Charges Announced in Cyclist Death

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blog bikesVehicular manslaughter charges brought forth in case that killed a local cyclist 

The Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office will charge a 63-year-old motorist with vehicular manslaughter for the crash that killed a local cyclist.

Josh Alper, 40, was struck and killed while biking southbound on Highway 1 near Davenport on Nov. 2.  

Navindra Jain of Santa Cruz was driving northbound when he veered into oncoming traffic and crossed over into the bicycle line, hitting Alper. Jain has previously told authorities he fell asleep at the wheel driving home from religious services in Milpitas. He remained at the scene after the crash and spoke with authorities there.

Wednesday, after a lengthy investigation into the crash, prosecutors said they would charge Jain with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. The charge is different from felony gross vehicular manslaughter, which requires evidence that the person acted in such a reckless way that it creates a high risk of death.

Jain has not yet been arraigned.

Mercury Retrograde in Pisces: Reflection and Review

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RisaNewSThursday, Feb. 6, Mercury makes its first 2014 retrograde (from 3 Pisces to 18 Aquarius). We’re familiar with generalized guidelines for Mercury retro. No major purchases, signing contracts, buying homes or cars, expectations of being heard/understood, strange driving and drivers, less and less understanding, messages not received, misunderstandings, etc. Mercury retrograde times can be magical, comedic, absurd, otherworldly, unreal and unbelievable. Actually Mercury retro (and all retrogrades) is a time of rest and recollection, of integration, assessment and review.

Tales of the Vine

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GT020614How gonzo journalist Rak Razam met his maker in the Peruvian Amazon—and lived to tell about it   

In the summer of 2006, an Australian journalist named Rak Razam ventured to South America to put together a story on Amazonian shamanism for Australian Penthouse. In the thick of the Peruvian jungle, he repeatedly drank ayahuasca, a powerful psychedelic tea made from a vine called Banisteriopsis caapi and plant leaves containing the hallucinogenic compound DMT. Legally recognized by the Peruvian government as a sacred medicine and a national treasure, ayahuasca is said to detoxify the body and mind and imbue its drinkers with a sense of connection to the Divine.

Seeing the Light

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event Muriel AndersonMuriel Anderson’s new double album puts a rockin’ spin on children’s lullabies

A lot can happen in 25 years. Just ask Muriel Anderson. In 1989, the guitarist/harp-guitarist released her debut album, Heartstrings, and became the first woman to ever win the National Fingerpicking Guitar Championship. Since then, she has been part of more than three dozen albums, compilations, DVDs and music books, and her music was featured in the Woody Allen film, Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

The Joint Chiefs

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event LYLB Joint ChiefsDuring the Persian Gulf War in 1990, local guitarist Don Caruth was working a construction job in San Jose when his best friend Ken Colby (aka KC) phoned him and told him to hurry over. KC had been bringing some friends together for a new unnamed musical project that focused on roots funk music. Minutes before Caruth arrived, KC and the other band members overheard a television newscaster say, in reference to the war, “the Joint Chiefs are in session.” KC knew they had stumbled upon the band’s name.

Organic Red, White and Blues

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ae BozRock legend (and vintner) Boz Scaggs returns to Santa Cruz

After an explosive set by Tower of Power at the 2011 Aptos Blues Festival, Grammy Award-winning Boz Scaggs took the stage. Channeling almost 50 years of musical experience into a transcendent set—Scaggs’ guitar playing was scintillating—his trademark tenor voice on such hits as “Lowdown” and “Lido Shuffle” had aged like a fine Rhône wine. “That was a good day. That’s a great festival you got there,” says Scaggs from his home just above Napa Valley.

Skip ahead to 2013 when Scaggs’ first album in five years, Memphis, was released. On it, a cover of Mink DeVille’s “Mixed Up, Shook Up Girl” resonates with the warmth of a fireplace on a rainy afternoon. Memphis seamlessly blends soul, funk and R&B into a vintage sound, and it’s obvious that from stage to studio, Scaggs is one of America’s most gifted performers.

Coming Up Short

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news1 laborshortageAn agricultural labor shortage plagues Pajaro Valley farms

Abandoning acre upon acre of fruits and vegetables that are ripe and ready for harvesting because of a shortfall in laborers is a scenario no farmer expects, especially in an economic environment with high levels of unemployment. But according to a number of growers in the Pajaro Valley, such as Tim Driscoll, farm manager at Su Talun Farms, this has become the status quo in recent years.

Voices of Lower Pacific

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blog arenaEmployees at Lower Pacific Avenue businesses weigh in on what it is like to work in the area

Just a few blocks inland from Santa Cruz’s sought-after coastline, Downtown Santa Cruz boasts a wealth of offerings. Yet, the portion of this bustling city center that is nearest to the beach has, historically, been viewed as having the most troubles.

Today, the stretch—where Pacific Avenue and Laurel Street intersect—is a hotbed of change. The storefront next to Taco Bell, once a glass shop, is now vacant. The Asti’s new neighbor, KC’s Sports Bar and Lounge, is set to open Sunday, Feb. 23, replacing The Avenue Bar, which was forced to liquidate in 2012.

Then there are the city’s efforts to improve the area. The Kaiser Permanente Arena, which opened Dec. 23, 2012 with an inaugural Warriors basketball game, has brought added foot traffic to the tract. Future changes may stem from the city’s attempt to collaborate with nearby businesses to light the walkway along the San Lorenzo River levee, and the surveying of parking conditions in the lower downtown region to determine the zone’s need for a new parking structure. Despite the changes, crime remains a long-standing concern in the area.

Mother, May I?

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ae hands worryNew exhibit explores the intersection of motherhood and art

Dreams of giving birth to nine-pound pears or shape-shifting rabbit babies were not uncommon for Irene Lusztig during her pregnancy. Anxiety dreams of this nature could enter her head any night of the week. She couldn’t help but wonder if that was normal. Were other mothers experiencing the same thing?

“The anxiety dreams that women have when they are pregnant had me thinking about the things that are OK or not OK to say about motherhood,” explains Lusztig. “Almost all women experience these dreams and I wanted to collect them to start a conversation that many women feel they have to suppress.”

Are you worried about radiation in seafood?

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lt kirkI am very worried about the radiation that’s coming from Fukushima, and I don’t know how it’s showing up—whether it’s in seafood, or just through the air. But I think we are being impacted. I’ll bet you if we checked with the local hospitals on people’s lymphs and things like that … I know I’ve experienced a little of that and I’m having some tests. I’m not eating any fish.

Kirk Hatfield
Santa Cruz | Writer

Charges Announced in Cyclist Death

Vehicular manslaughter charges brought forth in case that killed a local cyclist  The Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office will charge a 63-year-old motorist with vehicular manslaughter for the crash that killed a local cyclist. Josh Alper, 40, was struck and killed while biking southbound on Highway 1 near Davenport on Nov. 2.   Navindra Jain of Santa Cruz...

Mercury Retrograde in Pisces: Reflection and Review

Thursday, Feb. 6, Mercury makes its first 2014 retrograde (from 3 Pisces to 18 Aquarius). We’re familiar with generalized guidelines for Mercury retro. No major purchases, signing contracts, buying homes or cars, expectations of being heard/understood, strange driving and drivers, less and less understanding, messages not received, misunderstandings, etc. Mercury retrograde times can be magical, comedic, absurd, otherworldly, unreal...

Tales of the Vine

How gonzo journalist Rak Razam met his maker in the Peruvian Amazon—and lived to tell about it    In the summer of 2006, an Australian journalist named Rak Razam ventured to South America to put together a story on Amazonian shamanism for Australian Penthouse. In the thick of the Peruvian jungle, he repeatedly drank ayahuasca, a powerful psychedelic tea made...

Seeing the Light

Muriel Anderson’s new double album puts a rockin’ spin on children’s lullabies A lot can happen in 25 years. Just ask Muriel Anderson. In 1989, the guitarist/harp-guitarist released her debut album, Heartstrings, and became the first woman to ever win the National Fingerpicking Guitar Championship. Since then, she has been part of more than three dozen albums, compilations, DVDs...

The Joint Chiefs

During the Persian Gulf War in 1990, local guitarist Don Caruth was working a construction job in San Jose when his best friend Ken Colby (aka KC) phoned him and told him to hurry over. KC had been bringing some friends together for a new unnamed musical project that focused on roots funk music. Minutes before Caruth arrived, KC...

Organic Red, White and Blues

Rock legend (and vintner) Boz Scaggs returns to Santa Cruz After an explosive set by Tower of Power at the 2011 Aptos Blues Festival, Grammy Award-winning Boz Scaggs took the stage. Channeling almost 50 years of musical experience into a transcendent set—Scaggs’ guitar playing was scintillating—his trademark tenor voice on such hits as “Lowdown” and “Lido Shuffle” had aged...

Coming Up Short

An agricultural labor shortage plagues Pajaro Valley farms Abandoning acre upon acre of fruits and vegetables that are ripe and ready for harvesting because of a shortfall in laborers is a scenario no farmer expects, especially in an economic environment with high levels of unemployment. But according to a number of growers in the Pajaro Valley, such as Tim...

Voices of Lower Pacific

Employees at Lower Pacific Avenue businesses weigh in on what it is like to work in the area Just a few blocks inland from Santa Cruz’s sought-after coastline, Downtown Santa Cruz boasts a wealth of offerings. Yet, the portion of this bustling city center that is nearest to the beach has, historically, been viewed as having the most troubles....

Mother, May I?

New exhibit explores the intersection of motherhood and art Dreams of giving birth to nine-pound pears or shape-shifting rabbit babies were not uncommon for Irene Lusztig during her pregnancy. Anxiety dreams of this nature could enter her head any night of the week. She couldn’t help but wonder if that was normal. Were other mothers experiencing the same thing?...

Are you worried about radiation in seafood?

I am very worried about the radiation that’s coming from Fukushima, and I don’t know how it's showing up—whether it's in seafood, or just through the air. But I think we are being impacted. I'll bet you if we checked with the local hospitals on people’s lymphs and things like that ... I know I've experienced a little of...
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