TURTLE TIME… Squid was cleaning out the lair and came across an overdue library book – The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Canoeing and Kayaking. Squid oozed to the Salinas Public Library to clear the fine and pay a visit to Snappy Shelly Steinbeck, the library’s tortoise mascot who makes his home at the John Steinbeck branch in Oldtown.
But instead of finding Snappy in his glass enclosure, happily eating produce and basking in the glow of adoration from patrons, Squid found emptiness. “Where is Snappy? What have you done with Snappy?” Squid asked. Library Services Director Cynthia Bojorquez’s reply: Snappy has “gone to college.”
Squid wondered if that was a euphemism, like being “sent to the farm.” According to Bojorquez, a small group of patrons had for months been complaining about Snappy’s treatment – his enclosure was too small and he was underweight, they said. Instead of building a larger enclosure and feeding him more, Snappy was sent to live with The Silicon Valley Turtle and Tortoise Club (aka, “college”).
“We knew people were really attached to him, and our intent was not to get rid of Snappy,” says Bojorquez. “We had a send-off for him, with cake. He’s now living in a dorm and will visit and bring his roommates.”
Squid wonders what a boy turtle does at college. Squid envisions Snappy doing keg stands, joining a frat and failing econ. Squid hopes the library makes good on its promise to have Snappy back for visits. As mascots go, Snappy was only second to Squid in terms of lovability.
GAME TIME… Since Squid can’t watch Snappy anymore, Squid is counting down to the 2016 general election. With 559 days to go, it’s never too soon for Squid to look for signs of crazy scandals in every campaign.
While Squid waits, Squid sets the clock for Monterey County political action. The Mary Adams watch has been running 37 days and counting, since the former United Way CEO retired and is rumored to be considering a run against incumbent Dave Potter, who raised $54,000 in the first half of this year, before any opposition was announced. In District 4, Supe Jane Parker pulled in a formidable $113,000, while challenger Dennis Donohue, radicchio king and former Salinas mayor, raised $65,000.
The real game of musical chairs is in District 1. Assemblyman Luis Alejo, who terms out, is considering a run against long-time incumbent Fernando Armenta. Alejo’s wife, Karina Cervantez Alejo, has been racking up endorsements to replace her husband in the Assembly. Meanwhile, former Salinas mayor (and Gov. Jerry Brown cabinet member) Anna Caballero may also be eyeing a run for Alejo’s Assembly seat.
May Squid propose an alternative? Snappy for Supe! Bring the beloved tortoise back to the main stage!