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From the Editor

Wednesday, 08 June 2011 12:18 Greg Archer Columns - Editors Note
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greg_archerPlus Letters to the Editor

Big congratulations are in store for the Diversity Center in Santa Cruz. . Organizing something as vast as Gay Pride every year is a big enough challenge, but to have an unusual weather system to contend with only made it that much more challenging. Quick on their feet, and braving last week’s unpredictible rain storm that left Pride’s stomping grounds, San Lorenzo Park, a big soggy mess, the folks at the Diversity Center quickly set up camp in the Santa Cruz Civic. There, plenty of food and entertainment were on hand as locals celebrated diversity as only Santa Cruzans can. Kudos to the Diversity Center’s executive director Jim Brown, and the board of directors, for making this year’s event memorable for all. Keep track of what our local group is up to—or learn more about volunteering or making a contribution, at diversitycenter.org.
Contributing to GT this week is local scribe Kim Luke. In this week’s cover story she makes note of the famed “Keep Santa Cruz Weird” saying, but pushes the envelope to ask: But is it, really? Dive in for a wildly inviting read that looks at, among other things, just how normal we actually are—but also, why embracing our creative nuances add to the area’s cultural make-up.
In News, take note of our story on Robert Ellsberg, who speaks this week in Santa Cruz. You may recognize that surname—Ellsberg’s father, Daniel, was behind offering up the infamous “Pentagon Papers.” In fact, when Robert was a teenager, he recalls helping his father photocopy thousands of classified U.S. government documents. Interesting stories there, no doubt..
In between, take note of Lisa Jensen’s film review on Woody Allen’s latest, Midnight in Paris—I have to admit, this has to be one of the most clever and smartly written films of the year, and one of Allen’s best in years. Dive in.
Have an excellent week ...

Greg Archer | Editor-in-Chief
Letters to the Editor

To Widen or Not to Widen Hwy 1
Thank you for running an article on the future of green transportation in Santa Cruz. Dondero and the STARS program seem to be making this problem more complicated than it actually is, so much so that it just looks like an excuse not to move forward with functional change.
Instead of complaining that we don't have the infrastructure for sustainable transportation, why don't we just start with what we have? Send more buses more often on existing bus routes is the obvious first step. One of the hardest things for people transitioning from cars to public transportation is the wait, so cut that down by increasing the number of buses that run on each line. Yes, it costs money for more drivers and some more buses, but the rest of the infrastructure is already in place, and it's certainly cheaper than rebuilding Highway 1 with more lanes.
Please don't use a "high occupancy vehicle" lane as an excuse to widen Highway 1. Once you widen it, public officials can repaint those lines on the road so fast, we'll just have a big ol' freeway before we know it. Focusing on improving the bus system we already have gets people out of their cars, lessens traffic, and improves the health of our community.
Sarah Zell
Santa Cruz

Crepe’s Still Great
I’ve been going to The Crepe Place for food for years but to see how they've made it into a viable music venue is inspiring. We need more places and people like this in town. If other business owners took initiative like these guys, people would know Santa Cruz for way more than just the beach. Cool to see how far they've come since they started out here.
Mike W.
Santa Cruz
Best Online Comments

On “Grandma Dave” by Elizabeth Limbach:
Great article about eating 'yummy food' and 'healthy food' all at the same time. I love the "didn’t know diddly about nutrition.” line. My husband is diabetic and I have been looking for a source to turn to in order to change how my family eats. I know nutrition is an underutilized and powerful tool to fight disease. Now I have a great starting place for my own education.
Sally Montiano

On “A Town With No Pity” by Sven Davis:
You've captured a salient feature of the Santa Cruz personality. Is it the small town attitude, is it the progressive social-engineering watchdog activities, is it the "health" consciousness that changes with the newest berry sensation? Why are people here so in your face about conforming to a certain mindset and body-set?
Quick story: I was in the old Staff [of Life] around Christmas time and the checkouts were backed up in long lines except for the closed express. There was a sign at the register saying to let the cashier know if you want the express opened. I did so in an even-voiced, non-harassed manner. The person behind me started giving me breathing advice on how to calm down. I gave her a statement that stopped her short, she became speechless, and cringed away from me. If she wanted to observe anti-social behavior, she got it.
People, learn that not everyone wants to hear your wacko remedies or latest guru advice. Learn how to read the signs that sometimes your intrusive behavior is not wanted or not to project your problems onto others. Especially, please learn how to listen when someone says, "I'm not interested, I don't want to sign your petition, No, I don't want to buy into your MLM because I cannot digest Blue Green Algae regardless what pristine lake it's from."
Thanks, again. I'll put a rack of ribs on the barbie for you.
Vern
Santa Cruz
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