celebrating Santa Cruz’s high holy day by dressing up as a pirate.
News
Fair Trade Clothing, Coming to a School Near You
When the budget is tight, the tight start budgeting, looking for bargains everywhere they can. These days people are buying cheaper clothing, not looking at the label to see where it was made, and not considering the kind of labor that went into making it.
The Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Crush Is On!
Ryan Beauregard is keeping his eyes on two ripening situations right now. One of them involves many tons of premium wine grapes. The other one is the any-minute-now birth of his next child. “Having a baby in the middle of harvest,” he gasps. “I hope this is a one-time event!”
Madrigal Skips City Council Meeting
City Council member Tony Madrigal skipped Tuesday’s afternoon meeting following news last week he was stopped by the California Highway Patrol in August for erratic driving. He later failed to show up for his court date, and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest. Although the matter was settled, several other city council members, including Mayor Mike Rotkin, came out against Madrigal. At the time Rotkin said that he was “shocked” by Madrigal’s behavior. “The biggest problem is that it sets the worst example, especially by not showing up for his court date. That’s really egregious.”
Watsonville Nurses Reject Wage Hike
According to Watsonville Community Hospital, nurses make an average $140,000 per year, and they could make even more if they signed their contract. But they are picketing the hospital instead. The problem isn’t the money, nurses say, though they contest the figure as well. It’s the level of patient care that they are expected to provide, especially since the hospital is so understaffed. “We just want our patients safe,” said Tim Thomas, one of the nurses.
Night of The Living Cliches
A catalog of Halloween fads we’d like to see buried alive.
Santa Cruz Poets, Santa Cruz Inspiration: Gary Young
Prose poems from the Santa Cruz County Poet Laureate’s 2006 book Pleasure.
The Exhibitionist: Arts in Abundance
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.
