0721| Jul 21

SquidFry

OOZE AND AHH… Squid’s not too proud to say it: Squid’s a fainter. Not for wuss things, like spiders and baby spit-up. But for real things, like maggots and oozing wounds. Blech. Squid’s getting the ...

ArtListings

Helping the Helpers

Global Exchange rides into Salinas to raise money for hurting Citizenship Project.

When international nonprofit human rights organization Global Exchange pedals into Salinas next week for the fifth year in a row, their mission will be simple: to educate, to be educated, and to raise awareness of ...

Through the Wall

Twenty years after “Mexican Radio,” Stan Ridgway still finds his own way.

Back in 1976, Stan Ridgway never intended to pursue a career in rock and popular music. After all, these were the days when lightweight pop like Kiki Dee’s “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” and Gary ...

Muted Colors

Pride of Monterey County celebrates 15th annual festival—while bemoaning the lack of local gay outlets.

The year was 1994, and Bill McBride was living in Des Moines, Iowa. He had been out for 20 years, but in ‘94, he decided to march in his first gay pride parade. “There is ...

Piece of War

The Game Habitat provides a community within imaginary wars.

Nestled between Monterey’s El Palomar restaurant and a beauty salon is a small, family-owned store called The Game Habitat. The first point of interest are long tall rows of shelves containing literally hundreds of different ...

Take a Hike

Huckleberry Ridge homeowners sue city of Monterey to keep the public out.

It’s a real hot issue on the hillside. A court battle over public access and maintenance is on the verge of erupting because of the recent appearance of “No Trespassing” signs on some Monterey trails ...

FOODCHAIN: Eat It Up

TOMATOES AND STICKS… It is with a warm and heavy heart that I am announcing my retirement from competitive golf—oh sorry, I’m watching the British Open while writing this and momentarily started channeling Jack Nicklaus. ...

HOMEPAGE: Born in the Wilds

There used to be a lot south of Carmel that was as wild as the day it was born. Its south boundary was the north rim of Mal Paso Canyon, a deep bit of topography ...

STREET TALK: High Crimes

Asked at Del Monte Center in Monterey.

Q: What should be done about convicted drug offenders? F: What is your “drug”? Chris Dolor | Medical Student | Seaside A: Throw them into rehab to try and fully understand what’s going on inside ...

Beyond Sunset

Roper Stran Smith’s comeback career keeps rising.

A week before the California Rodeo Salinas, Stran Smith, one of the fastest professional tie-down ropers in the world, rests in an air-conditioned trailer to avoid the wrath of Casper, Wyoming’s 103-degree heat. Talking to ...

Letters

THROW THE LYING LIARS OUT The Downing Street Memo has been called “the smoking gun” because there is abundant evidence now in the public domain to start impeachment action against the administration. Republican leaders consigned ...

Prescription for Disaster

One local doctor’s fall into addiction and crime.

Marty Maldonado, a 42-year-old Soledad resident, lost his right leg to bone cancer nearly two decades ago. An irritated amputation site, along with a debilitated back, have left Maldonado in constant pain, at times so ...

Soup of the Gods

Laurie Anderson comes to Big Sur on Tuesday.

Laurie Anderson is the undisputed heavyweight of performance art. Granted, to most, this title carries slightly more weight than say “high queen of turkey basters”—but make no mistake, Laurie Anderson is one of the most ...

A Different Voice

Giacomo Gates’ rendering of a rare jazz form is pitch perfect.

Larry Vuckovich, the dean of Northern California bebop pianists, vividly recalls the first time he played with Giacomo Gates. A master of the arcane art of vocalese, the jazz vocal style that involves setting lyrics ...

News Briefs

Water Wars Peninsula voters may not get a chance to vote on financing a study of the cost of a public takeover of California American Water Company’s local system after all. Last month, after listening ...

Two if by Sea

The superb California Market at the Highlands Inn is just as enjoyable as its famous neighbor.

The civilized luncheon, as I understand it, has certain identifying hallmarks without which the enterprise could be considered neither “civilized” nor “luncheon.” It must be a leisurely affair, with no thought to the passage of ...

Left of the Dial

Liberal radio station comes to town.

A little known fact: AM radio is home to voices other than rabid right-wingers in the Michael Savage and Rush Limbaugh vein. This week, Radio Free America, a progressive talk radio station, will debut in ...

Boy in the Hood

Sundance favorite Hustle & Flow follows a pimp who embarks on a music career.

Hustle & Flow was a big crowd pleaser at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, prompting a multimillion dollar studio deal for young filmmaker/writer Craig Brewer. In Brewer’s film, protagonist DJay (Terrance Howard) is an aging ...