SQUID FRY 11.10.16: BOBOS IN PARADISE…

BOBOS IN PARADISE… Squid loves a night out on the town, and appreciates a contemporary take on Shakespeare in Carmel (like Pacific Repertory Theatre’s King Lear) but has a soft spot for more classic bohemian fare, partying with artsy lowlifes who enjoy music, wine and revelling in self-imposed poverty as starving artists. So on Nov. 6, when PacRep awarded its first-ever Bohemian of the Year Award to Barbara Livingston, a former city councilmember and current president of the Carmel Residents Association, Squid couldn’t help but laugh.

The award is to celebrate those who have fought “to keep Carmel, ‘Carmel.’” (Presumably, that refers to Carmel’s bohemian roots, when starving artists dominated the town.) Squid thinks PacRep had to engage in revisionist history and serious stretching of the word bohemian for the award to make sense. While Squid respects Livingston’s tireless community engagement and understands she is beloved by many, this “Bohemian” has been outspoken against more wine-tasting rooms in the city, saying they will fill the streets with violent drunks. She has fought live music in city limits, specifically a singer-songwriter playing acoustic guitar at Mundaka and live piano music at Affina. Not very bohemian stances, Squid thinks.

The word bobo, coined by New York Times columnist David Brooks, comes to Squid’s mind. The portmanteau – combining the words “bohemian” and “bourgeois” – shows the hybrid of affluence and counterculture. Squid would suggest that next year, PacRep give their award a more accurate name and celebrate the “Bobo of the Year” instead.

TREE HOUSES… Although Squid’s lair is in a kelp forest, Squid appreciates forests of all kinds. So whenever a local city takes an action, however ceremonial, to celebrate or protect its trees, Squid usually sees cause for celebration.

But instead, this appears to be the season of ill-fitting titles. In Seaside City Manager Craig Malin’s Oct. 19 newsletter, which he calls the “manifest,” he announced Mayor Ralph Rubio had signed an application for Seaside to become a “Tree City USA.” Squid re-read it, just to make sure Squid read it right.

Yes, this is the same Seaside that on Nov. 10 will consider approving Monterey Downs, a project that would raze hundreds of acres of oak woodlands on land that is not even yet within city limits. Squid wonders if that bit of information was included in the application for the honor.

When asked about the benefits of the recognition, Malin writes, “The benefits include a plaque (!) and, sometimes, an extra point or few on urban forestry grant applications. More significantly, the effort elevates the stature of urban forestry in a community.”

Rubio may well vote yes on a project that would cut down 30,000 oaks, but at least Seaside gets a plaque.