Local scientist Frank Drake helps answer extraterrestrial quandaries at first annual SETICon
Are we alone in the universe? That question, which has long stirred the passions and interests of people around the world, will be the topic of discussion, debate and celebration at a three-day-long event taking place this weekend in Santa Clara. The first ever “SETICon” will bring together scientists, writers, artists, actors, and members of the public to explore the possibility that that there is life beyond what we know to exist on Earth.
This month’s special election will bring an end to the tumultuous race for the 15th Senate District seat
If you have turned on the television, opened a newspaper, or switched on the radio in the last three months, chances are you’ve heard the names John Laird and Sam Blakeslee. Their bitter battle for California’s 15th State Senate District seat has been highly publicized and hard to miss. The special election that will end the race is Aug. 17.
It all started on April 27, 2010, when Republican Abel Maldonado vacated his 15th District seat to assume office as lieutenant governor of California. Republican Blakeslee,
Democrat Laird, Independent Jim Fitzgerald, and Libertarian Mark Hinkle entered the fray for the 15th District seat, which includes parts of Monterey, Santa Clara, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz counties (including Scotts Valley, Mt. Hermon, East Zayante, Summit Area, Pasatiempo, Happy Valley, Soquel Hills, Aptos Hills, Rio Del Mar, La Selva Beach, Seascape, Corralitos, Aromas and Watsonville).
In a move that outraged democrats, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger opted to hold a special primary election for the seat on June 22, rather than combining it with the November general election. In the special election, Blakeslee took 49.4 percent of the vote to Laird’s 41.8 percent, but no one received the 50 percent majority necessary to win the seat outright. Fitzgerald and Hinkle garnered 5.9 and 2.9 percent of the vote, respectively, and all four candidates will appear on the ballot for the Aug. 17 run-off election.
The upcoming election date will at last put an end to the drama and smear campaigning that has marked this election. Laird, who is a former Santa Cruz mayor and 27th District Assemblymember, has portrayed Blakeslee as a big oil advocate, funded by big oil companies who “know they can count on oilman Sam Blakeslee to keep voting for more drilling off California’s coast,” as said in one of Laird’s television ads.
Blakeslee, who is the former 33rd District Assemblymember, has run ads stating, “Times are tough enough without politicians like John Laird” and depicting Laird as the “tax man.” Both have blasted their opponent’s negative tactics and claimed to be falsely represented.
Along this vein, Good Times asked, in emails to Laird and Blakeslee, “What would you say is the public’s (or your opponent’s) biggest misconception about your campaign?”
Blakeslee responded, “The biggest misinformation has been about my record on environmental protection. My opponent wrongly claimed I was an oil executive. I was not. In fact, I was a research scientist and managed company budgets. He then asserted that I support opening the coast to drilling. I do not.”
Laird responded that, “No major taxes were raised during the time I was in the legislature.”
GT then asked if the candidates believe their opponents have run an honest campaign. Laird responded with the following: “My opponent has been a no-show in this campaign. Unless you’ve paid money at the door, had a private meeting or had a spontaneous interaction with him somewhere, you haven’t had access to him in this campaign. After he first agreed to my offer to debate, he only committed to debates that take place after a large majority of the voters have voted via absentee ballot. He has benefited from nearly $2 million in attack ads against me, most of which were financed directly by his campaign or by special interests including Big Tobacco, Big Oil, Big Pharmaceutical, Big Banking and Big Insurance.”
Blakeslee answered that he has “worked very hard to run an honest campaign.”
“Every piece of information we present to the public is thoroughly researched and citations [are] provided for voters [so they] can themselves verify the facts,” he writes. “While I am concerned about some of my opponent’s representations regarding my views on the environment, I trust the voters to see through the attacks and understand my record as a leading voice to protect the environment.”
Both candidates listed creating a responsible budget as their first order of business upon getting elected, and when asked, “What are the three most pressing issues in your district?” both candidates mentioned jobs and education. Where they differed: Blakeslee added agriculture, writing “The Central Coast has some of the most pristine rural landscapes in the state. Working agriculture helps preserve this precious open space while also providing jobs across the district. Our environment, our economy and our rural way of life require that we aggressively defend agriculture here on the coast.”
Laird spoke of “making sure that state parks are adequately funded.”
“There are as many state parks on the Central Coast as almost anywhere in California,” he writes. “They anchor our visitor-serving local economy. A recent study shows that every time a state park is visited, that visitor spends on average $57 in the surrounding community. I authored the original proposal to fully fund our state parks and allow free access to cars registered in California—I support the similar proposal that is on the ballot in November.”
Early voting in this election is already under way. Santa Cruz voters can pick up a ballot and vote at the counter at the Santa Cruz Elections Department (831) 454-2060 and the Watsonville City Clerk’s Office (831) 768-3040.
For those who have yet to vote, all four candidates have agreed to participate in a forum, co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the Santa Cruz Weekly newspaper, which will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12. KION-TV will also broadcast the debate and post coverage on its website, kionrightnow.com.
With millions of people unemployed, why did it take so long for Congress to approve an extension OF unemployment benefits?
On July 22, President Barack Obama signed into law a bill that extends unemployment insurance for millions of Americans who have lost their jobs. Congress, of course, is made up of the Senate and the House. Until both chambers agree, we can’t accomplish anything. That’s why it was so maddening that Senate Republicans held up the extension of benefits for seven weeks.
People like me who put words on paper are always looking for a trend. I had an English teacher in college who said clues in literature and life come in threes. Later I met a cop who said he didn’t believe in coincidences at all and that CIA agents who don’t see trends are, generally, dead CIA agents.
Following that advice, then, it’s significant that I came across exactly six people in Santa Cruz one day last week who all wanted to discuss the economy. One was a guy who, like me, has spent most of his life in a “legacy” business that’s struggling in the so-called new economy. Another was a guy who was sharply focused on
Composer Michael Shapiro finds inspiration at the Beach Boardwalk Whether you know everything or nothing about contemporary orchestral music, Santa Cruz locals will appreciate the West Coast premiere of world-renowned composer Michael Shapiro’s latest work, “Roller Coaster,” when it’s performed at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music on Saturday, Aug. 14. The four-minute piece, inspired by the Giant Dipper roller coaster at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and The Cyclone at Coney Island, mimics the noises, emotions and overall atmosphere that we experience at a theme park.
Tips on how to book a show at The Abbey Coffee, Art & Music Lounge Tucked away behind Vintage Faith Church at 350 Mission Street, The Abbey Coffee, Art & Music Lounge has helped ignite a bit of a singer-songwriter revolution in Santa Cruz. Celebrating its second anniversary this month, The Abbey is a family-friendly, nonprofit venue, owned and operated by the church. With a built-in Sunday crowd, the venue showcases an eclectic blend of local and touring musicians.
A coffee house first, The Abbey only showcases music on Saturday and Sunday evenings, with a rare Friday night performance for special occasions. Volunteer booker Bennett Gibson works for Apple by day and handles booking by night. Gibson prefers e-mails that are short and to the point. Include your band name and a link to your music for a more immediate response. Still trying to keep its own head above water, The Abbey has no budget to pay artists yet, but you can sell your merch (no house cut) and the audience is known to be generous with a tip jar. The bottomless coffee cup can also be a perk for those who enjoy a coffee buzz in the evening.
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‘Countdown To Zero’ an urgent wake-up call for nuclear disarmament What with the economy, the still-bleeding ulcer of wars in the Middle East, the horrific Gulf oil spill, and the ongoing crisis of global warming, it’s tough to make room on one’s plate for any more urgent issues. But instead of trying to scrape open a little wedge on that plate, you might as well grab an ice cream scoop and plop the issue of nuclear disarmament smack on top of all the others, according to Lucy Walker’s profoundly disturbing and persuasive documentary, Countdown To Zero.
Plus Letters to Good Times The Beat Goes On Curtain Up August has blown in and so have the fall fashions. That only means one thing for GT’s Features Editor, Christa Martin—compiling our annual Fashion Issue. And this year has proven to be our biggest fashion endeavor yet. Local designers, local fashionistas, local fashions—and more … it’s all here. There are perks, too—as in prizes. See the end of the cover story for that information, or check on page three. Beyond that, if you already haven’t done so, visit GT’s Obsessive Beauty blog online, which Martin and GT scribe Leslie Patrick launched earlier this year. There’s more—so dive in and enjoy.
NEW CONTEST: Visit the latest Obsessive Beauty blog and enter to win the latest contest. Deadline is Aug. 24.
Winners announced from the Aug. 18 contest. (See Below.)
ANNOUNCEMENT: Because this contest has been such a hit, GT will be running a weekly fashion/beauty giveway contest here on Obsessive Beauty. Check back next week to enter to win the first prize.
Like what you saw in the pages of GT’s fashion issue? Then things will only get better for you. For the first time ever, we’re offering a slew of free giveaways, items featured in this Fashion Issue, all for free.
Here’s what to do: Leave a comment here on the Obsessive Beauty, Win It or Wear It Contest blog, or, go to the Fashion Issue cover story online and leave a comment. Tell us what you were obsessed about from the Fashion Issue and you’ll be entered to win one of the following prizes:
Local scientist Frank Drake helps answer extraterrestrial quandaries at first annual SETICon Are we alone in the universe? That question, which has long stirred the passions and interests of people around the world, will be the topic of discussion, debate and celebration at a three-day-long event taking place this weekend in Santa Clara. The first ever “SETICon” will...
With millions of people unemployed, why did it take so long for Congress to approve an extension OF unemployment benefits? On July 22, President Barack Obama signed into law a bill that extends unemployment insurance for millions of Americans who have lost their jobs. Congress, of course, is made up of the Senate and the House. Until both chambers...
People like me who put words on paper are always looking for a trend. I had an English teacher in college who said clues in literature and life come in threes. Later I met a cop who said he didn’t believe in coincidences at all and that CIA agents who don’t see trends are, generally, dead CIA agents. Following...
Composer Michael Shapiro finds inspiration at the Beach BoardwalkWhether you know everything or nothing about contemporary orchestral music, Santa Cruz locals will appreciate the West Coast premiere of world-renowned composer Michael Shapiro’s latest work, “Roller Coaster,” when it’s performed at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music on Saturday, Aug. 14. The four-minute piece, inspired by the Giant Dipper roller...
Tips on how to book a show at The Abbey Coffee, Art & Music LoungeTucked away behind Vintage Faith Church at 350 Mission Street, The Abbey Coffee, Art & Music Lounge has helped ignite a bit of a singer-songwriter revolution in Santa Cruz. Celebrating its second anniversary this month, The Abbey is a family-friendly, nonprofit venue, owned and operated...
Privacy policy: We will never sell, share or publish your contact information.Items appearing on gtweekly.com and its subsites are protected by federal copyright laws. Material may not be copied, reprinted or reposted without written permission from the publisher. Linking and deep linking are acceptable, as well as fair use. RULES FOR USE OF THE Good Times WEB SITEThe Good...
'Countdown To Zero' an urgent wake-up call for nuclear disarmament What with the economy, the still-bleeding ulcer of wars in the Middle East, the horrific Gulf oil spill, and the ongoing crisis of global warming, it's tough to make room on one's plate for any more urgent issues. But instead of trying to scrape open a little wedge on...
Plus Letters to Good TimesThe Beat Goes OnCurtain UpAugust has blown in and so have the fall fashions. That only means one thing for GT’s Features Editor, Christa Martin—compiling our annual Fashion Issue. And this year has proven to be our biggest fashion endeavor yet. Local designers, local fashionistas, local fashions—and more ... it’s all here. There are perks,...
NEW CONTEST: Visit the latest Obsessive Beauty blog and enter to win the latest contest. Deadline is Aug. 24. Winners announced from the Aug. 18 contest. (See Below.) ANNOUNCEMENT: Because this contest has been such a hit, GT will be running a weekly fashion/beauty giveway contest here on Obsessive Beauty. Check back next week to...
Local scientist Frank Drake helps answer extraterrestrial quandaries at first annual SETICon 
This month’s special election will bring an end to the tumultuous race for the 15th Senate District seat
The upcoming election date will at last put an end to the drama and smear campaigning that has marked this election. Laird, who is a former Santa Cruz mayor and 27th District Assemblymember, has portrayed Blakeslee as a big oil advocate, funded by big oil companies who “know they can count on oilman Sam Blakeslee to keep voting for more drilling off California’s coast,” as said in one of Laird’s television ads.
With millions of people unemployed, why did it take so long for Congress to approve an extension OF unemployment benefits?
People like me who put words on paper are always looking for a trend. I had an English teacher in college who said clues in literature and life come in threes. Later I met a cop who said he didn’t believe in coincidences at all and that CIA agents who don’t see trends are, generally, dead CIA agents.
Composer Michael Shapiro finds inspiration at the Beach Boardwalk
Tips on how to book a show at The Abbey Coffee, Art & Music Lounge
‘Countdown To Zero’ an urgent wake-up call for nuclear disarmament 
Plus Letters to Good Times
