Lesh accomplished much with Crossroads venue

It was great to read the commentary by IJ music columnist Paul Liberatore about the wonderful Terrapin Crossroads venue that Phil Lesh and his family put together (“Remembering Phil Lesh and the community spirit of Terrapin Crossroads,” Nov. 1).

It’s heartening to know it was created for the sole reason of having a local venue to see great music, as well as to provide opportunities (for those who were good enough) to jam with some of Marin’s best musicians at the small bar stage or outside on the terrace.

I spent many a day and evening enjoying the local talent or seeing “Phil and Friends” play. Music heals the soul. Unfortunately, I worry Marin is slowly losing that soul, as there are fewer venues where we can go to experience live music.

Lesh was a one-of-a-kind bass player and a truly super human. I was lucky enough to talk to him many nights in between sets and found his outlook on music and life to be captivating. He had a huge soul and will be missed greatly, but his spirit will live on.

I hope someone takes up the “Terrapin Crossroads spirit.” It was a venue the Lesh family had put so much love and care into. It should reopen. Central Marin deserves a place to go and heal the soul. After all, music is what feelings sound like.

— Paul Bartolini, Santa Rosa

Traffic around Northgate has always been very busy

In a letter published Nov. 9, Candiece Milford wrote that the most-recent plan for housing at the Northgate mall should be rejected based on concerns about additional traffic.

I would like to say that I have lived in San Rafael for 67 years and I worked at Terra Linda High School for 10 years. During that time, the Northgate shops have always been a very active location. Big department stores — be it The Emporium, Macy’s or Sears — seemed to fill the mall parking lot at all times.

I can still remember being unable to find a single parking space on a trip to Sears.

The neighbors did not like it then and they aren’t going to like it at any time, no matter what is built there. The neighbors may be new, but I think traffic will be similar to the past.

When our community is so in need of middle- and low-income housing, with the mall representing so much available space, how can we deny housing?

The so-called “peaceful character” of the neighborhood will not change just because there are more neighbors. With a nearby large public high school forever bringing students with hotshot cars, I don’t think “peaceful” will ever be a true description for the area.

The reality is simple: San Rafael needs housing.

— Gladys C. Gilliland, San Rafael

Grateful Proposition 4 to fight climate crisis passed

The election results are nearly all in. For many in California, the outcome is not what was wanted. We’re all looking for answers and inspiration. I think we should turn to our communities to provide it.

I only recently became involved in politics, mainly influenced by the climate crisis. I cast my vote with that in mind. Marin County is not immune to climate change. Sea-level rise, wildfire risk, droughts and smoky air — all pose a threat to us and our loved ones. Although it may feel like we are moving backward, we must remember that progress is not linear, and it’s an uphill climb.

California can still be a global leader for conservation. We must continue to urge our California elected officials to continue the fight for the climate. Proposition 4 on the November ballot will authorize “$10 billion in general obligation bonds for water, wildfire prevention, and protection of communities and lands.” I am thankful it passed. That’s progress. I would like to share my thanks with all who voted for the measure.

— Max Arquilevich, San Anselmo

‘Good things’ about Trump election are not so great

I can’t say I was very heartened by the recent Another View commentary from John M. Crisp (“4 ‘good’ things, 1 bad about Trump’s win,” Nov. 13).

Are we really supposed to find a silver lining in the election of Donald Trump? Crisp implies that not having to deal with Trump disavowing election results and inciting violence again; avoiding the spectacle of a former president being sentenced to jail; having the Biden administration demonstrate how to peacefully hand over power; and avoiding a schism between the popular and Electoral College results is supposed to make it a little better.

All the happy talk in the world won’t make up for what I think we all suspect is coming with Trump’s presidency.

— Robert Brown, Novato