28 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY November 21-27, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com LOCAL SHOPPING The work that nonprofit Marine Life Studies does takes place mostly on a boat. So too does the work that Operations Assistant Sean Ira does. He’s a marine science student at CSU Monterey Bay, and also serves as a deckhand and data recorder for the nonprofit. And recently, he also started working three days a week in a tiny, 137-squarefoot gift shop that previously served as the organization’s office. “This job has helped so much with falling back in love with [marine science],” he says. The benefit shop features items largely by local artists, including dried, pressed kelp lovingly framed by volunteer Winne Mulé of Santa Cruz. There are crocheted jellies and fish by Sabrina Gill of Carmel, and an extensive collection of stationery, stickers, fine art prints and pillowcases by the late Santa Cruz artist Doug Ross, whose bright and blocky science illustrations capture flocks of seagulls, a giant squid-versuswhale standoff and sharks that may be smiling. Larger metal pieces by Robert Seals of Los Gatos feature sea stars, pelicans or otters suitable for any beach bungalow. Just down the street, Elkhorn Slough Safari’s large office for boat ride check-ins doubles as an extensive bookshop and gift shop, organized according to topic: Sharks, whales, inverts, California, nature journaling. (The otter gear is a perpetual best-seller, says naturalist Isabella Rose, noting that that collection expands beyond the academic to include plush toys, socks and T-shirts. There are also popular field guides to coastal wildlife.) There is a solid selection of hyper-local books—Mother-Daughter Murder Night, a novel set in Elkhorn Slough by Nina Simon, and the environmental history book Humbled: How California’s Monterey Bay Escaped Industrial Ruin by County Supervisor Glenn Church and his wife, Kathryn McKenzie. Of course, any representation of kelp, otters, seals, etc. reflects Moss Landing. The flora and fauna viewing opportunities here are unrivaled, and even if the best way to experience it is with your own eyes, the greeting cards, puzzles and books do a beautiful job of reflecting the place—and make for a souvenir to enjoy indoors by a fire, no cold winter wind in your face. Marine Life Studies benefit shop, 8425 Moss Landing Road, Suite C1, Moss Landing. Open 10am-6pm Thursday, Saturday, Sunday. 901-3833, marinelifestudies.org. Elkhorn Slough Safari gift shop, 7981 Moss Landing Road, Suite E, Moss Landing. Open 9am-5pm daily. 6335555, elkhornslough.com. SARA RUBIN Wild World Moss Landing is a hub for marine research, and thematic shopping destinations. By Sara Rubin Pillow cases, local art, plushies and more are stuffed into Marine Life Studies’ tiny gift shop in Moss Landing. carmel plaza • carmel-by-the-sea khakisofcarmel • 831.625.8106 new holiday arrivals from italy sport coats, sweaters, jackets and more.
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