I wrote in my previous Noteworthy (music) column that our longtime, beloved Daily Press columnist had been hospitalized for weeks with some serious health considerations. I am happy to report that every time I have spoken to Jack he sounds like his "old self" – sarcastic, cracking jokes, asking questions about the latest on sports (he’s a big Laker and Dodger fan, for decades) and Drumpf, in good spirits considering his circumstances of being hospitalized for weeks and feeling like "a prisoner."
In that column I suggested giving back to Jack by mailing him an avalanche of short notes and postcards of good cheer and appreciation, for his decades of writing 700+ columns) showing his love for Santa Monica and chronicling events and the lives of so many of our unique, fascinating and precious residents, stories that might have gone unnoticed but for Jack’s Laughing Matters column. He writes "obits" on people while they are still alive.
In that column I gave an address for sending Jack love letters, that was incorrect by the time the column was printed. He was moved around to several rooms at UCLA Hospital, and now he is a at a different facility, so the best bet is to send those cards and notes to him at this address:
Jack Neworth
2700 Neilson Way
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Now, please. Thank you.
In my previous curious city column...
...I said I would list all the things I stand for, not against (although the two are often intertwined), because:
"Positivity" is usually better than "negativity" (although I really don’t like those two words, so often misused and more often misconstrued). Exposing misdeeds is a good thing, but often the fact finder is accused of attacking, and "being negative." Isn’t failing to expose the misdeeds of a few, actually attacking the many who aren’t even aware they are being shortchanged or even hurt? Is it being negative to remind people that Donald Trump, Republican presumptive nominee for President, told more than 30,000 lies while in the White House (and that he has not let up)?
Try to stick to those facts and not let your personal biases and opinions get in the way. Lay the facts out and let people decide for themselves, if they are being hurt or helped.
Framing issues in a way that both sides can relate to and find ways to work together is a lot better than just fighting. Perception is everything. Exposing the gray can make for better initial reactions, than just putting up the black and white and hoping the gray middle ground will be found.
Achieving part of what you want is better than getting nothing. That is the neglected art of compromise.
When you frame things in a "negative" way, you lose half your intended audience right away. Being more "positive" can allow both sides to find their sweet spots.
Continued "negativity" can mean you soon lose that part of your audience completely, and they will never find the parts with which they agree with you. Most writing for publication dissemination I intended to convince people of something, but it is so easy to lose sight of that and work against your own purposes.
So, what do I stand for?
A lot of things, it turns out. It’s a great question for anyone to ask themselves, I think. Once you identify those things, or at least remind yourself, it then makes it easier to examine whether or not your daily practices are supporting those beliefs, or not. Not trying to get too airy fairy here. As with anything that gets into this column, take what you can use, and don’t hate me for the rest.
I decided a comprehensive list of what I stand for was not the best way to go. Too much to chew on. It is an ongoing process, and I may deal with a few every column. But I find that for me trying to understand my underlying principles before taking off on something should help me approach things in the more "positive," accessible way. You can teach an old dog new tricks.
Will I slip? Probably. But what is life about than becoming more the person you want to be?
Just for fun, I will throw out one "stand for," and see what I come up with. It could be an entire column by itself.
I believe Santa Monica is a unique American city with a rich history and culture, and that we can and must develop and progress into the 21st century in a way that works and recognizes and does not throw away those fragile assets. Standing still does not work.
Good citizen Jersey Mike’s
Win, win. Today! Treat yourself to a few large sub sandwiches (they’re great the next day too), of many varieties, from the folks I have long thought the best purveyors of subs of any I’ve ever had. Why am I promoting a sandwich, and why today? Because Jersey Mike’s is that good local citizen we wish all corporations and businesses would be. Today they are donating all proceeds – not just profits – to a local charity, something they’ve been doing for years. So you can go hand 30 or 40 bucks to your favorite local charity, or you can let Jersey Mike’s do it, and you wind up with some great sandwiches instead of just a receipt. They’ve been doing this for years. How about some other local businesses stepping up?
(And no, I have never gotten a free sandwich for any of these yearly recognitions.)
Charles Andrews has lived in Santa Monica for 38 years and wouldn’t live anywhere else.
