When travels involve predictable family drama, emotions generally run unchecked.  I have developed my yoga practice to such a habitual state, that the practice comes first wherever I am, and I remain somehow intact with the outer life. I did see and practice with my former teacher from Santa Cruz (Phil) http://eastyoga.com, as well as practice at my adopted studio, Jivamukti, www.jivamuktiyoga.com, where the owners taught master classes and a meditation forum that was powerful, the fact is, it’s all yoga, and it’s great to get out and test my core on other teachers.

As you probably know, a massive earthquake struck Haiti on Jan. 12, affecting about three million people (a third of Haiti’s population). Food, water, and medical services are desperately needed in Haiti. A number of relief organizations are trying to provide these things. If you are wondering what you can do to help, you might consider attending a local benefit (or holding your own!) or donating to one of the organizations listed below. Please contact news editor Elizabeth Limbach ([email protected]) with additional local efforts, as we hope to continue updating the list as opportunities arise.

The Sempervirens Fund purchased 267 acres of redwood forest this week from Redtree Properties, a large timber owner operating in the Santa Cruz Mountains. One acquisition, a 160-acre parcel in the Butano Creek Watershed, contains an old growth redwood forest that is home to an endangered seabird called the Marbled Murrelet. They also bought a 107-acre redwood forest located between Castle Rock and Big Basin State Parks. The Sempervirens Fund will manage both parcels until they are able to transfer them into the California State Parks system. A free, public celebration will take place on Saturday, March 13. For more information, visit their website semepervirens.org or call (650) 968-4509.

The Go For Health! collaborative, an effort of United Way of Santa Cruz County, has been awarded a $360,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to address the health problems amongst youth in the Watsonville/Pajaro Valley area. Forty-one cities across the country were selected as recipients of the grant as part of the foundation’s Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities initiative. Go For Health! plans to put the money to work increasing opportunities for physical activity and access to healthier foods—like the copious fruits and vegetables being grown in neighboring fields. The effort will includes attempting to close this gap between the food grown in the community and the food eaten by the community.

Thirty-six percent of Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s fifth, seventh and ninth graders are overweight or obese, according to the California Healthy Kids Survey. The Go For Health! Collaborative, an effort of United Way of Santa Cruz County, has just been awarded a $360,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to address the health problems amongst youth in the Watsonville/Pajaro Valley area. Forty-one places across the country were selected as recipients of the grant as part of the foundation’s Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities initiative. Go For Health! plans to put the money to work increasing opportunities for physical activity and access to healthier foods—like the copious fruits and vegetables being grown in neighboring fields.

One notorious Santa Cruzan is vying to snag one of three seats that will open up on the Santa Cruz City Council in November (those currently held by Mayor Mike Rotkin, Cynthia Mathews and Lynn Robinson): Robert Steffen, perhaps better known as “The Pink Umbrella Man,” has shed his infamous pink garb and announced his candidacy. It’s a little premature, but with such a quintessential Santa Cruz character already in the mix and more to surely follow, let the race begin!