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CRA News November 2004
Selected articles from the newsletter of the Carmel Residents Association
 From left, Harriet Shanner, Wendy Banks and Dave Banks thought the dinner at Grasings Coastal Cuisine after the October Carmel Residents Association meeting was one of the best ever! (Photo by Peggy Purchase) |
Fran and Alex Vardamis
"Two writers under one roof"
| Thursday, Nov. 18 -- CRA Meeting | |
| 4:45 p.m. -- Fran and Alex tell
of murder, mayhem and that book-eating dog Vista Lobos Meeting Room, Torres between 3rd & 4th Following the meeting: delicious hot and cold hors d'oeuvres and a chance to meet and talk with friends and neighbors |
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She is soft-spoken and gracious, but writes about international crime and terrorism. He deals daily with the down-to-earth details of running an important foundation, but he writes about a fantasy world in which a highly literate dog literally gobbles up books.
CRA members Fran and Alex Vardamis, seasoned observers of the European and literary scenes, recently returned from a cruise on the Danube. They will tell what they observed, as well as the amusing aspects of two writers living under one roof, when they speak to the CRA meeting on Thursday, Nov. 18.
Dingus Dreaming was Alex's enthusiastically-received opening novella in the saga of his erudite canine. Now he will tell about the sequel, Dingus on the Road. In addition, the dog fancier will present a slide show of Carmelite canines he has assembled. Any local dog owner may be thrilled by the coincidence of seeing his family member on view.
As president of the Robinson Jeffers Tor House Foundation Alex lectures and writes extensively on the poet. He also authors op-ed pieces in the San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times and other newspapers.
Fran's most recent book, Pity the Children, is the latest in her murder mystery series featuring Yannis Lavonis, a police chief in Athens, who combines crime-solving with compassion and understanding for the victims and criminals he is pursuing. The other novels in the series, also with a background of political intrigue and violence, are Russian Doll and Ancestral Voices. A fourth book dealing with terrorism, in which Yannis appears in Vermont, will soon be published.
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CRA members overwhelmingly say keep city property and raise TOT Don't sell the
Scout House, Rio Park or Flanders Mansion! That was the resounding
response to a recent survey of CRA members. (See survey
results below.) |
President's Message
Be Part of the Change
by Sherry Shollenbarger
Life teaches us that change is inevitable.
We can resist it or make it as productive as possible.
Carmel is changing! Perhaps this refrain has been heard since its very
beginning as a small artists' community. Certainly the video Don't
Pave Main Street documents Carmel's uniqueness and its desire to forestall
encroachment. However, Main Street was paved, hotels and inns were built
and encroachment from the outside began. Even so, for many years Carmel
remained a quiet, peaceful, cultured and pristinely beautiful community,
indeed, so lovely that it was not at all surprising that many of us made
plans to move here. Such was the scenario for my husband and myself. We,
in fact, have been part of the encroachment.
It is, therefore, noteworthy when having lived here only six years, we
find ourselves acutely aware of the rapid, dramatic changes in our small
city. It is alarming that sixty-one art galleries were opened in four
years, that we have lost book stores, movie theatres, men's and women's
clothing stores and have not seen them replaced. When change occurs this
rapidly and has this great an impact on a community, it is incumbent upon
each of us to be part of the solution to the problems these changes bring.
I have already acknowledged the respect I have for citizen involvement
and I encourage each person to continue to be part of the process. The
City Council seems reluctant to ask the business community to be accountable
for their share of Carmel's financial well-being. Tourists are certainly
responsible for much of the wear and tear on our city.
As I entertained friends and family this last month, I wondered why there
is so much resistance to an epicurean tax. The restaurants were packed!
Would any diner be dissuaded from choosing our restaurants by the prospect
of an additional $.25 charge per plate? I also had a friend point out
that a two- night minimum stay requirement by hotels for the weekend is
a definite disincentive to staying here. Why not change this?
In fairness to the City Council, I commend Mike Cunningham and
Paula Hadzovac for their meeting with local businesses to attempt
to alleviate the parking problem.
Finally, there is no way to view all the changes affecting our community
without addressing the oppressive business rents. At a time when Carmel's
future is at a turning point, I appeal to landlords to consider the end
result of a "bottom line" philosophy. Vacant storefronts benefit neither
the landlords nor the community at large. Together, we must assure that
the inevitable changes which Carmel will undergo will be beneficial to
both businesses and residents and reflect some sacrifice on the part of
each.
The bells will be ringing
After many years of scheduling volunteers
to staff the Salvation Army kettles during the holiday season, CRA members
Don and Susie Carr have retired and turned over their responsibilities
to Barbara Livingston.
CRA members who are interested in supporting the Salvation Army efforts
to help the less fortunate are encouraged to sign up for a two-hour shift
at the Carmel-by-the-Sea Post office. Staffing opportunities are: Monday
through Friday 10-4, Saturday 10-2, beginning November 29 and lasting
through December 24. The Salvation Army counts heavily on volunteers to
staff the Carmel Post Office because it is one of the more profitable
locations for this worthy organization. Barbara looks forward to hearing
from volunteers willing to participate in this worthwhile activity. Please
call her at 626-1610.
Author of Old Carmel takes a deserved break
Connie Wright, the dedicated
writer of so many Old Carmel columns in CRA News, is taking
a well-deserved break but will again put pencil to paper after the first
of the year.
A new book by Mitch Kastros
A book, Navigator of the Soul,
by long-time writer of the CRA News column on safety, Mitch Kastros,
has recently been published by Vantage Press. Emphasizing the importance
of good character and a spirit of cooperation, the book is about the decisions
we make in our lives and their effects on the world around us. The book
offers some simple suggestions and solutions for creating a balance in
our lives, getting along with ourselves and others.
The book will be available at the Pilgrim's Way Bookstore on the
east side of Dolores between 5th and 6th and at Surf 'n Sand General
Store on the corner of Torres and 6th. A book signing is scheduled
at Pilgrim's Way on Thursday, Nov. 18, at 6:30 p.m. It can also be ordered
directly from the publisher at 800-882-3273 or on-line from Amazon.com.
Tree lighting and caroling
Grab your warmest sweater, muffler and
gloves and join your friends and neighbors in getting into the holiday
spirit on Friday, Dec. 3.
Join in the traditional community caroling, led by CRA members Barbara
and Steve Brooks, meet at City Hall at 4:30 p.m.
The Holiday Tree Lighting festivities in Devendorf Park will begin at
4:30 p.m. when Santa, escorted by the Carmel Fire Department, will arrive
and join children in the park. The program will also include performances
by local youth groups and Pacific Repertory Theater's Stephen Moorer
reciting Twas the Night before Christmas.
Mayor Sue McCloud will light the tree at approximately 5:45 p.m.--rain
or shine.
Library Foundation will host new lecture series
The Carmel Public Library Foundation
has recently announced a new series of lectures, Arts and Literary
Series 2004-05, which will take place on Sundays at 4 p.m. in Carpenter
Hall at Sunset Center, Mission and 10th.
The first event, on November 14, will feature Rosalind Gray Davis,
author of Puccini and the Girl, a book-length examination of Puccini's
controversial seventh opera, La Fanciulla del West, (Girl of
the Golden West). Davis is an award-winning communications professional
who has served as a senior news writer and producer for television stations
in Los Angeles.
On January 23, Christopher Caen, son of the late Herb Caen,
will share his thoughts and observations on life in San Francisco. He
currently runs a software startup company and authors weekly columns in
The Examiner and The Independent.
Later in 2005, Khaled Hosseini, a physician and writer, will present
a dramatic reading and discussion of his first novel, The Kite Runner,
which is set in Afghanistan and focuses on the friendship between a privileged
Pashtun boy and his servant. [The date will be announced later.]
Please call the Foundation at 624-2811 for information on how to order
tickets.
Beach Cleanup
Saturday, Nov. 20
10 a.m. - noon
* Volunteers meet at foot
of Ocean Avenue
* Please bring gloves
* Coffee and pastries served courtesy of Caffe Cardinale and Carmel
Bakery
CRA PROFILES
by Walter Gourlay
The Two Lives of Emil Kissel
Emil Kissel is a man who's
lived two lives, each personally fulfilling, each enough for any one
person. In his first life he was on the edge of world history as a crew
member on the famous Pan Am "Clippers" that ushered in the Global Age
of aviation.
In his second life he's a devoted and creative science teacher and inspiration
for children choosing their futures. Kissel loves to talk about both
his careers.
Born in Jersey City, he grew up on Staten Island, New York. Interested
at an early age in flying, he earned a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical
Engineering from New York's City College in 1939, and won a scholarship
to the Boeing School of Aeronautics in Oakland, CA. Pan American Airways,
then the world's leading airline, had a building at the San Francisco
World's Fair of that year, and naturally Emil applied for a job, and
got it with no trouble.
He liked California, and expected he'd be able to stay in this state,
but to his disappointment was sent back to New York as an apprentice
maintenance engineer in Pan Am's training program. "It was very thorough,"
Emil remembers. "On an aircraft, meticulous maintenance is crucial."
Pan Am's China Clipper had island-hopped from San Francisco to Manila
in 1936, carrying the biggest payload of any plane before the war. Then
in 1939 its Yankee Clipper flew from New York to Lisbon. There were
twelve Clippers, Kissel says, flying across both oceans. He longed to
get on the Pacific flights, but lacking seniority, was assigned to the
Lisbon route.
During the war sometimes a double crew would work a 24-hour day, four
hours on, four off. The New York, Bermuda, Azores, Lisbon flights took
thirty hours--a total of 4,500 miles. Usually the planes were overloaded.
Of famous passengers, Kissel remembers especially General Albert C.
Wedemeyer, commander of U.S. forces in China, who treated the crew to
a tour of the Sphinx and the Pyramids in Cairo, and on a different level,
the film star Martha Raye, who emptied the toilet over Brooklyn, "as
her personal gift to that place."
At the war's end, Kissel was briefly in the Army, and sent to China.
When the Communists took over Shanghai in 1949 he witnessed first-hand
the corruption as the Nationalist government collapsed. "American relief
shipments and even the trucks were for sale," he remembers. "I couldn't
wait to get back to America."
After the war, Kissel returned to Pan Am, and succeeded in being transferred
to the Pacific flights. Then Pan Am, for the first time, hired stewardesses.
"They were super-dooper women, " Kissel says, and they played a big
part in the success of the airline. They came from all over the world,
and were kept to a strict behavior code. "They were expected to represent
America," says Emil, an ardent feminist. "Women now are becoming pilots
and getting into other niches in aviation. They still have to combat
macho bias, however."
One of Pan Am's new stewardesses was lovely Mary Lou Smith from Seattle,
who became Kissel's wife in 1952. "I was a very lucky guy," he says.
Pan Am was flying the world, and the Kissels travelled on most of its
routes.
In 1979, Emil retired from Pan Am, and he and Mary Lou moved to Saratoga,
CA. The glorious days of air travel were over, Kissel says. "It used
to be that every passenger was considered first class. Now they're treated
like cattle. And we have lousy planes. The engines are good, but not
the rest." Today he prefers going on long bus trips.
In Saratoga, Emil found his second career, teaching science to fourth-graders
at the Marina Vista school. His eyes become alive when he talks about
it. "I've been teaching fourth grade for twenty-two years," he says.
"At the age of ten they're capable of deciding what they want to do
in life, and that's when we should show them what they're capable of."
He believes girl students are better organized than boys, and tries
to build up their confidence by teaching them to rotate tires.
In 2000 the Kissels moved to Carmel, where Emil has continued his involvement
with kids by teaching elementary school at the Carmel Mission. Teaching
school, he says, "has been the happiest period of my life since the
Clipper days."
The Kissels discovered the Carmel Residents Association by getting involved
in the Beach Cleanup. Emil sees Carmel as a "Fountain of Youth." Its
residents are "imaginative, creative, and willing to sacrifice to prevent
this kind of life from being paved over. You have to choose what you
want, and then you'll find it here."
Both Kissels are volunteers at the Carmel Foundation. Emil sells meal
tickets and recruits speakers for their men's study club. Among other
issues, he's concerned with juvenile crime and discrimination against
women.
The couple, who rent a house on Vista near Lincoln, have two sons, each
now in his fifties. Both sons received flying lessons when they were
fourteen. Emil has a flight simulator in his study, which he loves to
demonstrate to visitors. "Like the one the terrorists used to train
with," he says, mischievously. Ya gotta like that guy!
Two Calendar Girls Bite the
Big Apple
CRA members Paula
Weber and Diane Flanders, of Carmel Calendar Girls fame,
flew to New York City on Oct. 27, courtesy of Sony Pictures Television,
to be interviewed on Life & Style, a new TV show which covers
trends and hot topics in pop culture, fashion and celebrity news.
It's not that they need publicity. The project to help retrofit the
fire house has already gained national recognition. They were featured
on Inside Edition, TV's longest-running syndicated news magazine
series. In October, a Reuters article was widely circulated and carried
on the CNN web site and Patty Ross, one of the group's organizers,
recently was interviewed for a half hour by a Los Angeles radio station.
Weber said she tried unsuccessfully to use her United air miles for
the trip but balked at the "red eye" schedule outlined by Sony, telling
the director, "That's too much for me. You might want to get someone
else." Not a chance! Off flew Paula and Diane--first class, in the
daylight--for their interview on the "Hot Seat" segment of Life
& Style, which will be an unrehearsed interview before a live
audience. The taped program will air at a later date.
Still refusing to accept any money from the project, the city has,
according to Patty Ross, "told us we all are liable for a law suit."
City Attorney Don Freeman has said the project "would open us up to
workplace causes of action such as sexual harassment and hostile environment
and things of that nature. This is the kind of thing that just can't
be done in the workplace ... It runs the risk of offending people."
The L.A. radio station which interviewed Ross said its research
indicated that since September 11 over 1,000 calendars have been published
to benefit fire houses and police stations around the country, many
using municipal property as a background for photos, with no litigation.
Paula Weber says, "I am angry at this point. The city is digging itself
into a hole. I said to the mayor, 'You're the one who has to decide
what to do with this. The city administrator and city attorney are
hired by you.' "
When asked what the group plans to do with the money the city has
refused, Ross replied flatly, "We will give the money to the city
to retrofit the fire house." As to how they would do that, she said,
"It will sit in an interest-bearing account at the Wells Fargo Bank
until they change their minds or a new regime comes in. It would be
illegal and immoral to use money for a purpose other than that for
which people donated." She added that several non-profits have expressed
interest in the money. Ross added that the fire house, even if it
is ultimately used for a different purpose, still has to be made safe.
Neither Weber, Ross or the other Calendar Girls feel they have really
gotten to the bottom of this story. "What is the city's real agenda?"
Ross asks.
If you wish to purchase a $20 calendar they are available at Nielsen
Brothers Market, Carmel Drug Store, Copies by the Sea, the Treadmill,
the Carmel Art Association, Nancy Dodd's Gallery, Carmel Valley Video,
Adam Fox, Carmel Bay Co. and Perspectacles.
Holiday fire safety, air fresheners and other reminders
Mitch Kastros, who
normally writes a column on safety for CRA News, was unable to do so
this month. We borrowed information from his previous articles and added
some of our own.
The holiday season is full of festivities, traditions and decorating.
These activities, however, can create fire dangers which, if not prepared
for, could lead to disaster.
Holiday lights need to be inspected before being used. Wires should
be intact and all lights must be used according to the recommendations
of the manufacturer. Extension cords need to be heavy duty with only
one connector at each end. If you need extra temporary outlets, always
use power strips that come with circuit breakers.
When shopping for a cut tree, choose one as fresh as possible whose
needles stay attached when lightly grasped. Ask to have about two inches
cut off the base, or do it yourself when you bring it home and immediately
place it in a bucket of water. When you bring the tree inside, place
it in a stand that holds water and keep it away from heater vents, candles
and the fireplace. Applying fire retardant will also diminish fire risk.
There have been numerous articles about the danger of plug-in air fresheners,
which have been implicated in at least two major house fires within
the last year. Some of the more dangerous fresheners have been recalled
and are no longer on the market. Appliances such as coffee makers, space
heaters and other heat producing portable appliances have also been
known to start fires, sometimes when they are plugged in but not turned
on. It is probably smart to not use plug-in air fresheners at all and
to unplug these other appliances when they are not being used.
We trust that you all changed your smoke detector batteries when you
moved your clocks back to standard time, as the Fire Department reminds
us to do.
After the recent rains, property should be inspected for standing water,
which is an open invitation for mosquitoes to move in and lay eggs.
Remember that the West Nile Virus has arrived in this area.
The rains have also softened the soil around pine trees, so be sure
to report any trees that are leaning or have breaks in the soil near
their base.
We hope that your holiday season will be safe, happy and memorable.
Results of Carmel Residents Association's
October Survey
Surveys were mailed to 344 households and 163 responses were received -- a 47% response rate.
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Optimum Carmel Fire Department staffing |
| Optimum Carmel Police Department staffing | |
| Continuation of Carmel ambulance service | |
| Well-maintained urban forests, parks and beach | |
| Active code enforcement to preserve the residential character of Carmel | |
| Fully-staffed public library | |
| Support for cultural activities such as Forest Theater and Sunset Center | |
| Maintenance of clean public rest rooms |
| Other:
Maintain and clean streets (stressed by many); steam clean sidewalks
in business district; improve trash storage and pickup in business
district; maintain and replant trees on Ocean Avenue median. Recognizing that all of the services listed above cost money, which method of raising revenue would you support? Members were in favor of raising the TOT by a wide margin.
Other revenue ideas: Many listed a real-estate transfer tax, but the city has said it is not legal; development impact fees; parcel tax; sale of Carmel water; fines for disobeying building code; grants; sale of Sunset Center; fee for having rental units; increase fees on remodels; big community garage sale and auction. Sale of city property: More than 2/3 strongly opposed the sale of all three properties.
Are there other issues/concerns with which you would like to see the Carmel Residents Association involved? Limiting art galleries; replanting trees on Scenic and other places where they have been removed; reach out to part-time residents and to business; fine improperly-parked construction trucks; noise abatement policy for construction sites; undergrounding of power lines; more walking paths along city streets; learn more about water issues and desal; welcoming committee for new CRA members; ban smoking on Carmel Beach; smaller MST busses; keep professional integrity of library; educate members about the General Plan; study use of Rio Park for employee parking; leaf blower problem after 5 p.m. and on weekends; in-depth study of city budget--where do property taxes go?; more emphasis on historic and character preservation; education on raccoon invasion; be a "watchdog" but be moderate; need effort to make owners pick up after their pets; every CRA member should carry a plastic bag one day a week and pick up litter; loss of service-oriented business; more CRA fund raisers for community needs. Do you have any suggestions for the CRA News? Your CRA News editor was truly overwhelmed at the preponderance of positive comments about the newsletter, her favorite being: "Offer Linda Anderson a long-term contract with a substantial increase in her pay package." (Is 10 x zero still zero?) The editorials must be covering the spectrum since one respondent said they weren't strong enough and another said they were sometimes too hard hitting. Other suggestions and comments: interview staff who have left to find the reasons; occasional guest editorial; "Do you know" column featuring information on city rules, i.e. leaf blowers; cover more issues; articles explaining city finances; mail CRA News to every voter; list more cultural activities; add humorous cartoons or vignettes. |
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Are you aware of these
helpful city services?
Both the Harrison Memorial
Library and the Carmel Police Department offer valuable outreach services.
If a person is unable to come to the library to select books, a creative
option is available. Volunteers will deliver books, both large type or
regular print, as well as books on tape, magazines or videos to the home.
Specific books or materials can be requested, or the library will select
material in a patron's area of interest. Volunteers also deliver to residential
care facilities, convalescent homes or hospitals in the Carmel area. For
more information about this service, please call Marcia Sheppard,
Harrison Memorial Library at 624-4629.
The Carmel Police Department since 1987 has offered the Seniors Helping
Seniors program whereby local citizens who live alone and/or are shut-ins
who have little or no contact with family, friends or relatives are called
at the same time each day. This program gives the seniors the security
of knowing that someone cares about their welfare. The calls are made
at the Police Department so that, in the event a recipient does not answer
the telephone, a police officer can be sent immediately to the person's
residence for a welfare check. These recipients are not restricted to
their residences. They are just asked to alert the Police Department if
they plan to be away from their telephone at the usual time of the call.
In addition, seniors are offered the chance to volunteer to make the daily
telephone calls. If you have an hour to spend one day a week and are able
to get to the Police Department, please give the Department a call at
624-6403. The program also involves social events and home visitations--a
great opportunity to make a difference in people's lives and find new
friends at the same time.
Cottage Society
calendar is a perfect holiday gift
Calendars for 2005 produced by the Carmel Cottage Society are a perfect holiday gift, now available for $8 each. As in last year's edition, the calendar features lovely line drawings of Carmel's most attractive cottages by Jack Prentice. If you want to purchase a calendar, please call Suzanne Paboojian at 624-0444, Anne Bell at 624-3942 or Catherine and Jim Bell at 624-4234.
Remember that your City Council is on T.V.
City Council meetings
are taped and re-broadcast
Sundays, 8 a.m. - 12 noon on
KMST Channel 26
