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From the Editor

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 12:28 Greg Archer Columns - Editors Note
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greg_archerS2sPlus Letters to Good Times...
Kicking the Habit
Holy Mother of ...
What can you say in 66 Words? Probably more than you think. All this is evident in this week’s cover story, which resurrects the once-popular 66 Words Short Story Contest that thrived in GT in the past. This year, we had a robust turnout and the topics spanned everything from horrible embarrassments to emotional upheavals to love and, everybody’s favorite topic at the moment, paying for parking in downtown Santa Cruz (see “Letters”). It’s all yours for the taking beginning on page 14.  But don’t stop there. I invite everybody to keep submitting 66-word missives.

Beyond that, take note of News this week. You’ve heard of Road Rage, right? But is there such a thing as “Surf Rage?” News Editor Elizabeth Limbach explores that very issue, and more. In the meantime, Congressman Sam Farr sounds off about “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” (Hard to believe this is still going on in 2010, eh?) But Farr doesn’t stop there—he also expounds upon what the U.S. is doing in Iraq, the Stimulus Bill and much more. It’s a particularly “juicy” column this week, so dive in.

In other news, big thanks to all those who voted online this year for the Best of Santa Cruz Readers Poll. Final tallies are coming in but I am continually amazed at how many more people vote each year. It’s destined to be our biggest issue yet. More on all that in the coming months.

And welcome to the first week of March. My sense is that the next few weeks will certainly be memorable.

Until next time ...

Greg Archer | Editor

Letters to Good Times Editor

Kicking the Habit
Kudos to Good Times and those who contributed to the comprehensive sustainable transportion issue (GT 2/4), which spotlighted alternative commute solutions. My only disappointment was that there were no column inches given to discuss the basics of proper and safe cycling as a vehicle on the road. I have no doubt that many were motivated but have no knowledge or training and will not pursue this option.  A simple mention to seek an instructor certified by the League of American Bicyclists, UCSC TAPS or even to obtain online or at the DMV a copy of the 2010 California State DMV Handbook, would have sufficed.  There is a brochure circulating on how to interact with large trucks—how about a simple brochure in regard to safe and responsible cycling? 
No amount of added cycling infrastructure will replace this needed information and will provide encouragement to timid souls.
Mike Speviak
Santa Cruz

Holy Mother of ...
Wow. I have to admit that when I first picked up last week’s issue of GT (“Sexual Healing”) and saw that the cover story was about Tantric sex, I was a bit taken aback. “What the ...?” I thought, surprised at how puritan I was being. But then, on a quiet Saturday afternoon, I read the darn thing. Big applause to the writer, Damon Orion. What a fun little adventure he crafted. I didn’t expect it to be so sweet and tender, too. I can barely find a date in this town, so, I guess I’ll study some of these methods so that I can keep my dates in the future. Thanks, man.
Ted Gilkinson
Santa Cruz

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