Someone who's had a lot of experiences in life and is interesting, yet takes his or her turn and listens attentively and includes the other person, and is not just narcissistic and talks about themselves constantly.
Judy Moore
Santa Cruz | Volunteer/Writer
Isn’t it funny how elected officials are quick to regulate others but slow to regulate themselves?
Santa Cruz County Supervisor Mark Stone wants to extend a ban on plastic bags by clamping down on paper bags at local grocery stores. Under his plan retailers would be forced to offer discounts to shoppers who bring in their own reusable shopping bags. Or, perhaps, they’d charge shoppers more to use what he calls “single-use bags.”
Perhaps his idea is a good one, although I’d love to hear from retailers to find out whether the plan would lead to higher prices. But a bigger issue is something more basic: if you want to make change, start with yourself.
Saturn squares Pluto Sunday in cardinal signs Libra/Capricorn. Cardinal signs bring forth new realities, squares force us onto new pathways. As Saturn disciplines us toward reality and truth (the breakdowns, economic crisis, shootings, etc., are engineered), Pluto simply transforms everything relentlessly. Libra is about relationships, money, economics, Right Relations, Right Thinking and Right Values while Capricorn rules governments, leaders and the entire structure of our civilization. This Saturn/Pluto square occurs again Jan. 31 and Aug. 21, 2010 moving us forward on a trajectory of constant and ceaseless new direction, change and transformation. All of this humanity needs in order for our present unreal financial system to move toward a real economy based on principles of sharing. Day by day, transit-by-transit, planet-by-planet, sign by sign, over time this reorientation (Scorpio work) will occur. At first we will have suffering. Then realization.
Venus is in Scorpio for the next three weeks (till Dec. 1 at Full Moon). With Venus in Scorpio our feelings, often hidden, show themselves directly. (There's more at nightlightnews.com.)
Plus Letters to Good Times...
What A Drag
In the Stars
Health Scares
November is here and it kicks off a month full of promising activities. Of course, the theme of the month is gratitude—leading to the all-empowering and downright gastro-orgasmic event known as Thanksgiving. In the coming weeks, turn to GT as we spotlight a number of locals, nonprofits and other entities striving to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Some things I came across in my travels this week that are certainly worthy of sharing: The No on Prop 8 fundraiser, sponsored by the Diversity Center in Santa Cruz. The good news is that the event unfolds at Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar at 6 p.m., Nov. 17. Kianti’s plans on donating 10 percent of its total sales that evening to the cause. See kiantis.com for more information. One more event to note: It’s the book release party of “Tribal Revival,” created by the great local photographer Kyer Wiltshire. The fun unravels at 8 p.m., Friday Nov. 6 at the Vets Hall in Santa Cruz.
I heard some good advice that anyone over 50 has already been exposed to that particular virus. And I don't get shots.
Steven Jones
Santa Cruz | Disc Finder
Occasionally a friend will tell me he (or she) admires my confidence, and ask if he can “run some small problem by me.” "Of course," I say. I like to listen because I believe that often we can arrive at our own answers just by sharing our thoughts with another. Sometimes I am tempted to confess that I am not as confident as I seem, but I like that I appear confident and so I never do. I like that people come to me; it is my way of making friends. I didn’t have friends growing up and have been shy and lonely much of my life.
The Sun and Mercury join forces in Scorpio Thursday - Hermes, the messenger (Mercury) sending information about Scorpio’s Nine Tests to humanity via the Sun. With Mercury in Scorpio we all become resourceful, determined, fearless, intuitive, quite witty, investigative, profound and filled with desires, however secretly and with great mystery. We may go into hiding, display suspicion and skepticism, stubbornness, determination and be emotionally on edge. Scorpio presents an interesting mix of depth-psychology behaviors. Research is best during Mercury in Scorpio. We’ll all be deeply searching for something seeking the heart of all matters. When we find what we’re searching for we’ll “capture” it and make it our own. Our intelligence becomes highly instinctive, and we’ll learn how to strategize. There is a warning with Mercury in Scorpio. That we do not harshly criticize and judge, opinionate or insinuate for Mercury’s communication while in Scorpio could destroy due to its power, force, passion and intensity. Mercury in Scorpio can also be vindictive. Intrigue, hidden motives, and mysteries may appear. We must ask if they are real or mental illusions. We will challenge others and be challenged in return. Everyone may begin to wear black and sales of sunglasses will skyrocket. We are to remember Elvis’ (Jupiter in Scorpio) song “Don’t be Cruel.”
Plus Letters to Good Times...
Puffed Out
Rock of Ages
What a week. if you were bored in Santa Cruz between Oct. 22 and 28, don’t blame us. There were so many activities unfolding, it was truly hard to keep track. Last Saturday found hundreds flocking to Cooper Street in downtown Santa Cruz to witness what turned out to be quite the re-enactment of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” dance. “Thriller” mania was part of a national event that found many cities participating. Log onto goodtimesantacruz.com and grab a peek at what GT photographer Charles Mixson captured (below). In the meantime, MJ fans will undoubtedly be in the movie line for the premiere of the highly anticipated doc This Is It, which opens this week.
My husband Clay Olsen. He's kind of like a trickster and he's full of surprises and you never know what he's going to say at any given time. People call him a mythbuster or a trance breaker. And he could just say something very off the wall without worrying what people think. And he has statements that kind of wake you up.
Bonnie Eskie
Santa Cruz | Psychotherapist
The two most prominent green car startups are Fisker Automotive and Tesla Motors, but a recent BusinessWeek article quotes longtime analyst Maryann Keller as saying, “We’re pouring $1 billion into two companies without a future. The economics of the industry favors large companies.” Is Obama wasting our hard-earned money? I don’t think so.
Of $8.5 billion in Department of Energy loans to automakers so far to build new green-themed plants, $465 million went to Tesla for work on its Model S sedan and, more recently, $528 million to Fisker Automotive for final design work on its $89,000 Karma luxury plug-in hybrid and for its more affordable Project Nina car. The total Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan fund is $25 billion, so much of the money remains to be spent.
