ON THE ROAD…Squid felt like a cephalopod out of water on a recent trip to the east side of Pinnacles National Park, since Squid’s accustomed to the friendly reminder on the Highway 101 billboard, “It’s happening in Soledad.” Apparently it’s not happening in Paicines; and not Soledad anymore, either.
On May 29, city leaders covered up the old slogan with a new “Gateway to the Pinnacles” sign. “Today’s replacement of the iconic billboard sign further solidifies the city commitment to promoting Soledad’s new identity and status as a destination point,” according to a press release.
Squid understands basic marketing principles and knows that striking geologic formations are prettier than fiery bus crashes. But Gonzales activist Juan Martinez is getting surprisingly little traction toward his $6,000 goal to fund four highway signs that would say “Bracero Memorial Highway.”
September marks the 50th anniversary of a fatal truck crash in Chualar that killed 32 seasonal field workers. A 1958 truck fire killed another 14 braceros nearby. Then-Assemblywoman Anna Caballero fought for the memorial highway designation, marking a 15-mile stretch from Chualar to Soledad. “That was one of the things I worked hard on,” Caballero says. Three years later, no signage to show for it.
It took just a few months to honor Pinnacles with the sign after its promotion from national monument to national park. Squid hopes someone can produce the cash to do the same for the dead.
WHAT’S YOUR STORY?…The Monterey County Weekly is gearing up to celebrate its 25th anniversary. (Squid’s desperately hoping there will be cake.) That’s 25 years of thought-provoking, arts-and-entertaining, food-and-wine nomming, scandal-uncovering, in-depth-digging journalism. Send us your stories about the Weekly: what we’ve done that you’ve liked, what we’ve done that’s ticked you off, and most importantly, a story about how the newspaper has touched your life. Your story might be included in the anniversary edition, set to hit the newsstands (and web, natch) Sept. 26.
But wait, there’s more! (Squid calls this part “nomination nation.”) Most readers can name some of the county’s top newsmakers from the past 25 years, but the Weekly wants to know who to watch for the next 25. Who are the up-and-coming movers and shakers in the arts, the environment, food and wine, politics, business and education? Send your nominations—those faces, and their stories, just might get featured in the 25th Anniversary edition.
Hit up letters@mcweekly.com by July 30, put “25th Anniversary” in the subject line, and let those fingers (or tentacles) fly.
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