Big wave surfer, Chris Bertish, the subject of new locally produced film 

When Aurelia Productions, a Santa Cruz film production company, first heard about Chris Bertish—winner of the 2010 Mavericks Invitational big wave surf competition and one of South Africa’s highest-profile watermen—they saw an opportunity to create change and inspire the world. After all, Bertish is more than just a surfer. When he’s not in the ocean, Bertish shares his positive and energetic spirit with others by inspiring and encouraging them to do what they love and to never give up. His unique story is the subject of a forthcoming feature-length film produced by Aurelia, entitled Ocean Driven: The Chris Bertish Story. In an effort to help make the film a reality, the company is hosting a fundraising dinner at Conscious Creations on Saturday, Jan. 26. We sat down with director Nadia Tarlow and Bertish himself to talk about the making and the purpose of the film.

Local movers and shakers bring the evolution of Santa Cruz dance to life on stage

Santa Cruz County is notorious for its lively dance community. From classic ballroom dance to contemporary hip-hop, conventional ballet to daring burlesque, we’ve got it all. But that hasn’t always been the case.

Prior to 1959, there wasn’t a formal dance class to be found in town.

All that changed when Roberta Bristol organized the first dance class at Cabrillo College, which served as a catalyst for the local movement.

Local third grader is in the running for a $10,000 for TREES ROCK! prize


Third grader Vince Golder is, perhaps, Santa Cruz County’s youngest museum curator.

The bright and energetic 9-year-old keeps a small display of exhibits in his tree fort “museum,” where he spends his time when he isn’t reading, writing, digging for fossils or catching and studying interesting creatures, says Vince’s father, firefighter Mike Golder.

Local flora and fauna fascinate Vince, who says his favorite tree is, in fitting Santa Cruz fashion, the redwood. Inspired by the towering native tree, the Bay View Elementary student entered the TREES ROCK! video contest put on by Scotties Tissues last December, and has now made it to the top 12 finalists.


Documentary filmmaker and Santa Cruz native Sasha Friedlander shares both the beauty and struggle of life in the Indonesian sulfur mines

Santa Cruz native Sasha Friedlander’s debut feature-length film, Where Heaven Meets Hell, tells the true story of four sulfur miners who, despite working in hellish conditions—500 miners collect and haul loads of up to 200 pounds of pure sulfur up and down a volcano several times each day—are still as hopeful and cheerful as any other native of Indonesia. In anticipation of Saturday’s screening at The Rio Theatre, we sat down with Friedlander to discuss the making of the documentary, which took home the Grand Jury Prize for best feature documentary film and Outstanding Cinematography Award at the 2012 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, and what’s next for the up-and-coming filmmaker. 

FRESH DIRT > The city’s new online business hub is up and running

The new online portal OpenCounter, a system that streamlines the process of applying for business licenses, permitting and other legal startup requirements, went live on the City of Santa Cruz's website Wednesday morning, Jan. 9. The launch was celebrated by a small group of city officials, business owners and tech professionals at Cruzio Coworking in Downtown Santa Cruz. 

The system enables users to enter their business information and then see the details of what they must do to implement their plan, greatly cutting down the confusion that is often associated with the bureaucratic requirements for starting a business.

OpenCounter organizes an entrepreneur's business information, which was previously written and filed by hand, and delivers it to the right departments at the city in the correct sequence to maximize efficiency.

GT's pet of the week, brought to you by the Center for Animal Protection and Education

Walter and Peter were tiny puppies when they were brought to the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter after one of their siblings died of Parvovirus. Luckily, both of them tested negative for the disease. Because they were too young to go up for adoption, they were placed in a Center for Animal Protection and Education foster home.

Annual 8 Tens @ Eight Festival challenges playwrights to create drama with the clock ticking

The unique variety and swift pace of the 18^th annual 8 Tens @ Eight Festival makes it a theater extravaganza unlike any other. Presented by Santa Cruz Actors’ Theatre, this year’s showcase runs Jan. 4-27 and offers audiences the unique opportunity to view the latest works by eight of the finest contemporary playwrights from around the country all in one evening, jam-packed with intrigue, humor, drama and wonder.

Locals create hip, new technology, just in time for the gift-giving season

In Santa Cruz, we’re all about shopping local and supporting fellow community members in all of their creative endeavors. This holiday season, we have the opportunity to continue that tradition, by giving gifts created by talented area residents who are making waves in the tech world.

Get in the spirit of the season with these holiday favorites, hand-selected by your friends at GT.

Mariah Carey “All I Want For Christmas Is You”
Ray Conniff and the Ray Conniff Singers “The Little Drummer Boy”
Michael Bublé “Silent Night”
Dean Martin “Baby It’s Cold Outside”
Adam Sandler “The Chanukah Song”  
Joe “This Christmas”
Band Aid “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”
John Lennon “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”