The recent Obama visit, as always, got everyone excited. Traffic wasn’t too bad this time, but many were disappointed that they weren’t able to catch a glimpse of the president at Tavern Restaurant. Several locals were waiting across the street, hoping to greet the president.
His security detail chose instead to drive the president down a back alley, where his limo parked beneath a tent behind Tavern. From there, the president was whisked inside the restaurant via the kitchen.
Those standing across the street – including many enthusiastic young kids – never got to see the president. Naturally, they were disappointed.
Some seem to think the restaurant’s owner had something to do with the route picked. I spoke to Caroline Styne of Tavern, she said this was all in the hands of the Secret Service and that she had nothing to do with arrangements.
Some said they thought someone should have come out to make a statement of some sort to the crowd. But, according to Styne, once the president was inside the building, nobody was allowed to leave.
Styne asks that those unhappy about not seeing the president not blame the restaurant. This seems only fair. At least the president is safe; just think how awful it would be if a momentary lapse in security led to some disaster.
Let’s be proud and happy the president came at all – and reflect for a moment on the fact that year after year Brentwood seems to get more than its share of the spotlight. We could live in Wichita, you know.
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Speaking of spotlights, I’m sure everyone is saddened by the news that the first couple of Brentwood, Arnold Schwarzenneger and Maria Shriver, are exploring a visit to splitsville. Anyone who has been through this knows it’s a difficult time for everyone involved, especially the kids.
Here’s hoping for the best possible, life-affirming outcome for all, in whatever form that may take.
And to everyone else going through similar domestic transitions, God bless. At some point or another, every family is touched by this kind of stuff.
And to those rare couples who go all the way and maintain a high degree of joy and happiness – sincere congratulations. You give the world hope. Spread your magic and wisdom as you can.
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May and June are a time of transition. Congrats also to all the school kids now embarking on a transition of their own – from elementary to junior high; from junior high to high school; from high school to college, to a year off — or to a real job.
These transitions inevitably require adjustments, but that’s part of the deal.
Be brave, somehow or another it will all work out.
Special thanks to Sarah Coe-Odess and Paulina Firozi, our championship interns who now head off to college. They think they got in because of their brains and hard work. But I know better – it was because of the letters of recommendation I wrote for them!
Any interns interested in helping this summer? Send a note to: jeffhall@brentwoodnewsonline.com. I’m also interested in finding a few more “mature†volunteers who are interested in helping with some longer-term projects that would be good for the community. Could be perfect for a stay-at-home mom who wants to put in a few hours here and there while the kids are in school.
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When civic controversies break out – a Wilshire Bus Lane proposal, arguments over whether to save the Barry Building or not – I have a hard time getting too agitated. Things have a way of working out over time, and there are always two sides to every story.
Over the years I’ve heard too many proposals described in “the sky is falling†language. But then, after the project gets built, life somehow continues – sometimes better than before.
For example, right now everyone is complaining about the 405 widening project. Sure, where Sunset and the 405 meet is a mess right now. But, once done, things will likely get better. That’s certainly the hope, anyway.
Two years of messiness seem worth 10 to 20 years of potential improvements, it seems to me. To sit back and do nothing would invite real gridlock. Then we would really have something to complain about – for decades.
Progress comes with a price, that’s just the way it is. Too much complaining just gets everyone agitated and doesn’t change much. Like I said before, we’re lucky to live here. If you think it’s so bad here, there’s always Wichita.
