Part three in a four part series looking at the discourse surrounding plastic bag bans

Only humans make things Mother Nature can’t digest. The main argument found in environmental groups’ discourse surrounding the plastic bag debate is that plastic bags aren’t good for our Earth, and that reusable materials are simply the better choice. Despite the positive spin put on plastics by lobbying groups, activists say there is no debate. Save the Bay, one of the leading environmental organizations fighting to ban plastic bags says, “Plastic bags are toxic to marine animals, and the ecosystem at large. Plastics leech toxic chemicals and take an estimated 1,000 years to decompose in landfills, which is where most end up.”

A twirl around Plantronics’ new and improved offices

Plantronics, Santa Cruz’s largest commercial employer, is making changes to its world headquarters. The headset manufacturer unveiled the new improvements to its Encinal Street offices this week, updating its old workspace to keep up with the company’s evolving business philosophy.

Part two in a four part series looking at the discourse surrounding plastic bag bans

When we truly sit down and think about everything in our lives that is plastic, we might begin to realize our love affair with synthetic materials is not a simple one. Look around you right now: Can you live without your plastic computers, cell phones, toilet seats, bags, pacemakers, sneakers, toothbrush, coffeemaker, iPods, or chewing gum (yes, gum)?

Sixth annual Coats for Kids drive is underway

For the sixth year running, Santa Cruz’s underprivileged children will feel the warmth of a new winter coat this holiday season. The yearly Coats for Kids drive is organized by Santa Cruz’s Classic Cleaners and its owner, Pamela Whittington. Whittington knows firsthand the importance of a winter coat to a child who doesn’t have much else.

SANTA CRUZ > Police clear out tents and debris from Occupy Santa Cruz gathering

On Thursday morning, Dec. 8, the Santa Cruz Police Department cleared out the area in San Lorenzo Park where, for the past two months, dozens of homeless people and protestors had camped in solidarity with the Occupy Santa Cruz movement. The Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation and Public Works staff, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, and Capitola, Scotts Valley, Watsonville, and UC Santa Cruz police aided them.

SANTA CRUZ > Time magazine recognizes SCPD for its crime-predicting technology

Last week, the Santa Cruz Police Department’s newest technology was named one of the “50 Best Inventions of 2011” by Time magazine. The technology, which has been in use since July, can help officers prevent crimes before they occur.

SANTA CRUZ >  OSC discussions in the aftermath of River Street occupation

On Saturday night, Dec. 3, protestors left the building they had inhabited at 75 River St. after confirming with the Santa Cruz Police Department earlier that afternoon that they would leave after cleaning up. Police reported that when they arrived at 9:30 p.m., nobody was inside, but that there was substantial damage to the interior of the building.

SANTA CRUZ > Police weigh how to approach the illegal River Street occupation

As of Friday, Dec. 2, protestors remain inside the building at 75 River St., which they originally occupied on Wednesday, Nov. 30.

The group that is occupying the building states that this activity is separate from the Occupy Santa Cruz movement, as not all Occupiers are involved. On Thursday night, tensions were high as many protestors expected police to show up any moment to try force them out of the building after being informed by a county representative over the phone that this would happen. However, the night passed by without any Santa Cruz Police Department presence other than the occasional squad car that would drive by and get yelled at from protestors who were outside. By the end of the night, several tents had been put up in the front yard of the building, which is positioned across the street from Wells Fargo bank.

Part one in a four part series looking at the discourse surrounding the plastic bag bans

Most Americans have stood in line at a grocery store at least once in their lifetime. Their week’s food or evening’s dinner sits on the conveyer belt and the grocery store clerk asks that famous question: “paper or plastic?” But this question, which once was spoken in any store in any given city, is now changing due to the push from many environmental groups and activists to ban single-use plastic bags.

SLUG REPORT > UCSC alumnus edits for Occupy Wall Street publication

 New York is known for its fast paced lifestyle, Times Square, pizza, the Yankees … and the list goes on. But for three months now, New York has also become known as the epicenter of the Occupy Wall Street movement that has inspired people across the United States to take to their streets and occupy just about any place they can. The movement has taken off so strongly that there is now an entire publication dedicated to covering all things pertaining to Occupy Wall Street—or at least as much as they can fit in their pages.