FEBRUARY 6-12, 2025 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT THE MILITARY’S SPENDING FOOTPRINT 11 | SHORT TALKS, BIG IDEAS 28 | BIG MEALS FOR THE BIG GAME 34 FIRST PLACE GENERAL EXCELLENCE • 2024 CA JOURNALISM AWARDS • Companies are capitalizing on an aging population by buying senior living facilities. Results are mixed. p. 16 By Pam Marino AGE OF CONCERN
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY FEBRUARY 6-12, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com FEBRUARY 6-12, 2025 • ISSUE #1906 • ESTABLISHED IN 1988 Daniel Dreifuss (Canon R5 Mark II, 24-105mm) About 200 joined a march in Seaside for “A Day Without Immigrants” on Monday, Feb. 3. It was one of several actions throughout Monterey County, including Salinas and Castroville, drawing attention to the role immigrants play in our communities. MONTEREY COUNTY PHOTO OF THE WEEK Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: Joanne Kelly is a resident of Pacific Grove Senior Living. She and other residents say they have experienced a decline in services and quality since owner Pacifica Senior Living took over in 2022. More for-profit entities are stepping into the lucrative senior living market, sometimes to the detriment of seniors. 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
www.montereycountynow.com FEBRUARY 6-12, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 3 Our past doesn’t define our future. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) from your past — like abuse, neglect, or family substance use or incarceration — can cause toxic stress that impacts your life and relationships today. They don’t determine what happens next. You can learn how to live beyond ACEs. © 2024 Office of the California Surgeon General. Funded under contract #2022-238-OSG. Start healing at livebeyondCA.org.
4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY FEBRUARY 6-12, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH Right-leaning media outlets are taking over offices for news correspondents in the Pentagon on Feb. 14, according to an “annual media rotation program” unveiled on Jan. 31. Staffers from NBC News, National Public Radio, New York Times and Politico have been given two weeks’ notice to move out of their workspaces that they’ve occupied for years. They will be replaced by organizations that have given favorable coverage to President Donald Trump, including One America News Network, Breitbart and the New York Post. Also moving in is the Huffington Post, which, while it has been critical of Trump, does not have a Pentagon correspondent. Reporters from the evicted outlets will still have access to Pentagon briefings, but Kevin Baron, former vice president of the Pentagon Press Association, wrote on social media that correspondents who can’t file their stories from inside the building are at a disadvantage. Good: Corral de Tierra resident Dwight Stump has been busy these past 18 months since first hearing, in July 2023, of the Transportation Agency for Monterey County’s plan to build nine roundabouts along Highway 68 between Salinas and Monterey at an estimated cost of over $210 million. Stump thought he had a better—and far cheaper—solution: adaptive AI traffic signals. By January 2024, Stump had created a website, 9roundabouts.com, a one-stop-shop with documents that purport to show the many advantages of adaptive AI compared to roundabouts. Over the past year, Stump says, the website has had over 20,000 visitors. Those efforts culminated with the TAMC board, last fall, approving up to $500,000 to be spent on converting the nine existing signals to adaptive AI, and honoring Stump, on Jan. 22, with the 2024 Excellence in Transportation Award for an individual. GREAT: On Jan. 31 inside the Grace Dodge Chapel at Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds, leaders from the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County and California State Parks entered into a historic memorandum of understanding that establishes shared stewardship of 18 state parks in the Monterey District that are in the tribe’s ancestral lands. It marks the 14th such MOU State Parks has entered into with a tribe, a trend that started after, in September 2020, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a new policy in his administration to seek co-management with tribes of state-owned land if it’s within a tribe’s ancestral territory. “It’s a strange thing to think about the tragedy of history and at the same time be building new beginnings,” said State Parks Director Armando Quintero. As the signatures started to be penned on the MOU, Esselen Tribal Chair Tom Little Bear Nason led a chant with other Indigenous members in attendance. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY The total number of monarch butterflies tallied during the annual Western Monarch Count on the West Coast. It’s the second lowest overwintering population recorded since tracking began in 1997—the lowest was in 2020 with 2,000. Last year the total was 233,394. Source: Xerces Society 9,119 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “I’m just at a place where I need to take a step back and rejuvenate a little bit.” -Monterey Peninsula Unified School District Superintendent PK Diffenbaugh, who announced he is stepping down from his position at the end of the 2024-2025 school year (see story, montereycountynow.com). Happy Valentine’s Day From Gathering for Women - Monterey gatheringforwomen.org ~ 831-241-6154 #gatheringforwomen We’re sending love to all of our supporters! Your generosity, whether through donations or volunteering, helps us spread joy and care to the women we serve.
www.montereycountynow.com FEBRUARY 6-12, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 *Order by: Thursday, February 20th *Pick up date: Thursday, February 27th *Next month: Jewish Deli Classics HEATABLE EATABLES! ELROY’S PRESENTS @ELROYSFINEFOODS WWW.ELROYSFINEFOODS.COM 15 SOLEDAD DRIVE (831) 373-3737 MONTEREY, CA 93940 HUNGRY FOR HUNGARIAN TICKET=$140 EACH (1 TICKET SERVES TWO PEOPLE) To place your order visit www.elroysfinefoods.com or scan this QR CODE! Quantities are limited, so order soon! From Elroy’s Fine Foods Executive Chef & Culinary Director David Hardie A pre-ordered, fully prepared meal to heat & eat at home. Offered on the last Thursday of every month. GLOBALLY INSPIRED & LOCALLY SOURCED KOROZOTT Country Cheese Dip seasoned with Caraway & Dill, served with Pumpernickel (DIP - GF, CONTAINS DAIRY) (PUMPERNICKEL - CONTAINS GLUTEN) UBORKASALÁTA Salted Cucumber Salad with Onions & Vinegar (GF, VEGAN) GOULASH Rich Beef Stew with Potatoes & Paprika (GF, DF) TÖLTÖTT KÁPOSZTA Cabbages stuffed with Beef, Rice & Smoked Ham, topped with Cultured Cream (GF, CONTAINS PORK, DAIRY) RAKOTT KELKÁPOSZTA Baked Cabbage Casserole with Rice, Mushrooms & Sour Cream (GF, VEGETARIAN, CONTAINS DAIRY, EGGS) CHICKEN PAPRIKASH Chicken stewed in a Creamy Paprika Sauce served with Egg Noodles (CHICKEN - GF, CONTAINS DAIRY) (NOODLES - CONTAIN GLUTEN) MAKOS GUBA Sweet Bread Pudding with Poppy Seeds & Vanilla Cream (CONTAINS GLUTEN, DAIRY, EGGS, SEEDS) All items will also be available à la carte for purchase at the Prepared Foods counter on Thursday, 2/27 until sold out! 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 WOODYSMONTEREYAIRPORT.COM MONTEREY REGIONAL AIRPORT 200 FRED KANE DRIVE, MONTEREY 831-373-1232 OPEN 9AM-9PM EVERY DAY DEL MESA CARMEL 500 DEL MESA CARMEL, CARMEL VALLEY 831-624-1854 OPEN WED-SUN LUNCH AND DINNER WOODY DON’T KNOW HOKEY HOLIDAY HEARTS WOODY KNOWS TENDER FILET MIGNON, OSCAR-STYLE ALASKAN HALIBUT, AND CHANTERELLE MUSHROOM RISOTTO— WINNER OF THE FORAGERS FESTIVAL. BRING YOUR SPECIAL SOMEONE THIS VALENTINE’S DAY
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY FEBRUARY 6-12, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com 831 Most days, a person standing on the giant rock that is Point Sur can look out into the distance over the Pacific Ocean and see nothing, save for the occasional whale spout. This is true today and it was true 90 years ago, when lighthouse keepers still staffed this facility that is today a State Historic Park. So it would have been particularly remarkable for lighthouse keepers Thomas Henderson and Harry Russell Miller on Feb. 16, 1935, to see a massive military airship, 785 feet long and 147 feet high, floating northward about three miles offshore and about 1,000 feet above the surface of the ocean. The USS Macon was a marvel in its day. Designed along with its sister ship, the USS Akron, in 1926, the rigid airship was inflated with 6.5 million cubic feet of helium gas. Four small aircraft were stored onboard for scouting missions, and to rejoin the massive dirigibles, pilots of those Sparrowhawk F9C-2 biplanes would aim perfectly for retractable trapeze bars. The Macon was ready for its first test flight in 1933, and relocated to Moffett Field in the Bay Area the next year. On one test flight, as it returned to Moffett on Feb. 12, 1935, the Macon hit weather off the coast of Big Sur. A gust of wind tore off a fin, and the rest of the ship unraveled from there. Henderson and Miller watched from Point Sur as fog thickened and misting rain started to fall; they turned on the foghorns, and within 10 minutes, visibility improved. By the time they caught sight of the Macon again, it was over. According to a transcript of an investigation, Henderson described watching the outer shell rip apart. “At times it looked like some torn-up newspapers, not quite that color, but of that appearance,” he said. “Fragments could be seen falling and drifting.” Miller’s account was similar: “It seemed like a paper sack that blew apart…strips just hung there and whipped in the wind.” “When this happened we were very much excited,” Henderson said. “We were aware of the fact that the Macon was in distress.” Two sailors died, one who jumped fearing that death was imminent as the airship sank toward the water. But its descent was slow enough that the other 74 crew members survived. The crash marked the beginning of the end of an era. (The Akron fared worse; it was destroyed in 1933 in a thunderstorm off the coast of New Jersey, killing 73 of the 76 people on board.) Now 90 years after this loss, volunteers with the nonprofit Central Coast Lighthouse Keepers are bringing the story back to life at Point Sur. A small group will reenact the experience from shore, standing where Miller, 46, and Henderson, 49, would have stood, reciting the words they are reported to have said, at the same time of day (5pm) that the crash occurred. “We have their actual words, because they both testified at the investigation,” says volunteer Dennis Mar. “It will give a very visceral feeling to this event.” Mar grew up in Sunnyvale, with trips to Moffett Field as part of his childhood. “I read about dirigibles growing up, and I’ve always had this affinity for it,” he says. “Then I realized, nobody else is doing commemorations like this.” The story of the Macon interests many visitors, says volunteer/ lighthouse historian Carol O’Neil. Many come for lighthouse history or the scenery, and are surprised by what they learn: “It’s kind of a wow moment,” she says. Mar has seen an exhibit at Moffett dedicated to Macon artifacts and interpretation, but hopes to get at something more human in the curated experience on Wednesday, Feb. 12. “We have the actual testimonies of the keepers. I thought, we should do something because nobody else is doing something,” Mar says. Point Sur Lighthouse is open for public tours at 10am Saturday-Sunday and 1pm Wednesday. Highway 1, 3 miles north of Andrew Molera State Park entrance, Big Sur. $15/adults; $5/children ages 6-17; free/children 5 and under. 625-4419, pointsur.org. Dead Zeppelin Volunteers at Point Sur Lighthouse revive the wild story of a dirigible crash offshore, 90 years later. By Sara Rubin The USS Macon is immortalized inside the Point Sur Lighthouse with newspaper clippings, photos and a model of the military airship that crashed off the Big Sur coast 90 years ago. “It seemed like a paper sack that blew apart.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE KATIE RODRIGUEZ Looking to take your Chamber Membership further? Committees are a great way to be more involved with your community while expanding networking opportunities. Each of our committees has a specific purpose and would not be possible without the help of our volunteers like you! Contact our office to learn how you can join an MPCC Committee today. MPCC Committees: Economic Vitality • Government Affairs • Marketing Membership/Ambassadors • Special Events Join Today! • montereychamber.com • info@montereychamber.com • 831.648.5350
www.montereycountynow.com FEBRUARY 6-12, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 25540 Via Malpaso (Lot 91), Carmel 6.31 acres • $2,750,000 • www.25540ViaMalpaso.com 465 Russell Way, Marina 5 beds, 4 baths • $1,725,000 • www.465RussellWay.com Contingent | 279 Aptos Beach Drive, Aptos 3 beds, 2.5 baths • $1,075,000 • www.279AptosBeach.com 35180 Sky Ranch Road, Carmel Valley 10.73 acres • $850,000 • www.35180SkyRanchRoad.com Interested in a property? Contact us to schedule a showing! 831.624.2300 MontereyCoastRealty.com CalDRE #01871677 Locally Owned. Globally Connected. View all available listings by scanning the code Cornucopia Community Market offers quality nutritious and environmentally safe products, free of artificial additives and preservatives. CURATED FOOD FROM THE HEART Your Local Health Food Store OPEN MON-FRI 9AM-7PM SAT & SUN 10AM-6PM 831-625-1454 26135 Carmel Rancho Blvd, Carmel (at the mouth of Carmel Valley) •Natural, Organic Produce •Fresh Bakery and Deli •Olive Oil/Vinegar/ Local Honey •Wine, Beer, Juice, Coffee and Tea •Fresh, Organic Dairy Products •Healthy Snacks •Vitamins and Nutritional Supplements •All Natural Bath and Body Products •Gifts and Gift Basket Ideas
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY FEBRUARY 6-12, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com NEWS The idea of creating a rental registry in the City of Monterey was first floated in 2020, but gained no traction with City Council. The tenor changed in 2023 during Tyller Williamson’s first year as mayor, and with two new members on the council—Kim Barber and Gino Garcia. Amid considerable pushback from landlords, the council voted that year to enact a registry, starting Jan. 1, 2024, that would require landlords to register their properties with the city and provide data about how many units they rented and at what price, among other things. The idea behind the registry, broadly, was to give the council and city staff more data to get a clearer picture of the city’s rental housing stock, which could both help identify trends in the market and potentially help decisionmakers craft policies that, ideally, could help renters and landlords alike. On Tuesday, Jan. 21, city staff presented the council a review of the program just over a year in. They reported that 73 percent of landlords and tenants in the city have so far registered with the program. And there are plenty of interesting data points in the registry, despite gaps in the data: The neighborhood with the most registered rental units is New Monterey, at 1,409; Oak Grove, with the second most registered units, has 639. Casanova Oak Knoll, meanwhile, has an average rent of $2,370 per month against a $70,875 household income. Many landlords showed up to the meeting to speak against making further changes to the program, wanting to let it play out more first. Williamson concluded the discussion by saying no pending policies like rent control were in the works—the registry is about gathering data. Registry Review Monterey’s rental registry, one year in, is giving a clearer picture of the city’s housing market. By David Schmalz Nearly 40 years ago, the Big Sur Land Use Plan was codified to guide development of 70-plus miles of rugged coastline between Carmel and San Luis Obispo County. Well understood by residents, Big Sur is unique—the area is bound by sheer cliffs, difficult to access, world-class in its beauty and wildlife diversity, and constrained by unstable soils, wildfire threats and floods. Visitors and developers have long been drawn to Big Sur for its dramatic landscapes, a point emphasized in the original plan. However, the challenge of how to accommodate a greater volume of people is of increasing concern. As the Monterey County Planning Commission works toward updating the 1986 plan, some community members asked for immediate measures. On Wednesday, Jan. 29, commissioners discussed a potential moratorium on new visitor-serving units, including hotel, motel and hostel rooms or R.V. campsites. Former commissioner Kate Daniels (now a county supervisor) and Commissioner Martha Diehl, along with others, have been addressing concerns at community meetings, particularly regarding increased congestion and how to count the visitor-serving units. “We had some community meetings, and that’s where this call for the moratorium kept coming forward,” Diehl says. Commissioners decided on Jan. 29 not to pursue a moratorium. Instead, they agreed the best use of time and resources would be to continue focusing on updating the Land Use Plan, which, aside from a few amendments, has not been revised since 1986. Times have changed, and stakeholders hope to revise the plan to reflect that. “It’s different now,” Diehl says. How visitor-serving units, or VSUs, are defined and counted is at the center of the contention. Various interest groups have differing counts on the current number of VSUs against a cap of 300 set by the 39-year-old Land Use Plan. Members of the group Keep Big Sur Wild believe that the total count of VSUs is 315, exceeding that cap, while county records indicate that there are 187 units—rooms at inns, RV campsites or hostel beds—remaining before getting to the cap. Complicating matters further, the definition of a VSU is not clear-cut. “We’re still scrubbing around about what that definition should be,” Diehl says. “The moratorium effort would just redirect staff from working on the update. The reason we feel really strongly that the update needs to proceed [is to] address the big-ticket items of fire and community housing.” While a VSU is intended to include hotel rooms, cabins, yurts and RV campsites, recently introduced park model units were not part of the original plan. An updated plan could address this, along with other key issues that are urgently needed in Big Sur. “It gets worse every year. I don’t know how all these businesses that keep wanting more don’t see that we’re on this trajectory of really destroying what makes pictures so special,” says Marcus Foster, cofounder of Keep Big Sur Wild. “When you start making all these stopping points, and increase commercial businesses that need more employees, you’re just going to keep adding more cars,” he adds. “And at some point, we’re going to get to the breaking point.” A parking pile-up for visitors snapping photos of Bixby Bridge has become a regular issue on Highway 1, even with access from the south closed since January 2023. Plan Ahead Monterey County Planning Commission nixes a potential moratorium on new visitor-serving units. By Katie Rodriguez Since first being elected as Monterey’s mayor in 2022, Tyller Williamson— himself a homeowner—has been a leading voice for the struggles of renters in the city. “It’s different now.” COURTESY MARTHA DIEHL DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com FEBRUARY 6-12, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 The Peninsula’s Downtown Shops, restaurants, hotels and businesses Spend some time with us Downtown… oldmonterey.org 11:30am-close, 10am Sat & Sun 484 Washington Street Downtown Monterey 831.643.9525 www.melvilletav.com WOOD FIRED PIZZAS, BURGERS, PASTA, SAlADS & SANDWICHES INDOOR, PATIO DINING & TAKEOUT HAPPY HOUR FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS SUN-tHUR 4-6PM wEEKEND BRUNCH Reflections Elegante Gallery 271 Alvarado Mall, 831.238.3125 Across from Portola Hotel and Spa reflectionselegantegallery.com Visit Reflections Elegante Fine Art Gallery to be enchanted by stunning artwork by 30 talented local artists. 44 The 24K Gold Rose Through a special process a Real Rose has been treated and preserved in 24K Gold. ALL GOLD $120 and COLORED ROSE $82 This Valentine’s Day, give her a rose that will last forever 447 ALVARADO ST • MONTEREY • 375-5332 ’19 Monterey One Water • ReGen Monterey • Southern Monterey Bay Dischargers Group GREEN CART Food scraps without a bag TRASH Cooking oil and grease www.ClogBusters.org SCORE BIG, KEEP OUT OF DRAINS fats, oils & grease FOG
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY FEBRUARY 6-12, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com Sal Colletto was born in 1904 and started fishing with his dad on Monterey Bay in 1914. In 1940, he acquired a piece of land in what is now Sand City that he used for drying fishing nets. At the time, the landscape was just sand dunes, dotted with oak trees, and eventually, Sal transported a house in Seaside slated for demolition—he got it for free—and put it on the property at what is now 748 California Ave. Over the years, the house became a hub for fishermen to gather, share food, conviviality and perhaps find some work. John Steinbeck is said to have spent some time there. The house remains in the Colletto family, and since 1970, so does an adjacent, derelict lot at 725 Dias Ave. that Sal’s son Bert bought for his roofing business. And now, Jeanne Colletto, Bert’s daughter, is hoping to turn that street-to-street area—from Dias to California—into “The Yard,” a park-like space that would host a rotating selection of up to four food trucks or trailers at a time. The concept includes seating, landscaping, two public bathrooms and one ADA-compliant parking space. The vision behind The Yard is to bring back the communal nature of Jeanne’s grandfather’s property next door when it was in its heyday—a place to gather, eat and socialize. Sand City’s council was first presented with the vision on Jan. 21. The project was coupled with a proposal that, if approved, would see the lot leased for two years for commercial truck storage in order to raise revenue for the buildout, and help pay medical bills for Jeanne’s grandmother, who is 95 years old. The council unanimously opposed that idea but were excited by the vision for The Yard, and indicated they want to see the area revitalized. Councilmember Michelle Adams said she “can’t wait for The Yard,” Mayor Mary Ann Carbone thought the concept was “great,” and Councilmember Marilee Diaz said, “I too think the food truck concept is amazing…I wish it could start right now.” A resolution to approve just The Yard—decoupled from the truck storage phase—is set to come back to the council for consideration on Feb. 18. Colletto is confident that her vision, despite the truck storage phase being off the table, remains viable, and if approved, the first steps will be getting a power connection and continuing to refine the plans with her landscape architect, Marie Goulet of Wild Land Workshop. In preparation for a new era in Washington, tensions are running high just over two weeks into the new administration. Among other things, communities are concerned about how the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will operate. Those sentiments came up at the County Board of Supervisors Meeting on Jan. 29 in response to a report provided by the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office which detailed the number of incarcerated people who were released into ICE custody in 2024. “I would be interested to know if at this point in time, in this particular political climate, if this sort of cooperation could be suspended, what that would look like so we can do absolutely everything we can to protect our communities against mass deportations,” Supervisor Kate Daniels said. “I am concerned.” Beginning in 2018, the Sheriff’s Office increased restrictions on ICE agents’ access to incarcerated people in the Monterey County Jail. The Sheriff’s Office reported a total of 11 individuals in 2024 who met the criteria for qualifying charges related to more serious or high-level offenses, which are the circumstances under which local law enforcement can cooperate with ICE. But supervisors questioned whether or not the sheriff’s office needs to cooperate with them at all, as well as the potential consequences if they don’t. “If we don’t cooperate, those folks who have committed the most heinous acts will be on the street,” Supervisor Chris Lopez said. “My concern comes at the point [where] ICE will still be looking for them, and if they show up at their place of work that there won’t be collateral damage.” Others, like attorney Michelle Welsh, a professor of constitutional law at Monterey College of Law, feel that the less communication with ICE the better. “I would hope to see their relationship completely change to zero cooperation with ICE,” Welsh says. “That’s what they do in Santa Cruz. Their sheriff’s policy is not to cooperate with ICE at all.” Yard Work A permanent food truck park in Sand City seems within reach, if it can pencil out. By David Schmalz NEWS COLLEGE CAREERS Hartnell College seeks to fill 12 full-time faculty positions. A job fair allows prospective applicants to speak with department deans and learn more about the available positions. 1-5pm Saturday, Feb. 8. Hartnell College Main Campus, Steinbeck Hall, 411 Central Ave., Salinas. Free. hartnell.edu/hr. SNIPPING CLINICS SPCA Monterey County offers free mobile spay and neuter surgeries for dogs and cats in South County. The clinics, scheduled for four dates in February and March, are sponsored by Hitchcock Road Animal Services. Wednesday, Feb. 12 and Wednesday, March 19 at King City Recreation Center, 401 Division St., King City. Wednesday, Feb. 26 and Wednesday, March 5 at Soledad Lions Club, 161 Park St., Soledad. $25/deposit for a spot, refundable on arrival. Make an appointment at spcamc.org/vet-clinic. PLANNING AHEAD The Monterey County Planning Commission meets to discuss the latest development proposals. Public comment is accepted. 9am Wednesday, Feb. 12. Board of Supervisors’ Chambers, 168 West Alisal St., Salinas. Free. countyofmonterey.gov. JOB HUNTING 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, Feb. 12. Career Center, 344 Salinas St., Salinas. Free. Register at montereycountyworks.com/ february-12-2025-job-fair. IMMIGRATION INFORMATION The Monterey County Immigration Rights Ad Hoc Committee hosts a “know your rights” forum. Speakers include immigration attorneys and the Mexican consul general. 5-6pm (resource fair), 6-7:30pm (speakers) Wednesday, Feb. 12. Alisal High School gym, 777 Williams Road, Salinas. Free. countyofmonterey.gov. COMMUNITY SERVICE Applications are now open for the Green Cadre program, which pays participants ages 18-24 to work on environmental, food insecurity and other community projects. Deadline to apply is Feb. 18. 796-3331, montereycountyworks.com/6wh0. SURVEY SAYS The City of Salinas seeks public input on its upcoming 2025-2026 budget. A survey is live for the public to share their priorities. Survey open through Feb. 28. Free. surveymonkey.com/r/W878CG2. Opt Out Annual presentation by the sheriff brings forth questions about cooperation with ICE in 2025. By Katie Rodriguez A rendering shows the concept for “The Yard.” Sand City City Council expressed support for it, but were against a two-year intermediate parking lot concept. E-MAIL: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX “I think the food truck concept is amazing.” GUSTAVO CARVALHO
www.montereycountynow.com FEBRUARY 6-12, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 The economic impacts of agriculture and hospitality, Monterey County’s number one and number two industries respectively, are well advertised year after year. A 2018 analysis showed ag contributed $11.7 billion in impact; See Monterey’s most recent study about the impact of hospitality boasted a $3.24 billion impact from hospitality in 2023. One sector of the economy gets less notice, yet packs a big punch, according to a new study. Defense spending generated by the county’s military installations and presence of veterans provided an estimated $4.9 billion impact to Monterey County in 2023, according to the Monterey County Military Economic Impact Report commissioned by the Monterey Bay Defense Alliance and conducted by Colorado Springs-based Matrix Design Group, which specializes in defense community consulting. “We’re very proud of our hospitality industry. We’re grateful for the economic impact. Yet the economic impact of the military sector and the federal dollars outshine the sector,” said Monterey City Manager Hans Uslar, using his city’s top industry for comparison, at a breakfast hosted by the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce for the MBDA on Friday, Jan. 31, where the study’s results were unveiled. Part of the $4.9 billion comes from $2.4 billion in direct spending by the Department of Defense, the U.S. Coast Guard and Department of Veterans Affairs, including personnel compensation, procurement contracts and grants and veterans pensions and benefits. The county is home to nearly 12,000 military personnel and civilian workers, supporting facilities like the Defense Language Institute, Naval Postgraduate School and Fort Hunter Liggett. A breakdown shows that the $2.4 billion came from $1.4 billion in compensation to over 11,800 uniformed service members and DoD civilian employees, $682 million in procurement and aid and $328 million in pensions, education benefits and medical benefits, including money that goes to an estimated 17,600 veterans and retirees. Indirect spending, including by businesses in the supply chain, household spending by military families and other indicators generated another $2.5 billion in impact. In addition, defense activity in the county generated an estimated $69 million in local tax revenue and $254 million in state tax revenue. The federal dollars spent on the military in the county are an investment, said Charlie Perham, director of planning and analytics for Matrix. “The federal government is investing in this community and in the people that are working in the industry,” he said, adding that it accounts for about 15 percent of the county’s economy. The study estimated it generates 27,475 jobs, 10.5 percent of the labor force. The complete study is available at bit.ly/ MontereyCountyMilitaryReport. Military Might Defense spending nears $5 billion in local economic benefit, according to a new study. By Pam Marino This chart shows the sources of dollars flowing into Monterey County for direct veterans’ support. Most are in the form of pensions, followed by medical benefits. NEWS Defense spending provided an estimated $4.9 billion impact. SOURCE: DOD OFFICE OF THE ACTUARY; NATIONAL CENTER FOR VETERANS ANALYSIS AND STATISTICS Rose Romance Singles $160 / 60 mins. Couples $320 / 60 mins Celebrate love & relaxation with a luxurious massage for couples or singles. Enhance your senses with essence our signature rose. Radiant Rose $160 / 60 mins Restore your skin’s radiance with a hydrating rose infused facial including a moisturizing hand treatment. Gifts Certificates can be purchased on-line at spaontheplaza.com and printed from home, and there is no expiration date. Guests can enjoy complimentary Champagne and Truffles on Valentines Day Voted Best Skin Care in 2024 for the 13th time and Best Spa 7 Times ValentineS’s pecials Specials STEAM ROOMS - POOL - JACUZZI - FITNESS CLUB MEMBERSHIPS - WELLNESS CENTER - FREE PARKING 201 ALVARADO ST. DOWNTOWN MONTEREY • 831-647-9000 SPAONTHEPLAZA.COM
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY FEBRUARY 6-12, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com FIRE FEARS It’s good to know scientists are working on it, but there seems little action on the part of government officials (“Two weeks after Vistra battery plant fire in Moss Landing, residents are still seeking answers,” Jan. 30-Feb. 5). Clearly, all crops in at least a two-mile radius should be trashed and scrupulous measures taken to rehabilitate the soil. The other major action that should be taken is that which will assure this never happens again. If that takes shutting down the plant, so be it, but I imagine there are various steps that could be taken to construct containment structures that would prevent the escape of these horrific, deadly chemicals in any future accident. John Thomas | Salinas Zero risk is necessary in environmentally sensitive areas with vital farmlands (“Yes, we need safeguards—but we also need battery storage technology,” Jan. 23-29). Thank you, Supervisor Glenn Church and Assemblymember Dawn Addis for standing up for our marine sanctuary and our farms. Thank you to researchers with Moss Landing Marine Lab for detecting the spike in heavy metals in Elkhorn Slough soils after the fire. Yes, we need battery storage systems to lower our carbon footprint, but we need them in the right place with the right technology and the right safeguards. We should not be lowering carbon by raising other environmental hazards. We also need to be involved in the process so we can stop granting permits to companies with long histories of putting profit above safety. If we close the revolving door between utility industries and commissions who regulate utilities, we just might be able to accomplish our clean energy goals. Karen Morgan | Watsonville CHANGING OF THE GUARD Big loss for our community (“MPUSD Superintendent PK Diffenbaugh will step down at the end of the school year,” posted Jan. 31). Jennifer Burton-Kuyper | via social media Such a loss for our schools. Thank you for all your efforts, PK! Jacquie Atchison | via social media BORDER WAR This is a bunch of ridiculous nonsense (“Monterey County protesters join a nationwide movement to show the power of immigrants,” posted Feb. 3). Good that our new administration is making these changes. Pretty soon they’re gonna want this to be a national holiday. Sandra Edwards | via social media I believe we were doing just fine before this border problem. You all realize you are taking more from U.S. than giving. NOW GO HOME! Susan Cooper | via social media Democracy at work. Those that are against this peaceful protest are the problem. Cynthia Houseman Ross | via social media ON PAR Dave Faries’ recap of Wyndham Clark’s record round got me thinking about a few things (“Wyndham Clark looks back on his record-breaking round at the 2024 Pro-Am,” Jan. 30-Feb. 5). Maybe driving into the rough isn’t so bad when you’re shooting into wet, slow greens. Also, the story doesn’t mention that lift, clean and place rules were being used for the tourney. The European tour does not recognize a record played under “winter rules” as official. The American tour does. Why? When you give yourself a preferred lie with a clean ball in the fairway, you have changed the nature of the game. If Hurley Long’s score of 61 was fired under normal rules, then Clark’s 60 should have an asterisk. Mateo Ryan | Seaside Note: The PGA Tour counts course records set under lift, clean and place conditions as official. FORGING ON Sad to hear this (“Carmel’s iconic Forge in the Forest restaurant is closing: ‘We’re devastated,’ says owner,” posted Jan. 31). It was an interesting, beautiful space for casual dining. Carmel is squeezing out all but the billionaire class. Such a shame. Lori McWilliams | via web HELPING HANDS I love this caring fire recovery article (“Ideas for how to help people in LA after the fires,” posted Jan. 30). This might be the most encouraging thing I’ve heard in the last 10 days particularly. Thank you. N.J. Sloan | via email PADDLE FORWARD Thank you for highlighting the sport of outrigger canoeing (“When there is a stretch of water to race on, Heidi Laber is always up for the challenge,” Jan. 30-Feb. 5). As mentioned in the interview, while you can paddle as an individual, there is a great community of paddlers in the area. Hi’ilani ‘o Ke Kai (formerly Ke Kai ‘o Uhane) has been sharing paddling and hula with the community since 1984! Racing can be a part of participating in paddling, but it isn’t required and many of our members choose to just come out and paddle (or dance hula). It is mostly about celebrating this amazing area we are blessed to live and play in. There is no person in the canoe more important than any other—it is all about being together and working as a collective. We’ve got members from 9-79 years old. I invite anyone who wants to spend more time on the water to come out to a free recreational paddle on the first and third Sunday of each month. Aaron Palmer | Monterey Note: Palmer is a coach with Hi’ilani ‘o Ke Kai. IN MOTION James is the best! Saved me from needing shoulder surgery last year (“Physical therapist James Takehara is always happy, and always in motion,” Jan. 23-29). Max Feldman | via social media I very much enjoyed your interview with the physical therapist. I respect “motion is lotion” and the whole interview was very enlightening and enjoyable. An McDowell | Monterey I’ve been going there twice a week since October last year. Couldn’t be happier. Recovery is going way better than I expected. Léo D’Andréa | 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 FEBRUARY 6-12, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 There are two schools of thought—at least—on the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am’s current format. Both have their merits. A year ago the event played for the first time as a PGA Tour signature event. Gone were the celebrities, as well as lighthearted preliminaries like the hole in one challenge for charity. On course for the first time outside of a U.S. Open was a field of the world’s top professionals. As a nod to the spirit of the event, 80 amateurs were paired to the pros—most of them corporate executives, with a few star athletes, but no Bill Murray. Over the decades, the celebrity-studded lineup of the ProAm created its own excitement. With 156 pros and an equal number of amateurs, there was a lot to take in. At the same time, however, many of the best players in the world chose to avoid the Pro-Am. While the amateurs were vetted, few could match the talent of the PGA. So rounds could drag for over six hours. And the crowd-baiting antics of Murray and others proved distracting to serious golf. That left one of the world’s most revered courses hosting a modest field. The top-ranked players gathered only when Pebble Beach Golf Links hosted the U.S. Open, or once every decade. Given its stature, Pebble Beach deserves more. There are eight signature events on the tour schedule, each with a purse of $20 million. While there were many factors behind the decision by the PGA Tour to declare the Pro-Am a signature event—competition from the big money Saudibacked LIV golf tour among them—the new format is an imperfect compromise. The “clambake” conjured by Bing Crosby as a bit of a lark and moved to Pebble Beach in 1947 as a way to attract tourists during the area’s slow season was a success. Casual fans of the sport were attracted by the colorful atmosphere. Among this crowd, there is little interest in watching the CEO of Cisco tee off. Equally compelling is the idea of the top golfers competing on the best courses. Crowds at the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach were noticeably larger than for any Pro-Am. Those who follow golf will travel across the country or the ocean to watch Scottie Scheffler or Rory McIlroy. They are not so interested in a celebrity hacking away. Still, it is evident on the scorecards of the 2025 Pro-Am that the courses were set up with amateurs in mind. Despite rain and high winds during the week, the professionals were hardly troubled. McIlroy won with an overall score of 21-under par. Of the 78 pros who completed the tournament, 66 played under par. Thirty-two finished double-digits to the good. By comparison, when Gary Woodland captured the 2019 U.S. Open title at 13-under, only he and Brooks Koepke (at 10-under) ended double-digits below par. Of the 79 who made the cut that year, 58 finished at or above par. Under the circumstances, it is neither the best playing the toughest courses nor a spirited pro-am atmosphere. Another factor must be considered, as well. Even during its early years, the Pro-Am was known for the appearance of “Crosby weather.” A year ago, weather forced officials to cancel the final round, calling the tournament at 54 holes—the seventh time rain wiped out Sunday play since 1974. Rain ended the 1996 Pro-Am after just two rounds. Certainly there are fans reluctant to travel if the forecast is dicey. Players have been questioning the traditional January-February West Coast swing. After a windswept round at Torrey Pines in San Diego earlier this year, Charley Hoffman told Golf Digest, “Maybe play Florida first and maybe play the West Coast more in the summer when we all want to be in San Diego…Just jumble it all up.” A change to the schedule should be seriously considered. After all, the signature events almost act as a separate tour. The PGA Tour should schedule Pebble Beach in the summer months as a signature event, removing the amateur aspect, pitting the best golfers on one of the finest courses. As for the Pro-Am, February would then be open for a fun, casual event with a lineup of celebrities as envisioned by Crosby—a distinct event, perhaps part of another tour such as the Korn Ferry, which acts similar to a minor league. Unlikely? Sure. But it would satisfy both schools. Dave Faries is the Weekly’s features editor. Reach him at dfaries@montereycountynow. com. Tee Time The world’s top golfers should take on Pebble Beach, but something is lost. By Dave Faries ADDS UP…Squid is great at math as long as the numbers are small enough to count on Squid’s 10 appendages. Once you get into big figures, Squid needs a calculator. Squid did not need a calculator to make sense of a conversation members of the Marina City Council had on Tuesday, Feb. 4, about whether to approve a 1,000-percent increase in councilmember compensation. Yes, that’s three zeroes—bigger than any raise Squid has ever asked for for writing this column. That’s not to say it’s actually all that many sand dollars in total, $123,000 per year, although it is more than twice the amount the state recommends for a city the size of Marina. The plan takes councilmember pay from $200 to $2,000 per month, and the mayor’s compensation from $250 to $2,250. (Unlike many local cities, Marina does not provide health insurance to members of council. In Monterey, for comparison, councilmembers receive $965 per month, and the mayor gets $1,418, plus health insurance). Councilmember Kathy Biala says they aren’t being greedy but getting fair compensation. “We’re right in the middle. We’re not excessive, we’re not going to be the lowest,” she tells Squid’s colleague. “Finally, after decades of no stipend increases, Marina is finally getting it.” Biala hopes boosting compensation motivates more residents, particularly from diverse backgrounds, to run for office. The council voted 4-1 to give themselves the raises; Squid will be watching to see who runs in the future. COUNT DOWN…Speaking of money matters, Squid has been watching for years as a battle over public records plays out in Monterey County Superior Court. In the latest chapter, Soledad Community Health Care District and CEO Ida Chan Lopez are in a fight over what seems to Squid like pocket change: $1,022 the district claimed in court costs. Andrew Sandoval, who serves as a member of Salinas City Council—and a self-appointed local government watchdog—sued the district in 2023 seeking to compel officials to produce records under the California Public Records Act. They did eventually turn over most (but not all) of the records, so in 2024, Sandoval dismissed his suit. SCHCD waved a flag of victory—and then sought to recover its court costs, totaling $1,022. Not so fast, Sandoval is arguing—he dropped his suit to save everybody money. Now Sandoval, faithfully committed to being a thorn in the side of the district, filed a motion asking a judge to strike or reduce those costs. On Jan. 31, the court heard the arguments, with a decision to-be-issued. Meanwhile the parties are still negotiating over undisclosed records that Squid would like to read. THE LOCAL SPIN SQUID FRY THE MISSION OF MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY IS TO INSPIRE INDEPENDENT THINKING AND CONSCIOUS ACTION, ETC. The new format is an imperfect compromise. SEND SQUID A TIP: squid@montereycountynow.com
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY FEBRUARY 6-12, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com Fact Check News literacy matters more than ever, as social media platforms move to reject fact checking. By Susan Meister FORUM Consider the impact of the widely circulated “news” that vaccines cause autism. Such a story, if unchallenged, can change decisions on when or if to provide vaccinations. Although the story has been debunked by every leading scientific organization, it has still resulted in a reduced number of vaccinations administered since it appeared. Fewer vaccinations can mean significant harm. They prevent diseases that have largely disappeared from the developed world, like measles, polio and diphtheria. Fact checking a story of this nature can be critical to maintaining public health. Unfortunately, it is no longer in favor. Meta recently announced it was disbanding its fact checking team. It joins other social media platforms that claim to be unbiased, but are spreading disinformation that is then magnified and projected by algorithms which operate with the speed of light. National News Literacy Week is Feb. 3-7, and its premise matters now more than ever. In the absence of gatekeepers to prevent the spread of misinformation and disinformation, fact checking by consumers of news has assumed a crucial role. Yet fact checking in itself has been excoriated by politicians as a violation of free speech that projects political bias. Journalists have been singled out. In this chaotic environment, mistrust of the media grows. Much of this mistrust is the result of the unchecked spread of disinformation and the reflexive rush to share it before it can be fact checked, and the lack of media literacy training in which fact checking skills are taught. For people who want to be part of a fact checking universe and see it as an important function in their local communities, there are a number of websites that are readily available. Among them are RumorGuard (the News Literacy Project), Politifact, FactCheck.org, Snopes, Media Bias/Fact Check and the International Fact Checking Network. Consider taking a news literacy test: Choose a story that provokes controversy and fact check it. Has it appeared in other news outlets? Is there evidence that proves the claims? Are the authors known and respected? Are there other sources that confirm or debunk it? Beyond this digital learning, the Monterey County Media Literacy Coalition invites you to join a conversation. Scholar Jevin West speaks on the topic of Media Literacy in the Age of Misinformation on April 3. He will lead a session at Carmel High School for 11th- and 12th-grade students and their teachers. That evening he will present to the public. News literacy is a mark of civic responsibility. Our decisions as a society depend on it. Susan Meister is a journalist and founder of the Monterey County Media Literacy Coalition. Monterey County Weekly is also a member. Media Literacy in the Age of Misinformation presentation takes place at 6:30pm on Thursday, April 3 at the Performing Arts Center at Carmel High School. Free; seating is limited. Reserve a seat at carmelpubliclibraryfoundation.org OPINION News literacy is a mark of civic responsibility. symphony fEBRUARY 15 & 16, 2025 GABRIELI / IVES / DORMAN no. 1 SUNSET CENTER, CARMEL MONTEREYSYMPHONY.ORG JAYCE OGREN MUSIC DIRECTOR
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