JANUARY 23-29, 2025 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT IS MONTEREY COUNTY DISASTER-READY? 10 | WALKING PACIFIC GROVE 13 | THE REALITY OF ABSURDITY 32 FIRST PLACE GENERAL EXCELLENCE • 2024 CA JOURNALISM AWARDS • Two-and-a-half years after he narrowly survived a shark bite, a Monterey man is training for a triathlon— while still re-learning how to walk. p. 18 ONE STROKE AT A TIME PLUS OTHER STORIES OF RECOVERY, AMBITION AND NUTRITION IN OUR HEALTH & FITNESS ISSUE Health & Fitness Issue
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 23-29, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com JANUARY 23-29, 2025 • ISSUE #1904 • ESTABLISHED IN 1988 Kelly Quinlan (iPhone 12) The sun angle on the keyhole arch at Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur puts on a light show for a few weeks every January. MONTEREY COUNTY PHOTO OF THE WEEK Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: Two-and-a-half years after he survived a shark bite, Steve Bruemmer is back to his usual swimming routine, although he has transitioned away from ocean swims and exclusively goes in the pool. He regularly swims at Monterey Peninsula College, and is now training for a triathlon. He credits group dynamics as part of his training and recovery process. Cover photo: Daniel Dreifuss 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
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4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 23-29, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH When the California Journalism Preservation Act, which would have required Big Tech to share profits to journalists, died in August, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland, who introduced the bill, announced an agreement that some critics said was good for tech but bad for journalism. The agreement called for the creation of the News Transformation Fund, to be administered by the UC Berkeley School of Journalism that would distribute nearly $250 million to newsrooms over five years, as well as for artificial intelligence research. Now, that deal appears in limbo. Politico reported Jan. 16 that UC Berkeley would not host the program, as officials stated concerns that the university would not have the ability to determine how the money would be allocated. A spokesperson for Wicks said conversations are continuing with the university. Elena Conis, acting dean of UC Berkeley’s journalism school, told Politico the university is “fully committed” to infuse funds into California’s newsrooms. It currently hosts a state-funded journalism fellowship program that employs journalists and assigns them to newsrooms—including the Weekly. Good: As fires continue to rage in the Los Angeles area, local animal organizations are helping out to make sure four-legged residents are clear of the flames. SPCA Monterey County and Peace of Mind Dog Rescue (POMDR) recently traveled to Los Angeles to take in animals housed at shelters in the area. So far, the SPCA welcomed 11 pets, including one cat, one kitten, five dogs and four puppies, while POMDR took in four dogs. “The fires in Los Angeles are devastating,” Scott Delucchi, SPCA Monterey County president and CEO, said in a press release. “We know all too well how disasters can impact pet owners given our recent experiences here, and we are here to do anything we can to help the shelters who are working so hard to rescue and care for animals. Our hearts are with everyone affected by this horrible disaster.” The animals will be put up for adoption. GREAT: On Jan. 8, Seaside Interim City Manager Craig Malin, a lover of nature and the High Sierra, had a Ferris Bueller’s Day Off-inspired outing with some of his staff. Having heard that some members of Seaside staff had never been to Yosemite National Park, or at least not since they were kids, he gave the city $200 for use of a city van for the day, and he and five other staff members took the day off and left City Hall at 6am to see the park’s splendor. He says they went to Tunnel View, saw all the waterfalls, and took a hike around Mirror Lake. Malin says the point of the outing was team building, and to that end, he gave everyone different colored beanies that read “Save Ferris” across the top. “Some of them had never seen the Valley, so they were knocked out,” Malin says. They got back to Seaside around 8:30pm, a lovely day for all. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s the size of a grant the Salinasbased Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA) received from the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The funds will go toward ALBA’s program that educates Spanish-speaking farmers on soil fertility, plant nutrition and irrigation management techniques. Source: ALBA $225,000 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “The Aquarium’s future is brighter than ever.” -Julie Packard, the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s first and so far only executive director, announcing her retirement after 40 years on Jan. 15 (see story, montereycountynow.com). Special Limited Certificate APY= annual percentage yield. Minimum opening deposit $100,000. Maximum $999,999.99. Funds to open this certificate must be new to Monterey CU. New to Monterey CU means the funds must not have been on deposit with Monterey CU in the last six months. Limit to one promotional share certificate per member. Offer available for limited time starting 01/15/2025, and subject to change or cancellation without notice. Early withdrawal penalties apply. LIVE FULL For more information, visit us at www.motereycu.com or call us at 831.647.1000 or stop by a branch nearby Salinas | Monterey | Hollister | Carmel carmel plaza • carmel-by-the-sea khakisofcarmel • 831.625.8106 shop new arrivals selected sport coat reductions
www.montereycountynow.com JANUARY 23-29, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 When it comes to your heart health, trust Salinas Valley Health to provide the expert care, advanced technology and personalized support you deserve. Join our Ask The Experts presentation to gain insightful knowledge that empowers you to live well and prioritize your heart’s health. Learn about: • Atrial Fibrillation, Ablations and the WATCHMAN™ Device • Peripheral Vascular and Venous Disease • Structural Heart Intervention Newest Advancements in Minimally Invasive Cardiovascular Care FREE COMMUNITY EVENT Jamil Matthews, MD Vascular & Endovascular Surgery Panelists Wednesday, February 26, 2025 5 Lower Ragsdale Drive Monterey 5pm Reception Community health and resource tables, appetizers and beverages 6pm Presentation Harlan Grogin, MD Cardiac Electrophysiology Rikin Kadakia, MD Interventional Cardiology Moderator Tim Albert, MD, MHCM Chief Clinical Officer Seating is limited. Register now by scanning the QR code. For more information, email cotero@SalinasValleyHealth.com
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 23-29, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com 831 Ben Balester has seen the world. Not the world of landmarks and city spires, mind you, but of airports, pavement and toil. When he speaks of Europe, it’s a dark and dismal place. South America is memorable to him for its oppressive heat. Yet the world he describes is one of beauty and—especially—community. In November, the Monterey native completed The Great World Race, running seven marathons in seven consecutive days on seven continents. Starting in Antarctica, the group of almost 60 participants then traveled to Cape Town, South Africa, Perth, Australia, then on to Istanbul, running first on the European side of Turkey and the next day in Asia. The competition finished with events in Cartagena, Colombia and Miami. “These are all places I’d love to spend some quality time,” Balester says, noting that the plane—once used on tour by the Rolling Stones—was their home. “But this was a unique experience.” Balester is a veteran of endurance events. In addition to traditional marathons, he has 10 100-mile runs to his credit and once took on the Mont Blanc course, a challenge covering 106 miles and 33,000 feet of elevation. He also runs locally with others, and it’s that sense of community that tends to give him inspiration. When Balester was taking part in the race, his employer—Hops and Fog Brewing Co. in Pacific Grove—charted his progress so regulars could keep up. When he arrived back home, a group greeted him at Monterey Regional Airport. Al Siekert was in that group and welcomed Balester with a warm hug. Siekert is the founder of Al & Friends, a nonprofit dedicated to providing Sunday meals for the hungry. Not only does Balester volunteer when possible, he also used the marathons as a way to raise money for the organization—$15,000 through a GoFundMe campaign. “You have to have hope that that loving act will change someone’s life,” he says of people who give back. “Al & Friends gives people a sense of belonging. It’s more than a warm meal, it’s community.” Balester was born in Monterey but grew up and went to school in England, moving back to the Peninsula when he was 26. It was while in college that he first began to jog. “I used to detest running,” he admits. “I got involved in some unhealthy habits”—smoking was one— “but I always liked to move.” But in 2001, Balester entered the Big Sur Marathon. He remembers the decision to go from casual jogger to marathoner as a decidedly big leap. Race participants included Olympic athletes, extreme sports enthusiasts and runners, ranging in age from 18 to 81. There is little to prepare one for the grueling seven-seven-seven experience. The start was moved up a day due to weather concerns in Antarctica, taking away a day of rest. Temperature changes from one day to the next could be extreme. The tour slipped off schedule, so they had to run Europe on a miserable night then wake up the next morning to take on Asia. That’s the one occasion when the competitors became irritable. But on the starting line someone began singing “Sweet Caroline.” Others joined in and spirits revived. Balester recorded his best time— 3:49—in Asia after an hour of sleep. Overall he finished ninth in the men’s competition with an average of 4:02. “They called me ‘Mr. Consistent,’” he says, pointing out that the biggest challenge to overcome was not the distance itself, not the pain in his legs and back. “When you’re fatigued, you can get through it. But when you’re mentally fatigued, you lose determination.” So Balester has seen the world from stretches of pavement. But along those courses were penguins in Cape Town, a snow-capped range in Antarctica, fishermen in Turkey and the beach of Miami. To connect with each place, he took a moment to walk barefoot—except in Antarctica, where he only dared a few minutes in short sleeves. After crossing the final finish line, Balester plunged into the ocean in Miami and floated in its warm embrace. “I was feeling very good,” he recalls. “It was ethereal. Then my back froze up.” High Mileage Marathon runner Ben Balester took on the world, one continent per day. By Dave Faries Community is part of what Ben Balester—shown here running in Antarctica—values in running. “When you get out there, it’s everybody sharing the journey together,” he says. “I met a lot of interesting people.” “They called me ‘Mr. Consistent.’” Health & Fitness The Chamber Connects At the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, we are connectors, providing our members with valuable introductions to new customers and referral sources. If you're looking for a platform to initiate important conversations and grow your business, we invite you to join our business association on the Monterey Peninsula! Join Today! • montereychamber.com • info@montereychamber.com • 831.648.5350
www.montereycountynow.com JANUARY 23-29, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 20% OFF ALL PERSONAL TRAINING PACKAGES NEW YEAR, NEW YOU! montereysportscenter.org PURCHASE ONLINE JANUARY 1 - 31 Use Discount Code: SHAPEUP2025 VOTED BEST HEALTH CLUB Our certified trainers can help you achieve your fitness goals Downtown Monterey 301 E. Franklin Street (831) 646-3730 I I
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 23-29, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com NEWS In a world where fewer and fewer people carry cash, Salinas United Business Association has distributed dozens of wireless Square card readers for free to small businesses that have outdated equipment or were cash-only. SUBA received 90 Square readers from Negozee, a Spanishspeaking platform that aids Latino entrepreneurs and businesses. It has distributed 35 devices among SUBA members and other businesses in Salinas, and set aside 22 for South County. SUBA partnered with the Soledad Chamber of Commerce and Central Coast Small Business Development Center to distribute them there, and will partner with Pajaro businesses to distribute them in that North County community as well. The Soledad Chamber has so far received 10 applications from different types of businesses including restaurants, food trucks and retail. “It’s a win-win for both the businesses and the community,” says Tencia Vargas, Soledad’s economic development coordinator, noting it stands to increase sales and growth among small businesses. The technology offers some perks for business owners including sales reports and a chat function to communicate to customers. “It’s a safe and secure way of taking payments,” says Maria Corralejo, executive director of the Soledad Chamber. Since online reviews can make or break a business, Corralejo says having a chat to contact customers is vital. In Soledad, many small businesses currently accept mobile payments via Zelle or Venmo in addition to cash. “I think this is going to make things a little bit easier, where now they could tap or swipe,” Corralejo adds. Payment Plan Local business organizations are distributing card readers for free in the Salinas Valley. By Celia Jiménez Questions continue to emerge after a fire broke out on Thursday, Jan. 16 at the Vistra battery plant in Moss Landing, and not just about how the fire started, or what kind of pollutants it put into the environment, but about whether such battery plants can operate with a guarantee of safety to local residents. Officials issued an evacuation order to nearby communities lasting about 24 hours, and Highway 1 in Moss Landing remained closed until 5pm Sunday, three days after the fire began. County officials have been providing regular updates to the public, with near-daily press conferences. On Saturday afternoon outside the Power Plant cafe in Moss Landing, officials from the County of Monterey, Vistra and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency addressed the media and public. At the time, the fire was still burning, as lithium ion battery fires can’t be extinguished with water, so firefighters can only just watch and monitor the situation until it burns itself out. (Remaining batteries in the facility began combusting around noon on Friday, generating more flames and smoke.) There have been two previous incidents at the Vistra plant in the past four years, but in those cases, the water suppression systems worked as intended to cool overheating batteries before they burst into flames; in 2022, there was a fire at the adjacent PG&E battery plant. That fire did not spread like this one did. “Safety is Vistra’s top priority,” Vistra spokesperson Brad Watson said. “We’re focused on the safety of the people who live around the plant, and we’re sorry they’ve had their lives impacted.” The Texas-based company spent about $1 billion on the facility. County Supervisor Glenn Church, who represents District 2 which includes Moss Landing, said, “This is the future. We want it to be safe, we want it to be secure, we want it to be effective.” Church joined Assemblymember Dawn Addis, D-Morro Bay, in requesting the plant remain offline until, Addis said in a press conference on Jan. 17, it’s “guaranteed as safe.” The primary, most dangerous pollutant created by lithium ion battery fires is hydrogen flouride, or HF, which is an acidic gas. Olivia Trombadore of the EPA said that starting late Thursday, EPA’s response included setting up nine specialized air monitoring stations, two inside the plant property and seven around it. None of them showed levels of HF that pose harm to the public, she says, with the exception of the two inside the plant. In response to the fire, a group of local residents formed the Moss Landing Community Response Group, which held its first meeting at the Prunedale Grange Hall on Monday, Jan. 20, four days after the fire began. Church spoke to the packed room near the start of the meeting, saying, “What’s happened here in the last four days should never have happened at all, and it can’t happen again.” He called on the community to unite. “This is going to be a real David and Goliath battle,” he said. “We need new and effective regulations. All building should be paused.” Also on Jan. 20, the law firm Singleton Schreiber met virtually with area residents to talk about potential litigation. The fire began at 3pm on Thursday, Jan. 16. At 5:35pm, flames were reported to have spread to the roof, escalating safety concerns and prompting evacuation orders. Power Struggle Residents and electeds are seeking answers around the battery fire at Vistra’s Moss Landing plant. By David Schmalz As local associations distribute Square card readers to small local businesses, they point to several potential benefits for business owners, including the ability to track sales. “This is the future. We want it to be safe.” DANIEL DREIFUSS DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com JANUARY 23-29, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 San Carlos School in the Diocese of Monterey, mindful of its primary mission to be a witness to the love of Christ for all, admits students of any race, color, national and/or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to the students at the school. San Carlos School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and/or ethnic origin, age or gender in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. While San Carlos School does not discriminate against students with special needs, a full range of services may not be available. Likewise, San Carlos School does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of gender, age, disability, race, color, and national and/or ethnic origin. It is the policy of San Carlos School to promote equal opportunity in any and all employment decisions. San Carlos School reserves the right to be the sole judge of merit, competence and qualifications, and can favor Catholic applicants and coworkers in all employment decisions, especially in those positions that have direct bearing upon pastoral activity of the Church. Notice of Non-Discrimination Policy Please email development@sancarlosschool.org for reservations. Tuesday, January 28th, 8:00–10:30AM, On Campus
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 23-29, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com Just a week into the new year, fires tore through Los Angeles, burning nearly 38,000 acres through Pacific Palisades, Altadena and surrounding areas. Tens of thousands of public service personnel were deployed alongside aircraft, Highway Patrol officers, nearly 1,500 fire engines and National Guard members. Winds reaching 70 mph delayed aircraft deployment, while water pressure issues impacted firefighting efforts. Today, these fires—which claimed the lives of at least 27 people along with thousands of homes according to news reports—remain only partially contained. The fires were fueled by the perfect convergence of dry brush and heavy vegetation, a lack of rain and, of course, a connection to a changing climate that makes such “unprecedented” events occur with increasing regularity. Concerned Monterey County residents, fearing similar disasters, have inundated local officials with questions about regional preparedness. “There needs to be those interruptions so that fire can’t go from the forest into the community,” says Richard Bates, president of the Fire Safe Council for Monterey County. “Once it’s in the community, the structures themselves become the fuel, and as you saw in Altadena and Pacific Palisades the fires jump from one to the next.” Compounding these concerns, roughly nine days after the fires in LA began, the Vistra battery storage plant in Moss Landing caught fire, prompting evacuations and emergency response plans, involving the deployment of officials from the Department of Emergency Management, firefighters and more (see story, p. 8). While the nature of these fires differs, the events highlight overlapping challenges of resilience and preparedness in Monterey County. “One of the things our office has taken on is a keen eye toward community resilience, which isn’t just focused on the individual, but also at the community level,” says Kelsey Scanlon, director of the County Department of Emergency Management. Amid disaster fatigue, Scanlon adds that their goal is to be specific and particular about the asks to the community about what to invest in with emergency management. First and foremost, she says, “register for emergency alerts, stay informed, build a kit, make a plan. “On top of that, [we have to ask ourselves] how we can shift our cultural paradigm for how we respond to emergencies. It really is a team effort.” According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, homes in Monterey County are, on average, at greater risk from wildfires than 99 percent of counties in the U.S. Monterey County’s risk stems from available fuel, or vegetation, proximity of homes to wildlands, and decades of prioritizing wildfire suppression over prevention. Bates adds that risk to Monterey County is likely due to a significant portion of its land in wilderness areas like Big Sur. “There are [fire] challenges everywhere,” he says. “The only thing that changes a bit is the scale.” Not all areas in the county are equally at risk, and ability to respond depends on the groundwork done beforehand, particularly in facilitating wildfire fuel reduction—before disaster strikes. Numerous grants have been awarded recently locally to address this issue: $1.6 million to the Monterey County Regional Fire District for a community hazardous fuels reduction project; $3.26 million to the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County from Cal Fire; and over $500,000 secured by the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District. These initiatives, which aim to do things like thin vegetation in vulnerable areas and create escape corridors, will take time to implement. On an individual level, residents should prepare “Go Bags” with essential items (see below), download firewatch apps like Watch Duty, look to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s recommendations on creating defensible space, and ensure medications, pet crates and other essentials are ready. “It’s imperative that our residents sign up for our alert warning system via AlertMontereyCounty.org. That’s a tool that our Department of Emergency Management has, and our Sheriff’s Office has, to notify people timely and accurately,” says Nicholas Pasculli, communications director for the County of Monterey. Sign up for alerts, stay up to date with the latest information, and find available resources after an emergency at ReadyMontereyCounty.org. Ready, Go After disasters in LA and Moss Landing, how prepared is Monterey County? By Katie Rodriguez NEWS PROPANE PARTY Little Kamper and the California Product Stewardship Council will honor State Sen. John Laird, who will speak on the passing of Senate Bill 1280. The law, which goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2028, bans the sale of single-use, one-pound propane gas cylinders. 10-11am Saturday, Jan. 25. REI, 145 General Stilwell Drive, Marina. Free. STOP THE BLEED Trauma surgeon Dr. Nicholas Rottler and shark bite survivor Steve Bruemmer present a workshop on bleeding control techniques. The event coincides with a blood drive. 9am-2pm Sunday, Jan. 26. Natividad Medical Center, 1441 Constitution Blvd., Salinas. Free. RSVP at artingerlg@natividad.com. Register to donate blood at vitalant.org. ICE TALK The Monterey County Board of Supervisors holds a TRUTH Act hearing, where the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office will present how it has provided access to individuals in custody to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement over the previous year. Public comment will be accepted. 1:30pm Tuesday, Jan. 28. Board of Supervisors Chambers, 168 W. Alisal St., Salinas. Free. countyofmonterey. gov. STATE OF THE CITY King City Mayor Mike LeBarre and city staff present the annual State of the City address at two separate events. The city officials will provide an update on King City’s current and future plans. Noon-1pm Wednesday, Jan. 29 at Salinas Valley Fairgrounds, Orradre Building, 625 Division St., King City. $20. 385-3814. 5:30pm Thursday, Jan. 30 at City Council Chambers, 212 S. Vanderhurst Ave., King City. Free. 3853281, kingcity.com. FIND A JOB Monterey County Works is hosting a job fair to connect local employers with job seekers. Attendees are encouraged to bring their résumés and dress to impress. 1-4pm Wednesday, Jan. 29. Career Center, 344 Salinas St., Salinas. Free. Register at montereycountyworks.com/ january-15-2025-job-fair. SENIOR SERVICES 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 Thursday, Jan. 30. Sherwood Village, 808 N. Main St., Salinas. Free. Register at 655-7562. allianceonaging.org. Kelsey Scanlon, director of the County’s Department of Emergency Management, speaks about a Moss Landing battery plant fire on Jan. 17. E-MAIL: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX “It really is a team effort.” DANIEL DREIFUSS Go Bag! Checklist • Face masks or coverings • Three-day supply of non-perishable food and 3 gallons of water per person • Paper map marked with at least two evacuation routes • Prescriptions or special medications • Change of clothing, including a cotton long-sleeved shirt and pants • Extra eyeglasses or contact lenses • An extra set of car keys, phone charger, credit cards, cash or traveler’s checks • First aid kit • Flashlight • Battery-powered radio and extra batteries • Sanitation supplies • Copies of important documents (birth certificates, passports, insurance, etc.) • Food, water and medications for pets • Can opener
www.montereycountynow.com JANUARY 23-29, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 23-29, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com On Thursday night, Jan. 16, the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas was packed with people attending the California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s hearing on the regulations surrounding the pesticide 1,3-dichloropropene, also known as 1,3-D or by the brand name Telone. The room was brimming with farmworkers, teachers, nurses and activists from as far away as Tulare and Ventura, all lining up to deliver passionate public comments. The testimonies, spoken with conviction, conveyed a collective wave of action pushing back against a long-controversial chemical that has affected people’s lives, particularly in Monterey and Ventura counties. “It is now banned in 40 countries, yet it is the third most-used pesticide [in California]. As the Department of Pesticide Regulation it is in your mission statement to protect human health and the environment,” said Erica Alfaro, a pediatric public health nurse who testified about the children and families she’s seen that have concerns over cancer being caused by the pesticide. “If this has the ability to be banned, why not? If your mission statement is to protect human health and the environment, there is another option.” The walls in the conference center were lined with people wearing masks and holding posters with images of people who have died. The words “Telone” were written in red to emulate blood; “our kids deserve better” was written on another. Drawings of tombstones with “RIP” peered above a crowd of around 100 people. More than 40 people spoke at the podium, criticizing the DPR’s draft rule for reshaping regulations of the chemical based on assumptions about farmworker hours and potential cancer risks from exposure. “Where is this farmworker who only works 8am to 4pm and is never exposed to 1,3-D before or after work, including childhood and retirement?” said Ann López, executive director of the Center for Farmworker Families. “Because that’s the only person who will be protected by this regulation. In all my years, I have never met such a farmworker. This regulation will protect no one.” Ana Rosa Rizo-Centino, senior organizer for the Central Coast region for Food & Water Action, said, “Our farmworkers deserve, at the very least, safety. They are the ones who feed you, who feed me, who feed all of us.” A chaotic scene erupted about an hour-and-a-half into the meeting when several protesters staged a mock “diein,” lying their bodies on the ground near the podium. Others broke out in chorus, chanting, “DPR, you can’t hide; we can see your racist side!,” which continued for the rest of the hearing. This meeting was one of several that DPR held to collect public comment on the first draft of this regulation. At the end of the hearing, DPR officials spoke of potential for a second draft with a comment period as early as June. “The [DPR] appreciates the public interest and engagement in and comment on our regulatory process,” the agency said in a written statement to the Weekly. Written comments regarding DPR’s draft regulation for 1,3-D can be emailed to DPR no later than Jan. 24 at dpr24001@cdpr.ca.gov. People Power A public hearing in Salinas regarding draft regulations about the pesticide 1,3-D erupts in chaos. By Katie Rodriguez At the Department of Pesticide Regulation’s public hearing on Jan. 16, chaos erupted as protesters staged a mock “die-in,” lying near the podium to oppose the draft regulation on 1,3-D. NEWS “This regulation will protect no one.” KATIE RODRIGUEZ 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 ’24 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 JANUARY 23-29, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 On a crisp and sunny afternoon in Pacific Grove Wednesday, Jan. 15—a day similar to one John Steinbeck described in his novel Sweet Thursday— about 35 people and three dogs cluster at the corner of Eardley and Sloat avenues, preparing for the day’s trek. They are about to walk a little over three miles, criss-crossing streets Steinbeck once walked, right past his family’s cottage on 11th Avenue, circling back to the beginning. The group is the newly formed Walk Every Street PG, the brainchild of friends Ashley Edge and Amy Burkman, launched on Jan. 8. Edge, a real estate agent who works in Pacific Grove, had recently conquered the goal of traversing every single one of the town’s streets, in part to learn about each neighborhood. Burkman often joined Edge, and it was on those walks that the idea of inviting the community was solidified. “You can drive all you want but to really know a place, you need to walk it,” Edge says. Burkman, an artist, created a logo, which features renderings of historical P.G. homes. They announced the group on social media (including a dedicated page at instagram.com/walkeverystreetpg), and posted flyers. The first date drew 34 people and six dogs to walk the first section of streets, between Ocean View and Central avenues. “It was a great group, so excited and super friendly,” Burkman says. There was a range of ages, from young professionals to retirees, even a few tourists. The plan is to meet at 4pm every Wednesday to walk a new section of streets, between three to four miles each time, at a pace of about 20 minutes a mile. Edge expects they’ll finish by June. Edge carefully maps out the most efficient routes to cover all the streets and is using an app called RunGo to assist in the planning. She tests out the routes to check the walkability. Participants are encouraged to download the app and follow along, or use it to walk the route by themselves. The routes are announced on Instagram a few days before. More than giving people an excuse to get out and exercise, it’s also giving them a way to connect. Tracy Yost, who moved to P.G. about a year ago from Connecticut, was already working on a goal of walking every street to get to know her new home. “I realized I was isolating myself,” she says. Walk Every Street gives her a way to meet neighbors, and indeed, the conversations overheard involve people introducing themselves and getting to know one another. After just one walk, Edge and Burkman decided to add in more socializing by incorporating a gathering at Hops and Fog Brewing Co. after the walk on Jan. 22, already part of the planned route for the week. Participants are already looking ahead to what could come after they finish walking P.G. “Can we walk every street in Monterey next?” a woman asks Edge. That city, Edge replies, is “a bit of a beast.” She’s thinking they’ll tackle Seaside next. Walk and Talk A new group in Pacific Grove seeks to walk every street while building community. By Pam Marino Ashley Edge (center) leads a group that joined the second-ever Walk Every Street PG gathering on Jan. 15. The group is meeting every Wednesday to walk different neighborhoods. NEWS “To really know a place, you need to walk it.” DANIEL DREIFUSS Health & Fitness
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 23-29, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com DEEP BREATHS We need answers, not nonsense! Our health and environment were compromised (“As lithium ion batteries at Moss Landing Power Plant burn, road closures and evacuation orders remain in effect,” posted Jan. 17). Alejandra Raya | via social media Let me get this straight. There’s been a massive lithium battery fire pouring columns of toxic smoke into the sky for over 24 hours, it’s still actively burning, and our government has determined that we have nothing to be concerned about as it pertains to our health and safety? (“Evacuation order lifted in Moss Landing, but Highway 1 closure remains as fire continues to burn,” posted Jan. 17.) I’d love to know how they reached that conclusion and what their confidence level is. Clayton Philip | via social media Time for them to kick rocks and move out of our marine sanctuary. Fool me once, twice, three times you’re out. Come on, Monterey County supervisors and staff, time to evict. This habitat is too precious to risk something this stupid or worse. Loren Morse | via social media Thank you for reporting this data! (“Officials say air quality from Vistra fire is safe,” posted Jan. 18.) I am not confident in a Vistra contractor who has a vested interest in showing the air is clean. Is there a place we can get the EPA data? Better yet a third-party contractor? Tom Lubowe | via social media Note: The County of Monterey is posting raw data from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency air monitors online at readymontereycounty.org/emergency/2025-moss-landing-vistra-powerplant-fire. WORK FORCE This country would starve if it wasn’t for the hard work of the immigrant community (“County rolls out resources for immigrants, and prepares a welcoming resolution,” Jan. 9-15). The status quo is a situation where only stupid people/suckers follow the law. When laws are unjust or unenforced it breeds disrespect for the government. There needs to be a legal path for immigrants to live and work here. Tyler Everett | via social media ART’S SAKE I think it’s a great idea and would bring a really cool vibe to that area (“Marina explores turning derelict former Fort Ord building into an arts village,” Jan. 16-22). The cost to renovate seems considerably cheaper than building something new that has no history or character. The city could allow various artsy types to participate in the renovation/restoration project to really make it an art hub for the people by the people. Part of the six acres could be used for a sculptural exhibit with native plants and paths to enjoy. Tiffinie Painter Meyer | via social media Great idea! Gretchen Allinson Walker | via social media I’ve been calling out Marina for not having a theater or stage venue, for performances or live music, in town for over 15 years. If all the world’s a stage, let’s build one! Kelly Brandenburg Pelton | via social media Finally they are looking into this but doing it…will they? That would be nice. Great building. Kat Deering | via social media GLASS HALF FULL When I bought my first home in Carmel Valley, a little 900-square-foot A-frame, there was a diverse mix of small businesses prospering in the Village (“A small business in Carmel Valley contends with rigorous regulations and one neighbor,” posted Jan. 18). From clothing and home goods to business supplies and a garden shop, I could find anything I needed. I knew most of the shop owners and their employees by name. Many were my neighbors. I also could walk my dog across the road in the Village without worrying about becoming roadkill. During the time I lived there (moved away in 2014), wineries had begun pushing out mom and pop shops at a furious rate. Today, the Village is over-saturated with wine tasting rooms. And as drivers return to their quaint hotels after throwing back a flight of local wine, Carmel Valley Road has become a game of Frogger. Gone is the diversity of shops which makes it difficult for businesses like Carmel Valley Creamery to survive without adding alcohol sales to their ledger. The consumer of goods has shifted to the Rosé-all-day crowd. One lone voice blocking a liquor license may seem inequitable to the writer. But I have to ask, where’s the equity in the wine industry destroying the texture of a charming little village where business diversity once thrived? Karen Strickland | Carmel Valley HOME BUILD Doesn’t sound like the state cares about Monterey NIMBY-ism (“Builder’s remedy proposals stack up as the county strives to complete a housing plan,” Jan. 16-22). Cliff Pilcher | via social media LISTEN IN You brought back so many great memories for me like seeing Joan Baez (for free!) at Cal Berkeley when I was a student from 1963-66 during the Free Speech Movement, like listening to Bob Dylan sing “Like a Rolling Stone” in its first radio performance of the complete version, not the reduced two-and-a-half-minute standard of the time (“Finding beauty in the world, with some help from Bob Dylan,” posted Jan. 13). I too can’t wait to see the movie. Joyce Newell | Monterey CUDDLE UP Good to see this news (“Monterey County organizations take in shelter animals from Los Angeles as fires rage,” posted Jan. 16). Mary Jane Ulrich | via social media CORRECTION The photograph for a story about the potential creation of an arts village in Marina featured a different building than the building under consideration (“Marina explores turning derelict former Fort Ord building into an arts village,” Jan. 16-22). The building pictured is another former Fort Ord building nearby. 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 23-29, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 15 You do not need to be an expert to recognize that a fire at a lithium ion battery storage facility is potentially catastrophic. The experts have said as much since two lithium ion battery storage facilities were proposed and went into operation in Moss Landing in recent years. Speaking to the Monterey County Board of Supervisors in 2022 following a battery fire at the Elkhorn Battery plant, built by PG&E and Tesla, PG&E Vice President Jan Nimick said, “I can’t give you a number for the likelihood [of a repeat] at this stage of the life of the technology. It’s not zero.” Nothing is zero-risk. So when public officials react to a battery fire two years later demanding zero risk, it comes across as a call to simply walk away from the technology. That seems to be exactly what Assemblymember Dawn Addis, D-Morro Bay, is calling for in the wake of a major fire at Vistra’s Moss Landing battery plant that began on Thursday, Jan. 16 (see more, p. 8). Addis on Jan. 21 announced she would oppose Vistra’s proposed battery storage plant in Morro Bay at a similar power plant site. “We can never have a disaster like this again,” she said. “We all deserve solutions that prioritize safety and sustainability.” She joined County Supervisor Glenn Church in a press conference on Friday, Jan. 17, just as more batteries were combusting and sending flames into the air. They announced that they would ask for the plant not to go back online until there were assurances nothing like this would ever happen again. They should rightly be sticking up for constituents whose lives and businesses are disrupted and who fear for their safety. The public deserves answers, and an honest assessment of the risk—as well as the reward. Battery storage facilities like those in Moss Landing are not going to go away, nor should they, although the technology certainly can improve. California has a goal of building 52,000 megawatts of energy storage by 2045 to meet the state’s clean energy goals—solar energy and wind energy need to be stored somewhere. As of the end of 2024, according to the California Energy Commission, more than 13,000 megawatts of battery storage have been installed. That includes 187 utility-scale projects (the two in Moss Landing, Vistra’s and PG&E’s plants, are among those). Since 2016, there have been five fire-related incidents at utility-scale energy storage projects in California. In the same time frame, there were three at natural gas plants. Also in the same time period, the state’s last operational nuclear power plant, PG&E’s Diablo Canyon, was set to go out of commission. Concerns about the speed of scaling up alternative sources of energy led lawmakers, including State Sen. John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, to change their thinking about nuclear—Diablo Canyon got an extension. Laird is a realist when it comes to meeting the state’s electricity demands. Looking ahead, he says, “There are two key goals here. The first is to have enough energy in California and to move away from fossil fuels. The second is to make sure it’s done in a way that’s safe for everyone. In the coming days, we are going to look at this incident and try to figure out how we best meet those two goals.” What’s important is that we pursue these goals in tandem. If Californians reject battery storage, it means more reliance on nuclear and on fossil fuels. Since 2021, Vistra has been dismantling the natural gas power plant in Moss Landing; it once constantly spewed smoke out of its iconic 500foot smokestacks. Moss Landing is a place where, for the most part, industry coexists alongside nature. Church literally wrote the book about how Moss Landing, a deep-water harbor, almost became mega-industrialized as Humble Oil (later called Exxon) planned to build a refinery there in 1965. (His book, Humbled, was published in 2020.) A burgeoning local environmental movement pushed back, successfully. But the refinery did not go away; it went north to Benicia. To live in an industrialized world means we have to have industry. We can choose which industry, and we can empower our regulators to regulate it and manage the risk. Wishing it away is simply not an option. Sara Rubin is the Weekly’s editor. Reach her at sara@montereycountynow.com. Fired Up Yes, we need safeguards—but we also need battery storage technology. By Sara Rubin ET SUE?…If you can’t beat ‘em, sue ‘em, and while you’re doing that, why not make some money to finance said lawsuits? That appears to be the model that Todd Clark, co-owner of Museum of Handcar Technology, is employing at his business, which offers tours in handcars down the rails of the Monterey Branch Line from Del Monte Boulevard in Marina to south of Lightfighter Avenue in Seaside. On Nov. 30, Clark filed a federal lawsuit against the Transportation Agency for Monterey County, alleging TAMC didn’t renew the business’s lease, which expired Oct. 31, in retaliation because Clark brought to light TAMC’s failure to fulfill its obligations to create rail service under Prop. 116, a 1990 rail ballot measure that TAMC used to finance its acquisition of the branch line in 2003. Then on Jan. 3, Clark filed another lawsuit, this one in Monterey County Superior Court, against the California Transportation Commission, the state agency tasked with overseeing Prop. 116 acquisitions, that broadly alleges the agency didn’t fulfill its obligations under the law to see that the money was spent responsibly, and in the spirit of what voters approved in 1990. And it appears that Clark is going to keep the wheels rolling until the litigation is sorted—despite his lease expiring more than two months ago, he’s still carrying on, business as usual. That gives Squid a chance to go work all the arms riding a handcar. BIG A** LIES…There have been a few viruses going around Squid’s lair lately, so Squid is using all of Squid’s remedies: extra saltwater (easy to come by), shrimp noodle soup and lots of sleep. Squid swears this stuff works—but Squid knows better than to try and sell these techniques to any other creatures. Not so for the Kentucky-based company Big Ass Fans, which finds itself subject of a Dec. 13 civil complaint filed in Monterey County Superior Court by a boatload of California district attorneys, including Monterey County DA Jeannine Pacioni. In the allegations of unlawful business practices and false advertising, Pacioni argues that starting in June 2020—peak Covid-19 fear—the company “advertised and sold products that purported to ‘kill’ pathogens in the air and on surfaces, including ultraviolet germicidal irradiation lamps and ionization technology,” using equipment that attaches to ceiling fans sold by the same company. They promised it would reduce Covid infection risk 78-92 percent, which seems to Squid like an entirely made-up figure. (Squid’s colleague reached out to the company, but did not hear back.) It might be years later, but Pacioni is seeking a court order prohibiting the sale of these items, $2,500 for each violation and restitution to the victims. Squid will volunteer to add to the restitution with a cup of shrimp noodle soup for each consumer. THE LOCAL SPIN SQUID FRY THE MISSION OF MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY IS TO INSPIRE INDEPENDENT THINKING AND CONSCIOUS ACTION, ETC. Battery storage facilities are not going to go away. SEND SQUID A TIP: squid@montereycountynow.com
16 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 23-29, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com Lead from Within A call to protect a feminist enclave in Syria needs your voice to defend democracy. By Ava Homa FORUM One overlooked narrative, even as American women have lost bodily autonomy in some states, is that Kurdish women in North and East Syria, also known as Rojava, became equal partners in shaping every aspect of life, political, economic and social. This unique model of gender equality, which also emphasizes ecological sustainability and grassroots democracy, is decades ahead of the region. Remarkably, it flourished even amid the devastation of Syria’s civil war. International media lauded the all-female militia, the YPJ (Women’s Protection Unit), for their victories over ISIS extremists. The violent militants, who did not fear death or suicide, were reportedly terrified of being killed by a woman, a fate they believed would deny them access to the afterlife’s promised rewards. Kurdish women didn’t only resist one of the darkest forces of our time; they also transformed their own patriarchal culture. They have been living their slogan “Jin, Jyan, Azadi” (Woman, Life, Freedom), a call for justice for both people and the planet. “In Rojava, the full exercise of women’s rights is not just an aspiration; it is a reality,” says author and journalist Debbie Bookchin, who has visited the area. “It means that the entire culture is transformed: the way people think about every aspect of life—from education to marriage, from medical care to child care—is informed by the unique perspective of women. Most importantly, it ensures that women alone make decisions about their bodies, health and futures.” Bookchin’s father, political philosopher Murray Bookchin, inspired this revolutionary model. This progressive enclave is now under grave threat. Rojava’s model has drawn the ire of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Islamist-rooted party. Erdogan’s government has launched devastating attacks on Kurdish villages. Over the past few weeks, more than 100,000 people have fled areas seized by Turkish-backed forces. These regions had previously thrived under a Kurdish-led process of multi-ethnic, non-sectarian democratic confederalism. What has prevented a full-scale Turkish invasion thus far is the presence of U.S. forces alongside the Kurds. However, as the American administration shifts, Erdogan is emboldened. This is a David-and-Goliath struggle, a stateless people defending their hard-won freedoms against a NATO member. The threats against them are appallingly underreported in the U.S. media. Rojava’s survival is far beyond a geopolitical issue; it’s a moral imperative. We must demand that our leaders condemn Turkey’s aggression and pledge long-term support for Kurdish women. The Emergency Committee for Rojava website (defendrojava.org) offers a script for calling your representative and senator. Together, we can support a group that proves women’s contributions are essential to a free and peaceful Syria. Let’s not let this feminist enclave become another Afghanistan or Iran. Ava Homa is the author of Daughters of Smoke and Fire and a faculty member at CSUMB. OPINION “It’s not just an aspiration; it is a reality.” Jacob is one of the most recent members of the Information Technology (IT) Team. He was hired as an IT Specialist in August of 2023. Jacob came to MST as a Veteran, who previously worked as an IT Specialist with the Army. As such he brought with him a wealth of skills and experience in IT infrastructure. Jacob has proven to be a tremendous asset in the daily support of MST staff, improving the reliability of our systems, streamlining several internal processes, and being readily available to help with IT issues. Most notably, he has been working with the IT team to strengthen the district’s cybersecurity systems. Jacob has been key in the efforts to deploy a systemwide multi-factor authentication system. Multifactor Authentication, or more often called MFA, is a system which requires at least 2 levels of verification when a staff member has been given access to MST protected systems. He was able to research and implement an immediate update that allowed MST to completely deploy MFA in our critical access areas, dramatically increasing levels of cyber defense. We are pleased to recognize Jacob as the Employee of the Year for 2024. Jacob’s efforts keep MST’s technology systems operating every day so that MST can maintain our mission. Congratulations, Jacob! Connecting communities. Creating opportunity. Being kind to our planet. CONGRATULATIONS 2024 Employee of the Year EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH 2024 JANUARY Frederick Campa FEBRUARY Humberto Hernandez MARCH Steven Bruno APRIL Noe Figueroa MAY Janet Madler JUNE Matthias Castor JULY Barry Lee AUGUST Dalia Lopez SEPTEMBER Jacob Huggins OCTOBER Ramon Cardona NOVEMBER Natalie Flores DECEMBER Esteban Garcia Jacob Huggins
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