There are a lot of things that have been invented here in Santa Cruz that I bet you might not know about.
The camera phone is one, invented by Philippe Kahn June 11, 1997, while he was awaiting the birth of his daughter at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center. Then there’s Auto-Tune, the bane of all talented musicians and a boon for rappers, created by local engineer Andy Hildebrand. And, of course, the lightweight headsets that traveled with astronauts made by Plantronics.
This week we feature another local inventor, Bobby Seals, who created the Cool Tool multi-use bicycle fixer and the Kleen Kanteen water jug for hikers. Seals, as the story written by comic and writer DNA shows, is as much a personality as a creator.
He’s outraced a police officer on a horse in a 20-mile challenge. He’s built giant sculptures and made other things dealing with cycles, solar and stages. You will love his story.
Josué Monroy tells the tale of a crucial legal group in the county, one that helps people unfairly evicted from their homes. In a time like this, when rents are unaffordable and housing is short, this is a hugely important service.
We have to feel proud whenever Santa Cruz gets a national spotlight, and that’s how we feel about Beckmann’s Bakery, which won three blue ribbons for its pies at the American Pie Council’s 2024 competition in Florida at the end of last month, as recounted by writer Mark C. Anderson.
The contentious debate over whether city leaders should approve a dispensary operating near Santa Cruz High School has come to a close.
The Santa Cruz City Council voted 6-1 on May 13 to greenlight The Hook Outlet, a dispensary at the former site of Emily’s Bakery on the corner of Mission and Laurel Streets. Read William Woodhams’ story to see the details.
On the hundredth anniversary of the Giant Dipper, Santa Cruzans reflect on their first rides in John Koenig’s Street Talk column.
“In sixth grade I did Boardwalk Summer Camp,” recalls Zack Stack, 20. “My sister loved roller coasters, but I did not, I was terrified. It took a lot of effort to convince me to ride with her, but when I finally gave in, I loved it. I rode multiple times in a row to make faces at the camera.”
Brad Kava | Editor
PHOTO CONTEST
LOOK, UP IN THE SKY The Beach Boardwalk put on a fireworks show to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Giant Dipper roller coaster. Photograph byMaria Choy
GOOD IDEA
Veteran Surf Alliance, a Santa Cruz–based nonprofit, is holding its sixth annual Memorial Day ceremony and paddle out, Monday, May 27, 9am–4pm on the Capitola Esplanade. All are invited to join.
Ceremonies begin at 9am and include Marine Corps Color Guard, National Anthem, Invocation Ceremony, Brief History of the Origins of Surfers Memorial Circle, and the Significance of Memorial Day. Family members of those
who died in service are invited to bring a photo or military memorabilia of their loved one to the Honor Table. The Memorial Paddle Out begins at 10:30.
GOOD WORK
U. S Rep. Jimmy Panetta secured $474,999 to assist California State University, Monterey Bay in its work to support farmworkers and their families to achieve success in their first year of higher education and beyond. This funding was made possible through the United States Department of Education’s College Assistance Migrant Program.
Institutions of higher education use CAMP grant funding to conduct outreach to students who are migratory or seasonal farmworkers as well as their immediate family members. Additionally, funding will support counseling, tutoring, skills workshops, financial aid stipends, health services and housing assistance for these students.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.”
—Thomas Edison—
