Plus Letters to the Editor
For those of you who were enjoying life in the ’80s, you may find this week’s cover story on Santa Cruzan Graeme Devine interesting. The Scotland-born computer game designer and programmer, who currently operates out of NextSpace, is at the helm of GRL Games, and a variety of his creations can now be found in the App Store. But Devine’s interest in developing games stems back 34 years and he actually got his start working for Atari when he was just a teenager. The evolution of his unique career, and the immense popularity of gaming today, is highlighted in the article, which you can find on. My first video game experience was Pong. Ms. PacMan, Space Invaders, and then other quirky outings followed. And you? Read on …
In News this week take note of an article on an intriguing program created by a local that aims to guide people who live with a disability. UC Santa Cruz alumna Amy Sheppard, who lives with cerebral palsy and has used a wheelchair her entire life, launched AmysAccessReports.com. The website is similar to Yelp, but it reviews businesses based on their accessibility to those who have a disability. Think of it as the go-to list for learning which retail stores, restaurants and other businesses are accessible.
Also in News is a report on the Homeward Bound Project, which is slated to use funds offered by the Santa Cruz City Council to aid more than 300 homeless here in nabbing a bus ride home.
Meanwhile, catch up on all the theater events happening. Lisa Jensen reviews “A Chorus Line,” now playing at Cabrillo Stage —I think it’s one of the company’s best productions to date. There is also a preview of several Shakespeare Santa Cruz shows, opening this week, too.
Over in Music, locals may appreciate the return of the surf-rock musings of The Expendables, which take on The Catalyst this week. Also in town: The Mother Hips.
What’s left? Summer is full of too many festivities to list, but be sure to check out our Calendar this week, for a quick rundown. In the meantime, enjoy the days ahead.
Thanks for reading.
Have a great week.
Greg Archer | Editor-in-Chief
Letters to the Editor
Money, ‘Boardwalk Empire’ and Fred Swanton
All to often we view the money that a man has made rather than his actual accomplishments. Fred generated accomplishments that will create Santa Cruz’s history forever. When I am at the beach located at the end of 7th Avenue, the winter surf shows the relics of the Fred Swanton by-gone era, the old support beams of a train track that spanned the beachfront property from Santa Cruz to Capitola. Thank you, Fred Swanton.
William Horn
Santa Cruz
Online Comments
On ‘Speaking to the Voiceless’ …
Is anyone else confused? Is Don Lane doing a flip-flop? Why aren’t the three Council members named (Robinson, Bryant, Coonerty) who initiated these proposals while Lane gets the mention? Lane and Beiers (HSC board members) were noticeably very quiet on these same issues at the time, then spoke out against them as targeting the “homeless.” Now, Lane is carrying the flag and waving it, including “bus tickets” home. It must re-election time.
—Don Honda
I began representing/advocating for about six severely disabled homeless people in June 2012. Many have severe emotional disabilities. Why has the City of Santa Cruz, even Mayor Don Lane, and the County of Santa Cruz been uncooperative in helping me advocate for these emotionally disabled chronically homeless people? Why have the City and County of Santa Cruz been frustrating my efforts while they increase funding for their own mental health outreach?
—John E. Colby
On the 180/180 Homeless campaign’ …
What would make such a program really worthwhile would be if the residents have to work to get housing. Even something as simple as gardening, or picking up litter in our shared public spaces. Nothing restores self-esteem like working. Surely our parks & rec or public works departments could use the (traded) labor.
—Xanthippe
On ‘Pacific Avenue—One Way or Two Way’ …
Pacific Avenue was two-way in the beginning. We changed it to one-way to make room for larger sidewalks. Being two-way, I think would make access to both ends of the mall easier but I’m not sure how we would go about going back from which we came? We would have to take back some sidewalk and I’m not sure how popular that would be. Being a pedestrain-only mall just doesnt seem realistic. The only cost-effective way to deal with this right now, I think, would be to leave it alone. How much would it cost to return Pacific to a two-way street? I don’t even want to think about it.
—Rich
On Burning Man/‘Beyond Black Rock City’ …’
Expectations are dashed, consumerism is gone, creativity is abundant and child-like play is encouraged. What more could anyone ask for in a week away from the rat race. In a surreal city, who needs drugs?
—Guest
Correction
In a recent article on La Cigare Volant, GT incorrrectly listed the phone number, the correct phone number is 831-425-6771.
