Because I can bring to memory the Greenfield of the late 1950s through the early 1970s, I like it when old things see new life instead of falling into disuse and disrepair and the ultimate end such brings forth. I remember the fine old elementary school building, pillared with a quad surrounded on three sides by offices and classrooms and a grand theatre on the fourth. I am too young to remember discussions at various community levels, but the upshot of them all obviously lead to the razing of that building with an office, a multi-purpose room and a new wing of classrooms in replacement. I wish that building could have been upgraded and saved as was done for Salinas High School. But at least one of the city’s fine old edifices is not headed for the wrecking ball, which was one of the options cited in last week’s column.
I called Greenfield Mayor Bob at his insurance business and he let me know there are efforts in the process of rehabilitating the old Economy Market with four apartments on the upper floor and commercial space on the ground floor. Good for whoever it is that made such a proposal and I hope it works out for all concerned. (A digression: way back in the early 1970s, two brothers from King City, friends of my older brother, occupied one of the upstairs apartments in the Beyer Building that looked down upon what was at that time Greenfield’s main downtown intersection. It was a kick to look out the window up and down the street and out across the eastern part of town. I rather envy the future tenants.)
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Also in an earlier column, to avoid offending with any of my political leanings, I told a heartwarming little story about a dog named Romie whose badly damaged leg was amputated but life was saved and lived on as a three-legged family pet. I thought for sure I got a little wood on the ball with that one; but no. The story is true, but I got the wrong dog. This I found out when after a stop at Roy’s Sausage Factory, I came across Jim checking on one of his tractors and he informed me the dog was not Romie but Elka. And as soon as he said the name I made the correction; 55 years too late, but a connection still. In my defense, they were both black labs, though as Jim pointed out and I now seen in my mind’s eye, Romie was a big-headed fellow and Elka a sleek lady, even on three legs.
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Some months ago, a friend had attended an event where one of the culinary offerings was a wine and donut pairing. Now, I have a bit of a sweet tooth, so every once in awhile when passing by the goodies case in Safeway’s bakery department, I will snag a chocolate glazed donut or a maple bar. But just across from the donuts is the wine section, which I pass by without glance or thought of purchase. I am not a wine drinker. And maybe that is why when I see the Stage Hands performers will not only provide a rollicking matinee this coming Sunday but includes the added attraction of a wine and donut pairing, there is a part of me that cringes at the thought of sugar-infused pastry covered with sugary toppings mixed with what to me is sour grape juice. But given the success of these foodie events elsewhere (I did a little online research), there is a part of me that says I may be missing out on something very new and pleasing to the palate. And if you now have the same thought, check out “Unnecessary Farce” this coming Sunday afternoon.
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Just as I was prepared to address the issue of the future, if any, for the local links, I read Octavio’s offering on citywide projects both past, present and future and got at least a partial understanding of how things now stand. That the golf course has been ravaged a couple times by an overflowing San Lorenzo Creek is common knowledge; but any restoring of the course after the damage has been slow in the making. It seems there are negotiations happening with FEMA and given the present political situation in Washington, that just cannot be easy, so I wish the City luck. But there is one thing that I am sure could be done now, and that is either repair or removal of two passenger vans with flat tires, both of which have been in the parking area for a couple weeks now. And one, festooned with the Harden Foundation name and logo, is sitting in the only disabled parking slot. Dealing with that eyesore doesn’t require government funding.
There is, however, one item not addressed in the column and that is the condition of our sewer plant. One hears small rumblings about needed upgrades to keep up with a growing population.
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So that I can toss some scribbled-on scraps of paper, some random offerings:
A tale of common experiences: After much of the Cherokee Nation was uprooted and marched to non-tribal lands, the infamous Trail of Tears, they witnessed the poor treatment of Irish immigrants who fled Ireland’s potato famine (a genocide inflicted act by the English) of the 1830s and ’40s. In 1847 they collected $170 (around $5,000 today) for Irish relief. When Covid-19 hit the Cherokee Reservation, there was lax government response, so 20,000 Ireland citizens donated $8 million in an act of solidarity 173 years later.
“My mother said, ‘You can be oh so smart or oh so pleasant.’ Well, for years I was smart; I recommend pleasant. You may quote me.” —Elwood P. Dowd
“If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.” —Anonymous
My word for the times: Kakistocracy, noun; def. Government by the worst people.
Take care. Peace.
