December 26, 2001

How I'd improve Shasta County food service

Mary Haenggi performed a public service with her letter of Dec. 5. (I don't necessarily agree with the points she made). She touched some nerves. I enjoyed reading both her letter and the responses. Her home on Outlook Circle probably wouldn't exist if certain local activists had realized soon enough her planned new residence high above Sharp Park Golf Course would actually be seen from Coast Highway. Horrors!

I'm delighted she drops in on the rest of us from time to time. That she doesn't care for some of what she sees is unfortunate.

To touch on a few of her points: Taco Bell on the beach? It used to be an A and W Root Beer. I've first-hand knowledge that out-of-towners come from all over just to see and enjoy our beach TB. Where's it written ocean-front restaurants must serve only $30 dinners on white tablecloths? Fast surf! Fast food!

We were nine (not seven) small seaside communities. We joined together for mutual benefit. That doesn't mean homogenization. I know folks from each and every part of Pacifica, and I appreciate what each contributes to the character of the whole. The concept of a "downtown" went out of style even before we incorporated.

Ms. Haenggi belittles us for eating at Nick's, when we could make a 40 mile round trip and pay ungodly sums to eat at over-rated San Francisco establishments which charge more for parking than Nick's does for a crab sandwich. Nick's parking is free, unlike the fancy Italian restaurant in San Francisco that once charged my son-in-law for valet parking and wrecked his car for him. Next July Nick's will celebrate 75 years and it's still operated by the same family. The Gusts have reason to be proud. They must be doing something right, wouldn't you say?

That "pathetic movie theatre" Ms. Haenggi complains of has served us for 50 years. It's older than the city, and is the westernmost movie house in North and South America from the Cliff House south all the way to Tierra del Fuego.

I regret Ms. Haenggi feels she must use a library paid for by and intended to serve the citizens of South San Francisco. (It IS an excellent facility). The hardworking members of Pacifica's Friends of the Library could use her help and her support as they fight for a new 30,000 square foot facility. It will take a lot of hard work, luck and ingenuity to make it a reality. All readers are welcome to get involved. (Non-reading adults are invited to join Project Read.)

Ms. H is also welcome to pick Pacifica weeds, repaint Pacifica signs, (but do them right, please) and rustproof our steel fencing. The same salt wind that so delights most of us with its brisk character corrodes our cars and does a lot of damage in other ways. What one person sees as "run-down" is delightful coastal weathering to another.

The restaurants on Pedro Point she puts down so blithely would be wonderful upgrades to Shasta County restaurants, welcomed with open arms.

I'm the opposite of a "no growther." I think that concept has harmed Pacifica. But most of those who espouse "No Growth" do so because they want what's best for this city, and truly believe what they advocate is just that. What I call stagnation they think progress. What I think progress they think is a mistake. With a very few exceptions, Pacificans fervently want what's best for their community.

Even on the beautiful Monterey Peninsula, where a gaggle of millionaires breathe the rustic ambience and perambulate championship golf courses, the largest city is not historic Monterey or quaint Carmel, but crass Seaside, which has many of the drawbacks often associated with some parts of Pacifica. Must be the sea air.

E mail Paul Azevedo at Paul@thereactor.net. Check his website at http://www.thereactor.net.