22 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 9-15, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com years. We mostly puzzle now. I bought them for the kids, who do play Uno. Jimmy Panetta U.S. Representative, District 19 What was your favorite game growing up Kickball. Why did you like it so much? It was a team sport in which I could contribute, and I could kick the shit out of that red, rubber, bouncy ball. Do you still have it and play with it? Unfortunately, my kickball days ended after I left Tularcitos Elementary School in Carmel Valley. However, it laid the foundation for my playing sports throughout my formative years and my competitiveness today. How competitive do you get? I’ve learned to contain my competitiveness, but definitely use it when necessary, especially during these tough times in dealing with the opposition in Congress. Have you ever been caught cheating on a game? Never, but I’m sure my two older brothers would have a different answer. Are you a sore winner and/or sore loser? Losing sucks, but you always need to learn from your losses to get better so that the next time you can win! Luis Alejo Monterey County Supervisor What was your favorite game growing up? As a kid, I loved playing checkers and chess with my dad. He was very competitive and rarely let us kids win, but when I did manage to beat him, it was a great day. My mom also loved board games, so we often played the classics—Uno, Life and Monopoly— with all my siblings crowded around the table. These games were part of our family long before Atari, Nintendo and electronic games became the craze. Later, when I was an undergrad at UC Berkeley, I picked up chess again and would spend late nights in our Latino student house on Piedmont Avenue battling it out with friends. Why did you like them so much? Those games were classic fun, but more importantly, they gave us quality time together as a family even during years when we didn’t have much. Some of my best childhood memories are sitting at the table with my parents, laughing and competing. My father passed away five years ago, and I only wish I could play just one more game of chess with him. Do you still have chess and play it? I still have a chess set. My schedule doesn’t leave me much time to play, but I’ve held onto it with the hope that one day I’ll find a worthy challenger again. Tina Rau Pacific Grove City Councilmember What was your favorite game growing up? The Game of Life. Why did you like it so much? Because it didn’t last as long as Monopoly. Or Risk, we played a lot of Risk. Do you still have the game? No, we moved on to Scrabble and other games like that. How competitive do you get? On a scale of 1-10, probably a 10. I’m a pretty competitive person in general. Have you ever been caught cheating on a game? No. Norm Groot Monterey County Farm Bureau Executive Director What was your favorite game growing up? Monopoly. Why did you like it so much? Competitive capitalism at its best! Do you still have it and play with it? Yes, when family is together. How competitive do you get? I’m a born winner! Have you ever been caught cheating on a game? Never. Are you a sore winner and/or sore loser? Nope. Joel Mendoza North Monterey County Fire Chief What was your favorite game growing up? My favorite “game” was definitely Follow the Leader on BMX bicycles. It wasn’t organized like a sport; it was just how my friends and I spent every free hour. We’d take turns being the leader and challenge each other to hit difficult obstacles. Why did you like it so much? It was the freedom and rush we felt. We mostly hung out outside on our BMX bicycles, and Freedom, Calif. was our playground. The “tracks” were a combination of dedicated dirt jumps we’d build and, honestly, whatever properties we could sneak onto without permission. The excitement came from constantly pushing our physical limits and the slight thrill of knowing we were probably doing something we shouldn’t be. With the bikes, we felt invincible and the masters of our playground. While those outdoor adventures County Administrative Officer Sonia De La Rosa (left) and Monterey County Free Libraries Director Hillary Theyer play a round of Uno while on break. Both listed the card game as one of their favorites growing up. KATIE RODRIGUEZ You always want to beat your brother. -Todd Fisher, The Meatery and Bear + Flag Roadside Chef and Owner
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