Moving to Santa Cruz—from my sister. She said move up here after mom passed away, and that’s the best decision I ever made in my life.
Frank Falco
Santa Cruz | Capitola Public Works

Thursday is the Buddha Full Moon Taurus Wesak Festival. A great legend says that at the time of the full moon the great “Knowers of Divinity” gather from the many worlds to greet the Buddha who, once a year, at the exact time of the April full moon and for eight minutes afterward, streams into Earth a blessing from Shamballa, home of our God, Sanat Kumara, Regent from Venus. The blessing transmits Divine Will, Purpose, Love & Wisdom to humanity. Buddha (Wisdom) and Christ (Love) work in unison during this festival.

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April is Sexual Awareness Month, which brings us to this week’s cover story. Penned by News Editor Elizabeth Limbach, “Breaking The Silence” not only shines the light on this significant issue, but also explores it through the captivating lens of a local filmmaker creating a movie based on real-life events. Turn to page 12 for the full report and share your thoughts, feedback and/or experiences on the matter with us at [email protected]

"People have the power to redeem the work of fools."—Patti Smith.
It's motivating and it allows you to realize that as an individual you have the power to make a difference, even when you see others doing things you dislike or disprove of. It puts the emphasis on an individual’s actions and living as you believe.
Tim Clark
Santa Cruz | Classroom Aid

Sun enters Taurus this Friday. Taurus, anchoring into the world the fiery ideas of Aries, is a beam of light emerging from the point of Light in Aries, creating a pathway of Light for humanity. Taurus, foremost Earth sign, inspires stability and the fine Art of Living. Appropriately this Monday is International Earth Day. Let’s begin to include the symbol for Earth (an encircled cross) on our astrology charts. Earth is placed opposite the Sun sign.

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Time may heal, but it also allows for a chance to take in the bigger picture.  More than a month after the tragic deaths of Sgt. Loran “Butch” Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler, their families have released a media statement, provided by the Santa Cruz Police Department. Butler’s family wrote, in part, “We … have  just reached the one-month anniversary of Elizabeth’s death, and we miss her terribly. Each day is filled with both tears and moments of deep sadness. Yet almost every day of the past month has also included moments of awe and amazement at the love and honor paid to Elizabeth’s memory. We have so many people to thank from those that we know well to those that are complete strangers.”  Kelly Baker, widow of Sgt. Baker, wrote, in part, “According to the children, Butch now has wings, is in the clouds, has a halo, and sometimes he even wears a cape ...

I think Santa Cruz will always be weird because of the type of people that it draws. But we could definitely focus on staying safer and always being aware of keeping our environment clean, happy and healthy.
Kelly Malloy
Bonny Doon | Sales

As the planets circle the Sun, they gradually enter into the fields of the 12 zodiacal signs. Gathering the energy of a sign, they stream that energy to Earth. As the planets and stars shine they also “teach” different lessons based upon the Law of Vibration. Sometimes many planets are changing signs simultaneously. Sometimes sign changes are spread out over months. This week Mercury (leaving Pisces) enters Aries, Venus (leaving Aries) enters Taurus and Pluto retrogrades in Capricorn. 

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Walking down Pacific Avenue is never dull. In fact, it’s often quite colorful—a curious pathway that often invites those with—how shall I put this?—differing values and opinions to converge and share them with others. As I was walking back to my office with my morning chai, I happened to spot two missionaries clad in suits approaching a small group of unkempt—let’s see, what’s the correct terminology here?—early-morning dwellers that, without the proper lighting, could be mistaken for characters found on a very popular TV drama on the AMC network.

Absolutely not. Why? I think we’ve moved beyond that. I'm all in for a strong police presence. I think the homeless issue downtown has got a little out of control, but it's too much like "Big Brother" looking over your shoulder watching every single move you make.
Jim Cook
Aptos | Retired