Dept. of Spring Cleaning

Any truly tidy householder knows that spring cleaning needn't wait around for the vagaries of spring. Spring cleaning as a concept is useful year-round, taken as a time to actually look at the awful little messes, the dusty underbed bunnies, the odd stack of unread books, that marinara-spotted slate of fridge magnets, that one has allowed to accumulate. Once seen, of course, they must be tackled.

Having rolled up sleeves and dampened things with vinegar and baking soda, we hoisted a metaphoric broom through the paper last week, so that this issue squeaks of early spring-cleaning efforts.

Smelling lightly of lemon, this week's issue shows some scrub-ups and changes. The Table of Contents, (fondly known as the "ToC" because it's been a labor of TLC that we're fairly certain no one r-e-a-d-s), is no more. The very popular "Open Mic" column now opens the book, providing a fresh blast of community voice.

San Anselmo artist Jaime Crespo's cartoon, formerly a ToC resident, has been moved to the SAE (p35), which itself used to be called the Calendar but has been renamed to reflect its emphasis on Stage, Arts and Events. Jaime's strip, formerly called "Slice of Life," has been revamped as "Slices." We've similarly altered or shortened heds throughout the paper.

Look for more Critic's Choices boxes and a more strictly "curated" calendar in the Music and SAE holes in the future. We'll also strive to have more content for you placed within our Dining and Wineries listings.

This week, we formally introduce brand expert Daedalus Howell's biweekly "Media" column (p8), which we've been playing with for the last month and are proud to settle upon for regular rotation. Daedalus is Sonoma County's "Lifestyle Ambassador," information we include simply because it always makes us giggle, and won a national award for his wine writing in this paper previously. Welcome back, D!

And finally, this issue may be the first in our 31 years in which there is no Personals section. The "Romance" pages no longer make sense for a print publication, and we frankly weren't satisfied that those readers who signed up with the service advertised were being well enough treated. Those looking for love know that there are other places to go, though we helpfully offer that you could just, well, love us instead.

Love it, like it, hate it or pretend an icy indifference—let us know what you think early and often: [email protected]. Surveying our first pass, slightly out of breath and vowing to get a new vacuum cleaner, we're pretty satisfied. Perhaps just a vase of spring flowers over there?

The Ed.

Suffering slightly from dishpan hands

Cuddle Positive

The dumbing down of our society has reached critical mass, in my opinion. Every day we are bombarded with distractions from the truth of the perilous condition of the earth. Most of us live our lives hypnotized by the distractions available to us in this consumer society.

Now PG&E wants us to not question the use of Smart Meters to be installed on our homes, offices and in all of our towns ("No Thanks, PG&E," Open Mic, Feb. 17). Most of us were only recently alerted to the ubiquitous use of these meters that emit radio frequencies to our homes and the environment throughout the day and night. How will RFs affect the more sensitive creatures already affected by man's degradation of the earth: the birds and squirrels, the butterflies and bees?

I teach poetry to children, many of whom are aware of the demise of the earth. They are awake and frightened. Below is a published poem written by an obviously prescient sixth grade student of mine 12 years ago.

'2010: A PREDICTION'

Oh people! Oh people!

What have we done?

The animals came.

Now they are gone!

Oh people! Oh people!

What have we done?

Oh please come.

Look what we've done.

We've polluted the world.

Now the animals are gone.

Justine, grade 6

Pamela Singe

Sebastopol

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