What does local mean to California Local? First, we care about all things California. We chronicle our state’s unique history and cover regional issues that affect all residents (for instance, the story below on wildlife crossings). But in each county we cover, we also go for granular detail, providing information on local governments, community groups and other civic infrastructure. If you’re getting this newsletter, you’re most likely a Santa Cruz local—our fastest-growing audience. Every week we get new members—some whose names we recognize; others whom we have yet to get to know. We’re looking forward to getting you involved in our community journalism experiment (more on that below).
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By Sharan Street
Published Jun 06, 2022
A snowy egret on the hunt.
Image credit: Geartooth Productions
Shutterstock
6-6-22: Proudly Local
Riding the Rail Trail
Speaking of local issues, there’s no debate on the hottest topic of conversation in Santa Cruz County. This newsletter will be emailed out one day before the June 7 election, which includes the Measure D/Greenway Initiative ballot measure. You can access many stories by Santa Cruz media outlets in our Santa Cruz Rail Trail tracker. And below you’ll find links to two stories recently posted on California Local: One is written by Bud Colligan, a major proponent of Measure D. The other is by our co-founder and executive editor, Eric Johnson, which states his reasons for supporting a no vote on the initiative. (Both are opinion pieces and do not represent any official position held by California Local.)
From Bud Colligan, Nadene Thorne & Bobbi Burns: ‘Clearing Up Misconceptions About Measure D’
Measure D, the Greenway Initiative, has generated more dialog than any measure in the history of Santa Cruz County. Why all the attention and unfortunate vitriol? Both sides of the issue believe strongly that their approach to dealing with our unused rail corridor is the correct one. In this climate of disinformation, it’s important to do the research and use common sense when doing a reality check of the situation.
Why I Oppose the Greenway Initiative
Three California transportation leaders explain why Measure D will ultimately kill much-needed rail service and slow progress on the Santa Cruz Rail Trail.
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New Map Takes Flight
In addition to local issues, we’re also passionate about local geography. Past newsletters have reported on the Safe Cycling Santa Cruz map, created with the help of local cyclists Keith Bontrager, Phil Boutelle and Lloyd Tabb. Since the map debuted, other cyclists have participated in our a discussion about safe bike routes.
Our newest map shows the birding spots in Santa Cruz County, based on a guide created by the Santa Cruz Bird Club. In a blog post announcing the map, California Local co-founder Chris Neklason writes, “No matter one’s level of interest in birds, from the casual appreciation to the deepening understanding, it’s never been as simple and convenient to join the ranks of citizens contributing to the science of ornithology.”
Sites on the map link to the Bird Club’s descriptions, which offer details on which birds to expect. Birders can study the map to find rare or elusive species, but it’s also a great resource for those who have never given a thought to watching birds. Because birds are everywhere, knowing what common species are nearby can add greatly to the pleasure of living in Santa Cruz County.
There are even productive birding spots right in the city: Twin Lakes State Beach, the Lower San Lorenzo River or Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. Don’t know where to get started? Go near any body of water. Not only is the bird life more productive, but water birds are easier to spot: gorgeous wood ducks at Neary Lagoon, stately great blue herons on the San Lorenzo River, soaring brown pelicans at Natural Bridges, elegant term flocks at Corcoran Lagoon—and if you’re really lucky, a bald eagle at Harkins Slough.
Once you’re on the Santa Cruz Bird Club site, there’s much more to discover. The group, active since 1956, offers a bimonthly newsletter, conservation news, and a calendar of field trips and meetings. Newbies will find links to resources for beginning birders, while experts will appreciate the club’s research on a new breeding bird atlas, which will describe the distribution and abundance of species in the region—key infomation that helps us protect vital habitat for Santa Cruz County’s feathered residents.
Sometimes making the community better manifests as a better understanding of how nature works. Local birders lead the way.
Five California Wildlife Crossings Keeping Animals Safe
California is creating wildlife crossings that can help animals get across dangerous highways without risk of death from vehicle strikes. Here are five of them.
Get to Know a Group
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Santa Cruz Baroque Festival |
The Santa Cruz Baroque Festival has been active since 1974, presenting early music as it sounded in its own era. Members strive for artistic excellence while transmitting the joy of Baroque music to future generations.
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Recent Local News |
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• Anonymous Complaints Hurting New Bohemia’s Outdoor Business
First, it was the cancellation of its popular barbecue. Then, live music, outdoor lights and sun shades in the beer garden had to go. Not long after, more complaints affected Pleasure Point’s New Bohemia Brewing Co., a seven-year-old brewery.
(06/06/2022) → Read the full Lookout Local report• Santa Cruz County’s TOT Tax, Cup Tax Head Toward Approval
Two measures in Santa Cruz County were headed toward approval early on election night. As of 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, Measure B, a county Transient Occupancy Tax, and Measure C, a county Disposable Cup Tax received a majority of the votes.
(06/06/2022) → Read the full Santa Cruz County Sentinel report• Marine Mammal Center Is Back After Getting an Overhaul
Caring for animals rescued along 600 miles of coastline from Mendocino County to San Luis Obispo County, the Marine Mammal Center just ended its longest public closure since its founding in 1973.
(06/06/2022) → Read the full Monterey Herald report• State Lawmakers Weigh Buying Out Farmers to Save Water
A proposal in the state Senate would spend up to $1.5 billion to buy “senior water rights” that allow farmers to take as much water as needed from the state’s rivers and streams.
(06/05/2022) → Read the full Santa Cruz County Sentinel report• Unionization Gets Thumbs Up in Third Santa Cruz Starbuckx
The Starbucks store on 41st Avenue and Clares Street voted in favor of forming a union. It is the sixth store in California to do so.
(06/05/2022) → Read the full Lookout Local report• BirchBark Foundation Helps Humans Help Their Pets
Dr. Merrianne Burtch established BirchBark Foundation to assist people facing financial obstacles in caring for pets. “The vision driving our organization,” she said, “is that financial hardship should never cause the loss of any family pet.”
(06/04/2022) → Read the full Monterey Herald report• County Firefighters Prep for Fire Season
Personnel from all four county fire departments participate in an annual refresher training course designed to ensure that crews are familiar with common procedures and collaborative efforts.
(06/03/2022) → Read the full Santa Cruz County Sentinel report• What Has Tony Thurmond Accomplished as California Schools Chief?
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has raised more than 10 times as much money as all his competitors put together, and he’s earned high-profile endorsements—despite reports of a toxic management style.
(06/02/2022) → Read the full Santa Cruz County Sentinel report• Who’s Spending What in State Assembly Races
Lookout Santa Cruz dives into the finance reports for the candidates for State Assembly District 28 and District 30. The nine candidates for the two open assembly seats have raised more than $1.4 million.
(06/02/2022) → Read the full Lookout Local report• Santa Cruz Police Chief Gathers Input on Public Safety Priorities
Working with the Santa Cruz Public Safety Commission, new Santa Cruz Police Chief Rudy Escalante gave a short speech that characterized the Santa Cruz Police Department as going through a time of rebuilding.
(06/01/2022) → Read the full Santa Cruz County Sentinel reportLeaders of both Yes Greenway and No Way Greenway provided Lookout Santa Cruz with detailed answers to a range of questions on core issues in the rail-trail debate.
(06/01/2022) → Read the full Lookout Local report• Anthony Rendon to Remain State Assembly Speaker
The California State Assembly speakership appears to be in Anthony Rendon’s hands ... for now. After the Democratic caucus deliberated on May 31, Rendon (D-Lakewood) and Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) emerged with a joint statement that acknowledged Rivas’ majority support but dodged a timeline for speakership succession.
(05/31/2022) → Read the full Santa Cruz County Sentinel reportThe London Nelson Community Center provides three helpful tips for teaching kids about the holiday that commemorates the day in 1865 when slaves in Texas finally learned about their freedom.
(05/31/2022) → Read the full Lookout Local report• Why New COVID Variants are Driving a Surge
New lineages of the omicron variant have mutations that increase rates of vaccine breakthrough and reinfection, according to an analysis by Trevor Bedford, a virologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle.
(05/31/2022) → Read the full Santa Cruz County Sentinel report