Opinions

We are the first to admit that the Montecito remodel was not the
greenest home on the tour. However, it did include a number of
green features, demonstrating that any project can incorporate
green elements. This 110-year-old home had numerous problems
resulting from age and neglect by previous owners. The remodel
reused the original doors and windows, added a new foundation,
replaced the asbestos-filled roof, added new French doors that
provide more natural light and ventilation, and eliminated
significant moisture problems. A high efficiency furnace replaced
three energy-guzzling models. These improvements address indoor air
quality, durability, energy efficiency, and wise use of materials:
four pillars of green building.

This project was an example of how to reuse and improve features
of an existing home. The alternative would have been to tear down
the old home and build a new one, something that typically happens
on “remodels” in Montecito, adding significant waste to our
landfills and wasting precious resources. Examples such as this
should be encouraged rather than discouraged. It would be wonderful
if everyone incorporated the greenest possible options in every
project, but we have a ways to go before we achieve that level of
commitment in our society.  — Karen Feeney
Co-Coordinator Tour of Green Homes

Bhakti Backlash For several years UCSB’s Bhakti
Yoga Club has been serving sanctified food to our club’s members at
our lunchtime meetings. Recently, the UCSB Office of Student Life
(OSL) stopped our club from eating together under the threat of
police intervention. I have eaten sanctified food at temples in San
Diego and Los Angeles and have been eating Bhakti Yoga’s sanctified
food each week for several years here at UCSB. I was shocked and
disappointed to hear that UCSB’s OSL would stand in the way of the
peaceful expression of our club members’ religious freedom here on
the UCSB campus. Part of the OSL’s stated mission is to “assist
student leaders in establishing and maintaining effective student
organizations.” Contrary to this stated mission, the OSL has
stopped our group from gathering each week. I request that all
those in favor of the peaceful expression of religious freedom
contact the chancellor — Henry.Yang@chancellor.ucsb.edu
or 893-2231 — and ask that Bhakti yoga lunchtime gatherings to be
allowed to resume.  — James Wagner

Vanity Fair Iam still chuckling at the
righteous-outrage letter signed by several dozen folks in response
to a lovely and insightful (if I have to say so myself) piece I
wrote for the News-Press. The essay was highlighting the difference
in masculine (risk-taking) and feminine (nurturing) approaches to
dealing with the development of children. Your protesters seemed to
have had a fit over the simple fact that this child had a mother
and father — and entirely, and intentionally, missed the point. To
them I say, “You’re so vain. You think every song is about you.”
 — Dr. Laura Schlessinger

Corrections ¶ In “Harvest Report” [Oct. 5],
Chris and John Jones’s vineyard was mistakenly referred to as Fe
Ciega Vineyard. The Joneses own the Faith Vineyard.

¶ In last week’s 3 Qs on the Arts Life page, Frameworks owner
David Court was quoted saying that an anniversary party will be
held on the third Thursday of next month. The quote was given in
September, and thus refers to the party that takes place today,
Oct. 19, at 8pm.

¶ Last week’s news feature on the sheriff’s race [“Verbal
Slugfest at the OK Corral”] erroneously stated that incumbent
Sheriff Jim Anderson won the endorsement of 63 percent of the
Deputy Sheriffs Association in the June primary. He actually had
the support of 37 percent; 63 percent of the voting deputies
endorsed other candidates.