Not Averse
I picked up the last issue expecting the usual mix of music, culture and mild civic agitation, and instead found myself ankle-deep in poetry. Then knee-deep. Then—suddenly—immersed. A Courage of Poets. Found Poets. The Open Mic. Poetry everywhere. At first I thought it was a themed issue. Then I wondered if I’d accidentally grabbed a literary journal. Then I realized: No, this is just the North Bay.
To be clear, I’m not complaining—just marveling. In an era of doomscrolling and evil algorithms, it was refreshing, and maybe kinda, sorta anarchic. So yes: WTF. But also—keep going. If poetry is having a moment in the North Bay, go big.
Cassady Caution
Petaluma
Authenticity
It was nice to read the article by Nikki Silverstein about the Novato Girl Scout troop that helped to educate the public about authentic versus Americanized Chinese cuisine. Great to see the youth in action in our community. Thanks for including a youth-oriented article in the Pacific Sun.
Michelle Aschwald
San Rafael
A previously published version of the ‘Pacific Sun’ article, ‘Homeless Count,’ Feb. 4, 2026, misstated that Marin County was redirecting funds from homeless veterans to homeless families. Instead, Marin is implementing the same approach with families that it used to reduce veteran homelessness. We regret the error. —Editor
Everyone seems to love “Karen” stories so here’s mine:
About 1969-1970 I had graduated high school and started at College of Marin.
We called the establishment paper, “Independent Urinal.” In the spirit of the times, I started an underground paper, printed on tan newsprint, and called it “Smoking Papers.”
The “IU” had a reporter who will call “(Karen.” She wrote a piece, referring to me as, “pasty faced.” On the front page of my second edition, I replied: “I have to agree with Karen, it’s too bad that neither of us were born Black and Beautiful, but because of the mutant genes of our ancestors must bear the burden of pasty faces.”
Karen never wrote another word about me.
Rest in peace, Karen.