There are many, many important things in this current issue, but the one I want to call your attention to, as a matter of life and death, is Richard Stockton’s article about sneaker waves.
Sneaker waves is a term that sounds too frivolous, but please, please pay attention. Two young women were killed by them last month in a place many of us have visited and been so astounded by its beauty that it was easy to forget the danger. There have been more than five rescues last month for people who didn’t pay enough attention.
Our ocean is so majestic that it’s easy to forget its unyielding power. Please remind them, if you have out-of-town visitors or if you are taking your family to hang out beachside, not to forget about the power of the waves. Just one sneaking wave will do it and the problem is preventable, with just some consideration. Maybe you should clip Richard’s story with its warning and put it on the fridge as a reminder. Make sure you and your own kids are capable of swimming, although even that ability can be challenged by the ocean’s force.
We have so many great swim schools in the area you can find in this issue, and getting your kids trained in the water at an early age is an important first step for all of us who live in a beach community. It was one of the first things we did with our kids.
As for those beautiful North Coast beaches where two visitors died, I slept out on them when I was in college also, ignorant of the danger. Richard, the journalist, had visited that beach the day before the tragic deaths and saw how powerful the ocean could be even at low tide. That keyhole beach looks like paradise, but one mistake proves otherwise.
This issue also features our Best of suggestions, made and voted on by our readers. You should clip that also and post it for when you need recommendations. Your neighbors, our readers, know best and are happy to make suggestions. I love them, knowing they are honest and thoughtful. Occasionally, they are surprising, but mostly they are very helpful. I remember when I worked at the San Jose Mercury News, readers there often selected Taco Bell as the best Mexican restaurant and I groaned every time. I guess it showed that the voting isn’t always perfect but it was honest. I don’t groan about our issue here, although some of my favorites didn’t make the cut. We’ll try month after month to steer you to the best in Santa Cruz and print your recommendations in our letters sections. Keep on writing and making this a community effort. Write to [email protected]. Thanks.
Student Success And Leadership
One note: As a teacher, there is nothing better than seeing your students succeed. I’ve taught at Cabrillo College for 16 years and have had many students use their education to live their dreams. One of them was Tony Nuñez, who just won the election for County Supervisor, the governing body that determines where our tax money will be spent and what laws we need to keep us safe and thriving.
He was my journalism student a decade ago and I knew he would have a bright future and I’m so proud and happy that South County now has an intelligent, honest representative. Actually, his vote affects all of Santa Cruz County, so I feel optimistic about our future with him on the Board. He’s a great listener and learner, open to hearing from all of us. You should reach out to him and go to one of his meetings and let him know what’s important to you.
And on the less positive side: That Board is now considering cutting funds to the arts because of federal budget constraints. That hurts on so many levels. I’d love to know what you think of that as it unfolds.
Thanks for reading and have a great summer month. School is only weeks away.
