Plus Letters to the Editor
& Winter Wonderland
Sometimes you never know where the winds of fate will take you—even when you’re no longer on the Earthly plane. Take this week’s cover story, for example. It’s an early interview with the late Steve Jobs written by the late James D. Houston. Jobs, Apple’s triumphant pioneer, passed away earlier this year; Houston, the revered local writer who won international attention through his works, died in 2009. Houston met with Jobs back in 1982 for the interview, when Jobs’ celebrity, not to mention his innovative ideas, were just beginning to rise.
“I am struck by the humbleness, or perhaps it is the sheer youthfulness, of this move,” Houston writes of Jobs. “Here he is, vice chairman of a company that in recent months moved $250 million through the securities markets; a company that, according to Time magazine, enjoyed ‘one of the biggest and most successful stock launchings in the history of Wall Street,’ here is Steve standing in line at the neighborhood bank waiting to get some spending money for his trip to Boston.” The interview reveals Jobs’ passion and so much more. Experience it, with a special introducution penned by Geoffrey Dunn.
Elsewhere, reflection and generosity are in the air. So take note of our annual Community Fund campaign, which spotlights four local nonprofits whose work makes a significant difference. The Packard Foundation matches portions of your donations. Learn more about the four local groups.
Meanwhile, time for some fun. Shakespeare Santa Cruz has a hit with its holiday show “A Year With Frog and Toad,” which runs through Dec. 11 (see shakespearesantacruz.org). Then there’s Cabrillo Stage and “Plaid Tidings,” which comes to life on Dec. 16 (cabrillostage.com). Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre’s bold rendition of “The Nutcracker” hits the Civic in Santa Cruz Dec. 16-18 (scbt.org). See these ambitious outings and … take note: the Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade is 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 3.
Enjoy the good cheer. Thanks for reading …
Greg Archer | Editor-in-Chief
Letters to the Editor
Desal Issue Rages On
Regarding your news article on desalination, desal is not the answer to any water problem. It’s a hugely expensive boondoggle for corporate and private water profiteers to take state money and let the rate payers pay it back while they skip on to their next project. Don’t be fooled. All the water we will ever need is right here right now. It’s the management of it that needs to change.
Merle Moshiri
Huntington Beach
Other Alternatives Exist
I sat through the entire “study session.” The desal developers (scwd2 and Mike Rotkin) had two hours to address the city council. Desal Alternatives had 15 minutes. Longinotti presented some very pertinent facts, along with some very interesting ideas. I like Patton’s elephant poem. To it I will add Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.” For more on a myriad alternatives to a $130 million desal plant, see desalalternatives.org.
Jean Brocklebank
Santa Cruz
Best Online Comments
On the ‘Downtown Solutions’ column by Tom Honig …
Didn’t Mr. Gibbs find that the overall image of Pacific Avenue is of a caucasian market despite other ethnic peoples living here? Despite the major part Asians played in the settling of Santa Cruz, except for restaurants, where do we see evidence of their presence, or those from India, Native Americans, Afro-Americans? Santa Cruz is so white, the visual impact blinds the reader. Santa Mayo comes to mind of the image still dominant and proliferated in the business community. At least the Italians maintained their identity/presence on Fisherman’s Wharf; but once again, a local merchant family emphasized white images in their billboard serving as a directional [for] that area into Downtown Santa Cruz.
Kathy Cheer
Santa Cruz
On ‘James Durbin’ …
I don’t know. It seems to me the author is overestimating all those syndromes and underestimating James Durbin … the way he is and has always been. Music schools played a role in his life? Yes, definitely. Heidi did? Yes, definitely. But the truth is James Durbin is coming to be what he has been always ready to become—he has chosen to accept the good influences and reject the bad influences because he is James Durbin—the chosen one, you know? He is humble enough to credit other people for his successes, and most probably he always will. It doesn’t mean we, his supporters, will not see through it. Thank you, James for everything you have become and everything you are. We love you just the way you are.
—Eliza
On John Perkins’ new book …
We need to know the facts of what is going on in our own backyard in the Americas.
We need to know what change is going on around the world and why people’s protests have erupted. We need to know what our money has done in making war and making business for 10 years. If John Perkins has the facts, let’s hear him tell us. If his book has them, let’s read it. If change is in the air, let’s do it while we still can.
—Wallace Wood
Santa Cruz
We Do Windows:
Winter Window Wonderland Arrives
Cast your vote! Once again, several Downtown Santa Cruz businesses are participating in Winter Window Wonderland. Peruse the list of local stores below that have spruced up their storefronts—it’s all about the holidays. Vote for your favorite holiday-themed window display at goodtimessantacruz.com. Participants/voters will be entered into a raffle and the winner will receive $100 in Downtown Dollars. Contest launch: Saturday, Dec. 3.
The adventure begins at: Artisans, Camouflage, Dell Williams Jewelers, Eco Goods, Kianti’s, Old School Shoes, Plaza Lane Optometry, SockShop & Shoe Co., Stripe, True Olive Connection and Wallflower Boutique. Winners will be announced later this month. Good luck. Support your local stores—vote!
