Plus Letters to the Editor
Summer is here. Time to celebrate. Maybe it’s best to do that with a 30-year-old. Two come to mind: Shakespeare Santa Cruz and Cabrillo Stage. The iconic, local theater companies both celebrate their third decade in existence this summer and there’s plenty to savor in the coming weeks. First, Shakespeare Santa Cruz launches what’s destined to be a memorable season on July 19. The three shows on the roster this year: “The Comedy of Errors,” “Henry IV, Part One” and “The Three Musketeers,” which will finally debut in the Festival Glen. Learn more about the shows in GT in the coming weeks, or log on to skakespearesantacruz.org. But up first: Cabrillo Stage. Its anniversary season launches this week with the wild premiere of “The Full Monty” on June 24. Expect a bold offering.
Features Editor Christa Martin reports on the show, as well as “Hairspray,” which comes to life July 19, and “The Last 5 Years,” which is also on the theater menu. Martin also delves into the company’s rich 30-year history. Take note of our interviews with Cabrillo Top Dogs and dive into more of the fun. Learn more about the upcoming shows at cabrillostage.com. See you at the Crocker Theatre.
Beyond that, the summer months afford us more time to relax and create winning moments with people we are close to—family, kids, friends, coworkers. All that to say, I appreciate this week’s quote (below), but it did get me thinking—sometimes safer than when I’m “feeling.” We live in times when most of our attention seems to be given to electronic devices (and their offspring) that we’ve become addicted to. One of the things I am doing this summer, is turning off/tuning out of my iPhone and Facebook more, and doing something really novel: reaching out and, hopefully, connecting with people the old-fashioned way. Interested?
Thanks for reading. Have a powerful week.
Greg Archer | Editor-in-Chief
Letters to the Editor
Embracing The ‘Change’
Thank you for your article about climate change (GT 6/16), a topic that’s in my mind and heart. The author reported what the thinking is at different agencies in the county. Each of us needs to ask ourselves, “What can I do?”
In our personal lives each of us can do one more thing to keep ourselves climate aware. It could be riding our bikes more, taking the bus more, patronizing certified green businesses, or eating less meat.
But in the face of what will be the biggest crisis facing the planet, there is a need to take action beyond the personal. Fewer Americans believe in climate change these days. There is a news blackout on the topic. Last week on the CBS Evening News there was a segment which claimed to be a presentation of what’s behind the extreme weather. Global warming wasn’t even mentioned. In order to make others aware of this problem, we could write letters to the editors of the Sentinel, the Register-Pajaronian, the Mercury-News, and the San Francisco Chronicle when they run a story about extreme weather events. We could suggest to the Daily Show that they run a segment on the topic.
In addition to riding our bikes we could lobby for more bike paths. Those of us who ride the bus could find ways to better fund public transportation. But working for government solutions means dealing with the government financial crisis. We’ll need to be willing to pay more taxes. That’s a hard pill to swallow. But if we do nothing about the climate crisis, we can kiss our local redwoods good-bye.
Emelyn Buskirk
Watsonville
Who’s Weird?
Why is Santa Cruz weird (GT 6/9)? I figure it couldn’t help it.
First you got the landscape and climate. They attract people who love nature, who want to relax, and who want to party. These folks often tend to be accepting and tolerant. Then there’s location; the closest resort beach town to all the Bay Area and Central California. Lots of people. Of course there’s the surfing traditions and the Boardwalk. Carnies and surfers! That would be enough.
But the main source of wierdness I see anytime I walk or drive around town is the constantly and hugely varying individual mode of dress and personal grooming. I am consistently smacked in the face with the sight of someone totally unique in some way. People who come here know how to stand out in a crowd. When you get a crowd of them, it’s really weird.
Because of the tolerance and acceptance of non-normal appearance is so prevalent here, people are encouraged to take things a step or two further toward looking like whoever they really would like to be, and from there to begin acting and thinking in like fashion. Take this, plus the view, and you pretty much got that “greatest place on earth to call home” thing. Simple, no?
Stevie Joe Rieger
Santa Cruz
Best Online Comments
On ‘Penny For Your Thoughts’ by Caitlin Sullivan
I did not attend this meeting [about the police asking for citizen input]. I understand the budget, and I don’t agree with some of where the City Council chooses to spend our money.
This was not publicized as an event that city representatives would listen to or be open to suggestions from the people they serve and whose money they spend. Instead, it felt as if they were treating the public like dummies for not agreeing with them … “You don’t agree with us? You just don’t know all the facts.” Maybe I do know the facts and I don’t agree with what you are doing.
In fact, any time I have emailed the City Council with budget concerns about their choice of spending, I have not received an answer from any council member (including Lane) and they have done as they pleased.
W. Wilde
Holiday Deadlines
GT offices will be closed Monday, July 4. Offices will reopen at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 5. The following deadlines are in effect for the July 7 issue:
Display and Classified Display advertising deadlines are 3 p.m., Thursday June 30; Classified advertising deadline is 11 am, Friday, July 1; Editorial Calendar and Music Events deadlines are noon, Tuesday, June 28.
