Growing up amid the surreal trashiness of 1950's Baltimore, John Waters gained a shocking reputation in the mid 1960's from his low budget, counter-culture underground movies.† In 1972, his ultra bad taste masterpiece Pink Flamingos hit it big, with its famous 'Divine' eating dog-shit scene. Hollywood success came with Hairspray in 1988, which not only had Waters' distinctive playfulness with a Hollywood polish, but also provided a humorous and profound†allegory on segregation in 1960's America. The film starred ex-pop star and "race record" producer Sonny Bono, who later became the godfather of the Salton Sea. Waters is most remarkable in his ability to tackle such taboos as†abortion, religion,†drugs, and homosexuality, with a refreshing dose of humor. He is able to poke a little fun at his characters, while always remaining tirelessly respectful of their humanity. Although once called "The Pope of Trash" by William Burroughs, Waters has since become an icon of the independent film world and is now†a frequent host of the Independent Spirit Awards. He now considers himself a "documentary whore." On PLAGUES %26 PLEASURES he says, "When I saw it, I was facisnated. It reminded me of what's going on in Provincetown and in Baltimore. It was if I was watching real estate porn - it was so tragic in a very weird way." Waters is also the writer-director of films such as Cecil B. Demented (2000), Pecker (1998), Serial Mom (1994), Cry-Baby (1990), and Polyester (1981). He is also an accomplished non-fiction writer, photographer, as well as host and programmer of the new television series Movies That Will Corrupt You. His immortal classic Hairspray is now a musical on Broadway. For more information on John, check out Dreamland News.
SONNY BONO Former rock star and Palm Springs mayor Sonny began his career as a songwriter in Los Angeles, and quickly became a protege of famed producer Phil Spector. After meeting Cher in a coffee shop, they formed the duet Sonny & Cher in 1965 and hit gold with "I Got You Babe," which was written and produced by Sonny. As their rein as "rock & roll's hottest couple" began to fade in the late '60's, they developed a "with it" comedy routine in Las Vegas. They were soon noticed by CBS TV executives, who signed them to star in the Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour in 1971. Despite the huge success of their TV show, the couple split and Cher went onto a solo career. Sonny moved to Palm Springs, opened a thriving restaurant, remarried, ran and won a race for mayor, and eventually was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994. While gaining prominence among fellow Republicans, Sonny began to push for a bill to restore the Salton Sea. However, he tragically lost his life in a skiing accident in 1998. Soon after his death, in memory of all his efforts, his fellow congressmen passed Sonny's Salton Sea bill. His wife, Mary Bono, has since been elected to his seat in Congress and continues to fight for the Salton Sea. DONALD SCHEIDLER Highway 22, outside Salton City, West Shore Originally from Minnesota, Donald first saw the Salton Sea while stationed as a solider in nearby Thermal during World War II. He fondly recalls that he used to swim in the Sea, and that it wasn't as salty as today. After a bitter divorce, Donald joined a nudist colony near some hot springs just west of Salton City. When the colony closed, Donald moved north to the town of Indio. Determined to spread his gospel of love and nudity, Donald began making daily trips south to a vehicle turnoff at the western entrance of the Imperial V alley. He would stand naked, wave at passing motorists, and discuss the virtues of a nudist life with anyone that would listen. Some would give him "the finger", but Donald just considered it an "L" for love. After being reported to the sheriff several times, Donald was eventually forced to wear shorts. His message was that people should simply love each other, and that it doesn't matter what one looks like or wears on the outside. His lifelong dream was to stand naked at an open session of the United Nations. Donald died in 2005, yet his message of love lives on. HAROLD GASTON Niland, West Shore Working first for the US Forest Service, Harold eventually retired and opened a cafe in the desert town of Banning in 1934. Throughout the '30's, he would come down to the Salton Sea to troll for mullet, and get paid for every school that he located. In 1951, he witnessed the first introduction of salt water fish from the Sea of Cortez. However, when the freeway switched routes and bypassed his cafe, Harold moved his restaurant south to Niland in 1956. In search of the newly introduced sport fish, Harold caught the first two limits of fish from the Salton Sea at a military target off Bombay Beach in 1957. Through his contacts with sports journalists in Southern California, Harold spread the word about the Salton Sea, and by 1960, fishermen by the thousands were dining at Gaston's Cafe. Harold also hosted a fishing show produced by the Chrysler Corporation, took John Wayne fishing, and opened a successful mudsucker bait shop in Indio. He was also an avid hunter and boat racer. Mr. and Mrs. Gaston finally closed Gaston's Cafe on December 30th, 1999 and after a long adventurous life, Mr. Gaston passed away in 2005 at the age of 96. HUNKY DADDY aka Laszlo Oros Bombay Beach, East Shore As a heroic "freedom fighter" in the brief 1956 Hungarian Revolution, Hunky Daddy was forced to escape Hungary after the Soviet invasion. With the help of the CIA, he immigrated to New York and eventually moved to Los Angeles. He started coming to the Sea for weekend trips while he worked as a stagehand with several other Hunkys (Hungarians) at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. He eventually retired and moved full-time to Bombay Beach. During the heydays at the Sea, Bombay Beach became a refuge for numerous Hungarian Revolutionary "56ers" and their families. Life would center around "The Waterfront", a beachfront bar owned by Hunky Daddy's late friend Hunky Frank (who is the father of Gaston's Cafe waitress Eva Worthy.) However, as the years have gone by, rising water from the Sea flooded "The Waterfront" and most of the Hungarian community has passed away in recent years. Hunky Daddy is known as the unoffical mayor of Bombay Beach. Hunky Daddy can usually be found drinking a cold Milwaukee's Best beer in front of his house at sunset. He prefers the dark meat. THE LANDMAN aka Manny Diaz Salton City, West Shore As a refugee from Communist Cuba, Manny Diaz has spent his entire life in hot pursuit of the American Dream. While as an executive for the McDonald's Corporation in the 70's, he helped develop the first fast food restaurant in the hippie mecca of San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury District. He eventually became a land developer in Nothern California and Hawaii, where he made and lost his fortune several times. When he first saw the Salton Sea, he was determined he could rejuvenate the area and turn a profit, despite its horrible reputation in the land business. Rather than build houses for wealthy retirees, Manny decided to focus on selling empty lots to the working class Hispanic and Filipino markets of Southern California. In an effort to attract attention, he turned to television ads and eventually developed the character of "The Landman," based on a hybrid of Ronald McDonald and the Los Angeles deejay "The Poorman." Although most developers market the beauty of the Sea, the Landman focuses on the cheap land and the fantastic fishing. Just remember, you don't have to be rich to own a piece of California - "See The Landman!" LECHON RAINEY Bombay Beach, East Shore Growing up on the dangerous streets of El Centro, California, Lechon moved to Bombay Beach to live with her aunt, after her mom was killed by her boyfriend. After discovering that she was pregnant, she decided to stay in Bombay and raise her son away from the gang violence of El Centro and Los Angeles. However, as an African-American single mother in a town of mostly white retired senior citizens, it has been difficult to integrate into this small desert community. In order to make extra money, she helps many of the older residents with difficult tasks that they are unable to do for themselves. As a result, she has become a treasured member of the community. But having older friends can be difficult, as many of her dear friends have passed away over the years. Although most younger residents are stuck between a small government assistance check and oppressive landlords, Lechon recently managed to buy her own home. As for her sister Evelyn, she apparently moved to Brawley, got married, and found Jesus. LEONARD KNIGHT Niland, South Shore Born in Burlington, Vermont, Leonard spent much of his early years working odd jobs, including a stint doing auto body repair. Although he was never religious, one day he spontaneously started repeating "Jesus, I'm a sinner, please come into my heart." From that day forward, he made it his life's mission to bring "The Sinner's Prayer" to the world. First, out of free scraps of balloon fabric, he built a giant hot air balloon that proclaimed his message in a patchwork of bright, colored letters. Upon completion, he brought the giant balloon to the town of Niland, on the south shore of the Salton Sea. However, the maiden voyage of a project that had taken 4 years to complete, was unsuccessful, as the balloon never got off the ground. He eventually setup camp at the entrance of Slab City, an abandoned military base filled with squatters, located just outside of Niland. It was there that he started to construct Salvation Mountain, a giant 3-story monument to Jesus out of paint, old tires, and assorted junk. The first attempt at building his mountain was also unsuccessful, as after 4 years of construction, it suddenly collapsed. Undeterred, Leonard prayed to God and developed a new method of construction through the use of adobe - a mixture of mud and hay which proved to be a much lighter and flexible building material. However, Leonard's faith would be tested again, when the county threatened to bulldoze the mountain due to claims that the paint was polluting the ground water. Independent tests were conducted and it was soon proven that it was in fact not a "toxic nightmare." Outcry from the local community soon convinced the county to leave Leonard alone. After 19 years of trial and error, Leonard is still building his creation, which has attracted worldwide attention. He has been featured in numerous newspapers, magazines, and televsion programs. His original hot air balloon is now on display in the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, MD. The mountain now attracts tens of thousands of tourists a year to the Salton Sea area. For more information on Leonard and his mountain: San Diego Union-Tribune article Leonard Knight's Desert Vision Interview with Leonard by the "Deuce of Clubs" LEONARD KNIGHT Niland, South Shore Born in Burlington, Vermont, Leonard spent much of his early years working odd jobs, including a stint doing auto body repair. Although he was never religious, one day he spontaneously started repeating "Jesus, I'm a sinner, please come into my heart." From that day forward, he made it his life's mission to bring "The Sinner's Prayer" to the world. First, out of free scraps of balloon fabric, he built a giant hot air balloon that proclaimed his message in a patchwork of bright, colored letters. Upon completion, he brought the giant balloon to the town of Niland, on the south shore of the Salton Sea. However, the maiden voyage of a project that had taken 4 years to complete, was unsuccessful, as the balloon never got off the ground. He eventually setup camp at the entrance of Slab City, an abandoned military base filled with squatters, located just outside of Niland. It was there that he started to construct Salvation Mountain, a giant 3-story monument to Jesus out of paint, old tires, and assorted junk. NORM NIVER Salton City, West Shore Having grown up in Palm Springs, Norm was originally interested in studying to become a park ranger at the Salton Sea. However with the advent of stereo technology, he started installing speaker technology for home audio systems. He was also a successful touring bass player, and even played several times at the Salton Bay Yacht Club in Salton City. He eventually retired and moved full-time to Salton City, where he purchased a beachfront home. Although he still owns a house in the Palm Springs area, he chooses to spend the majority of his time on the beautiful shores of the Salton Sea, fishing and eating Salton Sea sushi. Norm, along with friend Steve Horvitz, is a major advocate to restore the Salton Sea. He is president of the West Shores Chamber of Commerce, as well as a member of the Imperial County Planning Commission. When people question the safety of the Salton Sea, Norm will gladly drink a glass of the briny water. However, his preferred drink is a fine martini. He always has 2 daily at five o'clock. STEVE HORVITZ Salton Sea State Recreation Area, North Shore After serving as a park ranger for several California State Parks, Steve was stationed as a superintendent of the Salton Sea area in 1992. He quickly educated himself in all aspects of the biology, history, and environ- mental issues surrounding the Sea. This job was unlike many of his other posts, in that he would serve more as a spokesman and defender of the Sea, rather than focusing on the duties of a typical park ranger. He has since travelled extensively, doing all that he can to correct the numerous misperceptions that the outside world often has of the Salton Sea. He has written the booklet Salton Sea 101, which provides a fact based analysis of the problems facing the Sea. Steve has also worked with his friend, Norm Niver, to help restore the Salton Sea to its former glory. After attracting considerable attention to the cause of the Sea, the California Park Service suddenly offered Steve a promotion that he couldn't refuse. Despite his love for the area, he was relocated to a park in the redwoods of Northern California. He has since been replaced by a less outspoken ranger. Many residents claim this was a government conspiracy to get rid of one of the Sea's greatest advocates. wtext=Once known as the %22Tomato Capital of the World,%22 as well as a hub for thousands of visiting fisherman and hunters coming to the Salton Sea, Niland now barely survives. Although it still hosts the annual Tomato Festival, its legacy as an agricultural powerhouse is over. The once popular Gaston's Cafe, which was a favorite way station for sportsmen, has now closed. Niland still gets a trickle of business from ÏsnowbirdsÓ who come for the winter to live at nearby Slab City, as well as from inmates%27 wives who come to live close to nearby Calipatria Prison, while their husbands serve out their sentences in one of CaliforniaÌs most notorious maximum security prisons. In recent years, there has also been an influx of people coming to visit Salvation Mountain, a 3-story religious folk art monument, which sits just outside of town. Another local attraction for the occasional tourist are the bubbling mudpots fed by geothermal activity in the area. An unexpected source of income is extracted from the nearby Chocolate Mountain Bombing Range. Risk taking individuals known as %22scrappers%22 roam the bombing range to collect exploded ordinance and military hardware to sell for scrap metal in town. Recently, a house of scrappers was raided, and it was revealed that the residence was packed floor to ceiling with unexploded bombs and rockets. Niland proudly offers a small market, post office, a rather good Chinese restaurant, a bar, a limited gas station, and the only school in the area. The name Niland refers to the Nile River in far away Egypt.
owerhouse is over. The once popular Gaston's Cafe, which was a favorite way station for sportsmen, has now closed. Niland still gets a trickle of business from ÏsnowbirdsÓ who come for the winter to live at nearby Slab City, as well as from inmates%27 wives who come to live close to nearby Calipatria Prison, while their husbands serve out their sentences in one of CaliforniaÌs most notorious maximum security prisons. In recent years, there has also been an influx of people coming to visit Salvation Mountain, a 3-story religious folk art monument, which sits just outside of town. Another local attraction for the occasional tourist are the bubbling mudpots fed by geothermal activity in the area. An unexpected source of income is extracted from the nearby Chocolate Mountain Bombing Range. Risk taking individuals known as %22scrappers%22 roam the bombing range to collect exploded ordinance and military hardware to sell for scrap metal in town. Recently, a house of scrappers was raided, and it was revealed that the residence was packed floor to ceiling with unexploded bombs and rockets. Niland proudly offers a small market, post office, a rather good Chinese restaurant, a bar, a limited gas station, and the only school in the area. The name Niland refers to the Nile River in far away Egypt.tering geese, ducks, and grebes, including support for 90%25 of the North American population of the eared grebe, 80%25 of the white pelicans, 45%25 of the endangered Yuma clapper rail, along with significant populations of brown pelicans, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and even tropical marine birds in summer. In 1996, a devastating outbreak of avian botulism killed 14,000 pelicans, including the endangered California brown pelican, as well as 19,000 birds of other species. Throughout the summer, volunteers fought to save as many birds as they could, and prevent the disease from spreading to other species. In 1998, the refuge also suffered a huge outbreak of Newcastle’s disease among crested cormorants and avian cholera among ducks and geese, which killed 17,000 birds. The refuge now runs daily airboat patrols around the Sea looking for sick birds. Early detection is especially helpful in preventing avian botulism, as individual pelicans can be saved, as well as preventing the spread of the disease. In 1997, the citizens of Imperial Valley donated a %2492,000 towards the building of a wildlife hospital. This, along with the creation of other infrastructure, has allowed the refuge to better control avian botulism and other diseases. The refuge offers visitors fantastic bird watching, waterfowl hunting, hiking trails, and a visitor center complete with a glass case full of taxidermied birds. The refuge has several full-time staff, scientists, a fleet of airboats, a bird hospital, and a crematorium for the disposal of dead birds. It is also a confirmed rumor that around a dozen flamingos mysteriously call the refuge home. Some explanations for this local peculiarity include a 1950’s escape from the San Diego Zoo or a house fire of an exotic bird dealer. The park was dedicated to Salton Sea advocate Sonny Bono in 1998, after his death in a tragic skiing accident. After years of service, Superintendent Clark Bloom retired in 2002 in order to move back to his native Arizona.In the 1950’s, developers began to build yacht clubs and resort communities in response to the growing popularity of the Salton Sea. By far the most ambitious development was Salton City, located on the western shore of the Sea. Developer M. Penn Philips and the Holly Corporation planned 25,000 lots, laid 250 miles of paved roads, as well as installing an extensive network of water, sewage, and electrical services. Plans for this “Salton Riviera” included an entire business district, schools, churches, parks, community services, an 18-hole PGA Golf Course, and a $500,000 luxury yacht club and hotel designed by famous architect Albert Frey. Upon opening in 1958, the project was an instant success with sales over $4 million. Celebrity guests included Frank Sinatra, Dwight Eisenhower, and Desi Arnaz. The famous Salton City 500 Boat Race and Hawaiian luaus at sunset were all the rage at the birth of this city. Although sales were brisk, most people purchased lots for investment only, and therefore few houses were actually built. By the late 1970's, with a looming environmental disaster and a flooded shoreline, the dream of a Salton metropolis was lost. Today, Salton City is a virtually empty town of scattered lots, although it does offer a small market with attached Mexican restaurant, volunteer fire station, church, the West Shores Chamber of Commerce, and absolutely the best hamburger in the valley at Super Burger. Local residents include Salton Sea activist Norm Niver and of course, The Landman. Just outside of town winds an empty highway that snakes through the Anza-Borrego State Park onward to San Diego. This is where nudist, the late Donald Scheidler, used to stand in order proclaim his naked message of love.
text=In the heydays of the Salton Sea, traffic on Highway 111 would back up, as campers and boaters would crowd the entrance to the California's second busiest state park. With more visitors than Yosemite, there was even concern that swimmers might be in danger from the 400,000 boats that crowded the Sea each year. Today they receive a mere trickle of visitors, who come to enjoy hiking, boating, bird watching, swimming, fishing, and camping on the shores of California's largest lake. Spread along the northeast shore of the Sea, it features 5 campground sites, a boat launch facility, and a visitors center, complete with video presentations detailing the geography and history of the area. The main campground provides full hook-ups for RVs, showers, toilets, fire rings, and picnic areas, while other campgrounds to the south are much more primitive. However, even with the Sea's unique beauty, don't expect long tropical white sand beaches, as the shoreline is mostly made up of crunchy white barnacles. For many years, the park was run by Superintendent Steve Horvitz, who became an influential force in the movement to save the Salton Sea. He has since been replaced. PARK WEBSITE
Arizona Daily Sun - March 9th, 2006
"Final set of Salton Sea meetings to begin"
Riverside Press-Enterprise - 12/26/06
"Boxer seeking $26 million for Salton Sea"
The Desert Sun - 12/14/06
"Commission underwhelmed by group's plan for Salton Sea"
The Desert Sun - 12/14/06
"Defending against bird flu"
The Desert Sun - 12/5/06
"State lists 10 ways to save the Salton Sea"
Los Angeles Times - 10/23/06
"California Presents Plan to Save Salton Sea"
San Francisco Chronicle - 10/18/06
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Theatrical (partial list):
"A 75-year vision to save Salton Sea"
Laemmle's Grande Theater - Los Angeles, CA - 2007
Facets Cinematheque - Chicago, IL - 2007
IFC Film Center - New York, NY - 2007
Red Vic Moviehouse - San Francisco, CA - 2007
Alamo Drafthouse - Austin, TX - 2007
Rafael Film Center - San Rafael, CA - 2007
Grand Illusion Cinema - Seattle, WA - 2007
Camelot Theaters - Palm Springs, CA - 2007
Loft Cinema - Tucson, AZ - 2007
The Guild - Albuquerque, NM - 2007
CCA Cinematheque - Santa Fe, NM - 2007
Rag Tag Cinema - Columbia, MO - 2007
Screenland Theater - Kansas City, MO - 2007
Hippodrome Cinema - Gainesville, FL - 2007
All Saints Cinema - Tallahassee, FL - 2007
Ross Theater - Lincoln, NE - 2007
Triplex - Great Barrington, MA - 2007
Avon Theater - Stamford, CT - 2007
Upstate Films - Rhinebeck, NY - 2007
Pacific Cinematheque - Vancouver, BC - 2007
New Cinema Du Parc - Montreal, QB - 2007
US Festivals (partial list):
Slamdance Film Festival - Park City, UT - 2004
Independent Film Festival of Boston - Boston, MA - 2004
SF Documentary Film Festival - San Francisco, CA - 2004
Maine International Film Festival - Waterville, ME - 2004
Rhode Island Int’l. Film Festival - Providence, RI - 2004
Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival - Hot Springs, AR 2004
Milwaukee International Film Festival - Milwaukee, WI - 2004
Anchorage International Film Festival - Anchorage, AK - 2004
True/False Film Festival - Columbia, MO - 2005
Washington D.C. Independent Film Festival - Washington D.C. - 2005
Chicago International Documentary Film Festival - Chicago, IL - 2005
New York TV Docfest - New York, NY - 2005
Provincetown Film Festival - Provincetown, MA 2005
Savannah Film Festival - Savannah, GA - 2005
Cucalorus Film Festival - Wilmington, NC - 2005
Maryland Film Festival - Baltimore, MD - 2005
Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival - Birmingham, AL - 2005
Jacksonville Film Festival - Jacksonville, FL - 2005
Palm Springs International Film Festival - Palm Springs, CA - 2006
Santa Barbara International Film Festival - Santa Barbara, CA - 2006
Tallgrass Film Festival - Wichita, KS - 2006
Tacoma Film Festival - Tacoma, WA - 2006
Newport Beach Film Festival - Newport Beach, CA - 2006
American Conservation Film Festival - Shepherdstown, West Virginia - 2006
International Wildlife Film Festival - Missoula, Montana 2006
Miami Underground Film Festival - Miami Beach, FL - 2007
New Orleans Human Rights Film Festival - New Orleans, Louisiana - 2007
International Festivals (partial list):
Lausanne Underground Film %26 Music Festival - Lausanne, Switzerland - 2005
Leeds International Film Festival - Leeds, United Kingdom - 2005
Planet in Focus - Toronto, Canada - 2005
Festival International du Film d’Environment - Paris, France - 2005
UN Mediterranean Environmental Film Festival - Antalaya, Turkey - 2006
Wildscreen - Bristol, United Kingdom - 2006
Docville - Leuven, Belgium - 2006
Cine Eco - Serra de Estrela, Portugal - 2006
Kinolitopys - Kiev, Ukraine - 2006
Festival Cinéma d'Alès - Alès, France - 2006
Cronograf International Documentary Film Festival - Chishinau, Moldova - 2006
FICA International Festival of Environmental Film - Goiania, Brazil - 2006
Seagate Foyle Film Festival - Derry, Northern Ireland - 2006
Desert Nights Film Festival - Rome, Italy - 2006
Melbourne Underground Film Festival - Melbourne, Australia - 2006
EkoFilm Czesky Krumlov, Czech Republic - 2006
Green Film Festival - Seoul, South Korea - 2007
Cambofest - Phnom Penh, Cambodia - 2007
text=
San Diego Union Tribune - 8/06/07
"Millions of fish dead in California's annual Salton Sea die-off"
North County Times - 7/25/07
"California Weighs Solutions to a Shrinking Sea"
NPR - 1/16/07
"Hundreds of thousands of dead fish found on Salton Sea shoreline"
San Diego Union Tribune - 2/10/07
"Final set of Salton Sea meetings to begin"
Riverside Press-Enterprise - 12/26/06
"California Presents Plan to Save Salton Sea"
San Francisco Chronicle - 10/18/06
"Phoenix man resting after Salton Sea swim"
San Diego Union Tribune - 8/13/06
"Our last chance to save the Salton Sea?"
San Diego Tribune - 5/26/06
"A sea that glows"
Taipei Times - 2/07/06
"A 75-year vision to save Salton Sea"
The Guardian - 1/15/06
"A 75-year vision to save Salton Sea"
San Diego Union Tribune - 10/7/05
"Rivals pitching their plans for future of the Salton Sea"
San Diego Union Tribune - 3/9/05
"Smaller, healthier Salton Sea backed"
San Diego Union Tribune - 4/23/04
"Water Diversion Plan Threatens California's Salton Sea"
National Geographic - 8/24/02
3 STEPS TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD
#1 - READ THE REPORT
The Oakland-based Pacific Institute, an independent, nonpartisan think-tank, has released a report that details how the Sea will deteriorate if nothing is done to thwart the demise and that the health, economic, and environmental costs would be catastrophic. READ THE REPORT.
#2 - CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES
A Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Report for Salton Sea restoration is under consideration by state officials. It includes eight alternatives for improving water and air quality and wildlife habitat, and addressing other concerns. The report can be viewed at www.saltonsea.water.ca.gov/
Comments can be registered with:
Ms. Dale Hoffman-Floerke
Department of Water Resources
Colorado River and Salton Sea Office
P.O. Box 942836
Sacramento, CA 94236-0001
SaltonSeaComments@water.ca.gov
Fax: (916) 654-4925
#3 - WRITE GOVERNOR ARNOLD
Yes, it's true, California once again has a former entertainer as it's Republican governor.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Write to him by printing out your very own DEAR GOVERNOR ARNOLD postcard here.
Help save the Salton Sea by getting involved!
Sonny is counting on you.
SAVE SONNY'S SEAtext=Once known as the ìCalifornia Rivieraî, the Salton Sea is now called one of Americaís worst ecological disasters: a fetid, stagnant, salty lake, coughing up dead fish and birds by the thousands. Yet a few hardy eccentrics hang on to hope, including a roadside nudist waving at passing European tourists, a man building a religious mountain out of mud and paint, beer-loving Hungarian Revolutionary Hunky Daddy, and the real-estate ìRonald McDonaldî known simply as The Landman. Through their perceptions and misperceptions, the strange history and unexpected beauty of the Salton Sea is revealed.
ìAccidentallyî created by an engineering error in 1905, reworked in the 50ís as a world class vacation destination for the rich and famous, and then suddenly abandoned after a series of hurricanes, floods, and fish die-offs, the Salton Sea has a bittersweet past. Congressman Sonny Bono himself was once dedicated to saving the lake, until he went skiing one dayÖ
Now amongst the ruins of this man-made mistake, these few remaining people struggle to keep a remodeled version of the dream alive. However, this most unique community is now threatened by the nearby megalopolises of Los Angeles and San Diego, as they attempt to take the agricultural run-off that barely sustains the Sea. The fate of this so-called ecological time bomb and the community that surrounds it remain uncertain, as the Salton Sea might just dry up.
While PLAGUES %26 PLEASURES covers the historical, economic, political, and environmental issues that face the Sea, it more importantly offers up an offbeat portrait of the eccentric and individualistic people who populate its shores. It is an epic western tale of fantastic real estate ventures and failed boomtowns, inner-city gangs fleeing to white small town America, and the subjective notion of success and failure amidst the ruins of the past. Hair-raising and hilarious, part history lesson, part cautionary tale and part portrait of one of the strangest communities youíve ever seen, this is the American Dream gone as stinky as a dead carp.
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Running Time: 71 minutes (Television Version: 57:00 min)