Plus letters to the Editor 
After reading Kim Luke’s cover story on “summering” this week (page 14), I was reminded of my old childhood pal, Renee, with whom I recently reconnected.
Our gregarious—and loud—families used to “summer” together—or, at least the Midwest Polish version of “summering,” which was a seven- to 10-day respite and binge fest in the curiously named town of Tomahawk, Wisconsin. We rented cabins on Lake Somo (although, Lake Como would have been nice), and enjoyed all the modest perks of a middle-class getaway. We swam, we skied—eventually, my large frame could not withstand it, so I returned to binging on the beach—and played Mad Libs. 
Meanwhile, the adults partook in card games, told jokes in Polish—not the same as Polish jokes, by the way—and … there was laughter in the land. Fun times. As all these memories came rushing back (there I am on top of the human pyramid, right), I could not help but wonder if, today, there is an absence of real “summering”—generally speaking. Now that we’ve become a hyper-sensitive, high-tech society, entirely over-married to our modern-day gadgets and less interested (generally) in actually making real contact/connection with each other—oh, deep down we do, I just sense we’re going through an odd ADHD mood swing—it makes those days of yore seem all the more sweet and “real.”
All this to say … the Summer of 2012 is truly upon us. To that end, this week, we want to give away summer stuff. Email (le*****@gt******.com) or mail us (see right) your best—or most quirky—summer/vacation photo for a chance to win a pair of passes to the Boardwalk. (Deadline May 31.) Our editorial posse will screen the entries and choose the top five. Readers can vote for their favorite online at gtweekly.com beginnin June 1. Unearth those old photo albums, folks! You know, the kind that existed off of the computer. (Breathe. You’ll be OK.)
In the meantime, have a safe, fun, week. Stay connected. Summer away.
Onward …
Greg Archer | Editor-in-Chief
Letters to the Editor
Understanding the Fate of Twin Lakes
Too bad Californians voted down Prop 21 in November 2010. It would have funded all state parks through an $18 fee paid on vehicle registration. If we don’t want to pay fees or taxes, we need to determine how we will pay for the services we need. We’ll pay one way or another, either with trashed beaches or by spending our time and energy fund raising. When Arnold S. campaigned for governor, he promised to “cut the fat” in government, but couldn’t find any fat except in the schools and state parks. If you want the state to fund state parks, what program or service should they cut instead?
PK Newbury
Santa Cruz
Collins’ Death Unearths Many Concerns
Like many people, I am shocked by the brutal murder of Shannon Collins. However, I disagree with the people who describe it as “random,” “senseless” or without motive. Shannon Collins died because she was a woman and the motive of this crime was misogny. Some people will play the race card because Collins was white and the man arrested for the attack is African-American. Some will talk about “crazies” or poor “riffraff.” But all these tactics are evasion of this primary truth. This was a hate crime, just as much as the honor killings in Pakistan or the murder of female maquiladora workers in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Shannon was a sex-positive woman with a loving husband, so to honor her, it is important to continue to promote love and understanding and good communication between men and women. It also important that men take responsibility for their anger toward women, and it is important for women to understand the difference between anger and hatred.
All men can feel anger at women, other men and toward themselves, but to deal constructively with our all-too human feelings in a loving way, is a challenge. I also believe that women should be able to dress sexy and to wear “slinky” red things like Tori Amos and not fear violence from men. I strongly suspect that Shannon would probably agree, if she were alive today.
Erich J. Holden
Santa Cruz
Online Comments
On ‘Shannon Collins’ …
I was recently attacked by a mentality ill homeless man at 11:30 a.m. in San Francisco. Little was done to keep this man off the streets, he was medicated at a hospital and released under “good faith”—in spite of a pattern of violence. I now walk with a personal defense object (a weapon) in my own city and have every intention of using if I need to.
To the family of Shannon Collins, I am so sorry for your loss. She deserved to keep her life. Santa Cruz and San Francisco city governments: it is time to address the broken mental health system in order to keep us all safe.
—Santa Cruz Native
On ‘Eco Firefighting’ …
My favorite quote: “The more water you use, the more run-off goes in the streams and soil. Water is a limited commodity and resource, especially in areas like California. Water rights are going to be one of the biggest issues in the next 50 years, so this is another ancillary benefit of our product.” Right on, Jeff!
—Greg Pepping
On ‘Twin Lakes Closure’ …
I bet local City and County agencies will spend more than $415,000 on police to ticket neighbors who frequent those beaches once they close? And how much will it cost to do waste clean-up once the bathrooms are closed and people start using the beaches as toilets and garbage cans. We all will bear the burden of that deferred cost with polluted waters and fewer open spaces.
—Worried
Holiday Deadlines
Good Times offices will be closed Monday, May 28, in observance of Memorial Day. Offices will reopen 9 a.m. Tuesday. The following holiday deadlines will be in effect for the May 31 issue: Display and Class Display advertising deadlines will be 4 p.m., Thursday, May 24. Classified advertising deadline will be 11 a.m., Friday, May 25.
