Monthly Archives: June 2012

a civil grand jury?

Posted on June 28, 2012 by jessicap

Today I learned that in California, there are civil grand juries that are unlike anything I’m used to. In California counties, the Civil Grand Jury serves to “scrutinize the conduct of public business of County government.” Basically,  it’s watchdog group comprised … Continue reading →

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The divine (reproductive) secrets of the banana slug

Posted on June 27, 2012 by jessicap

I’ve still only seen one banana slug in real life, and it was very exciting. It was in November at Big Basin State Park. I am highly amused by the fact that the UC Santa Cruz mascot is the banana … Continue reading →

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Bath salts

Posted on June 26, 2012 by jessicap

If you haven’t heard any thing about the emerging and dangerous trend of bath salts, you might want to get out more. Apparently the DEA has known for awhile about this synthesized group of drugs but it’s difficult to crack … Continue reading →

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The places I’ve lived: Santa Cruz-centric edition

Posted on June 26, 2012 by jessicap

I’m a big fan of the blogs The Awl, Splitsider and the Hairpin, so I was excited when the same folks behind those sites introduced a new, money/economics-themed blog called the Billfold. Today on the BF, Yelp editor Rebecca Pederson … Continue reading →

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The original O’Neill surf shop

Posted on June 26, 2012 by jessicap

Earlier this month, the site of the original O’Neill surf shop near Cowell beach was declared a California Point of Historical Interest. However, the blog Curbed has a really interesting post about what the author claims is actually the true … Continue reading →

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The fruits of California

Posted on June 25, 2012 by jessicap

One of the many things I’m enjoying in my first year of living across the country is discovering new fruits and veggies I’m not used to, or at least not used to in such quantities. We can get Meyer lemons … Continue reading →

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Former teacher, now living in Santa Cruz Co., tells NY Times he had sex with students

Posted on June 24, 2012 by jessicap

I’ve been following the pretty explosive story about sexual abuse allegations at New York City high school Horace Mann, as a reported earlier this month in the New York Times. The story has been picked up by a number of … Continue reading →

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Dreaming the wind

Posted on June 21, 2012 by jessicap

I get a kick out of unusual names, most likely in part because my parents chose one of the most popular girls names of the 1980s for me. I’ve always wondered whether life would have been different had I been … Continue reading →

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The Original Pez museum in Burlingame

Posted on June 20, 2012 by jessicap

I only recently became aware of the existence of the Original Burlingame Museum of Pez memorabilia and I am now making it my goal to visit the place sometime this summer. I have kind of a thing for quirky little … Continue reading →

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“I did it all for love”

Posted on June 20, 2012 by jessicap

I’ve been sadly neglecting this blog but I’m going to make a concerted effort to stop doing that. I’d like to start doing a weekly “news around the bay” feature or something of that nature. We have had some pretty … Continue reading →

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