september 19-25, 2024 montereycountynow.com LOCAL & INDEPENDENT two years missing 10 | All the president’s women 31 | a bartender’s guide to spirits 39 Public libraries have expanded from the written page into offering everything from flower seeds to kitchen gadgets. p. 18 By Celia Jiménez Libraries Beyond Books
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY september 19-25, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com September 19-25, 2024 • ISSUE #1886 • Established in 1988 Chris Spain (iPhone 14 Pro Max) The photographer went out looking for whales in Moss Landing, but the view of the sun on the water and the iconic smokestacks in the distance doesn’t disappoint. Monterey County photo of the week Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: Libraries have always been a place to find things that help visitors expand their knowledge. Increasingly, local libraries offer much more than books; the Pacific Grove Public Library’s collection now includes children’s toys, a selection of kitchen gadgets and framed artwork. 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 Katie Rodriguez (California Local News Fellow) katie@montereycountynow.com (x102) Staff Writer David Schmalz david@montereycountynow.com (x104) Staff photographer Daniel Dreifuss daniel@montereycountynow.com (x140) Digital PRODUCER Sloan Campi sloan@montereycountynow.com (x105) contributors Nik Blaskovich, Rob Brezsny, Robert Daniels, Tonia Eaton, Paul Fried, 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 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. Subscribe to the newsletter: www.montereycountynow.com/subscribe Find us online: www.montereycountynow.com
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 3 Choose the health and wellness services that are right for you — when and where you want them. z Emergency care z Urgent care z 24/7 eVisit montagehealth.org/care Let us help you reach your best health z Primary and specialty care z Preventive programs z And much more
4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH Weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court gave more power to local governments to clear homeless encampments, Gov. Gavin Newsom followed suit, issuing an order on July 25 requiring all state agencies to remove encampments from state-owned properties. As crews continue to dismantle the camps, some journalists covering these actions have reported that they have been threatened with arrest. Lexis-Olivier Ray, a reporter with L.A. Taco, was attempting to cover a camp cleanup in Los Angeles when officers told him he wasn’t allowed in a “secure work zone,” despite standing on the sidewalk across the street. Reporters at the Sacramento Bee described a similar situation, where police had cordoned off an entire city block and prevented them from entering, threatening arrest. Twenty press rights and civil liberties organizations wrote a letter Sept. 10, calling on California officials to “respect First Amendment rights and ensure transparency.” “Journalists should be able to do their jobs while government workers do theirs,” the letter stated. Good: The City of Soledad is looking at ways to transform its downtown and encourage residents to spend their dollars there, and those efforts got a boost thanks to a $50,000 federal grant it received on Sept. 5. The funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Program will be matched by the city, providing $100,000 for a feasibility study and economic impact report for a container village project. The “village,” proposed on city-owned properties on Front Street between Soledad and Kidder streets, could include spaces for restaurants, retail and an outdoor stage. “The Soledad Container Village Project aims to bring energy and vibrancy to our downtown corridor, stimulate economic growth, and create new jobs to boost the city’s economic vitality,” said Tencia Vargas, Soledad’s economic development and housing program coordinator. GREAT: There is great news for our collective well-being and the encouragement to take a deep breath courtesy of Meditate Monterey County. The initiative launches Thursday, Sept. 19 on the heels of Meditate America. The concept is to reduce barriers to entry to learn transcendental meditation, or TM, especially amid election-related anxiety. Until Nov. 12, the Monterey TM Center, led by Jo Ann Gesner, is expanding its free info sessions and offering up to 50-percent off on four-day introductory classes, meant to make students self-sufficient so they can practice meditation independently thereafter. “Because everyone is so stressed out, and we want to provide TM for as many people as possible, fees are reduced,” Gesner says. The next step is expanding offerings to teach groups of first responders in public safety and medical fields. “The goal,” Gesner says, “is to make it available to everyone.” GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s how many times more likely the Carmel Police Department is to stop Black people compared to white people based on stops per 10,000 residents, according to a survey of California Department of Justice data. Officers stopped people 931 times in 2023. Source: San Francisco Chronicle, via California Department of Justice 13.1 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “They are losing another lot that’s not going to be available to them.” -Monterey County Supervisor Glenn Church, voting against a Pajaro housing project approved 3-2 on Sept. 10 that would only be open to seasonal farmworkers, not general residents (see story, montereycountynow.com). Our 65+ Bay Area locations let us peek at a lot more boos. In-person or virtual visits at Pediatrics – Monterey genpeds.stanfordchildrens.org
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com 831 Future fiction writers don’t have to travel to Los Angeles or New York to launch their projects. They don’t even need to have long manuscripts. Since 2015, Northern California Writers’ Retreat has offered a five-day annual workshop on the Central Coast for a group of 198 writers who have a chance to work with a professional editor and meet literary agents. Right now, Heather Lazare, a former editorial assistant at Random House and former senior editor at Simon & Schuster, is recruiting writers for the 2025 workshops that will take place— each with different cohorts of 18 people—in March, April and May next year. (The submission period is now open and ends on Nov. 4.) Each session comes with an author-in-residence (who has published at least one book), two guest literary agents and Lazare, now an independent editor, for five days to work on their material, learn about publishing and hopefully launch their writing careers. Many past workshop participants have already signed a book deal. “I got an internship in publishing in my early 20s,” Lazare says. “I returned to the industry after a period of teaching English in France.” Lazare was raised in Carmel and Carmel Valley and her husband is from Pacific Grove, where the couple currently live with their son. They returned from New York in 2013. After coming back to the area, Lazare realized that there are not a lot of publishing opportunities locally. In 2015, at the San Francisco Writers Conference, she met literary agent Chelsea Lindman. Together, they came up with the workshop idea. In 2019, Lindman changed professions and Lazare took over. Up to 2020, the retreat took place in Santa Cruz; the pandemic moved it online. Finally, in 2023, the Northern California Writers’ Retreat found its home at Hidden Valley Music Seminars in Carmel Valley. What should a writer do to qualify? “I have to like their fiction,” Lazare says, emphasizing that she is driven by passion for good books. “I like all my writers.” It is the publishing process, not necessarily writing itself, that is at the heart of the workshop. The author-in-residence mentors the group, sharing their own experience. Some participants travel from as far as Seattle; each writer has to agree to spend five days and four nights in Carmel Valley, even if they are locals. There is a fee to participate—about $2,700—but one doesn’t need to pay just to be considered. To submit an application, writers don’t need a full manuscript; all that is required is 20 pages of fiction. There is a scholarship available to one of the lucky writers. Founded by 2024 Author-in-Residence Zakiya Dalila Harris, author of the New York Times bestselling novel The Other Black Girl, the scholarship covers 100 percent of the cost. The first session will feature Pacific Grove’s own Alka Joshi, the author of the award-winning The Jaipur Trilogy, as well as Margaret Sutherland Brown from Folio Literary Management and Amy Bishop-Wycisk from Trellis Literary Management. Other 2025 authors-in-residence will be Xochitl Gonzalez, the author of Olga Dies Dreaming, and Janet Skeslien Charles, the author of The Paris Library. Out of season, Lazare also meets with other writers independently, helping with their projects or finding a literary agent. She is most interested in contemporary literature, “the next great thing,” she says. Among her favorite books are Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke, Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin and Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe. In addition to the retreat, anyone can sign up for the Book Journey Club. It’s free, and they meet once a month via Zoom. Also, Lazare offers virtual courses for writers. “I’ll be adding more of these courses in the future and they are open to anyone who wants to learn more about publishing and writing—no application necessary,” Lazare says. For more on the Northern California Writers’ Retreat, email info@norcalwritersretreat.com or visit norcalwritersretreat.com. Writers’ Paradise A local workshop teaches authors about the publishing process and helps launch their writing careers. By Agata Pop˛eda Eighteen debuting writers, an author-in-residence, two literary agents and a professional editor work together each year in Carmel Valley to teach authors the ins and outs of publishing. Contemporary literature is “the next great thing.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE COURTESY OF HEATHER LAZARE EXPO BUSINESS monterey bay 2024 presented by CLAIM YOUR BOOTH! EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION NOW OPEN Connecting businesses throughout Monterey County THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2024 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM EMBASSY SUITES - MONTEREY BAY REGISTER NOW AT MONTEREYCHAMBER.COM
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 Lifestyles initiative wellness events at the Monterey Sports Center For more information: Visit montereysportscenter.org or email Lauri Ataide at ataide@monterey.gov in partnership with Healthy aging Saturday, September 21, 2024, 1–3 p.m. Hear from a Montage Health doctor on topics including bone health, fall prevention, and wellness resources. Día de los Muertos Sunday, October 27, 2024 Pumpkin plunge: 4–6 p.m. | Día de los Muertos: 6–8:30 p.m. A fun-filled event for families featuring the popular pumpkin plunge, music and dance performances celebrating Dia de los Muertos, and Montage Health’s family-friendly activities with Ohana and the Art Program. Revitalize together: A family health journey Saturday, January 11, 2025, 1–3 p.m. Prioritize your family’s well-being during this day dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles for all ages. Get resources for healthy nutrition, mental wellness, and preventive medicine. Sports medicine for boomers, genX, and millennials Saturday, March 8, 2025, 1–3 p.m. Discover the latest advancements in sports medicine with a lecture from a Montage Health doctor and learn important tips about physical therapy and injury prevention. Ready and resilient: Emergency preparedness Saturday, May 3, 2025, 1–3 p.m. Join this emergency preparedness workshop to learn skills and tools to stay safe during unexpected emergencies. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones. FREE EVENTS 301 East Franklin Street, Monterey, (831) 646-3730 Lifestyles initiative wellness events at the Monterey Sports Center For more information: Healthy aging Día de los Muertos Revitalize together: A family health journey Sports medicine for boomers, genX, and millennials Ready and resilient: Emergency preparedness
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY september 19-25, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com news Finding and keeping a home can be challenging for families in Monterey County. According to the Monterey County Office of Education, almost 13,000 students in transitional kindergarten through 12th grade are experiencing homelessness or housing instability. For the past couple years, MCOE has successfully run a program to aid families facing homelessness with funds from United Way, providing funds to families to pay rental deposits. The program is sunsetting, but a similar program is on the way, thanks to a $50,000 donation from the Housing for Kids Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County. Housing for Kids has been a partner to Monterey Peninsula Unified School District on initiatives to end homelessness, and is now expanding its scope. “We plan to have this be an ongoing program,” says Sandra Leader, a founding member of the Housing for Kids Fund. The funds will cover the pay for a part-time worker to run the program at MCOE and will provide qualifying families with money for a deposit, or those behind on payments for one month’s rent to help keep them housed. The program could start as early as November and is funded for the current 2024-25 school year. MCOE works with homeless liaisons in 24 school districts and eight charter schools across the county. The county office receives referrals from them of families in need. “We’re like their safety net,” says Donna Smith, MCOE’s program coordinator for Homeless Children and Youth Services Program. “This provides another way of supporting those students so they can focus on school.” Raising the Roof Nonprofit partners with County Office of Ed to fund a position supporting homeless students. By Celia Jiménez After being briefly laid off in 2020 in the wake of the pandemic, Beth Rocha, a Seaside city planner, put her fingers in the dirt. As the staff liaison to the city’s Environmental Commission, she had applied for a pollinator grant in 2019, and scores of plants were arrayed on the City Hall lawn to mature until they were put in the ground. So with some help, Rocha started doing just that, transforming a sandy corner of Seaside’s Capra Park—one of the city’s many pocket parks—into a flourishing community garden in just one year. The vegetables she and others planted there were free for the community to take, so long as they were ripe, and Rocha says the sunflowers would sometimes cause those driving by to pull over and snap a picture. Not having a place to garden at home, the park became Rocha’s therapeutic happy place, a place where she’s spent countless hours. Yet that garden, in a matter of minutes, was torn asunder by a vandal around 10:30am on Wednesday, Aug. 28. In a video the Weekly reviewed from a neighbor’s security camera, it was also clear that a Seaside Public Works employee was present, and even fist-bumped the vandal before and after the incident. On Sept. 12, Seaside Police announced charges against Tim Dunn Sr., 60, of misdemeanor vandalism. (Seaside Police Chief Nick Borges says that except in rare cases, a suspect in a misdemeanor case can only be arrested on the day of the incident.) Rocha says she’s interacted with Dunn Sr. a number of times in the park, adding that he goes by the nickname “Razor” and coaches youth basketball. “He’s somebody I’d probably see once a week every week the past few years,” Rocha says. “He’s someone who’d share food with me, and I’d share food with him from the garden. He was cool with not taking [a vegetable] until it’s good to go.” While Seaside PD’s Sept. 12 announcement stated Dunn’s motive remained unknown, Borges spoke with him over the phone the next day and says that Dunn was remorseful, and that he said he was going through some tough times in his personal life, and was upset to observe the Seaside employee removing grills from the park, which had been left there in violation of city code. “He was upset, and he lost it,” Borges says. “That’s his own words.” (Dunn could not be reached by the Weekly before deadline.) Officer Gabe Suarez, who investigated the case, says the department wasn’t informed of the crime until the following week. That would mean the Public Works employee who was present didn’t report it to police, at least not for some days. As for what discipline that employee may or not face, no one in the city will say, as personnel matters are confidential. Had the damage to the garden exceeded $1,000, Dunn Sr. could have been charged with a felony. Suarez says the estimate of the monetary damages he used in his investigation—several hundred dollars but less than $1,000—was given to him by the Public Works Department. Rocha is bummed there won’t be a full spaghetti squash harvest this year, and that Dunn cut down 20 sunflower plants before they could bloom. But as for the rest of the garden, which she and other volunteers helped repair and replant in the wake of the vandalism, Rocha says, “Overall, it’s still good.” Beth Rocha looks at the remnants of destroyed plants at Capra Park. Nonprofit Friends of Seaside Parks gathers volunteers to help maintain this and other parks. Done Dirty A misdemeanor vandalism charge is filed over the destruction of a community garden in Seaside. By David Schmalz Marty Fleetwood, Sandra Leader and Diane Driessen (left to right) helped organize an estate sale that raised $21,900 for the Housing for Kids Fund, which launched in 2022. “I’d share food with him from the garden.” Daniel Dreifuss Daniel Dreifuss
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 465 Russell Way, Marina 6 beds, 4 baths • $1,725,000 • www.465RussellWay.com 5030 Peninsula Point Drive, Seaside 5 beds, 3 baths • $1,499,000 • www.5030PeninsulaPoint.com 3013 Canvas Way, Marina 3 beds, 2.5 baths • $1,195,000 • www.3013DunesTeam.com 13326 Warren Avenue, East Garrison 4 beds, 3 baths • $1,026,000 • www.13326WarrenAve.com Interested in a property? Contact us to schedule a showing! 831.624.2300 MontereyCoastRealty.com CalDRE #01871677 Locally Owned. Globally Connected. View all available listings by scanning the code County of Monterey’s Family and Children’s Services is here to partner with community members by recruiting Resource Parents who partner with birth-families and support the goal of reunification. To learn how you can help keep families together, visit fcsmc.org Foster Youth in Monterey County Partner. Protect. Support.
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY september 19-25, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com Sunday, Sept. 22 marks the twoyear anniversary that Arelie Garcia, a 25-year-old woman from Salinas, was reported missing. To continue raising awareness and remind the community that there are still questions left unanswered, Garcia’s family has organized a march at 3:30pm at the Salinas Amtrak station on Market Street. “We don’t want her to be forgotten,” says Ely Garcia, one of Arelie’s older sisters. “It’s not that the police are not doing their job. We just want answers, we need our sister back. It’s been too long and we still don’t know what happened that day.” On the day of her disappearance, Arelie’s red Honda Accord was found in Big Sur near the Little Sur River Bridge, over 50 miles south of her home and work, with her purse, phone and keys inside. Her sisters used the “Find My” app to locate her after she failed to show up at work. The bulk of the information that’s been uncovered happened in the days following her disappearance. The Salinas Police Department and the Monterey County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team joined together to search for her using search dogs, drones and a helicopter. Since, they have exhausted all leads. SPD recently announced that the investigation is still ongoing and active. “We have not stopped, nor will we until we have answers about the disappearance of Arelie Garcia,” SPD wrote. They encourage the public to come forward with any information that could be relevant. “We’re trying our best to keep her name out there and spread awareness,” says Ely. “We never thought we would be in this position to begin with.” Arelie’s friends and family, especially her sisters Veronica and Ely, have been at work over the last couple years to find answers. They’ve created a Facebook page (Find Arelie Garcia), an Instagram account (@areliegarcia_2022) and a website (areliegarcia. com). They have also been raising funds for a billboard to share photos of Arelie and offer a cash reward to anyone with tips. For now, Ely says the billboard plans have stalled due to complications with billboard companies agreeing to post a non-business-related advertisement. Arelie is 27 years old, 5-foot-6 with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Detective Edwin Cruz with the Salinas Police Department at (831) 758-7393 or the anonymous tip line at (831) 7754222. Katie Rodriguez is a California Local News Fellow. Carmel, it seems, is not quite ready to enter the 21st century. Despite pleas from a growing number of residents who find it increasingly difficult to live a life without street addresses in a world that demands them, a Carmel City Council majority decided on Sept. 10 to not make a decision, but rather to kick it to the voters over a year from now. There were emotional pleas on both sides during the meeting: Those who wanted to protect Carmel’s village character and the 108-year tradition of no addresses versus those who miss package deliveries, struggle to get insurance or Real IDs, or who have had to flag down first responders in an emergency. Those against addresses asked for more public input leading to a vote by residents. Mayor Dave Potter, currently in a race against two challengers in the Nov. 5 election, obliged, making the motion to put the issue to the voters in November 2025. He said the council will decide later whether to make it an advisory vote or a measure. He was joined by councilmembers Bobby Richards and Alissandra Dramov in the 3-2 vote. A visibly frustrated Councilmember Karen Ferlito voted against it, along with Councilmember Jeff Baron, who is running for mayor against Potter. They wanted the process of adding street addresses to begin immediately. “We have people whose lives depend on this and their health depends on this,” Ferlito said. “It’s criminal to delay this past February or March.” Ferlito noted that the “world changed” after 9/11 and Covid, leading to requirements by the government and companies for an exact home address instead of a post office box. She said she and her husband had difficulty securing car insurance because their “car does not live at a P.O. box.” Ferlito and Baron argued the city should come into compliance with the state’s fire codes, as well as conform to U.S. Post Office rules. No Trace Arelie Garcia’s sisters are organizing a march two years after her disappearance. By Katie Rodriguez news Rent Control Salinas City Council meets to vote on a rent stabilization ordinance. Public comment is accepted. 4pm Tuesday, Sept. 24. Salinas Rotunda, 200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas. Free. 758-7381, cityofsalinas.org. Disaster Prep Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) presents a series of training sessions on emergency skills. The program educates people on disaster preparedness, training them on skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue and more. 8:30am-5:30pm Saturdays, Sept. 21, 28 and Oct. 5. Downtown Monterey. To enroll, email training@montereycert. org. bit.ly/MontereyCERT. Honoring Veterans Wreaths Across America accepts applications to donate for a wreath. The annual ceremony to place wreaths on veterans’ graves will be at the King City Cemetery Dec. 14. 10am-2pm Saturday, Sept. 21. Safeway, 530 Canal St., King City. $17/ wreath donation. (408) 802-4437. City Outlook The City of Marina hosts a workshop on the proposed general plan land use alternative to guide the city’s development for the next 20 years. The public can weigh in on topics, including parks and open space, transportation and conservation. 10am-noon Saturday, Sept. 21. Marina Community Center, 211 Hillcrest Ave., Marina. Free. marina2045.org. Healthy Aging Monterey Sports Center and Montage Health present a series of events to emphasize a holistic approach to health and preventative medicine. The first, “Healthy Aging,” covers topics of interest to older adults and their families, including wellness resources, diet and exercise, prescriptions and more. 1-3pm Saturday, Sept. 21. Monterey Sports Center, 301 E. Franklin St., Monterey. Free. ataide@monterey.gov, montereysportscenter.org. Donate Blood Upcoming blood drives invite donors to help combat a shortage. Noon-4pm Wednesday, Sept. 25. Monterey Peninsula College, 980 Fremont St., Monterey. Free. Make an appointment at (877) 258-4825 or vitalant.org. Legendary Lobos Monterey Peninsula College accepts nominations for the Lobo Legends awards. A March 15 celebration honors achievements of alumni, retirees and rising stars whose work has benefited MPC and the community. Nominations are open until Sept. 30. mpcfoundationinfo@mpc.edu, mpcfoundation.org. Return to Sender A Carmel City Council majority punts a decision on addresses to the voters—next year. By Pam Marino For Arelie Garcia’s friends and family, momentum is still key. They believe that continuing to share her photo and story will help keep the search going. e-mail: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX “We don’t want her to be forgotten.” Daniel Dreifuss
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 Vote for Uwe Grobecker For Monterey Peninsula Airport District Board Div. 3 Why am I running for Office? I want the Airport to review and update noise & safety mitigation programs which has not been done since 2007, To ensure transparency in our airport operations, To promote community involvement in the airport’s decision-making process, To only support air traffic growth, if it is community driven, To establish a citizen committee which includes representatives from local municipalities and neighborhoods. I want to be the liaison between FAA, the district’s board and our community. VOTE FOR UWE To support my campaign visit www.grobeckerforairport.com Paid for by Grobecker for Monterey Peninsula Airport District, District 3 - 2024 September 21-28 20% off all plantS, furniture, and garden decor Free local van delivery service over $350 del rey oakS 899 Rosita Rd, del Rey oaks 831-920-1231 SeaSide 1177 san Pablo ave, seaside 831-393-0400 40% off roSeS, fruit treeS, & SeaSonal itemS KL KL
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY September 19-25, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com Your address determines which school district you live in. And the lines around school districts are relatively fixed. In 2019, residents of the Hidden Canyon Ranch development in Prunedale petitioned to change the lines, moving 13 parcels from North Monterey County Unified School District into Lagunita Elementary School District and Salinas Union High School District for upper grades, consistent with 13 other parcels in the neighborhood. The Monterey County Office of Education approved the change in 2020. But North Monterey County Unified appealed, and won at the California State Board of Education, which voted 9-0 on Sept. 11 to keep the current district boundaries intact. The change—or rather, lack of a change—prevents the loss of $140,000 a year in revenue. Beyond keeping dollars in the district, it also keeps students from Hidden Canyon in the district. “This is more than just a victory for NMCUSD; it is a victory for communities that value diversity, equity and fairness,” NMCUSD Superintendent Matt Turkie said in a statement. “Schools are where children of all races and backgrounds come together to learn. Keeping our community whole is critical for the future of our students.” MCOE Trustee John McPherson, who chaired the county office’s committee on district lines, told the state board this petition was one of the most contentious territory transfers in his 12 years on the board. “I’m very confident the county committee went through the process correctly,” McPherson said. NMCUSD opposed the transfer, while LUSD supported it and SUHSD remained neutral. Daniel Stonebloom, principal/superintendent at Lagunita, says the change was for safety reasons since it is easier and faster for residents from the neighborhood to attend school at Lagunita. The transfer would have been small in size, less than 1 percent of NMCUSD’s assessed value. “How much is OK to take from a school district that already doesn’t have enough?” David Saldani, NMCUSD’s attorney, told the state board. Saldani described the transfer as a “developer’s move” to help sell the rest of the parcels in the development (10 of 13 are already developed). NMCUSD has over 4,400 students from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade enrolled. Over 90 percent of students are Latinx, including many bilingual students and about 200 Mixteco-speaking students. Most are low-income and nearly 30 percent have unstable housing. Opponents of the boundary change noted it could have the effect of segregating the district even further. “The proposed transfer is a social justice issue. A small group of wealthy individuals believe that it is not a big deal to steal from our school district. Our staff and families disagree,” Antonio Garcia, assistant superintendent at NMCUSD, told the state board. Lagunita is a small district with only 61 students this school year; most are white (52 percent) and 50 percent are transfers from other districts (half of the transfers come from NMCUSD). Border Line North Monterey County Unified School District wins an appeal to keep its district intact. By Celia Jiménez North Monterey County Unified School District administrators were joined by civil rights activist Dolores Huerta (front row, second from left) in making their appeal to the State Board of Ed in Sacramento. NEWS “The proposed transfer is a social justice issue.” ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES Stop By To Shop And Find Your Vintage Treasure OVER 100 DEALERS 21,000 SQUARE FEET The Largest Antiques and Collectibles Mall on the Central Coast 471 WAVE STREET MONTEREY (831) 655-0264 P M canneryrowantiquemall.com Open Daily 11am-6pm ’23 Voted Monterey County's Best Antique Shop ♦ 3 Card Poker ♠ Century 21st No Bust Black Jack ♣ Texas Hold’em ♥ Baccarat FULL BAR! BLACKJACK BONUS POINTS PAYS UP TO $20,000 SMALL TOWN BIG PAYOUTS! 1-800-Gambler • Gega-003846, Gega-Gega-003703, Gega-000889 Gega-000891 Gega-002838 The Marina Club Casino ensures the safety and security of all guests and team members at all times, while providing exceptional service. 204 Carmel Ave. Marina 831-384-0925 casinomonterey.com ♠ ♣ ♥ ♦ Just minutes from Downtown Monterey Where Monterey Comes To Play
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 Helen Diallo knows both the joy and the pain of the childbirth experience. The Monterey resident has experienced four pregnancies in Monterey County, one of which ended in a miscarriage. “I understand the fear, dread and anxiety that mothers can face, particularly of African ancestry,” says Diallo, who is African American. “It’s such a vulnerable space to be in physically and emotionally— and it’s such a magical and wonderful place to be in at the same time.” Diallo has been helping other pregnant and postpartum women for years, including through a WhatsApp group where women can ask questions and get support from experts enlisted by Diallo and each other. Now she’s turning her passion into becoming a certified doula, thanks to a new program at Parenting Connection of Monterey County. Research has shown that the use of trained and certified doulas who help pregnant women before, during and after birth leads to increased positive delivery outcomes, fewer C-sections and reduced anxiety, among other benefits. In 2022 the state approved adding doulas as a benefit for Medi-Cal patients, beginning in January 2023. Approval on paper was one thing, finding doulas in the county willing to sign on as providers was another. The region’s Medi-Cal provider, Central California Alliance for Health, tried offering incentives to doulas to sign, and even $10,000 bonuses to nonprofits that recruited bilingual doulas. It took over a year to find two doulas who began as providers in April. The process is now receiving a significant jumpstart through an $800,000 grant from the Alliance to PCMC to create and operate a training program and support hub for doulas. Two classes of 10 doula trainees each will begin training in October. Trainees are paid for their time in class. Once they graduate and become state certified, they will be supported by PCMC with mentors, continuing education and handling of all Medi-Cal billing. PCMC Executive Director Jaimee De Pompeo says there’s been a dearth of doulas locally partly because it can be a hard profession lacking emotional support. “There is a big issue with burnout,” she says. Low pay, being on call for births and witnessing difficult birth situations can take a toll. Mentors should help alleviate some of the strain. Handling billing is also a challenge for individual doulas. PCMC will be doing it on their behalf, in turn paying them an hourly wage. The doulas will operate under PCMC’s business liability insurance and business license. Working with other nonprofit partners—Maternal Mental Health Task Force, Kweens’ Kounsel and Birth Network of Monterey County—PCMC was able to recruit trainees. Many of the trainees have already served as birth support for family and their community, like Diallo, who says she’s excited for the new opportunity. “It is my hope in developing this new workforce of doulas, we can hold some of the weight for them so they can exist in the love and light of the work they are doing, which is bringing new life into the world,” Diallo says. Double Time A new training and support program is finally bringing more doulas to Monterey County. By Pam Marino Jaimee De Pompeo, Marissa Hernandez, Stephanie Alfaro and LyVesha Franklin (from left to right) are leading a new effort at the Parenting Connection of Monterey County to support doulas. NEWS “It’s a vulnerable and magical place at the same time.” DANIEL DREIFUSS POTENTIAL UNLOCK YOUR Join Our Exclusive FREE Webinar on Longevity and Health Optimization! We are excited to invite you to an exclusive webinar hosted by our Director of Longevity and Human Performance, Dave Liotta. This is a unique opportunity to learn about the cutting-edge services we offer to enhance your health and longevity. In this informative In this informative session, youwill: • Discover how VO2 max testing can provide insights into your cardiovascular fitness. • Understand the benefits of DEXA body composition and DEXA bone density tests for a comprehensive view of your health. • Learn about our habit tracking methods to help you maintain and achieve your wellness goals. Expertise: Dave Liotta is our Director of Longevity and Human Performance, bringing extensive experience and knowledge in optimizing health and wellness. Scan the QR code to register for our free webinar Event Details Date: 09/25/2024 Time: 5pm-6pm Platform: Don’t miss this chance to gain insights that could transform your health and well-being. Register today to secure your spot! Dave Liotta POTENTIAL UNLOCK YOUR Join Our Exclusive FREE Webinar on Longevity and Health Optimization! We are excited to invite you to an exclusive webinar hosted by our Director of Longevity and Human Performance, Dave Liotta. This is a unique opportunity to learn about the cutting-edge services we offer to enhance your health and longevity. In this informative In this informative session, youwill: Discover how VO2 max testing can provide insights into your cardiovascular fitness. • Understand the benefits of DEXA body composition and DEXA bone density tests for a comprehensive view of your health. • Learn about our habit tracking methods to help you maintain and achieve your wellness goals. Expertise: Dave Liotta is our Director of Longevity and Human Performance, bringing extensive experience and knowledge in optimizing health and wellness. Scan the QR code to register for our free webinar Event Details Date: 09/25/2024 Time: 5pm-6pm Platform: Don’t miss this chance to gain insights that could transform your health and well-being. Register today to secure your spot! Dave Liotta Expertise: Dave Liotta is our Director of Longevity and Human Performance, bringing extensive experience and knowledge in optimizing health and wellness POTENTIAL UNLOCK YOUR Join Our Exclusive FREE Webinar on Longevity and Health Optimization! We are excited to invite you to an exclusive webinar hosted by our Director of Longevity and Human Performance, Dave Liotta. This is a unique opportunity to learn about the cutting-edge services we offer to enhance your health and longevity. In this informative In this informative session, youwill: • Discover how VO2 max testing can provide insights into your cardiovascular fitness. • Understand the benefits of DEXA body composition and DEXA bone density tests for a comprehensive view of your health. • Learn about our habit tracking methods to help you maintain and achieve your wellness goals. Dave Liotta is our Director of Longevity and Human Performance, bringing extensive experience and knowledge in optimizing health and wellness. Scan the QR code to register for our free webinar Event Details Date: 09/25/2024 Time: 5pm-6pm Platform: Don’t miss this chance to gain insights that could transform your health and well-being. Register today to secure your spot! Dave Liotta UNLOCK YOUR Join Our Exclusive FREE Webinar on Longevity and Health Optimization! We are excited to invite you to an exclusive webinar hosted by our Director of Longevity and Human Performance, Dave Liotta. This is a unique opportunity to learn about the cutting-edge services we offer to enhance your health and longevity. In this informative In this informative session, youwill: • Discover how VO2 max testing can provide insights into your cardiovascular fitness. • Understand the benefits of DEXA body composition and DEXA bone density tests for a comprehensive view of your health. • Learn about our habit tracking methods to help you maintain and achieve your wellness goals. Expertise: Dave Liotta is our Director of Longevity and Human Performance, bringing extensive experience and knowledge in optimizing health and wellness. Scan the QR code to register for our free webinar Event Details Date: 09/25/2024 Time: 5pm-6pm Platform: Don’t miss this chance to gain insights that could transform your health and well-being. Register today to secure your spot! Dave Liotta
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY september 19-25, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com out for delivery Don’t lose farmlands to Amazon’s Darwinian toxic culture (“Amazon is coming to Salinas. What does that mean for the future?” posted Sept. 14). More than 31 million acres of U.S. agricultural land have been irrevocably lost to urban expansion since 1982 and an additional 175 acres of farm and ranchland are lost every hour to make way for housing and other industries. The land that is being lost is some of the most productive agricultural land in the country. Michael Manzano | Pacific Grove For god’s sake leave the massive Amazon project for elsewhere (“Roadwork is set to begin as Amazon prepares to build a warehouse in Salinas,” Sept. 12-18). Be forewarned of one monster breeding others. We’ve lived it in onceopen orange groves, strawberry fields, and small homes with horses, riding trails, small ranches with local produce and eggs, etc. Monterey County is on a very slippery slope here and does not need this. Once you allow just one you are doomed to become another “L.A.- ized” monster. Once you lose it, it’s gone forever. Put the brakes on. Leslie F. Rice | Garden Grove, Calif. Weapons of War Ban assault weapons. Those are for only the military (“A law that takes guns away from potentially dangerous people is picking up steam—but not in Monterey County,” Sept. 5-11). Anthony Johnson | via social media Thank you Erik Chalhoub and Sara Rubin for your excellent articles on the use of guns and statistics. I have been peripherally involved since 1993 when a student at Gilroy High shot another student during PE class. As a City Council member, I sponsored a very successful gun turn-in day soon afterward. In recent years, Gilroy and Morgan Hill have had two gun turn-in days (also successful) where those who submitted their weapons were paid by funds through the District Attorney’s office. As you noted, Santa Clara County has also been fairly successful using gun violence restraining orders. Connie Rogers | Gilroy School Dues The last bond measure is costing me $600 per year in property tax (“Local school districts are asking voters to approve 14 bond measures for upgrades,” Sept. 5-11). Now this one will be another $600 more per year. With rising costs I can’t afford another tax increase. Fifty percent of the state’s budget is spent on education and they still need more money. California public schools rank one of the lowest in the nation with student proficiency. After spending $128 billion on education last year, we should have one of the best programs in the nation. These politicians and superintendents need to be held accountable for the mismanagement of our tax dollars. Only way to prevent them from spending is to stop giving it to them. Reggie Owens | Seaside As a third-generation Toreador, I am so proud of all the progress being made at Monterey High. The Science Innovation Center is state of the art and looks like a building you would find on a college campus rather than a high school. The new lower field and lights will provide safety for students. The small theater is now a great place to watch young performers on stage. The one thing on campus that remains a relic of the past is Monterey High’s pool which was built in the 1920s. It is an embarrassment that we can’t host home swim meets or water polo games. It is shameful that my kid will have to swim in the same pool her grandparents swam in 50-plus years ago. I support Measure A to keep the progress going and finally redo the pool at MHS. Heather Sever | Monterey To Health I’m especially interested and appreciative of the work Pam Marino and colleagues are doing to cover this critical beat (“A state hearing about health care prices puts local hospitals under the microscope,” posted Aug. 30). I just wanted to register my strong interest, and encourage you to keep the spotlight on this fraught topic. Mary Jane Perna | Monterey Ride into the Sunset When I was at Carmel High I worked at the stables in the summers (19571959). Dick Collins, my godfather, ran the stables then. I shoveled out stalls, fed the horses and rented out horses at $2 an hour. Riding those trails down to the beach and on the sand dunes is something I will never forget (“The Pebble Beach Equestrian Center is demolished after efforts to save it fail,” posted Sept. 13). Where are residents going to keep their horses now? [Pebble Beach Co.] did not need to do this. Who on earth came up with a bid of $15 million to fix the place up? Was each horse to have its own boudoir with room service, breakfast in bed and a five-piece bathroom with gold faucets? Richard Douglas Varlay | Alamogordo, N.M. Doctor’s Orders My son had a sinus infection when he was 10. His pediatrician prescribed an antibiotic and a few days of boogie boarding at the beach. Saltwater and Vitamin D were just what the doctor ordered (“A program that prescribes park visits for better health gets a booster shot,” Sept. 12-18). Valentina Rosendeau | via social media Open Seat Vote for Jean Rasch for Monterey City Council District 3 (“Monterey’s mayoral and council hopefuls will share their ideas during a panel discussion,” posted Aug. 26). You can count on her to do everything in her power to defeat attempts to remove control from our neighborhoods. Jean has shown commitment serving as our president of the Monterey Vista Neighborhood and as representative on the Neighborhood Community Improvement Program. Jean fought to prevent wireless cell towers next to our homes. She’s a relationship builder who listens to us. Jean’s a smart, thoughtful leader with a law degree. She puts residents first! Giovanni Adamo | Monterey Correction An image that appeared in the Visuals section (“Hot Picks,” Sept. 5-11) was not the correct image described and attributed to artist Joan Lewis. It was a piece by artist Jose Ortiz. 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 september 19-25, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 15 Nearly half of Monterey County’s private-sector jobs are in the region’s two biggest industries, agriculture and hospitality. That these two fields dominate our economic landscape is not new information. What is new is data at a granular level, region by region and city by city, in a report produced by Beacon Economics, set to be released on Friday, Sept. 20. The report, paid for by the County of Monterey and the Monterey County Business Council using pandemic-era American Rescue Plan funds, is the first of its kind, setting forth benchmark data by jurisdiction. Generally, it shows resilience since the pandemic—wages are up and jobs are up. From the third quarter of 2022 to the third quarter of 2023, the average wage in the private sector in Monterey County rose by 4.4 percent, better than California’s average 0.4-percent increase. Small businesses increased their workforces, while large businesses contracted. While each city’s data varies, overall there is a rebound since pre-pandemic times: Monterey has 481 fewer jobs than pre-pandemic, Seaside has 468 more jobs and Salinas has 156 less. Some communities’ employment rose slightly, and others shrank over the same time period. Economist Christopher Thornberg of Beacon Economics will present the report on Sept. 20, and he’ll share that overall trend on post-pandemic recovery. But he’s also looking ahead, and he has advice for policymakers. “One thing that immediately pops out is the employment base hasn’t changed at all,” Thornberg says. “That’s due to lack of labor force growth and lack of housing growth. One thing the county clearly needs is more economic diversification. “At one level what you see is good signs that important parts of the economy are moving forward. That being said, you’re not seeing the kind of diversification of the local economy that, for long-term sustainability and health, it really needs.” Over-reliance on agriculture and hospitality means too few opportunities. And especially as the presence of technology increases in agriculture—the biggest private-sector employer by far, accounting for over 1 in 3 jobs—Thornberg sees a need for local people to have more diverse local job prospects. His suggestion for a remedy sounds surprisingly simple. It doesn’t require courting a big tech giant or giving tax breaks to lure a mega-employer from somewhere else; it’s housing. “Our problem is a lack of multifamily housing,” Thornberg says. “There’s not enough and we’re not building enough.” His analysis is that more housing means more prospective workers, and that means more business owners can open up shop and find people to hire. “Politicians get elected by telling people what they want to hear. What people want to hear is we can have lots of growth with no new housing, no new traffic and no new people,” Thornberg says. He blames NIMBY thinking for stalling housing growth. (He also thinks rent control is the wrong direction—it’s a lack of supply that is the right problem to solve. “The increase in demand is driven by renter incomes, [which are] driven by tight labor markets,” he says. While I agree that supply is a problem we need to solve, I also think the desperate stories of tenants who need a place to live demand immediate protections.) We’ve all seen the ubiquitous “help wanted” signs at farm fields and in restaurants. Even these dominant industries can’t hire enough people—there simply aren’t enough workers. And there aren’t enough workers, Thornberg says, because there isn’t enough housing. “Monterey County has great bones,” Thornberg says, noting the unique, built-in qualities that make our agriculture and tourism industries the world leaders that they are. “It means the world can be your oyster, but it all depends on leading into change.” Change is hard, as they say, but it’s coming. And if we want opportunities for today’s young people to find jobs that can support them and keep them here—something that seemingly everyone says they want—it’s going to require a serious effort at solving our housing crisis. Monterey County Business Council hosts Chris Thornberg’s presentation and breakfast at 9:30am-noon Friday, Sept. 20. Monterey Conference Center. $25. 216-3000, mcbc.biz. Sara Rubin is the Weekly’s editor. Reach her at sara@montereycountynow.com. Living Wage A first-ever report shows Monterey County’s economy needs to diversify. By Sara Rubin Water Way…In Squid’s lair, the water is free. Not so on land, where a complicated mess of bills from utility company Cal Am plus fees from Monterey Peninsula Water Management District have long had members of the Monterey Peninsula Taxpayers’ Association up in arms. There was a user fee, collected from property owners by Cal Am and remitted to MPWMD from 1983 to 2009, which the California Public Utilities Commission then directed the district to stop collecting. But the district still needed revenue, so in 2012, enacted Ordinance 152—a different fee, this time with a sunset provision. Five years later, the CPUC revisited that earlier fee and reauthorized it. The taxpayers’ association saw double-dipping: Both the old fee (amounting to roughly $4.5 million per year), plus the new 152 fee (about $3.3 million per year), which was supposed to sunset. But MPWMD kept collecting, so in 2021, the taxpayers’ group sued. They won in Monterey County Superior Court; the water district tried to get a new trial and was denied, then appealed the ruling. On Sept. 11, the Sixth District Court of Appeal ruled, again siding with the taxpayers. MPWMD General Manager Dave Stoldt says a refund amount remains TBD. Even with water prices what they are, lawsuits cost a lot more; now MPWMD has to pay the taxpayers’ association’s legal costs, too. Forwarding Address…Once in a while, Squid considers running for office Squidself, but then Squid remembers: There are no elections in the jurisdiction of the sea, just a Darwinian food web. On land, bright lines are drawn around electoral areas, including the six districts that comprise Salinas City Council. Four of those six districts are up for election this Nov. 5, including a partial, two-year term in District 3, where former councilmember Steve McShane resigned midterm. The hotly contested four-person race includes current Hartnell College trustee Margaret D’Arrigo, who lists her Maple Park address on her candidacy papers. That same “crown jewel” of a Tudor-style home is now listed for sale for nearly $1.6 million. According to a real estate listing posted on Sept. 11 on Redfin and Zillow, “Evoking the glamour of the Rat Pack era, this 5-bedroom, 3.5-bath residence offers a blend of classic architecture and modern comfort.” At 3,494 square feet, there’s even space for a campaign headquarters (not noted in the listing). It’s a “timeless treasure,” but Squid checked and there is timing associated with holding office: Elected officials must reside in the district they represent. D’Arrigo tells Squid’s colleague she is moving just around the corner: “I’m not leaving District 3, no way—I love it here.” Squid’s land-lubbing counterparts will surely be checking back in. the local spin SQUID FRY THE MISSION OF MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY IS TO INSPIRE INDEPENDENT THINKING AND CONSCIOUS ACTION, ETC. “One thing the county needs is economic diversification.” Send Squid a tip: squid@montereycountynow.com
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