SANTA CRUZ > County supervisors issue proclamation declaring it 'VegWeek'

The Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit Compassion Over Killing has designated April 23 through 29 as national “VegWeek,” and Santa Cruz County is taking up the cause.

VegWeek is an annual event aimed at raising awareness about the purported benefits of vegetarianism by urging supporters to give up meat for one week. The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors showed support for the effort by issuing a proclamation officially declaring this week VegWeek in the county.

The proclamation was signed on Thursday, April 19 by Board of Supervisors Chair John Leopold, who caught wind of the VegWeek campaign after speaking with one of his constituents. In the proclamation, Leopold encourages county residents “to participate by choosing vegetarian foods as a way to protect their health, the planet and animals.” The proclamation also acknowledges that a vegetarian diet can decrease the risk of “heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and various cancers.”

GT's photo intern, Sal Ingram, captured some of the action at the Second Annual Week of the Child Children's Parade and Free Family Fun Fair in this installment of "Around Town."

SANTA CRUZ > Screening of documentary Bully and accompanying workshop to be held at the Del Mar Theatre

A special screening of the documentary Bully will take place at the Del Mar Theatre on Tuesday, April 24 at 11:30 a.m. A free parenting workshop on handling bullying issues will follow from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Both the screening and the workshop are courtesy of a partnership between the Del Mar Theatre and the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P).

Tripe P is a local parent education program through First 5 Santa Cruz County that offers free workshops, seminars, and group and individual consultations in both English and Spanish. The program was established two years ago to promote healthier, stronger families locally. (You can read more about the program in this previous GT blog.)

SANTA CRUZ > Neighborhood meeting scheduled for Rockers Pizza Kitchen

Rockers Pizza Kitchen may not be around for much longer if the City of Santa Cruz gets its way. Served with a violation of Santa Cruz municipal codes Section 108.4 and Section 24.10.100 for installing an illegal take-out window, the future of the business is at stake.

Owner Paul Gerhardt intends to contest the issue, saying that the window was installed by the previous tenant, Pleasure Pizza. Gerhardt has called for a “neighborhood meeting” with local business owners, to be held at the Catalyst Atrium on Tuesday, April 17 at 6 p.m.

SANTA CRUZ > Celebrate Earth Day in style with any of these Santa Cruz events

Santa Cruz Earth Day 2012 Festival
When: Saturday, April 21, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Where: San Lorenzo Park, 137 Dakota St., Santa Cruz

The annual Earth Day festival will host more than 90 educational and retail booths, with green living workshops featured prominently. A slew of electric vehicles will also be on display, courtesy of the Monterey Bay EV Alliance and the Electric Auto Association of the Central Coast. Live music on a solar powered stage and delicious food round out the whole package.

Save our Shores Earth Day Cleanup
When: Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m. - noon
Where: For a list of cleanup locations, go to Saveourshores.org

The Adopt-a-Levee program, a partnership between Save our Shores, the City of Santa Cruz, and six local business and civic groups is organizing a cleanup of beach and river locations in Monterey and Santa Cruz. Seven scheduled beach and river cleanups make this the largest cleanup to hit the Monterey Bay area. Cleanup materials will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own.

SANTA CRUZ > Former mayors rally for vote on water options

About 40 desalination plant critics gathered on West Cliff Drive on Saturday, April 7 to demand the right to vote on the proposed project. Santa Cruz Water Department officials estimate the plant will cost between $70 and $140 million, which will be largely financed by bonds. Right To Vote On Desalination (RTOVD) spokesperson Paul Gratz says that local residents should have the right to vote any time tax dollars are used to construct or maintain the plant.

NASA technology is making its way into luxury gyms across the country in the form of an anti-gravity treadmill known as the AlterG. The treadmill allows users to walk or run with as little as 20 percent of their body weight. The technology was originally developed by Dr. Robert Whalen for NASA as a way for astronauts to exercise effectively, both in space and when they return home.This space-age machinery is ideal for people who are recovering from injuries or recent surgeries, or for those whose excessive weight makes traditional treadmills near impossible.

Actors’ Theatre’s latest offering, ‘The Property Known as Garland,’ cuts to the core of Judy Garland’s character

It takes one ambitious lady—not to mention, talented actor—to tackle the inner workings of a notorious character like Judy Garland. But local thespian Irene Tsouprake Teegardin was up to the task.

Garland, known to most as the wide-eyed Dorothy in Victor Fleming’s 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz, lived a life filled with critically acclaimed performances in the film industry and record-breaking concert appearances. However, she also battled insecurities about her appearance—thanks in part to the executives at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)—financial woes, failed marriages, and alcohol and drug abuse. The latter of which, eventually led to her demise at age 47.

GT's photo intern, Sal Ingram, captured some of the action at the 26th annual Santa Cruz Paddle Festival and locals celebrating St. Patrick's Day in this installment of "Around Town."

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Youth smoking rates have not declined since 2004

Classy, cool, badass, sophisticated—nobody thinks of smoking in these terms anymore. Or so we thought. The recent release of the Surgeon General’s first report on youth smoking since 1994 unearthed some surprising realities, such as that, although the percentage of youth smokers under 18 years old had been steadily declining since 1997, progress rates stalled in 2004 and have not decreased since then.

The trend of stalled progress rings true here in Santa Cruz County, where youth smoking has also not declined since 2004. According to the Santa Cruz County Tobacco Education Coalition, 40 percent of middle school and high school students report having tried cigarettes. “Smoking sort of goes with the town’s chill, beachy vibe,” local student Stephanie, who gave only her first name, opines.