When you think of Hope Ranch one of the things that comes to mind is big homes on large sprawling lots. With so much room to spread out and all that distance between you and your neighbors, one would assume you could make a lot of noise and not disturb anybody. Unless your neighbor happens to be News-Press owner Wendy McCaw.
This past Friday evening there was a party at Hope Ranch's private beach that was attended by perhaps as many as 50 people. Among the entertainment was the local band One-Eyed Willie, who's repertoire consists of covering pop and rock songs from the 80's and 90's.
Evidently while One-Eyed Willie was playing that old Tommy Tutone number, Jenny 867-5309,
Wendy, who lives in the bluff top home above the beach, was dialing a number of her own. The police 9-1-1. She reportedly complained about the noise that was coming from the party.
The authorities in Hope Ranch responded to her complaint around 10:20 pm or so. By that time the band had stopped playing, many of the people who had been there had left and the only music to be heard was coming from an iPod.
The party shut down and Wendy succeeded in doing what the Village People couldn't do. She stopped the music. At least what little that was left of it.
From what I've heard, those Hope Ranch Beach parties are hardly Floatopia and this one was described by at least one person who was there as being a "family friendly affair." So, I would be surprised if this Hope Ranch Beach party was a wild, raucous confab. But I can understand. The woman needs her beauty sleep.
But considering how many people in this town Wendy has driven to singing the blues, I'm kind of surprised she wasn't into the music.
© 2010 by Craig Smith and www.craigsmithsblog.com
