Plus letters to the Editor
Welcome to 2013 and the first GT issue of the year. Hoping to set the creative ball rolling in the right direction, our first cover story this year revolves around the idea of happiness. We hear so many people say “Happy New Year,” but what are they really saying? Furthermore, how much do we understand about the idea of happiness? GT’s Jenna Brogan explores all this. Hopefully, it may spark something within you and provoke some thought. Also, take note of several “happiness experts” featured within the cover story. A great group of souls, indeed.
In News this week there’s an intriguing story about one local woman’s mission to legalize the cannabis and hemp industries, but for a very specific purpose. Could that very act offer a new job market possibility to veterans? Beyond that, could both hemp and cannabis be used as a much-needed alternative form of medicine for vets? Read on, and send your thoughts to le*****@gt******.com .
Over in A&E, we take a look at the compelling new dance performance coming to life at Motion at the Mill this week. The piece explores the fragility of the body and the strength of the body. But locals may be intrigued by some of the performers in the work who have had to overcome their own challeges, both physical and emotional. Take a look and learn more.
In Music, Ray Manzarek, of The Doors—yes, The Doors—chats about life—then and now. Manzarek also reveals some of the inspiration behind the release of his new album, Translucent Blues.
In the meantime, there is the new year to attend to. How would you like it to unfold? It might be best to set aside traditional New Year’s resolutions and consider something else. Author Debbie Ford calls it a strategy. She discusses it in her book “The Best Year of Your Life?” Are you ready to have one? (A best year, that is?) There is one staring right at you.
To cull from our own moniker, let’s make it “good.”
Big thank you.
(Happy NEW year)
Greg Archer | Editor-in-Chief
Letters to the Editor
Formula Concerns Mount Regarding the article “Fixing The Formula,” being healthy and on the outside of the hospital, we have many food choices. Land yourself in the hospital and we are forced with dilemas such as the Concannon family is enduring. I am a mother of three and make my family’s meals by scratch, with whole, organic ingredients, including our bread. That is a choice and a priviledge I have as we are not in the hospital. We need to extend that choice and demand it as a right in the hospitals. This is a good place to start. Let’s help get “Liquid Hope” off the waiting lists and into the patients.
Inga Knudson
Santa Cruz
Online Comments
On ‘Ebb & Flow’ (GT 12/13)…
What will eventually unravel the push for desalination is the fact that our water supply issues are a regional problem, not something that should be handled autonomously. This is exemplified by Santa Cruz’s coveted Habitat Conservation Planning (HCP). The process itself is stellar, but why are Santa Cruz rate payers bearing the full cost and loss of supply from its outcome? San Lorenzo Water has 12 sources of surface water tributary to the San Lorenzo River and Scotts Valley has depleted underflow to Bean and Carbonera Creeks, also tributaries. Neither are forfeiting water or funding an HCP.
—Jan Bentley
Beautifully written! Kudos. I am heartened by the SCMU’s recent newsletter with offers for rainwater cachement receptacles for a mere $30 and a monetary incentive plan for turning lawn into artificial-permeable surface. I’m on my condo board and will be investigating participation as soon as the holidays are over. It demonstrates to me, however, that the City Water Depart,emt is taking Plan B seriously. I voted YES for Measure P. No decision until more info available.
—Sandra Cohen
I’m working on a plan. Needs more work, but check it out (billsmallman.com). It recycles 100 percent waste water by building a pipeline along the RR corridor with a bike path in its place. It also calls for two 5,000- acre-foot reservoirs at the abandoned sand quarries and filling them with storm water flow. My opposition argues that the environmentalists killed the reservoir idea, but I feel enviros will back my idea because of two main reasons: It ends ocean pollution of the sewer outfall, restores fish habitat by ending dry month water collection.
—Bill Smallman
I’d like to see some alternatives that create extra storage during wet years and use water thus stored to recharge the aquifers that are threatened with salt-water intrusion. My vote for the proposition was intended to be anti-desalination to force the pro-desal authorities to propose these kind of alternatives and was thus an early anti-Desal message.
—Bernie
On ‘The Youth Food Bill of Rights’ …
It seems that Maya Salsedo is coming from a very genuine place (GT 12/6). Any work to organize youth and addressing social justice issues is in today’s society important. Places where youth are gathering to address issues that they face is crucial. The little details that appeared in the article about “facts” are besides the point, its the fact that youth are gathering and having conversations like this that’s important. It’s hard to get publicity on folks doing this kind of work.
—Guest
