Squidfry
Kinder and Gentler
Thursday, July 29, 1999
The love-''n''-peace folks over in Santa Cruz are busy collecting signatures for a ballot initiative to declare Santa Cruz the nation''s first "hate-free" city. Nothin'' new for Hippy City By the Bay, which declared itself a nuclear-free zone in the early ''90s. But the world media has been all over Santa Cruz activist David Silva, one of the three organizers of the "Hate-Free Zone Initiative." What''s a hate-free zone mean? Well, says Silva, that will be up to the citizens of Santa Cruz to decide. "We want to send a message that this is a friendly city--don''t come here and throw your hate around," he says. This anti-hate movement has got me thinking: Isn''t it time we legislate other emotions? How about an initiative creating a "Happy Face Zone" on Cannery Row. It''s a perfect way for developers to trump coastal crusader Barbara Bass Evans. C''mon Barbara, put on a happy face!
The True Meaning of Bliss
I''m not just talking happy faces here. I''m talking about the state of bliss, like the Bliss'' (of Carmel) plan to build a 14,000-square-foot single family home across Highway 1 from Point Lobos, for which they were recently granted county Planning Commission approval (8-1). Never mind that this monstrosity will be visible from the reserve and surrounded by state park property. What in the heck does one do with a 14,000-square-foot house anyway? That''s just 3,000-square-feet shy of the Longs Drugs in the Crossroads, but at least there I fill my prescriptions, while I get some great bargains on booze and toilet paper.
Time To Work That Pork Off, Sam
Rep. Sam Farr announced that the Military Construction Appropriations Bill approved July 13 includes $41.6 million for projects that will "improve quality of life" at local military installations. Included is $5.1 million to build a new gymnasium at the Naval Postgraduate School and $28 million for renovations at the Presidio of Monterey.
I mean really, $5 million for a gym? Whatever happened to good, old-fashioned push-ups? Or loading your backpack with bricks for a jog down the beach? How about a swim to the mile buoy and back? Hey guys, Squid''ll be glad to lend you body-conscious Naval officers my Navy Seals Workout Challenge tape anytime. As for you, Congressman, drop down and give me 10!
--Squid
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