How does a politician who brands himself as a Midwest hillbilly end up in business with top-flight Silicon Valley technology executives, who have helped him build a national political career?
Journalist, radio host and former Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors candidate Ami Chen Mills takes a peek behind the curtain where money, moguls and politicians meet.
It’s a fascinating look at the surprising roots of former President Donald Trump’s pick for vice president, J.D. Vance. Who knew how connected to the tech bros is this supposedly down-home junior senator from Ohio?
Chen Mills’ story traces the growing wave of the tech bro oligarchy and how it’s taken over San Francisco politics and crept down the coast to our hometown. She’s written a story of national and local interest you won’t be able to put down and you will need to keep a score card of the players.
Remember when Silicon Valley was home to liberal idealists? Not so much anymore, according to Chen Mills. And how does Lord of the Rings fit in? Read it and see.
Five local school districts are asking voters for half a billion dollars to fix decrepit buildings and build new affordable housing for teachers. It’s going to be one of the biggest issues on November’s ballot and will show whether county residents are truly committed to education. Reporter William S. Woodhams talks to Patrick Sánchez, the new superintendent of the Live Oak School District, about that district’s future and its request for needed funds. Scarily, he fears layoffs are in the future if funding isn’t.
There’s a new sheriff in town, literally, and reporter Todd Guild brings us the scoop in an online story on goodtimes.sc.
On the cultural front, writer Josué Monroy catches up with soul singer Aaron Frazer before he arrives in town Sept. 6.
“I learned to sing while listening to Black Keys albums in my ’98 Honda Civic in high school because I was too embarrassed to sing in public,” says Frazer. “I thought maybe I had good pitch, but when you’re a kid, it’s embarrassing to sing.”
How’s this for a concert you want to catch? Just weeks after opening for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, to a crowd of 90,000 at a sold-out Wembley Stadium in London, Sofia Isella is hitting the road on her first-ever headline tour with her first stop at the Catalyst in downtown Santa Cruz. Read Mathew Chipman’s story about this hot new talent. It doesn’t get bigger than that.
Thanks for reading and don’t forget to write, br**@we*****.com
Brad Kava
PHOTO CONTEST
HEADER A hunting pelican takes a dive by West Cliff Drive. Photograph by Max Ferrero
GOOD IDEA
On Sept. 22, the Downtown Felton Association and Ethel & Sabel are excited to host the first Youth Artisan Faire—an event designed for local students (grades 7-12) to showcase and sell their handmade goods, including crafting jewelry, painting, baking or any other creative pursuits. The event will take place 10am-2pmin the back parking lot shared by Ethel & Sabel and Redwood Pizza.
Participation costs $20, and all proceeds from booth sales go directly to the young artisans. Sign up at downtownfelton.com.
GOOD WORK
The City of Santa Cruz is pleased to announce the approval of a new stipend program for members of the city’s advisory bodies. The City Council voted on Aug. 27 to implement this initiative, which aims to foster greater diversity and representation.
Starting in January advisory body members will be eligible to receive a stipend of $75 per public meeting. This program is designed to support participation from historically underrepresented groups, including Latinx community members and renters, as part of the city’s commitment to equity and inclusivity.
“We recognize that financial barriers can prevent some residents from fully participating in these important roles, and this initiative is designed to help address that,” said Mayor Fred Keeley.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“I don’t do drugs, I am a drug.”
—Pablo Picasso
