The OC Weekly published a very one-sided story this week about a group of 25 year old skateboarders who are opening yet another bar in Santa Ana. The article ripped my co-blogger, Sean Mill, who, as a member of the Santa Ana Planning Commission, had a lot of qualms about the bar, which is going to be called the “Crosby.”
It does not appear that the OC Weekly bothered to get Mill’s side of the story, so I am going to speak up on his behalf.
Firstly, why in the world are 25 year old adult men riding skateboards? That is rather strange. If these “businessmen” want to be taken seriously, they ought to lose the toys and grow up.
The reason Mill had some issues with this bunch of immature “artistes” is that they wanted a liquor license that would permit them to sell alcoholic drinks until two in the morning. The Planning Commission recently refused a request from an El Torito for the same type of license. Why did they play favorites with the skateboarders?
Mill told me that they are friends of the ethically challenged Planning Commissioner Victoria Betancourt. No wonder they got the license they wanted while El Torito did not.
I recently visited the Santa Ana artists’ village during one of their grand openings, or whatever they call it. There were a lot of people there – but I did not see any art being purchased. Instead, the bars and restaurants were packed. But locals told me that this is the case only once a month, the rest of the time the place is a graveyard.
In fact, the other night, at the OCYD Women’s Forum in downtown Santa Ana, Sharon Quirk, the Mayor Pro Tem from Fullerton arrived and promptly left around 7:00 when she said that the audience turn-out wasn’t big enough for her. She missed out on a fun night at the Memphis, where “Drinking Liberally” takes place every Thursday. But let’s face it, folks don’t like coming to Santa Ana – most of the time.
So what do the skateboarders want to do in Santa Ana? According to the OC Weekly, they plan on “serving lunch, helping hipsters get their drink on, showcasing Southern California
You know what Art? You’re just OLD. The hip crowd finally comes to Santa Ana, and you are afraid of the hippies. God forbid, the young crowd might make some money here, and make it a great cool place to hang out and wash against the stigma of being a gang-ridden community. Should the place be an orthopedic hospital instead? Just because it’s not a place YOU might hang out in, does not mean it is an unethical, bad place. Grow up already!
I had a feeling we would have problems like this when we opened that Skate Park at Centinial park! Next thing you know they will be opening a Pool Hall right here in River City!!! T-R-O-U-B-L-E!!!
Art,
While i do believe that you are spot on with the parks and other service issue, you really need to rethink your stereotype about young people.
When i was that age, while i didn’t have a family or was married, i was taking care of my parent (with Alzheimer’s mind you!), working, putting myself though college, tutoring and volunteering for the literacy coalition (PS i was teaching Spanish speakers to learn English). i did this with VERY LITTLE HELP.
Now, i am 31. I don’t have a car, but I own my own business, here in Santa Ana.
I say let the City take a hands-on approach with these young men into becoming roll models…it is a lot better than what most are doing in the area.
PS: don’t I see you at Memphis, which also got help from the city?
Poster 4,
I understand. And I bet you weren’t running around on a skateboard and spending all your time in clubs!
That’s my point. These guys are living the Peter Pan life – and that does not jive with the reality faced by most Santa Ana residents.
Don’t misunderstand me, I don’t have anything against these businesses per se, I just think that too many people have their priorities screwed up.
As for being role models, you lost me there. When I think of role models I think of teachers, firemen, engineers, doctors, members of our armed forces, project and business managers, etc. I don’t think of guys who are still skateboarding at the ripe old age of twenty five.
And yes, despite my misgivings, I frequent the Memphis weekly while digging up chismes and saying hi to my friends from the DPOC.
Poster 1,
When I was 25 I was already married and already working hard to raise a family. I sure did not have time to run around on a skateboard.
Santa Ana has a lot of real problems. If you knew anything about social studies, you would know something about Mazlow’s hierarchy of needs. That theory dictates that society does not usually turn to frivolous things like the arts until it’s base needs are met.
Santa Ana has one library. It has higher water rates now than Irvine. The roads are a mess and we don’t have enough parks.
Why in the world are our city leaders messing around with an artist village when they are IGNORING the real, basic needs of our people?
Our priorities are screwed up.
One more thing, our people don’t worry about being hip. Folks in this town are trying to feed their kids, pay their rent and SURVIVE. You think they give a fig about this new bar? Think again.
Our town is run by Democrats, but you would never know it. The folks in charge here in Santa Ana just don’t care about the working class. Not a bit.
You wonder why we are gang ridden? Bakersfield has half our population and SIX libraries!
We have three thousand new yuppie housing units on the way and NO NEW PARKS.
But yes, now folks will have another place to get drunk at.
Art:
Did El Torito request that it be open till 2:00 a.m.?
Also, isn’t the El Torito located in a mall that is only open until like 9 or 10?
It’s Maslow’s Ladder, professor Art. You must have gotten a “D” in the class.
What makes you think these “kids” aren’t doing the same? They have to pay rent, be financially responsible, pay their taxes and SURVIVE too. And if they are willing and able to start their own business, put their own money, sweat, and dreams into it, I don’t give a darn if they ride skateboards or drive a Hummer to work. You are stereotyping, plain and simple – which is just a form of prejudice. As for it being a bar…so is Memphis, Pancho’s, McCormick and Schmick’s – or any other place that serves on site liquor. I don’t get how you tie in the lack of parks to a new business in an existing building? They are completely separate issues and you are using a straw man defense.
The only thing wrong about the OC Weekly story is calling Sean Mill a Councilmember. That would NEVER happen in this City, let alone any other cities. Whiners belong on blogs, not leading government.
Art, you tend to criticize what you don’t know about. Which is a lot. Instead of attacking a new business, why don’t you focus your efforts on ridding the city of all those wedding shops in downtown, all those churros vendors…I mean I realize that hispanics get married and have 6-9 babies, but do they really need all those shops?
I am writing because I think the section on OCYD’s Women’s Forum is misleading. First of all, Fullerton Mayor Pro Tem Sharon Quirk attended the event despite an obligation regarding her son in order to tell us in person that she could not stay for the meeting. I appreciate the fact that she came and apologized to me in person. Next, though the Women’s Forum was in Santa Ana, it was held at the OCEA hall some distance away from the Village. Third, I don’t know if you’re making a joke or not, but the monthly event is called “Drinking Liberally.” Finally, your angle makes it sound as though Sharon was the only panelist from our excellent Forum that didn’t go to Memphis following the meeting. In fact, none of our panelists attended due to other obligations, although they all came to Santa Ana.
Next year, the OCYDs hope you will attend our Women’s Forum so you can see for yourself what amazing progressive women Orange County has in its cities.
Sincerely,
Aaruni Thakur
Vice Chair, OCYD
If anyone remains puzzled why a lot of people in OC do not view Santa Ana as a place they want to go or feel they fit in, look again at this photo. Wonder what the body count from behind this establshment will be after a year in operation?
Art, you are just old. I’d rather see skaters opening up a new hip place to have a cocktail and unwind than gangbangers shooting their pistolas in the air and spraying graffiti everywhere. That’s pretty much the best we expect of the restless natives with too much free time on their hands.
What’s the big deal with skateboarding at 25? So should we put an end to adult baseball and soccer leagues while you’re at it? Art, you sound creaky-old with your comments.
Art, Please respond to these comments.
Why are you so against what our country prides itself in? In that I mean living the dream. We have 3 young men, striving to run and own their own business. A lot of people do not have the chance in their life to have the time, the drive, or the money to make their dream come true. I applaud anyone that takes the steps to live and put their dream into action.
As to the skateboards… I loved the comment down at the bottom about getting rid of adult softball leagues, basketball leagues, or even golf for that matter. Maybe as a young child some people aren’t attracted to a golf ball, but feel free on a skateboard. Do you think they are doing tricks behind their place, no they are busy trying to operate and manage what is most important to them; their dream. By the way, did you ever think they might be riding from their home to the shop possibly to save gas when gas couldn’t possibly get more expensive?
So one more business opens in Santa Ana… that means that one more unemployed local can be taken off the street and can earn an honest dollar. That local can earn for his or her family and can feel good about himself. Isn’t that is what is most important in life? Stand on your own two feet, live a dream that means something to you whether it’s owning your own business or earning a dollar for your loved ones.
To the three young men… keep the faith alive, go for what you want and don’t let ANYONE try and break that down.
Bring back the Handlebar Saloon for us old baby boomers to relive our youth.
10:27,
It’s hard to focus on the “dreams” of 25 year old spoiled skateboarders when so many people in Santa Ana are living in a nightmare of poverty, bad roads, not enough parks, high water rates, and libraries, bad schools, etc.
How can you expect us to care about this ridiculous Crosby notion when there are so many more important issues that the City leaders continue to ignore?
For most Santa Ana residents one more bar won’t make much of a difference. Not when they each live within earshot of two to four bars and liquor stores already.
You made a good point in your last comment, sir: why DO you care so much about this Crosby thing when there are so many more important issues facing the city?
This seems like just a Battle of the Egos in city hall, and the Crosby is just one of many playing pieces. I doubt Mr. Pedroza is any more interested in “what’s good for the community” and/or any less interested in promoting his personal ideas of “how things ought to be” than the city officials he lambastes.
I see the Crosby’s acquisition of a license to distribute liquor past 2am as a triumph over bureaucracy. I’m sure the Crosby guys would have no problem with anyone else getting past the same silly restrictions.
What I understand least of all is villanizing the Crosby and the entrepreneurial team behind it. These young men have put in tremendous effort and are taking a staggering risk in trying to create a fun place for the art crowd to convene — and create a future for themselves in the process.
I don’t know if Mr. Pedroza has met with any of the art crowd, but I don’t see how bringing in a bunch of socially-conscious people who won’t eat real cheese because it exploits cows could be bad for a part of the city that needs fixing.
Art, you’re just hurt that the article bad mouthed your friend, Mr. Pedoza. To me, it seems like having a hip place for young adults to hang out at will bring late night income for restaurants or 24 hour eateries. Have you even heard about what the Crosby is about? It’s not a place to just go get drunk. It’s a place to admire art. A chill place to hang out with your friends and enjoy healthy food. They’re not selling burgers and fries to make Santa Ana fatter than it already is. I live not far from Santa Ana and I know I don’t ever intentionally drive through there. I never go anywhere located in Santa Ana because, to me, it’s all “ghetto.” If someone can build a place that is as intriguing as the Crosby sounds, maybe I’ll make a trip out that way. If a whole community is built, I’ll definitely go. I think the 25-year-old men are going to keep everything tasteful, yet stylish. Who cares about how long their hair is or the style of clothing they wear. Who cares about their hobbies; at least they have some that aren’t distructful to the community or themselves. Don’t judge a book by its cover. If they’ve survived the struggle so far, I think they’ll make it in the long run. They’ll survive by word of mouth. Who wouldn’t want to hang out with intelligent, artistic people? I’m sorry if that isn’t your crowd, but don’t be a hater. Having an eclectic crowd only makes a place more interesting.
Art, it’s really hard to take you seriously. You sound like a crotchety old man with too much time on his hands. When you refer to the three young businessmen as “25 year old spoiled skateboarders” it further illustrates your PERSONAL contempt for these guys. Moreover, it exposes your biased viewpoint (ageism, anyone?) as well your close-minded view on youth culture in general. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.