California 24/7

There's nothing like a photograph to cut to the heart of things. In "California 24/7," created by RICK SMOLANd and DAVID ELLIOT COHEN (DK Publishing, $24.95), the heart of California is captured in 734 images, all taken during the single week of May 12-18, 2003, by an army of professional and amateur photographers. Santa Cruz County is well-represented. There's a de rigeur spread of the Boardwalk. A BMX bicyclist caught turning tricks in the air at the Santa Cruz Art, Wine and Jazz Festival. And a shot of Chris Gonzales, Bro Print employee, taken by the Sentinel's own Shmuel Thaler. There's also a sweet photo of Erma and Tony Dalbesio, both in their 80s, on the front porch of the home they've lived in for 56 years. But of all the Santa Cruz photographs, the one of flower grower Kathleen Seaver best represents California's "struggle between the dream and the reality" posited by Diana Erwin, the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, in her introduction to the book. In the double-page spread of Seaver, National Geographic photographer Sisse Brimberg has captured an explosion of white, purple and pink flowers. She's also captured the focused intensity Seaver brings to her work. The photo's caption tells her story: "Kathleen Seaver, 51, raises organic specialty flowers such as these foxglove-excelsior hybrids on her 5-acre Cadillac Mountain Farms. Twenty years ago, Seaver nearly died after gastrointestinal surgery. She prayed to live, promising, "no matter what," to grow flowers as thanks. Despite her husband's passing and the financial hardships of the business, she has stuck to her promise." Readers can also order copies of "California 24/7" with their own photographs on the cover. For more information, go to www.america24-7.com.