In these politically correct times, is it possible for comedians to tell jokes?
Some big names, including Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Maher, argue that comedians are being silenced especially on college campuses by an audience that is offended by everything.
But comedians featured at a giant weeklong comedy festival in Santa Cruz from Oct 1-5 have other opinions.
Writer Sean Rusev talked to many of them for our cover story about the festival, which has attracted both big and local names. It’s interesting to see how many locals have made the big time over the years and this is your chance to catch up-and-comers and already-theres at a panoply of locations around town.
Given the tensions around the world and in this country, laughter has never been more needed. Our prescription is simple: you know the cliche that laughter is the best medicine. Well, here’s your chance for a good dose of laughter.
On the news front, students at UCSC are in for some big changes in the wake of last year’s protest. Josué Monroy will update you in his article. We also have all kinds of information in our student guide, which features cheap eats, ways to rate your professors, a hip-hop dance teacher who has worked with famous artists and a focus on online learning.
Welcome to Santa Cruz, new students.
In music we profile an African man who has developed a reputation as one of the best guitarists in Santa Cruz. We also cover an amazing 25-year-old woman who is keeping the blues alive for a new generation.
Then there’s a new release from a DIY/Punk label, Shallow Dive Records, covered by Mat Weir, which you probably won’t read about anywhere else. Mat, who is a true music maven, also covers hardcore supergroup Seized Up, which has an album release show at Moe’s Alley.
For great eats, we have a six-month-old restaurant, Obló, which serves fresh, authentic Italian meals with an interesting twist. The owner studied business so knows the ins and outs of staying in business. It’s been sad to see other great restaurants disappear.
What a great way to help local restaurants still recovering from tough times during the pandemic: go out for a great meal.
Have a great time this week.
Brad Kava | Editor
PHOTO CONTEST
EGYPT ON THE BEACH These sand pyramids are part of an art installation by Jim and Brighton Denevan at Cowell Beach and sponsored by the MAH. Photograph by Jim Sullivan.
GOOD IDEA
In an exciting show of community spirit and friendly rivalry, two city managers are taking the plunge—literally! Matt Huffaker, city manager of Santa Cruz, and Rene Mendez, former city manager of Watsonville, will jump off the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf into the Pacific Ocean Friday at 3pm to celebrate their cities’ efforts in last season’s Holiday Food & Fund Drive fundraising competition. Huffaker raised an impressive $26,264 (equivalent of 78,792 healthy meals), while Mendez brought in $14,159 (42,477 healthy meals), both supporting Second Harvest’s mission to combat hunger in Santa Cruz County. Santa Cruz County Lifeguards will be standing by to ensure a safe and splashy landing.
GOOD WORK
The California Public Utilities Commission approved the fifth round of recommended awardees for 10 last-mile broadband projects, awarding a cumulative $91 million worth of grants to projects serving predominantly disadvantaged and low-income communities.
Nearly $15 million of those funds is slated for broadband infrastructure projects designed to connect and empower underserved and unserved rural communities in Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. Surfnet Communications, of Santa Cruz, has been awarded $4,348,793 to serve an estimated 410 unserved locations in the communities of Hutchinson and Radonich and along Mt. Bache Road.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.” —George Bernard Shaw
