Plus Letters To the Editor
My Polish mother was the maven of our suburban Chicago home and enjoyed taking care of it. (And keeping it clean!) That may be an understatement. The dear woman also had many to-do lists around—everything from cleaning out the gutters and mowing the lawns to replacing all of the windows and re-painting all of the walls. It was hard to keep up. It can take me months to get over a mood swing. I simply did not know how this incredible creature mustered up the willpower to, say, wash the floors at 8 a.m.—on a Saturday morning! (If only that trait had been passed down to me from my Polish immigrant family.) Needless to say, I always think of my ever-resourceful clan—a group of people who fought hard to actually establish a home in America—whenever our Spring Home & Garden issue publishes.
This week, Jenna Brogan guides readers through several ways to “spruce up” one’s home during the spring. Are you game?
There are other thrills to be had, too. And if you are seeking somethng more adventurous, then you may want to note our festive contest in which we give away a helicopter tour and wine tasting. Don’t fret—the pilot won’t be sipping the wine. Turn to page 48 for more details and submit your entries for a chance to win an experience of a lifetime.
Over in News this week, we turn our attention to a new volunteer group that is taking bold measures in a number of local clean-up efforts. It’s a compelling topic, considering that over the last few months, this issue has been generating buzz. Read on …
Elsewhere, as we move deeper into springtime, GT is on the look out for even more locals to feature on our GTv show on Community Television. We keep expanding and we’re interested in your feedback. If you’d like to be featured on the show, drop us a line at gt*@gt******.com and we’ll start a dialogue.
More soon …
Greg Archer | Editor-in-Chief
Redefining ‘Values’
So Oriana Fallaci thinks “the moment you give up your principles, and your values, you are dead, your culture is dead, your civilization is dead. Period”? How very Ayn Randish. Hitler might have said that. Or either of the Pauls—Rand or Ryan. I would say instead, out of the great liberal tradition that produced American democracy, “The moment you stop questioning your principles, and your values, you are dead, your culture is dead, your civilization is dead.” And in the spirit of the late, great Gracie Allen, “Never place a ‘period’ where God has placed a comma.”
Tony Phillips
Aptos
And Then … He Lost Me
I was reading Ted Rall’s article, “Why Can’t the U.S. Move Forward?” (GT 3/22) over dinner last night at Carpo’s. I was intrigued and engaged, almost compelled, actually, until I reached the point where he compared New Yorkers ignoring the lack of public restrooms to Germans ignoring the stench of burning Jews. Dude. Seriously? Way to turn off approximately everyone who was willing to read your work. May I suggest a course in “Analogy 101” where you can actually make a point without being shocking, offensive, and distasteful?
Tony del Zompo
Capitola
TAKING THE PLUNGE
This shot of 67-year-old “Halle” making a cliff dive near the lighthouse surfer museum caught the eye of one local photographer. photo/Mauritz Allberg
Submit photos to ph****@gt******.com . Include information about the photo (location, etc.) and your name within the body of the email. Photos may be cropped to fit.
Warriors All Around
The ripple effects of the deaths of Santa Cruz police officers Baker and Butler are still being felt locally. But hats off to the Santa Cruz Warriors. The local basketball team joined forces with Santa Cruz Police and all local law enforcement agencies on March 25 in an event designed to reaffirm the community’s support for officials who keep locals safe. About 400 representatives from local law enforcement and emergency response agencies were in attendance for what was dubbed “Public Safety Night.”
Marching On
A march for positive change? Sounds good to us. Recently, Take Back Santa Cruz (TBSC) generated a community march toward Santa Cruz City Council. In what was promoted as a “positive loitering” of the city council, the march began at Harvey West Park and ventured forth. The idea behind the event was obviously prompted by the recent tragedies that hit Santa Cruz. On another somewhat related note, an article in the New York Times noted this week that in light of the tragedies, Santa Cruz may be going through an identity crisis. Thoughts?
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle, the other is as though everything is a miracle.”
—Albert Einstein
Online Comments
On ‘Why the U.S. Can’t Move Forward ’ …
Finally, someone is questioning the deafening drumbeat of U.S.A. exceptionalism. Empires come and go throughout history for pretty much the same reason. The ideas that made them great in the beginning are too seldom questioned, the rulers too fond of their power, and the sacred cows’ milk dries up. Challenging established icons is heretical, dissenting messages silenced. Disrobed, the emperor would be revealed as a raging, withered addict, but any voice given his ear simply parrots the scripted praise. And so the sacrosanct system circles the drain.
—Joy Wilder
Very disappointing, one-sided article. What else can you expect from Good Times?
—Don Honda
Re: “Rotkin goes on to note that the resistance to accepting new kinds of institutions is very much structured by modern institutions’ efforts to retain the status quo, often as a means to maintain the economic hierarchy …” Mike, is that what caused the failure of every Communist government?
—Bob
On ‘Frosty’ …
Amazing movie [Chasing Mavericks)! Makes me want to “live like Jay”! More people in this world need to be like he and Frosty! I cried hard, but also loved this movie! Have now read articles about Jay and Frosty.
A film all teens should watch, maybe they will learn how to treat one another! Take something away at least.
—Nichole
On ‘Animal Welfare’ …
We keep hearing about Santa Cruz Biotech but it remains a mystery spot. Who are the staff who are frequently referred to? Who are the “attending veterinarians?” Do they live in Santa Cruz County? Does anyone know? Please speak out! We need a local movement to protest this company. Thanks ALDF for your involvement, but let’s step it up!
—Joanne T.
