I rarely start topics here, but my trip yesterday on #14 the Coast Starlight (LAX-SBA) gave me a bit of a shock-- the increase in the apparent "street people" and other like denizens was pretty dramatic, from my earlier trips to SBA. Frank will probably post here; I hope so. In the 80s and 90s, I don't remember it being so intense, for lack of a better word. The Moreton Bay Fig Tree has always hosted "various" hoboes and the like beneath its spreading branches, but yesterday I observed:
Guys sleeping (passed out) both on the outside benches and one IN the Amtrak station, which was packed with revenue riders waiting for #784 Surfliner south..even LAUS does not allow this. Beggars working the crowd on the platform.. At Stearns Wharf, a motley carnival of the homeless, who had 6 "coin toss games" set up for tourists to throw coins into cups..like wishingwell fountains. Personally was panhandled 3 times, by women, in my short walk to Stearns and back to Amtrak (2 blocks.)
It's just that as a sign of our times, it's gotten worse here. A social problem too tough for SBA city fathers? Maybe, but not a good reflection of one of California's most gorgeous medium-sized cities. New York is offering "one-way" tickets home; maybe they could be sent north to San Luis Obispo with one-way Amtrak vouchers. OK, I am being facetious here. But-- sorry to see this in SBA, and wish there was a humane solution. There are even "encampments" all along the UP ROW to the south>> tents and literally dozens of disheveled campers. What about sanitation? Used to call them Hoovervilles...Reaganvilles; Bushvilles or even, Obamavilles? I'm done. Santa Barbara IS a beautiful city. This post is meant to be observational, not judgmental; I apologize if it seems too harsh.
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
When I was in SBA two summers ago, it was exactly as you describe. I'm curious to see what Frank or other locals can tell us. I'm only guessing, but I would think that on a summer weekend, the number of "homeless" magically rises (ie, panhandling the crowds).
Posted by Railroad Bob (Member # 3508) on :
Smitty>> yes, legitimate business (shops, restaurants, beachwear, etc.) is GOOD in SBA; at least on August 1, 2009 it was. Huge throngs on the Wharf; I heard several foreign languages being spoken on my short walk through the city. With such crowds, I guess I can see why SBA has become a magnet for some people. It reminded me of Santa Monica-- which has, by the way-- recently instituted a tough new set of rules for vagrancy. And they are catching lots of "heat" for so doing...I mean-- Santa Monica??
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
Bob--
Glad to hear that you had a good visit to "The American Riviera". Yep, there are plenty of homeless here. And, yes, I believe that the numbers keep going up. There are lots of programs offering help and I suspect that and the climate are a big draw.
We have a mayoral election coming up. We shall see if any of the candidates steps up to offer a solution to this problem.
I rarely go downtown in the summer. The influx of tourists is just a little overpowering as is the realization that there is little for us "ordinary" folk down there. The only retail stores left are either very high end (Saks) or aimed at the tourists' euros.
I often say that there is no place to buy underwear downtown! Penney's came and went twice. We do have a Macy's but there never seem to be clerks around who know much. And a Nordstrom where a female friend had to blow a whistle to get waited on.
A month ago I DID go downtown to the Apple Store (don't get me started on my bad experience there!). I went next door to Border's Books and found two homeless guys occupying two of the nice leather chairs upstairs. Both were sound asleep. Or passed out.
Art and Vicki will be here on Tuesday. We'll see what their take on the situation is.
Frank in sunny and warm SBA
Posted by HopefulRailUser (Member # 4513) on :
Can't wait to check it out. We usually come during the week, as we will this week. And I have never seen such sad activity.
Will report back on how a Tuesday looks. Looking forward to our visit.
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
quote:Originally posted by sbalax: And a Nordstrom where a female friend had to blow a whistle to get waited on.
Geez Frank, I almost spit my diet 7UP through my nose when I read that. That just strikes me as hilarious!! Never seen a customer with a whistle before. Pretty good.
PS: Yes, frustration with the Apple Store---grrrrrr!!! They have their ups and downs, but sometimes the frustration level in my local store gets into the red zone. They need to work on that.
Posted by PullmanCo (Member # 1138) on :
Who let all my college classmates out of Isla Vista?
On a serious note, the homeless are a 2d/3d order consequence of the depression and California's inability to pay its bills. There used to be places for them to crash ... the old SP roundhouse (torn down after I graduated) was one.
The solution is to get a functioning economy back in play. Sadly, for my native State, that means someone (that means Art and Vicki and Frank and 25 million of their closest friends) have to reign in an Assembly and Senate. Those two august bodies, since my youth, have not seen an entitlement they didn't like or a tax they didn't want to impose.
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
Sadly, much of what you say is true.
The old roundhouse is, of course, long gone and replaced by "Fess Parker's Doubletree Resort". Poor Fess got screwed by his partners and I believe the name was part of the deal. He IS, however, building a smaller hotel nearer to State Street and a hostal for the budget minded travelers.
And, of course, if you go back far enough you find Mrs. Child who allowwed the homeless to camp out where the Zoo (Child's Estate) is now during the Great Depression and beyond.
Ah, IV. You WOULD not recognize it! The latest problem there is an influx each summer of Irish youth brought over in a program that lets them work on a temporary work visa for the summer.
Frank in Sunny SBA
P.S. I am of the generation that was able to live in a brand new apartment in IV every semester. It sure made cleaning a non-problem...
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
This just in from the department of redundancy department.... Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
I got rid of the excess. Let's hope it stays that way.
Frank in dark and very COOL SBA
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
quote:Originally posted by sbalax: OK, where did the extra two posts come from??? I was just trying to correct the spelling of "allowed" using the edit function. How can I get rid of these two extra posts?
Smitty--
The lady in question looks like your favorite teacher or aunt. She carries the whistle for security. They DO remember her at Nordie's now.
Frank in dark and cool SBA
Posted by Stephen W (Member # 6059) on :
Gosh! Is that Fess Parker of Davy Crockett fame? I remember my uncle, who was in the Merchant Marine, bringing me back a "genuine" DC hat in the 50's. I was the envy of my school chums although my mother threw it out not too long afterwards when the skin began to niff.
Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :
Hmmm -- Fess Parker is still alive?
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
Yep. And more than kicking. He's 85 and still very active in the hotel and winery and restaurant business.
Frank in sunny SBA
Posted by PullmanCo (Member # 1138) on :
Frank: STUDIO PLAZA FOREVER!!!!!
Actually, I only spent 1 summer in IV; I was on the 7th floor of San Miguel, and the views were killers!!! Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
That's one I missed. Most of the places I lived were owned or at least managed by a guy named Ken VanLeer.
My first year and a half were in Anacapa Hall with an ocean view room the last two semesters. (Yes, life is tough for college students in California!!)
To keep this on track, I remember walking over to the bluff overlooking the airport to watch the special SP train carrying Nikita Khruschev north to San Francisco. I've been told that they pulled all the window shades down while passing through Vandenberg.
Frank in Sunny SBA
Frank in
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
Khrushchev traveled on the SP to San Francisco?? I never knew that! Do you recall the specifics of where he was coming from (Los Angeles maybe?), and why he was heading to SF?
Posted by Railroad Bob (Member # 3508) on :
Thanks Frank, and all who responded to my starter topic...I do think on the Saturday I went up there for an hour-and-a-half visit (I know, that shortchanges SBA pretty badly!) but the time between #14 and #784 is not long. As to my experieces detailed; I think I hit kind of a "perfect storm" involving a high summer weekend day, perfect weather, HUGE influx of tourists (I mean-- amazing! there seems to be no money shortage for Europeans--must be the weak dollar->Euro/British Pound?)
Probably when Art and Vicki go up there, since it'll be a weekday, their experiences will be diffferent than mine. SBA has always had its indigent; I remember groups as large as 50-60 beneath the Moreton when I used to bring in #11 during my work days. My hope is that my post will not deter anyone from spending time and money in Frank's beautiful city...and it is a fine example of California's Gold!
That's my Huell Howser impression! Posted by Ocala Mike (Member # 4657) on :
smitty, I believe Nikita K. was going to the University of California during his 1959 trip to America. He had just visited the set of the movie "Can-Can" that was being filmed in Hollywood, and famously commented that it was "pornographic" or words to that effect. My, we've come a long way!
Posted by Railroad Bob (Member # 3508) on :
Remember that dust-up when Walt Disney refused to let Nikita visit his famous park? Gave some kind of "security" reason; but wasn't it really Walt's own politics that kept the Russian dictator out? Right Mike-- we have come a long way...
Oh oh, I'm "thread-creeping" my own thread; from domestic social concerns to international politics of the 1960's. Guilty! Posted by mr williams (Member # 1928) on :
I was in Santa Barbara on a beautiful sunny day in 2002, wearing a "Des Moines, Iowa" t-shirt and a baseball cap.
I was walking along when I heard a "could you spare some change, please, Sir" from two guys sitting on the sidewalk. I shook my head and walked on, and as I did I heard "you won't get anything from him..... he's from Iowa"!!!
It seems I even look like an American!
Posted by PullmanCo (Member # 1138) on :
I used to take the Daylight/Starlight home for Thanksgiving break. I usually could not for Christmas, since I had an ROTC scholarship, and had to do some form of training the first several days after term end.
Amtrak in the Rainbow era was interesting. I remember the Daylight/Starlight having ATSF Budd 48 seaters, 44 seaters, 52 seaters... one of the ex SCL observation cars got service. One time there was a P-S 1950 order SP diner... with a FLAT wheel. Oh ... the SP home-grown domes were on several trips.
I'd use my campus ID card to take the bus from campus to downtown, then walk the last 5 blocks or so to the station.
Posted by RR4me (Member # 6052) on :
Good for Walt! I'm sure any commie pinko that thought "Can-Can" was pornographic wouldn't have enjoyed always smiling anthromorphic mice anyway! But boy, if he could have grabbed a shoe off Goofy he could have really made some noise.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
quote:Originally posted by smitty195: Khrushchev traveled on the SP to San Francisco??
You may have to pay up to read.
Posted by 20th Century (Member # 2196) on :
Kruschev probably enjoyed watching "Can-Can", but wouldn't admit it. I do remember when he arrived in New York City. I went to Idlewild Int'l Airport (JFK) while the aircraft was there. It was opened to the public for viewing. He made a "threatening" fuss at the UN by banging the heal of his shoe on the podium.
Posted by Railroad Bob (Member # 3508) on :
quote:Originally posted by 20th Century: Kruschev probably enjoyed watching "Can-Can", but wouldn't admit it. I do remember when he arrived in New York City. I went to Idlewild Int'l Airport (JFK) while the aircraft was there. It was opened to the public for viewing. He made a "threatening" fuss at the UN by banging the heal of his shoe on the podium.
"There's a hold up in the Bronx Brooklyn's broken out in fights- There's a traffic jam in Harlem, That's backed up to Jackson Heights- There's a scout troop short a child Khruschev's due at Idlewild... CAR 54--WHERE ARE YOU?"
That'll date you, if you remember that! Posted by dns8560 (Member # 15184) on :
Car 54 lyrics! Good catch!
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
Outstanding, Bob!!!
I'm going to beat Vicki to the punch and tell you that, yes, there were several homeless lounging on the benches at SBA today.
Great visit, though. I'll let her do the trip report on that.
Frank in very warm SBA
Posted by PullmanCo (Member # 1138) on :
I'd like to dedicate the last one to Art and Vicki on this special day!
Frank in dark and cooling SBA
Posted by Stephen W (Member # 6059) on :
Joe E Ross - used to love him as Sgt Ritzik and his relationship with Beatrice Pons who played his appalling wife in The Phil Silvers Show.
Posted by HopefulRailUser (Member # 4513) on :
Great music Pullman! Sure brings back memories. And thanks for the dedication Frank.
Will do a brief trip report when I get a chance. A preview - we were trying to do some birding at a couple of the local refuges. The number of homeless seen was at least equal to if not more than the number of birds seen.
Posted by Railroad Bob (Member # 3508) on :
It would be nice if someday our English friends--Stephen, Geoff and others could fly out here for a visit and meet some of the Forum members-- I think they would enjoy the friendliness of the Yanks here. On my one and only trip to the UK, (2001) the highpoint was the visit to the Nat'l. Railway Museum in York; I remember a locomotive "turntable" that was so perfectly balanced it could be rotated by a couple of human hands. Come and see us, gentlemen? Don't worry too much about our "homeless" denizens -- it's still pretty nice in "The Colonies." Interesting how some of the British members here are so familiar with "old school" American TV shows... I apologize for My Mother The Car. Posted by Stephen W (Member # 6059) on :
Railroad Bob: If I get the chance to visit San Diego I will be sure to let you know in advance (so you can leave the country if you want!). Growing up in the 50's and 60's we were fed a diet of American shows on the TV such as The Lucy Show, Wells Fargo, The Munsters, Champion The Wonder Horse, The Lone Ranger etc. Loved them then, love'em now.
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
quote:Originally posted by mr williams: I was in Santa Barbara on a beautiful sunny day in 2002, wearing a "Des Moines, Iowa" t-shirt and a baseball cap.
I was walking along when I heard a "could you spare some change, please, Sir" from two guys sitting on the sidewalk. I shook my head and walked on, and as I did I heard "you won't get anything from him..... he's from Iowa"!!!
It seems I even look like an American!
Ahhhhh Iowa.
Lot's of wonderful people there (from my summers in Dubuque in the 1990's)........
I might have considered moving to the Hawkeye State BUT one visit in January 1994 changed all of that. Iowa cold is somewhat colder than North Carolina cold.
Posted by TwinStarRocket (Member # 2142) on :
Gosh, David. In Minnesota we go to Iowa in the winter to warm up. That's why I need the Twin Star Rocket back in service for my winter getaways.
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