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BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID CARMEL, CA Permit No. 149 Volume 93 No. 50 On the Internet: www.carmelpinecone.com December 14-20, 2007 Y OUR S OURCE F OR L OCAL N EWS, ARTS AND O PINION S INCE 1915 Eastwood brings his deft touch MCCLOUD RUNS to a heart-wrenching drama FOR FIFTH TERM By PAUL MILLER ■ Would become city’s BURBANK — THE SIGN on the wall says, longest-serving mayor “Insolence will not be tolerated.” But it’s not an indication that Clint Eastwood, former By MARY BROWNFIELD Mayor of Carmel, international movie star and Oscar-win- ning director, has let success go to his head. ‘IF IT ain’t broke, let’s not fix it.” Rather, the sign is one of the authentic details that add That’s what council members and supporters told verisimilitude to the set of, “The Changeling,” Eastwood’s Mayor Sue McCloud, so she decided to run for a fifth latest movie, starring Angelina Jolie as a mother whose term, she announced this week. If she wins on April 8, young son disappears. 2008, she will become the city’s longest-serving mayor, When she gets the boy back, her objections that he is outdoing former Mayor Ken White, who lost to McCloud not really her son land her in a 1920s insane asylum. The in 2000 as he sought his fifth term. script, by J. Michael Straczynski, is based on a true story. McCloud, who came to Carmel as a young child and An army of cinema experts — writers, producers, set grew up in town before attending Stanford University and designers, carpenters, painters, costumers, makeup artists undertaking a 31-year career with the Central Intelligence and technicians — have transformed one of the sound- Agency, said she would like to see several pressing issues stages at Warner Bros. in Burbank into a frighteningly through to completion. authentic replica of a place you would not want to spend “We are in the midst of a few things, though I realize an afternoon, let alone be exiled to for years. we are never going to not be in the midst of a few things,” “They didn’t look at people with mental illnesses in she said. those days the same way we do now,” Eastwood said Among those topping her list are the renovation of the Tuesday during a break in filming. Around him, a set for the asylum’s commissary was See McCLOUD page 11A authentic to a T — right down to the ancient mechanical clock, the chipped paint on the furniture, the crude, frayed gowns worn by the inmates and the dented metal food trays piled with lumpy, gray oatmeal. Big Sur couple One actress playing the role of a mental patient, and whose face was made up with bloody, open sores, com- plained that the makeup department wouldn’t allow her to rescues sick pelican wash her hair. PHOTOS/PAUL MILLER Another actress wasn’t even that lucky. Her head had Between takes for “The Changeling,” on a set that replicates the ■ Cause of ‘mystery spill’ identified lunch room of a 1920s mental hospital, Clint Eastwood and cam- See EASTWOOD page 10A era operator Stephen Campanelli discuss the next shot. By CHRIS COUNTS WHEN A Big Sur couple noticed something unusu- al on a recent drive along the coast, they decided to inves- Puppy OK after tigate. As a result of their curiosity — and initiative — an Overturned truck closes adult male pelican is alive today. Highway 1 for hours tail and ears cut “We drove down to Cambria last Wednesday night, and off with scissors See PELICAN page 7A By KELLY NIX A NORTH Monterey County man who reportedly claimed “dogs don’t feel pain,” is being sought by police for felony animal abuse after the SPCA said he used household scissors to cut off the tail and ears of a 5-month-old puppy. The shepherd mix puppy, named Cirrus, was also deprived of food and water, which owner Salvador Romero-Herrera hoped would make the dog “act fierce,” according to the SPCA for Monterey County. “This was a very painful act of animal cru- elty against this little dog,” said SPCA humane investigations supervisor Judi Adams. PHOTO/TIM CADIGAN An arrest warrant has been issued for Romero-Herrera, who failed to show up in The driver of this big rig —identified as 53-year-old Francisco Parrilla of court Nov. 16, when a judge was supposed to Stockton — swerved to avoid two deer before crashing his Safeway truck set a preliminary hearing on felony charges of into a power pole and overturning on southbound Highway 1 just south of torture and mutilation, and depriving an animal Carpenter Street at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to a firefighter who of food, water and shelter. was at the scene. He also said a 1991 Camry crashed into the truck and To firm up the criminal case against bounced off its rear wheels. Two people went to the hospital, and the acci- PHOTO/JOHN HANDY dent closed the road in both directions for hours while crews righted the Romero-Herrera, the SPCA has offered a Corrine Handy of Big Sur poses with “Pete,” a pelican she truck and unloaded its cargo. The CHP is investigating. See PUPPY page 8A and her husband rescued after they found him in distress. Get your complete Carmel Pine Cone every Friday morning in convenient pdf format as an email attachment. Free subscriptions available at www.carmelpinecone.com. 2A The Carmel Pine Cone December 14, 2007 Historic, or just well loved? Divided council seeks counsel By MARY BROWNFIELD protection as an important historic resource. Franklin Devendorf’s Carmel Development Co. Seavey con- According to historian Kent Seavey, who reviewed the cluded the building is historically significant — a decision IN AN unusual move, a split Carmel City Council put off building on the northwest corner of Ocean Avenue and San upheld by the HRB, which cited the importance of Carmel deciding whether the century-old Ocean Avenue building that Carlos Street in 2003, it was built in 1902-1903 on the city’s Development Co. and noted the building had not signifcant- houses Sharper Image and Hanson Gallery is historic in oldest commercial block and was the first “fireproof ” con- ly changed. order to solicit further testimony from a consultant. crete-block building in town. Further, the section of it that At the Dec. 4 city council meeting, historian Meta Bunse, Owner Ted Leidig appealed a decision in October by the now houses Carmel Drug (and is owned by a partnership sep- who analyzed the building for Leidig and attorney Michael city’s historic resources board that the building qualified for arate from Leidig), was once occupied by Frank Powers and Albov, said it had undergone too many exterior alterations to be protected. In addition to the restaurant constructed at its rear and a store added to its west side, three windows were cut in the east wall, and the storefronts received larger khaki’s . Peninsula Potters entrances, new windows and veneers. Furthermore, transom the best Handmade Pottery See LEIDIG page 17A CHRISTMAS SALE in men’s December 1-25 clothing Hours: Open Tues - Sun 11 - 4 Daily new Closed Mondays holiday 2078 Sunset Drive (Russell Service Center) arrivals Pacific Grove • 372-8867 special prices Did you know... Clint Eastwood saved the popular on selected Mission Ranch from demolition in suits 1986, the same year he was elected PHOTO/MARY BROWNFIELD mayor of Carmel, by buying the rustic Is it historic? Opinions vary on one of the oldest commercial jackets structures and surrounding acreage to buildings in town, and the city council delayed an appeal last keep them from being replaced by a week to get more expert testimony. Randi Greene sport coats planned condo complex. The property was once part of the Carmel Mission, overseen by Father Junipero Serra and the Spanish priests after they moved from Monterey in 1771. Mexico gained independence from Two Girls Spain and closed the missions in 1834, selling the lands around them to settlers moving into California. This scenic From Carmel setting along the Carmel River passed through several own- SPECIALISTS IN HOUSEKEEPING ers before John Martin bought it in the 1850s, put cows in the pastures, and started a dairy business. The dairy was Bonded • Free Estimates replaced in 1937 by a private tennis/swim club, which EST. 1979 became an officers' club in World War II, and eventually a SO MANY public bar/restaurant/resort and the most enduring nightspot in the area. DIRTBALLS… SO LITTLE TIME Randi Greene, Realtor®, MBA, GRI, SRES Member, Coldwell Banker’s International President’s Diamond Society. Weekly or every other Serving the Monterey Peninsula week – we’ll tailor our One mile south of Ocean Ave.; Exit on Hwy 1 at Carmel Valley Rd.; services to meet your needs. Right on Carmel Rancho Blvd.; Right on Carmel Rancho Lane. (831) 622-2589 www.RandiGreene.com 626-4426 Research by Thom Akeman, veteran newspaper reporter Denali Best BRANDS SELECTION VIBES. Cirque Top Windwall Vest 111The Crossroads, Carmel 624.4112 • www.Treadmill.com • Hours: Mon.– Sat. 10 to 6 / Sun.12 to 5 FREE GIFT BOXING & GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE! December 14, 2007 The Carmel Pine Cone 3A Movies could return to Lighthouse Cinemas By KELLY NIX “Most people I’ve mentioned it to think it’s a good idea,” he said. “It will bring people downtown, which is what we PACIFIC GROVE could be the setting of a remake — hoped that use would do.