Three months ago, we were preparing for the holidays and the new year. Now, it’s all about spring, which arrives next week. Ready or not, here it comes. And so, too, does a new season that is hopefully full of insights and, perhaps, the manifestation of some of your deeper desires—your “dreams,” hopes and wishes. Oh, those, you say? Where are they? What have you done lately to fuel your innermost passions and desires?
If you’re looking for inspiration to spark your creative fires, this week’s cover story has plenty of that. Beginning on page 12, News Editor Elizabeth Limbach explores—and celebrates—six local women whose passions and life work set an example that a) anything is possible once you put your mind and will to work and b) that sometimes, you must step completely out of your own way and become somewhat of a channel for the good to pour through you—and out to others in the world. Get to know these women in our first-ever issue devoted to female trailblazers.
On that note … this week, we also announce the winner of our Marilyn Monroe look-alike contest. Which local grabbed the most votes from Cruzans? Find out.
Over in News, learn more about the City of Santa Cruz’s new financial director, Marc Pimentel, who, some say, is “strategic” and not your “run-of-the-mill accountant.” No doubt Pimentel has quite a task in front of him. Does he feel that Santa Cruz is improving economically? Read on …
Economic issues, the idea of global dominance and a universal code that could possibly be a clue to generating a free energy source, are among the topics addressed in the new documentary Thrive, which screens at the Del Mar Theatre in Santa Cruz on March 15. Take note of the compelling discussions at thrivemovement.com. And keep sending us your insights on today’s economic issues and other ways to rally together to create effective change.
Enjoy the issue. Onward …
Greg Archer | Editor-in-Chief
Letters to the Editor
Time to Thrive
The article and the movie (GT 3/8) reminded me that Stan Tenen of Meru Foundation (meru.org—book/tapes available) discovered in Genesis mathematical formulae for the torus, the building block of creation in his opinion and the “schematic for the unfolding of the universe”. I discovered him 30 years ago when he lived in the Bay Area.
TMay
Santa Cruz
Changing Course
Thank you for the most excellent cover story on the Thrive movie (GT 3/8). It was a refreshing change and insightful read. We seem to be at an historical first, a magic moment if you will where we have the opportunity to truly influence the dynamic of human evolution for a better outcome. Now is our turn to use the transformative power of the information in the Thrive movie. We and our communities must design new models and alternatives that return democracy and accountability to our political structures, resilience and sustainability to our economic ones. The present order is failing and collapsing all around us and now is the time for us all to do our part and create a future where everyone and our environment can truly thrive.
Drew Lewis
Santa Cruz
Best Online Comments
On ‘Go With the Flow’/ ‘Thrive’ …
Stupid pseudoscientific gibberish. Just because homeboy hasn’t lived up to his own impossible expectations of his family name doesn’t mean that humans haven’t “thrived.” What more needs to be said about this doofus than advocating for “free” energy?
BS Detector
I am so impressed with this movie. I have known much of this stuff about the ruling elite for years but I appreciate having it exposed in such a way that there are solutions available, not just a feeling of hopelessness and resignation that we are powerless against this corruption. @ BS Detector, yup, we are thriving. Enjoying paying over $4 at the gas pump? Get your head out of the sand …
NorthernMich Fan
On the styrofoam ban …
I think it is great that Santa Cruz is taking this bold step to eliminate this plastic pollution, but really want this issue to be resolved statewide. If Mark Stone gets elected onto the assembly, I hope he expands his plastic bag ban into something so comprehensive that the use of these products will become obsolete. The plastic industry and their lawyers need to get a life, and really need to think hard that the money that they make, in effect, trashes California. Oregon always has been the “enviro” leader, let us take California into the lead. There are so many interesting alternatives that may, in fact, be even more cost effective. One I liked was using dried mushrooms vs. styrofoam peanuts. When you get a package, instead of getting pissed off picking up the stryro pellets into bags for recycle, you can take the shrooms to your compost pile! It would also be great if some of the manufacturing jobs of creating these products came to our county as well!
Bill Smallman
On ‘Open Source Democracy’ …
Mostly, I would like to see a Business Dept. Road Map or Process Flow Chart to determine which license or permit to start my process, then what comes next. Do I drive to the city or county building, and on what floor, what are the business hours for the departments? I found once I went to the county to get a permit, I was then going to the city for the next item, then back to the county. I am not complaining, I had a very positive experience with all the county and city staff, I just would have spent less time in lines or in my car parking if I had a road map to get through it. The True Olive Connection is very grateful for the support the staff at both agencies gave us during this stressful time. We have had a few required permits since then and the experience was the same, delightful people just had to go to different departments for everything.
Susan Hayes Pappas
