.From the Editor

Greg 12It’s a powerful time of year, but do you feel empowered? Somebody keeps telling me that one way to feel good is to feel good. Maybe it’s that easy? In the meantime, it doesn’t hurt to help others feel better. Now that the holiday season is upon us, we are bombarded with messages about giving—to each other, and to the many local nonprofits in the county who make huge strides during the year to add some levity to the lives of those in need. To that end, I suggest learning more about Second Harvest Food Bank’s Set A Plate For Kate campaign this year.

We all know that hunger is a prominent issue county-wide, but when you consider how many children deal with hunger issues around here—about 20,000—it forces one to pause and reflect. Imagine what could happen, then, if, say, we all skipped just one luxury item a week—or every day? Second Harvest can take a $1 donation and create four healthy meals. Think of the good giving up a $5 latte could do? Learn more at thefoodbank.org.

In the meantime, take note of our annual Community Fund issue, in which we spotlight five local nonprofits striving to help locals in another area—housing. Learn more about all this, and how you can contribute during the holiday season—and beyond. Also, take note of where we highlight a milestone for the Community Foundation that marks the 30th anniversary of the venerable organization.

What’s left? Plenty more in between. Some good news: The Twilight Saga has come to an end—finally—and Daniel Day-Lewis is primed to nab an Oscar for his performance in Lincoln. Get an update on these new movies in our Film section.

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But here’s the big question of the week—and I am sure I will not be the only one asking it: What are you most grateful for this year? (And what a year it has been!) Ponder it all over the big weekend and in the coming weeks. If 2012 has taught as anything, it may be that we can all benefit from expressing more gratitude to the people in our lives. It sounds good on paper and yet, I sense it takes effort sometimes to put that idea into action.

We’re a strong bunch. I trust we’ll try.

Greg Archer | Editor-in-Chief


Letters to the Editor
Strike Out Strikes A Chord
Regarding the recent article on WomenCARE, thank you to everyone that made WomenCARE’s 16th annual Strike Out Against Cancer Bowling Benefit in October a success. We raised $54,000 this year. A special thank you to our staff, and many volunteers; 36 team captains, 180 bowlers, and all of the pledge donors that supported each of them. Unending appreciation to our event sponsor Donald Richards, and to all of our other sponsors: Complete Mailing Service, Palo Alto Medical Foundation Santa Cruz, George Ow Family Properties, Robert Taren Attorney at Law, Toyota of Santa Cruz, Subaru of Santa Cruz, Brinks Awards & Signs, Associates of West Marine, J. Allinger Graphic Design, Janice Tetlow Graphic Design, PP Stolich & Son, Santa Cruz County Bank, New Leaf Community Markets, Outside-In, Hakim Acupuncture & Herbal Clinic, Craft Gallery, Cisco International, and Bridal Veil Fashions   Also to the many businesses that donated raffle prizes. (womencaresantacruz.org) Many thanks to Willy King and Boardwalk Bowl.  
Eva Brunner
Strike Out Against Cancer Event Committee
Friends of WomenCARE

Wow For Ow
Just a quick shout out to William Ow, and the Ow Family, in general. I read the 11/15 cover story on William with interest. It’s refreshing to see a young entrepreneur here making strides. I wish there were more people like William around here. This is a super cool area and we could all benefit from more business-minded people like this. Bravo.
—Jennifer Hansen
Santa Cruz

Online Comments
On ‘Franklin Williams’    
I am currently in Franklin’s class and it is truly life changing. Every class he gets us pumped up to want to go out and do “selfless service” as we like to call it. An amazing opportunity if you end up at UCSC.
—Guest

On ‘Seismic Testing
Nothing so powerful has been allowed in California waters and let’s keep it that way! This is a dangerous and unnecessary proposal that benefits only PG&E and Big Oil.
If there were an inkling of truth to the ‘nuclear safety’ swindle, the $64 million would be used for plant upgrades, not oil exploration.
—Joey Racano
Director | Ocean Outfall Group


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