JULY 13-19, 2023 MONTEREYCOUNTYWEEKLY.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT BARN BUILDERS 8 | WHO TO BLAME FOR FLOODING 10 | BACK TO BACH (AND BEYOND) 30 | FARM KIDS 34 AFTER HEADY HIGHS, THE LOCAL CANNABIS INDUSTRY IS NOW DEALING WITH A BAD COMEDOWN. By Rey Mashayekhi P. 20
IS YOUR REFRIGERATOR RUNNING? Good, it helped fund an electric bus. If you live in the Central Coast, you probably get your electricity from 3CE. We’re a not-for-profit group of community members with the mission to use power for good. Which is why we’re reinvesting in our community by helping schools purchase electric buses. And all you have to do is keep your refrigerator running. Scan to find out more 3cenergy.org 2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JULY 13-19, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com
www.montereycountyweekly.com JULY 13-19, 2023 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 3 Healthy, how you want it. Where there’s a will, there’s a wave. Regardless of where you are in your journey towards a healthier you — Montage Health can help you reach it. For exceptional care within your community, visit montagehealth.org.
4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY July 13-19, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com July 13-19, 2023 • ISSUE #1824 • Established in 1988 Jessica Cedillo (Canon EOS R6m2 70-200 f/2.8l) Mikey Moore (No. 6) of the Seaside Pony All Stars steals second base against Santa Cruz on Sunday, July 9 at Franich Park in Watsonville. Seaside took the title, winning the regional Pony Championship and was off to the Super Regionals in Ceres. Monterey County photo of the week Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@mcweekly.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: After Proposition 64 legalized cannabis in California in 2016, growers flocked to Monterey County’s agricultural greenhouses. Seven years later, the industry is suffering from a downturn that has wiped out many businesses. Cover illustration by Rory Glass etc. Copyright © 2023 by Milestone Communications Inc. 668 Williams Ave., Seaside, California 93955 (telephone 831-394-5656). All rights reserved. Monterey County Weekly, the Best of Monterey County and the Best of Monterey Bay are registered trademarks. No person, without prior permission from the publisher, may take more than one copy of each issue. Additional copies and back issues may be purchased for $1, plus postage. Mailed subscriptions: $120 yearly, pre-paid. The Weekly is an adjudicated newspaper of Monterey County, court decree M21137. The Weekly assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials. Visit our website at http://www.montereycountyweekly.com. Audited by CVC. Founder & CEO Bradley Zeve bradley@mcweekly.com (x103) Publisher Erik Cushman erik@mcweekly.com (x125) Editorial editor Sara Rubin sara@mcweekly.com (x120) features editor Dave Faries dfaries@mcweekly.com (x110) associate editor Tajha Chappellet-Lanier tajha@mcweekly.com (x135) Staff Writer Celia Jiménez celia@mcweekly.com (x145) Staff Writer Pam Marino pam@mcweekly.com (x106) Staff Writer Rey Mashayekhi rey@mcweekly.com (x102) Staff Writer Agata Pope¸da (x138) aga@mcweekly.com Staff Writer David Schmalz david@mcweekly.com (x104) DIGITAL PRODUCER Kyarra Harris kyarra@mcweekly.com (x105) Staff photographer Daniel Dreifuss daniel@mcweekly.com (x140) contributors Nik Blaskovich, Rob Brezsny, Sloan Campi, Caitlin Fillmore, Paul Fried, Jesse Herwitz, Jeff Rothal, Jacqueline Weixel Cartoons Rob Rogers, Tom Tomorrow Production Art Director/Production Manager Karen Loutzenheiser karen@mcweekly.com (x108) Graphic Designer Kevin Jewell kevinj@mcweekly.com (x114) Graphic Designer Alexis Estrada alexis@mcweekly.com (x114) Graphic Designer Lani Headley lani@mcweekly.com (x114) SALES senior Sales Executive Diane Glim diane@mcweekly.com (x124) Senior Sales Executive George Kassal george@mcweekly.com (x122) Senior Sales Executive Keith Bruecker keith@mcweekly.com (x118) Classifieds business development director Keely Richter keely@mcweekly.com (x123) Digital Director of Digital Media Kevin Smith kevin@mcweekly.com (x119) Distribution Distribution AT Arts Co. atartsco@gmail.com Distribution Control Harry Neal Business/Front Office Office Manager Linda Maceira linda@mcweekly.com (x101) Bookkeeping Rochelle Trawick rochelle@mcweekly.com 668 Williams Ave., Seaside, CA 93955 831-394-5656, (FAX) 831-394-2909 www.montereycountyweekly.com We’d love to hear from you. Send us your tips at tipline.montereycountyweekly.com. We can tell you like the print edition of the Weekly. We bet you’ll love the daily newsletter, Monterey County NOW. Get fresh commentary, local news and sundry helpful distractions delivered to your inbox every day. There’s no charge, and if you don’t love it, you can unsubscribe any time. SIGN UP NOW Sign up today at montereycountyweekly.com/mcnow
www.montereycountyweekly.com JULY 13-19, 2023 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 I needed to have my aortic valve replaced... I’m happy this procedure was performed at Salinas Valley Health. Two years ago, I needed to have my aortic valve replaced. The minimally invasive procedure is known as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). I’m happy this procedure was performed at Salinas Valley Health. I was under the care of a wonderful and compassionate cardiac care team. I am 80 years old. I’m doing well, I feel good and can focus on my family, my animals and me. Helping our community rise through good health. SalinasValleyHealth.com/heart Jenna Lee Foreman Owner, Running Iron Restaurant and Saloon, Carmel Valley
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JULY 13-19, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH One of the world’s oldest national newspapers, the Austrian Wiener Zeitung, has printed its final edition after nearly 320 years. The Vienna-based daily was first published in 1703 and has seen and reported on a whole lot of history since then— including a 1768 story on a concert featuring an “especially talented” 12-year-old named Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The paper’s demise comes after the Austrian government passed a law in April that ended a legal requirement for companies to pay to publish public announcements in the print edition of the newspaper. That change means the paper is no longer profitable as a print product—and has cut 63 jobs. The company will continue to publish news online. There’s some debate over the title of world’s oldest newspaper—Italy’s Gazzetta di Mantova, a local newspaper, was published in 1664; the London Gazette, an official government gazette that does not publish news, first went to print in 1665. With the end of print circulation for Wiener Zeitung, the German Hildesheimer Allgemeine Zeitung (1705) is believed to be the oldest national newspaper still in print. Good: In 2014, a fire destroyed Borjon Auto Center in King City, the only new car dealership and service center between Salinas and Paso Robles. What followed for dealership owner Mark Borjon was nearly a decade-long legal battle against his insurance company, culminating in a decision from the Sixth District Court of Appeal in Borjon’s favor. Sentry Select Insurance argued that because Borjon was a tenant, and not the owner of the building, the company was not obligated to cover losses. Borjon sued in 2015. In 2019, a jury in Monterey County Superior Court ruled in Borjon’s favor that Sentry would pay over $6 million in damages. Sentry appealed; in a decision signed on May 31, the Court of Appeal upheld the jury’s decision. While Borjon was forced to abandon his Chrysler and GM dealerships, this ruling closes a chapter and provides compensation for his losses. GREAT: Even as recovery continues in Pajaro, there is great news for residents who are still in need of resources. Two regional nonprofits—Community Bridges and Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Monterey—have opened a temporary resource center in Pajaro to help families that were affected and displaced during the January and March storms. It offers assistance to apply (or appeal) for federal, state and local programs including Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) aid, California Storm Assistance for Immigrants—specifically for undocumented immigrants— and Monterey County Storm Relief Support 2023. The center is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9am-4:30pm. “The goal is to ensure that there are as few barriers as possible in front of Pajaro residents who face a significant road to recovery,” says Tony Nunez of Community Bridges. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY Prize money awarded to Allisen Corpuz for winning the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach, the largest sum in women’s golf. The total purse for the event was $11 million. It’s back to reality this weekend, where the total purse at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Ohio is just $1.75 million. Source: USGA, LPGA $2,000,000 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “We haven’t solved the problem, but we certainly saw a reduction in fireworks.” -Seaside Police Chief Nick Borges speaking about at least 49 citations that were issued on the Fourth of July (see story, mcweekly.com). Celebrate Latino Conservation Week July 15-23, 2023 From backyards to beaches, Latino Conservation Week is about connecting comunidad with conservation organizations and creating opportunities for adults and youth to experience the outdoors in new ways. Learn from local leaders how you can help protect our tierra, agua, y aire. Discover Latino Conservation Week events in Monterey County and learn how you can be a future leader en la comunidad. Celebrate cultura outside Wetlands ecological boat tour Sunday, July 23rd, 2:30p. m. to 4:30 p.m. Monterey Bay Eco Tours 10932 Clam Wy, Moss Landing Elkhorn Slough bird and nature walk Saturday, July 15th, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 1700 Elkhorn Rd, Castroville CA MILPA community hike Thursday, July 20th, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, July 23th, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 315 Main St. Suite 206 Watsonville Safe Ag Safe Schools environmental chat and clean up Thursday, July 20th, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, July 23rd, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 315 Main St. Suite 206 Watsonville Salinas Pride art & nature meet up Saturday, July 22nd, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. El Dorado Park 1655 El Dorado Dr, Salinas Scan the QR Code or visit MontereyBayAquarium.org/LatinoConservationWeek Community pachanga at Heritage Harbor Saturday July 15th 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m
www.montereycountyweekly.com July 13-19, 2023 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 A: START FINISH How much of the water on earth is drinkable? A. How much water can you save by turning off the faucet when you brush your teeth? A. How do you plan to save water at your house? A. How do you save water when doing laundry? A. How can you save water in the bathroom? A. How can you save water in the kitchen? A. How can you save water outdoors? A. One drip every second adds up to five gallons per day! Check your faucets and showerheads for leaks and fix them. How many did you find? A. Who can take the shortest shower in your house? Time them and see who wins! A. Put food coloring in your toilet tanks. If it seeps into the bowl without flushing, there’s a leak. Did you find any leaks? A. How much is the rebate for a High Efficiency Clothes Washer? A. How much is the rebate for a High Efficiency Toilet? A. summer splash! NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Void where prohibited. The sweepstakes is open only to California-American Water Company water customers in the Monterey County District of California who complete and submit a Summer Splash Water Challenge Giveaway entry form (“gameboard”) with correct answers by mail postmarked by July 31, 2023 to MPWMD Summer Splash, P.O. Box 85, Monterey CA, 93942 or online at www.montereywaterinfo.org/waterchallenge by July 31, 2023 and who are at least 18 years of age as of the date of entry. Start: 12:01 a.m. PDT on 7/1/2023; deadline: 11:59 p.m. PDT on 7/31/2023. One (1) Winner will receive a High Efficiency Clothes Washer (ARV $1,200), one (1) Winner will receive a iPad (ARV $600), four (4) Winners will receive a $50 Visa Gift Card (ARV $50). OFFICIAL RULES: www.montereywaterinfo.org/waterchallenge_officialrules.pdf SPONSORS: Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, 5 Harris Ct, Building G, Monterey CA 93940 and California-American Water Company, 511 Forest Lodge Road, Pacific Grove CA 93950 Complete Our Water Challenge Gameboard at: MontereyWaterInfo.org/Water Challenge prizes include: • High Efficiency Clothes Washer ($1,200 approx. retail value) • Apple iPad ($600 approx. retail value) • $50 Visa Gift Cards Win BIG in Our Water Challenge Giveaway ENDS JULY 31 2023
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JULY 13-19, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com 831 There are over 200 historical structures dotting California State Parks’ Monterey District— many of them in some state of disrepair, if not outright dereliction. Yet maintaining and restoring those buildings is “a challenge,” acknowledges Matt Bischoff, a historian and cultural resources manager for the Monterey District, given State Parks’ relatively limited budget. Enter HistoriCorps, a Coloradobased nonprofit that enlists volunteers for the hands-on work of preserving historical structures on public lands across the U.S.—bringing with it a staff well versed in the craftsmanship and preservation skills needed to restore aging structures while retaining their original look and feel. California State Parks has worked with HistoriCorps for a number of years, but the nonprofit’s expertise was most recently put to use for the first time in the Monterey District—at a dilapidated but historical former dairy barn on Point Lobos Ranch (soon to be the new Ishxenta State Park) near Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. On a sunny May morning, a HistoriCorps crew is putting the finishing touches on the structure just off Highway 1, from which there are stunning views of the Carmel Bay coastline. Built in the 1940s, the barn was part of one of the many diaries that used to operate in the area, functioning as a loafing shed where cows were kept between milkings. It was later used to keep horses, before falling into disrepair over the following decades. HistoriCorps project supervisor Jason Benson first visited the site last November and found a structure with crumbling roof shingles that clearly needed to be replaced. But it was only after digging into the project that the team found further issues, such as termite and powderpost beetle damage to the roof rafters, ridge beam and skip sheathing, which also needed replacing to some extent. “Most preservation projects are like that—it’s hard to predict until you really tear into it,” Benson says. Benson and his HistoriCorps crew began the work in mid-April. The nonprofit rotates in crews of volunteers one week at a time; they come from across the country, camp out near the worksite (HistoriCorps provides the food), and usually spend five days on a project before making way for a new set of volunteers. The four-week project at Point Lobos Ranch enlisted about half-a-dozen volunteers at a time. “They love working on these projects in beautiful locations and preserving our shared history,” Benson says, noting that volunteers took advantage of the nearby beaches and hiking trails at the end of their workday. “We ask people to rough it a little bit, but most people enjoy it.” As for the work itself, maintaining the barn’s historical integrity was the primary objective, which meant new redwood shingles akin those on the original roof. After addressing the underlying structural issues over the first two weeks of the project—and demolishing a non-historical addition in the process—the final two weeks were spent rebuilding the roof, which runs roughly 40 feet end-to-end and stands about 15 feet at its apex. “We try to keep the exterior as original as possible,” Benson says. “Preservation has a certain ethic that we want to follow—replacement-inkind and things that most people don’t think about, but are important to preservation principles.” Bischoff notes that the volunteers “did everything and more than what we had planned for,” also re-roofing a smaller, original side-structure that was used as a feeding trough area. “HistoriCorps has been a great partner for us,” he says. “The thing I love about it is that they’re training [people] and keeping that trade alive. Historic preservation is such a unique skill set and takes a lot of knowledge and experience, and they’re passing that on.” With the barn once again functional, State Parks plans to initially use it as storage with an eye to eventually opening it up to the public as an example of the area’s agricultural history. “It’s an important component of this larger historic ranch and dairy,” Bischoff says. “The main thing is to preserve the history—not lose the building.” Historical Helpers Nonprofit volunteers helped State Parks preserve some of Point Lobos’ agricultural history. By Rey Mashayekhi Remnants of the county’s dairy farming history were recently shored up by volunteers, seen on the barn roof. “Getting it dry and in good condition roof-wise was a priority for State Parks and the focus of our project,” says Jason Benson of HistoriCorps. “The main thing is to preserve the history.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountyweekly.com JULY 13-19, 2023 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY july 13-19, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com news Laguna Grande Regional Park is jointly managed and owned by the cities of Monterey and Seaside, and the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District. For the past decade, managing the park has been a subject of controversy. There have been dead bodies, near-homicides, illegal warming fires and trash building up in the homeless encampments in the forest on its southeastern end, which is adjacent to several homes in Monterey. That there were people dying in that forest, as well as neighborhood concerns about wildfires, sparked enough community unrest that the two cities and the park district decided to start having joint meetings to decide what to do about the problems. (The agencies are part of a joint powers authority tasked with managing the park.) In December 2019, the JPA put out a request for proposals to consultants to come up with a trail and vegetation management plan for the park. It was a plan to make a plan. Three-and-a-half-years later, the plan has arrived, and was recently approved by all three agencies, the last being MPRPD on July 5. It calls for clearing non-native vegetation from the forest and elsewhere, and also formalizing a now-informal network of eight-foot-wide trails in the forest that few members of the public venture into; the idea is that public trails and access will act as a deterrent to encampments. The plan’s stated objectives are to “address encampment, health and safety concerns; improve personal safety; and maintain and improve quality of natural resources.” For now, it’s just a plan— doing more requires many permits, both state and federal, and funding. So change on the ground is at least a few years away. Plan A Agencies managing Laguna Grande Park finally approve a plan aiming to resolve challenges. By David Schmalz In the wake of this winter’s devastating atmospheric rivers and resulting floods, residents in the hard-hit Pajaro Valley have set legal wheels in motion that could result in lawsuits against local government agencies. Attorneys representing hundreds of Pajaro Valley residents have filed legal claims against Monterey and Santa Cruz counties—plus local agencies like the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency and Monterey County Water Resources Agency, as well as state bodies like the Department of Fish and Wildlife and Caltrans—seeking compensation for damages they say were caused by inadequate government measures to prevent the flooding of the Pajaro River and its surrounding tributaries. The initial claims were filed before the end of June, meeting a sixmonth deadline to submit for damages in the wake of an incident—in this case, storms and flooding that began on Dec. 31 and persisted through March, causing widespread damage to homes and businesses throughout the Pajaro Valley. Attorney Brian Kabateck of Los Angeles-based Kabateck LLP—which is representing the claimants alongside another L.A. law firm, Greenberg and Ruby Injury Attorneys—says around 700 individuals are represented in the initial filings, which are seeking damages “far in excess of $10,000” per person. He notes that the claims are the first step required before moving for a potential lawsuit against the government agencies, which have 45 days to respond. “By law, we’re required in most circumstances to file a claim with the government before we can sue them,” Kabateck says. He expects to commence mass-action lawsuits on behalf of his clients once the 45-day period passes, in the middle of August. Kabateck believes there are other law firms working on similar actions on behalf of clients also impacted by the floods. Monterey County Counsel Les Girard says the claims are under assessment and declined to comment further. Santa Cruz County spokesperson Jason Hoppin confirms that the county has received the claims but declined to comment on potential litigation. The filed claims blame the local and state agencies for failing to properly maintain the Pajaro River’s aging levees and flood control systems, which were completed in 1949 and will be rebuilt via a $400 million project that is set to commence in 2025. Kabateck notes that public officials were aware of the levee system’s “disrepair” and the risk it posed to surrounding communities, as evidenced by previous incidents like the 1995 Pajaro floods. “They were certainly on notice that it was a dangerous situation,” he says, adding that authorities also failed to remove plants and other debris in the watershed that exacerbated flooding. “It was a case of negligence. If they had done what they were supposed to do, this never would have happened.” The potential lawsuits, if filed, could take several years to work their way through the courts. Kabateck notes that most of his clients are working-class Pajaro Valley residents whose damages were not covered by insurance. “It just seems that their safety was disregarded,” he says. “We want to send a message to the governments involved in this that they’ve got to take better care and pay attention.” Pajaro residents discarded thousands of tons of residential debris, including personal property and belongings, after floodwaters inundated the town in March. Pay Back Residents are starting to seek legal recourse after the Pajaro River floods. By Rey Mashayekhi A homeless encampment in Laguna Grande Regional Park, unoccupied in that moment, in February 2019. A new plan envisions that maintaining public trails will deter encampments. “They were on notice that it was a dangerous situation.” Daniel Dreifuss nic coury
www.montereycountyweekly.com JULY 13-19, 2023 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 CAN YOU SOLVE THE MYSTERY BEFORE TIME RUNS OUT? Follow the rabbit. Rob the bank. Travel through time to save the world....and many more. A 60 minute adventure, 9 rooms to choose from each with a different theme. Great for birthdays or special events. Kid friendly. All locations surrounded by great local restaurants. 4 MONTEREY LOCATIONS 765 Wave St, Ste A2 • 599 Lighthouse Ave • 700 Cannery Row, Ste DD and Oscar’s Playground 685 Cannery Row 831.241.6616 BOOK TODAY! Escaperoom831.com Voted Monterey County’s Best Place For a Birthday Party Two Years in a Row ’22 Try Us First. We Pay The Highest! MONTEREY COIN SHOPPE Since 1970 same street for 40 years Open Mon-Thur 11am-4pm and Friday by appointment only. Call for an appointment: 831.646.9030 449 Alvarado St., Monterey www.montereycoinshoppe.com WE BUY GOLD AND SILVER, JEWELRY, COINS, DIAMONDS, WATCHES, ART & RARE ANTIQUES
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY july 13-19, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com On Dec. 13, the County Board of Supervisors heard an appeal about the county Planning Commission’s denial of a proposed farmworker housing project in Pajaro. They voted 3-1 to overturn that decision. On Dec. 15, the county’s Housing and Community Development Department issued a notice of the approval, which started a 30-day clock for any who might want to bring a lawsuit over the decision. A handful of residents on Pajaro’s Susan Street—which will abut the project when or if it’s completed—did sue regarding the county’s approval of the project, but it is an open question whether the lawsuit was filed in a timely manner. Per the county’s records, the lawsuit was filed Jan. 18, one day after the deadline (Jan. 14-15 was a weekend, and Jan. 16 was Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday). Attorneys representing developers Rio Vista LLC are seeking to dismiss the lawsuit on the grounds that it wasn’t filed in a timely manner. Susan Street resident Christine Shaw is among the plaintiffs in the group Pajaro Community Matters, and says that the group’s attorney, Babak Naficy out of San Luis Obispo, filed the lawsuit in Monterey County Superior Court around 4:45pm on Jan. 17, but the next morning was notified that one of the documents submitted—a case cover sheet—was rejected by the county’s electronic filing system. The lawsuit alleges the county supervisors violated the California Environmental Quality Act and that they abused their discretion. A hearing scheduled for July 14 will not determine those substantive issues, but whether the case will continue to be litigated or dismissed. Despite the pending lawsuit, the site has been graded and construction is proceeding. Shaw, who was forced to evacuate her house in January because of flooding along the Pajaro River, thinks this past winter should make it more clear that the project is ill-conceived. “We can’t have development in that area, no matter how much the county wants it,” Shaw says. “We can be sacrificed, it feels like, because we’re poor and mostly brown. This wouldn’t happen in Carmel.” Mike Avila of builder Avila Construction says the project has been and will continue to be done by the book, but concedes there will always be concerns in neighborhoods about growth. “We think we’ve done a great job preparing documentation,” he says. “We did everything we could do to get it right.” On any weekend day, especially during the summer, Highway 156 backs up with traffic at the intersection with Castroville Boulevard. The Transportation Agency for Monterey County has planned an interchange there, aiming to move traffic faster and more safely. The agency was at risk of losing $28 million in project funding due to delays, but received a second extension from the California Transportation Commission in a vote on Wednesday, June 28. If the CTC hadn’t allowed for a delay, the project would have been shelved. “I’m disappointed that it’s going to be a year later, but a year later is better than not being able to do it at all,” says Todd Muck, executive director of TAMC. The $47.5 million project includes roundabouts, bicycle paths and sidewalks. It is designed to improve traffic flow by removing the light at the intersection, and also connecting pedestrians and cyclists to North Monterey County High School and residential areas of Castroville. The interchange has been in the works for over a decade, and it’s the first and lowest-cost section of a bigger Highway 156 corridor overhaul. It has faced various delays, including concerns about protecting the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander. The latest delay comes from waiting for PG&E officials to complete an assessment of a gas transmission facility and two electric facilities to determine whether the utility company needs to relocate any infrastructure. The original estimate for the project was $29.5 million—it’s now 61-percent higher, at $47.5 million. To cover rising costs, the TAMC board voted in May to allocate an additional $10.4 million from Measure X funds. With a second extension granted, PG&E now must complete its utility relocation plans by December so Caltrans can finalize the project design and accommodate any changes. “There’s really no room for delay in the schedule at this point,” Muck says. The project must go out to bid before June 2024. Stop Watch A lawsuit over farmworker housing project is on the ropes for being a day late. By David Schmalz news Auction Options The community is invited to a silent auction and happy hour in Salinas. Attendees can sip on cocktails and listen to singer Mike Noonan while bidding on baskets of locally curated goodies as well as original artwork created by Madonna Gardens’ own resident artists. All proceeds benefit the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. 2pm Friday, July 14. Madonna Gardens, 1335 Byron Drive, Salinas. RSVP in advance to 741-4638 or madonnagardens@carefieldliving.com. madonnagardens.com. Block Party The King City Police Department is hosting a block party for the city’s District 1 residents, inviting the public to mingle, meet City Councilmember Oscar Avalos and local law enforcement officers. Bring your family or stop by on your own to engage with the community. There will be music, food, bounce houses, entertainment and, of course, your neighbors. 5:30pm Friday, July 14. Arboleta Lane, near Van Nort Street and Campbell Avenue. Free. 385-4848, kingcity.com. thank you for serving Retired servicemembers and their families are invited to military retiree appreciation day, an opportunity to connect with active-duty communities. Hosted by the Presidio of Monterey and Fort Ord Retiree Council, you can expect free lunch (burgers, hot dogs) and cake; information from local service agencies and giveaways from various vendors; and remarks by Director of Army Retirement Services Mark Overberg. 8am-1:30pm Saturday, July 15. Gen. Stilwell Community Center, 4260 Gigling Road, Seaside. Free. 242-5555, home.army.mil/monterey. Beach Day Ocean recreation is for everyone. Black Girls Surf is partnering with UBUNTU Wellness to present Black People Surf Day 2023. Whether you’re a beginner or want to improve your skills, experienced instructors will be on hand to guide you every step of the way. Also expect beach games, giveaways and a chance to connect with other enthusiasts. 9am Saturday, July 15. Manresa State Beach, 1445 San Andreas Road, Watsonville. Free. linktr.ee/blackgirlssurf. Lead by Example Monterey City Council meets and, as always, accepts public comment. Tell your councilmembers what you think they are doing well and what they can do better. 4pm and 7pm Tuesday, July 18. City Hall, 580 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. monterey.org. Round and Round State transportation officials grant reprieve on timing for interchange project on Highway 156. By Celia Jiménez Christine Shaw (left) is a neighbor and plaintiff opposing the project, and now a planning commissioner. She was appointed after the commission denied the project. e-mail: publiccitizen@mcweekly.com TOOLBOX “This wouldn’t happen in Carmel.” Daniel Dreifuss
www.montereycountyweekly.com JULY 13-19, 2023 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 FREE SEASONAL SPRINKLER TUNE UP In partnership with the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, if you are a Monterey Peninsula customer, you can get a FREE irrigation check-up. A conservation specialist will visit your property to inspect your irrigation system for water-efficient use. YOUR FREE CHECK-UP INCLUDES: S Inspection of your irrigation system for water efficiency, malfunctions, and optimal sprinkler coverage S Irrigation controller settings check S Free rain sensor installation offer Call California American Water today at 831-646-3205 option 3 to schedule your free irrigation check-up. IS YOUR IRRIGATION SYSTEM RUNNING EFFICIENTLY? QUAIL LODGE & GOLF CLUB • 8205 VALLEY GREENS DRIVE, CARMEL HEATABLE EATABLES! ELROY’S PRESENTS @ELROYSFINEFOODS WWW.ELROYSFINEFOODS.COM 15 SOLEDAD DRIVE (831) 373-3737 MONTEREY, CA 93940 JULY’S HEATABLE EATABLE...THAI IN JULY! TICKET=$112 EACH (1 TICKET SERVES TWO PEOPLE) GREEN PAPAYA SALAD unripe papaya & vegetables with peanuts and fish sauce dressing (GF, DF, CONTAINS FISH SAUCE) CHICKEN SATAY curried chicken skewers with peanut dipping sauce (GF, CONTAINS SOY) PAD PRIK KING sauteed vegetables in dry red curry with smoked tofu (GF, CONTAINS SHELLFISH, FISH SAUCE) PAD THAI stir fried rice noodles with peanuts & tamarind (GF, CONTAINS FISH SAUCE, PEANUTS) GREEN CURRY summer vegetables simmered in curried coconut milk served with rice (GF, CONTAINS SHELLFISH, FISH SAUCE) THAI TEA PANNA COTTA chilled dessert with fresh mango (GF, CONTAINS DAIRY) To place your order visit www.elroysfinefoods.com or scan this QR CODE! Quantities are limited, so order soon! *Order by: Thursday, July 20th *Pick up date: Thursday, July 27th *Next month: The Israeli Table All items will also be available à la carte for purchase at the Prepared Foods counter on Thursday, 7/27 until sold out! From Elroy’s Fine Foods Executive Chef & Culinary Director David Hardie A pre-ordered, fully prepared meal to heat & eat at home. Offered on the last Thursday of every month. GLOBALLY INSPIRED & LOCALLY SOURCED
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JULY 13-19, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com Within a few months after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, California officials launched a mad dash to permanently house thousands of people by converting motels and hotels into apartments under the name Homekey, using $646 million in federal, state and donated funds. The City of Salinas joined in that dash to open 101 apartments in a former motel but missed some procedural steps, leading to delays that have left the complex only about half occupied for the last two-and-a-half years. Homekey was an untested concept in 2020 that has since proved successful, but for Salinas there were lessons learned. Within two months of receiving $7 million from the state, city officials and a team of government and nonprofit representatives worked together to purchase and ready the former Good Nite Inn on Work Street for $12 million—the additional $5 million came from the buyer, nonprofit developer ShangriLa Construction. They welcomed 55 residents in December 2020, complete with supportive services provided by Shangri-La’s nonprofit partner, Step Up. Residents’ rooms were temporary until renovations were complete, with a plan to move in more people to fill all 101 units. Renovations had to stop after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development issued a violation. Local officials missed the fact that because they were using HUD project-based vouchers, federal rules applied, including an environmental review under the National Environmental Protection Act. In July 2021, HUD officials gave the city the option to pursue a waiver. With 85 project-based housing vouchers worth approximately $30 million annually used to pay for supportive services and maintenance, city officials were prepared to jump through any hoops necessary, Salinas Housing Division Planning Manager Rod Powell says. That led to a two-year journey through a maze of regulations, including HUD requiring Shangri-La to perform a quitclaim on a sliver of the back parking lot, which is in a floodplain. Then state Department of Housing and Community Development officials noticed Shangri-La had transferred the main property to one of its holding companies without properly recording it. “We thought we were done only to have it called out by HCD,” Powell says. More hoops followed. Two years later, Powell says what’s left is asking the Salinas City Council for approval, along with the boards of Step Up and Shangri-La. If all goes to plan, renovations could be completed by next spring. After the success of Homekey’s first round of funding, California distributed round two funds last year, including nearly $20 million for two more Salinas projects now under construction, totaling another 101 units, also in conjunction with Shangri-La and Step Up. The city applied for round-three funding on June 30, this time in conjunction with Bay Area Community Services, to buy and renovate single-family homes to provide housing for low-income families. Red Taped Missteps have kept Salinas’ original Homekey lowincome apartments half full since 2020. By Pam Marino As of March, Homekey had created nearly 12,800 permanent and interim homes through 210 projects across California, including 101 units in Salinas’ first project (above). NEWS Renovations could be completed by next spring. DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountyweekly.com JULY 13-19, 2023 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 15 SUMMER FUN PLAYGROUND PROGRAM SUMMER REGISTRATION IS OPEN! We are offering a great summer program for children ages 5 to 10 years old to play and socialize outdoors at one of our local neighborhood parks. Recreation Leaders supervise children while they participate in a variety of activities throughout the day including games, arts and crafts, singing, sports, lots of outdoor play and most of all FUN! Children must bring a lunch and drink daily. The fee listed is for the entire seven-week program at one program site. No refunds 3 days before the program begins. Children must be 5 years old by June 12, 2023 in order to participate in the program. THE CITY OF MONTEREY Register online now at MONTEREY.ORG/REC The Playground Program is offered M–F from 9am–4pm and located at three neighborhood parks. 7-weeks from June 12 – July 28, 2023 Monterey Resident Fee: $427.50 / Fee: $475 One fee for the entire 7-week program. SCAN ME! Goodwill Central Coast builds lives, families and communities by helping people with employment needs become successful, supported by innovative enterprises that preserve earth’s resources. BY HOSTING A GOODWILL DONATION DRIVE, you can raise money for your church, business, school or civic organization while you help us build lives, families and communities by helping people with employment needs become successful, supported by innovative enterprises that preserve Earth’s resources. ELECTRIC VEHICLE INCENTIVE PROGRAM LOW INCOME QUALIFIED APPLICANTS MAY QUALIFY FOR DOUBLE THE SHOWN INCENTIVE AMOUNTS! $2,000 NEW $1,000 USED $1,000 NEW $700 USED $1,000 NEW HYDROGEN FUEL CELL ELECTRIC BATTERY PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE $2,500 NEW INCENTIVES FOR THE PURCHASE/LEASE OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE FOR RESIDENTS OF MONTEREY, SAN BENITO AND SANTA CRUZ COUNTIES Visit our website for more information: www.mbard.org $500 USED
16 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY july 13-19, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com History Speaks The artifacts, books and other things should not be in hiding (“Monterey is the caretaker of some of California’s most important history. Can the city make that history more accessible to the public?” June 29-July 5). They should be displayed for the public to enjoy periodically. Monterey seems to hire people who will be part of the secret club that keeps everything close to the vest. How will young residents appreciate their unique culture and history with such a stingy attitude toward those many exhibitions that never take place? Loosen your tight fist, Monterey, and share the wealth. Eloise Shim | Salinas Preserving and interpreting our history must be a priority to a historic city like Monterey. We committed to owning historic buildings like Ed Ricketts’ Lab and collecting community artifacts and works of art from important local artists like Francis McComas, Evelyn McCormick, Jo Mora and Armin Hansen. We can’t let them fall into disrepair and they should be shared. Eric Palmer Sr. | Monterey I appreciated this article. Please contact the Monterey Museums and Cultural Arts Commission, the mayor and city manager to tell them it is essential to protect the city’s museums and materials for generations to come. Encourage them to set up a stewardship fund to keep Colton Hall open and up to date. The fund would allow anyone to make tax-deductible donations. I will be glad to chip in. Mike Gibbs | Pacific Grove Supply Side Sadly another local business gone (“Seaside’s Mack Stove Co. is moving online and selling its longtime Broadway building,” June 29-July 5). Let me guess—it will be another coffee bar, Togo’s or who knows what. N.C. Lopez | via social media Mack Stove was part of the fabric of Seaside (“A Seaside appliance store closes its doors, marking the end of an era,” posted July 1). Dan was a treasure of knowledge on parts, how things work, and how life works. I used to stop by just to chat. It helped me feel at home in my community. I am glad they can stay in business online. For me the magic was the relationship, and I am not sure that will still be available via a website. I will miss seeing a great man and friend. Berj Amir | Seaside These guys were always so awesome. Whenever I had a problem, they would help me, even knowing the part I needed was just $12. Christian Mendelsohn | Seaside Level Up Thank you so much for the link to the beautiful swearing-in ceremony of Robert Rivas (Robert Rivas is now speaker of the California Assembly. It’s a celebration for the Central Coast,” posted June 30). I am so proud to be a native Californian (San Jose) and to see the beautiful, diverse California Legislature electing Rivas to the office of speaker of the Assembly. The all-women’s mariachi band was awesome, as was the Black choir. To see so many women and people of color made me cry with joy. Thank you for sharing the ceremony with Monterey County Weekly’s audience. Marie McDonough | Castroville Bar Scene I want to thank Weldon Webb for keeping the After Dark gay bar open for as long as he did (“Weldon Webb remembers a time when a gay bar was the center of the local LGBTQ+ scene. How times have changed,” June 30-July 5). I have so many great memories of that place. It was very inclusive and just so easy to meet people, face to face, for fun, dancing and conversation. I do have to disagree with his opinion that Monterey doesn’t need a full-time gay bar. This 67-yearold gay man, now widowed, would love to be able to walk into a warm, inviting, LGBTQ+ bar in Monterey. I don’t think it’s just my generation that would appreciate it. The very full LGBTQ+ evenings at Pearl Hour are always well attended. Thank you Pearl Hour! But it’s clear that there is a need/desire for a full-time gay bar on the Peninsula. Steven Evans | Monterey I keep wondering when someone is going to open one again. Ray Bethke | via social media I miss, miss, miss this place and LOVED going there with my bestie Willie and dancing the night away!!! My husband wishes my bestie was still alive and the After Dark was still open so I could go dancing again. Best cocktails and music ever! Marta Martinez Fife | via social media Thank you for your Service I think the VFW and other similar veterans organizations need to modernize to attract younger veterans (“Seaside’s veterans organizations are hoping to expand membership with those who served in recent years,” June 29-July 5). Nestor Nicolas | via social media Fired Up This is a good start. People just have to know we are serious about enforcing these important laws (“A few injuries and fires occurred on Fourth of July evening,” posted July 5). Why doesn’t Monterey County set aside a field, away from the towns, where people can go to shoot off their fireworks with firemen standing by? John Thomas | Salinas Safety FIRST Thank you for the “Clean Eats” article by Rey Mashayekhi (“A ride-along with county health inspectors who ensure restaurants meet food safety standards,” June 22-28). At a time when so many people criticize government, especially public health, it’s good to be reminded of the thousands of people who keep us safe and well, day after day. Kyler Asato and Corinne Ow are wonderful examples of this and deserve our thanks for working in such positive ways. Marli Melton | Carmel Valley Correction An attribution for an image was incorrect (“Visuals: Calligraphic Art,” July 6-12). The artist for a piece of calligraphy included in the Musings on Pages exhibit is Suzanne Sayles, not Sea Scribes President Bart Burrows. Letters • CommentsOPINION Submit letters to the editor to letters@mcweekly.com. Please keep your letter to 150 words or less; subject to editing for space. Please include your full name, contact information and city you live in.
www.montereycountyweekly.com july 13-19, 2023 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 17 Some facts about groundwater in the Central Coast are not in dispute. For example: It’s groundwater—stored in subterranean aquifers, rather than surface water in streams and reservoirs—that supplies most of the region’s drinking water, about 90 percent. That fact tells us simply that groundwater is important. How to protect it, however, is another matter. Unlike point-source pollution—think of an outfall pipe, easy to observe and measure— the quality of groundwater is impacted by nonpoint source pollution, seeping underground from various places over various time frames. And when it comes to regulating nonpoint source pollution and quality of groundwater, economics, politics and science all converge. The Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board is responsible for overseeing water quality in a region with some 3,000 agricultural operators on 540,000 acres of irrigated lands, where pesticides and fertilizers are regularly applied. The Regional Water Board adopted its first set of regulations for agricultural runoff in 2004. It’s spent the 20 years since then revising and refining them and assigning technical committees to evaluate them, resulting most recently in version 4.0 (officially titled “General Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges from Irrigated Lands Order No. R3-2021-0040”), adopted in 2021 after years of public hearings. Nobody was happy with 4.0. Two groups petitioned the State Water Resources Control Board to revisit the Central Coast regional board’s regulation. One petition came from the ag industry, filed on behalf of the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California, Monterey County Farm Bureau, California Strawberry Commission and others, claiming the order was far too onerous for growers. Another petition came from environmental and safe drinking water groups like Monterey Waterkeeper, San Jerardo Cooperative and others, claiming the order did not go far enough to protect groundwater. The State Board agreed to hear the petitions, and on June 16, released a draft order. The proposal keeps some of the Central Coast regional board’s regulations in place despite opposition from growers. For example, the state proposes keeping requirements to monitor for 1,2,3-trichloropropane and stormwater discharge from impermeable surfaces, like plastic-covered fields. But on the biggest things, the state proposes backtracking. As the regional board developed versions 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0, the idea was that successive orders would get stricter. A key provision of version 4.0 is to limit the amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied—the state proposes striking that. “There is not a clear connection between the amount of fertilizer nitrogen applied and impacts on water quality,” according to the state’s draft. And yet, the same document acknowledges the clear connection—and the fact that some communities’ groundwater is so contaminated with nitrates that it is not safe to drink. The state proposes a deal for growers (“dischargers”) whose practices pollute to provide bottled water in exchange for a longer timeline to meet water quality standards. Try telling that to people who cannot drink their water. The ag industry’s petition argues: “Ag Order 4.0 fails to reach a balance between water quality protection and maintaining our state and nation’s food supply. The order seriously threatens the local economy.” The environmental groups argue this economic pressure is exactly why regulators have shied away from tougher rules: “What makes agricultural discharges challenging for regulators is not the complexity of controlling them, but the fierce resistance of a previously unregulated industry to the imposition of even modest, incremental steps to bring these pollution sources into compliance with the law.” A State Water Board spokesperson assures me that you don’t have to be a technical expert or understand what AFER + (C x ACOMP) + (O x AORG)=R means in order to comment. “The State Water Board is interested in receiving comments from anybody, including the general public,” Edward Ortiz writes. The comment deadline is noon on Aug. 11; you can write to commentletters@waterboards.ca.gov. The state board is scheduled to decide on a final order on Sept. 19. Sara Rubin is the Weekly’s editor. Reach her at sara@mcweekly.com. Water Weight Growers and environmental groups clash over how to regulate groundwater. By Sara Rubin Power Shuffle…Squid was getting ready to ooze over to happy hour at 4:55pm on Friday, July 7, when a press release appeared in Squid’s inbox—perfect timing for a Friday news dump, in which PR professionals hope no media outlet pays attention. The announcement: Steve McShane was resigning, effective immediately, from his job as CEO of the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce; and a search is underway for a replacement. Chamber chair Bill Hastie tells Squid’s colleague business continues mostly as usual. “I’m glad the board has pulled together. We are all looking collaboratively to get the chamber back to normal and, quite honestly, out of the news,” he says. (A Friday afternoon press release being a key part of that strategy.) The chamber made news last month when members of Salinas City Council—McShane is also an elected councilmember—started raising questions about potential conflict of interest. The city withdrew its membership, and things seemed ready to move along. Except McShane was placed on leave—for reasons Hastie says are unrelated to the city/chamber drama—before his eventual resignation. Hastie says he and McShane remain friends, and they’ll be seeing each other at the next Christians in Commerce lunch. It sounds like McShane will be networking—hopefully as a prospective employee, not as a politician. Taking the Ride…Squid’s not a big fan of driving—it’s so much easier to swim through the sea, no traffic lights or stop signs, and most importantly, no cars. For purposes of getting around on land, Squid does have a driver’s license—Squid can only ooze a few miles per hour. But getting the license was tough, and required some studying. Of course, one could always forgo getting a license, or owning a car, and still have a joyride or three. Such is the case for one Greenfield girl, age 15 (not yet of legal driving age), who had quite the week last week. She stole one car. Then she stole another car. Then she stole a third, but this time, there was a person in it! The girl, whose identity is confidential because she is a minor, was charged with grand theft auto and kidnapping. And the latter charge is the only reason she was brought into custody. The state has been shutting down youth prisons, so county juvenile halls, Greenfield Police Sgt. Justin Mattke says, now only take violent offenders—car theft isn’t a qualifying offense, but kidnapping is. “It’s a big problem for departments all over,” Mattke says. “Juveniles commit a lot of crimes people don’t realize.” Squid’s not for locking kids up, but a car theft spree seems like it should merit some consequences, regardless of whether incidental kidnapping is involved. the local spin SQUID FRY THE MISSION OF MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY IS TO INSPIRE INDEPENDENT THINKING AND CONSCIOUS ACTION, ETC. Economics, politics and science all converge. Send Squid a tip: squid@mcweekly.com
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