Salinas' Giant Hats

World-renowned sculptor Claes Oldenburg unveiled his “Hat in Three Stages of Landing” piece in 1982 to bands playing, Boys Scouts saluting, and the mayor presenting him with a commemorative salad bowl. The sculptures are more than a monumental work; they are a point of civic pride for Salinas, which is perhaps why Mayor Donohue recently forked over a hefty $160,000 to have them restored in an attempt to put the neglected city back on the cultural map. C’mon, don’t make him regret his decision!