Steinbeck in Salinas

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This is the mural across the street from the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas. As mentioned in Wednesday’s column, I pulled off the 101 on a whim to visit the museum in Salinas, the city where the author was born and raised. Admission was a reasonable $10.95.

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The center opened in 1998 and its 37,000 square feet house exhibits, a gift shop and archives.

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Among the items on display are childhood books and the truck, Rocinante, in which Steinbeck and his dog explored America for the tome “Travels With Charley.” Film clips play continuously from “Of Mice and Men,” “The Grapes of Wrath” and “East of Eden.”

Explanatory text explains the genesis of various books, especially “Grapes,” and the political climate that inspired it. The gift shop has copies of every Steinbeck book as well as videos, T-shirts and other stuff. I bought “The Short Novels,” comprising six books, including “The Moon is Down,” which sounded intriguing based on the museum display.

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Two blocks away lies Steinbeck’s childhood home, restored and housing exhibits, a restaurant and a bookshop. Even though Steinbeck, who died in 1968, had a fractious relationship with his hometown, they’re treating him right, or cashing in, depending on how you look at it.

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9-9-09 in the 909

There hasn’t been a day quite like this in the 909 since Sept. 9 of 9 A.D. And there were no area codes then, so no one would have cared.

Question: Theoretically, if you wanted to mark this milestone and celebrate the 909 and all it stands for, what would you do, where would you go?

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The 909 is everywhere

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Last week, even though I was vacationing in the 707 (Sonoma County), I was still thinking of the 909.

I’d been casually keeping an eye out for a business or house with the 909 street address here at home but hadn’t noticed one. Then I was walking down a residential street in Petaluma and there one was. Isn’t this cool? This could be my theme photo.

Have you seen a 909 locally?

Photo by Scott Manchester

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Back on the job

As of this morning, I’m back at my desk in the newsroom. Had a great few days off (other than the furlough part) and will be writing about my travels this week.

First order of business today: Cranking out a column for Wednesday, with my usual 2 p.m. deadline. Then: Lunch. Then: Writing something more substantial than this for Wednesday’s blog. Check back then.

In the meantime, thanks for all the comments while I was away, and I hope you had a good Labor Day weekend.

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