How one UCSC marine biologist with a lifelong passion for whales is saving them from ship strikes on the other side of the world Asha de Vos was perched precariously above the deck of the Odyssey, a research vessel in the Indian Ocean. She had been trying to climb 80 feet up the ship’s mast, into...

Lake Street Dive has blown up since last year’s Santa Cruz show As lead singer Rachel Price opens her lips for one of Lake Street Dive’s breakup or love songs, she croons tales of love, heartbreak, and disappointment. “I get your messages, I read them all aloud,” she sings in the opening lines of “Stop Your...

With busking beginnings, Spirit Family Reunion looks forward to its third album When washboard player Stephen Weinheimer answers the phone, he and his bandmates are on their way to Schubas Tavern in Chicago—a gig they are thrilled about. Weinheimer assures me it’s a perfect time to talk, despite my suspicions that he may actually be the...

Our food writer returns from the east coast with a reinstated love for bagels If this column inspires some of you to delete your gluten-free program for a day and run out to The Bagelry for a Duke (apple butter, cream cheese and cashews) then my work is done. Here’s to the bagel—everybody’s ethnic comfort food....

‘My Old Lady’ is a surprisingly bittersweet inheritance comedy set in Paris From the poster, you might mistake My Old Lady for some sort of twinkly, cross-cultural comedy. Stars Kevin Kline, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Maggie Smith are pictured looking arch, coy, and adorable, respectively. Despite their nationalities, the setting is obviously Paris (see prominent location...

It's the longest wharf on the West Coast.Britt HobergSanta Cruz  |  Wharf Construction Crew Leader           That it’s constantly moving because of all the pillars underground, so that’s why it didn’t get banged up in the earthquake.Zack YoungSanta Cruz  |  Bartender/Waiter           The wharf used to have an...

Digging Deeper California recently joined the rest of the western states with new efforts to make water districts siphon their groundwater more sustainably. Three new bills signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown on Sept. 16 prompt water districts drawing from one of the state’s 500 basins to form local groundwater management agencies, and draft long-term...

My husband and I often head to Carmel and try different places to stay. This time we had an overnight at Vendange—an elegant wine-themed hotel close to the center of Carmel. Vendange general manager Jonathan Lee came up with the innovative idea of partnering with local wineries to showcase their wines. Suites and other rooms are...

Films This WeekCheck out the movies playing around town.Movie Times click here.Santa Cruz area movie theaters > ....... New This WeekANNABELLE Move over, Chucky. The creepiest onscreen doll since Talky Tina lurks at the center of this horror shock-fest. The trouble begins when a young husband buys an unfortunate gift for his pregnant wife. Ward Horton,...