Finally, the truth came out. For the past decade the local Regional Transportation Commission has been working on a plan for train service between Watsonville and Davenport under the direction of local officials and voters. But all this time, we never had a valid estimate of what it would cost. The first projections when the county spent $14 million to buy the tracks was well under a billion dollars. Then, in 2022 when 75 percent of the county voted to have legislators pursue the idea of a train, it was said to be around $800 million, much of which they told us would be paid by federal and state grants.…
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Respecting Pronouns While Keeping Grammar Clear
As a lifelong educator and a stickler for grammar, I’ve always valued precise language. I believe clarity matters—especially when teaching, writing, or communicating across generations. So, I’ll admit that the use of they/them as a singular pronoun for non-binary individuals has left me a little… grammatically disoriented. Let me be clear: I fully support people’s right to define who they are and to ask others to respect that identity. For young people—especially those exploring gender beyond the traditional binary—having the power to say “these are my pronouns” is empowering and important. I respect that. I support that. And I believe our schools, workplaces, and communities should too. But here’s the…
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Navigating the Ups and Downs of Friendships
We’ve all experienced friendship fallouts one way or another, whether as kids or adults. As I see my daughter forming friendships at preschool, I see how joyful and full of promised those early connections can be. And I also know as she grows, those relationships will become more complex. It is a daunting thought at times, knowing I won’t always be able to protect her from the heartaches that come with friendships. Still, I remind myself that what I can do is help build a strong emotional foundation. And I will do my best to teach her tools to handle the ups and downs of her social relationships – and…
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Passenger Rail Price Tag Estimated at $4.3 Billion
The proposed 22-mile rail/trail from Watsonville to Natural Bridges will cost an estimated $4.3 billion to build and as much as $41 million a year to operate, according to a new study released by the Regional Transportation Commission—figures more than four times the estimated costs released in 2022 during the campaign in which voters approved the concept with 70 percent of the vote. The RTC originally bought the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line from Union Pacific in 2012 for $14.2 million. Public meetings were held last Monday and Thursday to go over a draft report released June 6, in which it listed the costs and estimated ridership of 3,500-6,000 passenger…
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Embracing the Best of Summer
The beautiful weather, gorgeous flowers in bloom, the camps, vacations and hopefully some R+R. Personally, This year is the first time I decided not to put my kid in any camps and zero planned vacations and use the summer to explore and be on the NON scheduled summer. So far, we are really enjoying it and as a working mom it forced me to take off some time that I too really needed. Living in a time where there seems to be much uncertainty, stress and added unnecessary pressures – I hope this will remind you whether you have a packed summer or a loose one like me – making…
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Miracles Santa Cruz Transforms Lives and Builds Community Through Theater
In Santa Cruz, a uniquely joyful and heartfelt theater troupe has taken root, transforming lives through performance and community: Miracles Santa Cruz. This ensemble of performers with special needs shares more than a stage—they share a passion for storytelling, song, and self-expression. Founded on the belief that everyone deserves the spotlight, Miracles Santa Cruz brings creativity and inclusion to life. Roots in Innovation: The Hope Services Connection The troupe’s origins date back to a visionary program launched in 2009 by Mike Nichols at Hope Services: the Community Membership and Media Program. At its core, the program emphasized media and performing arts, offering creative writing and arts classes from the beginning.…
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James Durbin Rocks Santa Cruz and Beyond
In mid-June, Santa Cruz-born musician, James Durbin, kicked off his “All Over the Place” summer tour. The tour takes place throughout Santa Cruz County, with shows in Santa Clara and Sacramento counties, as well. The title also sums up the 36-year-old musician’s life so far–as a singer and guitarist who has played in numerous bands–spanning multiple genres–and toured in many countries Durbin first garnered national attention in 2011 when he finished in fourth place on American Idol, performing classic rock staples from the likes of Queen and The Beatles. However, his love for onstage performance began years earlier, when he got involved with youth theater programs in Santa Cruz. During…
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The Santa Cruz Effect
Have you ever wondered if a place can dictate your style? Here are four individuals from all over who wound up in our little town, one way or another. Every one of these characters has fantastic flair. Whether it is in correlation to our town’s influence or not. Some of these individuals attributed their poise to the town and people in it, while others disagreed. Even though the town may not be a direct influence on others, it could be a haven to those who embrace creativity and idiosyncrasy. Santa Cruz has a great selection of thrifted clothes, along with one-of-a-kind people with fantastic energy. The beauty of our town…
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Caroline’s Non Profit Thrift Shop Changes Lives
Nestled in the heart of Aptos, “Caroline’s Non Profit Thrift Shop” is more than a store, it is a space for hope, healing, and happiness. What started as a mother’s tribute to her daughter blossomed into a community that impacts lives in Santa Cruz County and beyond. The shop was inspired by Caroline, Christy Licker’s daughter who passed away at the young age of sixteen. Three and a half years after her passing, Christy landed on an idea to navigate healing and honor the life of Caroline. “I wanted to celebrate all the things she was and all the things I learned from her,” Christy shares. That idea became Caroline’s…
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Prepping Your Pet for Summer Travel
My partner and I are both educators, and July offers us a wonderful respite, a chance to change the scenery and spend more time outdoors asking questions than answering them. Because we’re away for weeks at a time, we bring our dog. He travels moderately well. He’ll stretch out in the back seat and endure long stretches on the road without complaint. He maintains a reliable bathroom schedule. If our trips consisted solely of driving, he’d be a dream. But they do not. We stay in hotels. And our dog, Ethan, is not okay with the sounds that other people make while we’re trying to sleep. (To anyone who’s shared…
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Henry Cowell Campground Reopening Delayed
California State Parks announced that the seasonal campground at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park (SP), which had been scheduled to reopen Aug. 1 following renovations, has been delayed until the 2026 camping season. Significant supply chain disruptions pushed back the completion of essential infrastructure upgrades, including accessibility features. “We will continue to work diligently with contractors to complete these essential upgrades and appreciate the patience and understanding of all our visitors as we improve the park’s facilities” said Santa Cruz District Superintendent II Scott Sipes. “We truly value the opportunity to provide quality camping opportunities for visitors to make memories and enjoy our beautiful parks and are disheartened to share…
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To Drink or Not to Drink: The Truth About Prebiotic Soda
The buzz on prebiotic soda; should you be drinking it? Recently, I was browsing the aisles at Staff of Life when I overheard a mom ask her son, “Why are these Poppi drinks so popular?” The boy, maybe 12 years old, had no clue. But I did. I managed to resist my inner Italian buttinsky—but I was dying to chime in: “Because they’re a low-sugar, prebiotic (aka healthy!) alternative to soda!” Later the moment stuck with me. Are people really buying into these buzzy beverages for the health benefits of prebiotics? Or is it just about sipping something that tastes like soda but feels better for you? As a fan…
