Plus Letters to Good Times...
Embracing the Best
Earth Day Insult
Strong Brew?
It’s Take: 9 for the intrepid and ever-inventive Santa Cruz Film Festival. This week, our home-grown fest unleashes a wild array of unique films, many from local or locally affiliated filmmakers. In our ongoing coverage of the fest, GT spoke with some of the locals whose work made it into the festival this year. All their hard work and creativity is illuminated under the spotlight. But there’s more: The entire SCFF program is inside as well. In it, you will find everything there is to know about the fest in general—from informative capsules on each film to a list of parties, panel discussions and so much more. It promises to be a memorable outing so nab some tickets and enjoy. The fest opens May 6 and runs through May 15. Look for more exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage from GT in next week’s edition and also online. Let the drama begin ...

I enjoy the independent ones more, when we get a chance to get out which isn't very often now since we have a baby.

Andy Lewis

Santa Cruz | Physician

We are just as outraged and frustrated as you are about the recent violence that has descended upon our town. Between the shocking damage done in Downtown last weekend and the horrible news that another young person had his life cut short by senseless criminal activity, we have been inundated with requests by community members about what they can do to help and what the City Council is doing as well.

It is time that we all roll up our sleeves and get to work. The reality is that neither the City Council nor the police alone can solve the enormous challenges facing our city. We need to remember how this incredible place we all call home has risen to challenges before and know that we can do so again. But it will take unprecedented commitment and cooperation from people across this community.

Here are 10 ways that you can help to make our community safer:

It’s Mother’s Day Sunday. And so, from our heart, let us give thanks for our mothers. Let’s pray also for those who have lost their mothers, who never knew their biological mothers, mothers who adopted or were adopted. We also pray for families separated by wars, disasters or conflict. Mother’s Day morning is Pisces (compassion) moon with a v/c from 1:12 p.m. till 2:29 p.m. (Pacific time) when Aries moon begins. Planning the day around these energies helps the day be successful (or not). I suggest not giving mother gifts during the v/c. In Santa Cruz, Mother’s Day is also the Day of the Reskilling Expo, Temple Beth El, Aptos, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is a painting titled Mother of the World by Russian artist Nicholas Roerich. See:  american-buddha.com/mother.world.htm. Note her covered eyes. In the Aquarian Age, when justice prevails, when women and men are equal, when the scales are balanced, perhaps the veil will be removed.

Plus Letters to Good Times...
Sour Notes
About That Meat ...
A therapist—yes, it was mine—recently asked me: “When you think of “the best” things about Santa Cruz, what comes to mind?” I laughed. Well, the answer was simple: My therapist. The last one I had always fell asleep on me. This guy—not so much. So, life has improved. But seriously … I sat there for a moment and, in a deliciously vulnerable state of being, responded with this: “People can be who they want to be here … but what makes it best for me is that I have the freedom to be myself and create whatever the hell I want.” The depth of that openhearted, genuine admission moved us both to tears. (Actually, I may be projecting that last part onto my therapist, but you get the picture.) Needless to say, there was “movement.” But there always seems to be, creative or otherwise, in this great place we call Santa Cruz County.

I'll paddle board to the mile buoy to find that peace and tranquility. It's a cathartic spot.
Yuri Springer
Santa Cruz | Biologist

Came to your party/ drank all your beer/ we’re a bad trip. —Camper Van Beethoven
By now, we are well familiar with the splendid machinations of the Tea Party. This well-publicized movement of fear and hatred that has co-opted their attention-grabbing demonstration theater straight out of a UC Santa Cruz protest manual, has managed to strike the fear of Darwin into every good-hearted believer of freedom and democracy.

Obama is finally striking back against these purveyors of insanity, and so should we. Which is why it’s time for a wholly different protest party. Tea and coffee are already spoken for. Herbal tea is nice, but maybe too nice. Wine would be good, but liberals have already been accused of elitism which is Republican speak for smart. Water, though entirely necessary to our survival, is simply no fun unless you’re naked and splashing in it. So we’re left with little choice but beer. Oh well …

We are in the midst of the Three Spring Festivals which are the foundations of the New World Religion forming as the Aquarian Age continues to unfold. In the past weeks we’ve experienced multiple planetary shifts, the purposes being to create the new Earth and the new world humanity is to work within. Sun entering Taurus (in Mercury retro) brought us Vulcan (Ray 1), the erupting Icelandic volcano and the resulting canceling of Europe’s air travel. Chiron in Pisces is helping us review and renew the visions and prophecies of the 1960s. Saturn opposite Uranus has changed time (there is no more time as we have known it) and continues to adjust the world economy. The full moons of Aries & Taurus called forth the Forces of Restoration (to restore the Plan on Earth) and Enlightenment (illuminating humanity’s minds to causal reality). And there’s more to come. At the Festival of Humanity (Gemini solar festival) Uranus (revolution) enters Aries (all things new), then Jupiter enters Aries (and the Aquarian Age truly begins), Saturn will conjunct Pluto (continued transformation of all structures).

Plus Letters to Good Times...
About Those Cows ...
Meaty Issue
Innovate This!
Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and an ominous thick cloud of ash  blanketing Europe—say what you will about April, 2010, but boring, it’s not. Fortunately, the only things shaking in Santa Cruz County lately are a wide array of creative ideas. This week’s cover story (page 14) illuminates one of them. It’s the new Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center that’s set to begin construction in July near the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. Think of it as a portal to learn more about our monstrous bay and as a destination spot for visitors, too. But the story tackles more than that. In it, Tom Honig informs readers about the mystique of the project, what it can mean for Santa Cruz and, of course, the bay itself. Dive in.

I feel like people who are in administrative positions, whether you are a senator or a president should go to a trial of court just like any citizen in a public hearing with a jury. And if they’re found guilty then they have to serve their time.
Bonnie Eskie
Santa Cruz | Psychotherapist