Cover: Village Voices
The city says it has tried to include the residents of Beach Flats in its plans to 'revitalize' the area. But many still feel left out.

More Perspectives:
Beach Flats landlord blames drugs--and years of neglect by the city--for problems.

A Beach Flats homeowner wannabe sees traffic and gentrification in the neighborhood's future.

At 23, Felipe Cruz works with at-risk teenagers, shows movies for kids and explains the city's plans to his neighbors.

Student/volunteer Lidia Montesinos takes pride in her family--and her neighborhood.

Maria Gutierrez says she's too busy to 'chase down planning meetings,' but she'd still like to know what's going on.

'Grandma' Sue Wilson is hopeful about plans to redevelop the neighborhood where she has lived for more than 25 years.

News: Hit The Beach
The Beach Area Plan is the most important piece of work Santa Cruz has undertaken, and the most controversial.

Mean Scenes And GoodFolks: Martin Scorsese takes viewers on A Personal Journey through film history.

Something Rotterdam: Oscar-winning Dutch director Mike van Diem talks about Character, his brooding new film about 1920s Rotterdam.

Pig Boy: Neil Jordan's The Butcher Boy loves the world it burns.

Night Howl: Renowned author brings a world of interest into the history of the Jews.

Notes From the Underground: Two babes-in-arms with a lion's share of off-kilter musical paraphernalia.

El Niño Dining: Part II: A few days in the hospital will cause even ecumenical taste buds to long for the pure comfort of recognizable ingredients.