Memphis singer-songwriter, Amy LaVere, finds joy and humor in painful situations
Producer Craig Silvey likely saved singer-songwriter Amy LaVere’s life a few years back. Before recording 2011’s Stranger Me, LaVere had endured a breakup with her longtime boyfriend and was in the midst of one of those I-need-to-find-out-who-I-am phases. She knew the content for the album was going to be incredibly dark and moody, but Silvey did something which changed the course of the recording sessions entirely.
Mark Twang plays a little bit of everything—rock, roots, jazz and bluegrass for starters—but so far they haven’t played much in public as evidenced by the fact that their upcoming show at Don Quixote’s will only be their second gig. But there’s a reason why the band isn’t performing a lot right now. “We have plans [to make an album],” says drummer Jeff Wilson. “We’re trying to do some things differently though and not just come out full-steam ahead and start playing all these shows.
Pono Hawaiian Grill rolls out Hawaiian-style weekend brunch
Free Radio Santa Cruz celebrates 18 years of subversive programming
Editor’s note: For this edition of Poetry Corner, we’ve chosen to spotlight the first and second place winners of the 20th annual Santa Cruz County High School Poetry Competition: Ellie Loustalot and Erin Gudger of Harbor High School. Poetry Santa Cruz administers the annual contest, which is open to all high school students in the county.
Probably, for me, I would go mountain biking back in Soquel Demonstration Forest or Wilder [Ranch] to get away from the crowds.
A paraplegic veteran launches solo row across the Pacific
You have been facilitating renewed looks at Town Plans in your district. What is the hope in taking a fresh look at these older plans, and what has come of the discussions so far?
Another week of complex planetary energies falling to Earth. Mars interacts with Pluto (inconjunct), Uranus (sextile) and Chiron (square, challenge, ouch!). We won’t know how to comprise, we’ll want to be friends but our hurts will challenge that desire. 
