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.
News
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.
Renaissance Fair Attracts Fathers Day Crowd
Some fathers may grumble at the standard ties and cheap aftershave they inevitably receive as part of their Fathers Day gifts. What some fathers really want is a bagpipe and kilt, or better yet, a sword! Thankfully, they can get that in Santa Cruz at the annual Scottish Renaissance Fair, which was held this Sunday at the County Fairgrounds. In fact, so many lairds and ladies showed up for a beer and a wee bit of minstrelry that the event reports record attendance this year.
Old McDonald Had A Partner …
Brokeback Mountain broke the taboo against gay cowboys. UCSC is about to break the taboo against gay farmers. This Saturday, the school will host its second annual Queer Farmer Field Day at the campus’s 25-acre farm. Its goal is to raise awareness of the queer farmer community and to promote sustainable agriculture as an employment opportunity for the GLBT community.
Gangs Push Back Against Crackdown
It hasn’t been an easy month for the gangs of Santa Cruz. The SCPD has enlisted the help of federal agencies, including ICE, to combat increasing gang violence, and this week, two men were arrested in connection with the murder of 16-year-old Tyler Tenorio last October. Now, police fear, some gang members are pushing back, distributing fliers calling for “hood unity” in the face of “neo-Nazi gangs,” as the police and federal agents are referred to.
