Plus Letters to Good Times
A great human encouraged me to take flying lessons, so last weekend there I was, up in a small Cessna, flying at 3,000 feet above the bay. A fascinating experience. We forget sometimes how beautiful this area actually is when we’re walking and moving around on land. From the air, it truly does look like paradise. But the flying lessons also became somewhat of a mirror for real life, too—especially when you’re learning how to land that damn plane. I found it very metaphoric in an odd looking-for-significance way. The bottom line: It never hurts to see the bigger picture. Next up: Skydiving. Anybody up for it?
In other news, seeing the pristine coastline led me to discover more about the latest Coastal Cleanup Day results, where more than 6,000 volunteers managed to keep more than 17,000 pounds of pollution from heading into the Monterey Bay. Learn more about all this and find out how you can get involved at saveourshores.org.
Some events that stand out this week: “Visibly Invisible.” It’s the dynamic new exhibit at Cabrillo Gallery that explores transgender themes. Find out more about the compelling works, and the opening gala, on page 31.
There’s also Boomerlicious. Yes. you read that right. It’s a monthly social mixer catering to the Baby Boomer generation. The two largest population bases in Santa Cruz are, in fact, the Boomers and those under 25. An event on Thursday, Sept. 30, features live music, food from Hula’s (in Santa Cruz) and even an awards ceremony launching the First Friday Annual Excellence Awards, which recognize individuals and venues that embody the community spirit that First Friday strives for each month. The event takes place at 7 p.m. at The Robert Blitzer Gallery at the Wrigley Building (Mission Street Extension and Natural Bridges Drive). $5 recommended donation. Learn more at scica.org.
Lastly (this town never sleeps!), Community Television launches its Fundraiser Auction from 6-9 p.m. Friday Oct. 1 at 816 Pacific Ave. in Santa Cruz. Jazz music and food are on hand. Part of the funds go for the station’s production truck/mobile classroom. Click communitytv.org/ctv-oct-1-fundraiser-and-auction for more details.
We live in a thriving community. See you at some of these events. In the meantime, have a super week.
Greg Archer | Editor-in-Chief
Letters to the Editor
Good Vibes
The Esalen cover story (GT 9/16) was well written. I appreciated the perspective. Besides all the obvious that was stated, did you know that one of the reasons Big Sur is so peaceful is that there are no wireless SmartMeters there, and I have heard that cell phones and wireless don’t work well there. This keeps the area with a natural vibe—just the air, earth, sun, water communicating as they have for eons. Our bodies notice and it’s easy to heal in this kind of environment. Why should we have to only have these experiences in isolated remote environments? Why not clean up our living places with truly green practices? Then we can be living and working in paradise.
Rhonda Hoefs
Aptos
Action Plan in Action
It was good to hear about the Climate Action Plan in last week’s paper. Climate Action Coordinator Ross Clark said it best: “Each coastal community has its own concerns around sea levels rising … Ours are complicated but we’re starting to evaluate what they are and what kinds of actions we can take to reduce and prepare for them.” It’s true. Our concerns are complicated but I, and many others—my neighbors and colleagues—feel blessed that we live in an area where things are pro-active. There’s great spirit here and I commend the people who are behind all of this. Thanks for reporting.
John Anderson
Capitola
Hail Election Season
Regarding some of the recent articles on the upcoming election on Nov. 2, we will be going to the polls to vote on a number of issues. Among them is Proposition 19, which will legalize the drug marijuana, its recreational use and its production. This proposition was put on the ballot by the official advocacy group, Yes on 1., The good aspect of this legislation means that incarceration for three-time offenders is no longer legal. The bad news is that the sale of marijuana is still illegal under the federal law—Controlled Substances Act,
The argument for the passage of Proposition 19 is very compelling. The amount of money saved feeding, clothing, and indicting three-time offenders would make a difference in the local and state budgets. There is a lack of funds for school boards to pay teachers and other needy organizations. Passing the resolution does not imply that nonusers will rush to become users. It probably will lower crime rates in states bordering Mexico, and lower the need for additional officers to search areas for marijuana plants. It probably will do less harm to the general public than drunken drivers that partake of legal alcohol drinking. The lives of many who cross the borders between Texas and Mexico will not be at the mercy of drug dealers, cartel lords who do not hesitate to kidnap, murder travelers when drug sales don’t satisfy the drug lords. I urge a Yes vote on Proposition 19.
Ruth Hunter
Santa Cruz
Best of The Online Comments
On the ‘Climate Action Plan’
Only plans to reduce the local production of greenhouse gases were identified in this article. The problem however is global and with the melting of the arctic ice sheet and glaciers the ocean level will rise. This is a threat to Santa Cruz that cannot be mitigated only by reducing our carbon footprint. Do we have a community continuity plan should rising ocean levels impact our community?
Jim Dougherty
On the ‘Dopplegangers Among Us’ …
Great article. I have always fancied myself to be Sandra Bullock (as she appears in Miss Congeniality) but fear that others may see me more as the Principal in the original Grease movie! Keep up the good work—it’s always a pleasure to read your wit and wisdom. And, I must say that I’ve always thought of you as a young Liz Taylor!
Ozzy
On the Play ‘Clouds’ …
Great review! But the show is even better!! I can’t believe a small town like Santa Cruz could have such an amazing production. Felt like Off-Broadway or some avant-garde Village performance. My wife and I stumbled across this show last Friday and it ended up being a truly memorable experience.
SC Theater Lover
