Rasta Charlie

There are statues of Peanuts characters all over town (a total of 70, I'm told) part of some long forgotten campaign, probably to raise money. Many of them are dressed to represent the business in front of which they stand  I've photographed a few of them from time to time. He has stood in front of what is now Sonoma Outfitters, an outdoor store in Montgomery Village, our local outdoor shopping center, for close to 20 years. 

Now, according to the local paper,  Rasta Charlie has been banned from his long held spot by the Boston company which has recently purchased Montgomery Village from the local family who built it in the 60's and continued to run it  until they sold it last year. The story seems a bit convoluted, but apparently a woman complained to the management of Sonoma Outfitters that she found Rasta Charlie 'offensive'. The management responded with disbelief and basically blew her off. Not to be put off, she went to the Boston company's local manager and reiterated her complaint.

Negotiations ensued...could Rasta Charlie live inside the store? No, there wasn't room for him inside the store. Had there been any other complaints?...the answer was evasive but there didn't seem to be any indication of other objections. In fact, the store said that people come from all over to say hello to Rasta Charlie and have their pictures taken with him. Nevertheless, it seems he has to go. A new home for him is being sought....

It will be interesting to see what happens. Not many people read the papers anymore, but I suspect Rasta Charlie would have fare more supporters than detractors if anyone even knew the story. A passing woman offered to take my picture with him and didn't know anything about his ostracism....

Pulled pork with coleslaw and potato salad with green beans for dinner tonight....Rick and John  have been manning the barbecue (is it ok to use that word?...they ARE men...) all afternoon. Dana and Jim are coming for dinner....