Loyal readers of this column (and God bless those of you not related to me) won’t be surprised by what comes next, though you may be surprised by where it comes from. The Governator, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has proposed San Quentin Prison be sold to raise money for the Golden State cum Bronze State.
In the past, folks in Marin have suggested, recommended and begged San Quentin be closed, or at the very least, the state give up on its $750 million plan to expand death row at the 157-year-old prison. In many circles in this fair county, the fact that the state kills inmates in the gas chamber is particularly distasteful. In other circles, the denizens of Marin would prefer the prison be relocated in its entirety and the billion dollar property be given to the county for use as everything from a water transportation hub to affordable housing.
Most level-headed types knew the possibility of the state handing the land over is akin to the chances condos would be built on Mount Tamalpais. However, the possibility of “Ah-nold” actually making a move to sell the property is nuts based on the power of the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, a union so politically connected it makes the National Rifle Association look like a book club. The CCPOA isn’t going to let this happen. At least not without a deal.
“Luke, use your power.”
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. George Lucas would like to build a really big project in a pretty surprising place.
You have to admire the consistency of the bearded one. Think Skywalker Ranch, Big Rock Ranch and Letterman Digital Arts Center in San Francisco’s Presidio. Besides turning out epic motion pictures, Lucas specializes in visualizing projects in nontraditional settings—and then hiring folks who can help him pull off the job.
His latest project has been on the back burner since 1996. Lucas plans to construct a 262,728-square-foot building on the former Grady Ranch, a 1,039-acre property in Lucas Valley, west of San Rafael. The building would contain a film studio, screening rooms, dressing rooms, a general store, administrative offices, a restaurant, a wine tasting room and costume storage space. The structure would also include 19 guest suites and underground parking. The project could be home to as many as 340 employees.
The project also calls for the clearing of land for a vineyard. Can “Star Wars Syrah” be too far off? “Yoda calls this one the rascal of the vineyards. This wine has the character of a Jedi, with soft tannins and a graceful finish, with just a hint of the Dark Side. It’s so good even Darth Vader digs it.”
The project was given the green light in 1996 by the Marin County Board of Supervisors as part of a master plan that included permission to build 456,000 square feet of space. The current project is still 193,000 square feet smaller than what was approved. It includes two 85-foot towers and a look reminiscent of St. Vincent’s School for Boys in San Rafael off Highway 101.
While there’s no doubt the project will run into strong headwinds from disapproving neighbors and environmental advocates, since it’s already been approved, the chances of stopping it are thin. Critics are looking for the county Redevelopment Agency to require Lucas to do a separate Environmental Impact Report, which would take time and money, something Lucas has never been without.
Growing against the grain
At a time when most retailers are cutting back or hanging on by their fingernails, the Hispanic grocery chain, Mi Pueblo, is looking to open a new store in San Rafael’s Canal District in the former location of bankrupt big box retailer Circuit City.
The new store would mean 200 new jobs and would give one of Marin’s most vibrant neighborhoods its own supermarket. Currently, residents who are mostly immigrants from Mexico, Central America and elsewhere, must head downtown to Safeway, United Market, Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods. And even then, many of the foods that are staples in their households are either hard to find or too expensive.
The San Jose-based Mi Pueblo grocery chain has 13 locations from Modesto to the Bay Area and plans for a Napa store. It also will open stores in Vallejo and East Palo Alto next year.
Tasteful publicity
Word of mouth can be huge for a restaurant. A great review in a big-name publication? Sweet. But what about a 10-minute shot on a national TV show? Turns out that works OK as well—just ask John Sarran, owner of Bubba’s Diner in San Anselmo.
Bubba’s was featured May 4 on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives,” hosted by Santa Rosa chef Guy Fieri, he of Johnny Garlic’s and Tex Wasabi’s fame. The bleached-blond Fieri wore his trademark sunglasses on the back of his neck to keep it from going blind in the glaring light of Bubba’s kitchen while Sarran held court on how to prepare Ahi tuna pot stickers.
The pot stickers are delicious, I can attest to that. A few nights after the broadcast, my wife and I were dining at Bubba’s and our waiter entertained us with tales of folks driving all the way from Chico for lunch. While we were there, a woman called from San Jose, wanting to know what time the restaurant closed. “We always have customers,” our server said, clearing a plate that in a former life held a pastrami sandwich. “But since the show, people are coming in from all over.”
