The estate of the late Cecil Carnes revitalizes performing arts and music program

Phil Collins didn't expect his project to have legs. But New Music Works has been a runaway success thanks in no small part to Cecil Carnes, who donated her estate to the music and performing arts organization upon her death in 2011.

“I never thought of New Music Works as having staying power beyond what I was able to put into it,” Collins says.

Founded in 1979 by five composers, including artistic director Collins (who’s served in that position since 1982), New Music Works organizes concert series and is “dedicated to presenting music of our time in concert,” according to their website.

Carnes offered her estate to New Music Works back in 1997, at a musical function.

Check out our new photo intern Sal Ingram's "Around Town" project, wherein he takes photos at various events in the county.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Lymphatic treatment with local massage therapist Miriam Janove

The mind/body connection that inspired this blog series becomes all too real to me when a stressful workweek results in a persistent headache or unbearable neck and shoulder tension. There are many ways I cope with this strain—exercise, baths, yoga, wine (the latter of which might not be doctor approved…)—but the ultimate solution is a session with Miriam Janove, the certified massage therapist behind Santa Cruz Bodywork and a guaranteed muscle melter.

We continue in the theme of this week's cover story, 'Pioneer Women,' with two more profiles of local female change-makers 

Rising International
Carmel Jud knows a thing or two about following dreams. In 2003, when the global plight of women became too important of a cause to her, the local abandoned a promising advertising career in order to establish the Santa Cruz-based nonprofit Rising International. The organization seeks to empower women around the world by selling their handmade crafts at home shopping parties reminiscent of those held by companies like Avon. Since its launch, Rising International has helped homeless women, women with AIDS, and human trafficking survivors in more than 45 countries.

SANTA CRUZ > Local debate explores whether public employees should be paid less

Santa Cruz has entered the debate on California’s budget deficits, and the Santa Barbara-based California Center for Public Policy (CCPP) is proposing a solution that some people may not agree with: reducing public employee compensation.

The CCPP, a libertarian think tank, organized a “Great Debate” on the subject as part of a statewide campaign to draw attention to the issue. The debate was held at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History on Tuesday, March 13 and was the first of seven debates in cities across California.

Farewell to Obsessive Beauty, hello to The Penny Rose

Dear readers,

As you may have noticed, Obsessive Beauty has been on a hiatus for the last few months. That's because we've been working hard to transition the blog to the web. While Obsessive Beauty will still remain live on the Good Times' website, this will be our swan song. We say goodbye to its home here at GT and welcome its new incarnation at thepennyrose.com.

SANTA CRUZ > Real estate agent lobbies for struggling local families

Barbara Palmer, president of the Santa Cruz County Association of Realtors, met with 28 out of the 55 U.S. Representatives from California, as well as Treasury and Federal Housing Finance Agency executives on five separate trips to Washington D.C. last year. Lobbying on behalf of cash-strapped homeowners and the statewide realtors association, Palmer emphasized the devastating impacts of foreclosures on families and neighborhoods.  

Another day, another dollar. In this economy, it’s easy to make work a fulltime priority at the expense of seemingly dispensable endeavors like a fitness routine. But not only does all work and no play make Jack a dull boy, it also puts him at risk for headaches, back aches, listlessness, and lowered productivity. (Not to mention this could pack a few pounds on him.) If you have the kind of workplace flexibility that affords you lingering lunch breaks at the gym—great. Pack a salad, grab your towel, and take advantage of it.