HOPE AND DOPES… Amidst music from Sambada, Persephone’s Bees and a 15-person tribute to Ray Charles; art from Suzka, Ed Leeper, Stacey Perry and dozens more; food in the form of Swiss Bratwurst, Mexican rojas tacos and Cuban sandwiches and drinks by English Ales and Scheid; and the general bustle of Sand City’s 50th birthday block party, Squid was hushed into silence by former Sand City art denizens fine art base and their “Phase Two” art film installation. They co-opted a nondescript beige warehouse, set up a projector and played a film of compiled shots and scenes from around the county, including the opening of their “Phase 1” at Seaside’s City Center and “Phase 3” at Henry Miller Library. No one around. The hub-bub of WEC muffled by the closed door. An evocative piano piece by Philip Glass floating in the stillness. It was a meditative oasis that reminded Squid of Squid’s silent undersea lair. Until they showed up. Two couples – loud as squawking parrots, unaware as inanimate objects – found the film art installation, glanced ‘round, and proceeded to gab, in the open doorway, which diffused the screen with light and the aural vibe with WEC bustle, about… Squid doesn’t even remember… A new box store opening? Vacations? The best teeth whitener?… Squid doesn’t recall exactly the nature of their conversation, but does remember thinking that innovative art in this town is in trouble if patrons are as oblivious as those bumpkins. After the couples left, two young boys entered, closed the door behind them, explored the surroundings and spoke in a hushed tone that preserved Squid’s rare art reverie. So maybe there’s hope after all.

JACKSON’S JOLTS… Squid misses the gladness – and the madness – that was part and parcel of the whole Michael Jackson adventure. So it’s with some degree of excitement that Squid heard the news from the folks at the Monterey County Fair that two rides from Neverland, Michael’s private amusement park, will be featured at this year’s event, taking place Sept. 1-6 (www.montereycountyfair.com). The perhaps aptly named Wave Swinger is described as an entertainment option “that carries people in swings suspended from a rotating canopy, with an additional wave-like motion distinguishing it from other swing rides.” Swinging. And The Spider, said to be one of the first rides the King of Pop ever purchased, is themed around a black widow spider. Sounds like fun, if you don’t mind the inexorable combination of creepiness and creativity.