6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY February 16-22, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH The California News Publishers Association held its annual conference—for the first time since the pandemic started—in Sacramento from Jan. 31-Feb. 2, inviting publishers and editors from news outlets big and small to share their latest ideas and tips (for more, see story, p. 17). CNPA, a trade association of which the Weekly is a member, also lobbies the California Legislature on behalf of newspapers, and legislative priorities for 2023 range from protecting access to public records to preserving business provisions related to running newspapers. As far as public access, priorities include advocating to allow public access to police radio transmissions—despite a trend (including in Monterey County) of agencies encrypting such communications—as well as expanding the criteria to view California State Bar complaints, which currently are minimally accessible. On the business side, CNPA will be advocating for a longer-term exemption to AB 5, California’s gig economy law, that otherwise would treat newspaper delivery workers as employees rather than contractors. The current exemption expires on Jan. 1, 2025. Good: Dennis the Menace is back home again. Monterey County authorities announced Feb. 8 that they had recovered the famous statue of the comic strip-turned-TV-and-movie character, which was stolen (not for the first time) from Dennis the Menace Playground in Monterey’s El Estero Park. Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto said police discovered the 3-and-a-half-foot-tall bronze statue submerged in a canal by Roberts Lake in Seaside—near the In-N-Out Burger on Del Monte Boulevard—after receiving an anonymous tip about its location. (Those responsible for the theft are still at large.) Dennis the Menace was created in the early 1950s by the late cartoonist and Monterey County resident Hank Ketcham, who was inspired by his own young son Dennis. Ketcham also designed the playground, which opened in 1956; the statue, by artist Wah Ming Chang, was installed there in 1988. GREAT: Carmel Valley’s Connal Jones, a film producer and editor, is nominated for an Academy Award for his latest short film. Stranger at the Gate is the 30-minute true story of a former Marine who wants to bomb a mosque in his hometown and ends up visiting the house of an Afghan refugee—ultimately delivering a message against Islamophobia and any kind of extremism. “The film is a moving story about community and the power of love to conquer hate,” Jones writes. He is nominated along with director Joshua Seftel for Best Documentary Short Film. Jones started his career overseas, working with international co-productions in the Czech Republic and South Korea. He then worked in New York City’s nonfiction film and TV industry and produced Michael Moore’s film, Fahrenheit 9/11, among other projects. Stranger at the Gate is now streaming free on YouTube and newyorker.com. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY Estimated number of trees that died in 2022 in Monterey County, a tiny fraction of the estimated 36.3 million trees that died statewide. According to a Feb. 7 statement from the U.S. Forest Service, that trend is expected to continue. “Even with the recent storms from atmospheric rivers, increased tree mortality should be expected in forests until precipitation returns to normal or above normal for a few years,” the statement reads. Source: U.S. Forest Service 6,300 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “It’s short-term rentals masquerading as timeshares.” -Carmel Mayor Dave Potter, speaking Feb. 7 about fractional vacation home ownership, which companies like Pacaso have used to avoid a short-term rental ban. City Council voted 5-0 to prohibit the concept (see story online). 42 years TIP OF THE WEEK! Be Scam Safe! Beware of fake caller ID calls. Never open an email/message from an unknown sender or click on unknown sources. Protect your personal information - never give it to someone who calls you on the phone. If you have questions, call us. We are here to help. 831.899.0492 Legal Services for Seniors Kellie D. Morgantini Interim Executive Director Legal Services for Seniors is a 501(c)(3) organization. EmErgEncy Food and ShEltEr grantS availablE Funds are available for 501(c)3 nonprofits, faith based, and government organizations that provide emergency food, shelter, rental assistance and other eligible expenses. The Monterey County Emergency Food and Shelter program has been awarded $267,147. This grant is made possible by the Emergency Food and Shelter Program Phase 40. Requests for applications are due by March 3rd at 5:00 p.m. Applications may be obtained from the United Way Monterey County website at https://www.unitedwaymcca.org/efs-grants Eligible organizations can contact: Josh Madfis, Vice President, Community Investments, at (831) 318-1996 with any questions. United Way fights for the financial stability of people throughout Monterey County. 232 Monterey St. Suite 200, Salinas www.unitedwaymcca.org
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==