Plus Letters to Good Times…
Puffed Out
Rock of Ages
What a week. if you were bored in Santa Cruz between Oct. 22 and 28, don’t blame us. There were so many activities unfolding, it was truly hard to keep track. Last Saturday found hundreds flocking to Cooper Street in downtown Santa Cruz to witness what turned out to be quite the re-enactment of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” dance. “Thriller” mania was part of a national event that found many cities participating. Log onto goodtimesantacruz.com and grab a peek at what GT photographer Charles Mixson captured (below). In the meantime, MJ fans will undoubtedly be in the movie line for the premiere of the highly anticipated doc This Is It, which opens this week.
Another event, an international one in fact, captured my interest. On the very same day “Thriller” was playing out downtown, a few blocks away at the Clock Tower, a mock trial was taking place. (The automobile was put on trial!) It was just one of many events for Climate Action Day, which aimed to raise awareness about the level of CO2 in the Earth’s atmosphere. (You can learn more about that at 350.org.) I was privileged to partake in a boat rally earlier in the day. Three boats, each with a different sail (3, 5 and 0) set out from the Santa Cruz Harbor. ( I was on boat 3, captained by eco patriot Greg Cotten.) We made our way to the wharf and sailed around there for a while. Others gathered on the wharf before heading to the downtown rally. Check out shots on our website and look for exclusive video coverage in our GTv Clip of the Week beginning this weekend.
In the meantime, let’s not forget to eat in between all these festive fall events. This week’s dining issue should give you plenty to ponder so dig in. And don’t forget to scout out the 10 dishes we want you to know about.
That’s it for now. Have a thrilling week. (Or, in Santa Cruz speak, “Be the thrill that you seek.”)
Greg Archer
Editor
Letters to Good Times Editor
Puffed Out
Regarding the the smoking ban story, the ban in Santa Cruz is a targeted attack on the civil liberties of smokers. Though the proponents have their reasons, they in no way pertain solely to the issue of smoking.
Argument 1) Air Quality. Tobacco Smoke is bad for you, but so is car exhaust, so if air quality is the issue cars should be banned from the non-smoking areas as well. Argument 2) Litter. Yes cigarette butts contribute to litter, but even more so do the plastic and paper products handed out by almost every business downtown. Additionally, tobacco products are taxed to provide services that counter their negative affects. Why no ban or taxes on plastic bags? Argument 3) Out of sight, out of mind. The idea that smoking in public influences others (particularly youth) to pick up the habit should be applied to alcohol as well. Bars and liquor stores should have their windows boarded up, signs removed, and all advertisements prohibited in the smoking ban areas to prevent exposure to alcohol products. Rather than passing laws that treat smokers like drug abusers, the business owners who pushed this legislation through should be the ones responsible for keeping smokers away from their businesses and should stop using our police officers’ valuable time to enforce their anti-smoking bias.
Ray Badalich
Santa Cruz
Rock of Ages
Talk about brain warp! Wow. I remember World Entertainment War from way back. Thanks to Damon Orion for that wild cover story last week. Like many older Cruzans, I can recall the day when there were so many cool local bands in time. There was more of a spirit of revelry back in the ’80s and ’90s. And damn, I sure do miss that Palookaville! All that to say, I found Orion’s story pretty neat and it was great to see that the old group is making a comeback. I’ll be one of the first to stand in line. Rock on.
Tim Hansen
Santa Cruz
Clarification
In the 10/22 issue of GT, the Town Hall column was written by Assemblymember Bill Monning and not Sam Farr. GT regrets the error. Read/re-read Monning’s entire column Here.
Photos courtesy of GT photographer Charles Mixson:
