When does media language around sex workers become slut-shaming?
FOLLOW US
How We Talk About Tichelman
Springtime Walkabout
May Day Flower Festival, free tours of the UCSC Farm, and a nondairy chocolate indulgence
Art of Survival
Cabrillo extends its powerful ‘Speaking Out’ photo-essay exhibit in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month
A Gem for Jewel Theatre
Sharp writing and great cast highlight ‘Complications From a Fall’
Mountain Mystic
When Cora Evans died in Boulder Creek in 1957, her thousands of pages of religious writings hadn’t yet been published. More than a half a century later, Evans’ fiery visions and spiritual devotion have inspired a crusade within Catholicism to make her the Santa Cruz Mountains’ first saint
Wesak (Water) Taurus Solar Festival, Buddha Blesses the Earth
A most important celebration occurs Sunday, May 3—the Wesak Taurus Buddha Solar Festival/full moon. At the moment of the full moon the Buddha’s presence enters the Earth plane for eight minutes. He brings the Will-to-Good from the Father, which, when reaching humanity becomes goodwill (Mother Principle). Held yearly in a valley hidden deep within the Himalayas, the Wesak festival is prepared for for months in advance (beginning at Winter Solstice).
On festival day, amidst pilgrims, disciples and Holy Ones gathered in the valley, the Buddha is invoked through movement, symbols and mantrams. At the moment of the full moon, hearing the words, “We are ready, Buddha, come,” the Lord of Illumination (brother of the Christ) appears in the clouds above the altar to emanate forth the will and purpose of God to earth. The blessing of the father is then held in safekeeping for distribution at the June full moon Goodwill Festival.
The day of Wesak (May 3, 8:42 p.m. West Coast) all disciples (east and west) place crystal vessels filled with pure water outside (in gardens, on rooftops, porches and steps) under the heavens. As the Buddha blesses the world, all waters, including waters within our bodies, are blessed. The Buddha is accompanied by the Forces of Enlightenment to illuminate humanity’s minds. Humanity then begins to express new constructive, productive and beneficial ways of the Art of Livingness. Wesak covers five days—two days (before) of dedicated preparation, the actual festival “Day of Safeguarding,” and two days (after) distributing goodwill (the NGWS to humanity). Join us in the Valley by reciting the Great Invocation, mantra of direction for humanity.
From The Editor
Plus Letters To the Editor
Hess Collection Winery
My friend Emma from London came to visit for a few days in early March, so I took her wine tasting in the Santa Cruz Mountains—a rare treat for her, as there aren’t too many vineyards in the middle of London. Her visit reminded me how fortunate we are to live in this paradise of ultra-fresh produce, with grapes growing in wild profusion.
Go Fund Him, Outside Shot
GO FUND HIM
How We Talk About Tichelman
When does media language around sex workers become slut-shaming? The details surrounding 27-year-old Alix Tichelman’s arrest in Santa Cruz last July—the Lifetime-esque sting operation, the “Harbor Hooker” hook, the drugs, the Google executive with a $345K yacht—were every reporter’s wet dream. But some activists believe the case against her has been distorted by media bias against...
Springtime Walkabout
May Day Flower Festival, free tours of the UCSC Farm, and a nondairy chocolate indulgence A garden party at a Bonny Doon estate will feature the exotic cuisine of the legendary Jozseph Schultz, who will be using lots of colorful, edible flowers in the dishes. The May Day Flower Festival will also feature mind-blowing flower lore...
Art of Survival
Cabrillo extends its powerful ‘Speaking Out’ photo-essay exhibit in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month At first glance, the black and white photos of nude women that line the upstairs study areas of Cabrillo College Library emanate liberation and confidence. But a few steps closer reveals the essays that accompany each picture—detailing the sexual abuse these...
A Gem for Jewel Theatre
Sharp writing and great cast highlight ‘Complications From a Fall’ For the fourth production of its Tenth Anniversary season, Jewel Theatre Company has plucked out a plum. Santa Cruz’s own Kate Hawley bestows a gift on JTC and its lucky patrons with her new play, Complications From A Fall. This is the World Premiere of Hawley’s...
It Takes a Village
Aptos residents worry their new plan may be too big for a small town The air was electrified with anger and concern on the evening of April 22, as residents of Aptos piled into the Rio Sands Inn’s community room. Organizers expected around 75 people at the meeting to discuss the Aptos Village Plan; they...
Mountain Mystic
When Cora Evans died in Boulder Creek in 1957, her thousands of pages of religious writings hadn’t yet been published. More than a half a century later, Evans’ fiery visions and spiritual devotion have inspired a crusade within Catholicism to make her the Santa Cruz Mountains’ first saint There are things Cora Evans knows about Jesus...
Wesak (Water) Taurus Solar Festival, Buddha Blesses the Earth
A most important celebration occurs Sunday, May 3—the Wesak Taurus Buddha Solar Festival/full moon. At the moment of the full moon the Buddha’s presence enters the Earth plane for eight minutes. He brings the Will-to-Good from the Father, which, when reaching humanity becomes goodwill (Mother Principle). Held yearly in a valley hidden deep within the Himalayas, the Wesak...
From The Editor
Plus Letters To the Editor I doubt many of our readers will have heard of Cora Evans before picking up this week’s issue. Her story has a homegrown Henry Darger quality, with a mystical twist. It’s also an example of something I think is a key part of the alternative press mission: to take a local...
Hess Collection Winery
My friend Emma from London came to visit for a few days in early March, so I took her wine tasting in the Santa Cruz Mountains—a rare treat for her, as there aren’t too many vineyards in the middle of London. Her visit reminded me how fortunate we are to live in this paradise of ultra-fresh produce, with grapes...
Go Fund Him, Outside Shot
GO FUND HIM With his facial locks and ubiquitous black pants and jacket, Alekz Londos, 34, looks like a hipster panhandler—which is, in a sense, what he is. For a decade, Londos has raced to disaster scenes to document them and provide relief. But he’s so unassuming, it takes time to realize he’s the real thing....