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CRA News April 2009
Selected articles from the newsletter of the Carmel Residents Association
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CRA Meeting:
"An Overview of the Alliance on Aging"
Teresa Sullivan
| Thursday, April 23 – CRA Meeting | |
| 4:45 p.m. Vista Lobos Meeting Room (Torres between 3rd & 4th) The public is invited. Wine and cheese social following the meeting |
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The Alliance on Aging – an amazing agency
We certainly have heard of the Alliance on Aging,
but most of us have very little idea of exactly what this organization
offers to our community. Sooner or later, all of us might want or need
to take advantage of its services.
On April 23, Teresa Sullivan, executive director of the Alliance on Aging
will give us an overview of this remarkable agency. A highlight of her
presentation will be an excellent video about the Alliance, written and
directed by Carmel Residents Association board member Tom Parks, who currently
serves as vice president on the Alliance for Aging Board of Directors.
Teresa Sullivan has been the executive director of the Alliance on Aging
since 2003. Previously, she directed the Ombudsman Program, which merged
with the Alliance in 2004.
Our speaker is a founding board member of the Compassionate Care Alliance
and a founding member of the Housing Alliance for People with Disabilities.
In addition, she serves on the Workforce Investment Board and is a member
of the Senior Services Collaborative and the Social Services Transportation
Advisory Committee.
A third generation native of Monterey County, Sullivan attended local
schools and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She lives in Carmel Valley with
her husband Bill, a fourth generation native, and two daughters.
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What is the future of our
Fire Department? Our City Council is wrestling
with a monumental and expensive question – how should Carmel's
fire service be shaped in the future? Monterey has informed the
city that the current contract for fire service will not be renewed
because it is not covering Monterey's costs; they will only consider
a full merger, as they accomplished with Pacific Grove. Cheers and Chides Cheers
to all members of Carmel's business community, who are
doing their best to hold on during these enormously difficult
times. Throughout this issue of CRA News, we have tried
to give extra emphasis to our unique business district.
Chides
to the City Council of Pacific Grove for its misguided attempt
to curtail public comment at its meetings. Despite the above chide,
this end run around the public is the last thing our Carmel City
Council would do! |
President's Message
Now it's your turn!
by Barbara Livingston
Late last month, I had lunch at Piatti with CRA
board member Sherry Shollenbarger, who is our representative to the Economic
Advisory Committee, a group of business people dedicated to improving
the economic climate in Carmel-by-the-Sea. What, asked Sherry, can the
CRA do to stimulate business downtown? Good question. It has long been
my concern that even in good times residents don't spend their $$ in our
village. Why fill prescriptions out of town when you can use Carmel
Drug and have them delivered to your front door for free? Why not
make our lives easier by shopping for groceries at Nielsen's or
Bruno's, where you can also order hors d'oeuvres trays, gift baskets
and rotisserie meats? Why travel to the Bay Area to buy clothes when we
have so many boutique shops right here? Why go over the hill for a box
of candy when we have our own Cottage of Sweets specializing in
fine chocolates and licorice. Too often the lament is heard – There
just aren't any resident-serving businesses left in Carmel. Well, that
kind of thinking doesn't help our economy. The sad truth is that we simply
don't patronize our shops, restaurants, businesses. Perhaps it would be
helpful to find out where some of our board members shop and thus stimulate
us to help jump-start the local economy.
Sherry Shollenbarger's picks are: Pilgrim's Way Bookstore where
Paul, the owner, will have any book for you in two days. Miniature succulents
are sold in the back garden and lovely music makes shopping there a delightful
experience. Ask Paul about his discount policy for book clubs. Sherry
and Dave feel right at home when they show up on Sunday for pancake breakfasts
at the Little Swiss Cafe. And there is no need to leave town for
a dinner date when food for any taste or budget is right here.
It is Il Fornaio for Skip Lloyd. Not just for the food, but also
the friendliness of John, the manager and his staff, the TGIF specials,
the good fresh bread available for sale and the coffee bar where he sips
his favorite – half decaf latte with soy milk. The coffee bar is
a gathering place for locals, and even "office space" for some.
"As a very amateur, but highly adventurous chef, I often try recipes
that call for unusual varieties of cheese," says Dick Flower. "The Carmel
Cheese Shop never disappoints me. If they don't have the precise variety,
they always propose an acceptable substitute. Their knowledgeable staff
is impressive."
Betty Dalsemer writes that she shops at Pacific Rim for Marianne's
wearable and stylish clothes. Betty's husband, Dick, takes his glasses
to Perspectacles for minor repairs – always at no cost to
locals. If you want to know what's happening in Carmel, stop by for a
chat with owner Mike Brown while you are trying on a new pair of shades
or picking out a stylish frame for your new glasses.
Roberta Miller says that residents are fortunate to have a business district
"minutes from our homes but miles from ordinary." A favorite spot to dine
for the Millers after council or commission meetings is Anton & Michel's
popular bar, a quiet, fireside dining experience. Carmel Coffee & Cocoa
Bar at Carmel Plaza provides a lovely garden setting to sip
a cafe latte. Carmel Cleaners is willing to accommodate any time crunches.
And, at Talbot's the service is so helpful that they even took
time to steam press a dress Roberta purchased.
Carolyn Hardy likes Brophy's Tavern because it is "a great locals'
hang-out with reasonably-priced food and drink, a place where you can
find young people who live and work in Carmel, a spot of youthfulness
in a retirement community."
Greg D'Ambrosio has a list of favorites: Cate Electric is his choice
for solving home improvement problems; Copies-by-the-Sea for fast,
inexpensive document reproduction with the added plus of a saucy conversation
with owner Barbara Podoloff; Greg Cellitti's Friar Tuck's for great
burgers the old- style way and good local political conversation; and
architect Brian Congleton for his creative restoration design solutions.
Mary Ellen Thomas writes, "I can always count on locally-owned Lloyd's
Shoes for that special pair of shoes to complement my outfit. My Gore-tex
rain boots were the perfect answer for my journey abroad this last winter.
The staff at Lloyds is always there to help meet your needs."
I hope these favorite places and people will inspire you to take a few
hours now and then to wander the different sections of our commercial
district. Around the corner from the Post Office, you will find Le
Bijou whose owners, Mary Jane and Jason, have served me well –
from changing watch batteries to designing beautiful rings from inherited
jewelry. Stop in to meet Carmel's shop owners, browse the inventory and
then refresh yourself with something to eat or drink. Recently, eating
at Carmel Belle in the Doud Arcade, Bob Kohn spotted the
Jazze shop and casually mentioned that I might find something interesting
there. Ah, the power of suggestion! A week later, after lunching with
two friends at Belle's, we looked in at Jazze. All three of us bought
something we couldn't live without. And then, down the street at Pacific
Rim, I found a stunning white shirt and a dynamite bulky pink sweater
for my daughters-in-law. That day I did my part to stimulate the local
economy. Now it's your turn!
Beach Cleanup
Saturday, April 25
10 a.m. - noon
* Volunteers meet at foot of Ocean
Avenue
* Please bring gloves
* Coffee and cookies served courtesy of Carmel Coffee House
and Safeway Stores, Carmel.
* Thanks to the Pine Cone for the ad donated each month!
The Abalone Song
Free Local History Lecture
The free event will be held at 7 p.m. in Carpenter Hall at Sunset Center, 8th and Mission in Carmel.
VILLAGE PROFILES
Tom and Marta Korper
Another remarkably beautiful
day in Carmel. We headed to the long-established St. Moritz sweater
shop, a family owned and staffed business on Ocean Avenue. It's early,
before opening. One knock and we were invited in for a chat.
You have a long retail history in the village. I hope you serve locals
as well as visitors.
We love our locals but we're seeing fewer and fewer of them. Times change.
We see mostly visitors these days.
Those who come by bus are always rushing and that's not changed one
bit. There's a stock of over 5,000 sweaters here so we have to move
rapidly to accommodate them before they run for their waiting bus.
Marta, you're a native of Argentina. And Tom, you're from the Czech
Republic by way of Switzerland. You met. How did that happen?
Tom: I was very young when my family moved to the then Czechoslovakia.
In '49 my parents wanted desperately to leave the country. The Soviet
regime was so restrictive; we wanted to emigrate to Argentina where
many Europeans had resettled. The family could take nothing of value.
My mother hid some valuables in my diapers. Authorities decided to open
our baggage. My mother excused herself, on the pretext of having to
change me. She then removed the valuables, leaving behind, by the side
of a toilet, the equivalent of forty or fifty thousand dollars – a
life's savings.
Marta: That's the price one pays for freedom. We have no regrets.
Tom: I was a child when we reached Argentina. I met Marta after college.
We worked in the same business. We married and produced two daughters
and found ourselves in Carmel. They are both married and live very close.
Would you like to see a photo of our grandchild?
You are known for your community work, Tom.
Through the Carmel Host Lions Club, I'm very involved in the restorative
justice Victim-Offender Reconciliation Program. This is where young,
first-time offenders meet with their victims through mediation, facilitated
by community volunteers, to explore solutions to conflicts, restorations,
apologies and commitments to law and order. It is a successful program
with a very low percentage of recidivism, unlike so many traditional
programs.
The CRA is always interested in the opinions of Carmel citizens.
What changes, if any, would you like to see in the village, both as
merchants and citizens?
Marta: The number of art galleries has increased over the years and
we've lost many of our good clothing shops. People come to Carmel because
it is beautiful, but also because they want to shop. We would like to
see diversification again in the village.
Tom: But make no mistake, we love it here. We're going to stay in business
and continue to care about our village, our visitors and our neighbors.
Note: The interview complete, a purchase was made. A nice surprise – Tom
and Marta offer a 10% discount to all locals.
by Tom Parks
Tom Parks is a CRA Board member as well as a well-known writer, actor
and producer.
Calling all authors, artists, musicians and actors!
Attention all Carmel Residents Association
artists, sculptors, photographers, musicians, writers and actors! You
will be celebrated at our May 28th Celebrating the Artist Amongst
Us at the Carl Cherry Center for the Arts.
The Cherry gallery will display paintings, drawings, sculptures, carvings,
framed calligraphy and photography, while writers read their work from
the stage. Actors are also welcome to present monologues. Our desire is
to cast the widest possible net to encourage our creative members to participate.
We will have a pianist entertaining us in the gallery and hope other musicians
would like to provide music in the garden while wine and appetizers are
served following the readings. Event chair Frankie Laney asks that all
participants sign up by May 1. There will be more details about the event
in the next CRA News, but it will come out after the May 1 deadline,
so this is your only reminder to take action.
Artists, sculptors, photographers and musicians who want to participate
should contact Frankie Laney at 624-3130, or P.O. Box 1582, Carmel
93921.
Writers and actors should contact Fran Vardamis at P.O. Box 5323,
Carmel 93921, or 626-4441.
We don't want to miss any member talent out there, so get in touch now
with Frankie or Fran!
She cares for the trees and cares for people – with massages
Kimberly Moscato is a familiar
sight, driving around town in the city's watering truck, taking good care
of our trees.
But did you know that Kimberly supplements her part-time city salary with
her own small business? She is a professional massage therapist with broad
experience, working for a local Carmel spa as well as for several local
hotels.
Life is tense these days, and there is no better way to relax than with
a massage! Kimberly is currently running a special for locals. She works
in her Carmel home or will come to your house. Give her a call at 624-3373.
You won't be sorry.
The unstoppable Tom Parks is at it again!
What fresh hell is this? The wit and wisdom of Dorothy Parker
Get set to be entertained and enlightened!
Carmel Residents Association Board Member Tom Parks is opening
a new production at the Carl Cherry Center on May 1.
What fresh hell is this? The wit and wisdom of Dorothy Parker,
starring Rosemary Luke as Mrs. Parker, is a new play written, produced
and directed by Parks.
One of the most prolific writers of short fiction and verse, Dorothy Parker
is remembered and celebrated sixty-five years after her first publication.
She is probably best known for her participation at the famous round table
at New York's Algonquin Hotel in the twenties.
A political activist as well as a fine writer, monologist and poet, Parker
is remembered by countless readers and non-readers for her many irreverent
musings about life, love and the pursuit of the bon mot.
Ms. Luke, who will play Ms. Parker, is a well-known actor on the Peninsula.
This is her second collaboration with Tom Parks; she will be remembered
as the star of last year's Chums, also at the Cherry. What
fresh hell is this? is Parks' fifth production for theatergoers
on the Monterey Peninsula.
Lace Lichenby Laura Newmark
|
[We are always happy when Carmel Residents
Association member Laura Newmark shares a new poem with us! – ed.]
|
OLD CARMEL
by Richard Flower
Meandering through Carmel's history
One of my most interesting afternoons
each week is spent working as a volunteer in the Local History Department
of the Harrison Memorial Library. My project involves indexing significant
articles in the early volumes of the Pine Cone for entry into
a computerized system for information retrieval. Even though my familiarity
with life in Carmel dates back to my first visits in 1942, I continually
make new discoveries: Charles Lindbergh's efforts to create a glider
base in Carmel Highlands, a seriously considered proposal to pave Carmel's
streets in different colors to aid in locating properties in lieu of
addresses, the legend of a secret gold mine owned by the padres of the
Carmel Mission, etc., etc. Usually I find these "discoveries" are familiar
stories to Rose McLendon, the remarkable librarian/archivist who oversees
the department. Recently, however, I have come up with what may be a
genuine discovery.
Arguably, the most frequently staged musical worldwide is The Threepenny
Opera, with book by Bertolt Brecht and music by Kurt Weill. First
produced in the 1920s in Berlin as Die Dreigroschenoper, its
first American production is cited as occurring on Broadway in 1933.
Although that production failed miserably, an eventual revival in the
1950s achieved 2,707 performances – at the time a record for longevity.
Its latest revival on Broadway occurred in 2006, receiving a nomination
for a Tony Award. Undoubtedly dozens of productions still occur each
year by university and professional, semiprofessional, and amateur regional
and community theatres throughout the United States.
In actual fact, contrary to the usual attribution, the first American
production of what was called The Thrip'ny Opera probably occurred
in Carmel in July of 1930, three years before the first production in
New York. While traveling in Germany, Edward Custer, a leading figure
in Carmel's community theatre ventures, purchased the production rights
and translated the text into English. With Morris Ankrum as director,
they recruited a local cast. Custer played Mr. Peacham and Ankrum starred
as Mac-Heath.
The production received a generally cordial review in the Pine Cone,
written by Thomas Vincent Cator, a regular columnist and Carmel's most
prominent guru of all things musical. Nevertheless, he did express some
reservations about the quality of the singing and about Kurt Weill's
interpretation of American jazz idioms. What seems to have been a favorable
reception may be a bit surprising because the musical is a cynical depiction
of fallen women, cutthroats and other assorted lowlifes. At the time,
other slightly risqué productions were reviewed with restraint and even
elicited letters to the editor from members of the local clergy.
The production was also given a very enthusiastic review by the drama
critic of The Wasp, a weekly San Francisco magazine, who later
cited it as one of the ten best productions he had covered that year.
Although the production is briefly mentioned in a thesis written in
the 1950s about Carmel's community theatres, my admittedly superficial
efforts have produced no further information. If any CRA News
readers have additional information, I would appreciate hearing from
them.
Richard Flower is Professor Emeritus at the University of California
San Francisco and a member of the Carmel Residents Association Board
of Directors. He is a great advocate for our local library.
Our Favorite Places
Mundaka – new to our neighborhood
"Not only will the creations be authentic to Spain, this 46-seat Spanish restaurant is sustainable from floor to ceiling. You will be amazed at Gabe's use of reclaimed materials – old barn doors, speakeasy lights from a San Francisco house, corrugated metal burned in the Big Sur fire and a bar top made from a 600-pound piece of redwood milled in the 1960's and found on a Big Sur ranch.
"This innovative addition to Carmel dining is located in the Carmel Square Courtyard (former location of the Gem Restaurant) off San Carlos, between Ocean and 7th."
[Barbara Livingston wrote in a recent issue about FesQ in this courtyard, which also includes Perspectacles and Ron's Liquors.]
CRA members invited to join Club Napoli
There are no rules – only 20% VIP discounts on all food, wine and gift purchases, whether you eat in or take out.
Simply show your card and your server will apply the 20% discount. Also, corkage fees are waived for members and you will receive Club Napoli's monthly newsletter with special offers and additional discounts.
[This isn't the first time Rich Pèpe has been generous to the Carmel Residents Association. For many, many years, his Carmel Bakery donated pastries each month for Beach Cleanup volunteers.]
Remember that your City Council
is on T.V.
and on the Web
City Council meetings are taped
and re-broadcast
Sundays, 8 a.m. - 12 noon on
KMST Channel 26
In addition, webcasts of council meetings can be viewed live or
at a later time on the city's web site: http://ci.carmel.ca.us/carmel/
