Films This Week
Check out the movies playing around town.
With reviews and trailers.

 

It's the perfect antidote to a muggy summer evening: wave after wave of crystal-clear, turquoise walls of water towering some 20 feet up into the sky, then crashing down again in an explosion of surf, like shattering diamonds. These are the true stars of Dana Brown's latest surf documentary, Highwater, the gigantic, justly fabled waves off the North Shore of Oahu. Every so often you might notice a tiny human silhouette maneuvering a board under the curl or plowing over a crest, but mostly it's the natural spectacle of the thundering waves themselves, more than the people trying to ride them, that deserve the accolade "awesome."

Plus Letters to Good Times
Controversy ... Or Not?
Rearranging Rape
Labor Day is over, but for some reason I have this wild urge to go on maternity leave. Do you realize how much one can give birth to in a year’s time? I actually meant to write that as “how much I give birth to” but I didn’t. But actually, I just did, so here we are. Do we realize how much we create during the course of a year’s time—really? It’s something that has been on my mind recently as we move through our ever-hectic lives. And  I happily reflected on that idea with greater detail as I read this week’s cover story on a curious local dubbed Master Umi. Some of you may know of Umi, especially if you caught the film Pirate Radio. Umi, an enlightened master who lives right here in the Santa Cruz Mountains, once went by the name Tom Lodge, the renegade DJ who, decades ago, caused a stir, mostly from the British government who weren’t too pleased with the man’s broadcasts on Radio Caroline, among other things. What’s interesting to note is the evolution of this unique soul—he’s now a Zen master and has just released a book called “The Shipped That Rocked the World.” GT writer Damon Orion captures Master Umi’s tale. Read on and learn more about how Umi’s past events led him to explore the fascinating nature of Zen.

Local girl caps track season with final meet in Paris
It’s Saturday morning, and where are you?

Maggie Vessey, a Soquel High School and Cal Polytechnic University alumna, stands on the maroon track of Santa Cruz High School in a powder-blue sports bra and black shorts. Heat shimmers around the distant bend; the sky is clear and the sun is hot on the neck. A few morning joggers circle her on the outside lanes, and on the grass of the field the groundskeeper sprays yard lines for the upcoming football season.

With a hop-skip into her stride, Vessey runs.

Fast.

Kolohe Andino win Nike 6.0 Unsound Junior Pro Global Surf News ... Junior Pro over Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA), 19, in Long Beach, New York after a marathon day of competition in peaky one-to-three foot surf to take an ... and more »

Metropolis outside of the box
People go to Burning Man for a lot of reasons.  On the surface a festive gathering of 50,504 artistic souls in the remote desert seems like enough reason to go, but there is so much more.  This was my second trip to Black Rock City (BRC) for the annual burn.  The first trip was such a fiasco it’s amazing there was desire to make the trek.  In 2002 I traveled solo bringing only 20 pounds of hamburger and a hundred windchimes to meet up with friends there.  In the chaos of a spontaneous city I was never able to find my group.  The food and chimes were traded for water and buns.  A memory yes, but I was not prepared.

The 2010 burn was much different.  After connecting with the Santa Cruz Fire Dancing Conclave in early summer I was invited to join the camp and perform fire safety duties during their performances.  Having a group to plan the journey and camp with is the best way to make the burn work.

Long before Umi was a Zen master in the Santa Cruz Mountains, he was a seafaring rock radio pioneer who riled the establishment and ushered in the British Invasion. In this spirited interview, he shares tales of his colorful journey and sheds light on the nature of Zen.
As I approach the end of the long driveway on Empire Grade that leads to Stillpoint Zen Community, Pink Floyd’s “One of These Days” is blaring from the nearest building. With its relentless, menacing bass line and its maniacal, howling pedal steel guitar, it’s a far cry from the soft sound of bells and wind chimes you might expect to hear at a spiritual center in the Santa Cruz Mountains. But taken in context, it’s not an unfitting welcome: From 1964 to 1968, Stillpoint’s focal figure, now known to the members of his community as Enlightened Master Umi, served as DJ and program director for Britain’s first offshore pirate radio station, Radio Caroline. During those years, the station’s crew sailed the English Coast, defying the establishment by broadcasting the rock & roll music of the day. In so doing, they played a key role in sparking the British Invasion and bringing color and life force to a staid, button-down society. Their exploits are echoed—albeit in highly sensationalized form—in the film Pirate Radio, currently on the New Releases shelves of video stores.

Ernie's Food and Liquor will change hands; new owner appeals to resume alcohol ... San Jose Mercury News SANTA CRUZ - A Soquel Avenue convenience store that lost its liquor license earlier this month will be sold and ... and more »

AvStop Aviation News

Investigators probe deadly plane crash: Aviation business owner Bob Ross ... San Jose Mercury News WATSONVILLE - As federal investigators searched through the wreckage of a plane crash Wednesday in Arkansas looking ... Watsonville aviation business owner, son die when plane goes down in ArkansasSan Jose Mercury News all 16 news articles »

Northern California fishing report San Jose Mercury News SANTA CRUZ: Party boats go to both local reefs and Ano Nuevo for limits of reds, blacks and browns. A few lings and halibut to 26 inches are caught each ... and more »

Salmon season again proves disappointing, fishing industry continues to languish San Jose Mercury News Charter boats at the Santa Cruz harbor had stopped advertising salmon trips weeks ago and local fishermen ... and more »

With increasing cost, who would bring Amgen Tour of California back to Santa Cruz? San Jose Mercury News But Twisselman, a former visitors council board member, said he believes the Tour of California burnishes Santa Cruz image as a recreational sporting ... and more »

High-Tech Utility Meters Spark Battles Wall Street Journal In Santa Cruz County, Watsonville's city council passed an ordinance in August that prohibits smart meter installations for one year. ... and more »

Penny Ice Creamery gives Santa Cruz its first taste of locally made from-scratch ice cream after much anticipation.

The Penny Ice Creamery brings the popular concept of seasonal to ice creams and sorbets in downtown Santa Cruz.

One of the two things that make this store unique is garnering Santa Cruz's only pasteurization license, of which there are few in the entire Bay Area. Rather than using a pre-made base mix, Penny Ice can start with eggs and cream, giving them total control over the ingredients and final product. The second jewel in Penny's crown is co-owner Chef Kendra L. Baker.

Baker once worked at Gabriella Café, which coincidentally is across the street from her new ice cream shop. In 2007 she was selected Best Pastry Chef by SF Magazine, and also was the Executive Pastry Chef at the renowned Manresa in Los Gatos. Baker is joined by business partner Zach Davis in this endeavor, which included an extensive remodel of the historic building.

The company's core values are dedicated to sustainably grown and humanely farmed ingredients. The dairy, cane sugar, and eggs are 100 percent certified organic. Since ingredients are sourced locally, the flavors are truly seasonal, so customers will always be discovering something new.

Recently, a Facebook message declared that the new Anise flavor was "better than licorice." Standing in line at the small store, I could see into the kitchen on the left, where Baker and her staff were hard at work. In the serving case were nine flavors of frozen treats including Earl of Grey and Brown Butter Spiced Pecan ice creams, sorbets of nectarine and chocolate, plus ice cream sandwiches ($4) and bonbons ($3); so good that a toddler's first taste replaced his wails with absolute giggles.

My two scoops ($4.50) included creamy, vanilla-colored anise, not too sweet, with a smooth licorice-like taste but without the bitter undertones. Unusual blackberry-corn flavor was made by steeping fresh corn in the ice cream mixture, straining it out, and folding in blackberries, which streaked the white base with fresh berry-red deliciousness.

 

 

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Penny Ice Creamery, 913 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz, 204-2523.  Open at noon Tuesday through Sunday, until 9 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, and until 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Closed Mondays. Visit thepennyicecreamery.com.

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★★★

Tickets are now available for the 7th annual Gourmet Grazing on the Green at Aptos Village Park, where you can sample specialties of more than 40 local chefs, wineries and breweries.

The event is spearheaded by the Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Group which in its 15 years of existence has raised more than one million dollars to help fund local cancer nonprofits and research.

One such beneficiary is Jacob's Heart which aims to improve the quality of life for children living with cancer. They believe that the needs of children can best be met by caring for the entire family.

Another is WomenCARE, which provides cancer advocacy, resources and education for women with cancer. Through workshops and support groups a network of women help each other through the fear and pain of cancer diagnosis and treatment.

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Gourmet Grazing on the Green Food and Wine Festival unfolds from noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 25 at Aptos Village Park. $65 per person or $500 for a group of 10. Parking and shuttle available from Cabrillo College. Tickets available at New Leaf Markets or online at sccbg.org.

It’s always interesting to come across a brand new winery, and Dancing Creek Winery is one of the latest to open up. Formed very recently by Jim and Robin Boyle, the husband and wife duo were the featured winery at Vinocruz for a tasting one afternoon, and my husband and I went there to try their wines. I tell the Boyles how much I admire the amount of work it takes to get into commercial winemaking. They agree wholeheartedly, but tell me that their winemaking journey has been a labor of love.

Tandy Beal’s representation of the afterlife looks downright inviting
“HereAfterHere: A Self-guided Tour of Eternity” is a new musical produced by Tandy Beal that deals with a topic intimately connected to each and every one of us—death and the afterlife. Logically, we know this point in our lives is inevitable, yet no one seems to want to face the macabre topic head on. “HereAfterHere” will force you to confront your destiny in an honest and at-times humorous way and will leave you pondering the possibility of the afterlife like you never have before.

The Westsiders Awarded Best Film in Portland Maine Film Festival; Film to ... Surfline.com Surf News ... follow the rise and fall of The Westsiders surf tribe through the eyes of three best friends from the original 'Surf City': Santa Cruz, California. ... and more »

Here is the latest Arkansas news from The Associated Press, AR KSPR A news release from the sheriff's office says the victims are 62-year-old Robert Joseph Ross, of Santa Cruz, California and 32-year-old Michael Ross, ... and more »

A decade after its demise, India Joze Restaurant is back as a bright and cozy cafe on Front Street. Chef Jozseph Schultz has been an integral part of the local culinary scene after closing the popular restaurant. He has been busy catering, selling high-intensity propane wok burners, leading food-based tours, and teaching classes at UCSC, Cabrillo, and, more recently, New Leaf Markets.As before, the menu at India Joze is inspired by a wide array of international

Jimmie Vaughan is still a blues speed racer
Getting a call from one Jimmie Vaughan on my cell phone at 8 a.m. recently had me doing a double take. “Hi, this is Jimmie Vaughan. I hope it’s OK that I’m calling this early, but I’m sitting in my hotel room with nothing to do and have time do the interview sooner if you can,” his message says after I let the unknown number hit my voicemail while brushing my teeth at home. When I checked it I had to wonder, was I awake or just groggily mishearing things? Blues legend, Vaughan is a founder of the hard-driving Fabulous Thunderbirds. The guy used to open for Jimi Hendrix—the two infamously swapped Wah pedals. Oh, and he’s the older brother and first mentor of the late Stevie Ray Vaughan. There’s more than four decades of blues and rock noodling filling his well-worn boots.

The Monterey Jazz Festival caters to a diverse crowd
The Monterey Jazz Festival is the West Coast equivalent of a jazz Stonehenge—a touchstone that has consistently provided the world with phenomenal acts since its inception in 1958 (featuring Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, Dizzy Gillespie and others). Now in its 53rd year, nuzzled within the 22 oak-studded acres of the Monterey County Fairgrounds, the MJF has created a heavy weekend that defies and expands the notion of a jazz festival with a musical smorgasbord of auditory delights. For this year’s incarnation of the fest, 500 artists will share eight stages starting Friday night, Sept. 17 through Sunday night, Sept. 19.

Watsonville aviation business owner, son die when plane goes down in Arkansas San Jose Mercury News 13, a Piper Cherokee Arrow from the flight-training and plane-rental company crashed in a remote area of the Sierra Nevada mountains, killing a Santa Cruz ... and more »

KSPR

Two Killed in Plane Crash in Northern Arkansas NBC Chicago Robert Joseph Ross, 62, a flight instructor from Santa Cruz, California and his son, Michael C. Ross, 32, of Austin, Texas flew out of Danville, ... Authorities: Two fatalities in plane crash near Buffalo CityBaxter Bulletin Here is the latest Arkansas news from The Associated Press, ARKSPR Victims identified in Ark. plane crashNews-Leader.com KHBS-KHOG Northwest Arkansas -Today's THV -Arkansas Online (subscription) all 94 news articles »

Santa Cruz council asks community advice on climate plan San Jose Mercury News SANTA CRUZ -- The conversation about making Santa Cruz a more energy efficient town -- including less water use, fewer car trips and more ... Santa Cruz City Council approves rental ordinanceSanta Cruz Sentinel Santa Cruz to Vote on Rental InspectionsKIONrightnow.com The best of summer still to come for Santa Cruz County residentsSanta Cruz Sentinel all 15 news articles »

Compliance with fire regulations slips in Santa Cruz Mountains San Jose Mercury News Statewide, fire officials say they've increased the number of safety inspections since California's back-to-back record-breaking fire years in 2007 and 2008 ... and more »

Tested On Animals: Philips and O'Neill Team Up To Launch New Range of Durable ... MarketWatch (press release) He opened up the garage doors to his first surf shop in Santa Cruz soon after. While many things have changed since those humble beginnings, Jack's initial ... and more »

Jonathan Franzen returns to dominate the literary landscape Trading Markets (press release) Franzen, who has an apartment in Manhattan, has spent 12 summers in Santa Cruz with his girlfriend, Kathryn Chetkovich, who grew up in the area. ... and more »

UC Santa Cruz and UC Merced Select Technology from Active Network™ to Operate ... SYS-CON Media (press release) (blog) ... a technology and media company, announced that two more schools, UC Santa Cruz and UC Merced, from the University of California system have selected ... and more »

KETK

Authorities: Two fatalities in plane crash near Buffalo City Baxter Bulletin The deceased are Robert Joseph Ross, 62, of Santa Cruz, Calif., a flight instructor for United Flying Services of Watsonville, Calif., and his son, ... Two Die In North Ark. Plane CrashKHBS-KHOG Northwest Arkansas Robert Ross, Michael Ross killed in Baxter County plane crashToday's THV Plane crash kills two along Buffalo RiverArkansas Online (subscription) Dallas Morning News all 84 news articles »

Scotts Valley man arrested for impersonating a police officer San Jose Mercury News SCOTTS VALLEY - Police arrested a 39-year-old Scotts Valley man Friday for impersonating a police officer after a three ... Scotts Valley police arrest man suspected of impersonating officerSanta Cruz Sentinel all 8 news articles »

Santa Cruz City Council asks community for advice on climate plan San Jose Mercury News SANTA CRUZ - The conversation about making Santa Cruz a more energy efficient town - including less water use, ... Santa Cruz to Vote on Rental InspectionsKIONrightnow.com The best of summer still to come for Santa Cruz County residentsSanta Cruz Sentinel all 9 news articles »

Santa Cruz City Council approves rental ordinance Santa Cruz Sentinel SANTA CRUZ - City leaders will begin monitoring the thousands of rental units around town, especially those that are ... Santa Cruz to Vote on Rental InspectionsKIONrightnow.com The best of summer still to come for Santa Cruz County residentsSanta Cruz Sentinel all 6 news articles »

Shift in juvenile court does not mean Santa Cruz County Superior Court's cost ... San Jose Mercury News FELTON - Starting next week, the mothballed courtroom at Juvenile Hall will be used again, but court officials ... and more »

Marshalls plans $926000 makeover for new store in Santa Cruz San Jose Mercury News SANTA CRUZ - Construction crews have begun work on a $926000 project for discount retailer Marshalls at the former ... and more »

Coast Lines: Sept. 7, 2010 Santa Cruz Sentinel George Bunch, an assistant professor of education at UC Santa Cruz, has won a prestigious fellowship to study the language demands faced by English learners ... and more »

A reader's own trip of a lifetime San Francisco Chronicle (blog) Watching those 3 ft. long lizards body surfing on the beach was one of the most hilarious things I've ever seen. Then we spent 5 days in the Amazon jungle ...

British Junior Surf Team Using Matunas Surf Wax for World Juniors 2010 Surfline.com Surf News ... It stayed sticky for several surfs" Matunas have been making an organic surf wax from their 25 acre farm in Santa Cruz California since 1998. ... and more »

SJ mayor's committee to consider records requests San Jose Mercury News The other is from a Santa Cruz man who says he's trying to clean up his apartment complex—where a teenage surfer was shot and killed in April. ... San Jose officials asked to overrule cops on records requestsCalifornia Chronicle all 25 news articles »

Digital News Report

Santa Cruz Unemployment Digital News Report Digital News Report – California has been hit especially hard by the recession, but according to the California Employment Development Agency, ...

Wine and Temperature Seattle Post Intelligencer In fact, growers in Santa Cruz are eager to see just what kind of vintage they will get. They think it could be “the bomb.” Balance and complex flavor are ... and more »

Roadshow: Traffic is nasty in Santa Cruz San Jose Mercury News Q Highway 1 in Santa Cruz south of Highway 17 is a traffic disaster. If any freeway is a poster child for "We didn't build it and they ... and more »

Corralitos farmer who lost hand recuperates, remains thankful for love and support San Jose Mercury News Donations can be sent to: Ken Kimes Medical Fund, c/o Santa Cruz Community Credit Union, PO Box 1877, Santa Cruz, CA 95061. and more »

Scotts Valley police arrest man suspected of impersonating officer Santa Cruz Sentinel SCOTTS VALLEY - Police are warning motorists, especially women, to pull over in well-lit locations ... Scotts Valley man arrested for impersonating a police officerSan Jose Mercury News all 6 news articles »

SkySports

Santa Cruz still keen on Lazio switch ESPN By Soccernet staff Roque Santa Cruz has refused to rule out a move to Italy in January despite the collapse of his move to Lazio. ... Roque open to future Lazio moveThe Press Association Lazio coach Edy Reja pulled plug on Roque Santa Cruz Switch from Manchester ...Goal.com Manchester City's Roque Santa Cruz Won't Lose Hope Of Joining LazioGoal.com India SkySports -Tribalfootball.com -bettor.com (blog) all 68 news articles »

EETimes.com

Silicon photonics uses vapor-filled waveguide EETimes.com ... and other exciting possibilities," said Professor Holger Schmidt, an electrical engineer at the University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC). ... DARPA-Funded Device Adjusts the Speed of Light With the Twist of a KnobPopular Science With 'slow light,' the promise of low-power, all-optical data networksSmartPlanet.com (blog) Scientists Slow The Speed of LightGearlog (blog) GCN.com -EurekAlert (press release) all 24 news articles »

I just got back from an eight-day journey to Yreka and back, getting to meet and interview many incredible people.  One thing that stands out as unusual, but fascinating was the program at Whiskeytown, National Recreation Area.  It is the National Parks Artists-In-Residence Program at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area that offers established visual artists the opportunity to pursue their particular art form while being surrounded by the inspiring landscape of the park. The park provides a rustic cabin to participants for up to a four-week period.

New bus service caters to bicyclists at Nisene Marks
With the Nov. 2 vote on Proposition 21, The State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act right around the corner, tree huggers throughout California are doing their part to protect the future of Mother Nature.

After working in construction for 29 years, 53-year-old Santa Cruz local Dave Smith recently decided to renew his connection with Nisene Marks State Park. The adventure enthusiast created a part-time job for himself that would allow him to ride his mountain bike five times a week.

Santa Cruz embraces the potential of reusing water
Where does the water go after you wash your hands, take a shower or do a load of laundry? Until recently, it all went to sewer lines that funneled to water treatment plants. But California has amended its greywater regulation with the adoption of Title 24, Part five, Chapter 16A for California Plumbing code in January, making it easier to reuse water for gardens and landscaping.

Greywater consists of all wastewater other than food and toilet waste (which is called “black water”) and, with a few adjustments, it can be used to water and irrigate residential properties, thereby reducing water usage and easing the strain on water treatment plants.

Daily Mail

Manchester City and Roque Santa Cruz victims of Lazio smear campaign Daily Mail By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 10:15 PM on 4th September 2010 Roque Santa Cruz was left stranded at Manchester City last week because Lazio coach ... Santa Cruz still a wanted manManchester Evening News HOME > SPORT > FOOTBALL > Manchester City's avalanche of debt only begins with ...Express.co.uk Lazio To Reasses Cruz Deal - ZaretaNigerian Observer all 4 news articles »

Cops gun down Ravi Pujari aide in Santa Cruz Times of India MUMBAI: Rajendra Thappa, a key member of the Ravi Pujari gang, was shot dead in a police encounter at Santa Cruz on Saturday night. ... Ravi Pujari gang member killed in encounter in Santa CruzDaily News & Analysis all 8 news articles »