Plus Letters to Good Times…
Matters of the Art
Talking it Through
So, Long Mort!
HOLIDAY DEADLINES
Oh how the days move quickly. With six weeks left until a new decade begins—take a moment, let that sink in—this is probably a good time to ask: What’s going on in your mind? Where’s your focus? What are you thinking about? I don’t mean to sound overly Oprah, but this is the time of year when we all seem to be doing a great deal more reflecting. Recently, I heard the phrase, “I think it’s good to go from ‘Me’ to ‘We.’” I didn’t say it—I was entirely too preoccupied with myself at the time—but it’s hard to pass up that bit of brain candy. Going from “Me” to “We” suggests moving away from a self-focused ideal to one that includes the greater good of all. While there are plenty of locals and nonprofits whose efforts are geared toward the greater good, I can’t help but be impressed with the endless work that Second Harvest Food Bank does—and not just this time of year, but all year round. Danny Keith, owner of Santa Cruz Skate Shop has long been an advocate for fighting hunger. Over the past few years, he’s done wonders with Second Harvest to raise the level of awareness on the issue in local schools. This year, his Grind Out Hunger campaign is already in full swing. Learn more about all that pagein our GTv Clip of the Week. In the meantime, we’ll see you at the food barrels.
Some good news for Good Times. We’re one of the recipients of a 2009 City Arts Award for Sustained Business Support. It’s a wonderful honor, so big thanks to the City Arts and, of course, to GT’s Features Editor Christa Martin whose ongoing efforts to keep the county informed on all arts-related news and issues is commendable. City Arts also honors others this week who have been advocates of the arts, including Annieglass and Carolyn Hyatt, who is being recognized for individual leadership. Ceil Cirillo also gets a nod and the SculpTOUR09 People’s Choice Award is—at last—finally revealed. City Arts is holding a reception from 5:30-7 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Museum of Art and History in Santa Cruz. Feel free to drop in and celebrate. (Or hit our website Friday for pictures and blogs about the event.)
What’s left? Time for you to read. Enjoy the issue. (Don’t forget to flex.)
Greg Archer
Editor
Letters to Good Times Editor
Matters of the Art
It was a treat to read about some of the artists that now live in the Tannery Arts Center (GT 11/5). I was there at city hall a few years back when the community came out to support the push to make a live-work space a reality here in town. What surprises me is the amount of money that has been poured into the place and how much more needs to go into it. It’s worth it though. The center is a cool spot and a great hub for some great talent here. I’m looking forward to following the center’s progress and learning more about the people that live there.
Jean Winters
Santa Cruz
Talking it Through
In the Local Talk section of your 11/5 issue one respondent stated she got the H1N1 vaccine because “one in four pregnant women are dying because of the swine flu.” Because you published this extremely inaccurate assertion without any comment as to its blatant falsehood, I want to make sure that none of your readers believe it. I am happy to say that the latest epidemiological evidence suggests that the chance of a pregnant woman dying from swine flu is approximately one in 4 million, not one in four, a rather large difference.
However, there is evidence based upon both human and animal studies that the children of pregnant women who receive vaccines during pregnancy have increased risk of developing autism, schizophrenia and seizure disorder. Neurosurgeon Russell Blaylock has written articles on mercola.com discussing the risks of H1N1 flu as well as the risks and benefits of the vaccine for various population groups. I recommend reading his article published there on 11/3 before deciding whether to receive the H1N1 vaccine.
Randy Baker MD
Santa Cruz
Remembering Mort
Wow. It was with great sadness to hear about the passing of Morton Marcus. I have followed the man’s work for years, and even had grown accustomed to watching him on Cinema Scene, on Community Television. I had heard Marcus speak a number of times. I think his passing is just such a great loss to a community like Santa Cruz.
Janet Miller
Felton
So, Long Mort!
Lisa Jensen’s piece last week on Morton Marcus brought tears to my eyes. I was deeply moved by her words, but also by her chronicles of a man who really knew how to live and a guy who was just full of integrity. Thanks for letting the community know about the man’s contributions.
Sarah Hansen
Santa Cruz
GT HOLIDAY DEADLINES
GT offices will be closed Nov. 26-27 for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Take note of the following holiday deadlines, which will be in effect for the Wednesday, Nov. 25 issue: Display, Class Display, Bulletin Board and Classified ads: 3 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 19. Calendar: noon, Tuesday, Nov. 17.
The following deadlines will be in effect for the Thursday, Dec. 3 issue: Display, Class Display and Bulletin Board: 3 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 25. Classified ads: 10 a.m., Monday, Nov 30. Calendar: noon Monday, Nov 23.
