january 16-22, 2025 montereycountynow.com LOCAL & INDEPENDENT cheese and beer (and a liquor license) 10 | color scheme 26 | secret spicy sauce 34 First Place General Excellence • 2024 CA Journalism Awards • As Donald Trump is sworn in for another term as president, local elected officials plan their strategy. p. 16 By David Schmalz Resistance 2.0
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY january 16-22, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com January 16-22, 2025 • ISSUE #1903 • Established in 1988 Jan Austin (iPhone 13) Lots of ladybugs! It’s common to see ladybugs aggregate in large clusters during cold winter weather, such as this group seen in Partington Canyon in Big Sur. Monterey County photo of the week Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: Monterey County’s two representatives of Congress, Zoe Lofgren (District 18) and Jimmy Panetta (District 19), are Democrats reckoning with a new reality under the incoming Trump administration. Cover photo: Photo illustration using photos by Daniel Dreifuss and Shutterstock etc. Copyright © 2025 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 JANUARY 16-22, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 3
4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 16-22, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH Meta’s decision to scrap its third-party fact-checkers will open its platforms—Facebook, Instagram and Threads—to even more disinformation, critics say, which even CEO Mark Zuckerberg admitted. On Jan. 7, Zuckerberg announced Meta is replacing its fact-checkers with “community notes” generated by users. “Fact checkers have been too politically biased and have destroyed more trust than they’ve created,” Zuckerberg said. “What started as a movement to be more inclusive has increasingly been used to shut down opinions and shut out people with different ideas, and it’s gone too far.” Meta launched its fact-checking program in 2016 in an attempt to cull the spread of disinformation, especially in light of the election season. But critics view Meta’s recent announcement as an attempt to curry favor with President-elect Donald Trump, who has long railed against fact-checkers as being biased against him. The move also puts some journalists out of work, whose fact-checking organizations relied on funding from Meta. Good: The simple act of sending a card to someone can make them feel loved and not forgotten—something that many living in care facilities, nursing homes and other assisted living facilities are missing. Active Seniors, Inc. and the Alliance on Aging have teamed up to help lessen the isolation these residents may be experiencing during the Valentine’s Day season. For the past several years, the two organizations have put out a call to the public to hand-craft Valentine’s cards to be distributed to facilities across the county. The cards range from pre-school students making scribbled notes to seniors crafting elaborate art projects—but all have the same positive impact on the recipient. About 3,000 people are typically given a card during the season, according to Active Seniors. Cards must be mailed or delivered to the Alliance on Aging, 247 Main St., Salinas, 93901 by Feb. 5. GREAT: The Long Valley, a 13-minute documentary on the people of the Salinas Valley, is one of 57 short films that will be part of the Sundance Film Festival in Utah from Jan. 23-Feb. 2. 433 Pictures’ film is directed and produced by Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck and Robert Machoian, who both have deep roots in Monterey County. “We wanted to document the Salinas Valley and its people because we both have personal connections to the area,” said Machoian, who grew up in King City. The daily lives of Central and South American immigrants in the valley’s agricultural community are portrayed through a series of tableaus. “This film continues our ongoing exploration of rural communities in the U.S. using a photobook aesthetic, bridging the space between still photography and film,” Ojeda-Beck said. The Long Valley was one of 57 short films selected, out of 11,153 submissions from throughout the world, according to the festival. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s how many firefighters from the Monterey Fire Department are currently in Los Angeles fighting the Palisades Fire, which has so far destroyed more than 9,000 structures. Dozens of firefighters from agencies across Monterey County, including Salinas, Seaside and Cal Fire BEU, are battling the massive blazes consuming areas of Southern California. Source: Monterey Fire Department 8 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “You don’t plop or expand these sorts of things into critical wildlife corridors.” -Andy Hsia-Coron of Protect San Benito County, whose group joined an appeal of the Big Red Barn’s permit to expand events (see story, montereycountynow.com). Try Us First. We Pay The Highest! MONTEREY COIN SHOPPE Since 1970 same street for 40 years Open Mon-Thur 11am-4pm and Friday by appointment only. Call for an appointment: 831.646.9030 449 Alvarado St., Monterey www.montereycoinshoppe.com WE BUY GOLD AND SILVER, JEWELRY, COINS, DIAMONDS, WATCHES, ART & RARE ANTIQUES Quantities are limited! Call ahead for availability and variety. Del Rey Oaks 899 Rosita Rd, del Rey oaks 831-920-1231 seasiDe 1177 san Pablo ave, seaside 831-393-0400 Bare Root season Has arrived! Come and check out our selection of fruit trees and roses. save 25% Off tHe RegulaR pRiCe By Buying DuRing tHe DORmant seasOn. Purchasing early in the season means better selection, price, and success for the home gardener. g Sale StartS January 17th. h KL New Year, New Leadership, New Vision With new leadership, Monterey County Bank aims to strengthen partnerships that support local businesses, promote sustainable development, and enrich the overall quality of life in Monterey County. montereycountybank.com We invite you to come visit us at one of our locations in Monterey, Salinas, Carmel and Pacific Grove.
www.montereycountynow.com JANUARY 16-22, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 831 Community service for young people may be dismissed as a requirement; what if it was a family activity that helped multiple generations develop a shared interest? There is a mother-daughter organization where the duos work as teams to build community and provide service. Through the National Charity League Monterey Bay, mothers, called “Patronesses,” and daughters (in grades 7-12), called “Ticktockers,” spend time with other girls and women on community service projects, building leadership skills while they learn more about the community they live in. “You develop these relationships with people that you wouldn’t normally meet or interact with, because it’s kids from all over Monterey County,” says Hillary Fish, who joined in 2023 with her daughter Jocelyn. Last year her daughter Claire joined as well. NCL is a national organization based in Costa Mesa that has been around since 1925, and now has more than 250 chapters across the country. The Monterey Bay chapter formed in 1991 and currently has over 200 active members. The organization seeks to strengthen the mother-daughter relationship, while empowering women and providing community support. NCLMB works with a variety of different organizations across the county, including Alliance on Aging, Dorothy’s Place, MY Museum and the Big Sur Marathon Foundation. Members get involved in volunteer activities that need labor, from gift wrapping to serving food to unsheltered people to helping build a community garden. Gina and Addy Cremers joined NCL when Addy was in seventh grade. They like contributing to their community. “It’s time that we put aside to make sure we are spending time together,” Gina Cremers says. One project they say was fulfilling was with the Pass the Word Ministry, where they prepared and served breakfast for unhoused individuals. Fish says everyone contributes, from both generations. “It’s hands-on for both moms and daughters. I think that’s pretty neat,” she adds. The mother-daughter duos work in cohorts based on the Ticktockers’ high school graduation year, with each cohort working on a different project. Since the summer, the Cremerses and other members of the class, about 35 people including both moms and daughters, worked in the community garden at the Hope Housing program at the Nancy Dodd Community Center, a transition housing program in Marina. “We learned a lot of new skills like irrigation and planting vegetables,” Addy Cremers says. The group also set it up to become an ongoing project for future cohorts to continue their efforts. “We’re hoping that in the future, other girls in NCL can go to the garden and help maintain it and keep it nice,” Addy says. Members hold annual events including a mother/daughter tea, a senior recognition luncheon and Martin Luther King Jr. book drive. Last year through the latter initiative, they collected around 1,300 books. The book drive is now underway again, with 14 orange collection boxes at a variety of locations, seeking donations of books for readers ages 0-12 in English, Spanish, bilingual or pictorial. “This is an initiative that is done nationally for NCL, but on a local level, we get to choose our participating organizations,” Fish says. That means books will be distributed to local organizations including Community Partnership for Youth, the Salvation Army and The Village Project. Patronesses and Ticktockers are involved in an array of volunteering opportunities; while some may be fun, others show the harsh realities many people experience in their lives. “I feel like every time it’s just opened my eyes more to the need out there, and every time we go and do a philanthropy, I just feel like, ‘Wow! Why haven’t I done this before?’” Gina says. National Charity League Monterey Bay’s annual MLK Jr. book drive runs until Monday, Jan. 20. For information on how and where to donate, visit nationalcharityleague.org/chapter/montereybay. Family Time A local organization brings mothers and daughters closer through community service. By Celia Jiménez National Charity League volunteer Crystal Gaudette paints a child’s face at the MY Museum New Year’s event. The National Charity League is a mother/daughter organization that gets involved in different events. “Wow! Why haven’t I done this before?” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE DANIEL DREIFUSS
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY january 16-22, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com news The city of Marina lacks an arts center where local artists can present their work and residents can peruse the art scene. But that could change. City officials are exploring the possibility of turning a structure from the former Fort Ord into an arts village. On Jan. 7, residents, city staff and councilmembers toured the abandoned building, located at 1st Avenue and 8th Street. The narrow structure, which is 60 feet wide by 1,000 feet long and located on a six-acre tract, is part of a proposed arts district in the city’s University Villages Specific Plan. The original concept was to use the space for galleries, studio space, shops and an innovation center. “We don’t have a lot of public places where people can enjoy the coast,” says Councilmember Liesbeth Visscher, whose district includes the building. She adds this space could also be a good location for a Fort Ord museum. The project is a partnership between developer Marina Community Partners, which has built nearby housing and shopping; MCP ceded the property to Marina in 2019. It is estimated that the cost to rehabilitate the old Army warehouse will be $2.7 million. The city and MCP have set aside $1.35 million each for the project. If the costs are higher, the city would cover the difference. However, funds do not exist after the council said yes to a sports center. On Jan. 22, Marina City Council is set to decide whether to stabilize or demolish the structure. If they choose the former, it would need a new roof, landscaping, exterior lighting and more. “I need to clearly understand how the funds will be allocated and where is the best use of taxpayer dollars,” Councilmember Jenny McAdams says. Art Space Marina explores turning derelict former Fort Ord building into an arts village. By Celia Jiménez Andrew Hawryluk remembers the cows peacefully grazing in the 80-acre bucolic pasture that lies up Olmsted Road, opposite Monterey Regional Airport, part of the undeveloped land south of Highway 68 known as Tarpy Flats. One day the cows disappeared. Neighbors investigated, later discovering that the County of Monterey was eyeing the land to meet its state-mandated housing goals and a developer was considering a 350-unit project. The Save Tarpy Flats Consortium was born, with 250 nearby households as members. With Hawryluk as president, the group successfully lobbied to have the parcel removed from the county’s housing element as a potential source of units to meet the county’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation target, arguing that the land is a natural wetlands, home to endangered flora and fauna and has cultural significance to Indigenous peoples. Its removal from the list does not mean the land cannot be developed. In total, the county needs to plan for 3,326 units to meet its RHNA goal—nearly 2,200 in the low- to moderate-income categories—a task it was supposed to have completed by December 2023. County planners submitted a draft element in August that included a list of parcels that could potentially be developed. In November, the California Department of Housing and Community Development issued a findings letter indicating not all the parcels were viable, among other deficiencies. Without a state-certified plan, the county is open to what’s known as “builder’s remedy,” a law that makes it easier for developers to get project approvals, even if they don’t meet zoning requirements, as long as they include 20-percent low-income units. In the past year, 11 such projects have been submitted, including the Tarpy Flats parcel where landowner Saucito Land Company is currently proposing 80 single-family homes over 4,000 square feet each and 20 multi-family rental units that are less than 850 square feet. While builder’s remedy may streamline the process, it’s not a guarantee that a project will be developed. It still must go through a review under the California Environmental Quality Act and can be denied if it can be proved the project will compromise public health or safety, or does not conform to state and federal laws or that the land is necessary for agriculture or resource preservation. Hawryluk questions the wisdom of constructing 80 above-moderate-rate homes and only 20 low-income inclusionary units when the county needs more lower-income housing. He believes it would be better for the county to focus on providing affordable housing in areas closer to resources such as grocery stores and public transportation. “For 20 units we’re going to ruin this natural preserve,” he says, overlooking the property. His group wants to purchase the land from Saucito and donate it to the nonprofit Big Sur Land Trust, which owns an adjacent property. The housing element is scheduled to go back to the Monterey County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 4. Chief of Planning Melanie Beretti told the Planning Commission on Jan. 8 that planners are working toward an updated draft element for public review in May or June, with a final document going to the commission and board by summer. “We need to get a certified element as soon as feasible,” she said. Andrew Hawryluk of the Save Tarpy Flats Consortium stands next to a pasture where a builder’s remedy proposal aims for 80 luxury homes and 20 low-income units. Side Ways Builder’s remedy proposals stack up as the county strives to complete a housing plan. By Pam Marino Marina city officials are considering transforming this vacant building into an arts center. If approved, the project will be under the direction of Marina Community Partners. Not all the parcels were viable. Daniel Dreifuss Daniel Dreifuss
www.montereycountynow.com JANUARY 16-22, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 Federally Insured by NCUA | Equal Housing Lender 831.479.6000 or toll-free at 888.4BAYFED, ext. 8304 www.bayfed.com/HomeLoans *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 8304. 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 (excluding Owners Title Insurance) , 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. Offer applicable on purchase transactions in the State of California. Other restrictions may apply. Terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Closing Costs on Us! Bay Federal is here to support you in your journey to becoming a homeowner. Finance your first home with us and we’ll cover the closing costs and appraisal fee.* ITINs accepted on home loan applications. Apply today. 1524 N. Main Street | Salinas THEIR SMILES SAY IT ALL. THANK YOU! Your gifts will open doors to food, shelter, support, and housing for your friends and neighbors experiencing homelessness now.
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY january 16-22, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com Western Rivers Conservancy, a nonprofit that acquires land and then conveys it to stewards, has a simple motto that speaks to the group’s mission: “Sometimes to save a river, you have to buy it.” Such is the case of WRC’s recent acquisition of 327 acres of property along the Little Sur River that’s being called the Pico Blanco property, as it’s located at the base of that namesake mountain which in Esselen is referred to as Pixchi, and is believed to be the center of the world. The acquisition, long in the works and bankrolled from a $1.4 million grant from the state Wildlife Conservation Board, was announced Jan. 15. It piggybacks on a 1,999-acre acquisition WRC made in 2020 in the same area that was likewise conveyed to the tribe. At the time, it was called Adler Ranch, but has since been renamed Eagle Peak Rancheria. Tom Little Bear Nason, chair of the Esselen Tribe, says it’s come after a culmination of work over the past six to eight years as part of the effort to restore access on Palo Colorado Road to Bottchers Gap campground, as well as the Boy Scout Camp below it, and in turn, the Little Sur River. It’s a unique place in Big Sur, which is notable in and of itself, but not because it’s part of any Instagram influencer’s campaign. It harbors not only the tribe’s resources but the public’s too—the old-growth redwoods along the river are extraordinary. Nason mentions how there were once about 4,000 Central Coast steelhead making a run on the river annually, while today the number is 15, adding that it’s one of the last undammed rivers in California. Nason says the tribe is still figuring out their plan for how exactly to steward the land going forward, but that public access won’t change—as is, public access is limited anyway because the road has been closed four miles in since 2018 due to storm damage. In a statement, Jennifer Norris, executive director of the state Wildlife Conservation Board, which is under the umbrella of the California Natural Resources Agency, framed the acquisition as “ensuring the permanent protection of critical biodiversity along California’s Central Coast.” Nelson Mathews, interim president of Western Rivers, says the wildlife aspect of the acquisition was key for the nonprofit in deciding to move forward, as the organization focuses on rivers with wildlife. The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) is hosting public hearings on draft regulation for the use of the pesticide 1,3-dichloropropene, also known as 1,3-D or “Telone.” The pesticide’s history is enmeshed in controversy. Manufactured by Dow Chemical, it has been shown to cause tumors in rodents, is classified as a carcinogen, and is banned in 40 countries. Debate over its use has varied over the years—from being banned in California in 1990 due to concerns over extremely high levels found near a school in Merced County, to being permitted in restricted amounts four years later. For about a decade, scientists with the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) have clashed with DPR over the human health risks the fumigant poses. “These strawberry fields are right next to schools where children are attending,” says Yanely Martinez, an organizer with Californians for Pesticide Reform. “As a Latina, that breaks my heart that nobody else is wanting to call it what it is—this is environmental racism.” Primarily used on strawberry fields and other row crops, the chemical saw statewide usage decline more than 20 percent between 2018 and 2022, yet increase by over 80 percent in Monterey County during the same period, according to an analysis by Inside Climate News. CPR members are advocating for DPR to adopt OEHHA’s recommendations, arguing that the draft regulation relies on faulty assumptions about farmworkers’ exposure. “We’re already losing community members that have died because of cancer, kids are at the hospital because of asthma attacks,” Martinez says. “We’re going to continue to push until hopefully [DPR] decides to go with the other 40 countries that have decided to say, wait a minute, we need to protect our community over profit.” DPR’s hearing on 1,3-D takes place at 5:45pm Thursday, Jan. 16. National Steinbeck Center, 1 Main St., Salinas. River Bank A nonprofit is giving 327 acres along the Little Sur River to the Esselen Tribe. By David Schmalz news Fire Safety Learn about fire insurance, evacuation preparedness and other safety information in this meeting sponsored by Carmel Valley Firewise. Presenters include Richie Sayavong from the California Insurance Commissioner’s Office. 5:30-7:30pm Friday, Jan. 17. Tularcitos Elementary School multipurpose room, 35 Ford Road, Carmel Valley. Free. RSVP at roblesfirewise.com. Pretty Parks Friends of Seaside Parks Association organizes weekly work days to clean up and maintain parks throughout the city. 10am-noon Saturday, Jan. 18. Mescal Neil Park, Mescal Street between Ancon and Costa streets, Seaside. Free. fospa.info@gmail.com, friendsofseasideparks.org. In the Public Eye Monterey City Council meets and accepts public comment. Tell elected officials what they are doing well and what you think they can do better. 4pm Tuesday, Jan. 21. Colton Hall, 580 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. 646-3799, monterey.gov. Immigrant Rights UFW Foundation presents a “Know Your Rights” workshop in Spanish to share information on constitutional rights and tips for emergency planning. 5:30pm Tuesday, Jan. 21. UFW Foundation, 118 E. Gabilan St., Salinas. Free. 220-3004. Healthy Aging Alliance on Aging presents the Solutions Summit, which is an opportunity for the public to share input on California’s Master Plan on Aging. The plan focuses on shaping future aging and disability services. 12:30-2pm Wednesday, Jan. 22. Senior Center, 8300A Prunedale North Road, Prunedale. Free. Register at 655-7562. allianceonaging.org. Shored Up Marina City Council meets to consider adopting draft policies that aim to protect the city’s shoreline from sea level rise. The drafts will be sent to the California Coastal Commission for certification, pending council approval. 6:30pm Wednesday, Jan. 22. City Council chambers, 211 Hillcrest Ave., Marina. Free. cityofmarina.org. ’Tis the Season Holiday trees can be dropped off for free at the Johnson Canyon Landfill and Jolon Road Transfer Station. Remove all tinsel, lights, decorations and stands. Through Jan. 31. Johnson Canyon Landfill, 31400 Johnson Canyon Road, Gonzales; Jolon Road Transfer Station, 52654 Jolon Road, King City. Free. 7553000, svswa.org/holiday-trees. Telone on the Table The Department of Pesticide Regulation invites the public to weigh in on the pesticide 1,3-D. By Katie Rodriguez The Little Sur River is sacred to Indigenous people, and treasured by those, local or otherwise, who appreciate its extraordinary beauty. e-mail: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX It’s one of the last undammed rivers in California. Kodiak Greenwood
www.montereycountynow.com JANUARY 16-22, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 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 FOUR YEARS IN A ROW! ’23 ’24 ’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 JANUARY 16-22, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com The coffee bar at Carmel Valley Creamery quickly became popular. But when Sophie Hauville opened the shop seven months ago, coffee was not on her mind. Instead, it was wine and beer to pair with her small batch artisanal cheeses. Even before the French native first welcomed guests—fittingly on Bastille Day, 2024—to the village landmark, Hauville had applied with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for a Type 20 license, one that would allow her to sell wine and beer on a retail basis, for consumption offsite. Her plans for the future include a license for wine representatives to host tasting events, followed by a Type 41, allowing Hauville and her team to pour beer and wine on premises. “Every day people tell us they want to open a bottle of wine or beer,” she says—with a caveat. “It got complicated to get the wine license.” Hauville filed her paperwork with the state on May 7, 2024. A month later, a few residents protested the application. More than eight months later, the license is still pending. According to Hauville, the protest came from a small number of neighbors. When a few of them came in to check out the place, however, they dropped their objections. But one local resident remains firmly against alcohol sales. The ABC investigates each new license application. In the case of Carmel Valley Creamery, the department recommended approval of the license and on Oct. 8 issued an interim operating permit. This gives Hauville the right to sell bottles for take-away on a temporary basis. It expires on Feb. 4, at which point she will go before the ABC to settle the matter. Hauville says that she understands initial concerns. Tasting rooms often have live music or large gatherings, and the shop sits in a quiet part of town. It’s natural, she adds, for residents to wonder what will happen when a new business moves in. With a growing and diverse customer base—children coming in for ice cream, commuters for coffee, people looking for local artisanal products—Hauville’s shop is becoming a hub. “Now I’m hoping they see the value for the neighborhood,” she says. “Making cheese is time consuming. We don’t have time to be an entertainment venue.” The remaining protest highlights the number of beer and wine licenses that already exist in and near the village. There are currently 42 active on-premises restaurant, resort, catering or retail licenses alone. It is perhaps ironic that the historic structure—it opened in 1927 as the first business in Carmel Valley Village— housed a bar for several decades. William “Rosie” Henry purchased the property in 1939, operating it as a small general store, Rosie’s Cracker Barrel. He turned the back room, which is now Hauville’s office, into a six-stool dive. Hauville concedes that her plans for beer and wine sales may take some time. But two things are clear. “We don’t want to be a bar,” she says. And the shop has found a niche: “It’s not stopped us from doing well. We’ve been selling out constantly.” License to Nil A protest has delayed a retail wine and beer license for Carmel Valley Creamery. By Dave Faries The California Alcoholic Beverage Control department granted Sophia Hauville a temporary off-premises license. Meanwhile, her shop has become a local favorite. NEWS “I’m hoping they see the value for the neighborhood.” DANIEL DREIFUSS PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES ALL YEAR LONG! THE CITY OF MONTEREY FOR MORE INFO + REGISTRATION MONTEREY.GOV/REC (831) 646-3866 SCAN ME! play! MONTEREY PRESCHOOL ADULT & SENIOR PROGRAMS ADULT SPORTS LEAGUES GYMNASTICS YOUTH DANCE CLASSES SCHOOL BREAK & SUMMER CAMPS YOUTH SPORTS LEAGUES & CAMPS AND MUCH MORE! WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO EMPOWERING OUR YOUTH partners4peace.org #p4pmc
www.montereycountynow.com January 16-22, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 On a warm Tuesday last fall, crowds gathered at Carmel River State Beach to witness something unusual: a live, beached, juvenile killer whale. “It literally looked like a movie scene,” said Wendy England, who was visiting on vacation from Colorado. “Everybody just wanted to come and help.” The orca was reported “thrashing in the waves” to the Marine Mammal Center hotline at 7:25am on Sept. 10. Experts from the Center were dispatched immediately, joined by State Parks personnel, members of local whale nonprofits and frenzied bystanders, as Monterey Peninsula Engineering provided an excavator to dig a trench to begin the delicate process of moving the live orca. A crane hoisted the animal into the back of a truck, then into a refrigerated van for transport to the Long Marine Lab in Santa Cruz for rehabilitation. But the animal died en route, leaving many to wonder: What happened? “It really is just an accidental occurrence that for whatever reason, he ended up [on the beach],” says Dr. Pádraig Duignan, director of pathology at the Marine Mammal Center, who conducted the necropsy. “Once that happened, it was kind of inevitable.” Test results show the killer whale died from cardiomyopathy, a condition involving stress to the heart. He was determined to be about 2 months old—a healthy young male with no preexisting conditions. He was not malnourished, but somehow, he and the mother got separated. Once stranded, the orca’s body suffered under the force of gravity, which can damage skeletal muscles. This, compounded with difficulty breathing and the stress of separation, proved fatal. “As well observed as our coast seems to be, nobody has been able to pinpoint which pod he would have come from,” Duignan says. “We don’t even know that, let alone the circumstances around how he ended up on the beach.” Genetic tests confirm the orca was part of a population known as the West Coast Bigg’s killer whale species, a top predator commonly found along California’s coast feeding on marine mammals. While killer whale species may appear similar, some are far more threatened. Scientists initially considered whether this orca might belong to a pod near Puget Sound that feeds exclusively on salmon—a population whose numbers are dwindling due to a lack of food and exposure to environmental toxins. “A lot of people seem to think orcas are endangered everywhere. But that’s really not the case,” says Michael Millstein of NOAA, noting that this beached orca is “one of the most successful killer whale species overall.” Dr. Emily Whitmer, a clinical veterinarian with the Marine Mammal Center who was present both at the scene during the response and in the van during transport, explains that any cetacean (whale, dolphin or porpoise) that strands is in a life-threatening situation and cannot survive out of the water for an extended period. “This orca calf’s stranding was in a very unusual location,” Whitmer adds. “This is not a common occurrence on the California coastline.” Killer Whale Tale A mystery unfolds of an orca that washed up on Carmel River State Beach last fall. By Katie Rodriguez A rescue team loads up a young orca in Carmel on Sept. 10; the animal died in transit. The otherwise healthy orca’s stranding was unusual in many ways; typically, stranded animals are sick. NEWS “Everybody just wanted to come and help.” DANIEL DREIFUSS Thursday – Sunday 11 am – 5 pm 559 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA 93940 More information at montereyart.org The Persistence of Color II: Works by Je rey Becom and Lucas Blok January 2 – April 27, 2025 Celebrating California Art: Recent Acquisitions January 9 – July 20, 2025 Morley Baer: Modernism in Northern California Architecture January 16 – April 27, 2025 Image Credits: Mark Mills House (I), Mission at 13th, Carmel, CA, 1953. By Morley Baer © 2025, the Morley Baer Photography Trust, Santa Fe. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Je rey Becom (b. 1953), Pink Door, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India, 2008, archival pigment print, 30 x 45 in. Courtesy of Weston Gallery © Je rey Becom. Lucas Blok (b. 1950), 7-1-18, 2018, acrylic on canvas, 60 x 84 in. Courtesy of the artist, all artworks © Lucas Blok. Judy Chicago (b. 1939), Emblem, c. 1962–1964, acrylic on masonite, 42 x 42 in. Monterey Museum of Art; Purchase by exchange; gi of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Bates, Mrs. J.B. Heywood, Elizabeth George Lawlor in memory of Dorothy George Meakin, William and Renee Petersen, Mr. and Mrs. John Shephard, Mr. and Mrs. E.V. Staude, Carolyn Lewis Nielson, Albert Denney, Nancy Stillwell Easterbrook, Margaret Wentworth Owings, Naedra B. Robinson, Elizabeth Tompkins, and an anonymous donor, 2019.001. © Judy Chicago / ARS | Artist Rights Society, NY Monterey Museum of Art Winter Exhibition Season
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY January 16-22, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com Cost of Goods Kudos to Erik Cushman for tracking the costs of key consumer goods to measure the real world impact of Trump’s economic policies (“A new year and new president present a chance to measure policy impacts,” Jan. 2-8). My suggestion is not to focus only on the costs of imports, but also on prices of staples produced domestically (indeed, in California— maybe even locally). These prices are also poised to jump, if this witch’s brew (apologies to witches, no guilt by association intended) of tariffs and deportations is implemented. Ben Slay | Marina Impressive piece. I, for one, am looking forward to following you on this. Thank you for your thoughtful journalism. Mike McGirr | Salinas Maybe you should add almonds, pistachios and beef to your list of items that you will be monitoring. All three are products that are exported to other countries. Kevin Kreyenhagen | Carmel Valley Learning Loss How about we try it. Let’s cut till it hurts and find out what we truly need, instead of what the self-perpetuating government tells us we need (“As Donald Trump pledges to eliminate the Department of Ed, local educators brace for impact,” Jan. 2-8). Cliff Pilcher | via social media The grifters and charlatans don’t want the people educated. It’s easier to get them to agree to anything that’s actually against their own self-interest. Joe Wassmann | Monterey Burning Up Just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear about your brother and his family losing their home (“The devastation of the Los Angeles fires hits home,” posted Jan. 9). Your piece made me truly feel the preciousness of the home they built and have now lost. I live in Tarzana (an LA suburb) and have been fortunate enough to have bought a second home in Carmel 20 years ago. Going back and forth, I feel both places are home. I am currently in Tarzana, with an emergency bag packed, as fire conditions in LA change by the hour. I wish your family all the best. Amy Krivis | Tarzana and Carmel Your closing question brings to mind a song my friend, Pete Seeger, wrote back in 1955. The song “Where Have All The Flowers Gone” ends with the line: “When will they ever learn, when will we ever learn?” In the almost 70 years since it was written mankind hasn’t made much progress in answering that question. But like Pete, those of us who pay attention to the world around us and have learned a bit, need to stay positive and focused on the goals we find essential for the future of us all on the planet. I am sorry to hear of your brother’s loss. I have a feeling that we are going to hear thousands of stories like that in the coming days. Your family and all those affected by this catastrophic fire are in my thoughts. Kevin Maypother | Monmouth County, New Jersey Coverage of the LA fires has focused on the loss of lives and the loss of tens of thousands of homes. Our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones and their homes (“Monterey County firefighters support Los Angeles firefight, plus ways you can help,” posted Jan. 13). Thousands of immigrant workers have also lost their jobs. Gardeners, home cleaners, nannies, elder and disabled care providers have abruptly lost their means of income and family support. Many will not be eligible to seek unemployment insurance benefits if they were not covered as employees. Perhaps the Trump administration can adapt its immigration policies to create a new visa for immigrant workers to be employed in the clean-up and rebuilding of the lost homes and communities. Bill Monning | Carmel True or False Thank you for writing about the Facebook post (“How a piece of misinformation quickly gains a life of its own,” Jan. 9-15). I saw the original post after the police responded to it and was disheartened to see that the post hadn’t been edited to include a correction or apology. As a trained librarian who used to teach information literacy to high schoolers, I grow more and more concerned as misinformation becomes more common. People are becoming more aware of the problems at a national and worldwide level, but there’s still a lot of misinformation on a local level. Many local Facebook groups in our area are rife with scams, rumors and falsehoods. Failing to recognize misinformation on a local level may seem inconsequential, but when left unchecked it grows and becomes more insidious. Thank you for speaking out against it and for calling out the fact that the original post remains. Lisa Newton | Marina We were surprised to read your report about cars being towed on New Year’s Eve without mention of First Night Monterey’s extensive planning and coordination efforts. As the event organizers, we work closely with the city and police to ensure public awareness and minimize disruption. For context, First Night Monterey obtains permits to close streets and rents parking spaces (for the day) well in advance. These spaces are critical for staging equipment like generators and stages, which are brought in early on the day of the event. Despite our efforts, issues still arise, such as cars parked in rented spaces or signage being moved, which complicate our setup and can jeopardize safety and the success of the event. While we strive to avoid inconveniencing anyone, especially the downtown businesses and their patrons, towing is sometimes an unfortunate necessity to ensure the event runs smoothly and safely. Ellen Martin and Michael Clark | via email Note: Martin is executive director and Clark is president of the board of First Night Monterey. Take out the trash It’s a legitimate monopoly (“Trash service for residents across the county increases monthly fees,” Jan. 9-15). Cameron Barfield | via social media 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 January 16-22, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 On Monday, Jan. 6, Congress certified Donald Trump’s electoral victory as president. The next day, federal immigration officers conducted raids in Kern County, detaining people at spots popular among farmworkers and day laborers, according to news reports. Rumors of similar raids in Monterey County have circulated since then, but so far they are just that, rumors. Still, the fear is palpable. Immigration lawyers say the phones are ringing relentlessly, and they hear anecdotal reports—a citizen who doesn’t want her partner to leave the house, families afraid of attending a know-your-rights event. To push back, there is a local and statewide effort already underway. The Monterey County Board of Supervisors convened an ad hoc committee, and has so far printed 20,000 red cards (and distributed 13,000) with know-your-rights information if confronted by an immigration official, as staff writer Celia Jiménez has reported. (These constitutional rights will sound familiar to citizens: “You do not have to open the door if an immigration agent is knocking on the door, unless they show a valid warrant.” “You have the right to remain silent.”) On Jan. 14, the board followed up with a $25,000 allocation for public service announcements, and a welcoming resolution. “It is important to make clear that we are one community in Monterey County and that all of our residents, regardless of immigration status, contribute to the social and economic fabric of this county,” it reads. Supervisor Chris Lopez said, “There are two things that push people faster and further than anything else: fear and hope. Now, many people who came here with hope are living with fear.” Sowing fear and chaos is, undoubtedly, part of Trump’s point. And preparedness can go only so far in redressing that fear. Salinas attorney Chris Cain, who is participating in the county’s ad hoc committee, notes that not every immigrant has a path forward—there are opportunities to seek or renew particular types of visas, but every situation is unique. “The worst part is when I get the call, ‘I’ve been here for 19 years, I pay taxes.’ We ask, ‘do you have a child in the military, are you a victim of domestic violence…’ We go through the list of qualifiers, but that’s our list. Sometimes it’s, ‘I’m sorry.’” California Attorney General Rob Bonta visited Salinas on Jan. 10, convening with local leaders in the UFW Hall to share information about his office’s preparations, and to hear concerns from the community. He noted that he is prepared to sue the Trump administration (see story, p. 16) but that not every action related to immigration is something that can be fought, or won, in court. “There are ways that the federal government, staying within its lane, will do things that will be painful for us to see, but will be lawful,” Bonta said. And unlawful policies can upend lives while waiting for court decisions. Larry Oda of Monterey, the national president of the Japanese American Citizens League, knows this well. He worries less about Japanese immigrants now than Latin Americans and Middle Easterners, groups that Trump has targeted, but he sees clear echoes of the past. “We should have learned a lot of things,” Oda says. “But memory is short. We haven’t learned.” Bonta also shared his own immigration story. He was just a 2-month-old baby in the Philippines when his parents decided to leave—they worried about their home country’s antidemocratic path. And they were right. Exactly one year after Bonta was born, martial law was declared. “My mom opposed the dictator,” Bonta said. “You can’t just put your chin on your elbow and look out the window and hope.” Looking out the window is, of course, much easier. But for those of us who enjoy protections, such as citizenship, we must act, and demonstrate we’ve learned from the past. That’s what Bonta’s mother did, participating in what eventually became known as the People Power Revolution, leading to the overthrow in 1986 of dictator Ferdinand Marcos after 20 years, and restoring democracy to the Philippines. “The most powerful power there is is people power,” Bonta said. People power elected Trump as president. Likewise, people power can resist his worst tendencies and protect vulnerable people—but only if we use it. Sara Rubin is the Weekly’s editor. Reach her at sara@montereycountynow.com. History Repeats The second Trump administration is beginning. The fear is already here. By Sara Rubin Bad Penny…Curious to see what Carmel’s future might look like with newly elected Mayor Dale Byrne and two new councilmembers—Bob Delves and Hans Buder—in charge, Squid tuned into the council’s special meeting on Jan. 7, only to be hit with events five years in the past. In the early days of Covid-19 lockdowns, Carmel officials closed Carmel Beach to keep people from congregating. Two people in separate incidents refused to leave, resulting in arrests. The case against Theresa Buccola, a local artist, was eventually dismissed, but since 2022 she’s been on a legal tear, filing lawsuits against the city, with no success. Yet people as outraged as Buccola about the beach order have repeatedly protested to the Carmel City Council about her arrest in council meetings. In December, the public comment period lasted nearly an hour as people railed against outgoing members, former mayor Dave Potter and Bobby Richards for being in leadership at the time. Some protesters returned on Jan. 7 to keep up the harangue. Under the sea we call that spitting into the current, a pointless task that gets one nowhere. But they have a right to free speech, which means Carmelites will have to continue to contend with spit floating in the water. Agree to Disagree…Seems like just a week ago everyone in Squid’s lair and in the halls of power in Monterey County were still basking in the warm feelings of the holidays, all good vibes. How quickly things can turn. Squid oozed over to a Monterey County Board of Supervisors meeting on Jan. 7 for swearing in ceremonies, speeches and tacos. Then Squid oozed back for the next meeting on Jan. 14, when they were tasked with making appointments to a variety of boards of committees, where a lot of the nitty gritty work gets done. “I’m sure there are a few that are going to be hot topics,” said Supervisor Chris Lopez, newly installed as chair. By “a few,” he meant one: two supervisors get seats on the powerful Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), and Lopez nominated himself and Supervisor Wendy Root Askew to serve there, with newly elected Kate Daniels as an alternate. Daniels wanted a full-fledged spot on LAFCO, so it got awkward, fast. “This strikes me as a very weird way to start your relationship with your colleagues,” she said. Sure is—she and Askew said they wanted in, with Lopez demoted to alternate status. Luis Alejo supported Lopez’s appointment and the swing vote, Glenn Church, came down in favor of the AskewDaniels appointments. “I can count to three,” Lopez said. Then in a surprise kumbaya moment, they voted 5-0 anyway to approve the slate. the local spin SQUID FRY THE MISSION OF MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY IS TO INSPIRE INDEPENDENT THINKING AND CONSCIOUS ACTION, ETC. “We are one community.” Send Squid a tip: squid@montereycountynow.com
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 16-22, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com Living a Dream It takes a community and commitment to make Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision reality. By Vanya Quiñones FORUM As we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 20 and Black History Month in February, I find myself reflecting on how we can truly honor King’s vision—that one day all people will “live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” The challenges facing America cannot be addressed solely through top-down government mandates from Washington. Lasting solutions can only arise from a grassroots, person-to-person commitment to King’s vision. As we reflect on how far we have come, we must also recognize that our work is not done. Each of us must continue our personal commitment to building a nation where everyone is included equally and without barriers. As the president of CSU Monterey Bay, and in my personal life, my institution and I are committed to ensuring that we are on a path to continue the momentum toward equality for all. Today, we are making progress toward ensuring we graduate strong, compassionate future leaders who will be committed to Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision. Our efforts are centered on expanding access to higher education for all members of our community, regardless of race, by strengthening partnerships with K-12 schools and community colleges. By helping ensure that our diverse student body is prepared to thrive in their future careers, we promote equity and inclusion within the future workforce, reflecting the core values of MLK’s dream. Central to that dream was the spirit of service, and CSUMB is the only public university in California, and one of the few nationwide, that has made service learning a graduation requirement. Our institution’s core values emphasize social justice, social responsibility and community-building. We are committed to making CSUMB a hub for fostering conversations that inspire us to continue King’s dream. Our goal is to advance discussions on inclusion and equity within our community. On Tuesday, Jan. 21, the university will host “Empowered Love in Action: Transforming Ourselves and Our World Through Racial Healing,” facilitated by Kamilah Majied, from 1-2:30pm. Then on Feb. 23, we will host our All Black Gala to honor members of our community who are dedicated to advancing inclusion and equality. Dr. King’s words serve as a powerful reminder of the crucial work that still lies ahead. Despite the challenges, we need to remain steadfast in our hope to bring his dream to fruition. Our journey forward demands courage; each step we take brings us closer to change. King’s wisdom inspires us to tap into the inner strength needed to persevere. As he once said, “Courage is an inner resolution to go forward despite obstacles.” We all possess the power to keep the dream alive, for, as King also reminded us: “If you can’t fly, run; if you can’t run, walk; if you can’t walk, crawl; but by all means, keep moving.” Vanya Quiñones is the president of CSU Monterey Bay. She is also a neurobiologist, biopsychologist and noted researcher. OPINION King’s wisdom inspires us to tap into inner strength. MONTEREY PENINSULA Col lege NEW YEAR. FRESH START. SPRING AHEAD! mpc.edu/findaclass Spring Classes Start January 27th ENROLL TODAY! *Early Spring Classes: Jan 6-25 five programs EvEnts workshops rEsourcEs Thank You For Your Support! With your help, Harmony at Home was able to raise over $110,000 this year! This will help end the cycle of violence and abuse by empowering children, young adults, and their families with the skills and confidence ContaCt Us (831) 625-5160 • harmony-at-home.org
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==