The Santa Cruz Fire Department received a $753,328 FEMA grant that will allow it to hire three new firefighters.
News
Local School Districts Strapped
State Superintendent Jack O’Connell warns that three school districts in Santa Cruz County may not be able to meet their future financial obligations due to cuts to public education. The Pajaro Valley Unified District and Santa Cruz City Elementary and High School districts have all received qualified certification because they may not meet their obligations in this or the coming two academic years.
Ollies Across America
Anyone watching the opening ceremony of the Vancouver Olympics saw eight great Canadians carrying the Olympic flag. Actually, it was seven great Canadians and one great Canadian’s mother. Her son, Terry Fox, is generally considered one of the 10 greatest Canadians of all time.
Santa Cruz Kayak Surf Fest Arrives
The sun is only beginning to peek its crimson head over the eastern horizon at Steamer Lane, and already dozens of neoprene-swathed bodies are bobbing on boards in the water. Dominating the human flotsam on this picture-perfect spring dawn is the standard cadre of surfers who have spent months, if not years, perfecting Steamer’s unique break. But the longboarders and shortboarders don’t have the world-famous point break to themselves anymore. With slideshow.
Ben Harper, Buddy Guy at Santa Cruz Blues Fest
Santa Cruz’s most venerable music institution, the Santa Cruz Blues Festival, returns to town this Memorial Day with a stellar lineup worthy of an 18th birthday party. Under the guiding hand of festival organizer Bill Welch, the festival pays tribute to the both the foundation and the future of the genre with Saturday headliners Ben Harper and the Relentless7 and on Sunday Buddy Guy, who stands as a one-man institution in his own right.
Elder Justice Included in Health Care Reform
A lesser-known piece of the federal health care reform bill will almost certainly breathe new life into the Santa Cruz Adult Protective Services program, which has been beset with personnel and funding cuts even as the number of reported elder abuse cases in the county has ticked upward. “It’s enough to make one weep,” says APS program manager Sandy Skezas. “This has been so many years coming. There are those of us who have worked on this for a very long time.”
I Like Tigers and I Vote
Animal lovers were elated to learn that the Downtown Association has recently decided to ask the Santa Cruz City Council to lift the 1976 prohibition against dogs on Pacific Avenue. While I am not personally a dog lover or owner, I do like cats, especially big cats, and most specifically my pet tiger, Borges, who lives contentedly in my Westside backyard. For years I have wanted to bring Borges with me when I go shopping downtown but have been frustrated by the irrational ban on large carnivorous quadrupeds.
The Trouble with Lucy
The Irish often say that “A wild goose never reared a tame gosling.” But what about a tame goose? That’s a question being debated at the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor. For over 20 years, a goose named Lucy has made the harbor her home. For over 20 years Ursula Grunwald has watched over her, feeding her apples, grain, and other food. That’s because Lucy is all alone in this world. Her partner was mauled by a dog 11 years ago.
Police Crack Down on Heroin, Meth
Officers from the SCPD’s Street Crimes team made a series of heroin-related arrests over the weekend.
New Freezer for the Homeless Center
With more and more people homeless and hungry across Santa Cruz, the addition of a brand new walk-in freezer at the Homeless Service Center was a very welcome addition to the city’s homeless services.
