OCTOBER 16-22, 2025 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT BULLET POINT 10 | IN HARMONY 36 | PUMPKIN SEASON 38 | A TIKTOK STAR 42 | MORE THAN A MARTINI 45 FIRST PLACE GENERAL EXCELLENCE • 2025 CA JOURNALISM AWARDS • Scholars come together for a first-ever symposium dedicated to elevating Henry Miller’s reputation. p. 20 By Agata Popęda MILLER TIME
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 16-22, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com Experience the bold Spirit Of the peninsula A vibrant celebration of local flavor, coastal views, and California’s culinary excellence. ! Beer • Food • Wine Sample craft brews, premium wines, and artisan spirits while savoring gourmet bites from acclaimed local chefs. discover new favorites among exclusive pours and limited releases. Enjoy live music, beer garden vibes, and an unforgettable afternoon. 1 McClure Way Seaside (831) 899-7271 Some Featured Vendors and many more! Saturday, November 1st Bayonet & Black Horse, Seaside VIP Admission: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm General Admission: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 16-22, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 3 If you know Community Hospital, you know Montage Health. montagehealth.org The fact is, we’ve always been here. You’ve just known us by a different name. The people at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula created Montage Health to deliver exceptional care to more people, by expanding our services beyond the hospital. Today, we’re urgent care centers, wellness centers, primary care doctors, health insurance plans, and a groundbreaking mental health program for youth. Still independent, nonprofit, locally owned, and accountable only to the community we serve.
4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 16-22, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 16-22, 2025 • ISSUE #1942 • ESTABLISHED IN 1988 Li Liu (Nikon Z9, 600mm/f6.3, 1/2500s, ISO 80) Brilliant fall colors light up the sunset at the aptly named Bird Rock in Pebble Beach. MONTEREY COUNTY PHOTO OF THE WEEK Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: Writer Henry Miller looking cool and enigmatic in sunglasses reflecting scenes of Big Sur. This drawing is the logo for the “Henry Miller in the 21st Century” symposium which takes place Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 16-19. Cover image: Eliza Koch 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 Annie Cobb annie@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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6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 16-22, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH The New York Times scored a victory for the First Amendment Oct. 8 when a U.S. District Judge ruled the Pentagon must provide the newspaper with a list of Elon Musk’s security clearances, after the Times sued to obtain them back in March. In court documents, the feds argued that the disclosure “could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.” However, the judge ruled that Musk, who was a “special government employee” earlier this year, had forfeited his privacy interests in the matter by boasting about his top secret clearances on social media. Additionally, the judge found that Musk has made public disclosures about his use of controlled substances like ketamine and his contacts with foreign leaders, specifically referring to a post about Russian President Vladimir Putin. The court ruled “the list of Musk’s security clearances, including any conditions or waivers, could provide meaningful insight.” If the government wants to make any redactions to the two-page list of clearances, the judge ruled they must submit them to the court for review by Oct. 17. Good: It’s a good week for a local inventor, Dr. David Craig Wright of D4 Labs, LLC., located in downtown Pacific Grove. Wright was accepted as a keynote speaker at the prestigious ninth edition of the World Congress on Infectious Diseases and fifth edition of the International Vaccines Congress, taking place Oct. 23-25 in Orlando, Florida. He’ll be presenting on his breakthrough invention, a way to administer vaccines for different types of influenza subcutaneously, or under the skin, instead of into muscle; his method is less painful. In February 2024, Wright received his 20th patent in his 40-year medical research career for the invention. The patent included a modification of the SARS-CoV-2, or Covid19 virus, and a vaccine against the virus itself. In addition, Wright says he’ll be introducing a new line of topical products that treat first-degree burns by carrying medicine in tiny particles called liposomes. GREAT: There is a narrative that environmental protections and critically needed housing development are in direct conflict with each other, particularly in California’s carefully regulated Coastal Zone. State Sen. John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, believes there can be a middle ground, and his Senate Bill 484 shows it. The bill was approved unanimously by the legislature and signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Oct. 6. The law, which takes effect Jan. 1, will streamline infill housing that is 100-percent affordable, and compels the California Coastal Commission by July 1, 2027 to select at least three areas for a 10-year exemption from onerous permitting requirements. The bill received support from both environmental and development groups. “California does not have to choose between affordable housing and protecting our coastal resources,” Laird said. “We can and must do both.” GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s how many defensible space inspections the Monterey Fire Department has conducted so far in 2025, up from 875 total in 2024. The inspections, which take place in Monterey, Pacific Grove and Carmel, look for vegetation that provides fuel for wildfires, educating homeowners on defensible space requirements. Source: City of Monterey 3,459 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “I can’t continue like this. It doesn’t make any sense.” -Tamie Aceves of La Créme Hospitality Inc., operator of the Grill at Point Pinos, speaking about how rent costs from the City of Pacific Grove is forcing her to shut down the restaurant (see story, montereycountynow.com). This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $57,688 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government. 2026 MEDICARE UPDATES Worried about next year’s premiums, deductibles, or out-of-pocket costs? Curious if more affordable Medicare coverage is available? Medicare costs—including Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Prescription Drug Plans (Part D)—change every year. Join one of our free seminars to explore your options and find out if it’s time to re-evaluate your coverage! King City: King City Library - Tues. 10/28 at 2pm (English) and 3:30pm (Spanish) Salinas: Alliance On Aging (The HUB) - Wed. 10/29 at 3:00pm (English) Salinas: Alliance On Aging (The HUB) - Thurs. 10/30 at 3:00pm (Spanish) Monterey: Scholze Park Center - Mon. 11/3 at 10:00am (English) Pacific Grove: Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula - Tues. 11/4 at 12:45pm (English) Call to learn more about our FREE service in your area! 800-434-0222 www.allianceonaging.org Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program - ‘HICAP’
www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 16-22, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 SAVE TARPY FLATS! HWY 68 CANNOT HANDLE A CATASTROPHIC INCREASE IN DAILY TRAFFIC! Tarpy Flats is the unspoiled mix of fields and woods across from the airport, running along the south side of HWY 68 from Olmsted Road (where the airport is) to Canyon Del Rey (where Tarpy’s Roadhouse and the 7-11 are). If you commute on HWY 68, you pass it every day. Do any of us who live on the Monterey Peninsula or in Salinas want to see the traffic on HWY 68 go from bad to worse? Does anybody who commutes daily want to face a far greater burden of traffic congestion than they endure already? And do any of us want the scenic beauty and wildlife habitats of our incredible community to be sacrificed for ill-advised development and personal profit? Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. At this very moment developer Bradley Slama, in partnership with the Saucito Land Company, is seeking permits to turn Tarpy Flats into a sprawling housing development. They want to jam as many as up to 1,300 homes, condos, and apartments into this beautiful and irreplaceable wilderness habitat. The Monterey City Council and the Monterey County Supervisors are doing nothing to stop this… in fact, shockingly, they have so far voted in its favor. Nobody argues against the need for additional housing on the Monterey Peninsula. But we strongly argue that Tarpy Flats is by far the worst possible place for it. Here’s why: Consider: HWY 68 is one lane in each direction. It is the only commuting corridor between the Monterey Peninsula and Salinas. HWY 68 was designed to handle 16,000 vehicles a day. It currently handles about 25,000 vehicles a day. This proposed development would burden HWY 68 with thousands of more vehicles a day. (One estimate suggests a total over 30,000 vehicles a day.) This increase would have a disastrous effect on our community’s ability to function, for locals who depend on that commuting corridor and for visitors to the Monterey Peninsula. It would also interfere with access to our airport, interfere with access to medical and other facilities at Ryan Ranch, and severely impede needed emergency and other services along Hwy 68. Consider: The HWY 68 corridor is at severe risk from wildfires. Adding any housing development along 68 will only increase that risk to potentially catastrophic levels. Again, consider thousands of extra cars in this area. If an evacuation is called for due to wildfire, do we want to see traffic absolutely gridlocked with cars trying to leave the danger zone as happened in Southern California recently, where countless cars were abandoned to burn and then became a significant obstacle to fire trucks and other emergency vehicles seeking access to the fire areas? Consider: There is no infrastructure for such a development. No existing utilities. No sewer infrastructure. Even worse, there is no water for any development of Tarpy Flats, let alone a possible 1,300 dwellings. We all know that water access is a serious issue on the Monterey Peninsula, it is the most precious diminishing resource we have. Where do these developers and our local government officials expect the water to come from? Consider: The Tarpy Flats site fails to meet California’s own guidelines for RHNA (Regional Housing Needs Assessment) use. Development would violate Federal regulations protecting land such as this. Yet these developers are still trying to push this plan through, and our local government representatives are helping! Consider: Tarpy Flats is an unspoiled nature habitat. Wildlife of all sorts depend upon it for their very existence. Anybody who cares about our local wildlife and the irreplaceable natural beauty of this incredible community we are all blessed to call home will surely agree that developing this land would be a tragic and disastrous mistake. IF YOU AGREE, PLEASE MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD: 1 Go to our website SaveTarpyFlats.org and sign our petition. Add your name to the growing list of local residents who demand that Tarpy Flats be permanently removed from consideration for any future development. This land should be deeded in its entirety to the Big Sur Land Trust and officially designated a protected wildlife sanctuary. Our website will also give you more detailed information about Tarpy Flats, the disastrous effects of any proposed development, and the legal battle we’re facing to stop it. 2 Write polite but firm letters to local and State government representatives voicing your opposition to any development of Tarpy Flats. Our website will provide those names and addresses. Hold them responsible! 3 DONATE! We need your help to pay necessary legal expenses to fight this development. So far only a handful of local families have contributed financially. Now we need everyone’s help in order to succeed. THANK YOU ALL for listening and considering our position. Paid Advertisement
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 16-22, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com 831 In the recent era of California wildfires, 2020 registers widely. Caught in the crosshairs of one of these fires was Jennifer Phillips’ and Rob Officer’s ranch in Carmel Valley, which they purchased a few years prior with their family. Only two of their 40 beehives survived, the beginnings of a small farm burnt down, along with 250 live and blue oak trees. In the years since, the couple has worked to revive their property and make something of the burned oaks— both protected species in California and notoriously challenging woods to work with. “After the fire, we started selling firewood,” Officer says. “That kind of exposed me to what was inside these trees. I was so captivated by the grain and the structure and the color, and then it was like, I can’t wait to start cutting these into slabs and then making something out of them.” The Valley Sawyer, their custom furniture business, officially opened six months ago. Officer explains that live oak is extremely hard wood that loves to twist in unique ways that give it a “psychedelic” grain pattern, while blue oak is similarly dense, with a complex grain structure difficult to manipulate. Their tendency to warp makes them less common choices for furniture, but for Officer and Phillips, it presents a unique opportunity to craft pieces with its own character and story. In the center of their workspace in the Carmel Valley hills, Officer points to a large piece of blue oak as an example of what can be done with more unruly slabs. The board, over three inches thick, has just finished drying for over three years, unique in its natural curve which Officer saw as resembling a river. Eventually, they’ll cut through the center, filling the channel with epoxy to give the illusion of water running through the contours of the wood. “When I cut slabs, I can see the piece that I want to make out of it,” he says. “It takes a lot of patience to wait three or four years to make the piece that I saw years ago.” For every inch of thickness, one year is needed to dry out the wood—a general rule of thumb, Officer says. The wood is stacked and separated with wooden spacers to allow for airflow, with weight applied on top to keep the slabs from twisting and turning. Then they’re packed into a solar kiln that, in the summer time, can heat up to 130 degrees. Once the moisture in the wood has been reduced to 8-10 percent, the woodworking can begin. Prior to the 2020 fires, Officer and Phillips had some—though limited— woodworking experience. They were both craftspeople in their own right: Officer had worked as a goldsmith for more than 20 years and dabbled in carpentry, while Phillips grew up around woodworking with her father, a journeyman carpenter, though her passions were in dance and teaching yoga. While waiting for the oaks to dry, they got to work converting part of their property into a vineyard using organic, regenerative and dry farming methods. They’ve brought back beehives—now with nine in total— and started building owl boxes as an eco-friendly form of rodent control after losing about 800 vines to gophers. “As far as working with wood goes, I think it comes pretty naturally,” Phillips says. “But we’re just learning as we go.” Their owl box business, The Valley Owl, took off after a Facebook post went viral, and has since expanded to include individual handmade boxes with custom colors and solar-powered cameras for watching the owls nest. They currently have a few dozen orders, from farms and vineyards to local residents simply curious to see owls on their property. And their table business has followed a similar suit. They’ve begun building tables for weddings as well as the live-edge bar area in Tira Nanza, a new tasting room in Carmel. “We’ve been trying to figure out how we can be artists and survive here,” Officer says. “Once we found this avenue with the wood and building furniture, it finally feels like something where we can start to offer something that feels meaningful to us, a representation of the place, but also a way to generate a livable income.” The Valley Sawyer. (831) 659-5659, thevalleysawyer. com. New Life Following the Carmel Fire, Jennifer Phillips and Rob Officer transform burned snags left behind into works of art. By Katie Rodriguez “I was so captivated by the grain and the structure.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE DANIEL DREIFUSS Jennifer Phillips and Rob Officer must be patient before they can get to work—the wood takes years to dry. “It’s a time-consuming process,” Officer says. “We have piles of slabs in different places on the property that are at different stages of the process.” Join us for an informative update from the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center. From the bottom of the ocean to the stars and a new generator too! Find out what's new with FNMOC. Presented by the City of Monterey, the Monterey Bay Defense Alliance, and the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. GETTICKETS! PRESENTED BY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2025 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM FERRANTE’S AT MONTEREY MARRIOTT TICKETS: $45/MEMBERS • $65/NON-MEMBERS • INCLUDES BREAKFAST QUARTERLY BUSINESS INSIGHTS BREAKFAST Join us for an informative presentation titled “California Leads the Nation in Women-Owned Businesses: Insights, Impact, and Opportunities for Monterey County” Held duringNational Women in Business Week, this program is presented by Katherine Aguilar Perez, Co-Creator of the Altadena Rapid ADU Deployment Project and Associate Adjunct Professor at USC.
www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 16-22, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 Insured by NCUA 1The dividend rate and Annual Percentage Yield (APY) accurate as of 10/01/2025. The dividend rate and APY may change at any time. 4.15% APY, 6-month Term Savings Certificate must be opened by phone or in-branch with new money. New money is defined as funds not on deposit at Golden 1 in the 30 days prior to the certificate account opening. There is no minimum balance required to earn the stated APY. The minimum opening deposit for this 6-month certificate is $500. The APY is based on an assumption that dividends will remain in the account until maturity. Any fee, withdrawal or transfer reduces earnings and there may be penalties for early withdrawal. Call 1-877-465-3361 for current rates. We reserve the right to change or discontinue this program at any time. Rates and term are subject to change without notice. 1025-MTW 4.15% APY1 for 6 months Visit a branch, call 1-877-465-3361 or scan to learn more Limited time offer Earn more with a Term Savings Certificate Cornucopia Community Market offers quality nutritious and environmentally safe products, free of artificial additives and preservatives. 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) HAPPY Harvest Days! Your Source for Local and Organic Food for a Healthy Lifestyle • 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 ’25
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 16-22, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com NEWS Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill on Monday, Oct. 13 that will give MontereySalinas Transit a chance to ask voters for more money, and shore up the agency’s projected revenue stream into the next decade. Assembly Bill 761, introduced by Assemblymember Dawn Addis, D-Morro Bay, authorizes the MST board—by a two-thirds vote—to propose a ballot measure for a sales tax of up to $0.25. This comes as MST’s Measure Q, a 2014 ballot measure that imposed a one-eighth-cent sales tax in Monterey County to fund transportation services for seniors, veterans and those with disabilities, expires in 2030. Measure Q was the first-ever countywide sales tax measure dedicated to public transit, and passed with 72 percent of the vote; currently, its revenues exceed $13 million annually and make up about a quarter of MST’s budget. MST General Manager Carl Sedoryk says challenges loom ahead because federal and state gas tax revenues are declining with the increasing adoption of electric vehicles. Sedoryk says increased revenues are critical in order to achieve the state’s mandated goal that 100-percent of MST’s fleet be zero-emission by 2040. He estimates that it will cost at least $130 million; in MST’s fleet of 163 buses, just four are currently electric. He adds there is currently no tax to fund MST fixed routes—which serve about 90 percent of its ridership—and that those are dependent entirely on state and federal sources. “We may need a local source to expand [that network], and this will allow us to make that ask, to start the climb.” Sedoryk sees two windows to potentially float another ballot measure or extension of Measure Q—in November 2026 or 2028— and says MST will conduct polling in the coming months to see where voters are. “We’re only going to put it on the ballot if we think we’re going to win,” he says. Green Light A new state bill paves the way for Monterey-Salinas Transit to ask voters for more money. By David Schmalz In late 2024, Monterey planning officials internally approved a gun shop at the corner of Ocean Avenue and Third Street, as it checked all the boxes of the city’s zoning code, which doesn’t regulate such businesses. After hearing of this decision, neighbors and other residents went to the City Council in February 2025 to oppose the shop, contending its location near homes and a preschool wasn’t appropriate. The council adopted an emergency ordinance that temporarily halted new licenses for firearms businesses until city staff could research the matter. The results of that research came into view on Tuesday, Oct. 14, when the Monterey Planning Commission recommended the council adopt an ordinance that prohibits gun shops in most areas of the city. The commission split 3-2 on the recommendation, with Commissioners Mike Brassfield and Mike Dawson dissenting. Under the proposed ordinance, new businesses would only be allowed in areas zoned for industrial uses, which is near the Monterey Regional Airport and Ryan Ranch. Those businesses would require a public hearing before they are approved, and must be at least 600 feet away from a school, residential zone, liquor store, park or other specific uses. There are currently four firearm and ammunition businesses licensed in the city. L&B Firearms, whose approval sparked the emergency ordinance, is not yet operational, and the proposed ordinance would limit the business’ existence to three years. Big 5 Sporting Goods and Gallagher Ammunition Sales only sell ammunition, and would not be allowed to expand by selling guns, according to the ordinance. JC Firearms and Ammo will be grandfathered in as a “legal nonconforming use,” as it is located within 600 feet of a daycare. Proprietor Jeff Cecilio says he views the proposal as not an attack on firearms shops, but rather the city’s effort to find a “happy medium” between allowing businesses to operate and addressing concerns from residents. The ordinance would prohibit new firearm and ammunition businesses that operate out of homes. Monterey has one, Gallagher Ammunition, whose owner Colin Gallagher told the commissioners that his business is entirely online, with no inventory at his home. “I don’t think having a prohibitive policy that restricts who can or cannot have licenses in the future is a good idea,” he said. “It’s an example of Monterey’s ongoing restrictive policies that are anti-business in a nutshell.” Both Brassfield and Dawson said they didn’t see the need for the ordinance, with Brassfield adding that it takes away someone’s opportunity to make a living. Commissioner Terry Latasa noted the ordinance addresses a safety gap in the city’s zoning code. Prior to the emergency ordinance, city code treated gun and ammunition shops like any other retail store, with no setbacks or zoning restrictions. The ordinance will next head to the Monterey City Council for consideration at a date to be determined. Opposition over L&B Firearms’ plan to open in this building at 301 Ocean Ave. led to the City of Monterey temporarily prohibiting new gun shops. Pulling the Trigger Monterey outlines a plan to limit new gun shops after an earlier approval sparks outcry. By Erik Chalhoub Monterey-Salinas Transit operates a fleet of 163 buses. While the agency is doing well financially relative to some other public transit agencies in the San Francisco Bay Area, the MST board may pursue a ballot measure asking for a sales tax of up to 25 cents. Prior, city code treated gun shops like any other retail store. DANIEL DREIFUSS DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 16-22, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 Free COMMUNITY EVENTS Swim through a pool of floating pumpkins and pick one to take home! Pumpkins are limited. Registration is required. Learn the Thriller dance moves and grooves with Brandy and Alicia outside in the front of the Sports Center. No registration required. *Guests must bring Photo ID and complete the Guest Waiver for free admission. Dia de Los Muertos Celebration 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Experience the magic of Day of the Dead! Dress in the spirit of the day, add a photo, flower or memento to our Dia de los Muertos altar, taste the tradition with culturally significant foods from local vendors and enjoy family focused activities and performances. Prizes will be awarded to the best Dia de los Muertos costume. *Guests must bring Photo ID and complete the Guest Waiver for free admission. TO REGISTER FOR YOUR PUMPKIN Pumpkin Plunge 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Thriller Dance Party 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Saturday, October 25, 2025 2pm - 9pm
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 16-22, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com The idea for a “senior dog haven” came about 25 years ago, nearly 10 years before Peace of Mind Dog Rescue was founded. The nonprofit was born in 2009 with the mission of helping older folks who can no longer care for their dogs by finding new homes for the animals. Over the last few years, POMDR co-founder Carie Broecker, driven by two donors (one of whom has since died), got serious about realizing this senior dog haven dream project. She hired a land-use attorney to search for potential locations to host up to 20 senior dogs in a home-like setting. Specifically, they were looking for a property that fit the bill: It needed proper zoning, accessibility to POMDR’s network of volunteers and foster parents, and a large courtyard. In May, they found their spot at 8 El Caminito Road in Carmel Valley, a mixed-use building which was once Magic Circle Theatre. Shortly thereafter, neighbors began to push back, writing to County of Monterey officials citing concerns over noise, traffic, parking and wastewater. “Somehow people found out about the project before the planners sent out a letter,” Broecker says. “It was a little surprising that people started to get upset about it before they had all of the information, before we had a chance to have the public hearing.” The building, currently in escrow, is set to close pending county approval on the remaining permits. Broecker says they have since conducted an acoustic study and traffic report, and submitted water reports. She has gone door-to-door with county supervisors to explain their plans to the neighbors and update them on the process—she says some have been understanding, others firm in concerns about potential noise. No hearing date has been set for the project since the application is still in progress, according to Kayla Nelson with the Monterey County Planning Department. One challenge has been describing a concept that is new to most people. Many imagine the space as a kennel, where the dogs will be kept in cages. Broecker explains that the space will be cage-free, and more of a sanctuary, with staff and volunteers present around the clock ensuring the animals’ needs are met. “Typically, dogs bark because they haven’t exercised enough, they haven’t had enrichment—things that keep them happy,” she says. “We have a lot of resources to make sure that isn’t an issue.” For the first time, the region’s provider of Medi-Cal, California’s version of Medicaid, is launching a plan for its members who also qualify for Medicare, the federal health insurance program for people aged 65 and older or disabled adults over age 21. TotalCare, a new HMO from the Central California Alliance for Health, began enrollment on Oct. 15 for coverage that starts on Jan. 1. The enrollment period ends Dec. 7. TotalCare is a Medicare Advantage plan, a dual-eligible special needs plan known as D-SNP, offering coordinated care for members. Someone enrolled in both programs will have access to an interdisciplinary care team that will help members navigate the health care system, says Scott Crawford, the Alliance’s Medicare Program executive director. “We see this offering as a natural part of our mission to provide high-quality care to our members,” Crawford says. The goal is to improve clinical outcomes and the quality of life for members with complex needs. The Alliance provides Medi-Cal benefits in Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, Merced and Mariposa counties to more than 440,000 members, about 173,000 in Monterey County, or around half of all residents. Crawford says about 16,000 of those residents are now eligible for TotalCare. It’s open to those enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B, as well as have Medi-Cal through the Alliance. There are no plan premiums, no co-pays, other than low co-pays for some prescription drugs, Crawford says. Other benefits include vision, access to an exercise program and a flexible spending card for over-the-counter health items, among others. Members will have a single ID card and one phone number to call for assistance. “By bringing Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits under one umbrella we can help coordinate care seamlessly and provide additional support to those who need it most,” CEO Michael Schrader said in a written statement. Sniffed Out Carmel Valley residents push back on Peace of Mind Dog Rescue’s plan to house dogs. By Katie Rodriguez NEWS LOCAL UPDATE Monterey City Councilmember Gino Garcia holds a community meeting for residents of District 4. Topics include the Monterey Regional Airport, Car Week, the Casanova Oak Knoll parking program and more. 6pm Thursday, Oct. 16. Casanova Oak Knoll Park Center, 735 Ramona Ave., Monterey. Free. (831) 646-3799, monterey.gov. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Monterey County Works and the California Department of Rehabilitation present the Community Resource Fair. Employers, training providers and local organizations will be on hand to support individuals with disabilities, job seekers and families in accessing resources and employment opportunities. 1-4pm Saturday, Oct. 18. Northridge Mall, 796 Northridge Drive, Salinas. Free. (831) 796-3331, montereycountyworks.com. PARK PROCESS The City of Soledad is envisioning a future park at the intersection of Gabilan Drive and Toledo Street. A workshop provides an opportunity for the public to share input. 5-5:30pm (youth forum), 5:30-6:30pm (general public) Tuesday, Oct. 21. Soledad Community Center, 560 Walker Drive, Soledad. Free. (831) 2235250, cityofsoledad.com. ON THE DAIS Marina City Council holds its regular meeting to discuss city business. Public comment is accepted. 6:30pm Tuesday, Oct. 21. Council Chambers, 211 Hillcrest Ave., Marina. Free. (831) 884-1278, cityofmarina. org. GROUND VIEW Monterey Regional Airport hosts an open house. The public will have the opportunity to see the airport’s Metamorphosis project and ask questions. 4:30-6:30pm Wednesday, Oct. 22. Monterey Regional Airport, 200 Fred Kane Drive, Monterey. Free. RSVP for a construction tour by Oct. 17. montereyairport.com, receptionist@montereyairport.com. ROAD WORK Learn about upcoming work for the Highway 101 South of Salinas project. Caltrans and the Transportation Agency for Monterey County will share information and answer questions. 6-7:30pm Wednesday, Oct. 22. Chualar School Gymnasium, 24285 Lincoln St., Chualar. Free. (805) 441-3792, bit.ly/ 101SouthofSalinas. One and Done A new HMO is launched, offering coordinated care for those on Medicare and Medi-Cal. By Pam Marino POMDR takes in senior dogs (over the age of 6) as those are the dogs that take longer to get adopted and are most at risk of being euthanized in shelters. E-MAIL: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX “It was a little surprising that people started to get upset.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 16-22, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 Shelter From the StormS The barrage of disasters and ugly politics have separated us. Many of us feel small and ineffectual. We don’t know where to turn and have withdrawn from the world. Unitarian Universalists offer a safe harbor for you and your family. We believe in community. We say YES to JOY, to LOVE, to COURAGE, and to HOPE. Our Sunday services at 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m., and our many community activities show how to face our days with a positive spirit. We strive to do good and to improve the world a little every day—focusing on social justice, environmental, LGBTQ+, and immigration issues. We welcome everyone, and we know that it is going to take all of us to thrive! To learn more, come to a Sunday service, check out our website at www.UUCMP.org, or call 831-624-7404. Unitarian Universalist Church of the Monterey Peninsula, 490 Aguajito Road, Carmel CA 93923 FREE Flu Vaccine Clinics 16 CASTROVILLE 11261 Crane St. 4 pm - 7 pm OCT 18 GREENFIELD Albert & Donna Olivera Clinic 10 am - 1 pm OCT 20 SALINAS Boys & Girls Club 85 Maryal Dr. 4 pm - 7 pm OCT 27 SAN ARDO San Ardo Elementary 62428 Center St. 4 pm - 7 pm OCT 25 GONZALES Taylor Farms Family Clinic - 850 5th. St. 10 am - 1 pm OCT 15 MARINA CSUMB OSU Room 208 1 pm - 4 pm OCT 21 CHUALAR Chualar Fire 24181 Washington St. 4 pm - 7 pm OCT CARMEL Carmel Valley Fire 8455 Carmel Valley Rd. 4 pm - 7 pm 30 OCT MONTEREY - MPC 980 Fremont St. Sam Karas room 11 am - 2 pm No Appointment Needed. Vaccine available to individuals 6 months and up. Wed Thur Sat Mon Tues 22 OCT Wed Sat Mon Thur County of Monterey’s Family and Children’s Services is here to recruit Resource Families who protect youth involved in the Child Welfare System. To learn how you can help keep families together, visit fcsmc.org Foster Youth in Monterey County Partner. Protect. Support.
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 16-22, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com In March, residents who live inside Pacific Grove Senior Living became alarmed after learning that the company that previously operated their building, Pacifica Senior Living Management, had filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of California. Residents worried that somehow their homes might be at risk, despite assurances from corporate managers that wasn’t the case. The fact that the new management company in charge, Heritage Resource Group, is run by mostly the same people as the previous company going through bankruptcy didn’t help allay residents’ fears. Seeking to find out for themselves what was going on, residents organized a bankruptcy hearing watch party in a common area on May 19. A flier was created with details and distributed to residents’ mailboxes, located in the lobby of the building. The fliers soon disappeared, pulled by staff on the orders of corporate managers, according to a resident who spoke to staff. Residents protested, but say staff members refused to put the fliers back. After more protests, the watch party was allowed to take place in the common area. “This is CENSORSHIP,” a resident wrote afterward in an email to Joanne Getas, an ombudsman from the Alliance on Aging, adding that it was a “violation of our constitutional right to information…We can’t have a dictatorship here.” The incident was reported to the California Department of Social Services, the state agency responsible for regulating residential care facilities for the elderly. On June 5, an investigator from DSS visited PGSL and interviewed staff and residents, according to a report filed on July 31. “Based on observations and interviews, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the allegation is SUBSTANTIATED,” the report reads. The deficiencies listed included violations of a state statute that protects residents’ rights as citizens and as residents of the facility. The statute requires that they “shall be free from interference, coercion, discrimination, and retaliation in exercising their rights.” The executive director refused to sign the investigators’ report and told her the company would be filing an appeal. The company was fined $250, a DSS spokesperson says, although it’s on hold until the appeal is completed. A company official did not respond to a request for comment. Meanwhile, bankruptcy proceedings are ongoing. PSLM’s path to bankruptcy began last year, after losing court cases by residents in other California facilities, or their families, resulting in multi-million dollar judgments against the company. PSLM liquidated all contracts with its senior care facilities and a new company was formed. When it filed for bankruptcy on March 24, PSLM listed 70 creditors with estimated liabilities of between $10 million and $50 million. According to court documents, as of Oct. 10, the bankruptcy trustee had collected $895,000 from the sale of company assets. Take a Flyer The company that runs P.G. Senior Living gets fined for pulling fliers from residents’ mailboxes. By Pam Marino An investigator from the California Department of Social Services found that management at P.G. Senior Living violated residents’ rights when fliers were removed from mailboxes. NEWS “We can’t have a dictatorship here.” DANIEL DREIFUSS DO YOU WANT TO GO INSIDE PRISON AND LEARN WITH THE INCARCERATED? Members from the public engage in weekly discussions with inmates, sharing life stories related to empathy-building topics. Anyone over 18 is welcome to join! Come by the Transformative Justice Center! 439 Tyler Street, Monterey Offered Mondays from 4pm-6pm over 8-week cycles at CTF Soledad Prison - a voluntary commitment is required. Contact Program Director – Megan McDrew for more information and to sign up. Space is very limited! mmcdrew@transformativejusticecenter.org TransformativeJusticeCenter.org PREVENTION•EDUCATION TREATMENT•RECOVERY NATIONAL MEDICINE ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH According to the 2022 Monitoring the Future Survey, 1 in 31 teens report misusing over-the-counter OTC cough medicine to get high. Let’s continue to educate the public about the dangers of abusing prescription and OTC drugs. WWW.SUNSTREETCENTERS.ORG
www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 16-22, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 15 The City of Greenfield is at a crossroads when it comes to infrastructure and growth. The council recently took a drastic measure to prevent more stress on the city’s aging wastewater treatment plant by voting to pause any new construction within city limits until they develop a solution. Looking toward solutions—specifically how to fund a $111.3 million replacement water treatment plant—on Oct. 14, the council unanimously voted to move forward with rate increases for sewer service. “A new plant is not a want. It’s an urgent need,” Mayor Robert White said. The vote triggers a process via Proposition 218, under which the city will send notices to property owners, who can weigh in for or against the new rates; if more than half object, the increases cannot take effect. Greenfield has the second-lowest sewer rates in South County for 2026, behind Gonzales, at $63.36/month. The rate the council approved would make Greenfield the second highest, behind King City at $91.24/month. Robert D. Niehaus, Inc., a consulting firm based in Santa Barbara that conducted a rate study for Greenfield, recommended increasing sewer rates and including a mix of fixed and variable fees, putting two options on the table. Both options have similar monthly rates starting in January, at a $34.99 fixed rate plus $11.25 per 1,000 gallons. By 2029, the rates would be more than double with $75.58 and $24.29, respectively. For residential customers, typical single-family bills would increase from about $63/month to $91 in fiscal year 2026, according to a report to council. Non-residential bills, meanwhile, will vary based on actual water use. In 2022, the City Council approved plans to build a new wastewater treatment plant with a discharge capacity of up to 2 million gallons per day, nearly double the current capacity of 1.2 million gallons. The last time the city looked at sewer rate increases was 2023, when the dollar figures were lower because it was projected that the State Water Quality Grants would cover the new plant; however, this is no longer the case. “In order to continue to pursue any available grant or low-interest loans, the City must demonstrate that it has the financial resources to operate, maintain and meet the debt service obligations for any available grant or loan funding,” the staff report to council states. To fulfill the new guidelines, the city conducted another sewer rate study this year and found the current system “requires significant financial restructuring.” If property owners authorize the rate increase under Prop. 218, the city should be more competitive for funding for the new plant. (If approved, the new plant could be operational in 2029.) Niehaus also recommended building all the plant’s phases at once, saving $29 million in phased construction fees. The study also recommends adjusting connection fees. The current fee for a single-family residential unit to connect to the sewer system is $3,574; it would be more than double to $7,286, if the new fee structure is adopted. Flush Valve Greenfield City Council votes to increase sewer rates to cover new wastewater treatment plant. By Celia Jiménez The existing wastewater treatment plant in Greenfield was built in 1978 and is too small to serve the city. Higher rates won’t guarantee securing a grant for a new plant, but will improve the city’s odds. NEWS “A new plant is not a want. It’s an urgent need.” CELIA JIMÉNEZ ♦ 3 Card Poker ♠ Century 21st No Bust Black Jack ♣ Texas Hold’em ♥ FULL BAR! BLACKJACK BONUS POINTS PAYS UP TO $20,000 SMALL TOWN BIG PAYOUTS! 1-800-Gambler • GEAR-000383, GEAR-000376, GEAR-000375 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 Voted Monterey County’s Best Antique Shop ’25
16 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 16-22, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com JUST A NUMBER I bet UPS, FedEx and Amazon drivers will be relieved and overjoyed (“The Carmel City Council says yes to street addresses in a historic 5-0 vote,” Oct. 9-15). Christie Italiano-Thomas | Pacific Grove The non-address system worked when there were only Carmelites living in the City. Now that so many of the new residents are transplants they can’t grasp the concept. Cheri Gray Lyons | Fresno Yay! Common sense took effect! Walter Wagner | Salinas Letting go of any long-held tradition is not something that should not be considered lightly. My husband and I vacationed here for over 38 years, before retiring and living in this wonderful Village full time in 2018. It is said that Carmel residents are very resistant to change. This resistance is a huge part of preserving what makes this Village special. And having no addresses is a unique part of that history. But change has happened here with (often excessive) careful thought and considerations. Over addresses—the time is now to make this significant and tough decision. With our team’s six months of in-depth research, the rationale for why we should move ahead was very clear. Business, government, health, safety, shopping and financial dependencies on technology have forced our hands to move ahead. Our traditional directional addresses don’t work and can’t be made to work in today’s world. Nancy Ann Twomey | Carmel Note: Twomey was a member of the committee that recommended addresses. SALAD BOWL This is the main reason I buy organic if I can. The farmworkers! (“Monterey County is worst in the state for exposure to pesticides among pregnant women, a study finds,” Oct. 9-15.) Debbie Ramos | via social media HOUSING FIRST The idea of workforce housing for teachers is criminal. Instead of increasing staff pay, they become your landlord!? Gross (“MPUSD sets guidelines and prepares to hold a lottery for staff housing in November,” Oct. 2-8). Taylor Newberry | Marina Cheap rent for a small subset of the population. Meanwhile all property owners in MPUSD’s area are seeing their property tax rise substantially this year. This is in addition to another legacy MPUSD bond that was already on the books being assessed. The result is higher rents across a wide range of rentals as property owners cover the new expenses; $350 million would have gone a long way toward paying teachers and staff more. Michael Salerno | Marina LINE DRAWING Is temporary power for the Democratic Party at the federal level worth sacrificing the will of the people at the state level? I think we should care more about California voters than we do about the power of any political party (“Desperate times call for desperate measures, like Proposition 50,” Oct. 9-15). William Sterling | Monterey This a temporary measure to counter the highly unusual and Trumpsuggested act to Gov. Greg Abbott, which eliminates seats. This is a measure to temporarily keep the balance. Expires in 2030 after the 2028 election and normal census counting times. Tina Ziemann | Bradley LIFE AND DEATH Linda Anne Goulet is a rare one (“Death doulas are becoming more common as people seek to make their final days more comfortable and meaningful,” Oct. 2-8). Dessy Junsay Murphy | via social media Angels for sure. Donna DeMera | via social media CAMPUS CULTURE Students proven to be part of such an act should be permanently expelled from the university (“CSUMB Black students are targeted with racist graffiti on campus housing,” posted Oct. 8). Robert McGregor | Salinas STORY TIME Thanks for your piece on John Walton and Storied Land (“A tribute to John Walton, a historian who perfectly illustrated how narratives weave through time,” posted Sept. 30). I was born on this hill just as the nuclear age was about to begin. Cannery Row came out when I was 2. You don’t grow up here without becoming aware of the interweaving legacies. You watch and sometimes have a part in the changes and the conflicts, but you have a mouse’s view of the meadow. Walton’s view is the hawk’s. Reading that book gets you ready to understand the dynamics of those interactions, not only the evolution of the cultural strands, but the fact that all of it will continue to grind along, in whatever direction the people decide to go. Skip Seibel | Pacific Grove I read your tribute to John Walton and wanted to say how much I enjoyed it. The writing was masterful. I’d met and talked to John a few times and, unfortunately, was unable to attend the memorial, but your piece put me right there. The last paragraph is especially pitch-perfect. Dwight Holing | Carmel Valley OFF COURSE Finally a decent restaurant and now it is closing (“The popular Grill at Point Pinos in P.G. will close in November after a disagreement with city officials over rent,” posted Oct. 9). Of course it is the massively incompetent City Council who is doing this. Kimberley Werr | Seaside ON WHEELS Slow streets are the best! (“Twelve years in, Ciclovía Salinas has become a youth-led institution and a community celebration,” Oct. 9-15.) SFBike made it happen in San Francisco with lots of community and government support. Let’s do this in Monterey! The Rec Trail isn’t the only place to ride. Melissa K. Lewis | via social media TAKE THE TRAIN Now you’re talking; about time! (“It may be arriving later than hoped, but expanded rail service to the Bay Area is getting closer,” Oct. 2-8.) James Ryan | Monterey 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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