Capitola Thrives in Age of Uncertainty

Capitola Thrives in Age of Uncertainty

Written by Noel Smith

Friday, 01 January 2010 00:00

[Download Issue]

2000-2010 — Ten years of surprises and change that went by much too fast!

Capitola Soquel Times: January 2010

CT1001webcover Remember the fear that our whole technological age was on the brink of collapse just because 1999 was about to become 2000?

Computers would stop, phones would go silent and we would all have to go back to cash and checks because electronic scanners and ATM’s would go dark … and then all our fears went unrealized.

Then our world really was changed when the technological age ran into the technological bubble. Startups didn’t start, IPOs didn’t sell, and stock options became just more paper.

Just when we thought that our new age was under some kind of economic attack, the real war started on 9/11. Religious fanatics took over civilian airplanes and used them to destroy the symbols of our prosperity and military might and 3,000 innocent lives. Suddenly our very existence was deemed so much of a threat to militant Muslims that we had to be destroyed or forced to resign from the world stage.

Our response as a nation united (mostly) at that time was to accept the challenge and begin the “War on Terror” which continues eight years later, the longest war in our history.

CT1001photocollage Our economy recovered from the double hit and our prosperity continued until we found out that using too much credit is like drinking too much straight bourbon — you are going to feel like h… the next morning and all day. Everyone that had been encouraging us to have, “Just one more for the road,” found that the road was closed and we were all trapped in a flood of debt that no one could pay – except for the government. So here we are — the government of the people, by the people and for the people — each of us owing about $350,000 to pay off our debts.

But Capitola, our, “Village by the Sea,” survives. We have lost Gottschalks and Mervyn’s, but have gained Kohl’s and Whole Foods. The Wharf to Wharf race is still running, the Begonia Festival continues to entertain and the Capitola Art & Wine with its splendid vintages carries on.

No one has yet been able figure out what to do with our perennial albatross known as the Rispin Mansion (or “Ruin” if you prefer), we still lack a large hotel in the Village (The last one burned down 80 years ago), the city is still at odds with the Soquel Unified Elementary School District over why they insist in replacing Jade Street Park by building a pre-school and eventually an elementary school and the city fathers still look longingly at the Capitola Inn as a lovely site for a new city hall.

Changes are in the wind with seemingly serious attempts to find a site for a new library. Barry Swenson has given up on the Rispin but is now enamored of the Capitola Theater property for a new upscale hotel on part of the old site of Frederick Hihn’s original hotel.

With the encouragement of the California Coastal Commission, parking has become an issue and now the large parking lot behind city hall and the Pacific Cove Mobile Home Park are looking more and more like the perfect place for a three-story garage.

City leadership is changing. This year a new Police Chief and City Manager will be taking charge and guess what… 2010 is an election year so we the citizens will also be making changes… or not. Mayor Sam Storey, Vice Mayor Ronald Graves and Council Member Bob Begun, must decide whether to run for a second term.

However, some things remain the same to keep Capitola that very special place. We still have the beach, the wharf with its boats, fishermen and jazz on the roof, the cliffs framing the beach, the band shell, the surfers, those pesky seals, an occasional pod of porpoise, the railroad bridge high above the lagoon, the Venetian Court, the Shadowbrook, Soquel Creek, Margaritaville, Pizza My Hear, Mr. Toots, Zelda’s, the Six Sisters …

No matter what the rest of the world is doing, we still have Capitola. So feed the parking meter, Walk the Esplanade, find a bench or spread a blanket on the beach, enjoy the view, the passing parade and the sunsets and let’s see what happens during the next ten years.

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Horoscopes

Annabel Burton • Astrologer ©

•••

Leo (July 23-Aug. 23)

07-leo Venus is powerfully placed in your sign at the start of this month, and brings to you people and experiences that are pleasurable and fun. Romance is on the agenda too, whether you are single or otherwise, since this can reinvigorate what was becoming a little jaded. But there are other important influences too, particularly around your ideas and thoughts for travel and exploration. The adventurous spirit that inspires you may make you a little dissatisfied with your lot, and you seek other opportunities that may take you out of your comfort zone. Wait till after the 23rd for important decisions.

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Virgo (Aug. 24-Sep. 22)

08-virgo Although Saturn is back briefly in your sign again, this is not going to stop you or hinder you in any way. mars here ensures that you have the power and energy to push forward and be assertive as necessary which you fine you have to be currently. It's not that you are going against the flow, but you do feel you are being tested at times. Around the 11th, there are important developments regarding an organization that you are involved in and there could be something in it for you. In the last week, find some space for a little bit of rest and relaxation.

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Libra (Sep. 23-Oct. 23)

09-libra Later this month, Saturn enters your sign again and you have learned lessons from the past, and now you are ready to put them into practice. In a professional sense, July is full of promise and hope and you are able to make the most of this particularly after the 10th, when Venus moves into Virgo. At this point, you are influential in an understated way and your creativity and imagination are enhanced. Use this time for preparation and for developing ideas. A change and challenge regarding your relationship can upset the apple cart but bring deeper understanding if you ride the storm.

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Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

10-scorpio An important eclipse occurs in your chart area of long term relationships around the 11th. Whether you have been building up to this point and see this as a final chapter to what you have experienced before depends on where you are now. For some, it can bring about a fated meeting of minds and hearts. Meanwhile, you could be offered something completely different on the work front, and you are okay with the idea of using a bad situation to create the beginnings of something fantastic. Not many people can take to this like you can. Play to your strengths.

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Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

11-sagittarius Your ruler, Jupiter, turns retrograde this month and even though you may have experienced the power and upheaval of the links between this planet and Uranus, still you can now have something of a respite. As it is, you are driven by discovering what is best for you and yours in the face of life changing events. Indeed, you may be considering following your heart at the expense of your finances for a once in a lifetime experience. This can cause a stir and there will be those who urge you to play safe. But you have other ideas!

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Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)

12-capricorn If you are in a relationship, what you and your other half decide this month can set the tone for several months to come. Unusual circumstances require a leap of faith and you are not the kind of person that will stay down if you're knocked down. This is one of those times, that, whatever happens, you can see that not everything can be planned for and as such it's time to accept what is. By doing this, you will see that in time you wouldn't have chosen it any other way. Meanwhile, this can be a fabulously romantic time and deepen what you already have with a loved one.

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Aquarius (Jan 21-Feb. 18)

01-aquarius When the forces of erratic Uranus combine with might Jupiter in the fiery sign of Aries, then this is one of those times where powerful change is something that you need to adapt to and use all your inventive skills to turn the situation you are in to your advantage. You actually feel more confident and sure of yourself as you can combine new ideas with old ways of developing them. You will need to do plenty of research and talk to those who have knowledge that you seek, but you are enjoying the journey and the people you meet on the way.

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Pisces (Feb. 19-Mar. 20)

02-pisces This month is harmonious for you since the position of the Sun is illuminating your chart area of enjoyment, creativity and pleasure, and to a certain extent, risk taking. Allow your curiosity to open doors and take you to new places that are so far undiscovered. Enjoy an experience for the first time and try something new without the fear of failure and looking stupid. Master a craft which is new to you. All these things are possible this month which restores your enthusiasm and joy. Others benefit form the new radiant you.

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Aries (March 21-April 20)

03-aries With the Sun in your chart area of domestic bliss, you have something of a nesting instinct at the moment, and consequently you are looking to create the perfect cosy space to view the world from. This is necessary since there are other major changes going on in your life at the moment, and at times of change there is a combination of fear and excitement. You know that you have to follow through and be positive as there is a reason for everything. After the 23rd life is much more in your favour and you can see what an impression you are making!

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Taurus (April 21-May 21)

04-taurus While you can stand back and see the amazing situations that are going on around you, you feel that someone needs to take note and tell the stories later. This could be you. Gather information, knowledge and wisdom throughout July and make the most of opportunities to travel both for business and pleasure. Some Taurus people could be going on courses to increases chances of employment and self employment. Shift is happening and you are part of it. But you add a stabilizing factor to the extremes of experience for everyone.

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Gemini (May 22-June 21)

05-gemini At the start of the month, you need to reconcile the differences concerning your finances. New employment opportunities are likely, or more accurately, additional opportunities. There is not much let up as the pace is frantic and and eclipse in this part of your chart can shift your circumstances somewhat. Still, you love a challenge and feel particularly switched on this month. It's back to scattering yourself to thin again and you need to focus. Only you can make the decision about how exactly to do this.

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Cancer (June 22-July 22)

06-cancer This time of year is when you feel most empowered and energized as the Sun is in your sign, at least until the 23rd. Mercury is here as well, giving you the ability to assimilate a mine of information as well as creating the circumstances for some hard core networking and socializing. This is not the time to be a shrinking violet! Be aware of important changes going on at work which you may or may not welcome, but it's vital to adopt and see this as a stepping stone to somewhere you hadn't considered before. Make a note of the 11th as a kind of turning point.