The "Cooper House" downtown Santa Cruz, Ca. was "what's happening now" on Friday and Saturday afternoons during the 1970-80's The vibrant downtown.. that is until the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989.
The Cooper Building served as the County Courthouse from 1897 until 1966. It was converted into a series of shops, boutiques, and fine restaurants. The court yard served as a sidewalk restaurant for those who shopped downtown on the main street mall. It was a wonderful place to sit, people watch, enjoy a glass of Chardonnay or Cabernet while digging the scene where everyone was grooviing to the music. And of course a place to meet people.
I spent many a Saturday afternoon listening to live Latin-tinged Jazz by the group called "Warmth" led by piano and xylophone artist Don McCaslin. His son Donny McCaslin played a 'wild' alto sax.
To get a feel for vibes and listening pleasure during the 70's and 80's is a video below where "Warmth" played "Fool on the Hill" Live. Playing this ear-candy while looking at these old pictures is best for a better experience.
Cooper House Sidewalk Cafe - Downtown Santa Cruz 1977 - 1989
The Group "Warmth" playing each Friday and Saturday afternoons. Don McCaslin standing with white beret stroking the keys to his xylophone. In background is guitarist, congo drummer, and bass fiddle.
are being held in "Roswell, NM" September 10-14 at the Roswell Air Center (formerly WAFB). This is quite an exciting opportunity for the city of Roswell as these air races have been historically in Reno, Nevada each year.
Check out the information on the races. I'm attending Sunday 14th!!
This should be an exciting event!!! Watching planes going 500+ mph at about a hundred feet off the ground will get your blood moving!
My late wife's cousin was an international Pan Am pilot. On his off days, he had a Hawker Sea fury that he practiced in and flew at Reno.
Once, I was down there on other business with her, and we were given pit passes and got to enjoy some of the races. He did ok in his class but seeing that he had an old moving van for spares and a motorhome to stay in, It would have been hard to compete against many of them.
The Miss Budweiser group had 5 big semi's with spares and one was a complete machine shop, and one a bunk house...BIG bucks.
Well, my first day in Albuquerque and it seems HOT to me!!
OK Rex, need some of your expert comments. I have been trying for weeks to clarify the length of the contract between the Air Show exes and the City of Roswell. I heard it was 1 year and then 3 years. Since public money was being used I assumed it would be public record.Dumb assumption! Found out for sure there is no actual contract. Only a Memorandum of Understanding was executed. Having worked with the city of San Diego I can attest that is pretty much a non legally binding worthless piece of paper. Very disappointing! I also would like to know the number of ticket sales to get an idea of how successful the event turned out.Should the local businesses start working toward improvements for an event next year? Our local leaders should get off their butts and get this info out to the businesses so they can start improving Roswell for the next Air Show.I appreciate comments from everyone. Not trying to be a JERK but would like to see Roswell take advantage of this opportunity.
It is my understanding a “memorandum of understanding” (MoU) is the sort of agreement between two (bilateral) or more (multilateral) parties. It expresses a convergence between the parties, indicating an intended common line of agreement. It is often used either in cases where parties do not imply a legal commitment or in situations where the parties cannot create a legally enforceable agreement. It is nothing more than formal “gentlemen’s agreement”. There are two schools of thought here. Both parties, City of Roswell and the National Air Races, are testing the waters using an MoU. Could be the parties wanted to avoid legal entanglements should the event or future events prove unamicable. Then again the contract agreement may be in the mill with both parties in the process of jockeying for pole position.
By the buy ‘n bye, there is no such thing as an “expert”. The definition of an ex-spurt is a “has-been drip”… ~ Joe Plumber
An observation while enjoying the National Air Races last Sunday. A multitude of seats were left unoccupied in the grandstands. Two key participants that opted out of the races were “Sports Class and Unlimited Class” planes which more than likely affected the number of spectators attending.. The pilots' concerns were safety issues like power lines close to the track and lack of emergency runways. This should be addressed before next year’s races.
At one time (long ago) I was told that there was a 2 mile long runway at Walker, so the HEAVY B36's could get off or make an aborted takeoff. If that was true, and is still there, that should be a good emergency runway.
I know that my grandparent's little farm was in direct alignment with one of them, and when the 36's were taking off, that little house would vibrate and the the TV screen would go to rolling. That had been going on so long, they never seemed to notice.
The last time I flew in there, it seemed that there were a lot of American Airlines planes parked there in various stages of repair.
It's my understanding the Unlimited Class requires not one but several emergency landing areas. In addition, they want these landing strips close to their main competition course. City of Roswell will need to provide these safety standards if they wish to continue this venue.
Another issue is the competition course is too far away from spectators. The increased distance makes it difficult to identify competing planes. It takes away the excitement experienced by spectators. The longer distance was implemented due to a P-51D Mustang crash killing 10 spectators in box seats in front of the grandstand in Reno in 2011.
Rex and John, A couple of comments out of frustration. It sounds like the information you have been able to find is mostly more evasive double talk. I attended the Reno races a couple of times so I can speak from first hand experience. The BS about insufficient landing areas is just that, BS. Reno-Stead has 2 run ways 7,000 and 9,000 ft.Roswell has 2 runs ways 10,000 and 13,000 feet. Reno's main airport is 15 miles away and is the 2nd busiest airport in the State creating heavy air traffic near the race site. In addition the mountains are over 5,000 ft making the site even more dangerous. The areas around the Reno site are much more populated than around the Roswell site. The power lines may have been a legitimate problem but I had read that this was corrected before the races. I don't understand why the citizens aren't being given timely and accurate info about the event. Could it be that all the Neanderthal "nays sayers"were correct in their position against the races and the powers to be don't want to face their wrath? With the type of City government I have seen since I moved back I can understand why Roswell has never fully recovered from when Walker Air Force base closed. Roswell was the 2nd largest city in the State with a population of around 60,000 people and 2 television stations. Today no television stations and around 50,000 people. I still love my little home town but it is very sad to see what the " good old boy" mentality is continuing to do to the community. Let's see how long it takes to get some accurate info about the event.
Cal, boyah whin yo gits yo rubber band wound up yo sho "fly lak a P-51 Mustang"!!
Meanwhile back at the "ranch"...
"When" you are right, you are right". I 'are' guilty cause all these so-called 'facts' were based on 'second hand' internet mis-information (he said, she said, uncle Bob said) whether it be flat out caca toro, horse puckey, and/or desert demon stories. Nevah eavah believe anything you read on the internet, especially on this forum.... and that's gospel. And let us not forget the immortal words of your brother Bill which shouted out: "Don't shoot the Messenger"!
The Air Show would be a great visitor draw for the city. I haven't a clue if this is true but I read an article that room rates everywhere skyrocketed and visitors were put off by that and many decided not to pay the price. That would be sad.
Yep, those same price gougers do it when other events come to town for example: the New Mexico Military Institute's annual "Parents Weekend". Forget coming to Roswell that weekend cause one will not find lodging most anywhere. Well, maybe Carlsbad or Ruidoso...
Thank-You Rex,
I have been busy with Family since July 5th. I have been spending time
between Albuquerque and Roswell. Things are starting to calm down.
I Traveled with my Husband with the Air Force for 21 Years, in 1987 I
began working for Sally Beauty Supply and spent 21 years with them.
Moving at least 15 times between the 2. What an adventure.
Back when all of you were talking about places you lived I had memories
of all the places I lived, vacationed or traveled too. Many of those places were
mentioned by Y'all. What a wonderful life I have had. One of the many places
was Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota 1972-1977. Along with visiting
Mount Rushmore many times there was Ice Fishing,
Ice Skating and Winter Blizzards. Good Memories!
Then while traveling with Sally's during the years 1996-2000 I visited
Washington DC and enjoyed all the Monuments and Museums.
Then South to Virginia and all the Civil War Battlefields then on to South Carolina
where my Great Grandparents were from!
After all my travels from Ocean to Ocean Border to Border. I am back Home in
Roswell and Loving it!!
What a Good Life!
Rex, Never ask an Old Lady a question You may get more than You ask for!
HAHAHA
Glad to hear from you! What an adventure your life is. Have you ever thought about interviewing for the Travel Channel? Great life experiences. Specially liked all your "e-moshuns"!
Well, I am now back in the long state of Tennessee, trying to recover from a big bout of TN alergies!!!
In the meantime, catching a little Roku Tv..which as it happens, I get KOB4 from Albuquerque. To my surprise and happiness, they showed the state's high school football scores with great video plays. WOW, the Roswell Coyotes are off to a big start with the last game a 54 - zip blowout!!
.png)
.png)
.png)
Good Memories!
were from!
