Seventy-five and Sunnyville

Our dear friend Terry from New York arrived today for a one week stay. I’m glad she touched down after the fog cleared out, since Terry refers to our Palos Verdes Peninsula as “Seventy-five and Sunnyville.” She has been visiting at least once a year since we moved here in 2000 and the weather has always been splendid. But while Lee and Terry were driving back from the Long Beach airport the fog was coming back up the Hill. Terry, of course, was full of charm, but her look said What’s up here? I had fired up the spa and, thinking fast, took credit for the perfect weather to dunk in the 100 degree water; much better than in the high sunshine. Terry was content. Whew.

I just spent a half hour in the hot bubbly and am now more than usually mellow. Some think that’s comparable to Attila the Hun, but no matter. I’m ready to blog.

I felt compelled to confess to Terry that not all is well here in “Seventy-five and Sunnyville.” While the rest of SoCal frets about an invasion from Mexico, we in Palos Verdes worry about the invasion by The Donald. Yes, Mr. Trump is well ensconced at the former Ocean Trails golf course, now called Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles. Note: it’s not Trump National Golf Club Palos Verdes. The Trumpster thinks we’re just a hick town not up to his exalted standards. So it’s Los Angeles for him.

And now he has petitioned the City to change the name of Ocean Trails Drive to Trump National Drive. From the Trump National web site we find this description: Located on the luxurious Palos Verdes Peninsula just thirty minutes south of Downtown Los Angeles, Trump National serves as the perfect busy executive’s getaway. From the moment you turn down Trump National Drive, the spectacular views and exceptional service embrace you like no place else. But some on the Palos Verdes Peninsula say they are already weary of the mogul's push into their community and have suggested some alternative names: Ego Aisle. Or Narcissism Lane.

In an interview Monday from New York, Trump made it clear he doesn't plan on being strong-armed by Rancho Palos Verdes officials, even as he praised the peninsula as a great area — one of the richest, if not the richest, in California. But Trump is a tough dude. I'm very hard to extort, if they're looking to do that, he said when asked about the city's tough stance. I’m happy to report that our City Fathers have respectfully declined the request, no matter what The Donald thinks.

When Terry visits I give the gals a chance to plot some treason while I visit the Son in San Francisco. So I’ll be leaving on Thursday and may not blog for a few days. Or I may, depending on the inspiration of the gayest city on Earth.