The Editor’s Desk

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November 27, 2024

Santa Cruz California editor of good times news media print and web — Brad Kava | Good Times Editor

It’s like the circus has come to town anytime John Waters hits Santa Cruz. The man whose breakthrough 1972 movie Pink Flamingos shocked everyone with a scene that featured its main character eating human feces, which led to a seriously nasty but ground-breaking movie career for the director.

He’s since made other films, including Hairspray, Female Trouble, Polyester and Cry-Baby. In what seems like an upside-down world, Hairspray became a noted Broadway musical.

Waters, who is a storyteller par excellence, has written books and made spoken word albums. For one book, he hitchhiked across the country.

He’ll do his spoken word schtick, well worth seeing here at the Rio Theatre, and he gave a preview to a perfect foil, writer Mat Weir. (No D on the end, unfortunately. Waters would have loved that.)

He’s one of three artist interviews making up our cover story.

Former Camper Van Beethoven and Monks of Doom guitarist Greg Lisher also shares some words with us about his new instrumental album, Underwater Detection Method, on which he plays a new instrument he took up during the pandemic.

His 12 cinematic songs have evocative titles like “Illusion of Depth,” “Travels Through Liguria” and “Finding the Future.” No words on his album, but plenty of words with writer John Malkin.

Then there’s hardcore quintet Scowl, who played France’s iconic Hellfest Open Air Festival in June before 280,000 people and are returning to Santa Cruz Nov. 30 for a gig at the Catalyst for a slightly smaller audience.

When we aren’t having artists talk, we have them cooking. Newly opened Jack’s Bao in Aptos gets a preview from Andrew Steingrube, who tells you what you need to know about food from Shanghai. That’s part of the beauty of Santa Cruz. Exotic food and art abound.

Much-loved Companion Bakery is branching out on the Westside. That’s good news from writer Mark C. Anderson.

And then, after all that food, you have to wonder…will 10,000 steps help beat the weight? Our Wellness column has the answers you want.

Thanks for reading and eating.

Brad Kava | Editor

PHOTO CONTEST

SEEING DOUBLE Two lighthouses and a Serengeti sunset at Twin Lakes Beach. Photograph by Hollie Clausnitzer

GOOD WORK

Santa Cruz celebrated the completion of the Downtown Beautification Project last week. This revitalization enhances the heart of downtown with fresh landscaping, new benches, refurbished site furnishings and upgraded seating areas, creating a more vibrant and welcoming space for all.

Key features include:

Repainting over 1,200 site furnishings, including lamp posts, bicycle racks and planter fences.
25 new benches.
Refurbished raised bed railings with polished brass finishes add a touch of elegance.
Enhanced landscaping, curb markings, and seating areas for improved safety and accessibility.

GOOD IDEA

eQuality Scholarship Collaborative will award $6,000 scholarships to honor and encourage Northern and Central California students for their service to the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender community. To be eligible you must be a local resident who completed or expects to complete high school or equivalent between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2025, or expect to complete community college by June 20, 2025.

More info: equalityscholarship.org

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I am grateful for what I am and have.
My Thanksgiving is perpetual.” —Henry David Thoreau

Bao Wow!

Foodie File

Andrew Steingrube

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November 27, 2024

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Serving traditional Shanghainese cuisine in a fast casual setting, Jack’s Bao founded a flagship location on Cannery Row nine months ago and parlayed that success into a second location in Aptos two months ago. Working her first restaurant job, server Mectli Rangel’s friend manages the Monterey store and thought Rangel would be a good fit to help the Aptos location gain a groundswell of local support.

Born and raised and Guanajuato, Mexico, Rangel immigrated here with her family at age 18 and says she loves the area because of the nice people and blessing of ocean proximity.

The menu at Jack’s centers around main offerings of noodles, baos and wontons. The namesake baos headline, with three types available: xiao long bao (a soup-filled dumpling), as well as steamed pork and mushroom/bok choy veggie options.

Rangel says the most popular noodle choice is the spicy noodle with pork, bok choy, green onion and cilantro rounded out with assertive heat. They also offer a Lion’s Head meatball noodle soup and a veggie option, and the wontons come either fried or in a soup with shrimp, pork and vegetable variations.

Sticky rice pudding is for dessert, and best beverages are cold teas in four flavors: rose, pineapple, lychee and jasmine.

What have your guests been saying about the food?

MECTLI RANGEL: Those that have tried our food so far have said really good things, and that they are planning to come back and bring their friends. When I serve the dishes to the tables, the guests get very excited—they love our big portions and always leave happy and full. Our staff is very friendly and we always make sure the guests are satisfied, and our cooks are also very dedicated to high quality food and kitchen cleanliness.

What inspired your family’s immigration?

They were looking for a better future for themselves and me, and they wanted me to be able to continue my education and thought that America would be the best place for that. It was a long process that took more than three years, but eventually we were able to make it here. The decision to immigrate was great for me and my parents, I feel very secure here, and it is everything I thought it would be and more.

49 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos, 831-708-4099; jackbao.com

LETTERS

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor

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November 27, 2024

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AI IN THE FUTURE

As someone who grew up in Santa Cruz and has since spent years working in the innovation-driven world of Silicon Valley, I’ve always been captivated by the interplay of peace and progress in our community.

Though our town is often seen as a sleepy coastal haven, I know firsthand that Santa Cruz is brimming with artists, innovators and revolutionary thinkers who challenge the status quo in meaningful ways.

One topic I’ve been reflecting on lately is artificial intelligence (AI) and its role in shaping the world around us. Working in Silicon Valley has given me a front-row seat to the transformative potential of AI. It’s a tool that, in my experience, holds incredible promise—not just for efficiency or innovation, but for fundamentally improving quality of life.

I’m curious how my fellow Good Times readers feel or think about it? History provides a fascinating lens through which to view rapid advancements in (artificial?) intelligence.

Consider ancient Egypt, a civilization that achieved seemingly impossible feats, like building the pyramids. Some believe these structures played a role beyond architecture, potentially providing a foundation for energy and community that supported an idyllic way of life.

Could AI be our modern-day equivalent—an opportunity to power a more connected, innovative and harmonious future? As an advocate for AI, I see it as an extension of human ingenuity rather than a threat. But like any transformative technology, it requires thoughtful adoption and a shared understanding of its possibilities.

Katie Wade | Pleasure Point

UNHAPPY WITH PROPOSED BUILDING

Our family and friends are residents of Belvedere Terrace. We are advocates of affordable housing. We are YIMBYs! But…

Our community has met several times and agrees that it is not safe to build 140 units that would be home to more than 200+ residents with only 43 parking spaces at 831 Water Street due to environmental and traffic safety concerns. The City Council agreed with us and did not approve this project on the first attempt with only one vote in favor. The only reason it passed on the second vote was legal pressure from the developer. We believe that 20 affordable units with ample living space and parking is a safer choice and fits the character of our neighborhood.

The residents of Belvedere Terrace are against the proposed changes and call for the overturn of the approval of the 831 Water Street development due to safety concerns.

Deven and Brad Stark

Things to do in Santa Cruz

Things To Do This Week

GT Staff

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November 27, 2024

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FRIDAY 11/29

SOUL

DRIFTR

Guitarists Brian Wood Capobianchi and Jamie Schnetzler (aka Joaquin Sun) combine acoustic, electric and electronic textures to create introspective music that’s equal parts organic and modern. The duo’s latest single is the contemplative “How Many Wars.” The mindful and eclectic evening also features the psychedelic grooves of Bay Area-based Sun Hop Fat, plus Paul Rubio with Inna Dagman presenting what’s billed as “songs of an Indigenous vibrational mindset.” In keeping with that theme, the concert takes place on Native American Heritage Day, and additional donations support the Santa Cruz-based Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. BILL KOPP

INFO: 8pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton. $30. 704-7113.

THEATER

MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET

As holiday stress sets in, it’s good to remember what the season’s all about: love, generosity and community. The heart-warming Christmas tale Miracle on 34th Street is based on the novel by Valentine Davies and directed by Daria E. Troxell. Things may seem uncertain, but the play advocates hope for the future, and who knows—the mall Santa Claus just might be who he claims to be. Grab a friend or loved one and remember what this time of year is all about. ISABELLA MARIE SANGALINE

INFO: 7:30pm, Park Hall, 9400 Mill St., Ben Lomond. $20-$25. 336-4777.

TRAPUNK

VANTANA ROW

Pushing the boundaries of performing music and being punk, Jamey and Volly Blaze of Vantana Row play “trapunk,” combining trap music and glitch hop with punk rock’s DIY & FU mentality. This year alone, they’ve put out seven separate releases—some solo and some in collaboration with other acts like WORMMOTHER and Dumpster Abortion. Not for the faint of heart, Vantana Row is an assault on the senses as they do “drive-by” performances in their van outside of shows, venues, cafes and more. Truly, Vantana Row is a band that needs to be experienced at least once in life, or maybe a couple of times, depending on how often they drive around the block before the cops catch up. MAT WEIR

INFO: 10:30pm, Blue Lagoon, 923 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. Free. 423-7117.

SATURDAY 11/30

ROCK

COFFIS BROTHERS

The sons of the Santa Cruz Mountains return home for a show that promises to get the boots scootin’ and the booties shakin’. Americana rockers the Coffis Brothers are putting on a special show for their new album, Kaw-Fis Bruth-Urs. While the band has been playing since 2010, brothers Jamie and Kellen have performed together and with family since childhood. Their rootsy American rock ‘n’ roll blend is seasoned with folk, country and bluesy spices a la Tom Petty, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Neil Young. Sacramento folk duo Manzanita joins in the celebratory festivities. MW

INFO: 8pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton. $25. 704-7113.

HARDCORE

SCOWL

Hardcore band Scowl will headline their hometown club on Saturday, and that locals-make-good energy should equal a blow-the-roof-off-the-place performance from a band who knows what to do with energy. Frontperson Kat Moss alternates seamlessly between a full-throated singing voice and a feral growl while the hard-driving guitars, bass and drums follow her lead. After paying proper tribute to the locals, the quintet heads out on tour across the US and helping to see them off in appropriate style is a stacked lineup featuring Male Tears, Cosmic Joke, Marbled Eye and Sluttony. KEITH LOWELL JENSEN

INFO: 7pm, Catalyst, 1101 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $32. 713-5492.

MONDAY 12/2

JAZZ

PINK MARTINI

Little orchestra, big sound. Initially founded to provide vibrant soundtracks for political fundraisers supporting civil rights and other well-intentioned causes, Pink Martini was born, and today, the group features 12 renowned global artists performing dynamic music that traverses 25 different languages. Known for its multicultural repertoire, the jazzy, genre-eclectic band has played and collaborated with over 50 orchestras internationally and released 11 studio albums on their indie label, Heinz Records. This year, “little orchestra” Pink Martini celebrates three decades of performances—30 years of embodying a lively vision of inclusivity and diplomacy through music. MELISA YURIAR

INFO: 7:30pm, Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $68. 423-8209.

TUESDAY 12/3

BRAZILIAN JAZZ

CLÁUDIA VILLELA

Inspired by samba and the sounds of a vibrant childhood in Rio, Brazilian-born vocalist-pianist Cláudia Villela has built a remarkable career blending Brazilian traditions with jazz. Based in Santa Cruz since the ’80s, Villela has released seven acclaimed albums and collaborated with luminaries like American jazz saxophonist-composer Michael Brecker, Belgian jazz man Toots Thielemans and songstress Flora Purim. Drawing inspiration from Brazilian greats Egberto Gismonti and Hermeto Pascoal and diverse traditional genres like samba, bossa nova and forró, the talented musician brings a rich musical knowledge and heritage to the “Brazilian Rhythms & Melodies” master class. MY

INFO: 7pm, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. Free. 427-2227.

AUTHOR EVENT

MARILYNNE ROBINSON

The Noel Q. King Memorial Lecture celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Humanities Institute and honors the life and work of Noel King, a founding faculty member of Merrill College and advocate for the comparative study of world religions. This year’s lecturer is Marilynne Robinson, the prolific novelist and essayist, Pulitzer Prize winner, National Book Critics Circle Award winner, and National Humanities Medal recipient. President Barack Obama once applauded “her grace and intelligence in writing.” The Humanities Institute and Porter College present the free event, cosponsored by Merrill College, Bookshop Santa Cruz and Shakespeare Workshop. KLJ

INFO: 6:30pm, Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. Free. 423-8209.

WEDNESDAY 12/4

INDIE

AX AND THE HATCHETMEN

The Chicago band Ax and the Hatchetmen has a finely tuned sense of rock history. Their sound seamlessly blends elements of surf rock, rockabilly, folk and classic pop, remarkably without sounding more than a tiny bit like any of those things. Their breezy, good-natured approach to music conveys a sense of fun rooted at the core of their songcraft. Catchy melodies and a peppy yet laid-back character make for a carefree, life-affirming listening experience. It’s hard not to smile when listening to tunes like “Grace” from 2022, and they’ve been cranking out a steady and high-quality stream of singles before and since. BK

INFO: 7:30pm, Catalyst, 1101 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $23. 713-5492.

Changing Keys

Cover Stories

John Malkin

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November 27, 2024

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Greg Lisher’s fourth solo album, Underwater Detection Method, was released on Oct. 25 by Independent Project Records. The album presents Lisher’s deep dive into instrumental keyboard-based electronic music while drawing on his experience as guitarist in Camper Van Beethoven and Monks of Doom. These 12 cinematic songs have evocative titles like “Illusion of Depth,” “Travels Through Liguria” and “Finding the Future.” Another instrumental album is in the works and will probably be released in late 2025. Lisher has lived in Santa Cruz since 1976, and GT spoke with him at his home recording studio near downtown.

John Malkin: A lot of people know you as a guitarist in Camper Van Beethoven and Monks of Doom. Tell me about deciding to create electronic music with keyboards.

Greg Lisher: In 2007 I released Trains Change and it was my second solo record where I was singing and playing guitar. After that, I started thinking about putting aside the singer/songwriter thing and just focus on the music. That’s when I did Songs from the Imperial Garden (2020). I’ve always been into music based on keyboards, bass and synthesizers, even going back to the early ’80s before I joined Camper Van Beethoven. I especially loved Yellow Magic Orchestra.

For this new album I used Reason virtual instrument software and all of a sudden there was a door opening for me by spending less than $500 on software. I started scrolling through preset sounds and those inspired me to program my own unique sounds, which led me to play a certain way. I started creating sound collages and pretty soon I was getting sections and then putting those sections together into songs. Just about all of the songs on this record started out as exercises I was doing from a book on how to use Reason. I was feeling like I wasn’t really sure what I was doing, and it was a steep learning curve—but it led to these songs.

How was the transition from guitar to keyboards?

I didn’t really have any keyboard skills. I was applying everything I could from guitar to keyboards and I realized, “Maybe I need to get some piano lessons.” So, I found a piano teacher and he really helped. Playing piano is one of these things I thought I’d never be able to do but I figured, “It’s not going to hurt to try!” And the more wins I got, the more faith I had to continue. That’s how this album started. I’d never done this type of music before, so I felt like a total newbie. As it turned out, the learning process itself gave me this record.

How great! A lot of artists might not try new things and that’s exactly what propelled you forward in creating this album.

Part of this learning happened during the pandemic and lockdown. It was a great time to try playing keyboards and making new music. I actually had this record finished at the beginning of 2019 and then the pandemic started. But I started thinking, “I have a bunch of downtime. We’re not touring. Go for it and practice even more.” So, a lot of my time in the pandemic was spent on the piano, practicing.

Underwater Detection Method was just released on Independent Project Records. In the early ’80s they started putting out cutting-edge music by bands like Savage Republic and For Against with distinct handmade album covers. Tell me how IPR came to put this out.

They put out the first Camper Van Beethoven record 40 years ago next year [Telephone Free Landslide Victory]. Bruce Licher is one of the owners of the label and he’s an amazing graphic designer. Originally, he did some of the artwork for my solo album Songs from the Imperial Garden (2020). When I put this new record together, I reached out to Bruce to do the artwork and he said, “We just started the label back up again. I’m really busy and I don’t think I’m going to have time to do the artwork.” I said, “Can I just send you the music? And you listen to it and tell me what direction you would go if you were doing the artwork.” I sent him the songs and he was like, “I love this record and I’d like to put it out on our label. And I’ll do the artwork.” I was just over the moon! I was thrilled!

You originally recorded these songs by drawing digital notes but once your keyboard skills advanced, you re-recorded the whole album playing live keyboards. Tell me about that.

When I started this project, I didn’t have any skills as a keyboard player. Using a MIDI editor to write notes was a new way of putting music together. I could draw the music. But as the process went on, I started piano lessons and being able to play. This was right before we mixed the album and I went back and performed the parts live and re-recorded all of the keyboards. That was a great idea because I’d been drawing each of the digital MIDI notes right up to the next beat, you know what I mean? And when I went back to play it live, I noticed that my hand needs time to pick up to get to the next chord and that the movement itself creates a piece of space. When I went back to record with me playing it for real, all of a sudden there was all this air and space and the music just started breathing.

You also ended up having musicians add live drums and strings for this album, which sounds great. You added some guitar and bass, too.

I was talked into playing guitar! David Immerglück, the other guitar player in the Monks of Doom, who produced my last record, is my musical confidant. I was giving him songs and I got “yeas” and ”nays” from him. He said, “It’d be cool to have a real drummer playing on some of these tracks.” As soon as we added live drums, I started thinking, “I bet real bass will sound really good.” So, I decided to double all the bass synth lines with real bass. Then Bruce Kaphan, my mentor said, “Don’t sell yourself short. See if there’s spots where you can add guitar, because it’s going to make things more multidimensional.”

It was the same thing with Immerglück. When I went down to LA to do the drums, he was like, “These songs have string sections using software and samples. I’ve got this great string player down here who can record all this for real.” All of a sudden, my strings were real! In the end, the only primary thing that remained were the software synthesizers and everything else got replaced.

Is guitar playing now a thing of the past for you?

I love playing guitar and will continue to do it! I’m not looking to lose anything. I just want to gain more knowledge and skills. You know what I mean? I still enjoy playing guitar, and actually when I take some time away from things, the more it helps me grow in new directions. I’ve noticed that when I take extended breaks from guitar, I come back to it with new ideas and skills. It’s a good way to lose old habits or forget the things that you keep playing over and over. Time off can help you approach things differently and I enjoy that.

Street Talk

Street Talk

John Koenig

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November 27, 2024

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What song would you add to a rainy-day playlist?

“Rain” by George Winston, a piano instrumental. The way he plays it just sounds like rain. And “Rainy Days and Mondays” by The Carpenters pops into my head.

Ken Martin, 64, Magician/Juggler

“It’s a Beautiful Morning” by the Rascals. If it’s a rainy day I might play that to lift my spirits, because I like that song. I wouldn’t use a rainy-day song because I’d be depressed.

Dora Solina, 71, Zumba Instructor and Grandma

“It Never Rains In Southern California,” by Albert Hammond. “It never rains in California, but girl, don’t they warn ya? It pours, man, it pours.” I think that’s my answer.

Nick Lubamersky, 23, Business Operations

“River” by Joni Mitchell comes to mind, but it doesn’t mention rain specifically. “It’s coming on Christmas, they’re cutting down trees / They’re putting up reindeer and singing songs of joy and peace.” It sounds like a rainy day, like today.

Maggie Hoogs, 58, Farmer

“Everybody Hurts” by REM. It’s a gloomy song for a gloomy day. That’s my answer and I’m sticking with it.

Ted Rickard, 22, Business Operations

“Wild Flower” by Beach House. When I look out the window when it’s raining, that is the best song. You can imagine yourself taking a stroll through the woods. … “Say Yes To Heaven” by Lana Del Rey is super melodic, it’s so calming.

Vance Tanner, 16, Harbor High Botany Major

Best Steps Forward

Wellness

Richard Stockton

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November 26, 2024

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The earth wobbles. NASA scientists say the earth’s spin axis drifts around the poles, and since they started measuring, sometimes it wobbles by 37 feet. I find this comforting. If the earth wobbles, maybe it’s OK that I do too.

Apparently, wobbling is a way to find balance. I wobble on the yoga mat, I wobble on the hiking trail. I’m lucky that my feet are so big, because when I fall completely off balance the weight of my lower extremities pulls me upright like a Weeble. It turns out that for young and old, one of the easiest ways to restore balance is walking.

For optimal health, 10,000 steps a day is supposed to be the holy grail. How far is that? A person 5 feet tall typically walks 4 miles with 10,000 steps and hates the song Short People. I am 6 feet tall and walk 5 miles with 10,000 steps. I used to be 6 feet 1 inch tall, but I have compressed and believe this compression gives me greater density.

I’ve often been told I was unbalanced, and now it’s getting physical. But there is good news from Harvard Health: “walking can help build lower-body strength, an important element of good balance. Walking regularly can significantly help prevent wobbling by improving your balance and strengthening the lower body muscles that are crucial for stability.”

Do we really need 10,000 steps a day? Will that make me lose my wobble walk and live to 103? What happens with 5,000 steps?

I call legendary Santa Cruz movement guru Laurie Broderick-Burr. The 62-year-old yoga teacher is the fittest person I know.

She says, “First, let’s be clear that the 10,000 steps goal is not an evidence-based prescription. It was a marketing ploy.” She explains that the 1964 Tokyo Olympics coincided with the development of the pedometer, and the Japanese company Yamasa made a device named Manpo-kei, which translates to “10,000 steps meter.” The name was a marketing tool, and they campaigned to sell the world on the idea that 10,000 steps was the way to health, the fountain of youth, the elixir of immortality.

Broderick-Burr says numerous studies suggest one doesn’t have to get close to 10,000 steps to see health benefits. “The 10,000 mark is a great target to hit, but even if you can’t do that, the more you do, the more you increase your longevity.”

A 2023 study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, suggested 2,600 to 2,800 daily steps was enough to produce health benefits. A 2022 European Society of Cardiology study found that increasing our step count by 1,000-step increments may lead to corresponding 15% decreases in our all-cause mortality. They found that 3,867 steps a day started to reduce the risk of dying from any cause, and 2,337 steps a day reduced the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. A meta-analysis of 17 different studies around the world shows the more you walk, the longer you’re going to live.

If you are young, you have boundless energy, the flexibility to adapt to anything, your brain is smarter than AI and you can balance like a gyroscope. You believe you’re going to live forever. You live in a perfect body—why wouldn’t you live forever? But at what age should we start walking?

Broderick-Burr’s answer: “Now.” She tells young people in her yoga classes that they may not think they are aging, but they are. “I tell them, ‘If you’re lucky, you’re going to get to be as old and fit as I am. You are aging.’” She says that women should begin strength training in their teens, twenties and thirties, when they lay down bone density. “Oh my God, we have so many young people who aren’t moving their bodies. They’re bent over a phone. Women are setting up osteoporosis young.”

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases calls osteoporosis the “silent disease” because people may not notice symptoms until they break a bone. Broderick-Burr says, “It’s never too late to start walking, and it’s never too early.”

Looking for cool places to walk in Santa Cruz County? Check out wklys.co/takeahike. My Good Times online column “Take a Hike” describes 20 of my local favorites.

Taxing Times

Dan Mitchell

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November 26, 2024

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With federal legalization now (perhaps) a far-off pipe dream as Republicans descend into the White House and Congress to assume full control of the government, one of the chief hopes for California’s badly ailing pot industry has (perhaps) been dashed.

While it wouldn’t solve every problem, by a long shot, federal legalization would at least open up new markets for cannabis companies that are prepared to import and export their products, and at least theoretically give a big boost to smaller firms, too, including local dispensaries.

With an unstable federal government led by a lunatic, it’s impossible to know for sure whether legalization might happen despite general GOP opposition. But the prospects don’t look good, and that leaves California pot companies sitting with the problems they’ve had ever since California voters legalized weed eight years ago (that is, but for a few bright spots, like during the worst of the Covid pandemic, when sales soared). And yet more problems might be on the horizon.

The bad news continues to pile up: bankruptcies, layoffs, cutbacks, high prices, thin profit margins and enormous losses. Public companies like the Salinas-based Lowell Farms have laid off tons of people (nearly half the workforce in Lowell Farms’ case). Lowell reported a loss of $3.6 million in its most recent quarter. Gold Flora, meanwhile, reported a quarterly loss of a swoon-inducing $18.8 million and the Costa-Mesa-based company is reportedly having trouble paying its debts (at least one lawsuit alleges that, anyway). The company also announced that it would be trimming its staff by 10%.

All that combined with other grim news led John Schroyer of the trade publication Green Market Report to wonder “how long until more of them join the conga line into receivership and bankruptcy?”

Probably not long. This situation is not what anyone expected (or promised) in 2016. The reasons for it are the same intertwined ones the California industry has been facing all along: high taxes, the state’s “home rule” provision (which allows local governments to ban cannabis companies from setting up shop), and the continued success of the illicit pot industry.

Some of these problems could be solved, or at least lessened, with government action. Lowering taxes, for example. But the state government is doing the precise opposite. The industry and consumers alike have complained all along about the state’s 15% excise tax on weed, which comes on top of the regular sales tax and any additional local taxes.

So with the industry in crisis, you’d think maybe the Legislature and governor would be looking for ways to lower it, right? Wrong. The tax is set to increase to an outright insane 19% in July barring some intervention in the Legislature in the coming session. This is part of the bargain that was reached in 2022 when the state eliminated the cultivation tax, which was itself ruinous—particularly for growers, but really for the whole industry.

Adding four points to the excise tax doesn’t seem like much of a bargain, though. All it will do is send more people back to the illicit market, and the ones who buy from dispensaries are refusing to pay more than they already are, meaning that the additional cost will be borne entirely by the industry.

There is a huge effort under way to forestall the increase, but it’s impossible to tell at this point how successful it might be. Dustin Moore, a founder of the Embarc chain of dispensaries, told Green Market Report that the potential increase represents “an existential threat to the industry.”

During a recent industry conference, Nicole Elliott, director of the California Department of Cannabis Control, told attendees that “reforms are needed,” and encouraged them to lobby lawmakers.

But efforts to lower the tax during years when the state government had a budget surplus went nowhere. Given that the state is now running deep deficits, with the Trump administration poised to stick it to California in several ways that would make things worse, the challenge will be that much greater. But so is the industry crisis, so maybe enough lawmakers and Gavin Newsom (who reportedly brokered the deal to trade one tax for another) will finally see the light.

Free Will Astrology

Astrology

Rob Brezsny

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November 26, 2024

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ARIES March 21-April 19

Renowned composer Mozart had a sister nicknamed Nannerl. During their childhoods, she was as much a musical prodigy as he. They toured Europe doing performances together, playing harpsichord and piano. Some critics regarded her as the superior talent. But her parents ultimately decided it was unseemly for her, as a female, to continue her development as a genius. She was forcibly retired so she could learn housekeeping and prepare for marriage. Is there a part of your destiny, Aries, that resembles Nannerl’s? Has some of your brilliance been suppressed or denied? The coming months will be an excellent time to recover and revive it.

TAURUS April 20-May 20

Do you know if you have any doppelgangers, Taurus? I bet you will meet one in the coming weeks. How about soul friends, alter egos or evil twins? If there’s no one like that in your life right now, they may arrive soon. And if you already know such people, I suspect your relationships will grow richer. Mirror magic and shadow vision are in the works! I’m guessing you will experience the best, most healing kind of double trouble. Substitutes and stand-ins will have useful offers and tempting alternatives. Parallel realities may come leaking through into your reality. Opportunities for symbiosis and synergy will be at an all-time high. Sounds like wild fun!

GEMINI May 21-June 20

Humans have been eating a wide range of oranges since ancient times. Among the most popular type in modern times is the navel orange. It’s large, seedless, sweet, juicy and easy to peel. But it didn’t exist until the 1820s, when a genetic mutation on a single tree in Brazil spawned this new variety. Eventually, the navel became a revolutionary addition to the orange family. I foresee a metaphorically comparable development in your life during the coming months, Gemini. An odd tweak or interesting glitch could lead to a highly favorable expansion of possibilities. Be alert for it.

CANCER June 21-July 22

Cancerian, you are a finalist for our “Most Resourceful and Successful Survivor of the Year” trophy. And if you take a brief trip to hell in the next two weeks, you could assure your victory. But wait! Let me be more exact: “Hell” is an incorrect terminology; I just used it for shock effect. The fact is that “hell” is a religious invention that mischaracterizes the true nature of the realm of mystery, shadows and fertile darkness. In reality, the nether regions can be quite entertaining and enriching if you cultivate righteous attitudes. And what are those attitudes? A frisky curiosity to learn truths you have been ignorant about; a brave resolve to unearth repressed feelings and hidden yearnings; and a drive to rouse spiritual epiphanies that aren’t available when you’re in the trance of everyday consciousness.

LEO July 23-Aug. 22

In my astrological opinion, you need and deserve big doses of fun, play, pleasure and love. Amusement and enchantment, too. As well as excitement, hilarity and delight. I trust you will schedule a series of encounters and adventures that provide you with a surplus of these necessary resources. Can you afford a new toy or two? Or a romantic getaway to a sanctuary of adoration? Or a smart gamble that will attract into your vicinity a stream of rosy luck? I suggest that you be audacious in seeking the sweet, rich feelings you require.

VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22

December will be Home Enhancement Month for you Virgos. Get started immediately! I’ll offer tips for how to proceed and ask you to dream up your own ideas. 1. Phase out décor or accessories that no longer embody the style of who you have become. 2. Add new décor and accessories that will inspire outbreaks of domestic bliss. 3. Encourage everyone in your household to contribute creative ideas to generate mutual enhancement. 4. Do a blessing ritual that will raise the spiritual vibes. 5. Invite your favorite people over and ask them to shower your abode with blessings.

LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct. 22

Libran songwriter and producer Kevin MacLeod has composed over 2,000 pieces of music—and given all of them away for free. That’s why his work is so widespread. It has been featured in thousands of films and millions of YouTube videos. His composition “Monkeys Spinning Monkeys” has been played on TikTok over 31 billion times. (PS: He has plenty of money, in part because so many appreciative people give him free-will donations through his Patreon page.) I propose we make him your inspirational role model in the coming weeks and months, Libra. How could you parlay your generosity and gifts into huge benefits for yourself?

SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21

According to my grandmother, I have such a mellifluous voice I should have pursued a career as a newscaster or DJ on the radio. In eighth grade, my science teacher admired my work and urged me to become a professional biologist. When I attended Duke University, my religious studies professor advised me to follow his path. Over the years, many others have offered their opinions about who I should be. As much as I appreciated their suggestions, I have always trusted one authority: my muses. In the coming weeks and months, Scorpio, you may, too, receive abundant advice about your best possible path. You may be pressured to live up to others’ expectations. But I encourage you to do as I have done. Trust your inner advisors.

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec. 21

I invite you to get a head start on formulating your New Year’s resolutions. January 1 is a good time to instigate robust new approaches to living your life, but the coming weeks will be an even better time for you Sagittarians. To get yourself in the mood, imagine you have arrived at Day Zero, Year One. Simulate the feeling of being empty and open and fertile. Imagine that nothing binds you or inhibits you. Assume that the whole world is eager to know what you want. Act as if you have nothing to prove to anyone and everything to gain by being audacious and adventurous.

CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19

There was a long period when many popular songs didn’t come to a distinct end. Instead, they faded out. The volume would gradually diminish as a catchy riff repeated over and over again. As you approach a natural climax to one of your cycles, Capricorn, I recommend that you borrow the fade-out as a metaphorical strategy. In my astrological opinion, it’s best not to finish abruptly. See if you can create a slow, artful ebb or a gradual, graceful dissolution.

AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb. 18

When he was young, Aquarian musician and sound engineer Norio Ohga wrote a critical letter to the electronics company now known as Sony. He complained in detail about the failings of their products. Instead of being defensive, executives at the company heeded Ohga’s suggestions for improvement. They even hired him as an employee and ultimately made him president of the company at age 40. He went on to have a stellar career as an innovator. In the spirit of the Sony executives, I recommend that you seek feedback and advice from potential helpers who are the caliber of Norio Ohga. The information you gather in the coming weeks could prove to be highly beneficial.

PISCES Feb. 19-March 20

What would your paradise look and feel like? If you could remake the world to suit your precise needs for maximum freedom, well-being and inspiration, what changes would you instigate? Now is an excellent time to ponder these possibilities, Pisces. You have more ability than usual to shape and influence the environments where you hang out. And a good way to rouse this power is to imagine your ideal conditions. Be bold and vivid. Amuse yourself with extravagant and ebullient fantasies as you envision your perfect world.

Homework: What do you really want but think you shouldn’t want it? Can you find a loophole? Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com

Promoting Responsible Gambling: Innovative Approaches for Positive Outcomes

Gambling

Sadie Smith

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November 21, 2024

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Promoting Responsible Gambling: Innovative Approaches for Positive Outcomes

Published in cooperation between 99bitcoins and Good Times

The risks associated with gambling are quite numerous, from addictions to financial issues, mental health issues, relationship strain, social isolation, legal consequences, general health risks and so on. They are taking a toll on individuals and society at large.

Since the advent of online gambling, everyone has access to casinos and betting sites, and it has become more difficult to control how much money and time people spend on these platforms. However, all hope is not lost; gambling platforms have to step up and take the necessary steps to promote responsible gambling. We have highlighted some of these innovative approaches in this guide, and certainly, they will yield positive outcomes.

Time Limits on Gameplay

Casinos, both land-based and online, should make it possible for players to be able to set time limits or duration for gameplay willingly. No matter how excited they get, this can serve as a reminder of how much time they have spent there and help them prevent excessive gambling activities, thereby helping them avoid and manage gambling addiction.

Education and Awareness Campaigns

These days, there is so much information about casino games and the possible rewards. Still, there isn’t enough info about the challenges or side effects of prolonged gameplay and gambling activities. So people are enticed by everything they hope to get from gambling without caring for safety and moderation.

Hence, it would be very effective if users were educated and informed about the potential risks associated with gambling and the symptoms of these issues so they can be careful and know when they need help. This awareness can be done through websites, advertisements and social media platforms.

Innovations in Technology

In this digital age, there are many tech tools casinos can leverage and integrate into their websites to help promote responsible gambling. For example, there are AI-based tools that detect patterns of potential gambling addiction and analyze data to identify problematic behavior.

There are also tools for self-regulation, such as the self-exclusion feature, which allows players to voluntarily exclude themselves from all gambling activities for a specific period. Those who are already struggling to overcome the addiction can benefit greatly from this tool because it completely stops them from accessing the platform during the set time.

Deposit Limit

Deposit limits are also another effective way to promote responsible gambling. Casinos should implement a limit on how much money players can deposit and spend per time. Of course, every casino wants to make a profit from its business, but this shouldn’t be done at the expense of its players’ well-being. So, it is vital to enable players to have a threshold on the money they can deposit within a time frame to help them control their spending habits.

Enhanced Player Verification

Many players love casinos with little or no verification processes, such as the no-KYC casinos you can find on 99Bitcoins guide because they offer more convenience and privacy. However, advanced user verification systems can go a long way to promote responsible gambling habits. Casinos can identify underage players, individuals on restricted lists, PEPs, and risky users before they can be allowed to use a gambling platform.

Collaborating With Support Service

While gambling operators have the bulk of the workload in this quest, they also need the services of counselors, support groups, mental health experts and helplines to help players who are already struggling with gambling addiction, debt, criminal issues resulting from gambling or so many other problems.

Limiting Gambling Ads Online

One thing that pushes people to gamble excessively, even when they are losing money, is the persistent gambling ads they see online. Some of these ads promise them so many unrealistic rewards. But if they are limited and or at least regulated, some players will struggle less with the compulsive urge to gamble. If the ads provide accurate information, new players will be fully aware that gambling and casino games are primarily for entertainment, not a gateway to riches.

Collaborating With Stakeholders

Enforcing responsible gambling requires a joint effort involving various stakeholders, including regulators, gambling operators, communities and government organizations. That is why countries like the US have strict government regulations for casino games; they are just trying to ensure a safe gaming environment for their citizens. If all these bodies can work together, they will be able to pool resources to develop and implement innovative strategies, such as the ones we have discussed so far, to promote responsible gambling.

The main essence of responsible gambling is to ensure that players can stay entertained and bet on games without harm or risks to their finances and well-being. Also, it is to address the already existing gambling problems, which some people may not even be aware of. However, promoting a culture of responsible gambling and addressing the existing issues of gambling requires a joint effort from regulators, gaming operators, communities, advocacy groups, and even players.

If everyone involved can put these measures in place and adhere to them, we will have a safer and more enjoyable gambling environment, and the way gambling is perceived in some societies will improve.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Time Limits on Gameplay

Education and Awareness Campaigns

Innovations in Technology

Deposit Limit

Enhanced Player Verification

Collaborating With Support Service

Limiting Gambling Ads Online

Collaborating With Stakeholders