Several years ago, I was having lunch with U.S. Rep. Sam Farr, who mentioned between bites that he would soon meet with a class of students from Mount Madonna School during one of their periodic visits to Capitol Hill.

Farr must have seen me stifle a yawn, because he seemed to read my mind: “No. You don’t get it. What they do at Mount Madonna School is something different. It’s something that is known around the Capitol as the best program in the nation.”

Call it fate, luck or chance that my fellow Obsessive Beauty writer Christa Martin and I happened to be in New York City at the same time. Our paths would only cross there by one day however, so it was imperative that we cram as much shopping as possible into a single 24-hour period. With much pre-planning and a trusty iPhone to guide us, we navigated the world class shopping streets of SoHo like native New Yorkers.

The House of Representatives passed a resolution on June 9 recognizing June 8 as World Ocean Day. The resolution, authored by 17th District Congressman Sam Farr, codifies official opinion of the house on the direct link of climate change to the oceans and the need for policies supporting ecosystem-based management. Following the passage, Farr released a statement heralding the event as a good step on the path towards national ocean policy, but highlighted the need for comprehensive federal legislation at a time when over fishing, ocean acidification and the gulf disaster threaten the health and stability of the oceans for generations. “I truly hope we won’t have to wait much longer for action,” says Farr. “I call on the president to step up to the plate and display leadership on this vital issue.”

Man, what with the current Batman and Robin comic series, the awesome Christopher Nolan flicks and that whole “Return of Bruce Wayne” thing, it really is a great time to be into all things Batman. Actually now that I think about it, aside from those dark days during the Schumacher era its never been a bad time to be a fan of the caped crusader.

This week Bats hits yet another major milestone as his self titled monthly reaches the ripe old age of 700 issues and DC is pulling out all the stops. With artwork supplied by Andy Kubert, Tony Daniel and Frank Quitely (yes!), good old Grant Morrison tackles the comic with a story that’s been kept tight under wraps – the synopsis is pretty simple revealing only that all 3 men to have donned the cape and cowl are featured to some extent. Bruce Wayne (past), Dick Grayson (present), and Damian Wayne (future). Whatever it turns out to be, I’ve already started to prepare my mind for the inevitable blowing of. Just to sweeten the deal (and lighten up the wallet), there are two covers for the book – one featuring art by David Finch (shown here) and another provided by Mike Mignola (the Hellboy dude).

Of course, there are a bunch of other comics coming out this week too but sorry fellas, you’re taking the backseat to this one.

Hawaiian history looks great, less filling, in ‘Princess Ka’iulani’
She is a cultural heroine in Hawaii. The last princess of the royal line, she fought with poise and determination to preserve Hawaiian independence even as American military and political forces were robbing the islands of their self-governing sovereignty. She exists in a historical moment blighted by unsavory skullduggery on the part of the United States that most Americans deserve to know more about. Hers is an epic story of gender, race, class, heartbreak, perseverance, and unswerving courage.

Remember Play It Again, Sam, when the spirit of Bogie coaches Woody Allen to be tough and cool in the face of life’s challenges? It’s a similar deal in Ken Loach’s sly urban comedy Looking For Eric, where Loach’s sad-sack, midlife protagonist turns for inspiration to legendary soccer great Eric Cantona. Loach, the prolific British director best known for gritty, slice-of-life realism dramas (Ladybird, Ladybird; My Name Is Joe; The Wind That Shakes The Barley) lightens up here with unexpected elements of comedy, fantasy, and romance. There’s a dark side to the story, of course, and plenty of raucous profanity, but mostly, this is a funny, upbeat film about conquering one’s inner loser and going for the goal. Steve Evets is solid and crackling with nervy energy as Eric Bishop, a postal worker in industrial Manchester at the end of his short fuse.

Films This Week
Check out the movies playing around town.
With reviews and trailers.

Is desalination the answer? Local parties sound off.
The city of Santa Cruz plans to build a desalination plant to offset water deficits during the worst summer droughts—the kind that hit once every 10 to 30 years. Models predict that if Santa Cruz continues to grow, and UC Santa Cruz expands, we will be left bone dry—at least if current water use trends continue during the driest of all summers.

When Santa Cruz doesn’t need the water, the Soquel Creek Water District will run the desalination plant, supplementing underground water reserves that have dipped dangerously low due to prior over-use. Soquel aquifers now face the danger of saltwater intrusion from the Bay, which could damage water quality indefinitely. This is why the district needs to find an alternative water supply, or perhaps heighten conservation and the regulation of pumping from competing private wells, depending on who you ask.

Local cyclists raise money to help fight diabetes

I don’t know about you, but I’m not a huge fan of diabetes.

In fact, I’d go so far as to say I am staunchly anti-diabetes. Not only has its prevalence doubled in the last 10 years, costing about $174 billion in direct and indirect costs, but diabetes also ranks as the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. Worldwide, diabetes affects some 246 million people, and that number is projected to climb to 380 million by 2025. Shortly put, diabetes is a pretty big problem. Luckily for all those opposed to Diabetes mellitus, a team of Santa Cruz and Scott Valley cyclists, Team OTC, has raised almost $12,000 in the last three weeks for the Tour de Cure benefit ride to fund the fight against diabetes.

Plus Letters to Good Times…
Thanks, Friend
More Gore
Best of the Online Comments
It’s the hot issue at the moment—the proposed Desalination Plant in Santa Cruz. Here’s the lowdown: The city of Santa Cruz has plans to create a desalination plant, which would offset water deficits. Those deficits are created in drought-ridden summer months, but if the city continues to grow—hello UC Santa Cruz—some believe water supplies will be further taxed. The desalination plant will remove millions of gallons of seawater each day but, some note, only about half that amount will be converted into drinkable water. The rest of the brine will be transported to a water plant and then blended with treated wastewater, and then put back in the bay. The issue has both sides debating the significance of the plant. This week, writer Amy Coombs presented the issue—and a number of questions—to community activists and water district representatives. You may find what they each share rather illuminating. It all unfolds in this week’s cover story. Dive in. Continue to send us your thoughts on the Desalination Plant issue to le*****@gt******.com. Let’s keep the dialogue flowing.