RESURRECTION – The Crumbs Parable Continues

Some called me a false prophet. Others saw it as inaccurate journalism. A few imagined that I had more to do with these events than I let on. They have reason to be suspicious. Any tale of resurrection, of course, begs the question, “But what if you were wrong about the death?”

Make no mistake about it, though. The no-longer-late, but-still-great Crumbs, my favorite restaurant (as I noted when I wrote its obituary here: http://deathpastor-lastmeals.blogspot.com/2015/01/crumbs-obituary-and-more.html.) was dead. In fact, save for one missed phone message, the proprietor/chef nearly accepted a position elsewhere, and I would have had no reason to tell of this miraculous return from the small-business abyss that is Eastern Shasta County, California.

Shelly only appears to be welcoming friends.
Actually, she's guarding our place in line.

Barbecued Carrot Soup. Delicious.

Dinosaur Egg = crab-stuffed avocado.
(You can get tuna-stuffed, too.)

As you can see by the photos, we were first in line for the Grand Re-Opening. Since this is, ostensibly, a restaurant review, you should read the captions for some of the essential information in that regard. We greatly enjoyed celebrating the event with friends last night. But I have a secondary reason for writing. I believe that Crumbs re-opening illustrates an important point that might apply to you, your friends, other local businesses, and our communities in general.

In Support of Government Intervention in Personal Problems

I admit that “public assistance” in “the welfare state” not only helps those with legitimate needs, but also benefits those who could otherwise support themselves. (Translated: Yes, some aid-recipients could and should be working for a living.) Most, however, fall somewhere between these two ends of the spectrum. Many would seek to improve their lives, but “the system” provides neither the means nor the knowledge for making that happen. Still, it is ridiculous to suggest that we leave children to go hungry just because of a few (allegedly) lazy adults.

I didn't get the camera out soon enough
to get a photo of the creme brulee.

Our society’s forms of public assistance were and are a blunt instrument. The one-size-fits-most approach has further corroded and dulled with age. But we have so accommodated its debilitating effects that we have little choice but to maintain the leaky vessel as best we can for the foreseeable future. Still, that does not prevent us from envisioning and implementing solutions to our communities’ problems through other means.

Travis Hickey, Proprietor and Chef.
Back in his natural habitat.

As much as some may object to the structures of public assistance, they exist because of the failures of private assistance. The necessity of public assistance programs is largely attributable to the North American Christian church, which largely abandoned charitable generosity and life-on-life investment in the needs of our communities prior to the middle of the twentieth century. Restoring community-service ministries is essential, but more of that history and future will have to wait for later. The more important question of the moment is…

First trip to Crumbs for 
two wonderful young ladies.

What does this have to do with Crumbs re-opening?

In Criticism of Government Intrusion in Private Enterprise

As one side-effect of “the nanny state” we have created, the original opening of Crumbs was mercilessly delayed by the ineptitude and/or malfeasance of a variety of bureaucrats whose budgets (and job security) depend upon the fees and fines they generate. Thus, initial expenses and subsequent debt-service skyrocketed before Crumbs ever opened its doors. Instead of public assistance, county officials inflicted on Crumbs, among other businesses in Eastern Shasta County, a punishment for seeking economic development outside the designated Enterprise Zones (confined to the greater metropolitan Redding area). Believing that any and all business should take place in Redding—seventy-five miles to the west—resulted not only in incentives to build there, but penalties for seeking to build elsewhere.

Thankfully, public assistance systems do not prevent us from providing private assistance to individuals. So also, the penalizing influence of bureaucracy does not prevent private individuals from supporting a business’s efforts to bring economic, social and cultural development to our communities either.

Only tried two out of three.
I was in the mood for steak.

So, do I accept the necessity of a system that rewards business investments in the already-affluent areas of our county? Especially while punishing those who seek to bring similar benefits to less-appreciated communities? No. In fact, I applaud the ending of the Enterprise Zones (terminated December 31, 2013, though initially scheduled to conclude in November, 2021).

Call for reservations!

But as one who is called to be subject to the authority set above me (Romans 13:1-4), do I accept that our county government has the right to punish those who aspire to better themselves and their community? Yes, I accept that “the powers that be” hold that authority, even though self-funded bureaucracy nearly cost us a particularly valued resource in McArthur, California. Therefore, I even more vigorously applaud those whose sense of community and generosity restored Crumbs Restaurant to its rightful place, serving those of us who reside in the communities of Eastern Shasta County. 

To those anonymous benefactors: thank you.

And to Travis, Fiona, Melissa, Robyn, and all the other unsung heroes of this one small business that holds a very large place in so many of our hearts: Welcome back!