APRIL 3-9, 2025 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT CHESS MOVES 8 | ART GOES OUTSIDE 37 | FROM WAR TO SONG 38 | SUDS UP FOR NATIONAL BEER DAY 46 FIRST PLACE GENERAL EXCELLENCE • 2024 CA JOURNALISM AWARDS • An 8-foot-tall, 4,000-pound lens was removed from Point Sur Lighthouse in 1978. For years, a group of volunteers has been fighting to get it back. p. 20 By Katie Rodriguez SEEKING THE LIGHT FamilyFREE 2025-2026 BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® SUMMER CAMP LISTINGS 2025 FORGING LIFE SKILLS CAMP FROM A COUNSELOR’S PERSPECTIVE TEAM BONDING PUBLISHED BY cover_family_25.indd 1 3/20/25 10:59 AM BEST OF MONTEREY BAY® Family magazine inside
12:00-6:00 APRIL 12TH SAND CITY ART PARK the rudians COMMUNITY HUMAN SERVICES AND RAYNE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS PRESENT scan for tickets and more information fundraiser in support of community programs for MENTAL HEALTH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS & HOMELESSNESS j2 sea.lvland friends featuring yosal mariachi banda and Live art by paul richmond 2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 3-9, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com
www.montereycountynow.com APRIL 3-9, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 3 Measure Q has provided: CONNECTING COMMUNITIES. CREATING OPPORTUNITY. BEING KIND TO OUR PLANET. Thank ‘Q’ for 10 years of support for seniors, veterans, and persons with disabilities in our community. 1.2M+ passengers with RIDES, a paratransit bus service. 656,719 Veterans and Seniors with Shuttle service. 35,959 TRIPs, a reimbursement program to help with travel costs. 411,682 Taxi Trips for seniors, veterans, and persons with disabilities. Travel training to 4,684 individuals. C M Y CM MY CY CMY K
4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 3-9, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com APRIL 3-9, 2025 • ISSUE #1914 • ESTABLISHED IN 1988 Maurice L Druzin (Olympus OM-1, 75-300 zoom lens) Polinators enjoy a blooming California poppy on a spring day in the gardens at Copper Molera Adobe in Monterey. MONTEREY COUNTY PHOTO OF THE WEEK Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: What’s in a lighthouse lens? For the Central Coast Lighthouse Keepers, a lot. The group has been working with State Parks for nearly a decade to restore Point Sur Lighthouse and return a 4,000-pound Fresnel lens to its rightful place. Cover photo: Katie Rodriguez 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 APRIL 3-9, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 Mother’s Day SUNDAY, MAY 11th | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Celebrate Mom in style with an elegant Mother’s Day Buffet at Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa.Treat her to a decadent dining experience featuring a lavish selection of chef-curated dishes, fresh seafood, gourmet entrées, and delectable desserts. There will also be fun activities available such as create your own Mother’s Day Cards and a festive banner to take family photos in front of. $125 ADULTS $49 CHILDREN (Ages 6-13) Free for children under 6.Tax and service charge not included. Pricing for children adjusted upon arrival, kindly book for the total seats desired. RESERVATIONS (831) 645-4058 Bu et EASTER Join us for a delightful Easter celebration featuring exquisite coastal cuisine, thoughtfully prepared by Executive Chef Michael Rotondo. Enjoy festive drinks and fine wines available as enhancements to make the occasion even more special. The Easter Bunny will be there to spread joy, along with tasty treats. There will also be a kids' buffet, exciting egg hunts, and plenty of fun activities for the little ones. SUNDAY,APRIL 20th | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM RESERVATIONS $125 for adults| $49 for children (ages 6-13) Free for children under 6.Tax and service charge not included. Pricing for children adjusted upon arrival, kindly book for the total seats desired.
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 3-9, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH When Elon Musk assumed ownership of Twitter, now known as X, users noted the platform’s algorithm shifted hard to the right, giving prominence to posts that spew misinformation and hate speech. With Musk taking a controversial major role in President Donald Trump’s administration, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Hollister, urged Democrats in the California Assembly to leave the social media platform. As of March 27, 58 of the 60 Democrats have left X (including Rivas and Dawn Addis), according to Rivas’ office, although it has historically been a popular platform for legislators to share information to constituents. “Hate speech is everywhere on X, the company has no accountability, and the flood of misinformation from fake accounts is just that—fake,” Rivas said in a statement. Rivas’ office stated the exodus is one of the single largest departures of elected officials from the platform. Monterey County’s Congressional representatives, Zoe Lofgren and Jimmy Panetta, and state senator, John Laird, remain active on X. Assembly Democrats, meanwhile, will maintain their presence on other social media platforms, including those by Meta, which eliminated independent fact-checkers in January. Good: It’s now easier for Monterey Peninsula College students wishing to transfer to CSU Monterey Bay and continue their education. MPC and CSUMB leaders celebrated a new agreement between the two institutions on March 24 that streamlines the process. The Lobo Otter Pathway Program allows students to apply to both schools simultaneously with one application. It’s geared toward students who do not meet CSU requirements after high school, or those who are returning to school after a break. In a press release, CSUMB President Vanya Quiñones said the new program will “provide local high school students with a clear, supportive roadmap to complete their associate degree for transfer and continue their education at Cal State Monterey Bay.” CSUMB and MPC have recently worked together on a nursing program that allows students to complete an accelerated bachelor’s degree. GREAT: Six veterans were laid to rest with full military honors at the California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery on March 25. Unlike most memorials where family and friends gather in mourning for the loss of a loved one, at this ceremony hardly anyone in attendance knew who the men were, because they had died alone. The veterans—Andrew Stanley Brzowtowski, Jeffrey A. Graham, Ralph D. Hucke, John Randolph McConnell, David Calvin Schaeffer and Richard Clarence Wilkerson— served during the Vietnam era up to the early Gulf War. “They seemingly passed away alone and unacknowledged, but they were not left behind. Veterans don’t forget. We don’t leave anyone behind,” said Jack Murphy, veterans services officer for Monterey and San Benito counties. Murphy said he plans on organizing ceremonies for more indigent veterans in the future. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK QUOTE OF THE WEEK “No one knows what the plan is.” -A worker, who wished to remain anonymous, after being reinstated to their job at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Salinas following federal government cuts (see story, montereycountynow.com). That’s the projected deficit the County of Monterey is facing for the next fiscal year. The Board of Supervisors discussed the deficit on March 25 as it prepares to have hearings on the $2.25 billion budget in May. Source: County of Monterey $39.7 million THE WEEKLY TALLY Two Portola Plaza Monterey, CA 93940 (831) 649-4511 portolahotel.com EASTER BRUNCH and egg hunt SUNDAY, APRIL 20, 2025 10AM TO 2PM $89.95 Adults $74.95 Seniors (over 65) $29.95 Children 12 & under Under 5 free Prices exclude tax and gratuity 20% Service charge for all parties Meet the Easter Bunny from 10AM to 1PM Easter Egg Hunt at 10AM & 12PM Dave Conley on the Piano from 10AM to 3PM Traditional Breakfast Including Cinnamon Swirl French Toast Bake, Eggs Benedict & more Displays Including Wild King Salmon, Ahi Tuna with Wakame, Cheese Tortellini, California Cheeses & Cured Meats & more Carving Station Maple Glazed Pit Ham Prime Rib with Creamed Horseradish Desserts Pastries, Scones & Carrot Muffins Strawberry Short Cake Apple Crisp Truffles, Petit Fours & Holiday Cookies Kids Macaroni & Cheese, Grilled Chicken Fingers, Ranch Dressing, Sun Chips, Apple Slices, Grapes & Baby Carrots
www.montereycountynow.com APRIL 3-9, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 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
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 3-9, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com 831 Thinking three steps ahead while guarding all your pieces on the black-and-white-checkered board requires visualizing and anticipating your opponent’s next moves. Chess is a sport or a game, depending on who you ask, that brings people from different ages, backgrounds and skill levels together. “One hard thing for all the players is to watch their pieces, because when they’re not paying attention, there’s a piece that they’re not observing closely, and the other opponent would just grab it for free,” says Michael O’Brien, chess instructor for D.R.O. Chess for Kids in Del Rey Oaks. While chess strategy requires a lot of planning, a growing number of local clubs for youth focus on developing the next generation of players based less on a fully developed game plan and more on enthusiasm. There are more than 10 chess clubs for all ages across the county, and O’Brien says interest in kids’ chess is growing in the region: “It may catch up to the Bay Area.” Local groups focus on teaching children, ages 7-13, the basics of how to move each piece on the board, such as “L” moves for knights and diagonals for bishops, or the twopiece move called castling. Chess provides players with a skill set they can use in real life beyond the board, like critical thinking, planning, decision-making, problem-solving and creative thinking, both teachers and participants say. “It helps them with logic. It helps them with calculations. It helps them with concentration,” O’Brien says. “I like that it challenges your mind to problem-solve and find ways to come up with new solutions than what you originally thought of,” says Emily Mellin, 12, a Falcons Chess Club member from Pacific Grove. Being part of the club, she says, has expanded the pool of players she plays with beyond friends and family members, while also helping her at school. “Ever since I’ve started doing chess, I feel like I’ve been getting better grades,” Mellin says. O’Brien—self-described as a middleof-the-road chess player—taught his sons how to play in their childhood, then got back into chess education a generation later by teaching his granddaughter and her cousin. The Falcons Chess Club meets at the Marina Branch Library and D.R.O. Chess for Kids at Old Town Hall in Del Rey Oaks. Both groups formed last year, meeting every Thursday and one Saturday per month, respectively. “It’s fun to watch them grow,” says Joe Rice, the Falcons’ instructor. “In the six months that I’ve been with them, I see them growing taller—and growing smarter and more confident. And of course, they’re getting to be better chess players, too.” Nearly four years ago, Rice joined Robert Gumerlock in starting monthly chess tournaments at the Seaside Branch Library. (That grew out of Gumerlock’s chess club for kids that launched during the pandemic with outdoor games on Broadway Avenue in Seaside.) “When we outgrew the library, we started circulating the tournament throughout the area,” Rice says. Places they play include the YMCA in Monterey and Otter Student Union at CSU Monterey Bay. Emilio Carreon, 21, a CSUMB student and president of Chess @ CSUMB, says playing against a fifth-grader was humbling. “It doesn’t matter what age you are, there will be people that are better than you,” Carreon says, noting some children have played chess longer than he has. Chess players from all ages sign up to participate in tournaments, which are free for children in grades K-12 and $10 for other participants. Each tournament draws between 30-40 players of all ages. The next takes place on April 12, named after Duncan Oxley, a Marina chess player who was a local instructor and pioneer for online chess tournaments. Duncan Oxley Memorial chess tournament registration begins 9:15-10am Saturday, April 12. Salinas Valley Community Church, 368 San Juan Grade Road, Salinas. Open to players from beginner to master. 524-4488, jos. rice@comcast.net. Tiled Tactics A game that blends strategy and competition—chess— is on the rise among youth in Monterey County. By Celia Jiménez Members of the Falcons Chess Club, who meet weekly at the Marina Branch Library, are placed in groups of four and face opponents of a similar skill level to encourage growth. The club continues to expand by word-of-mouth. “I see them growing smarter and more confident.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE DANIEL DREIFUSS There’s Value in Membership! Membership with the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce means increased visibility, trusted credibility, and deeper community connections. Whether you're looking to expand, collaborate, or simply make a difference, the Chamber is here to help your business thrive. We invite you to be part of our award-winning business community. Join the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce today! Join Today! • montereychamber.com • info@montereychamber.com • 831.648.5350 JOIN TODAY!
www.montereycountynow.com APRIL 3-9, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 Face-to-face visits. And pixel-to-pixel ones, too. In-person or virtual visits at Pediatrics – Monterey genpeds.stanfordchildrens.org 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!
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 3-9, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com NEWS When Monterey City Council held a workshop on Jan. 29 to set goals for the coming years, among those given top priority was bolstering economic development. This comes after impacts from Covid-19, which led to revenue losses, budget cuts and layoffs that totaled $32 million in just 18 months. That impact underscored the city’s outsized dependence on tourism to generate revenue. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, about 30 percent of the city’s revenue came from transient occupancy taxes (paid by hotel guests), and 15.4 percent came from sales taxes. On March 26, the council revisited the topic in a study session led by Assistant City Manager Nat Rojanasathira, who walked the councilmembers through a draft 2025 economic development strategy for the city, and asked both the public and the council for feedback. Rojanasathira said that while the hospitality industry is and would remain the “heartbeat” of the city’s economy, it was important to recognize Monterey’s hotels will soon be facing increased competition from new rooms in nearby Seaside and Sand City. Add to that, Rojanasathira emphasized, the city’s hotel stock is aging, and much of it is in need of a makeover. The plan—which will include strategies for financing, diversification and business retention— will be refined in the coming months and come back before the council in the fall, though its importance might be felt well before then. Rob O’Keefe, CEO of See Monterey, told the council there was fear of a “Trump slump” in the industry with a potential decrease in foreign visitors. “We’ve got real critical issues right now that we need to deal with,” he said. Trickle Down As it looks to the future, the City of Monterey’s cash cow—tourism—faces new challenges. By David Schmalz California’s CARE Court has come to Monterey County, with the hopes of offering help to those suffering from untreated psychotic disorders and ending cycles of incarceration and homelessness. The new civil court officially launched in Monterey County Superior Court in December, along with the rest of California’s counties, after an initial launch in eight counties in 2023. The court was proposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2022 as one solution to chronic homelessness and other issues connected to those living with serious mental illness. The Legislature passed the CARE Act—for Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment—that same year. The first “graduate” of a CARE Court was in San Diego County on Aug. 7, 2024, according to a report by the California Department of Health Care Services. Monterey County’s CARE Court has a ways to go before it sees its first graduate. In the last four months only a handful of cases have come forward, with none yet making their way in front of a judge. “We haven’t had any hearings as of yet. It’s still pretty new,” says Monterey County Superior Court Judge Julie Culver, who was tasked with leading the preparations for launching CARE Court involving multiple departments, including Monterey County Behavioral Health and the Public Defender’s Office. One unique aspect of CARE Court is that family members, friends, roommates or others can petition for a loved one to be enrolled, as well as first responders and officials from other agencies. “It’s a new way to approach mental health,” Culver says. Another aspect is that the person in question, called a “respondent” in court, can choose anyone to act as their supporter throughout the process. This could be a family member, trusted friend or other person. In addition, respondents are assigned a public defender to ensure their rights are protected. Culver reviews the petitions to ensure a potential respondent qualifies for the program. They must be 18 or older and suffer from untreated schizophrenia or another state-approved psychotic disorder, among other requirements. (Information on how and where to petition is available at bit.ly/MoCoCareCourt.) Culver can approve or deny a petition. If approved, it’s sent to the staff at Behavioral Health, who, Culver says, have the heaviest lift. They are the ones who must find the respondent—not easy if they are without housing—and build a trusting relationship with them. The respondent’s participation is voluntary—if they agree, they are provided with wraparound services that include medication, housing and other interventions. In addition, there are four required evidentiary hearings with each case and Behavioral Health staff must prepare reports about respondents before each hearing, according to Melanie Rhodes, interim Behavioral Health bureau chief. “It’s definitely worthwhile if we can get folks in and get them help and get them stabilized without needing higher levels of care,” Rhodes says. Michelle Wouden, chief deputy public defender for Monterey County, says public defenders have advocated for years for a way to prevent the cycle people with serious mental health issues fall into. “We’re hopeful this will avoid criminalization and future incarceration,” she says. Monterey County Superior Court Judge Julie Culver, who presides over probate and conservatorship matters, was tasked with launching CARE Court locally. Now in Session CARE Court launches in Monterey County to extend help to those with a serious mental illness. By Pam Marino Tourism returned during the pandemic (masked visitors are shown on Fisherman’s Wharf in 2021) but the city implemented $32 million in budget cuts, reflecting a major reliance on the sector. “It’s a new way to approach mental health.” DANIEL DREIFUSS JOEL ANGEL JUAREZ
www.montereycountynow.com APRIL 3-9, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 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 shirts sweaters jackets sport Coats soft coats made in italy made-to-measure event trunk show private reserve carmel-by-the-sea 831.625.8106 fri 4/4 sat 4/5 sun 4/6 HEATABLE EATABLES! ELROY’S PRESENTS @ELROYSFINEFOODS WWW.ELROYSFINEFOODS.COM 15 SOLEDAD DRIVE (831) 373-3737 MONTEREY, CA 93940 ALOHA APRIL A HAWAIIAN FEAST! 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 TUNA POKE raw tuna diced and seasoned with soy, macadamia, and Monterey Bay Seaweeds ogo (GF, DF, CONTAINS FISH, NUTS, SOY, SEEDS) SAIMIN noodle soup with kimchi broth, egg, ham & vegetables (DF, CONTAINS FISH, SHELLFISH, GLUTEN, SOY) HONOLULU MACARONI SALAD creamy & tangy with a little bit of heat (DF, CONTAINS GLUTEN, SOY, EGG) SWEET & SOUR VEGETABLES mixed vegetables & pineapple in a sweet & sour sauce (GF, DF, VEGAN, CONTAINS SOY) KALUA PORK seasoned with soy and slow roasted in banana leaves served with white rice (GF, DF, CONTAINS SOY) HULI HULI CHICKEN grilled & basted with a tropical bbq sauce (GF, DF, CONTAINS SOY) PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE vanilla cake topped with caramelized pineapple (VEGETARIAN, CONTAINS GLUTEN, DAIRY, EGG) All items will also be available à la carte for purchase at the Prepared Foods counter on Thursday, 4/24 until sold out! *ORDER BY: THURSDAY, APRIL 17TH PICK UP: THURSDAY, APRIL 24TH NEXT MONTH: JAMAICAN MAY CRAZY! *
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 3-9, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com On March 21, when the California Transportation Commission approved allocating $25 million to MontereySalinas Transit to build the SURF! busway—an off-highway, bus-only road over the existing Monterey Branch Line from Sand City to Marina—MST celebrated it as a victory. But really, it was formality—the state had long promised MST the money, and the agency had no doubt it would receive it. But Michael Salerno, a Marina resident who’s long been a vocal opponent of the SURF! project, raised the issue of potential toxic contamination in the rail line’s ballast, a concern that could impact the project’s viability. MST General Manager Carl Sedoryk, who traveled to Sacramento for the meeting, assured commissioners that Salerno’s concerns were unfounded, and they took him at his word. The reality is more complicated. Last May, MST’s contractor for the project, Graniterock-Myers, submitted to MST a soil and ballast report on the Monterey Branch Line that showed potentially problematic levels of various heavy metals along the line, well exceeding the state’s threshold for hazardous waste allowed at ReGen Monterey’s landfill in Marina. MST isn’t planning to dispose of the ballast at a landfill; its plan is to crush it to be reused as a foundation for the busway. But that requires sign-off from the California Coastal Commission, which approved the SURF! project last September and later received the soil and ballast report from MST in February 2025. Coastal Commission planner Breylen Ammen says before signing off on that plan, the agency is awaiting an updated report from MST with new testing “to help us determine the appropriate path forward in terms of coastal resource protection,” and adds, “MST is taking the contamination allegations seriously.” Ammen expects those results in the coming days. Regardless, Salerno remains concerned the project’s costs are going to continue rising above the current estimated price tag of $100 million. “This thing is going to haunt the community for years,” he says. “It’s going to be a mess.” Already, one of the project’s conditions of approval—matching the color of the asphalt to the surrounding dunescape—has been deemed infeasible by the Coastal Commission due to its added cost of over $14 million, though Sedoryk says MST is exploring options to “seal” the road with a material that strives to match the color. As for whether SURF! can be completed at its current price tag, Sedoryk says, “We’ve accounted for all reasonable risks, and we have a budget for that. Frankly, this isn’t a difficult project.” After a fourday hearing in February before a three-person panel, including Juliet E. Cox, a judge from the California Office of Administrative Hearing, the wait for Russell Shugars, the physical education teacher at Carmel River Elementary School, is over. OAH ruled in his favor, meaning he is one step closer to getting his job back after being placed on leave this school year. On March 19, OAH closed the case and concluded in a 19-page document that Shugars “should not be dismissed from appointment.” The matter now returns to the board of Carmel Unified School District as early as April 9, when they will decide whether to accept or appeal OAH’s decision. Last year, Shugars was at the center of a complaint filed by former River School principal Alberto Ramirez against CUSD. Ramirez alleged his termination was retaliatory because he stood up for student safety and urged administrators not to allow Shugars to return to campus. According to parents and a letter from Ramirez’s attorney, Michael Welch, Shugars allegedly threw a cone at a student, striking him under the eye. Ramirez told the OAH panel on Feb. 5 that when Shugars returned to school, after a six-week investigation, students felt intimidated by Shugars’ hostile behavior. In the hearing, Shugars said he wasn’t trying to intimidate others and also shared his side of the story about the cone incident. Shugars said he didn’t throw the cone at the student; instead, he dropped it to get the student’s attention without having to interrupt the class. “My client is relieved the panel, after hearing all the evidence, believed his story,” says his attorney, Joseph Cisneros, of Biegel Law Firm. The CUSD administration didn’t respond to requests for comment. Surf ’n Turf Soil contamination could add another hurdle for MST’s SURF! busway project. By David Schmalz NEWS GREEN SPACES The Monterey County Parks Commission meets to discuss various park updates. 3pm Thursday, April 3. County Government Center, Monterey Room, 168 W. Alisal St., second floor, Salinas. Free. countyofmonterey.gov. RETIRE YOUR TIRES CalRecycle and Salinas Valley Recycles are offering free tire recycling. Limit of nine tires per trip. April 5-May 31. Salinas Valley Recycles Recycling Center, 1104 Madison Lane, Salinas; Johnson Canyon Landfill, 31400 Johnson Canyon Road, Gonzales; and Jolon Road Transfer Station, 52654 Jolon Road, King City. Free. 775-3000, svswa.org. GET OUTDOORS Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District and Carmel River Watershed Conservancy present California Wildlife Day, featuring environmental presentations, exhibits, nature walks and more. 11am-3pm Sunday, April 6. Palo Corona Regional Park, 4860 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel. Free. carmelriverwatershed.org/california-wildlife-day. SEASIDE UPDATES Seaside City Councilmembers Alex Miller and Dave Pacheco host a town hall meeting with Danny Bakewell Jr. of the Campus Town development and City Manager Greg McDanel. 6pm Monday, April 7. Embassy Suites, 1441 Canyon Del Rey Blvd., Seaside. Free. 521-0577. INFORMED DECISIONS Rebecca Sudore, founder and director of PREPARE, a program that helps people make medical decisions, gives a talk entitled “Your Voice, Your Choice.” 2:30-3:30pm Tuesday, April 8. Embassy Suites, 1441 Canyon Del Rey Blvd., Seaside. Free. RSVP to 622-2772, montagehealth.org/your-voice-your-choice. PUBLIC SERVICE Salinas City Council meets and, as always, accepts public comment. Tell your elected officials what they are doing well and what you think they can do better. 4pm Tuesday, April 8. Salinas Rotunda, 200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas. Free. 7587381, cityofsalinas.org. PLAN FOR THE FUTURE Hartnell College Foundation hosts an estate planning seminar, where attendees have access to consultations with professional advisers. Wednesday, April 9. English: Noon at Hartnell College Library, Room A-113, 411 Central Ave., Salinas. Spanish: 6pm at Hartnell College Alisal Campus, Room C-212, 1752 E. Alisal St., Salinas. Free; RSVP by April 6 to kedmunds@hartnell.edu. hartnellfoundation.org. Jungle Gym Carmel gym teacher who allegedly threw a cone at a student is closer to getting his job back. By Celia Jiménez MST’s plan is to truck the ballast along the Monterey Branch Line to a staging area in Marina to crush it, then reuse it as a foundation for the busway. E-MAIL: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX “This thing is going to haunt the community for years.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com APRIL 3-9, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 Join us for free, interactive workshops in April, presented by Green Gardens Group via Zoom. The Monterey Peninsula is a leader in water conservation. Thank you for your commitment to being water wise! Learn more at: montereywaterinfo.org/events JOIN US FOR FREE CONSERVATION WEBINARS Thursday, April 10 Shade and Other Landscape Challenges Workshop 6 p.m.–7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 29 Grow Roses and Daffodils Even in Drought 6 p.m.–7 p.m. Help You “Build Your Bridge” From Who You Are To Who You Want To Be. We are committed to help you achieve: Better relationships, Greater inner peace and joy, Increased introspection, The goals of self-actualization. Our Focus is on: Disadvantaged youth and adults, pre-teens, teenagers, college students, individual adults, couples and families, who want but cannot afford therapy. A 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation MediCal accepted, and some other insurances. Sliding fee scale. Call, email or go to our website – Accepting new clients 157 Sargent Court, Monterey • (831) 655-3954 buildingbridgescounseling.net • BBCCMonterey@gmail.com 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. 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
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 3-9, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com Christie Thomas of Pacific Grove says she was “retired and just sitting around” when a friend who is running a business and has three children needed help finding a new place to live. Thomas offered to help look. She did an internet search for rentals in Marina, where her friend works, and was flabbergasted when she saw the fees one property management company was charging, including a $308 “lease admin fee” due at signing. “I was just blown away,” she says. The other fees included $59 per adult for an application fee. There was also the first month’s rent of $4,400, due at signing, and a $5,000 security deposit. Tenants are also required to carry renter’s insurance, costing about $250 a year. “You’re close to 10 grand to move into something,” says Thomas. “What worker bee in Monterey County can do that?” The list of fees was not included in the March advertisement for the rental, only in the application available online after creating an account with a third-party service. Not including all charges in advertisements became illegal on April 1, the day California Senate Bill 611 went into effect. SB 611 requires that consumers are told up-front about all charges included in the rental. It also restricts landlords from charging certain fees. “The bulk of SB 611 is kind of banning what we consider junk fees,” says Jonathan Torres, housing programs coordinator for ECHO Fair Housing. Those fees include charges for notices sent by landlords to tenants, like a notice to pay rent or leave the rental, or for a lease violation or about an eviction. Torres says some landlords and property managers would use the fees for what he called a “hostage situation,” threatening a tenant with eviction if they don’t pay the fees. Torres says landlords would charge such fees because they had to pay an attorney to help prepare notices. The new law “is telling them that’s your issue,” he says. “The tenant is not going to pay those fees.” Thomas questions whether an “admin lease fee” charged by a property management company, in her case Monterey Bay Property Management, is legal, especially in the case of the $308 for the rental she was looking at. Torres says it’s hard to say, not knowing exactly what the fee is for. “This is a business and property management companies are going to try to offset as many costs as possible,” he says. Torres advises renters to ask what administration fees specifically cover before paying them: “If it’s $100, that’s a red flag,” he says, suggesting that figure is too high. Jan Leasure, managing broker for Monterey Bay Property Management, says the fees usually include things like drafting the lease agreement, preparation of property disclosures, tenant onboarding materials and several other tasks. “The lease admin fee is similar to the document prep fee charged to the buyer when buying a house,” Leasure says by email. She adds the fee hovers around $300 and covers 10 hours of work, “so you can see that the hourly rate is pretty low by today’s standards.” Fee’d Up A new law requires landlords to be upfront about charges and limits certain tenant fees. By Pam Marino Prospective tenants are faced with a host of fees when applying to rent a unit. A new law that went into effect April 1 requires that those fees be included in advertisements. NEWS “You’re close to 10 grand to move.” PARKER SEIBOLD Quality feed & pet supplies • DIY dog & cat vaccines • Premium hay at great prices Low cost vaccination clinic for dogs & cats. Microchipping. Prescription flea/tick medication. Open every Saturday 1:30pm-4:30pm. 101 W. LAUREL DR, SALINAS • (831)443-6161 Mon-Sat 9am-6pm Sun 10am-5pm $5 OFF Any purchase of $25 or more $20 OFF Any purchase of $100 or more NEED CHICKS? WE HAVE THEM! $10 OFF Any purchase of $50 or more CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER OFFERS. LIMIT 1 COUPON PER CUSTOMER. NOT VALID ON HAY SHAVINGS, PETLOCK, ADVANTAGE/ADVANTIX, OR SERESTO COLLARS. MUST PRESENT ENTIRE PHYSICAL COUPON AT TIME OF PURCHASE. CHICKS ARRIVE EVERY FRIDAY! OUR CHICK BREEDS: RHODE ISLAND RED BARRED ROCK AMERAUCANA GOLDEN SEX LINK BLACK SEX LINK CORNISH CROSS PULLETS: $7.00 CORNISH: $4.50 HURRY! THEY SELL OUT FAST “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 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 APRIL 3-9, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 15 Cornucopia Community Market offers quality nutritious and environmentally safe products, free of artificial additives and preservatives. Your Source for Local and Organic Food for a Healthy Lifestyle HAPPY SPRING! • Natural, Organic Produce • Fresh Bakery and Deli • Olive Oil/Vinegar/Local Honey • Wine, Beer, Juice, Coffee and Tea Selections • Fresh, Organic Dairy Products • Healthy Snacks • Vitamins and Nutritional Supplements • All Natural Bath and Body Products 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) DON’T MISS MONTEREY MUSEUM OF ART’S 3RD ANNUAL BLOCK PARTY! Free and open to all, this vibrant arts festival transforms downtown Monterey into a bustling hub of art and creativity. INTERACTIVE ARTS ACTIVITIES | LOCAL ARTISANS | DAZZLING PERFORMANCES DELICIOUS FOOD AND DRINK | FREE ADMISSION 559 PACIFIC STREET | MONTEREY, CA 93940 | MONTEREYART.ORG If You Haven’t, You Need To! GREAT Paninis, Soups, Salads, Pinsa Romana, Craft Beer & Wine Vegetarian and gluten free items. Dine in or take out | Indoor and outdoor seating Located on the Coast Guard Pier with views of Monterey Bay. 32 Cannery Row, Suite C, Monterey • (831) 718-8520 Catering and events up to 40 people available Sandwiches - Salads - Craft Beers - WineCoffee
16 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 3-9, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com Brows might be furrowed throughout the wine industry— and not just in California. “The general market for wine has had trouble for the past few years,” observes Matt Shea, vineyard manager for Bernardus. “It’s a global issue.” Consumption of wine has fallen off, dropping over four consecutive years. Meanwhile production is outrunning demand to the extent that winemakers across the state have cut the acreage devoted to vineyards. In this milieu, Bernardus’ Marinus Vineyard went on the market at the end of 2024. In February, the seminal land making up Massa Estate went into escrow—at least the seventh notable vineyard in Monterey County sold or listed in the past three years. Yet Salvatore Rombi, winemaker at Rombi Cellars and owner of Carmel Valley Realty Company, remains calm. For Rombi, the recent listing of significant vineyards is unrelated to the downturn in consumption. The age or health of winery owners is more directly responsible. “Bill Massa, he is ill,” Rombi says. “It’s a real shame.” Massa Estate is yet to close; the asking price was $4.5 million. Pierce Ranch Vineyards shuttered its tasting room in 2023 to focus on selling fruit. A year ago, Manzoni sold outright. McIntyre Vineyards took over Boekenoogen’s tasting room and stock. Boekenoogen’s Santa Lucia Highlands property is currently listed at $9 million. Rombi’s agency represents Jouillian’s Carmel Valley acreage—30 of it planted in vineyards, 655 acres in all, with an $11.7 million asking price. Bernardus is selling a 147-acre Carmel Valley plot, 32 acres of it planted. Shea calls it a strategic decision. “[The owners] want to renew our focus on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc,” he says. “Those are our core wines.” The vineyard in question— Marinus—produces grape varieties such as Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, accounting for only 2 percent of Bernardus’ production. Shea adds that the Marinus label will continue, and that there is the potential to purchase grapes from the new owner. When vineyards sell, it does not always indicate that people are backing out of the industry. Greg and Sydney Hill purchased Galante Vineyards in 2020. Hill’s Tira Nanza winery sells fruit to the Galante and Dawn’s Dream labels, allowing both to keep producing. Rombi describes an “ebb and flow” both in wine and real estate. The Bernardus property has been posted since December 2024. Jouillian’s acreage has been sitting awhile, too. He believes current uncertainties—in the wine market, the stock market and politics—have made buyers cautious. There are also the wineries themselves. “Galante took a long time to sell, because a lot of people don’t understand the Carmel Valley AVA,” Rombi says. The micro-climates are suited to more obscure varieties, such as Alicante Bouschet and Carignan. But he highlights the existing infrastructure and room to expand. “It’s pretty much turnkey,” Rombi says. “The right person hasn’t seen it. It will happen. It will sell.” Doing Vine Monterey County vineyards are going on the market, but experts say that’s normal. By Dave Faries Salvatore Rombi of Carmel Valley Realty Company at Jouillian’s property, one of several vineyards on the market. “I don’t think it’s shocking, it’s an ebb and flow,” he says. NEWS “The market for wine has had trouble for the past few years.” DANIEL DREIFUSS ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES Stop By To Shop And Find Your Vintage Treasure OVER 100 DEALERS 21,000 SQUARE FEET The Largest Antiques and Collectibles Mall on the Central Coast 471 WAVE STREET MONTEREY (831) 655-0264 P M canneryrowantiquemall.com Open Daily 11am-6pm ’24 Voted Monterey County's Best Antique Shop ♦ 3 Card Poker ♠ Century 21st No Bust Black Jack ♣ Texas Hold’em ♥ Baccarat FULL BAR! BLACKJACK BONUS POINTS PAYS UP TO $20,000 SMALL TOWN BIG PAYOUTS! 1-800-Gambler • Gega-003846, Gega-Gega-003703, Gega-000889 Gega-000891 Gega-002838 The Marina Club Casino ensures the safety and security of all guests and team members at all times, while providing exceptional service. 204 Carmel Ave. Marina 831-384-0925 casinomonterey.com ♠ ♣ ♥ ♦ Just minutes from Downtown Monterey Where Monterey Comes To Play
www.montereycountynow.com APRIL 3-9, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 17 A&R ZABALBEASCOA JULIAN Zabalbeascoa, a dual citizen of Spain and the U.S., explores the Spanish Civil War through the gripping story of Isidro and Mariana as they fight to preserve their humanity. Wed. April 16 | 7:00 PM Sam Karas Room (MPC Library) Admission $10 (Cash or Check Only MPC Guest For more info: creativewriting@mpc.edu Authors Series Book Signing – Bring your copy or purchase at the event! [Buy online at twodollarradio.com] Friday, May 30 • Moose Lodge 555 Canyon Del Rey Blvd., Del Rey Oaks The 13th Annual John “Spud” Spadaro Scholarship Awards Ceremony and Dinner Doors open at 4:45 pm, Tickets $75 per person Proceeds from the event goes toward Monterey Peninsula College Foundation for Scholarships to students in the Hospitality & Culinary Program Hospitality Honorees Kui Maluki - Monterey Plaza Hotel Annie Newby - Grandma’s Kitchen Rosalba Perez - Denny’s & Black Bear Diner Lifetime Achievement Honorees Mary Chamberlin Walter Georis Rachel Zepeda Humanitarian Award Meals On Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula SAVE THE DATE TICKETS GO ON SALE APRIL 17TH
18 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 3-9, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com POWERED UP Thank you to David Schmalz and the Weekly for writing and publishing a comprehensive and balanced account of the history and future of Moss Landing battery storage systems (“The Vistra fire in Moss Landing caught everyone by surprise. What can we learn from it?” March 27-April 2). I value such deep dives into issues that affect us, and how it demonstrates you care that we are informed. Sharon Miller | Pacific Grove This is a great article. Gives the best summary I’ve read so far. Jeff Markham | Marina Thank you for this important, timely information, much appreciated. Debby Majors-Degnan | Monterey AT THE ROOTS Love Dan and Amy [Sheehan] (“After a failed sale of Cali Roots to a big producer, the founder sues, alleging fraud,” March 27-April 2). They have been so great for this community and for the music. Hoping for a successful conclusion to this story. Shawn Adams | Monterey The festival sucks now anyways. It lost its roots vibe and is all commercial. Sara Gracia | Salinas I love Cali Roots and am grateful for the community work this couple has put in. They sponsor local vendors, local nonprofits. It’s a whole community vibe! It’s a ton of work, could you do it? Enjoy it while it’s here as nothing lasts forever. Octavia Jolley | San Francisco LEAD BY EXAMPLE He has completely transformed this school district for the better! (“Monterey Peninsula Unified School District’s superintendent rescinds resignation,” posted March 31.) Hai Sasha Winter | via social media WTF?! I was looking forward to a new school year and all four years of high school without him! Ashley Pilling-Miller | via social media PK Diffenbaugh is the kind of leader a community dreams about having. He arrived at a time when our district was in disarray and brought together instructional leaders to create a shared vision that has fundamentally changed the way education is delivered on the Monterey Peninsula. Serving on the school board for five years with PK was a master class in leadership. PK Diffenbaugh is the best of the best, and we are so incredibly lucky that he has chosen to invest his career here at MPUSD. Wendy Root Askew | Marina BY THE NUMBERS Congratulations and thank you for the excellent graphing and breakdown of where certain federal dollars go in Monterey County (“As leaders in Washington take a sledgehammer to federal funding, here’s a look at local expenditures,” March 20-26). Looks like many hands helped with this research and we consider this issue a “keeper” indeed. If you’re looking for more work, it would be interesting to see how many of these current recipients of federal tax dollars are among those on the chopping block—from education to healthcare services, not to mention military spending which clearly leads the pack for use of federal dollars in our county. Again, thank you for this tremendous piece of journalism! Bill Monning | Carmel “Waste, fraud and abuse” is a phrase we have been hearing for a long time. What it is generally intended to mean is that the federal government is loaded with lazy nincompoops who do nothing useful, and if we only got rid of them our budget deficit would disappear. But it is a lie, and has never had a wit of evidence to back it up. It has taken on the aura of great truth only because it has been repeated so often for so long. And now an unelected billionaire bureaucrat with radical views is using this falsehood to justify wreaking havoc on the federal government. We will soon find out the damage done and that the government is more loaded with good people doing good work than this mythological waste: when the Social Security checks are delayed, when contaminated food gets into our system, when polluters return to polluting, when your national park visit is second-rate due to a lack of rangers. Oh, and the real source of our budget deficit all along has been the numerous tax breaks to the rich. John Zimmerman | Pacific Grove TACO TIME I will be among the first to welcome their return (“Mi Tierra, a Seaside (and taco lovers’) institution, is finally set to reopen in late May or June,” posted March 27). We very much missed their barbacoa, their al pastor, their carnitas, and their chicharron con carne. We go for the dining, and linger to do grocery shopping. Hans Ongchua | Marina Can’t wait for the burritos again! Dr. Wendy Wong | Monterey The building looks fantastic. I’ll be first in line to get my favorite al pastor. Eric Palmer Sr. | Monterey LOLZ Marvelous edition!! (“The historical importance of April 1 calls for a special newsletter edition,” posted April 1.) I especially like the casino article (“Anticipation is high as construction begins on what will be the world’s largest casino”). The casserole article is delightful (“In bid for a third Michelin star, Aubergine chef decides to focus on home-style cooking”). All in all a grand April 1 edition. Thanks for an early-morning belly laugh! Jaci Pappas | Big Sur Oh my god! (“A new scented candle—Marina Wind—brings the scent of compost to homes,” posted April 1.) “Awful,” Butz says, “but it’s layered. It’s truly an olfactory journey of revulsion.” I love all of these stories today! Lisa Bernardi | Seaside CORRECTION A Spin column (“Sometimes, the line between protected speech and violence grows thin,” Feb. 27-March 5) identified Brian Baughn as an associate of Joe Cubbage. According to Baughn, he is not an associate. They do communicate via text message. 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.
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