Santa Cruzans weigh in on Mountain lions, mystics and the art of passive houses.
Squirt, Don’t Hurt
Re: “The Young and the Restless” (Briefs, July 3): Recently there have been [letters about] mountain lions. I’d like to ask our neighbors for help protecting the lives of smaller cats. It has come to my attention that, in the month between mid-May and mid-June, three bobcats were killed; two “to teach my son to hunt” and one to “taxidermy a larger animal.” Neither of these reasons seems valid to take a life, especially of a beautiful and rare predator.
Also, domestic cat owners, please reconsider if you have decided to declaw. This procedure (outlawed in much of Europe, Australia, Israel, Turkey and Brazil) is more than permanently clipping nails; it severs their digits. Imagine chopping off all of your fingers below the first knuckle. Then the family wonders why [the] confused and tormented animal is fearful, frequently biting and hiding. Better to cover areas of furniture, temporarily, with surfaces and odors unattractive to cats, perhaps using a squirt bottle to “shoo.” Also, provide areas where the indoor domestic cat is permitted to scratch, which is a normal cat behavior. It comes down to our connection with all life.
Ruth Caudell
Ben Lomond
Discovery Camp
Re: “Acting Camp” (Cover, July 31): I've been fortunate to have taught “Acting the Song” twice at this incredible camp. Each session, I was blown away by Shawn and John’s incredible devotion to their mission, these kids and the joyous, safe and sane haven they offer at YATC. It’s not always easy being a “theatre geek” or “different.” I watched, so many times, as shy or scared kids came out of their shells, found new friends and ready acceptance, and discovered exciting talents that had not yet been tapped. This is such a true and lovely article, highlighting all the best things about YATC. Bravo!
Kelly Lester
Woodland Hills
Team Passive
Re: “House Warming” (Cover, Aug. 14): What a lovely article about an exemplary project. Thank you. One VIP in this process that was not mentioned is the designer and Passive House consultant, Graham Irwin of Essential Habitat.
Passive House is a team sport. These projects cannot be successful without the full engagement and collaboration of the entire project delivery team. Graham’s design work celebrates the original Craftsman design, while sensitively integrating a few modern touches. His energy modeling skills were essential to ensuring this project met the Passive House Standard.
Kudos to the entire team involved in this project.
Bronwyn Barry
San Francisco
FROM THE WEB
Leading the Way
Re: “House Warming”: This is an example of Chie’s leadership thinking. That's why she’s such a great Chair of the Coastal Watershed Council’s Board of Directors. Congrats to Chie & Kurt on the completed house–or haus!
Greg Pepping
Mystic Connection
Re: “Into the Mystic” (Wellness, Aug. 7): Thank you for publishing the Mystic Girl in the City article. It compelled me to reach out to Kiran. I did not know of her before reading the article. She has been a great help!
Jennie Embody
