EDITOR’S NOTE
I didn’t realize how dire things had gotten at our local reservoir until March, after we’d run an aerial photo of Loch Lomond. Reader Pamela Morgan from Ben Lomond wrote in and said, “That was not a current photo. As of March 7, this is what the Loch actually looks like—almost 20 feet low. I’ve never seen it this low, even in October.” The accompanying photo she sent was unsettling, but what was even more so was the fact that our photographer Tarmo Hannula had taken his aerial shot fairly recently, in December—certainly not long enough that the contrast between the two should be so stark. “Wake up Santa Cruz,” Morgan wrote. “This is your drinking water!”
Erin Malsbury starts her cover story this week at Loch Lomond, which is now an alarming 60% low; so depleted that the City of Santa Cruz is worried about their construction equipment getting stuck as they try to replace the pipeline. But her story is about the fact that Santa Cruz has indeed woken up—to a water nightmare. How we might be able to turn this situation around is the focus of her piece, and what makes it all the more compelling is the signs she points to that the current drought is already having a concerning effect on our ecosystem.
STEVE PALOPOLI | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Read the latest letters to the editor here.
Re: Remains at Santa Cruz High
I’m glad to hear that they are taking precautionary measures to preserve what was found, and that descendants of local tribes were consulted during the process of excavating.
— Rodney Sablan
“European occupiers?” I think you mean “immigrants,” you bigot.
— Frank
Sure, they “immigrated” and everyone had a great time /s.
— Tom
Why do people get so upset at presumed intentions of word meanings? So weird. They found old remains, pretty interesting, and now Santa Cruz sits on top of what used to be tribal lands that were taken by Europeans. It’s not conjecture, it’s a fact. Why is that bigotry? I’m confused what the issue is with the article.
— Marie
Re: Ride Out
So what, Santa Cruz was clogged for one day out of the year. Be thankful we have the kind of community turnout for these unique events. It’s what keeps the city alive.
— Josh
Re: Palace Closing
Those of us who value this store, it’s familiar shopping experience and personal service should vow to support them by bringing any and all possible sales to them, at least as an expression of our appreciation. But even moreso, as a hope for our succeeding in making the difference for their being able to stay open. Because just like when tearing down a beautiful old building, they will never come back. And if we don’t protect these things we value in life, no one else will.
— Lauren Casey
Read the latest letters to the editor here.
PHOTO CONTEST WINNER
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GOOD IDEA
STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW
Santa Cruz’s Chadeish Yameinu Jewish Renewal (CYJR) is currently accepting late donations for the United Way’s “Stuff the Bus” campaign. Every fall, “Stuff the Bus” (STB) hands out backpacks stuffed with school supplies for thousands of students in Santa Cruz County, especially those experiencing homelessness and/or other hardships. CYJR will be collecting items at its in-person High Holy Days services Sept. 15-16 and Sept. 20-27 at the Center for Spiritual Living, 1818 Felt St., Santa Cruz. Donations can also be dropped off at CYJR’s synagogue at the Galleria, 740 Front St. #170, Santa Cruz. For information, visit cysantacruz.com.
GOOD WORK
EXPANDING HORIZONS
Santa Cruz–based nonprofit Limitless Horizons has won the 2021 UNESCO Literacy Prize for its work supporting children’s education in Chajul, Guatemala during the pandemic. In 2010, the organization opened Chajul’s first public library where Indigenous staff help children learn to read in Spanish and Ixil. When Covid-19 hit the community, the library developed remote programming, providing science and literacy lessons to students. Now, the organization is raising funds for its new secondary school that will emphasize Ixil culture and address gender educational disparities. Learn more at limitlesshorizonsixil.org.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water.”
-Loren Eiseley
