Squid plunges into the already strange politics of replacing Sam Farr.

Check the Silver…Squid had one hell of a political hangover on Sunday morning and decided to ooze over to First Awakenings in Salinas for a late brunch.

A giant stack of blue-germ pancakes and a side order of mushroom caps blanketed in melty cheese sounded like the perfect things to get rid of the headache and confusion of a suddenly chaotic 2016 U.S. Congressional race, which is what happens when 22-year Congressman Sam Farr suddenly says, screw it, I'm so over this, and announces he will retire at the end of next term. 

But as Squid drizzled syrup over those bluegerms, a host of Salinas Police swarmed in with their eyes on the table over.

Seems an off-duty officer had been enjoying a morning repast there when he noticed an erstwhile gang-banger noshing while carrying (a weapon, that is—the dumbass had a handgun in his pocket). Rather than wait for said banger and his sweetie to leave the restaurant, the cops decided to take them at their table.

Frightened diners headed to the back of the restaurant, and talk of it dominated local Facebook pages, but for Squid, it was just the latest in a series of surreal events over the previous few days.

There was, of course, the Farr announcement, which has the entire universe wondering who (Jimmy Panetta) is going to run (Jimmy Panetta) to take Sam's place (Jimmy Panetta). Whoever the candidate is, no matter how charismatic and affable (Jimmy Panetta, Jason Burnett) Squid thinks they should have some legislative experience and the ability to get tough bills through the process (Bill Monning, Luis Alejo, Mark Stone).

Squid wishes all the candidates well, though.

Squid's weekend of political insanity wasn't over with Farr's announcement, or the jockeying of potential candidates. On Saturday, Squid put on some fancy clothes and oozed over to Monterey County Supervisor candidate Mary Adams' house for a fundraiser—NOT for her supervisorial race, but instead for a wildlife advocacy group called Project Coyote.

In a strange twist, actor Peter Coyote showed up, along with dozens of other wildlife lovers like California Secretary for Natural Resources John Laird. 

And County Supervisor Dave Potter.

That's who Adams is running against for the District 5 seat. Which makes this event almost better than Salinas cops swarming a crowded breakfast joint.

Accompanying Potter was his wife, Portola Hotel manager Janine Chicourrat, who presumably is supporting not only wildlife, but her husband's candidacy too.

Adams says she was a little flummoxed when she saw Potter's name on the guest list. "I thought, 'There can't be two Dave Potters,'" she says. She adds that the couple stayed most of the evening, everyone was cordial and the event was a success. 

"There were no issues whatsoever," Adams says. "And I haven't found any bugs yet."