The (second) best names in show biz
Published: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at 6:16 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at 6:16 p.m.
In Monte Rio, folks are setting out lawn chairs or blankets to save spots for tonight’s return of the multi-talented variety show that’s rocked the river town every summer for almost 100 years.
It’s not impossible that a Steve Miller or Jimmy Buffet could duck out of the nearby exclusive men-only Bohemian Grove encampment and come play a set, but nobody’s really expecting that to happen.
Most of the performers who leave the Grove on this Thursday in July to play the Monte Rio Variety Show (www.mrrpd.org) are world-class musicians half a notch below superstar status.
Last year, almost 1,400 people turned out for the show, which is a gift to Monte Rio from the Bohemian Grove. The ‘08 crowd loved the show and it raised $24,000 for St. Catherine’s Catholic Church, Monte Rio School and the town’s Volunteer Firefighters’ Association.
The big show, which fills a star-roofed amphitheater near Monte Rio’s storied Pink Elephant bar, really is like a box of chocolates.
BARICH DIGS IN DEEPER: The blackface episode could be written off to poor judgment. But now Cotati City Council knucklehead George Barich is snubbing his nose at his own town’s laws and forcing City Hall to expend time and effort on him.
As Barich’s detractors collect recall signatures, the councilman has taken to posting No on Recall signs around town. The political signs are illegal because there’s no election going on and, besides, Barich is placing them prohibited places.
When City Hall goes to the trouble and expense of notifying Barich that his banner in La Plaza Park or on a parked van violate city ordinances and must be removed with 24 hours, he plays cute and simply moves them.
To demonstrate the love he proclaims for Cotati, Barich should step down from the City Council now and save the town the cost of a recall election.
All would be better off with him in his natural role, sitting out in the gallery during council meetings and making funny faces.
YOUNG AND YOUNGER: At the hearing on Sutter’s plans to build a 70-bed hospital north of Santa Rosa, County Supervisor Paul Kelley recalled for his colleagues how Sutter came to take over the former Community Hospital in 1996.
Kelley was 31 years old when he was elected in 1994 and now, at 45, he’s the longest serving member of the board.
The current new kid on the board, Efren Carrillo, thanked Kelley for the review of the Sutter/Community saga.
“I think I was in junior high when it first came to the board,” mugged Carrillo, who’s 28.
“That’s OK,” Kelley replied. “At the time, my colleagues accused me of being in high school”
NICE CHOP’S: For years you’ve thought you’d like to take a look at the handsome teen center near Railroad Square that was built with money left to Santa Rosa’s young people by Charles “Chop” DeMeo.
You couldn’t pick a better time than Friday afternoon. From 5 to 7 p.m., new Chop’s director Kay Marquet and the crew will welcome the public to an Art Gala featuring the work of young artists who’ve worked for weeks side-by-side with professionals.
There will be mosaics, wood pieces, and other new art. The club’s gym will be open and, here’s a first: hors d’oeuvres will served on the roof deck.
Marquet, who retired recently as CEO of Community Foundation of Sonoma County, says she’s excited about what’s coming to Chop’s (www.chopsonline.com) and she’d love to show us around.
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