EDITOR’S NOTE
Gah, Logos! The news that the used-book-and-records fixture is closing down has me all sentimental and weirdly anxious. When I first arrived in Santa Cruz, Logos was in its crazy earthquake-recovery location off of Laurel Street, in a structure that I remember looking a lot like one of those creepy warehouses the bad guys always meet at before a heist in the movies. I spent roughly 32,947 hours rifling through everything there over the next few years, looking for some obscure Patti Smith bootleg or Re/Search book or whatever. When it moved to its “new” location on Pacific, sweeping through for a quick or extended browse was just part of what one did when one was downtown on a Friday night. Now, with it being right next door to the GT office, I swing by at lunch sometimes, usually to see if there are any new children’s poetry books my kid will like. I feel in every way like I’ve grown up with that place, and I’ll miss it. Check out Jacob Pierce’s story in our news section for the full story.
Otherwise, this week is all about burgers, because it’s … wait for it … Burger Week! Our staff has been eating stacks and stacks of them, and now you can, too. Check out some of our favorites in the cover story—we have meatless options, too, of course—and a full list of the debut participants with details about their featured burgers this week!
STEVE PALOPOLI | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Read the latest letters to the editor here.
Vision for Who?
Re: “2030 vision” (GT, 5/24): I agree we need more places for rent, but I am concerned that much of the proposed housing is not appropriate for couples or families, let alone companion animals. Humans are social creatures, driven to have relationships and build families. Without accommodation, it ostracizes and pushes out the next generation. We need kids, and they need to be healthy and secure, not more isolated and sick.
Santa Cruz could make great leaps ecologically and socially by having each new housing development host a complete rooftop garden for its residents’ enjoyment and health. Effects of the green space would carry over to the neighbors by reducing heating and cooling costs, raising oxygen levels, reducing airborne toxins, and providing a place for nature—and residents—to thrive.
Rowan Lindenfeld
Corralitos
Keep the Tracks
So what’s up with this misnamed “greenway” plan to rip out all of the railroad tracks? Somehow we can’t have both? I certainly can’t see why that would be true. Why not have tracks, and eventually a transit system and bike and pedestrian trails as well?
If the tracks were removed it would permanently eliminate any possibility of future rail transit systems due to the huge cost. Also, it would be a huge waste of money to take out tracks unnecessarily.
My suspicion is that wealthy homeowners in Aptos and other trackside locations are trying to eliminate the use of the tracks to enhance their property values. Sort of like people who buy homes at a reduced price due to proximity to an airport and then want to stop the airplanes! I live on a busy street—maybe we can just get it closed off so it would be quieter? Right!
Let’s use this valuable resource for the greater good of the overall community!
Fred J. Geiger
Santa Cruz
A Better Budget
While members of the Republican majority are competing to see who can make the deepest cuts, there is a budget proposal before Congress that would boost the economy for all of us while cutting the number of people in poverty in half. It’s the People’s Budget, proposed by the Congressional Progressive Caucus. The People’s Budget invests in safe and productive infrastructure, education, affordable housing, healthcare and nutrition, childcare and working family tax credits. It calls for increasing the minimum wage.
These investments will create 3.6 million jobs, and set us on a path to cut poverty in half in 10 years. The People’s Budget invests $2 trillion in infrastructure spending, expanding rural broadband, universal Pre-K and free college tuition at state and community colleges.
Every year, without fail, our elected representatives give more than half of the discretionary budget to the Pentagon, leaving less than half to be divided up to fund education, healthcare, environmental spending, infrastructure, and everything else.
Richard Gallo
Santa Cruz
PHOTO CONTEST WINNER
Submit to ph****@go*******.sc . Include information (location, etc.) and your name. Photos may be cropped. Preferably, photos should be 4 inches by 4 inches and minimum 250dpi.
GOOD IDEA
CREDIT CART
Santa Cruz’s Homeless Services Center is a part of the Macy’s Shop for a Cause campaign this year. Anyone who gives $5 receives a 25-percent-off savings pass while supporting the cause. The charity that raises the most money receives an additional $100,000. The effort runs through Aug. 9. To donate, visit crowdrise.com/homeless-services-center.
GOOD WORK
CURE THING
Janus of Santa Cruz is receiving two major grants to expand treatment for opioid use disorder. The funding comes to the nonprofit via the Department of Health Care Services to create a Central Coast Hub & Spoke System and also expand Medication Assisted Treatment for opioid use disorder in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. The programs aim to prevent overdoses and fight addiction.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Man who invented the hamburger was smart; man who invented the cheeseburger was a genius.â€
-Matthew McConaughey
