MARCH 6-12, 2025 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT LOCAL FEDERAL WORKERS FIRED 10 | READY FOR WILDFIRE 13 | BANFF FINDS 29 | POCKET CHANGE 34 FIRST PLACE GENERAL EXCELLENCE • 2024 CA JOURNALISM AWARDS • BRINGING IT With delivery apps gaining popularity, restaurants are grappling with the pros and cons. p. 18 By Dave Faries
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 6-12, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com MARCH 6-12, 2025 • ISSUE #1910 • ESTABLISHED IN 1988 Don Blohowiak (Canon R5 Mark II with a 100500 mm lens) This little flock of turkeys stops to pose for their band photo on top of a sand dune in Pebble Beach. MONTEREY COUNTY PHOTO OF THE WEEK Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: According to some surveys, a greater percentage of Americans order food delivery each month than visit restaurants. At Togo’s, a sandwich shop in Seaside, third-party delivery accounts for 40 percent of its business. 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 MARCH 6-12, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH A Russia-linked ransomware group claimed Feb. 27 that it is responsible for an attack on Lee Enterprises, which owns 350 publications across the United States. The group, Qilin, claims it has “investor records, financial arrangements that raise questions, payments to journalists and publishers, funding for tailored news stories, and approaches to obtaining insider information.” It is threatening to leak the stolen data unless the ransom—an amount that is unknown—is paid. In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Lee Enterprises stated that the attack, which is now entering its second month, has delayed its newspapers’ distribution as well as billing and other services. “The company is actively conducting forensic analysis to determine whether sensitive data or personally identifiable information was compromised,” the filing stated. “At this time, no conclusive evidence has been identified, but the investigation remains ongoing.” Good: AT&T, Monterey Peninsula Foundation and Human-I-T donated 185 refurbished laptops to the Greenfield Community Science Workshop and Foundation for Monterey County Free Libraries to distribute them among county residents in need. “We believe that access to technology should never be a barrier to opportunity,” said Gabe Middleton, Human-I-T’s CEO. About 8 percent of Californians don’t have internet access or devices to engage online. “Access to reliable internet and digital devices has become essential for everyday tasks—from schoolwork to work and health care. This need is especially critical in communities like Greenfield and South Monterey County,” said Fabián Chacón, Greenfield CSW’s coordinator. “Today’s efforts will have a lasting impact on the education, future and well-being of these students, their families and our broader region.” GREAT: South County cities have a plan to make it safer and easier for students biking and walking to the 22 public K-12 schools in the Salinas Valley. That vision was formalized when the Transportation Agency for Monterey County Board of Directors adopted the Salinas Valley Safe Routes to School Plan in December, setting off subsequent approvals by South County city councils, most recently Soledad on Feb. 19, after a three-year planning period. The plan includes recommended street projects and programs designed to improve safety around schools, such as new sidewalks, enhanced crosswalks, bike facilities and other features. Programs listed in the plan include safety education and walking “school buses.” The plan was funded with a $664,127 grant from Caltrans and $126,501 from Measure X. The cities and TAMC will now search for funding sources to implement the plan. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s how much American Assets Trust sold the Del Monte Shopping Center in Monterey for, to buyer Federal Realty Investment Trust. Federal Realty owns high-end developments across the country, including Santana Row in San Jose. Source: County of Monterey Assessor’s Office $123.5 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “These [businesses] mean jobs; they mean independence; and even just community pride.” -Colleen Bailey, president and CEO of the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce, on the importance of shopping at small businesses (see story, montereycountynow.com). million 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.montereycu.com or call us at 831.647.1000 or stop by a branch nearby Salinas | Monterey | Hollister | Carmel Landscape • Hardscape • Irrigation 831-624-4991 insideout1design@outlook.com f InsideOut Landscape Design CA LIC# 960809 w Landscape Design From An Interior Perspective Eliza DeCiantis believes that your landscape should be an extension of your interior space. Having received her Master Gardener’s Certification over 28 years ago, Eliza combines her 22 year career in television set design with her life-long passion for gardening to create beautiful custom landscape. Eliza is conscientious of our water management issues while creating a drought tolerant, deer resistant environment custom to your personal taste and budget. With a keen sense of attention to detail, Eliza will spruce up your existing landscape for a special event or create a new landscape to enjoy for years to come. InsideOut Landscape Design, Inc. can increase the value of your home, while enhancing the natural potential and beauty of your exterior space for your home or business.
www.montereycountynow.com MARCH 6-12, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES ALL YEAR LONG! THE CITY OF MONTEREY FOR MORE INFO + REGISTRATION MONTEREY.GOV/REC (831) 646-3866 SCAN ME! play! MONTEREY PRESCHOOL ADULT & SENIOR PROGRAMS ADULT SPORTS LEAGUES GYMNASTICS YOUTH DANCE CLASSES SCHOOL BREAK & SUMMER CAMPS YOUTH SPORTS LEAGUES & CAMPS AND MUCH MORE! 2020 INFORMATIONAL SESSIONS AND INTERVIEWS TO BE HELD AT 2:00 PM AT THESE LOCATIONS THE SUPERIOR COURT URGES YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN IMPROVING YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT! Greenfield Tuesday May 12 Monterey Wednesday May 13 www.monterey.courts.ca.gov/grandjury (831) 775-5400 Extension 3014 Salinas Thursday May 14 Monterey Courthouse Wednesday, May 7 at 2:00 pm Salinas Courthouse Thursday, May 8 at 2:00 pm King City Courthouse Friday, May 9 at 10:30 am www.monterey.courts.ca.gov/general-information/grand-jury (831) 775-5400 Extension 3014 The 2025–2026 Civil Grand Jury Needs You! 2025 INFORMATIONAL SESSION AND INTERVIEWS TO BE HELD AT THESE LOCATIONS TICKET=$140 EACH (1 TICKET SERVES TWO PEOPLE) All items will also be available à la carte for purchase at the Prepared Foods counter on 3/17/25 until sold out! *ORDER BY: MONDAY, MARCH 10TH PICK UP: MONDAY, MARCH 17TH @ELROYSFINEFOODS WWW.ELROYSFINEFOODS.COM 15 SOLEDAD DRIVE (831) 373-3737 MONTEREY, CA 93940 To place your order visit elroysfinefoods.com or scan this QR CODE! Limited quantities so order soon! AD ASTRA SODA BREAD Served with Irish Cheddar Spread (VEGETARIAN, CONTAINS GLUTEN & DAIRY) GREEN SALAD Spinach & Arugula, Green Onion, Snap Peas, Asparagus, Cucumber, Eggs, Green Garlic Ranch Dressing (VEGETARIAN, GF, CONTAINS DAIRY) GUINNESS STEW Rich Irish Stew with Potatoes & Paprika (CONTAINS GLUTEN & DAIRY) HOUSE BRINED WAGYU CORNED BEEF One Pound Fully Cooked & Sliced (GF, DF, CONTAINS NITRATES) CABBAGE & CARROTS Cooked in Beef Broth and Served in a Parsley Butter (GF, CONTAINS DAIRY) COLCANNON Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Kale & Cabbage (VEGETARIAN, GF, CONTAINS DAIRY) IRISH COFFEE BREAD PUDDING Chocolate & Coffee Bread Pudding Served with a Whiskey Caramel (VEGETARIAN, CONTAINS GLUTEN, DAIRY, EGGS) A Heatable Eatable-style dinner brought to you by Elroy’s ST. PADDY’S DAY FEAST
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 6-12, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com 831 On a gray, blustery Friday morning in Pebble Beach, Lynn Bohnen and Soozie Bauer are eyeing a large, jumbled pile of pastel-colored flowers and leafy branches in hues of green and gray, plus multiple carts holding finished floral arrangements of roses, hydrangeas, sweet peas, ranunculus and peonies. The mass of flowers, leftovers from a celebration of life, sit outside a loading dock at The Inn at Spanish Bay just steps away from dumpsters where normally such arrangements wind up. Not on this day, however. Bohnen and Bauer are volunteers with Second Bloom, a nonprofit operating on the Monterey Peninsula and in La Selva Beach in Santa Cruz County, that takes floral arrangements from fancy events, extra florist stock and other sources and gives them new life as quaint bouquets to adorn the bedside tables of hospice patients, the homes of Meals on Wheels recipients, as well as inside shelters and other facilities. For the past five years the two Peninsula women along with a cadre of volunteers have been working, sometimes weekly, picking up discarded flowers and greens, then artfully arranging them in vases made from upcycled soup cans, and finally delivering the bouquets to hospice centers and other nonprofit organizations. Last year they made and delivered nearly 6,000 bouquets. “People spend a lot of money on flowers for their weddings and corporate events, and they’re seen once,” says Bauer, who serves as Second Bloom’s treasurer. The Pebble Beach floral department puts together numerous arrangements for all types of events, large and small. Recently Second Bloom scooped up flowers that were done for a visit by Lady Gaga. The flowers from Pebble Beach are in general “incredible,” Bohnen says. “The flowers we get from them are gorgeous. We’re able to make stunning arrangements.” Second Bloom got its start more than five years ago by Anne Bell of La Selva Beach, who had done something similar in Roseville until she moved to the coast. Bohnen, who serves as Second Bloom’s vice president, saw an article in Carmel Magazine about the new nonprofit and was motivated to contact her. Bell put Bohnen of Pacific Grove in touch with Bauer, who lives not far away in Pebble Beach. At first the two women would travel up to La Selva Beach. It was in the early days of Covid-19, and floral shops were all closed but the flowers were still growing in the fields of Watsonville and needed to be harvested. “That was trippy. We just filled our cars up with flowers straight from the fields,” Bohnen says. Later they realized Pebble Beach Company could be a huge resource for flowers and company officials agreed to the ongoing pickups. Typically they pick up flowers from the resort on a Friday and then alert a list of over 40 volunteers that they’ll be arranging bouquets on Sunday morning. They pluck the best-looking flowers that have the potential to last for up to a week. There’s a volunteer who picks up bags of empty soup cans from Gathering for Women in Monterey, which are then transformed by more volunteers who use wallpaper to decorate the cans. On Sunday, about 15 volunteers make more than 200 bouquets inside a donated home garage space in Pebble Beach, each with a bow tied with twine. Hospice centers are a priority, part of Second Bloom’s original mission. The centers receive over 100 bouquets. About 30 arrangements go to Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula for delivery with meals and to decorate tables inside the Meals on Wheels Community Center in Pacific Grove. The rest go to places like the Casa de Noche Buena shelter and Salvation Army in Seaside and the Shuman HeartHouse in Monterey. They have enough volunteers, enough cans and plenty of access to flowers. What they don’t have is a permanent location. They were only supposed to use the generous volunteer’s garage for one year. It’s been four. They’ve reached out to real estate agents, churches and property owners to no avail, but they’re not giving up. There are so many more people who need a simple bouquet of flowers to brighten their days. Flower Power Nonprofit Second Bloom repurposes fancy bouquets to uplift hospice patients and others. By Pam Marino Second Bloom is an all-volunteer nonprofit that takes flowers from events and creates new arrangements for hospice and senior facilities. “We’ve given to people who have never even had a bouquet of flowers in their lives,” says Lynn Bohnen. “We’re able to make stunning arrangements.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE DANIEL DREIFUSS Presented By montereychamber.com In CelebrationOf: 2024 Citizen of the Year Jeff Davi The Monterey Peninsula Home Team and A.G. Davi, Ltd 2024 Ruth Vreeland Memorial Public Official of the Year Mary Ann Carbone Mayor City of Sand City 2024 Robert C. Littlefield Award for Lifetime Achievement Shawn Adams Owner, Monterey Signs 2024 Community Impact Award Sandra Button Chairman, Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Business of the Year Award To Be Announced During the Event GET TICKETS!
www.montereycountynow.com MARCH 6-12, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 JOIN US FOR THE 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY STEM TALENT EXPO! MARCH 19 CHARTING THE FUTURE: STEM CAREERS IN MONTEREY COUNTY Hosted by Visit our website for full details: www.mcstemtalentexpo.com KEYNOTE SPEAKER Cody Cleverly Joby Aviation WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2025 1:00 PM 5:00 PM HARTNELL COLLEGE STEM CENTER LOBBY Sponsorship Opportunities THANK YOU SPONSORS! MARCH 15, 2025 | 5PM Marriott Monterey • San Carlos Ballroom LOBO LEGENDS CELEBRATION Join us for this special occasion honoring distinguished alumni & benefitting MPC Students! Purchase reservations or make a donation by visiting www.mpcfoundation.org/lobolegends Ausonio, Inc. • Brailsford & Dunlavey, Inc. • Major Accountancy Group Pinnacle Bank • Richard and Renee Kezirian • Montage Health
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 6-12, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com NEWS Three years ago, Cardinale Stadium was packed with fans attending Monterey Bay FC’s first home game. The local United Soccer League team played several games away while the stadium modernization was still underway. Once it opened, it still looked unfinished, with 36 portable restrooms; not all grandstands were up. Since then, the club has added bleachers and amenities. Now, they are proposing a further expansion. The proposed project would include locker rooms and shower facilities for men and women, permanent bathrooms to replace portables, and a stage and storage area. The upgrades could expand the scope of events, festivals and concerts at the venue, on the campus of CSU Monterey Bay. Mike DiGiulio, MBFC’s president, says both parties contemplated an expansion since day one. “We play approximately 20 home matches a year and CSUMB has some matches—so that leaves a lot of open dates for the stadium to be used to the benefit of the community for other events and functions,” DiGiulio says. Besides MBFC, Cardinale Stadium this season will also host Monterey Bay FC 2, a pre-professional men’s team that previously played at Rabobank Stadium in Salinas. If the proposed project goes forward, it could also host two women’s teams, a professional USL Super League and a pre-professional one, USL W League. According to the CSUMB Board of Trustees’ notice of preparation, upgrades would take nine months and would start in spring next year. The notice is a first step before preparing an environmental impact report; the board is accepting comments until March 31. They host a meeting at 5:30-7:30pm Wednesday, March 12 at the Otter Student Union (3118 Inter-Garrison Road) on the CSUMB campus. The notice of preparation can be viewed online at csumb. edu/facilities/planning. Up the Field Expansion at Cardinale Stadium seeks to diversify events and attract female soccer teams. By Celia Jiménez Just before 10am on Saturday, March 1, about a dozen people start trickling into a building at UC MBEST, a research facility operated by UC Santa Cruz just northeast of Imjin Parkway at Reservation Road. They are attending an outreach session conducted by EnviroGage, an environmental consulting firm, as to how to spend $3 million to improve access or add other amenities within the city’s Coastal Zone. Just where that $3 million comes from, and whether it will ever be spent, requires some explanation. In November 2022, when the California Coastal Commission approved Cal Am’s desalination project in Marina amid much controversy, the approval came with a slew of conditions, some of which have to be completed prior to construction. Among those conditions was that Cal Am pay $3 million for a project that would benefit Marina residents, and pay for a third-party consultant to engage with residents to figure out how they want to spend it. (The condition was among those amended on the fly during the Coastal Commission’s meeting in Salinas, where the sum rose from $1 million to $3 million, in addition to requiring Cal Am to pay for a City of Marina employee for 10 years to see the project through.) The March 1 meeting is the first of five in-person meetings EnviroGage will host through April 2. (The complete schedule can be viewed at marinavoices.com, a website the firm created as part of the process.) The first meeting quickly went off the rails. As more attendees filled the large conference room, it fully devolved into a venting session with claims of Cal Am stealing Marina’s water. There was a lack of clarity about what the parameters of the project could be, as suggestions ranged from fixing potholes, building an animal shelter, to signs near the beach to commemorate the residents who fought against Cal Am. When Marina City Councilmember Kathy Biala arrived, she passed out copies of a Feb. 14 city report indicating Marina is facilitating its own outreach, as EnviroGage is “paid for by Cal Am, and reports directly to Cal Am.” (The report notes Cal Am will pay EnviroGage around $195,000, while the city will spend up to $50,000 on consultants.) Ultimately, both will submit a plan to the Coastal Commission, and the agency’s executive director will look at both and decide how to move forward. But whether or not the $3 million project gets built is contingent on the fate of the desal project: Tom Luster, a senior scientist with the Coastal Commission, says the more complex conditions Cal Am must meet regarding groundwater monitoring are in a holding pattern, awaiting a ruling from the State Water Board that is expected this spring regarding water rights on the proposed project site, the former Cemex sand mine. Cal Am remains bullish about meeting conditions, saying in a statement that the company expects to begin construction of the desal project by year’s end. Janelle Hartley, CEO of EnviroGage, explains that her firm wants to hear feedback from Marina residents about how to spend $3 million in the city paid for by Cal Am. Diss Engaged A community outreach process in Marina, paid for by Cal Am, gets off to a rocky start. By David Schmalz The proposed project would give CSUMB the capacity to host California Collegiate Athletic Association Championship tournaments and NCAA Division II national championships. As attendees filled the room, it devolved into a venting session. DAVID SCHMALZ DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com MARCH 6-12, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 dIxIElAND mONtErEy PrEsEnTS MONTEREY CONFERENCE CENTER AND PORTOLA HOTEL & SPA Enjoy the many colorful forms of aMericaN classi classic jazz INCLUDING tradItIonal, ragtIme, Swing, gYpsY onal, ragtIme, Swing, gYpsY aNd blues when world class muscians make historic Monterey their home for the weekend with the tunes of our rich musical heritage. MONTEREY • CALIFORNIA March 7-9, 2025 LET’S CONTINUE TO STAND WITH OUR YOUTH TO PUSH TOWARDS A HEALTHIER FUTURE. THE NUMBER OF HIGH SCHOOLERS WHO VAPE HAS DECREASED BY 15% FROM 2019 TO 2025! WWW.SUNSTREETCENTERS.ORG PREVENTION•EDUCATION TREATMENT•RECOVERY Monterey County Bank’s 12-month CD Offering Grow your savings with a secure 12-month Certificate of Deposit at 4% Interest Rate. 4% Interest Rate / 4.07% APY* Minimum Deposit: $100,000 Opening Your CD Is Easy! Visit any of our locations or call our branch managers for assistance: Carmel Valley: Nam Nguyen, Branch Manager Salinas: Diana McColl, Branch Manager Monterey: Karen Speed, Branch Manager Pacific Grove: Simi Johnson, Branch Manager montereycountybank.com *APY info: The annual percentage yield assumes interest will remain on deposit until maturity. A withdrawal will reduce earnings. Early Withdrawal Penalty: If your Account has not matured, any withdrawal of all or part of the funds from your Account may result in an early withdrawal penalty. Available to new funds only. Annual Percentage Yield is accurate as of 2/18/2025.
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 6-12, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com As an industry, ag tech is an amorphous and rapidly evolving space. It encompasses a wide array of technologies that include AI, drones, robots, autonomous tractors and even laser weeders. The potential of these innovations to transform our food systems is huge, with potential benefits that include enhanced farming efficiency, improved water conservation and reduced food waste. However, a lot of this technology is developed elsewhere, sometimes adapted for crops and landscapes that are unique to a particular region and often expensive to try. This is where a new research and development facility in Salinas fits in. The facility will not only serve as the first local on-farm incubator dedicated to testing robotics and climate-smart solutions on crops, but partner with schools and other groups to build the ag tech workforce right here in Monterey County. On Feb. 4, a $500,000 grant was awarded to support this project involving Hartnell College, Reservoir Farms, Mujeres en Acción and La Cultiva, through the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), the California Jobs First initiative and Uplift Central Coast. “It’s really about social and economic mobility and community vibrancy,” Hartnell Superintendent Michael Gutierrez says. “When you have these ag tech startups, they’re either going to hire people from the outside or they’re going to hire people from within.” Monterey Bay DART, a nonprofit focused on air mobility jobs, the Western Growers Association and UC Agriculture and Natural Resources are also partners. WGA’s 4,000 members will connect with farmers, UC ANR will provide research, and Hartnell—along with Mujeres en Acción, La Cultiva and DART—will train the workforce. “It’s like a big community puzzle,” says Danny Bernstein, CEO of The Reservoir, which includes the farm. “Everyone brings their own differentiated piece.” Reservoir Farms is currently building a facility that will include a robotics space and a lab, located adjacent to a 40-acre farm. Five acres of the farm will be dedicated to research and development, while the remaining 35 acres will focus on specialty crops like leafy greens, berries, carrots and onions. “When we’re talking about aligning with industry, we’re reactionary. We wait until there’s labor market data that shows that there’s enough jobs available, and then we build a program,” Gutierrez says. “This puts us in a more proactive situation.” When Elon Musk of the Department of Government Efficiency waved a chainsaw around onstage in February, many federal employees interpreted the symbol quite literally. Others thought perhaps their departments would be spared. “Even with the rumors, I thought it wouldn’t happen to us. We usually have pretty good bipartisan support,” says Dalton Behringer, union steward for the Monterey office of the National Weather Service Employees Organization. “We are deemed essential, even in a shutdown.” Three of his colleagues at the NWS Monterey station—which serves 11 counties, home to roughly 8 million people—were terminated on Thursday, Feb. 27. The firings were part of widespread termination notices to employees within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Another impacted local agency is NOAA Fisheries, where three employees were terminated on Feb. 27. All six were on probation, a standard one-year period for civilian federal employees. They all received emails with the language: “The agency finds that you are not fit for continued employment because your ability, knowledge and/or skills do not fit the agency’s current needs.” “The employees got the emails they were being terminated before their supervisors were even aware,” Behringer says, noting there was about a half-hour window for them to pack up their belongings. The terminated employees at NOAA are a meteorologist, a facilities technician and an administrative assistant. At NOAA Fisheries, they are a physical scientist, a marine biologist and a communications specialist. No employees were fired from the local office of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, another NOAA division. A federal spokesperson for NOAA declined to respond to specific questions, but writes by email, “Per long-standing practice, we are not discussing internal personnel and management matters. NOAA remains dedicated to its mission.” Ag Boost A new partnership seeks to skill up the local agricultural workforce. By Katie Rodriguez NEWS BUDGETING BUDS The Monterey County Cannabis Committee meets to discuss the latest financials of cannabis operations and other updates. 2pm Thursday, March 6. Via Zoom at bit.ly/3XpxN9o. Free. CONE ZONE Work has begun to widen Boronda Road in Salinas. A community meeting will share information on the project and a roundabout at McKinnon Street. 6-7pm Thursday, March 6. McKinnon Elementary cafeteria, 2100 McKinnon St., Salinas. Free. 758-7407, bit. ly/4hYKWyi. SAFE STREETS The City of Monterey is developing a local road safety plan and wants to hear from residents. The goal is to find ways to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries in highly traveled areas of the city. 6-8pm Thursday, March 6. Monterey Public Library community meeting room, 625 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. haveyoursaymonterey.org/local-roadsafety-plan. PLANNING MATTERS The Monterey County Planning Commission meets to discuss planning proposals, including a proposal to expand athletic facilities at All Saints Day School in Carmel. 9am Wednesday, March 12. Board of Supervisors’ Chambers, 168 W. Alisal St., Salinas. Free. countyofmonterey.gov. BASIN BUSINESS The Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency meets to discuss matters related to water. As always, public comment is welcome. 3-5pm Thursday, March 13. Salinas Rotunda, 200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas. Free. svbgsa.org. FUTURE FUNDING The cities of Marina, Gonzales, Greenfield and Sand City, and the County of Monterey, are eligible to receive federal funding known as Community Development Block Grant funds. The public is invited to share input on how the funding can be used to address housing needs. 6-6:30pm Thursday, March 13. Council Chambers, 211 Hillcrest Ave., Marina. Free. Zoom meeting follows. cityofmarina.org. SMOKE STUDY The Counties of Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz invite the public to participate in a survey to share potential health concerns stemming from the January battery fire at the Vistra Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility. Survey runs through March 14. English: mtyhd.org/MLFireSurvey. Spanish: mtyhd.org/EncuestraDeIncendiosML. The Chainsaw Effect At least six local NOAA employees are fired from the federal workforce. By Sara Rubin A rendering depicts Reservoir Farms’ forthcoming ag tech incubator, slated to open in spring 2025 in Salinas. The focus will be on robotics, precision agriculture and software. E-MAIL: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX “They’re either going to hire from the outside or from within.” COURTESY RESERVOIR FARMS
www.montereycountynow.com MARCH 6-12, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 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. 447 Alvarado St • Monterey • 375-5332 www.gaspersjewelers.com Voted Monterey’s Best Jewelry Store 19 years 44 “I brought my Subaru to Hartzel on advice of a friend and I was so pleased with the service & attention I got from them. Not only finished on time, but under the estimate I was given. Very rare these days. So pleased with the whole experience & great peace of mind knowing it was done correctly. Highly recommend this guy.” —David F., Seaside 2/14/19 510 California Avenue | Sand City | 394.6002 hartzelautomotive.com EXPERT SERVICE WHEN YOU NEED IT. Subaru Mazda Lexus Infiniti Saab vintage MG SCHEDULE YOUR NEXT SERVICE ONLINE TODAY LESS MONEY, MORE GRATIFICATION Dr. Stephanie Taylor is looking for an experienced OB/GYN, Primary Care physician or Internal Medicine physician to join her medical practice. There is no salary, and the opportunity to earn depends on the amount of time worked. This is exactly the way physicians used to practice 30 years ago. When you can spend an adequate time with patients, it is immensely gratifying. Interested parties can send an email to Dr. Taylor at drtaylor@womanswellspring.com Absolute confidentiality of each inquiry is assured. Stephanie Taylor MD PhD 26365 Carmel Rancho Blvd, Ste F, Carmel
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 6-12, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com Space was tight at The Bridge Restoration Ministry in Pacific Grove, a multi-phase drug rehabilitation program begun in 2006 in a historic eight-bedroom home where 22 men live and receive treatment. If a counselor came to meet with someone, there was no private place to chat. There was no classroom for vocational training. And there was a waiting list. “One of the hardest things for me is when I get a call from a parent and I don’t have room,” says Executive Director Mike Casey, a former addict himself. He and his wife Michele knew for years they needed a larger location. “[We] always kept our eye out for the perfect place,” he says. “On the Peninsula the two biggest issues are water and parking.” Nowhere seemed to have everything they needed. Last year the perfect place appeared, the former Ave Maria Convalescent Hospital, owned by the Catholic Diocese of Monterey, located on Josselyn Canyon Road in Monterey, surrounded by an oak forest. The nearly 7-acre property was on the market for about $6 million. It had the space the Caseys dreamed of: two large buildings with individual rooms, plus meeting rooms, a kitchen, a chapel and offices—over 21,000 square feet total. The grounds also include a small house where a priest once lived and over 30 parking spaces. “My wife and I looked at each other and said, ‘Absolutely not. It’s too big and too much money,’” Casey says. The building was also under contract with someone else. Then the contract fell through, and The Bridge’s donors came up with funds to purchase the property for nearly $5 million. Escrow closed on March 1. Even before it closed, The Bridge team began preparing spaces to welcome the men. (A women’s program with 20 participants remains in P.G.) While they believe they can accept more men in the future, they aren’t planning on growing the program right away as they befriend the neighbors. Casey and his wife will live on the property in the former priest’s house. Casey says the new space could mean expanding the types of vocational training they offer. They already have a culinary program, where participants learn how to make food for sale. The Bridge provides grab-and-go items for The Power Plant in Moss Landing and Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula. He envisions possibilities like coffee roasting or bread baking. Miguel Rodriguez of Salinas is one of the men who will move into the new space. He entered the one-year residential program less than five months ago. He’s finding new purpose working as the lead facilities person at Calvary Church Monterey, where Casey is an associate pastor and leads a thriving recovery ministry. “It’s been a breath of fresh air,” Rodriguez says of his time with The Bridge. “What they’re doing here really comes from the heart.” He believes the peaceful environment and connection to nature at the new location will be helpful to the men in recovery. “It’s been a total blessing to everybody,” Rodriguez says. Room to Breathe The Bridge drug treatment program closes escrow on a more expansive location. By Pam Marino Mike and Michele Casey, directors of programs at The Bridge, at the new Monterey property that will allow them to expand services. They expect to move in in about two months. NEWS “What they’re doing here really comes from the heart.” DANIEL DREIFUSS Are you ready to break free from old patterns, build deeper connections, and rediscover your purpose? For over 35 years, Breakthrough Men’s Community has guided men toward lasting change through powerful, community-driven workshops. Spring 2025 Workshops – In-Person & Online In-person starts May 1 / Online starts May 7 Monterey, CA & Virtual Worldwide Financial aid available This is more than self-improvement —it’s a life-changing experience. Take the first step today. Registration closes soon! Sign up now at breakthroughformen.org Transform Your Life with Breakthrough Men’s Community
www.montereycountynow.com MARCH 6-12, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 As evidenced by the number of attendees at a community event called Wildfire Ready, wildfire is at the forefront of many Monterey County residents and local leaders’ minds. The concerns, while not sparked solely by the wildfires in Los Angeles in January, were certainly exacerbated by it. The town hall event on Thursday, Feb. 27, at the Monterey Conference Center drew roughly 450 community members to discuss two main questions: How prepared are you? And how prepared are we—across local, state and federal agencies? “You are the help until help arrives,” Kelsey Scanlon, director of the Monterey County Department of Emergency Management, reiterated during a panel discussion. The panel featured Monterey Fire Chief Andrew Miller, Monterey Police Chief Dave Hober, fuels mitigation specialist Jen Valtz, and representatives from PG&E, Cal Am, Cal Fire and the California Department of Insurance. While officials assured residents that resources exist, they stressed the importance of individual responsibility in reducing wildfire risk. One of the more effective and cost-efficient measures is creating defensible space—clearing debris and flammable materials around homes. The Monterey Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Division will conduct annual property inspections in June for properties in the cities of Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel and Sand City, offering recommendations for improving fire safety based on defensible space principles. In addition, the Monterey Firefighters Community Foundation has announced a new defensible space grant program for 2025 that will directly fund safety improvements for residents in these areas. Beyond the Peninsula, efforts are expanding. Across the county, there are 54 Firewise communities—neighborhood-specific groups working together on fire mitigation. At a meeting of the Big Sur MultiAgency Advisory Council on Friday, Feb. 28, Big Sur Fire Chief Matt Harris announced a fully funded, two-year program—backed by an anonymous donor—to enhance local wildfire response. The program will employ 21 full-time people, including wildland firefighters, to focus on defensible space within 30 feet of private properties. And in the Cypress Fire Protection District serving the mouth of Carmel Valley, Cal Fire plans to conduct prescribed burns—pending weather conditions—throughout March and April. These controlled burns, the first for the district, will clear dead and dry vegetation that could fuel wildfires. “The biggest thing we have is California’s Office of Emergency Services master mutual aid fund,” Miller, the Monterey fire chief, said during the Monterey town hall. “It’s comprehensive and robust. All firefighters are trained the same way, operate under the same safety command system, and use the same communication network. That fire engine out there today was in the Palisades that night, and guess what? We have that same tool to use here.” Burning Questions Wildfire risk and mitigation efforts are top of mind for residents and leaders across the county. By Katie Rodriguez Firefighters work to protect a home during the 2016 Soberanes Fire. Emergency officials encourage everyone to sign up to receive alerts and evacuation notices at ReadyMontereyCounty.org. NEWS “You are the help until help arrives.” NIC COURY
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 6-12, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com WORK FORCE Absolutely shameful (“At least six local NOAA employees are terminated in sweeping federal firings,” posted March 3). I am so sorry and thank you for the good and important work you did. We were better for it. Randi Buckley | via social media Insane! You’re highly educated, doing your job well—and suddenly you get an email saying you’re unfit to continue, and you have a half-hour to clean out your desk and scram—and your boss doesn’t even know about it yet. Disgusting. Leslie Patiño | via social media I’m sorry this happened to them. It’s going to get much worse, in my opinion. Ray Bethke | via social media How is this making America great again? Jessie Call | via social media This liberal cesspool Monterey County Weekly is always trying to sell their propaganda (“DLI and NPS employees wait to hear if they can resign amid federal chaos,” Feb. 27-March 5). Gerald E. Thompson | via social media This is reality, not propaganda. Where’s the lie?? James Schultze | via social media SHOP LOCAL One day is not going to have any impact. Try a month, then we’ll talk (“During tomorrow’s 24-hour economic blackout, boycott the oligarchs and shop local,” posted Feb. 27). Thomas Gray | Seaside Nothing is stopping any of us from doing this for a month, two months, six months, or from now on. I know I am planning to change my habits permanently. Monica Glatzel Williams | Prunedale Monica Glatzel Williams, same here. Guadalupe Migdalia Aguillon | Soledad Thanks a trillion dollars for your beautiful article about shopping at local stores and the no-shopping-atAmWal-etc. I congratulate you for being brave and encouraging people locally. There is a beautiful and clean non-profit cooperative grocery store chain in Eureka (North Coast Co-op) that sells everything. I wish something like that chain would start in Monterey-Salinas. H. Rahbar | Seaside SPEAKING OF SHOPPING… I love this mall (“Del Monte Shopping Center in Monterey sells for $123.5 million,” posted Feb. 27). The team does a great job with incorporating activities for the community. Working for one of the retailers is what brought me to this town. My son and I have spent 13 years doing the Halloween trick-or-treat. It is our ritual. Love it! All the restaurants are on point too. Wish they had more. Germaine Ng | via social media It should also be noted Del Monte is among the best intact examples of a midcentury shopping center, designed by master architect John Carl Warnecke. Christopher Hanson | via social media They need to add an interactive entertainment option, like a roller skating rink! Kim Smith | Monterey FEEDING THE FIRE Probably lots more of these to come (“Haute Enchilada owners file federal lawsuit against Vistra over Moss Landing fire,” posted Feb. 27). The loss of business alone is likely substantial, in addition to health challenges and emotional distress. Punitive damages are not likely, but attorneys always ask for them. Walter Wagner | Salinas POWER UP Regarding your reference to Elon Musk being an “unelected” “foreign born” “billionaire” (“Local federal workers remain in limbo after receiving offers of resignation with pay,” posted March 1). Every executive branch federal government employee is not elected. They take direction directly or indirectly from our constitutionally elected president. Do you seriously not know that? Being foreign-born and a U.S. citizen is part of what our country is built on. Why do you use this as a negative? Do you have personal prejudices against foreign-born citizens in the U.S.? Being a billionaire is not a crime. Are you implying it is bad or somehow illegal to be a billionaire in this country? Your statements appear to be propaganda and not journalism. I think you can do better and not fall into the Democratic Party propaganda trap. I suggest you watch the Elon Musk interview on The Joe Rogan Experience. As a “journalist,” I think you would want to get some firsthand information before attacking someone’s character. Donna Gilmore | Monterey STAND DOWN This is why I support local news (and the Weekly, in particular): In the middle of a grim news story about a police stand-off in Seaside, Sara Rubin writes, “…and church music could again be heard from St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.” This combination of fine reporting with compassionate acknowledgment of community is good journalism (Seaside resident Joe Cubbage surrenders after hours-long standoff with police on suspicion of making death threats,” posted Feb. 24). Sally Ryen | Pacific Grove WORD UP It’s a wonderful library! (“In five years, El Gabilan Library has shown the value of breaking with tradition,” Feb. 27-March 5.) Linda Wahlig | via social media DINING OUT Bah! Steinbeck and Ricketts wouldn’t have attended in the first place—a non-union hotel that ruined Ocean View Boulevard—oops, I mean Cannery Row—with none of the people with whom they liked to hang (“C Restaurant’s Steinbeck dinner was just what the author—and Doc—would have wanted,” posted Feb. 28). Mark Weller | Salinas 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 MARCH 6-12, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 15 Here’s a vision we can all agree on, whatever our political leanings. The mission of the U.S. Department of Commerce is “to create the conditions for economic growth and opportunity for all communities,” according to the agency’s website. “The Department works to drive U.S. economic competitiveness, strengthen domestic industry, and spur the growth of quality jobs in all communities across the country.” Close your eyes and think about what that looks like— maybe you conjure infrastructure like good rail lines or sturdy bridges. Maybe it’s easy access for entrepreneurs to loans. Or maybe it’s a group of scientists evaluating the potential risks of a fishery to a protected species like humpback whales. Ok, that’s not what most of us think of when we envision “economic competitiveness.” But all of these functions are contained within the Department of Commerce’s umbrella, whose 13 bureaus include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. I’m thinking about how sound science matters to economic prosperity because NOAA was the latest federal agency to face slash-and-burn terminations, which came to Monterey County on Thursday, Feb. 27. At least six employees of NOAA agencies—three at the National Weather Service’s Monterey office, and three at NOAA Fisheries—were unceremoniously fired. Four days later, I met up with the former Fisheries employees to talk about their work; they describe themselves as cooperative links in a chain. One project they worked on was the Climate Ecosystems and Fisheries Initiative (CEFI). Allison Cluett is a physical scientist who worked on sophisticated ocean modeling with projections that go out as far as a century; Heather Welch is a marine biologist who’d been looking at what those models and ocean warming events could mean for species presence and interactions; and Matthew Koller is a communications pro, who converts that science into laypeople’s terms. (A disclosure: Koller is a former intern at the Weekly.) Their work was in the science realm, not policy, but the science gets handed over to policymakers. One application of this research is regulating the types of fishing gear allowed, or changing fishery start/end dates (for example, delaying Dungeness crab season to avoid humpback whale entanglements). At first glance, that might look like bad news for the economy, and that’s certainly what Elon Musk would have you believe—aren’t regulators making it too hard to earn money? But we have to look only as far as Monterey Bay, where the sardine fishery collapsed in the 1950s, devastating the resource—and the jobs that it supported. What if NOAA Fisheries then had the modeling capabilities it had today? Would Monterey still be a fishing town? I asked Matthew Savoca, a research scientist at Hopkins Marine Station in Pacific Grove, about this. “If the biology and ecology of those species was understood—yeah, we could still have an operating sardine fishery today,” he offers. Savoca funds his research, focused on microplastics, by applying to grants. He notes the nature of science that advances the public good—and that even in his funding stream of so-called “soft money,” the public has come to rely on government dollars. This is true not just of marine science research, but also cancer research, Alzheimer’s research, space exploration and so on. “There is not anything you do that is not affected by American progress. The diagnosis you get from a doctor; the food that you eat; absolutely everything is going to be impacted in a grave way to save a few pennies,” Savoca says. “It’s just baffling. The biggest reason is just a misunderstanding, a scapegoating of scientists. “Science isn’t something to be believed. It’s not like a religion that you have faith in or not, it’s just a way of thinking. Something has shifted.” Not only does that shift mean the research and the researchers’ livelihoods are imperiled, it’s also bad for the economy. Imagine the brain drain on a place like Monterey County, that draws top-notch scientists to local institutions. Imagine that scaled up nationally—it doesn’t align with the mission of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Sara Rubin is the Weekly’s editor. Reach her at sara@montereycountynow.com. Science Under Siege Federal cuts are bad for scientific research, which is bad for all of us. By Sara Rubin WASTE NOT…Squids have three-chambered hearts but Squid is finding that Squid’s brain has two chambers. One chamber spins frantically watching attacks on democracy. The other is focused on day-to-day living—we all have to eat, so it’s off to Costco to stock up on shrimp-flavored popcorn. The day-to-day is also the focus of local governments, which must keep governing even in the worst of times. Governing takes trained, qualified people and if you don’t have enough, you’re going to have a problem. Pacific Grove is learning the hard way. Consulting company MRG assessed City Hall’s operations and made 44 findings. Top of the list: departments are understaffed; employees are able to complete day-to-day tasks but not special projects; infrastructure is aging and there are no funds to replace it; technology is lacking. The list goes on. Leaders have been loath to add more people to the payroll. P.G. could have more revenue today but keeps stumbling due to opposition: a cannabis retail store hasn’t materialized; a downtown hotel under construction was delayed; new outdoor dining areas look great but with no shelter, sat empty all winter. In February, the P.G. City Council agreed that tough choices lie ahead. Squid has the shrimp-flavored popcorn ready. TASK MASTER…Squid knew it was just a matter of time until DOGE’s slashand-burn approach came to Squid’s lair, with so many federal employees working and living in Monterey County. It came on Feb. 27 for at least six local employees within the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (see story, p. 10), whose work included helping ensure there is enough shrimp-flavored popcorn available in the sea for Squid. While Squid is not a federal employee, Squid thought it might be a good idea to start documenting Squid’s own five tasks each week—seems like it could help to stay on good terms with Elon Musk in case Starlink goes down and Squid needs tech support. What Squid did this week: 1. Researched how to obtain an Italian passport if your assumed last name is calamari. 2. Read a banned book. 3. Made some travel plans to go to Mexico for vacation, while there are no travel restrictions for Squid to get to and from the Gulf of…whatever it’s called. 4. Looked up the Kelley Blue Book value of Squid’s Tesla, in order to list it for sale. 5. Started building a chicken coop and ordered some chicks and one rooster, which seems like a good idea considering the price of eggs. Squid wants to be sure Musk and his chainsaw-wielding team know that it takes all 10 appendages to achieve all that work—Squid hopes to stay whole during the wild ride ahead. THE LOCAL SPIN SQUID FRY THE MISSION OF MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY IS TO INSPIRE INDEPENDENT THINKING AND CONSCIOUS ACTION, ETC. “The reason is a scapegoating of scientists.” SEND SQUID A TIP: squid@montereycountynow.com
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