On Feb. 26, 2013, Sgt. Loran ‘Butch’ Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler lost their lives in the line of duty. One year later, in the midst of heightened awareness around local crime and safety, the Santa Cruz community continues the collective healing process
Wednesday Feb. 26 marks the one-year anniversary of the fatal shootings of Sgt. Loran “Butch” Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler. Members of the wider Santa Cruz County community will likely be reflecting on the lives of the Santa Cruz police officers, the loss of which, coupled with an immense sadness for their deaths and heightened concern for public safety, have kindled a profound sense of emotional solidarity locally.
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We are now under the influence and light of Pisces—the Light that saves the world, sign of World Saviors. Pisces is the last sign in the zodiac ending the zodiacal year. Pisces gathers all gifts, transgressions, vicissitudes, talents and wonders of the eleven previous signs, placing them in Neptune’s waters where distinctions dissolve, hard edges soften, separative behaviors unite. All the determined individualities merge into a chalice of Oneness. 
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The Red Light District isn’t your grandmother’s band—unless, of course, your grandmother happened to see The Doors perform at the Whisky A Go Go in Los Angeles in 1966. The local four-piece’s rock music swirls with a grinding groove and is punctuated by lead singer Steve Sam’s poetic lyricism, guttural cries and leather pants. Sam and lead guitarist Galdino Guijosa (aka Nano) went to high school together in Salinas, but the two didn’t dream of forming a band until they found themselves living together years later in Monterey. According to the wild-haired Sam, the move to Santa Cruz a few years ago was inevitable.
Editor’s note: Charles Atkinson has lived in Santa Cruz for 40 years. He is the author of five prize-winning volumes of poetry. The poems included here are from his most recent collection, “World News, Local Weather,” from Finishing Line Press (2013). To contact the author, email 
Well, I’ve always felt pretty safe in Santa Cruz, and although that was a shattering experience for our community, I still feel pretty safe here. I think we have a great sense of togetherness, really good support services for homeless people and others, and I think I feel no less secure now than I did a year ago.
Local experts and organizations react to the recently passed, and long overdue, federal Farm Bill
