JULY 31-AUGUST 6, 2025 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT STUCK IN TRAFFIC 6 | FROM NAVAL LAB TO PATENT 11 | CRACKING COLD CASES 32 | EATING ECLECTIC 34 FIRST PLACE GENERAL EXCELLENCE • 2025 CA JOURNALISM AWARDS • FANTASTIC FOXESand other fine art found all over Salinas, a city of murals— and of muralists. p. 16 By Agata Popęda
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JULY 31-AUGUST 6, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com JULY 31-AUGUST 6, 2025 • ISSUE #1931 • ESTABLISHED IN 1988 Tony Singer (Leica D-LUX 6) Here, kitty kitty! A couple of bobcat kittens get a drink of water on a Carmel Valley patio. MONTEREY COUNTY PHOTO OF THE WEEK Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: The fox mural on the back of Fox Theater in Salinas is a recent addition to the Salinas mural scene. It was designed by artist Lisa Haas and funded by the Salinas City Center Improvement Association. 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. Subscribe to the newsletter @ montereycountynow.com/subscribe Go to montereycountynow.com We Deliver… NEWS • ARTS • ENTERTAINMENT FOOD • DRINK • CALENDAR Local news everyday
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4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JULY 31-AUGUST 6, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH In February, President Donald Trump barred Associated Press reporters from covering White House events in retaliation for the news organization’s refusal to rename the Gulf of Mexico in its reporting. Since then, the AP’s photographers have been permitted back, but its reporters only occasionally. On July 22, the U.S. Court of Appeals denied the AP’s request for a hearing to restore full access to presidential events. In June, a three-judge panel voted to continue allowing Trump to exclude the AP until the news organization’s lawsuit against the administration was considered in the fall. “We are disappointed by today’s procedural decision but remain focused on the strong district court opinion in support of free speech as we have our case heard,” AP spokesperson Patrick Maks said. “The press and the public have a fundamental right to speak freely without government retaliation.” On July 21, the White House prohibited a Wall Street Journal reporter from flying on Air Force One to cover Trump’s weekend getaway to Scotland because of the outlet’s coverage of Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Good: Live theater is not only a visual spectacle, but an auditory treat. However, for those who are deaf or hard of hearing, they miss out on the story and may have a difficult time following along. An effort by Pacific Repertory Theatre aims to make theater more inclusive to all audiences. On July 25, PacRep held an American Sign Language-interpreted performance of Waitress. Interpreters were positioned in front of the stage in the house right section, translating dialogue and lyrics live. Scott Harrison of PacRep says audience turnout was strong. The plan is to find a sponsor to cover the cost of the two interpreters so PacRep can have at least one ASL-interpreted performance for each show in the season. “At the end of the night, the cast included the interpreters in the bows and the audience cheered loudly,” he says. “It was a high point of the run.” GREAT: Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula is eyeing the former site of Monterey Peninsula Power Sports at 1020 Auto Center Parkway in Seaside as the location for its second production kitchen and distribution center. At a County Board of Supervisors meeting on July 8, CEO Christine Winge said, “We expect to wrap up the purchase at the end of the month, and our capital campaign and buildout will begin soon after that.” On July 9, the Seaside Planning Commission unanimously approved the organization’s proposal for a use permit at the property. The new kitchen will help meet the rising demand for food—last year, Meals on Wheels produced 5,000 meals a day and delivered 132,000 meals in Seaside alone. “Thirty-four percent of the county is food insecure, and food costs have risen 27 percent,” Winge said at the planning commission meeting. “We want to meet that need.” GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY The number of patents awarded to Naval Postgraduate School professors, researchers and students between 1973 and 2025. All the patents are available for licensing by companies and investors. (See story, page 11.) Source: NPS 192 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “That’s an animal, and I shouldn’t just mow it down.” -Amanda Preece of the Monterey Audubon Society, speaking on the number of fledgling seagulls that are on the roadways during this time of year, advising drivers to slow down and avoid hitting the birds (see story, montereycountynow.com). No tests. No grades. No papers. Stay curious. Find out more at: csumb.edu/OLLI Just the joy of learning for those 50 and better. Join us for the Grand Opening of the Neighborhood Park at Ensen Community Park! ¡Únete a nosotros para la Gran Inauguración del parque del vecindario en Ensen Community Park! 99 La Posada Drive, Salinas, CA 93906 Sunday, August 17 | Domingo, 17 de agosto 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM © Learn more | Aprender más bit.ly/EnsenGrandOpening
www.montereycountynow.com JULY 31-AUGUST 6, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 831 For kids to make it to class on time, there are many different ways: by car, bus, bike or foot. However they do it, making their way to school will be safer and more entertaining for students in Alisal, thanks to colorful paintings depicting underwater scenes, ag fields and more, all leading them to their campuses. The sidewalk murals are part of the Transportation Agency for Monterey County’s Safe Routes to School program, which incorporates working with local artists and students from CSU Monterey Bay and Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. TAMC’s Safe Routes to School seeks to add street improvements such as new sidewalks, enhanced crosswalks and reduce traffic congestion around schools while also adding art to motivate students to take alternative modes of transportation. The program got its start in South County in 2021, with students and other volunteers in Soledad, Gonzales and Greenfield painting sidewalks. “We had great success with that, and it brought a lot of community attention to Safe Routes to School programming, and walking in general, and we were encouraged by that,” says Ariana Green, who oversees TAMC’s program, which is funded by Measure X. This excitement generated in those South County communities motivated TAMC to move forward with similar projects in other cities, sharing the same goal but employing a different approach: permanent artwork. (Future sidewalk projects will be in King City and Marina.) Alisal in East Salinas was the next neighborhood selected for the program. The project involved students from K-12 schools, MIIS, Artists Ink, TAMC and the community. It included forming a committee that asked for proposals, focusing on local artists, and gave students the chance to vote on which piece of art they wanted. “We actually created community ballots and brought them to each of the four elementary schools,” Green says. The request for proposals was open to anyone in the community, from professional artists to amateurs and youth. “To us, it was really valuable that young students who submitted [a design] got a chance to see their artwork on the sidewalk,” says David Tapia, Artists Ink’s program and project manager. The murals are near libraries, parks and elementary schools including Fremont, Jesse G. Sanchez, Los Padres, Sherwood and MLK Junior Academy. Saihra Ruelas Zamudio, who now works at Artists Ink and whose art was selected for this project, says one of her colleagues encouraged her to participate. “It was such a wonderful process, a wonderful experience to not only paint but also give back to the community that I grew up in, and especially to the students and the next generations that are coming as well,” Ruelas Zamudio says. While art isn’t something many will relate to transportation, it is a factor that could motivate people to take a different direction during their commute. “Whenever I am walking someplace in a community and I see public art, it lifts my spirits, and it actually changes the route that I travel,” Green says. The project was several years in the making and the art installation was completed in June. It is more than just adding public art—it’s also about language inclusion. While incorporating beautiful art and motivating cyclists and walkers to include it in their commutes is part of the objective, the complementary goal is to make it an integral part of the students’ learning experience. “A teacher could go on a walking field trip with their class to visit the art and check off some of their learning needs,” Green says. MIIS students Kareem Tinto, Joey Hebl and their professor, Gabi Guillén, developed a tour map, designed a booklet with activities in both English and Spanish, and created an interactive space where people can share their thoughts about the murals. They also tested out the route and activities with the community. “It was powerful to walk alongside the artist, families, teachers, and see our printed curriculum being used in real time,” Guillén says. “We hope they continue to use and adapt it in the future.” Colorful Commute Sidewalk murals encourage students to walk or bike to school—and street upgrades make it safer to do so. By Celia Jiménez “Whenever I see public art, it lifts my spirits.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE CELIA JIMÉNEZ Salinas High School students with their instructor created this underwater scene on the sidewalk at La Paz Park in Salinas. The mural is meant to represent the role diversity plays in a thriving community. SAVE THE DATE Friday, September 12 • Monterey Marriott Annual Leadership Luncheon Thursday, October 16 • TBD Monterey Bay Business Expo UPCOMING EVENTS See the full schedule of events and register today at montereychamber.com REGISTER TODAY!
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JULY 31-AUGUST 6, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com NEWS Three lights have been installed to ease traffic related to construction on a roundabout project at the intersection of Laureles Grade and Carmel Valley Road. Soon after the project started in June, public concern quickly emerged about increased wait times and difficulties, especially for drivers heading east on Carmel Valley Road who want to make a left turn at Laureles Grade. The project was born out of the need to improve the flow of traffic at an unsafe intersection at the base of Bernardus Lodge. It will replace the stop-controlled “T” intersection that connects drivers from Carmel Valley to Highway 1, and to Highway 68 to the north. “I know that it is difficult being in the midst of a construction project for a long period of time,” County Supervisor Kate Daniels said in a video posted to Facebook on July 22, four days after traffic control began—almost a month after the project started. “Assuming we don’t have a wet winter and other factors are in our favor, we hope that this project will be done a lot sooner than March.” The project is currently in Phase 1 of six, slated for completion in March 2026 with a $3.8 million budget. (The total project cost, including design, is $5.6 million.) During construction, traffic lights were installed along Carmel Valley Road going east and westbound, as well as on Laureles Grade for drivers turning onto Carmel Valley Road. “[The lights] work, folks should not be leery today about avoiding the intersection,” Daniels says. “Cars are moving through this area without a big time delay. Now, I’m working on what’s going to happen when school starts so we don’t have a new nightmare.” Roundabout Roils Steps to ease the traffic congestion at Laureles Grade construction site have been rolled out. By Katie Rodriguez The vases and bunches of flowers began piling up outside of the Aquarius Dive Shop on Del Monte in Monterey within a couple of days of the plane crash late Saturday, July 26, off the shore of Asilomar State Beach in Pacific Grove that killed three men, including the shop’s owner, James Vincent, 36. “I am so sorry for everyone’s loss. James, Jamie and Steve were great men and will be missed,” read one card at the closed shop, attached to a vase of flowers. The message referred to Vincent and the two passengers, Jamie Lee Tabscott, 44, and Steve Eugene Clatterbuck, 60. All three men were reportedly scuba divers— Clatterbuck listed himself as a diving instructor on Facebook. The twin-engine Beechcraft plane went down just before 10:40pm, after having taken off from San Carlos Airport just after 10pm. It was entering a descending lefthand turn to make an approach to Monterey Regional Airport when, for unknown reasons, it climbed again then entered a high-speed descent, crashing into the cove, according to a report on the website Aviation Safety Network. The plane crashed about 200 feet off shore. Guardsmen from Coast Guard Station Monterey were made aware of the crash at 10:55pm and arrived within 15 minutes. Other agencies responded, including the crew of the Monterey Fire Boat, which found the first victim at 3:01am. The crew worked with a commercial dive team to locate and recover the other two people, still inside the plane, between 6:30am and 9:30am. Vincent appears to have acquired the plane in January under the company name Sea2Sky Aviation LLC. “Got my Multi rating today in the new plane,” he wrote in a Facebook post dated Feb. 17, referring to a multi-engine rating certification that is in addition to a pilot’s license. Vincent posted in November 2021 about his first solo flight as a pilot. Just before 1pm on Tuesday, July 29, five miles away from the shop along Sunset Drive in P.G., a helicopter could be heard overhead. In the water, just a few hundred feet off the beach, was a small vessel with a crew aboard, along with divers in the water, at the underwater location of the plane. The crew was in the process of attaching cables to the plane so that the helicopter could hoist it out of the water. From there, they set it onto an awaiting flatbed truck parked on Sunset. An investigator from the National Transportation Safety Board was on scene, documenting the activities as part of an investigation into the crash, according to an NTSB spokesperson, who adds the plane will be taken to a secure location to be examined. NTSB’s investigation will look into the pilot, the aircraft and the weather conditions, as well as take witness statements and study aircraft maintenance records. They will also take into account the recency of flight experience, the spokesperson says. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days of the crash. A dive shop employee declined to be interviewed, saying the family does not want to talk to the media. “We appreciate the outpouring of support from the community at this time,” the shop posted on the home page of its website, aquariusdivers. com. The message states that a tentative reopening of the shop is scheduled for Thursday, July 31. The fuselage of the twin-engine plane that crashed near Asilomar State Beach on Saturday, July 26, was recovered from the ocean on Tuesday afternoon, July 29. Painful Loss A community mourns as the NTSB begins its investigation into a Pacific Grove plane crash. By Pam Marino Construction to build a roundabout is underway at Laureles Grade and Carmel Valley Road. Traffic light timing at the site has been updated to improve flow; the project will pause during Car Week. DANIEL DREIFUSS DANIEL DREIFUSS “James, Jamie and Steve were great men and will be missed.”
www.montereycountynow.com JULY 31-AUGUST 6, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 Live Full Open a LIVE FULL CHECKING account and earn up to $833* a year with 8.33% APY* on your first $10,000 and GET $225** cash bonus! We’re Here For The Life You’re Living *APY = annual percentage yield. APY available 6/12/2025; subject to change. APY is variable and can change after account opening. $833 earnings assumes that for 12 months, APY does not change, balance does not fall below $10,000, and account activity requirements are met. APY on portion of balance that exceeds $10,000 will be between 8.33% and 0.18%. Fees may reduce earnings. Monterey CU membership and checking account eligibility required. **Incentive is paid in the form of a check for mobile deposit only. Monterey CU membership and checking account eligibility required. Other restrictions apply. For membership requirements and other information, visit www.montereycu.com or call or visit any branch. O er subject to change or cancellation at any time. AMERICAN SHARE YOUR SAVINGS INSURED TO $500,000PER ACCOUNT INSURANCE This institution is not federally insured, or insured by any state government. ROLEX MONTEREY MOTORSPORTS REUNION KICK-OFF RACE CAR SHOW For camping and ticket information please visitWeatherTechRaceway.com Friday, August 8 | 5:00-7:00 PM Alvarado Street, Downtown Monterey Join us for the Kick Off ! See Historic Race Cars, Meet the drivers and enjoy some great music |
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JULY 31-AUGUST 6, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com When Marco Chavelas purchased Lugano Swiss Bistro in the Barnyard in 2019, he already knew the restaurant well. He had been working there since 1995 and had gotten to know many customers on a firstname basis. He’d entertain them with magic tricks. Tips were great, and business was booming. The restaurant also had a relationship with touring agencies, cutting a deal with groups from Germany, Switzerland, France, Argentina and Canada. Tour buses would bring visitors to Lugano where they were offered a robust meal— including coffee, soup, a main course and dessert—for around $18-$20 a person. Shortly after he purchased the business and made renovations to the kitchen, dining area and walk-in fridge, the pandemic arrived. “We used to have 10 buses a day between 11am and 4pm,” Chavelas says. “After Covid, there’s only a few a year.” Compounding this loss of business, Chavelas faced rising labor and supply costs, as well as an increase in rent through Common Area Maintenance fees, paid by tenants to landlords to cover overhead and operating expenses. The Barnyard Shopping Village was acquired by Barnyard Carmel, LLC—owned by Sidney Family Limited Partnership in Manhattan Beach—in 2023 for $23 million. He says his monthly dues doubled, from around $6,500 per month prior to the pandemic. After falling behind on rent payments, he put up Lugano for sale for an asking price of $99,000 with the rent listed at $12,500/month. Recent changes in the Barnyard suggest Lugano is not alone. Another restaurant in Barnyard, whose name is not publicly disclosed, is listed for sale with an asking price of $250,000. In the last year-and-a-half, Robata Grill & Sake Bar and the Noodle Palace closed. Two years after purchasing Robata, Josie Sinkler, one of the owners, posted on Nextdoor on Nov. 5, 2024: “EVERYTHING in the restaurant must go.” The Noodle Palace reportedly closed in September, and has remained empty since. Lugano is expected to sell in about a month-and-a-half, says Chavelas, who’s working multiple jobs to stay afloat. He is the general manager at Round Table in Seaside, owns multiple food trucks and runs food tents for special events. To repay rent debt and loans from buying the business, he put up his house for sale. Sidney Family Partnership did not respond to a request for comment. After weeks of uncertainty, the U.S. Department of Education announced on July 25 that it would release billions of dollars it withheld from school districts in Monterey County and across the nation. In California alone, that sum is about $900 million; it’s over $25 million for the Monterey County Office of Education. “This administration deserves absolutely no credit for that decision. It was this administration that averted that crisis, that they themselves set in motion,” said U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley, during a press conference on July 28. Deneen Guss, MCOE’s superintendent of schools, says education shouldn’t be political, but rather about making sure students get the education they need in school to succeed. On July 10, the Trump Administration barred undocumented immigrants from Head Start, a program for low-income families that offers free food, preschool and basic medical services for kids under 5. “What’s to say that next [they] are not going to come after other federally funded programs? Where does it stop?” Guss says. They highlighted the continuing battle to keep key programs like migrant education, English language acquisition, afterschool programs, adult education and others. School district officials were working against the clock to devise a plan to either keep programs or seek alternatives such as using general funds or reserves to cover costs temporarily. It also impacted staffing; MCOE sent layoff notices to 30 migrant education workers, set to become effective on Sept. 7. The chaos isn’t over, however, and those layoff notices have not been rescinded; school districts still don’t know when they will receive the funds or if they will be paid in full. For the upcoming fiscal year, Trump’s proposed budget includes reducing K-12 education funding by 15 percent. For now, MCOE is sending letters weekly to lawmakers to advocate for maintaining funding for the 2026-27 school year. Barn Door Restaurants are struggling to stay in business at Carmel’s Barnyard Shopping Village. By Katie Rodriguez NEWS BLOOD DRIVE The American Red Cross seeks eligible donors to give blood. Type O blood donors are especially needed. 9am-2pm Friday, Aug. 1. Compass Church, 1044 S. Main St., Salinas. 10am-3pm Wednesday, Aug. 6. Veterans Memorial Building, 90 Fifth St., Spreckels. Free. Make an appointment at redcrossblood.org, (800) 7332767. COMMUNITY INVESTMENT Nonprofits that serve the Salinas community are invited to apply for the City of Salinas’ Community Sponsorship Program. Applicants can receive up to $50,000 per fiscal year. Deadline to apply is 5pm Saturday, Aug. 2. 758-7201, communitysponsorship@ ci.salinas.ca.us. PUBLIC PROCESS Monterey City Council meets and accepts public comment. Tell your elected officials what they are doing well and what you think they can do better. 4pm Tuesday, Aug. 5. Colton Hall, 580 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. 646-3799, monterey.gov. HIGHER ED Hartnell College Board of Trustees meets to discuss college business and accept public comments. 5:30pm Tuesday, Aug. 5. Hartnell College, Steinbeck Hall, 411 Central Ave., Salinas. Free. hartnell.edu/about/ hccdgb. ON THE MOVE Monterey County Works hosts a job fair to connect local employers in the transportation industry with job seekers. Attendees are encouraged to bring their résumés and dress to impress. 1:30-4pm Wednesday, Aug. 6. Career Center, 344 Salinas St., Suite 203, Salinas. Free. 796-3335. Register at montereycountyworks.com. IN THEIR ELEMENT Staff from Pacific Grove’s Community Development Department will be on hand to chat about the city’s draft Housing Element. Find out what happens next in the state-mandated process. 4-6pm Wednesday, Aug. 6. Chautauqua Hall, 162 16th St., Pacific Grove. Free. 648-3183, cityofpacificgrove.gov. MAYOR MOMENT The mayors of the Salinas Valley cities speak during a Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce event. A networking mixer precedes the panel discussion. 3:30-5:30pm Thursday, Aug. 7. Braga Barn, 33750 Moranda Road, Soledad. $35/general public, $25/chamber members. 751-7725, salinaschamber. com. School Bell Federal reversal is good news for school funding, but doubts remain. By Celia Jiménez “I try to keep a good attitude and keep my mind positive,” says Marco Chavelas of selling Lugano Swiss Bistro. “I’m just trying to pay my debts.” E-MAIL: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX He says his monthly dues doubled, from $6,500 per month. DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com JULY 31-AUGUST 6, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX PACIFIC GROVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL Thank You So Much for Voting Us BEST VETERINARIAN Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – NOW SEEING URGENT CARE+CASES We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX PACIFIC GROVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL Thank You So Much for Voting Us BEST VETERINARIAN Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – NOW SEEING URGENT CARE+CASES We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX PACIFIC GROVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL Thank You So Much for Voting Us BEST VETERINARIAN Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – NOW SEEING URGENT CARE+CASES We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice tynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working ith you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice ynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX PACIFIC GROVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL Thank You So Much for Voting Us BEST VETERINARIAN Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – NOW SEEING URGENT CARE+CASES We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’23 ’22 ’21 A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’23 ’22 ’21 A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – NOW SEEING URGENT CARE+CASES We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’23 ’22 ’21 A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’23 ’22 ’21 in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’23 ’22 ’21 A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – NOW SEEING URGENT CARE CASES We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’23 ’22 ’21 A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’23 ’22 ’21 in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’23 ’22 ’21 A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – NOW SEEING URGENT CARE CASES We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX PACIFIC GROVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL Thank You So Much for Voting Us BEST VETERINARIAN Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – NOW SEEING URGENT CARE+CASES and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX PACIFIC GROVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL Thank You So Much for Voting Us Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX PACIFIC GROVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL Thank You So Much for Voting Us BEST VETERINARIAN Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – NOW SEEING URGENT CARE+CASES PACIFIC GROVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL Thank You So Much for Voting Us BEST VETERINARIAN Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM Four Years In A Row! SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE • PREVENTATIVE CARE REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE ’24 County of Monterey’s Family and Children’s Services is here to protect foster children by recruiting Resource Parents who can partner with families and support our mission of reunification. Learn how you can help keep families together. Foster Youth in Monterey County Partner. Protect. Support. fcsmc.org
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JULY 31-AUGUST 6, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com The moment President Donald Trump signed his One Big Beautiful Bill on July 4, it triggered an immediate cascading effect for Planned Parenthood clinics across the country. Within the bill was wording that prohibited Medicaid reimbursements for large nonprofit health clinics that provide abortions, despite the fact that federal law already prohibits using Medicaid funds for abortions. Planned Parenthood Mar Monte was forced to stop filing Medicaid claims, known as Medi-Cal in California, but they continued to care for patients. The result was a loss of $1.7 million in the first week while caring for roughly 5,000 patients across PPMM’s 35 clinics in mid-California and Nevada, according to Andrew Adams, chief of staff and head of strategic communications. With 80 percent of its patients on Medi-Cal, PPMM leaders estimated they would lose $8.5 million for the month of July and as much as $100 million by the end of the year. “Obviously that’s not a sustainable business model,” Adams says. They held out hope for a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood Federation of America against the Trump Administration, arguing the law violates multiple constitutional amendments. On July 21, U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani in Boston issued a preliminary order that stated while PPF’s arguments show a likelihood of success, only 10 of Planned Parenthood’s 49 affiliates could file for Medicaid reimbursement while the case proceeds. “It was at that point we made that determination that in order to keep as many doors open as possible for our patients, we were forced by the Trump Administration to close [five] clinics in order to remain sustainable,” Adams says. PPMM laid off 62 employees, mostly medical providers, from those clinics (in South San Francisco, San Mateo, Gilroy, Santa Cruz and Madera) when they closed on Friday, July 25. In anticipation of the closures, the organization had already laid off 58 administrative staff and educators. Monterey County’s two clinics in Seaside and Salinas remain open. On Monday, July 28, Talwani issued a new order that indefinitely blocked the Trump administration from preventing all Planned Parenthood clinics from receiving Medicaid reimbursements. Talwani found the policy was retaliation against the organization, in violation of its First Amendment rights. The five PPMM clinics will remain closed. PPMM can now bill for MediCal reimbursements but it was not immediately clear if they can retroactively bill to July 4. If they do, they may have to hold onto money received in case the Trump Administration appeals and wins the case at the Supreme Court and the money must be returned. Adams says PPMM leaders are looking at creating a sustainable business model that does not rely on federal funds. “We’re not backing down from this fight,” Adams says. Shut Down Monterey County Planned Parenthood clinics are spared from closure in wake of Medicaid cuts. By Pam Marino Planned Parenthood Mar Monte’s two locations in Monterey County, in Seaside (shown above) and Salinas, remain open. Clinics in Gilroy and Santa Cruz are closed. NEWS DANIEL DREIFUSS “We’re not backing down from this fight.” Seaside’s Premier European Auto Service Experts and Dealership Alternative (831) 230-8031 Monday – Friday 8:00am - 5:30pm 684 Ponderosa St, Seaside, CA 93955 www.MarlowMotorWerks.com Proudly servicing Mercedes, Sprinter, BMW, Audi and Land Rover with precision and passion! Vista Harden Ranch Senior Living is a stunning, locally owned, vibrant community in the heart of Salinas that offers: Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care. 290 Regency Circle, Salinas CA 93906 VistaHardenRanch.com • (831) 443-6467 Want to find out more? Call us today! We would be happy to schedule a personal tour
www.montereycountynow.com JULY 31-AUGUST 6, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 In a classroom inside newly renovated Bullard Hall at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Ross Eldred pulls a wheeled table to the front of the room to show off his invention, an “autonomous spherical robot for shipwreck interior exploration.” Normally looking like a model-sized sphere, something akin to the Star Wars Death Star, the prototype is in pieces to show the inner workings to the over 50 businesspeople and investors in the audience. This is the opening “reverse pitch” of the day on July 23, at NPS’ first-ever “From Lab to Launch” event, showing off six patented inventions by NPS professors and former students. NPS invited businesses and investors to come to campus for a 90-minute presentation showcasing six inventions born out of military needs—referred to as “capability gaps” in military parlance—but often with real commercial applications. Each inventor pitched the audience, much like TV’s Shark Tank without the celebrities or dramatic music. The idea is that interested businesses or investors will consider licensing the patented ideas for manufacturing and sales. Since 1973, the school has produced 192 patents, each of them available for licensing by civilian companies. “The goal is to find partnerships that are able to take ideas from lab to launch,” Kaitlin Penry, director of emerging tech and innovation in the NPS Office of Research and Innovation, explained to guests. “These technologies are more than just concepts, they are grounded in operational needs. They’ve been tested and in some cases designed by the end users themselves,” Penry said. She called each of the inventions “potential gamechangers,” not just for the military but for commercial markets. Although the inventions are highly technical, it’s not difficult to imagine both military and civilian uses. In Eldred’s case, his robot could be used for retrieving sensitive data from a sunken enemy submarine, but also exploring underwater environments. Another graduate, U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Christian Theissen, invented what he called a detachable drone hijacker and jammer. He opened his presentation by taking the audience back to a year ago when Ukrainian forces successfully mounted a covert drone attack on Russia codenamed Spiderweb, that took out over 30 percent of Russia’s fleet of air missile carriers. “For less than $250,000 the Ukrainians were able to inflict over $7 billion worth of damage,” Theissen said. “This operation wasn’t just about firepower, it was about matching a perceived weakness with low-cost, emerging technology against a perceived strength.” He shared that U.S. bases are also at risk of such attacks—his invention is meant to fill that capability gap, using “friendly” drones to ward off attacks by an enemy through jamming their communication signals. Penry, who formerly worked at the Pentagon, created the reverse pitch event after coming to NPS and seeing the innovations of staff and students. “I knew there was so much potential here to grow NPS’ presence in the defense innovation world,” she says. First Pitch For the first time, NPS opens its doors to civilian businesses to showcase patented inventions. By Pam Marino Ross Eldred presents his robot, made by a 3-D printer and called a WIEVLE, or Wreck Interior Exploration Vehicle. Beyond potential military uses, he notes boating, diving and fishing. NEWS “The goal is to take ideas from lab to launch.” SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS JANIEL ADAMES
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JULY 31-AUGUST 6, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com TRAGIC LOSS What a huge loss (“James Vincent, owner of Aquarius Dive Shop, is one of three victims identified in Pacific Grove plane crash,” posted July 27). Condolences to all the families. Rosemary Maldonado-Barron | Salinas This is so incredibly heartbreaking and sad and tragic. Bill Freeman | Salinas Tragic story; many condolences to their loved ones (“Three bodies recovered after a small plane crashed into a cove off of Asilomar State Beach,” posted July 27). Side note: Well written article! Cliff Beard | via social media ICED OUT I really don’t understand the fear when the option of self-deportation is offered. Why live in fear and wait around for the inevitable? (“Even when ICE isn’t in town, the fear that they might be unsettles people,” July 24-30.) Cheri Gray Lyons | Fresno Do you understand that some people have never lived anywhere else? They’ve built a life here. We need immigrants. The problem is that our immigration system is broken and we have politicians who have used immigration for their political purposes without any thought of those who bear the pain. Racism is a big part of the problem and uneducated citizens are another major part of the problem. Mary Jarrett | via social media Illegal is illegal no matter how you spin it. Tim Bengard | King City Leaving Castroville today, I passed by 100-plus farmworkers working in the fields on Highway 183 between Blackie Road and Cooper Road. It just struck me that without these hardworking people we would have nothing on our tables (“Local law enforcement agencies worry that fears of ICE could compromise cooperation,” July 24-30). If someone could take a picture with a camera or a drone to see how many people it takes to feed our nation—and then right beside that, feature the same picture and take all the people out to show what is soon going to be left if all the ICE raids continue with their horrific actions. I know people are aware of our government’s actions but are they really? It just breaks my heart. Thank you folks for all you are doing to keep us informed of all the important matters in our country. Jan Overweser | Salinas TRAFFIC FLOW If these AI signals are as effective as the ones on Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey, traffic will still be awful (“Adaptive AI signals are coming to Highway 68, and roundabouts may be out for good,” July 17-23). Keeping standard signals in place also doesn’t alleviate the danger of making left turns. Anyone who commuted before and after the roundabout project at Holman Highway knows that roundabouts work. I can’t believe that TAMC—actual traffic engineers— deferred to a retired dude who had time to make a website and attend meetings. So disappointing. Amanda Whitmire | Monterey And when the technology fails resulting in a fatal accident, what then? I’d prefer roundabounds for sure! Celia Bosworth | Salinas Saving the money to go toward other projects sounds good to me. Tina Walsh | via social media SAND CASTLE I read with interest your article and finished wondering why there was no mention of the existence of a nonprofit organization having an interest in obtaining the property (“An ownership dispute over Sand City’s ‘eco-resort’ property drags on as debts keep mounting,” July 24-30). Surely the land along the coast should be preserved and not developed—except as open space for limited public use. I wonder where might [local nonprofits] be on this preservation? Seems to me that this 39-acre parcel is worthy of being saved. Gloria J. Moore | Salinas SHOW TIME It’s an incredible space (“An event venue in Monterey is ready for Car Week with a new permit,” July 17-23). Super excited for them. Events there are sure to be amazing. It’s unique and cool. Shawn Adams | Monterey BIRD BRAIN I so agree with you related to these poor baby seagulls (“Baby birds need you to slow down to save a life,” posted July 25). People need to slow down on Del Monte and not use it like a highway. Think about all the areas we have taken from these birds that they now roost in buildings. People also need to be aware that there is mega-construction going on in Marina and Seaside. There will be many wildlife residents displaced including coyotes, hares, owls, mountain lions and bobcats to name a few, who may be wandering in town trying to figure out where to go after they are kicked out of their habitats. Please use caution. No need to be rushing to get to the next stoplight at the same time someone going slower does! Susan Schiavone | Seaside I am so glad you addressed this topic. I am a lover of birds and in general, animals in nature. I have seen the “roadkill” and found myself crying. In this particular incident, it was an adult. I could not help thinking about the baby and family. Maybe it is because I am aging. I find the loss of non-human creatures more difficult to stomach. I obviously don’t wish the human variety ill will. I guess I am tired of all the stupidity we show the natural wildlife. They have few defenses from our “advances,” such as cars. Thanks for addressing a topic that is very close to my heart. I hope it hits home for others. Laurel Eden | via email MUSICAL MILESTONE Happy birthday Cowboy! (“The Golden State Theatre celebrates its lead stage manager, known as Cowboy,” July 17-23.) Grateful for all you’ve done for the Monterey County music scene over the years! Meg K. Ryan | via social media LETTERS • COMMENTSOPINION Submit letters to the editor to letters@montereycountynow.com. Please keep your letter to 150 words or less; subject to editing for space. Please include your full name, contact information and city you live in.
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