All too often these days I feel like I’m living in a dream–a bad one.
Did I really just see a mixed martial arts fight on the White House lawn and some guy throwing up at the Lincoln Memorial? Did a battle winner really just call Michelle Obama a man during his White House celebration and no one had the dignity or respect for the office and our country to say it was classless and wrong?
It’s like the movie Idiocracy has come true (if you haven’t seen it, you really should. It’s a perfect symbol of our time).
Which leads me to our cover story, about a local author and media figure who has a novel coming out, claiming that a teenage slave girl wrote the Declaration of Independence.
My first thought was that it’s crazy and so unbelievable as to be ludicrous.
But then I look at what just passed for our national 250th anniversary celebration and I think, OK, it’s no more absurd than our daily happenings. And it’s definitely better stated, better written, more carefully thought out and no less crazy than thinking that the founding fathers whose message was that we all are created equal, owned slaves and gave no rights to women.
It’s a challenging topic, one that could be a huge hit for the writer Wallace Baine, whose first novel does what a work of fiction should do: it’s an imaginary tale that helps you see the truth.
Steve Kettmann’s cover story introduces us to the concepts and the writer behind them (Baine has worked all over Santa Cruz as a writer, including here at Good Times.)
And as crazy as this one sounds, let’s not forget that the 2012 movie Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter was a hit. (And if you happen to search it, the most popular question from Google users asks whether it’s based on fact!)
The timing for Baine’s book is perfect, as people are considering the birthday of our nation and its democratic ideals.
On other fronts: the death of Oliver Tree is shaking the music community. He was set to play the UCSC Quarry this summer, a return of sorts, since he was born here and went to school here before moving to L.A. If you haven’t heard him, check out his YouTube videos. He was mind-bending.
For another interesting artist, who goes beyond normal expectations, check out Brett Dennen Wednesday at the Felton Music Hall. It’s a sit-down show where not only does he play music, but he also shows his paintings and gets the audience involved in talking about the artworks. Different concept, for sure. (Anyone remember when Joseph Arthur painted while playing a set at the Santa Cruz Blues Festival?)
Good news for Asian food lovers: a new market and restaurant have opened at Brown Valley Ranch. And the city gets its first sake tasting room. More in the dining column.
Thanks for reading and get out on the town for a good time.
Brad Kava | Editor
PHOTO CONTEST
PELIGROSO A massive wave breaks over the harbor jetty. Photograph by Jim Sklenar
GOOD IDEA
Serenity House to Host Santa Cruz Fundraiser at Chaminade.
Serenity House Oakland will bring its mission of healing, recovery and community support to Santa Cruz on June 20 with an afternoon fundraiser at Chaminade Resort & Spa.
Founded in 2009 as a grassroots volunteer effort, the nonprofit now operates three homes and provides counseling, outreach and support programs for women and children escaping domestic violence, homelessness and addiction.
“Our ultimate goal is independence,” said Development Director Valerie Harder. “We help women stabilize after traumatic situations and begin rebuilding their lives.”
The event will feature stories from former clients — including women who later became Serenity House staff members — alongside opportunities for sponsorships and donations to support Serenity House programs.
GOOD WORK
Eleven Pajaro Valley Unified School District students from Watsonville will experience one of the world’s biggest sporting events: the FIFA World Cup.
Through PVUSD’s partnership with America SCORES, these students earned the opportunity to attend the World Cup as part of a program that combines soccer, leadership development, literacy, and community service.
For many of these students, this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and an opportunity to see firsthand how dedication, teamwork, and perseverance can open doors to extraordinary opportunities.
