july 18-24, 2024 montereycountynow.com LOCAL & INDEPENDENT Buddhist Temple’s Centennial 6 | A Monkee in Monterey 30 | Milkshakes for adults 35 Shaping a city Salinas at 150 From breadbasket to salad bowl, Salinas draws on its history to drive its future. p. 16
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY july 18-24, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com july 18-24, 2024 • ISSUE #1877 • Established in 1988 Bradley Zeve (iPhone 14 Pro) Inland heat has been driving many folks to the cool ocean air along the coast, including Carmel Beach. The cool-meets-warm conditions also means thick fog creating a surreal scene. Monterey County photo of the week Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: Main Street in downtown Salinas represents the past, present and future of Monterey County’s largest city. As Salinas marks 150 years since its incorporation, the city is honoring its past as it looks to the future. Cover photo: Daniel Dreifuss etc. Copyright © 2024 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: $300 yearly, prepaid. 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.montereycountynow. com. Audited by CVC. Founder & CEO Bradley Zeve bradley@montereycountynow.com (x103) Publisher Erik Cushman erik@montereycountynow.com (x125) Editorial editor Sara Rubin sara@montereycountynow.com (x120) associate editor Erik Chalhoub ec@montereycountynow.com (x135) features editor Dave Faries dfaries@montereycountynow.com (x110) Staff Writer Celia Jiménez celia@montereycountynow.com (x145) Staff Writer Pam Marino pam@montereycountynow.com (x106) Staff Writer Agata Pope¸da (x138) aga@montereycountynow.com Staff Writer David Schmalz david@montereycountynow.com (x104) Staff photographer Daniel Dreifuss daniel@montereycountynow.com (x102) Digital PRODUCER Sloan Campi sloan@montereycountynow.com (x105) contributors Nik Blaskovich, Rob Brezsny, Michael Dadula, Robert Daniels, Tonia Eaton, Jesse Herwitz, Jacqueline Weixel, Paul Wilner Cartoons Rob Rogers, Tom Tomorrow Production Art Director/Production Manager Karen Loutzenheiser karen@montereycountynow.com (x108) Graphic Designer Kevin Jewell kevinj@montereycountynow.com (x114) Graphic Designer Alexis Estrada alexis@montereycountynow.com (x114) Graphic Designer Lani Headley lani@montereycountynow.com (x114) SALES senior Sales Executive Diane Glim diane@montereycountynow.com (x124) Senior Sales Executive George Kassal george@montereycountynow.com (x122) Senior Sales Executive Keith Bruecker keith@montereycountynow.com (x118) Classifieds business development director Keely Richter keely@montereycountynow.com (x123) Digital Director of Digital Media Kevin Smith kevin@montereycountynow.com (x119) Distribution Distribution AT Arts Co. atartsco@gmail.com Distribution Control Harry Neal Business/Front Office Office Manager Linda Maceira linda@montereycountynow.com (x101) Bookkeeping Rochelle Trawick rochelle@montereycountynow.com 668 Williams Ave., Seaside, CA 93955 831-394-5656, (FAX) 831-394-2909 www.montereycountynow.com We’d love to hear from you. Send us your tips at tipline.montereycountynow.com. now [nou] adverb at the present time or moment Monterey County Now Local news, arts and entertainment, food and drink, calendar and daily newsletter. Subcribe to the newsletter: www.montereycountynow.com/subscribe Find us online: www.montereycountynow.com
www.montereycountynow.com july 18-24, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 3 summersplasH! 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 August 17, 2024 to MPWMD Summer Splash, P.O. Box 85, Monterey CA, 93942 or online at www.montereywaterinfo.org/waterchallenge by August 17, 2024 and who are at least 18 years of age as of the date of entry. Start: 12:01 a.m. PDT on 7/1/2024; deadline: 11:59 p.m. PDT on 8/17/2024. Prizes: Two (2) Winners will receive a High Efficiency Clothes Washer (ARV $650), one (1) Winner will receive a High Efficiency Dishwasher (ARV $600), two (2) Winners will receive an Apple iPad (ARV $470), two (2) Winners will receive a $200 gift certificate/card to a local plant nursery (ARV $200), two (2) Winners will receive a $200 Home Depot Gift Card (ARV $200), eleven (11) Winners will receive a $150 Visa Gift Card (ARV $150) 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 WinBIG! play now! get started! MontereyWaterInfo.org/Water Challenge High Efficiency Clothes Washer 2 winners (ARV $650) Apple iPad 2 winners (ARV $470) High Efficiency Dish Washer 1 winner (ARV $600) $200 Gift Card 2 winners - Low water use plants at local nursery $200 Gift Card from Home Depot - 2 winners $150 Gift Card from Visa - 11 Winners ENDS 8.17
4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JULY 18-24, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH It’s journalism awards season, and the Monterey County Weekly team is proud to report an impressive haul. We received first place in the General Excellence category for outlets of our size from the California Journalism Awards, sponsored by the California News Publishers Association. Other first place awards went to the whole staff for Best Newsletter, to Features Editor Dave Faries for food writing/reporting, Staff Writer Pam Marino for health care reporting and Staff Writer Agata Pope¸da for feature writing. In national awards from the Association of Alternative Newsmedia, Staff Writer David Schmalz and Art Director/Production Manager Karen Loutzenheiser won first place for innovation/ format buster for a cover story about the Monterey Peninsula’s water woes that included a board game called “Cease and Desist.” A team of five Weekly staffers attended CNPA’s awards gala in Los Angeles on July 13, where Editor Sara Rubin spoke about accessing records on Monterey County Jail; that coverage earned the paper second place for investigative reporting. In total, we took home 15 awards. Good: Long-awaited good news comes to those looking to access an incredible gem of a recreational destination in South County. The Arroyo Seco Recreation Area near Greenfield is again open for day-use visitors after a 16-month closure, since a slide blocked Arroyo Seco Road—the only access corridor—in March of 2023. For now the area, which offers a river beach, rocky river gorge and pavilions for cookouts, remains open only on weekends. Chevene Simmons, recreation officer for the Monterey Ranger District of Los Padres National Forest, anticipates Arroyo Seco reopening in full later this month, hopefully ahead of the Aug. 30 scheduled date for it to be lifted from the Forest Service’s closure order related to 2023 winter storm damage. “Hopefully, it will resume normal hours, every day,” Simmons says. Especially in peak summer heat, prospective visitors agree. GREAT: A source of future nurses for the county comes from Monterey Peninsula College’s Maurine Church Coburn School of Nursing thanks to a partnership with Montage Health. Recently the school learned that 100 percent of its 2023 and 2024 graduates earned licenses as registered nurses, after taking the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses. “Nurses trained at MPC are achieving great things. Not only are they well prepared for licensing exams, our alumni are highly sought after by health providers,” said MCCSN Director Lynn Kragelund. The school was also successful in gaining approval from the state’s Board of Registered Nursing to expand the number of students to 48, a 20-percent increase. The new cohort begins in August. Students can pursue an associate degree in nursing or a bachelor of science for those who co-enroll in MPC and CSU Monterey Bay. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY The total number of people who turned out for the Monterey County Public Defender’s Office Clean Slate Day on June 28. The event held in Salinas, Greenfield and Monterey offered free assistance to those seeking to expunge felony and misdemeanor arrests and convictions from their records. The service helps previous offenders gain a fresh start and opportunities for future housing and employment. Source: County of Monterey 323 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “A lot of this is to make it messier… and slow things down.” —Fishery biologist Thomas Williams, speaking about how the Carmel River Floodplain Restoration Project will benefit aquatic creatures (see story, montereycountynow.com). Open Tue-Sun 11am-9pm and Mon 4-9pm Or order to-go,and take it home 2149 N. Fremont St. • Monterey • 831-642-9900 MontereyCookHouse.com What s Cooking Authentic Italian Am ican Cuisine Mundos is a registered trademark and cannot be used without expressed written permission Open Mon-Fri 8-5:30, Sat 10-5:30, Sun 10-5 2233 Fremont St, Monterey • 831-324-0369 www.3MundosSandwichShop.com Coming Soon! MontereyLanes.com NORTH FREMONT STREET BUSINESS DISTRICT 2004 Fairgrounds Rd. Enter at Gate 5 (831) 372-0315 • www.montereycountyfair.com Admission $7.00 Wednesday – Sunday 10:00 am – Closing Over 40 televisions 12 tracks per day Full Bar – Drink & Dinner Specials Thursday – sunday $9.00 3Mundos half pound burgers Mundos is a registered trademark and cannot be used without expressed written permission NOW OFFERING the Vegan Milanese and Mundos Beyond Burger Burger and Fries $8.99 Quality • Flavor • Comfort Guaranteed OPEN Mon-Fri 8-5:30, Sat 10-5:30, Sun 10-5 2233 Fremont St, Monterey • 831-324-0369 www.3MundosSandwichShop.com Expanded private patio and contactless drive-thru window nOW OFFeRInG Vegan and Vegetarian Options Quality • Flavor • Comfort Guaranteed Expanded private patio and contactless drive-thru window
www.montereycountynow.com JULY 18-24, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 Salinas Valley Health Specialty Clinic | 1033 Los Palos Drive, Suite A, Salinas | 831-757-2058 Accepting New Patients! Call 831-757-DOCS or our clinic for more information or to schedule an appointment. QUALITY HEALTHCARE DELIVERED LOCALLY FOR EVERYONE SalinasValleyHealth.com/neurology INTRODUCING GURVINDER KAUR, MD Dr. Kaur has extensive knowledge in key areas of neurosurgery using the least invasive and most technologically advanced treatments for her patients. • Expert in treating primary brain tumors, brain metastasis and pituitary tumors • Highly skilled in awake craniotomies with brain mapping to preserve motor and speech functions in the brain • Adept in care of patients with degenerative spine conditions, spine tumors and carpal tunnel FELLOWSHIP University of Miami Miami, FL RESIDENCY Northwestern Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL MEDICAL EDUCATION UCSF School of Medicine San Francisco, CA Specializing in Neurosurgery and Neuro-oncology
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JULY 18-24, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com 831 Still standing after 100 years isn’t an easy task. It takes time, dedication and, in the case of a temple, members to carry on with its beliefs and traditions. For a century, people from the Salinas Valley and beyond have gathered at the Buddhist Temple of Salinas and practiced Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. Its mother temple is the Nishi Hongwanji Temple in Kyoto, Japan, and it is affiliated with the Buddhist Churches of America, a group of 60 Shin Buddhist communities across the country. Larry Hirahara, a former president of the Buddhist Temple of Salinas who now lives in Madera, joined the temple in the mid-1970s. He says Buddhism is easy to practice and accommodating. “It teaches you day-to-day life skills,” Hirahara says. The temple is more than just its walls. It’s part of the story and resilience of the Japanese American community in the area. The temple has about 150 members; a small number compared to records before World War II, portrayed in the large black-and-white photographs in the temple’s offices. The images show dozens of families, and up to six ministers posing for the camera. There were about 350 families who were part of the temple at one point. At the time, Japanese and Japanese Americans didn’t socialize so much with other groups. They prospered in the area, creating businesses and farming their own land. “It’s unique, it tends to be cultural; although, going forward, we realize that it can’t be strictly Japanese American or Japanese,” Hirahara says. The temple was built by Japanese Issei (first-generation migrants), who came to the Salinas Valley to work in agriculture, primarily in the sugar beet fields, after the Alien Exclusion Act banned Chinese immigration. It was a time when minorities, including Asians, were segregated to live in certain parts of town. In the garden is a Bonsho, a large bell decorated with figures and Japanese scriptures, as well as a large wooden beam to ring it from the outside during festivities. “We have a tradition of ringing the bell just before the New Year,” says Tom Yamashita, the temple’s president. Members take turns ringing the bell 108 times as a symbol of overcoming the 108 passions or imperfections they say humans possess. The bell was ordered from Japan to celebrate the temple’s 10th anniversary in 1934. Inside the temple, there is a golden altar with an Amida Buddha sculpture in the center. Most of the altar, except the columns which are now a different tone of gold, were dismantled and shipped to Japan in 2019 when artisans restored the pieces. The complex restoration cost about $180,000. “The craftsmanship—not very many people in Japan can do it,” temple secretary Mariko Yamashita says. Temples in the U.S. are managed differently than in Japan, where it is a family affair and run by the minister. In the U.S., a group of temple members manage it and hire a minister. World War II drastically impacted the temple. After the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, a vibrant and large community was forced to leave Salinas nearly overnight. The rodeo grounds in Salinas served as a processing center for Japanese families before they were incarcerated in internment camps, leaving behind all they had and knew. Many didn’t return to Salinas after the war, but those who did didn’t feel welcomed. During a second wave of Japanese immigration in the 1960s, the temple’s membership increased but it never recovered to its prewar numbers. Still, the temple is a cultural touchstone and offers activities and clubs in which people can learn more about Japanese culture. These include Bonsai tree classes, the Japanese tea ceremony known as chado, calligraphy, crafts and Kendo, a martial art. The temple will hold a private event to celebrate its centennial in October. Officials expect about 200 people— including local politicians, members and former ministers—to attend. Buddhist Temple of Salinas is at 14 California St. Services on Sundays at 10am. 424-4105, btsalinas.org. Century of Resilience The Buddhist Temple of Salinas is a gem in Chinatown that reveals a century of history and culture on its centennial. By Celia Jiménez Tom Yamashita, president of the Buddhist Temple of Salinas, stands by the altar inside the temple, which is marking its 100th anniversary this year. The temple offers various activities that showcase Japanese culture. “It teaches you day-to-day life skills.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE DANIEL DREIFUSS Salinas at 150 LOCAL PEOPLE n LOCAL BANK
www.montereycountynow.com JULY 18-24, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 Sand City is the Monterey Peninsula’s happening up-and-coming arts community! Come see why Travel and Leisure calls this town Quirky and instagram-worthy. Sand City’s legendary West End Festival isn’t the only reason to visit- -there’s always something worth checking out year-round. Visit our merchants, see our diverse architecture, and look at our nationally celebrated mural program. See why Sand City is quickly becoming known as the most creative town on the Peninsula! SC Double Horizontal 6in x 2.64in Servicing Acura, Honda, Lexus,Toyota and other Japanese makes Now Open! Trusted Central Coast Mechanic for over 20 years Call to book your appointment today! (831) 394-4645 475 Olympia Ave Suite C, Sand City • (831) 394-4645 465-D Olympia Ave, Sand City sweetelenas.com 831.393.2063 f P Open Mon-Sat from 8am-4pm Open Sun 8am-1pm Phone orders still available Find us at your local Farmers Market The Barnyard Tuesdays 9-1 Del Monte Shopping Center Fridays 8-12 Aptos at Cabrillo College Saturdays 8-12 Carmel on Ocean Avenue Thursdays 10-2 ’23 Best Restaurant Sand City Peach and cherry Piie in SeaSon, and in The oven! Service and Repairs on: VOLKSWAGENS TOYOTAS HONDAS JUST ANDY Satisfying Local Customers for 30 Years! 394-4212 465-A Olympia, Sand City (Back exit of Home Depot) HOME OF THE FREE 6 WEEK WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE MONDAY - FRIDAY: 5-10AM & 4-8PM SATURDAY 7-10AM 325 ELDER AVE, SAND CITY (831) 233-9321 • THECAMPTC.COM 490 Orange Ave, Unit D Sand City P: 831-582-1724 www.UntamedFire.net 490 Orange Ave, Unit D Sand City P: 831-582-1724 www.UntamedFire.net 490 Orange Ave, Unit D Sand City P: 831-582-1724 www.UntamedFire.net 490 Orange Ave, Unit D Sand City P: 831-582-1724 www.UntamedFire.net 490 Orange Ave, Unit D Sand City P: 831-582-1724 www.UntamedFire.net 490 Orange Ave, Unit D Sand City P: 831-582-1724 www.UntamedFire.net 490 Orange Ave, Unit D Sand City P: 831-582-1724 www.UntamedFire.net 490 Orange Ave, Unit D Sand City P: 831-582-1724 www.UntamedFire.net 490 Orange Ave, Unit D Sand City P: 831-582-1724 www.UntamedFire.net 490 Orange Ave, Unit D Sand City P: 831-582-1724 www.UntamedFire.net 490 Orange Ave, Unit D Sand City P: 831-582-1724 www.UntamedFire.net 490 Orange Ave, Unit D Sand City P: 831-582-1724 www.UntamedFire.net 490 Orange Ave, Unit D Sand City P: 831-582-1724 www.UntamedFire.net 490 Orange Ave, Unit D Sand City P: 831-582-1724 www.UntamedFire.net 490 Orange Ave, Unit D Sand City P: 831-582-1724 www.UntamedFire.net
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY july 18-24, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com news On Friday, July 5, Monterey County Parks staff noticed hundreds of small baitfish washing up dead on the shores of Lake San Antonio, which is both a county-owned reservoir and a recreation area managed by the parks department that allows for day use, boating and camping. Initially, officials thought it was due to the extreme heat—air temperatures exceeded 110 degrees in some places—but when bigger fish like bass started washing ashore in the subsequent days, park leaders took the precautionary measure to close the lake until the cause of the fish die-off could be determined. The initial hypothesis that the water was depleted of oxygen due to the heat didn’t bear out—after samples were taken, oxygen levels came back within the normal range. So now it’s a waiting game for more test results to come back, which unfortunately is at a time when demand to recreate at the lake is peaking. “It’s a bummer,” Parks Director Bryan Flores says. He adds the lake’s facility brought in about $114,000 in revenue over Memorial Day weekend for camping alone, and there have been several weekends since when the county’s revenue exceeded $100,000. “Reservations are full, we’re starting to make a comeback, we have some triathlons that want to come back next May, and the lake’s coming back,” Flores says. County parks officials are honoring annual passes for Lake San Antonio at Lake Nacimiento during the closure. Lab results won’t be back for some days—the timing is unknown—but Flores says the latest hypothesis is that the dieoff is related to some kind of algal bloom. But for now, it’s all just speculation. It’s Fishy The reasons behind a massive fish die-off at Lake San Antonio remain a mystery. By David Schmalz As the cliché goes: Sometimes it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission, not that $558,600 in accrued fines is forgiveness, exactly. On July 11, the Monterey County Zoning Administrator convened a meeting to consider granting after-the-fact construction permits for a 5.8-acre coastal property in southern Big Sur at 54722 Highway 1, 10.5 miles north of Lucia. It even has a name—“Wind & Sea”—and since 2016, the county has received complaints that the property has been illegally operating as a short-term rental and event center; a subsequent investigation found that to be true, and despite the county’s order to desist from using the property for such purposes by Jan. 27, 2023, the illegal use continues to this day. The property has an active, slick website—windandseabigsur.com. But that’s not what the July 11 meeting was about. Rather, it was clearing up unpermitted construction of the property that includes converting the garage into a guesthouse, building an outdoor sauna, two copper hot tubs, a patio and a deck within 50 feet of a coastal bluff and within 100 feet of environmentally sensitive habitat. County planners recommended granting the after-the-fact permits, except there was one deck—there are two on the property—that planners recommended for removal because it’s on a slope in excess of 30 percent, which is not compliant with the Big Sur Coast Land Use Policy. (Though the project was subject to a review by South Coast Land Use Advisory Committee, county staff did not refer it for a review because slipouts on Highway 1 in 2023 and 2024 impaired access to the would-be meeting location.) Property owner Alex Sakakian attended the July 11 meeting virtually and asked Acting Zoning Administrator Mike Novo for a continuance so he could consult with contractors and attorneys about removing the deck and restoring 11,750 square feet of environmentally sensitive habitat in the one-year window proposed by county officials. Novo was unswayed—Novo said Sakakian had plenty of time to consult with experts since applying for after-the-fact permits four years ago, in 2020. Novo expressed concern about habitat restoration in particular. The property is home to seacliff buckwheat, habitat for federally endangered Smith’s blue butterfly. The project’s biologist estimated that 30 such plants were removed during the unpermitted improvements. “We take these things very seriously, as I think the owner has found out,” Novo said. “I know it’s frustrating for the public how long these things take,” he added. During the meeting, Sakakian said that the property continues to operate as a short-term rental and event venue—he says he has a longterm lease with an operator that runs it—and gave no indication those uses would stop anytime soon. “Visitors like Wind & Sea,” he implored, adding that if such uses are disallowed, some property owners won’t be able to pay their mortgages. Ramon Montano, the county’s code enforcement officer working on the matter of the short-term rental violation, could not be reached by the Weekly’s deadline. Novo, the Zoning Administrator, approved of the after-the-fact permits for the construction. The Big Sur property marketed as Wind & Sea received an after-the-fact permit for construction; an investigation into ongoing unpermitted rentals continues. Rent and Roll A coastal estate in Big Sur is granted after-the-fact permits, but it’s still being rented illegally. By David Schmalz Hundreds of dead fish have washed up on the shores of Lake San Antonio since July 5. The cause of the die-off remains unknown, but has resulted in a closure of the lake during a heat wave. “We take these things very seriously.” Daniel Dreifuss courtesy of County of Monterey
www.montereycountynow.com JULY 18-24, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 Federally Insured by NCUA | Equal Housing Lender 831.479.6000 or toll-free at 888.4BAYFED, ext. 304 www.bayfed.com/HomeLoans Receive a free appraisal and no closing costs when you finance your first home with Bay Federal Credit Union. Apply Now! *All loans are subject to approval of credit, income verification, assets, and property valuation. Bay Federal Credit Union membership required. For more information, visit any Bay Federal Credit Union branch or call a Bay Federal Home Loan Consultant at 831.479.6000, or toll-free at 888.4BAYFED, extension 304. Bay Federal Credit Union is registered with the Nationwide Mortgage Lending System (NMLS). Bay Federal Credit Union ID #403635. No closing costs include lender fees, appraisal fees, title fees, and escrow fees. First Time Homebuyer Program available to those that have not owned a property in the last three years. Offer valid on owner-occupied single-family residences for those with a credit score of 680+. Maximum loan amounts up to $1,149,825 in Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties, and $920,000 in Monterey County. Mortgage insurance required for loan amounts greater than 80% loan to value. Offer applicable on purchase transactions in the State of California. Offer not available on refinances. Other restrictions may apply. Terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. All loans are subject to approval of credit, income verification, and property valuation. Bay Federal Credit Union membership required at the time of closing. For more information visit any Bay Federal Credit Union branch or call a Bay Federal Home Loan Consultant at 831.479.6000 or toll-free at 888.4BAYFED, extension 304. Bay Federal Credit Union is registered with the Nationwide Mortgage Lending System (NMLS). Bay Federal Credit Union ID #403635. 97% financing is available to qualified first-time home buyers with a credit score of 620 or greater who meet underwriting approval and eligibility criteria. Loan amounts up to $1,149,825 in Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties, and $920,000 in Monterey County. Requires mortgage insurance approval. Property must meet specific occupancy and unit requirements. Some loan amounts only eligible for FTHB only. 1524 N. Main Street | Salinas Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM Compassionate Care with exCeptional mediCine. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com VOTED MONTEREY COUNTY’S BEST VETERINARIAN THREE YEARS IN A ROW! ’23 ’22 ’21 SURGERY DERMATOLOGY FELINE & CANINE MEDICINE PET BOARDING PREVENTATIVE CARE REGENERATIVE MEDICINE PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) LASER THERAPY EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY july 18-24, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com The demise of the American mall was well-chronicled even before the Covid-19 pandemic—a growing number of shoppers prefer to buy what they want online without getting off the couch. When pandemic-related regulations forced indoor spaces to shut down, many thought that spelled doom for malls. But a recent study shows that malls have not only rebounded post-pandemic, but are growing. According to Coresight Research, traffic at “non-top-tier malls,” or those described as having a less-affluent customer demographic, increased by 10 percent in 2022 compared to 2019 levels, while revenue grew by nearly 9 percent to $6.5 billion. Physical store openings in malls exceeded closures in 2022 for the first time since 2016, according to the study. Occupancy rates at these malls rebounded from the pandemic, yet still remain below 2019 levels, standing at 89 percent in 2022, the study showed. Northridge Mall in Salinas, fresh off its 50th anniversary celebration, appears to be on an upward trend. The southern end of the mall is undergoing a renaissance after the Sears department store, a two-story, nearly 134,000-square-foot building, closed in 2020. Permitting is underway to renovate the building, which will house Burlington, Dave & Buster’s, Gohan Buffet, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Smash n’ Axe, according to building owner Ethan Conrad Properties. A new building for Raising Cane’s is planned to be built in the parking lot, near Big 5 Sporting Goods. Macy’s, an anchor tenant in the mall since the 1990s, announced that while it is closing 150 stores nationwide, Salinas is not one of them. In 2022, Steerpoint Capital and Bridge Group Investments purchased the mall. Steerpoint CEO Bo Okoroji said in a press release that Northridge “has the potential to become a dominant asset in the regional retail arena and the broader marketplace.” In 2023, discussions were underway to rezone the Sears property to allow housing. While the previous owner of the building was receptive to the idea, according to a city staff report, a representative of new owner Ethan Conrad Properties said rezoning the property to mixed use would prevent certain businesses that they were in talks with, namely vehicle service establishments. The rezoning plan is not being pursued at this time, says city spokesperson Sophia Rome. The Northridge Mall began as a collection of shops in the early 1970s. When Sears was added in 1974, the center was rebranded and unified under the Northridge Mall name. It experienced a growth in footprint in the 1990s and 2000s. Today, it includes more than 120 stores. For the second year in a row, winter storms and flooding impacted the local agriculture industry, Monterey County’s largest. The annual crop report, released on Tuesday, July 16 by the Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, shows a 6-percent dip in total production value in 2023 compared to 2022, a reflection of a challenging year for many farmers. Planting and harvesting schedules were delayed due to flooding in the Pajaro and Salinas valleys. In February of that year, farmers reported $336 million in damage; at the time, Ag Commissioner Juan Hidalgo anticipated gross production losses could reach 15 percent compared to 2022. With that in mind, the 6-percent drop—gross production was $4.4 billion, compared to $4.6 billion in 2022—is good news. “The prices and demand for our commodities really made a big difference in helping to close that gap,” Hidalgo says. For a third year in a row, strawberries were reported as the top crop in Monterey County with a value of $903.8 million (down by $55 million from the previous year). Leaf lettuce and head lettuce claimed second and third place respectively, at $782.1 million and $493.5 million. A wet winter benefited wine grape production, which increased in value by 12 percent in 2023. At $194.6 million, grapes were the sixth-most valuable crop, ahead of celery and spinach. Cannabis remained in fifth place. Revenue for cannabis increased by 28 percent compared to 2022 with $362.6 million. However, the number of licenses for cannabis decreased by nearly half and the number of acres in cultivation was reduced from 74.6 to 41.3. Hidalgo is exploring the expansion of the ag pass program, granting growers access to farms during emergencies, potentially minimizing future losses. Mall Walk Northridge Mall in Salinas is celebrating 50 years, and filling a vacant building. By Erik Chalhoub news Tax Talk Salinas’ Measure E Oversight Committee meets to discuss the finances of the 2005 voter-approved tax measure. Learn how the money is being spent and what’s on tap for the next year. 4pm Thursday, July 18. Salinas Rotunda, 200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas. Free. 758-7381, cityofsalinas.org. Safe Roads The City of Seaside is creating a plan to improve safety on its roads. A meeting is scheduled to gather feedback and present information on collision trends and proposed projects. 6-7:30pm Friday, July 19. City Council Chambers, 440 Harcourt Ave., Seaside. Free. 899-6700, ci.seaside.ca.us. Serving the Arts The Arts Council for Monterey County seeks feedback on how it can better serve the arts community countywide. Public input meetings are held in each supervisoral district throughout the year. 9:30am-1pm Saturday, July 20. Sol Treasures, 519 Broadway St., King City. Free. RSVP at bit.ly/SolTreasuresCIW. Police Gear Gonzales Police Department discusses the military equipment in its inventory and related training and costs. The annual report is required by state law. 6pm Monday, July 22. City Council Chambers, 117 Fourth St., Gonzales. Free. 675-5000, gonzalesca.gov. Job Hunt Monterey County Works hosts a job fair to give employers a chance to meet job seekers. 1-4pm Wednesday, July 24. America’s Job Center, 344 Salinas St., Suites 205-206, Salinas. Free; advance registration is required. 796-3335, montereycountyworks.com. Run for Office The candidate filing period for the Nov. 5 election opened on Monday, July 15. Those interested in running for office must submit forms by 5pm on Friday, Aug. 9. Nomination documents available 8am to 5pm, Monday-Friday at the Monterey County Elections Department, 1441 Schilling Place, North Building, Salinas. 796-1499, candidateservices@countyofmonterey.gov. Higher Education The Monterey Peninsula College Governing Board of Trustees meets to discuss college business and accept public comment. 4pm Wednesday, July 24. MPC Library & Technology Center, Sam Karas Room, 980 Fremont St., Monterey. Free. 6464000, mpc.edu. Top Crop Ag production value in Monterey County was down by 6 percent in 2023 due to winter storms. By Celia Jiménez Northridge Mall shoppers browse the stores and stop for a bite to eat on a recent weekday. The Salinas mall is celebrating its 50th anniversary. e-mail: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX “It has the potential to become a dominant asset.” Daniel Dreifuss Salinas at 150
www.montereycountynow.com July 18-24, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 Convinced her time living on the former Fort Ord led to her diagnosis of multiple myeloma, U.S. Army veteran Julie Akey formed a Facebook group in 2019 called “Cancer and illnesses from Fort Ord, CA military base.” The group has over 1,800 members, many of whom believe they and their family members were exposed to toxic chemicals on base. She keeps track of illnesses and deaths on a spreadsheet that currently lists over 1,200 people. Akey initially made a claim to the Veterans Administration that her cancer was linked to the use of Agent Orange, made famous for its use in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. It was also used on U.S. bases, in Fort Ord’s case to kill thousands of acres of poison oak causing rashes among soldiers in training. Both her medical claim and her assertion that Agent Orange was used on Fort Ord were denied. Veterans in her Facebook group contended it was used, but she needed documents to prove it. Akey asked research analyst and director of the group Military Poisons, Pat Elder, to help. Elder recruited a retired DuPont chemical engineer and a former VA physician to assist. Elder searched the University of California Extension for records of Agent Orange on the base, but was getting nowhere, until he realized the term wasn’t popularized until the late 1970s. He began searching for “2,4,5-T,” an ingredient within Agent Orange banned in 1979 that contains dioxin. He found a detailed daily record made by an Army agronomist in 1951 listing the types and amounts of herbicides used. In one case, he reported that a 200-gallon mixture included 2,4,5-T, another herbicide and eight gallons of diesel oil. Four other documents were discovered, including one found by the chemical engineer using her knowledge of toxins. Records show Agent Orange was used at Fort Ord until at least 1973, with unused portions stored for years afterward. One reported that 80,000 pounds of combined herbicides were used per year. The team published a paper in early April, “Evidence of toxic herbicide including Agent Orange at Fort Ord, CA,” and submitted it to the VA, which simultaneous to their work was deciding which U.S. bases to include on a list of those that used Agent Orange in order to consider veterans’ claims for medical care. The VA comment period closed on April 12. Less than a month later, the new list was published—and Fort Ord wasn’t on it. “We didn’t understand because we gave them all the proof,” Akey says. “We were very frustrated with that. I don’t know what else we could give them to be added to the list.” Akey’s work focuses on more chemicals than just Agent Orange. She is waiting for a report by the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, which is re-evaluating drinking water exposure and groundwater contamination at Fort Ord from 19851994. The report is expected by next spring. Poison Legacy The VA rejects evidence Agent Orange was used at Fort Ord, leaving ill veterans without aid. By Pam Marino Documents show that Agent Orange was used on Fort Ord from the early 1950s to 1970s to control poison oak. Soldiers were getting rashes that would lead to them being sidelined from their units. NEWS “We didn’t understand because we gave them the proof.” NIC COURY
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY july 18-24, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com Presidential Politics I hope you never have a bad day after traveling twice across the Atlantic, through so many time zones (“Biden and Trump should both drop out. Our country is too important,” July 4-10). How would you young whippersnappers do if then you had a cold? Watch the whole debate. See his strength now. No Biden, no democracy; is that what you want? Peter Watson-Graff | Monterey Dismissed as “right-wing extremists” and “Deplorables” by a highly propagandist Leftist media, many of us were not surprised by Biden’s debate debacle. It was painfully obvious to those informed by a more diverse assembly of information. Those informed only by that same Leftist media have had the harsh realization thrust upon them that “we have been lied to.” Richard Hellam | Seaside This editorial was misleading and disingenuous. Your three editorial board members failed to offer a balanced opinion and clearly demonstrated their personal agenda. You did your publication a disservice and intentionally tried to fool the readership. I would suggest that future editorial articles written by a small group from your publication include also an individual that can provide a different, more realistic viewpoint. Your short list of the Biden Administration accomplishments was also peppered with false information. I would suggest an apology to your readership. Kevin Kreyenhagen | Carmel Valley I guess I wasn’t paying attention in school, because I always thought that one of the reasons we fought the Revolutionary War was against the idea that “the king could do no wrong,” but our Supreme Court just said otherwise (“In ruling that Donald Trump has some immunity from criminal prosecution, the Supreme Court has undermined bedrock principles of American democracy,” July 4-10). I guess now our schools won’t have to teach all that silly old stuff about history, and focus on more important things, like the Ten Commandments. Glenn Nolte | Carmel Valley Village Character As an outsider (Monterey) looking in (Carmel) I find what they consider as quaint and iconic to be a pain in the neck…or even lower than that (“A divided Carmel City Council gives a green light to street addresses,” posted July 11). No address numbers and no streetlights are simply phony trappings to give the town some panache. I’ve set out at night looking for the house of a friend and spent a half-hour looking for his place in Carmel because it lacked both a house number and a streetlight to see by. Really inane. S. Duane Stratton | Monterey cost of care This story illustrated how Monterey County’s hospitals compare to hospitals in California and nationally (“Hospitals in Monterey County are some of the most expensive in the state. Why?,” June 20-26). We see these exorbitant prices daily as we administer nonprofit plans for the low-income farmworkers and hospitality workers we cover. These hospitals charge more because they can—not because they need to. Since residents don’t have many choices when it comes to hospital care, they are held hostage to increasing prices. The RAND Corporation study the Weekly referred to concludes price variation is largely explained by hospital market power. The hospitals claim that they must charge commercial payers more to make up for the lower payments they receive from Medicare and Medi-Cal. Yet as the correction by the Weekly shows, Monterey County hospitals receive only 3-8 percent more in Medicare and/or Medi-Cal revenue than the statewide average, hardly enough to explain why prices are so much higher than the statewide average. It’s time for them to stop taking advantage of their market power and provide care at reasonable costs to working families in Monterey County. Ivana Krajcinovic and Patrick Pine | via email Note: Krajcinovic is vice president of healthcare delivery at Unite Here Health; Pine is administrator of UFW’s Robert F. Kennedy Farmworkers Medical Plan. Winning big Congrats to the Weekly and its journalists for the honors and recognitions received last weekend (“The Weekly is celebrating state and national recognition in annual journalism awards,” posted July 15). We are VERY fortunate to have your esteemed team reporting and opining for us in our community! Graham Gottfried | Salinas Congratulations to all of you for the well-deserved honors you received at the California Journalism Awards! Those of us locals who look forward to the Weekly and the Monterey County Now know what a creative, entertaining and informative job you do of providing us with fact-based journalism. It is so nice to see that you have been so fittingly recognized both statewide and nationally. Keep up the great work! Sharen Carey | Big Sur Congrats!! You guys do a great job and deserve the accolades. Brett Roseberry | Carmel Congratulations! We are all very fortunate to have the Weekly as a strong regional voice, and a model of independent journalism. Maija West | Gonzales It’s nice of you that you left a few awards on the table for the other publications! Very well deserved! I was especially pleased with the Western Flyer reporting, giving me a chance to get aboard, and stand where John Steinbeck once stood. Walter Wagner | Salinas Congratulations to all the winners and especially the entire team from Monterey County Weekly and Monterey County Now. You folks are awesome! Joseph Hertlein | Carmel Valley Letters • CommentsOPINION Submit letters to the editor to letters@montereycountynow.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.montereycountynow.com july 18-24, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 For those not particularly interested in motorsports, there are just a few things to know about WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. To start with, the track is on the bucket list of most race car drivers and fans, idolized alongside Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, Germany’s Nürburgring, Le Mans in France and the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Its natural terrain layout gives Laguna Seca its signature feature, Turn 8, otherwise known as the Corkscrew. The track is also one of just two major circuits owned by a local government, the other being Portland International Raceway in Oregon. The U.S. Department of Defense deeded Fort Ord land to the County of Monterey for Laguna Seca Recreation Area. For that reason, the track itself is a throwback—which is both positive and negative. There remains a certain oldschool charm about Laguna Seca. Few other tracks allow fans so close to race teams in the paddock area. But while corporate ownership groups have financed upgrades at other facilities, Laguna Seca languished. Necessary improvements alone are costly. The County allocated $14.9 million for a pavement resurfacing and pedestrian bridge replacement project completed in 2023. Quite rightly, county officials over the years have been reluctant to sink taxpayer money into the addition of modern amenities. And renewing short-term contracts with small organizations—for many years SCRAMP, currently A&D Narigi—to operate the facility offers little incentive to change the situation. So when the county signed a 55-year concession agreement with the nonprofit Friends of Laguna Seca in July 2023, it was the best news for the facility, the county and the racing community since the track was completed. While the county still owns the property and A&D Narigi continues to run the show, FLS will take over the role of maintaining the facility. “Will” is the operative word. FLS was originally scheduled to assume management control on Jan. 1. The can was kicked to July 1. The new date is not as firm. According to the agreement between FLS and the county, the organization must have $6 million in the bank before taking the reins. A lawsuit filed by Highway 68 Coalition over alleged environmental and noise impacts has been settled, but FLS claims it set them back 12 months in fundraising. “This is a clean sheet of paper,” says Lauri Eberhart, CEO of Friends of Laguna Seca. “It’s an opportunity to restore, revitalize and reinvent the facility. I want it to be an international showpiece, but I don’t want to lose the flavor of the place.” The course was laid out in 1957, during the heyday of race track construction in the U.S. With youth culture, car culture and the economy on the rise through much of the 1950s, names like Road America, Watkins Glen, Sebring and Daytona joined the motorsports lexicon. Riverside International Raceway in Southern California was built in 1957 but was lost in the late 1980s to urban sprawl. Laguna Seca was being beaten down by long deferred maintenance and the failure to keep pace with amenities. It will take investment— money the county cannot spend—to bring Laguna Seca up to modern standards, and to attract events that will bring greater benefit to the area. According to a 2022 report, the recreation area accounted for $250 million in spending. But FLS knows there is more available, not only through motorsports, but also concerts and other activities. It’s a recreation area, with biking and hiking trails and a hidden gem of a campground. “It’s a community asset,” Eberhart says. “We want a mix of events that will generate the highest return. It can be a tourist destination.” There are few people with Eberhart’s insight into the business side— and tricky legal side—of motorsports, or with her contacts. The County of Monterey has proven a fine racetrack host, but a flawed racetrack manager. That county leaders realized the need for a long-term agreement and is working alongside FLS, allowing them time to regain fundraising momentum after the delay caused by a nagging lawsuit, is encouraging. With the promise of management by FLS and the hospitality sense of A&D Narigi, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and the recreation area have a strong future. Dave Faries is the Weekly’s features editor. Reach him at dfaries@montereycountynow. com. On Track Friends of Laguna Seca has yet to take over, but promises a bright future. By Dave Faries Nice Try…Squid has concluded from watching too many episodes of Dateline that in this internet age you can’t get away with anything anymore, from murder down to the mundane, like using traffic as an excuse for being late. Technology makes it too easy to check your alibi. So it was for Neal Kruse of the Carmel Preservation Association who on July 9 was appealing to the Carmel City Council a Planning Commission decision in favor of transforming the dated Hofsas House into a luxury hotel. Kruse told councilmembers his attorney had informed him that he couldn’t be in Carmel that night due to a court case in San Jose. Arguing it wasn’t fair to proceed without his attorney present, Kruse urged a delay to August. Anthony Lombardo, the attorney representing the family that owns Hofsas House—including former councilmember Carrie Theis—followed Kruse at the podium. The case in the Sixth District Court of Appeal finished at 2:27 that afternoon, Lombardo reported. “We watched it. According to Google Maps, it’s one hour and 37 minutes from the courthouse in San Jose to Carmel City Hall. He could have been here at 4:05,” he said. The council heard the appeal that night and Kruse lost by a 4-0 vote. Technology wins again. Case closed. Still Riding…As a well-read cephalopod, Squid understands the concept of empathy, even though, like every predator, Squid is a sociopath of sorts—lunch requires hunting. So Squid turned Squid’s head when the animal rights nonprofit People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent an email to Squid’s colleague, informing them that PETA had sent an “Empathy Kit” to Keith Urban, a country music star who performed at the California Rodeo Salinas on July 12—PETA urged him to cancel his appearance on animal cruelty grounds. Squid did a double take when Squid read, in the “Empathy Kit,” that Squid should “speak up when someone makes a racist, ableist, speciesist, or otherwise disparaging comment.” Squid can get behind all of that, except the “speciesist” part. Squid often eats shrimp for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Squid isn’t going to be guilt-tripped into putting in a nice word for them—bottom feeders! The “Empathy Kit,” meanwhile, is just a two-page PDF titled “Every Animal is Someone” (is a limpet “someone?”) and is filled with bullet points to soften one’s heart. Squid appreciates the effort, and Squid gets it—Squid has three hearts, hardened though they be. But Urban still performed of course, evidently unswayed by the “Empathy Kit,” though Squid doubts he ever saw it. And Squid will admit—the world could use a lot more empathy right now, but sending emails to country music stars isn’t the way to get there. the local spin SQUID FRY THE MISSION OF MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY IS TO INSPIRE INDEPENDENT THINKING AND CONSCIOUS ACTION, ETC. “I want it to be an international showpiece.” Send Squid a tip: squid@montereycountynow.com
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