With so many super-hero movies dominating the silver screen this past decade it can be easy to forget that comic books have a lot more to offer than just a bunch of shredded up, scantily clad men and women running around beating on each other. I'd even argue that the idea of comic books as a genre unto itself is more than misleading as a comic book can be ANY genre it chooses. Westerns, Horror, Romance, you name it. This also applies to cinematic adaptations with Whiteout and The Surrogates currently in theaters being two perfect examples.

With that in mind I thought it might be fun to compile a top five list (because come on, who doesn't love lists?) of movies that you may or may not know originally found their way into the world through the pages of a comic book.

 

Kathleen Johnson, executive director of Santa Cruz's Advocacy, Inc., has been awarded the Howard Hinds Memorial Award by the National Citizen's Coalition for Nursing Home Reform (NCCNHR) for her advocacy for nursing home residents.
Johnson served as coordinator for the Long Term Care Ombudsman, one of Advocacy, Inc.'s programs, for over 11 years before becoming the non-profit agency's executive director. NCCNHR president Norma Harris said Johnson was honored for "Remarkable dedication to preserving the dignity and rights of residents needing long term care and leadership which has made Advocacy, Inc. one of California's most exceptional Ombudsman programs."
Gov. Swarzenegger recently cut all funds for local Ombudsmen from the state budget.
Johnson will be receiving the award at NCCNHR's national convention on Oct. 25, in Washington, D.C..

October has long been the national month to focus on preventing domestic violence, but it takes on new meaning in California this year because of state budget cuts. In this summer’s budget revise, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger axed all funding for domestic violence support services (totaling $20.4 million). 823: The number of domestic violence calls to police in 2007 Santa Cruz County, according to the 2008 Community Assessment Project.

The Partridge twins prove powerful role models
Despite the packed schedule that comes with being in demand, or perhaps in order to give thanks for the associated good fortune, Sierra and Hailey Partridge generously donate their time to numerous charities. To watch the twins execute exquisite carves off the lip of an overhead wave or see them smiling sweetly from their window ads at the O’Neill Surf Shop on 41st Avenue in Capitola, you wouldn’t know that these local surfers-turned-models were born with cataracts. Nonetheless, it quickly became apparent, in speaking with them, how very profoundly this condition has shaped the lives and philosophies of these young women.

The plan to widen Highway 1 in Santa Cruz between Morrissey Boulevard and Soquel Avenue overcame one of its challenges recently when planners completed the necessary environmental analysis for the project.
The analysis, a 545 page review of the project, has been two years in the making and cites in depth the impact widening the highway would have on the citizens and environment of Santa Cruz. In the analysis, viable solutions have been proposed for all of the negative effects of the project.

By widening the highway transportation planners hope to alleviate some of the worst congestion in the county. The $22 million dollar project is currently scheduled to begin breaking ground in 2011 with a targeted completion time in 2013.

 

It has been 50 years since four University of California scientists revolutionized agriculture with a new approach to pest control known as “integrated pest management.” The UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources first published the groundbreaking research of Vernon Stern, Ray Smith, Robert van den Bosch, and Kenneth Hagen in Oct. 1959. Among the first to critique the rampant use of harsh pesticides such as DDT, these scientists advocated limited, targeted chemical controls to mitigate long-term ecosystem disruption and reduce dangers to farm workers.

What am I doing?  Is this job the one I want?  Why do I do what I do?  To be in control?  For power and attention?  Is my ego in the way?  
As I read Eckhart Tolle’s, A New Earth, again, I find it a lot more interesting than the first time around.  I’m paying a little more attention.  He talks about recognizing who you are and not just reacting to culture and expectations.  This takes a lot of work – work to separate these expectations and illusions from innate knowledge.
The physical aspect of yoga has helped me to feel the spot of that strength.  Whenever I feel this, I find life to be smooth and even. Reactions seem less dramatic.
This morning, I needed a challenge.  I yearned to feel the sweet spot, so I drove over the hill to Los Gatos to try Angie’s Power Flow.  I’d heard about this class from another yogi. It did the trick: dripping sweat and long holds.  Swooping over route 17, I am back at my computer doing what I do  …or am I trying to impress you?  This is my point!  Help me to get closer to me.
yogasourcelosgatos.com/classes eckharttolle.com

On October 2nd, Fox Searchlight will release WHIP IT, featuring Ellen Page, Marcia Gay Harden, Kristin Wiig and Juliette Lewis. (Daniel Stern, utterer of a favorite movie line, “If hate were people, I’d be China,” makes the crossover to father figure, making me feel both old and comfortable somehow.) Although not a Mark Mothersbaugh bio-pic, as the title might imply,  it is the much-anticipated directorial debut of Drew Barrymore.  However, despite all of the glitter and fuss, the real star of the movie is…roller derby.

WHIP IT, based on the 2007 novel “Derby Girl” by Shauna Cross (aka Maggie Mayhem) formerly of the L.A. Derby Dolls, is a fictionalized account of experiences skating with the Texas Rollergirls, nicely wrapped in teen-vs-parent-angst-plus-rock-‘n-roll-love story. Got that?