NOVEMBER 13-19, 2025 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT STOPPING CYBERCRIME 6 | FOR THE BIRDS 10 | GIVING IT ALL 36 | ON TAP AT PEBBLE BEACH 38 FIRST PLACE GENERAL EXCELLENCE • 2025 CA JOURNALISM AWARDS • United Way Monterey County created a new software system to help nonprofits—and their clients—succeed. p. 18 By Sara Rubin CONNECTING THE DOTS INSIDE: 213 local nonprofits present their big ideas to make Monterey County thrive. They need your help.
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 13-19, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com NOVEMBER 13-19, 2025 • ISSUE #1946 • ESTABLISHED IN 1988 Mike McDaniel (GoPro Hero 8 Black) Pelicans everywhere! A line of brown pelicans flies overhead another group standing in Elkhorn Slough. These birds are most commonly seen in the Monterey Bay area from summer through fall. MONTEREY COUNTY PHOTO OF THE WEEK Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: George Myers and his case manager, Fatima Torres, at Sun Street Centers in Salinas. Myers is optimistic about his future after years of homelessness and addiction. He and Torres say he got needed help efficiently through the Smart Referral Network. Cover image: 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 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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4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 13-19, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH Two BBC executives resigned Nov. 9 over accusations that Britain’s national broadcaster edited a Jan. 6, 2021 speech by President Donald Trump in a misleading way. BBC aired the speech as part of a series in 2024, splicing together three quotes from Trump that suggested his supporters march with him and “fight like hell,” before they stormed the Capitol. The edits cut out a section where Trump said he wanted them to demonstrate peacefully. The issue came to light after the Daily Telegraph recently published a report by a BBC adviser, which mentioned how the speech was spliced together. “Our journalists are hardworking people who strive for impartiality, and I will stand by their journalism,” said BBC news chief Deborah Turness, who resigned along with Director-General Tim Davie. “There is no institutional bias. Mistakes are made, but there’s no institutional bias.” In a statement, BBC chair Samir Shah said, “The way the speech was edited did give the impression of a direct call for violent action.” While BBC has apologized to Trump, the president has threatened a $1 billion lawsuit against the broadcaster. Good: In May, Monterey Skates opened a pop-up roller rink arena at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center, filling a void that opened following the closures of local rinks in recent years. It has only been operating for one weekend per month, but as it turns out, that has not been enough: Organizers quickly realized that demand among local skating enthusiasts is strong. Starting this month, Monterey Skates is now operating twice a month, with the next dates taking place Nov. 21-23. Max Troyer, who launched Monterey Skates with Morgan Goyette, called the growth of the rink’s schedule a “huge win for the skating community.” Monterey Skates also operates an adults-only skating event monthly with local DJ Alex Ramirez spinning tunes, drawing up to 150 skaters each time, from as far as Santa Cruz and San Jose. The pop-ups include skating lessons for kids and adults. GREAT: How do we destigmatize mental health services for young people? Ask young people. That’s the premise of the Mindshift project led by The Village Project, funded with a $1 million state grant to spread the word. Their 25-by-25 campaign features a series of 25 banners that will help share the message “Break The Stigma, Not Your Vibe,” and the first of those banners was hung at Los Arboles Middle School in Marina on Nov. 7; expect to see two wraps on Monterey-Salinas Transit buses in the coming days, then all 25 at various points around town by Dec. 1, with a photo of the youth ambassadors who designed the campaign themselves. Los Arboles Principal Leland Hansen and Marina Mayor Bruce Delgado joined The Village Project’s co-founder Mel Mason, Community Outreach Coordinator Audrey Alonso and Project Director Ayo Banjo to hang the banner. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s how many students from Monterey High School are expected to also be enrolled at Monterey Peninsula College for the 2025-26 school year. Monterey Peninsula Unified School District and Monterey Peninsula College renewed an agreement to offer dual enrollment opportunities for high school students, with more than 1,000 expected to participate. Source: Monterey Peninsula Unified School District 640 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Everything costs more money nowadays.” -Monterey County Sheriff’s Cmdr. Andres Rosas, speaking about the budget cuts that have led to closing two substation offices to lobby services (see story, montereycountynow. com). ’25
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6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 13-19, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com 831 The cryptocurrency market is screaming. In the early morning hours, unknown hackers attacked a cryptocurrency exchange’s servers, possibly stealing at least $2 billion worth of currency. Currency holders begin pulling their assets en masse from this and other exchanges, with politicians decrying the attack and demanding more regulation of the emerging industry. The extent of the attack on financial markets remains to be seen, while many wonder if this is an act of terrorism from foreign adversaries or just an isolated group of hackers. What should the United States government do to respond to this situation? Nothing, because this is a fictional scenario. But, with cryptocurrency now a trillion-dollar global market, such a crisis is a very real possibility, and it requires people who will know how to respond and even prevent it in the first place. From Nov. 7-8, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey hosted the Atlantic Council’s Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge. It marked the first time the competition has been held on the West Coast, which has seen thousands of students from around the world participating in events since its inception in 2012. In the competition, teams of university students take on the role of policy advisors tasked with responding to a cybersecurity threat. After reading a fictional “intelligence report” filled with emails, news articles and more, they need to come up with a plan that they will then present to a team of judges, role-playing as a federal national security committee. In real life, the judges come from a variety of backgrounds, from current tech company employees to retired Department of Homeland Security and Central Intelligence Agency officials. In one room on the Monterey campus, a team of four MIIS students recommended that the U.S. government establish a cryptocurrency advisory unit that helps guide policymakers in making informed decisions on how to respond to the situation. Answering a question from a judge, the team suspected the attack came from North Korea, having received reports of the country developing a communications facility. The team was part of 21 others from 14 universities who descended onto MIIS for the competition, representing colleges such as Stanford University, U.S. Military Academy, Carnegie Mellon University, Patrick Henry College and more. Jake Lopata, a graduate student at MIIS, organized the competition with his professors and others to bring it to Monterey. Having participated in the challenge before, Lopata says he knew of many local students who wanted to compete, but didn’t have the time or financial means to travel to another country or state. The competition is a good way for students to get a taste of the intense cybersecurity world that they’ve been studying for, putting their skills to the test. “The way this competition is set up, the students have to deal with uncertainty,” Lopata says. “There’s no right answer. You have to make a series of trade-offs.” The two-day competition opened with a keynote speech by Jacquelyn Schneider, the director of the Hoover Wargaming and Crisis Simulation Initiative at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, reflecting on the evolving role of the government in cyberspace. Being a relatively new frontier, Schneider said there are still plenty of unanswered questions about the government’s position in cyberspace, as that uncertainty plays an influential factor in the teams’ decisions in the competition. Philipp Bleek, professor and co-coordinator of the Cyber Collaborative at MIIS, encouraged the students to network with each other and share ideas that will help them grow in their studies and future careers. Plus, it’s all taking place in one of the most unique locations in the country, and Bleek encouraged visitors to take advantage of it. “The Pacific Ocean is literally a couple of blocks away,” he said. “I don’t want you to blow off the competition, but I would be a little sad if you didn’t get a taste of Monterey.” Keyboard Warriors Cybersecurity students put their skills to the test at a global competition in Monterey. By Erik Chalhoub “There’s no right answer. You have to make trade-offs.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE DANIEL DREIFUSS Cybersecurity expert Jacquelyn Schneider speaks to students competing in the Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge, touching on the U.S. government’s cyberspace strategy. “I think it’s a giant question mark on where we go in the future,” she said. The Chamber Informs We are informative, serving on advocacy-focused committees and task forces to stay on top of key business, government and community issues and educating our members on topics impacting businesses in our region. If you're looking for a platform to initiate important conversations and grow your business, we invite you to be part of our award-winning business community. Join Today! • montereychamber.com • info@montereychamber.com • 831.648.5350 JOIN TODAY!
www.montereycountynow.com NOVEMBER 13-19, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 “Best Service Business” AWARD Winner PG’s First CARBON NEUTRAL Business Eco-Friendly Owners- Kevin & Loni McCallum Thanks for voting Sudz Monterey County’s CYBER LAUNDRY Best Laundromat ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’24 ’23 ’25 SUDZ Cyber Laundry Pacific Grove 709 Lighthouse Avenue 831-324-4920 SUDZ Cyber Laundry Carmel Valley at 201 Mid Valley Center 831-250-7511 SUDZ Cyber Laundry Monterey at 23 Soledad Drive 831-717-3141 Open 8AM-8PM Daily SudzCyberLaundry.com NOW WITH 3 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU! BEST PRICES on the Peninsula! Al & Friends, Big Sur Food and Wine, Carmel International Film Festival, Monterey Civic Club, Carmel Valley Womens Club, American Legion, Moose Lodge, Carmel Womens Club, Elks Monterey Lodge, Cowboy Festival, Italian Catholic Federation, Italian Historical Society, Blind and Visually Impaired, P.G Good ‘Ol Days, P.G Museum Of Natural History, Meals On Wheels, INTERIM, I-Help, T.A.S.K, Starfish, P.G Adult Center, Food Bank & many other community organizations. Sponsors/ Donors/Members:
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 13-19, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com NEWS A new spider has been discovered crawling around coastal sand dunes from Moss Landing to Baja California, Mexico. Aptostichus ramirezae is a type of trapdoor spider—a chunky, hairy, brown spider roughly the size of a quarter. They are small and elusive relatives to tarantulas; this species is one of four known trapdoor spiders in California living exclusively in coastal dune habitats. The females spend their life burrowed underground with a camouflaged (and hinged) door, emerging only in pursuit of prey when they feel the ground vibrating above. A study published by UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology revealed that what was thought to be just one species of spider was actually two; the new spider is found to be a close relative of Aptostichus simus. While the two are nearly impossible to tell apart based on morphology alone, an analysis of genetic testing revealed separate lineages and genetic groups. In science, the nuance matters. Both species, while found in similar habitats, have different distributions and are reproductively isolated— variables that can make certain species vulnerable. Understanding the genetic differences provide scientists with insight into which populations need protection most. “They’re definitely at risk, especially the lineage A. simus,” said Emma Jochim, an author of the study, in an announcement. “The new species has a much wider range, but A. simus is now really only found in San Diego, and projections for sea-level rise in that area are very grim. These spiders are not really able to adapt that quickly to new habitats.” Neighbors Underfoot Scientists identify a new species of spider that lives underground in coastal sand dunes. By Katie Rodriguez For years, Sylvia Jones, 88, and her two adult sons and a granddaughter lived in Jones’ house at 1460 Mescal St. in Seaside. On June 17, Jones relocated to an assisted living facility in Pacific Grove and left her belongings behind. Jones moved not by her own choice, but as a conservatee of the Public Guardian, an office that steps in when there is reason to believe a person is unable to adequately care for and make decisions for themselves. The Public Guardian has decision-making authority and control of the assets of about 650 Monterey County conservatees. “It was a somewhat chaotic scene because the conservatee’s family was not happy about what was happening and were somewhat combative with the Public Guardian,” according to court papers signed by Supervising Deputy Public Guardian Lizette Vasquez. The Public Guardian was back in court on Oct. 1 to make the case to sell Jones’ home. Over objections from family members, Judge Julie Culver granted the County’s petition. The home was padlocked and the windows boarded up. It was listed for sale on Oct. 24 for $649,000 and is under contract as of Nov. 7. The Public Guardian’s office declined to be interviewed for this story, but public court documents show officials believe Jones’ two sons and granddaughter were living in the home rent-free and using Jones’ money to pay for their own expenses. On Oct. 30, a group of about 20 friends and neighbors organized through Building Healthy Communities are protesting out front, arguing that Jones is capable of making decisions for herself. On the garage door they’ve taped up a sign that reads, “Public Guardian stole this house.” Lisa Lewis, a friend and Jones’ ex-daughter-in-law, is clutching an American flag. When a crew came by to remove Jones’ belongings, a neighbor alerted Lewis. She showed up and fished out objects with sentimental value from the trash, including this flag that she says was sent home with the body of Jones’ first husband, who was killed in the Vietnam War. Lewis says Jones remains lucid and comprehends what is happening. She visits her elder regularly and in a recent video, recorded a conversation in which she told Jones about the sale of her home. “They didn’t have the right to do that without talking to me,” Jones tells the camera. “That’s dirty. I’m gonna raise me some hell.” While conserved, Jones herself is not in a position to raise hell, but Lewis is unrelenting. In an Oct. 24 letter to the court urging a judge to slow the process down, she wrote, “To the Public Guardian, Sylvia is just a case number, but for us, she is our family member who deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.” At the protest, Regina Mason says the community could have readily stepped in to provide care if needed. She sees a systems failure that perpetuates a longstanding difficulty for Black families to build intergenerational wealth, and says a sale like this exacerbates gentrification of Seaside. “What is happening here is an atrocity,” Mason says. “We could have helped resolve this, instead of coming in with guns blazing. This could have been a non-issue.” The next hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 19. About 20 people protested outside of the Seaside home formerly belonging to Sylvia Jones on Thursday, Oct. 30. The house is under contract. Not At Home Friends of a Seaside woman protest her conservatorship and her home going up for sale. By Sara Rubin The new spider was named for Martina Giselle Ramirez, an arachnologist who led work on trapdoor spider genetics and has championed underrepresented students in STEM disciplines. “They didn’t have the right to do that without talking to me.” DANIEL DREIFUSS EMMA JOCHIM/UC DAVIS
www.montereycountynow.com NOVEMBER 13-19, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 Sponsored by Hillard Hives Honey Sold at The Farm & Star Pharmacy in Salinas ENJOY HANDS-ON LEARNING AND STEM-THEMED ACTIVITIES AT THIS FREE EVENT DESIGNED FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY! FUN ON MPC’s MONTEREY CAMPUS! Learn More! Sponsored by: WOW! Smiles Cal. State Monterey Bay WATER USE IS DOWN WAY Our 2025 “Water Year” ended in September. As a result of MPWMD’s and Cal Am’s water conservation programs, rebate incentives, improved technologies, and tiered rates, the Monterey Peninsula used the same amount of water in 2025 that we used in 1958! Even as population has grown over 40% and the area hosts over 9 million visitors a year. DOWN MPWMD . NE T
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 13-19, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com On Halloween, the night before her first day on the job, Alison Vilag opted for a dark-andstormy cocktail at the Sandbar & Grill, a favorite pitstop with friends when she’s in town for the migration. It is a spiritual decision of sorts, to summon ideal weather for birds soon to be traveling south. Vilag is a counter, and her goal is simple until it’s not: to count the birds flying overhead. For six weeks, six days a week, Vilag stands out at Point Pinos in Pacific Grove from dawn to dusk. Sunday is her rest day. She is adorned with layers strategically chosen throughout the season to fight the marine chill. An assortment of counting mechanisms are in designated pockets. Through a mix of telescopes and binoculars, her eyes are fixated on the sky. In the event too many birds pass by at once (previous counters have mentioned seeing hundreds of thousands of just one species in an hour) Vilag must know exactly where each clicker is, to count without pause. “It is humbling to stand out there and just have birds everywhere, and realize that you’re the person that’s supposed to identify them and put them into numbers,” Vilag says. Every year from Nov. 1 until Dec. 15, the Monterey Peninsula becomes one of the most ideal locations in North America to view an avian passage unique in species and magnitude. The geography of Monterey Bay funnels birds along a specific route over nutrient-rich waters, making Point Pinos an optimal vantage point for spotting birds midstream from extreme northern regions as far as the Arctic. The Seawatch program, run by the Audubon Society and now in its 10th year, was erected with this understanding—orchestrating an annual count of all birds passing by, with an emphasis on two in particular, the Pacific loon and the surf scoter. While certain preparations can be made in the weeks before such a job, true readiness is perhaps cultivated over time and as a lifestyle. Vilag first remembers being interested in birds when she was 6 years old, with an owl. It was a “very, very long time” until she saw that particular kind of owl again, she notes. But it was in her early high school years that she began leaning in, learning how to identify migrating birds nearby where she lived, about 10 miles from Lake Michigan. Long, still hours spent watching the sky led her to conduct bird surveys in the spring and fall at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. In the birding world, she explains, counting at Whitefish Point is colloquially considered the equivalent of an undergraduate degree; Cape May, New Jersey, is graduate level; and Point Pinos “might as well be your postdoc.” Now 33 and in her fourth season—having skipped Cape May—Vilag is beginning to enjoy the parts of the count that once intimidated her. “It’s a really small network of people,” she says. “Not only who know how to do this, but also have the mental fortitude to stand out in all sorts of conditions and keep focus and always be looking for movement, even on days when there’s not a lot of things moving.” Before her first season at Point Pinos, Brian Sullivan, a board member with the Monterey Audubon Society, took Vilag out for an orientation of sorts. He pointed out all the different places where loons might be flying in the sky. Pacific loons are unique in that they breed in the arctic tundra and travel south to feed, often congregating in areas inaccessible to humans, making Monterey County’s coastline the one place to get a sense of their total population numbers. Surf scoters, abundant birds with vibrant orange bills—the males with a white patch on the back of their heads—are used to monitor the health of the ecosystem. “Some people call them skunk ducks,” Vilag adds. “Loon hour” generates some buzz, but for Vilag, initially translated to unease. The rising sun—unless there’s a strong weather event—brings with it the highest volume of not just loons, but other species as well. “That first whole year I never really enjoyed loon hour until it was over,” Vilag says. “I would wake up and see the sun starting to come up in the sky, and I would just sort of steel myself, like, OK, it’s coming—it’s going to be a lot of birds and a lot to keep up with. And I hope that I can do this.” Her presence—alongside volunteers who often accompany her framed by an array of scopes and a bench covered in thermoses and snacks—elicits attention from curious passersby. Greg Farley, an ornithologist who assists with the count, flips through his notebook as Vilag and another volunteer spot a surf scoter flying by. He’s counting people, tracking the number of humans that they engage with on a daily basis and doubling as a friendly buffer to allow Vilag to do her job, uninterrupted. After tallying birds, Vilag enters the data along with narrative details and daily notes into eBird, an online global bird database. Her data entries are accessible by many, including conservation researchers and the broader birding community. “There was a counter the year before me that had almost 100,000 Pacific loons go by in a single hour,” Vilag says. “That’s honestly part of what’s kept me coming back, hoping to see a Pacific loon flight of that magnitude someday, because I just can’t imagine what it would be like.” Bird Watch One of the nation’s most challenging seabird counts is underway in Pacific Grove. By Katie Rodriguez NEWS COASTAL COMMENTS Marina Planning Commission meets to review the draft Land Use Plan that amends the city’s Local Coastal Program. Public comment is accepted. 6:30pm Thursday, Nov. 13. Marina City Council Chambers, 211 Hillcrest Ave., Marina. Free. (831) 884-1278, cityofmarina.org. DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT Salinas City Council meets to discuss selling two downtown parking lots to Taylor Fresh Foods for a future development, among other city business. Public comment is accepted. 4pm Tuesday, Nov. 18. Salinas Rotunda, 200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas. Free. (831) 758-7381, cityofsalinas. org. TALKING TRAFFIC Salinas Public Works Department hosts a talk about the city’s updated traffic calming policy. The public will have a chance to ask questions and share feedback. 5:30-6:30pm Wednesday, Nov. 19. Salinas City Hall, 200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas. Free. (831) 758-7166, tinyurl. com/2025Salinas. LOCAL UPDATE Monterey County Supervisor Glenn Church hosts a town hall meeting for the communities of Prunedale, Royal Oaks and Elkhorn. Residents are encouraged to ask questions to Church, along with guests from the County of Monterey and other local agencies. 5:30-7pm Wednesday, Nov. 19. Prunedale Grange Hall, 17890 Moro Road, Prunedale. Free. (831) 7555022, glennchurch.com. ON THE DAIS Soledad City Council meets to discuss city business. Public comment is accepted. 6pm Wednesday, Nov. 19. Soledad City Hall, 248 Main St., Soledad. Free. (831) 223-5000, cityofsoledad.com. ADD UP The Coalition of Homeless Services Providers is recruiting volunteers for the 2026 Homeless Point-in-Time Count that takes place on Jan. 29. Teams of volunteers will conduct early morning street counts. (877) 728-4545; register at bit.ly/ PITCount2026. WELL WATCH Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency and Monterey County Water Resources Agency lead an effort to register all wells in the Salinas Valley Basin, part of a state requirement for local groundwater management. Well owners are asked to register. Deadline to register is Jan. 31. Free. (831) 471-7519, svbgsa.org. Over the last half-century, North America has lost a third of its birds. Migration counters like Alison Vilag, center, are essential to track these population changes year over year. E-MAIL: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX “It is humbling to stand out there and just have birds everywhere.” KATIE RODRIGUEZ
www.montereycountynow.com NOVEMBER 13-19, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 2962 Bluffs Drive, Marina 3 Beds, 2.5 Baths • $1,269,900 • www.2962Bluffs.com 2721 Parkview Way, Marina 4 Beds, 2.5 Baths • $1,249,000 • www.2721ParkviewWay.com 2975 Denali Drive, Marina 3 Beds, 2.5 Baths • $1,168,950 • www.2975DenaliDrive.com 18599 McClellan Circle, East Garrison 4 Beds, 3 Baths • $1,100,000 • www.18599McClellan.com Interested in a property? Contact us to schedule a showing! 831.624.2300 MontereyCoastRealty.com CalDRE #01871677 Locally Owned. Globally Connected. View all available listings by scanning the code Join us at The Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa for a bountiful buffet of seasonal favorites specially prepared by Chef Michael Rotondo on Thanksgiving Day, or take home one of our thoughtfully prepared dinners available for pickup. THANKSGIVING BUFFET THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM $145 ADULTS $49 CHILDREN (Ages 6-13) Free for children under 6 Tax and service not included THANKSGIVING TO-GO Available for pick-up Thanksgiving Day PICK UP 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM $365 FOR A DINNER SERVING 6 GUESTS For reservations and to order To-Go https://montereyplazahotel.com/dining/thanksgiving-dining-2025 Celebrate Thanksgiving 400 Cannery Row, Monterey montereyplazahotel.com (831) 645-4058
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 13-19, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com Among the narcotics seized on Oct. 27 as part of a large-scale drug trafficking investigation were more than 23 pounds of fentanyl—enough to kill the population of Monterey County, 12 times over. “Fentanyl is a poison, and it kills indiscriminately,” Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni said at a press conference on Monday, Nov. 10. “This is a staggering amount, and alarming for those of us in law enforcement and in the prosecutors office.” The fentanyl bust was the largest in the Salinas Police Department’s history and part of an investigation involving multiple agencies over the course of a year-and-a-half called Operation Logged Out. Confiscated items included millions of dollars worth of narcotics: 26 pounds of methamphetamine, 6 pounds of fentanyl “M30” pills in addition to 17 pounds of powder fentanyl, 1 ounce of heroin and 11 grams of cocaine. Nine people, all residents of Monterey County, were arrested, with one couple—Matthew Loggins, 44, and Karen Guadalupe Loggins, 33, of Salinas—allegedly at the helm. In late 2024, the Salinas Police Department’s Violence Suppression Task Force began investigating. The task force found that the Loggins couple created a network using multiple individuals as “drug runners,” who transported narcotics from Southern California to the Monterey County area, particularly Salinas’ Chinatown neighborhood, an area already struggling with homelessness and repeated overdose deaths. Often, officers say, Matthew and/or Karen Loggins would follow closely behind in separate vehicles to ensure the drugs arrived safely. Among the more disturbing discoveries, investigators said, was that the Loggins couple would accept EBT, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds, as payment for drugs. In June of this year, investigators in the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office began reviewing search warrants and analyzing financial reports and documents from financial institutions to trace illicit activities tied to the trafficking of drugs and welfare fraud. Their investigation discovered 30 separate incidents of EBT fraud. Pacioni noted that because their involvement in the investigation came later, the number of welfare fraud incidents was likely much larger than what they were able to capture at that point. “The Loggins’ drug trafficking organization profited on some of our community’s most vulnerable residents, those living unhoused and battling addiction,” Salinas Police Chief Carlos Acosta said. On Monday, Oct. 27, three search warrants—two at residences and one at a storage unit, all belonging to the Logginses—were executed. In addition to the narcotics, more than $435,000 in cash, jewelry and designer bags, two firearms, and two vehicles were seized. Signature stamp markings found on the narcotics and evidence from drug packaging indicated direct ties to Mexican cartel associates. The Logginses were arraigned on Oct. 30 and both entered a plea of not guilty. Their attorneys were not reachable by the Weekly’s deadline. Safer Streets A multi-agency operation led to the largest fentanyl drug bust in Salinas Police history. By Katie Rodriguez “This case should send a clear message to anyone who thinks they can profit from addiction or prey on those struggling in our city,” Salinas Police Chief Carlos Acosta said on Monday, Nov. 10. NEWS “This is a staggering amount.” DANIEL DREIFUSS We’re proud to be ranked among the top-performing banks in the nation by American Banker, Bank Director, Newsweek, S&P Global and the Independent Community Bankers of America. Now that’s strength you can bank on when you put your money where your life is. 300 Bonifacio Place | Monterey 480 S. Main Street | Salinas 831.457.5000 | wccb.com Local Strength. National Recognition. From the Central Coast to Silicon Valley, businesses trust West Coast Community Bank because we deliver. Jorge Reguerin VP SBA Business Development Officer Lillian Mulvey AVP Loan Portfolio Manager Vern Horton Client Relations Manager *Take larger quantities—like leftover turkey fryer oil—to your local household hazardous waste collection facility Scrap the drain to protect critical infrastructure and the environment! ClogBusters.org TRASH* Cooking oil and grease GREEN CART Food scraps without a bag RECIPE FOR CLOG-FREE HOLIDAYS • Southern Monterey Bay Dischargers Group ReGen Monterey •
www.montereycountynow.com NOVEMBER 13-19, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 Indigenous women in the United States face higher rates of violence than other groups nationwide, according to federal data. With that in mind, for the past three years, the local organization Supporting Indigenous Communities Group has held Red Dress Day in Seaside to bring awareness to the issue. This year, SICG is bringing its campaign up a notch, hosting a free training day in Monterey on Friday, Nov. 14 open to law enforcement, advocates, policymakers, legal professionals and more. “Somebody’s got to do something, and hopefully that ripple effect goes out,” says SICG chair Mary Ann Carbone, who is a member of the Chumash Tribe and also serves as Sand City’s mayor. In 2020, homicide was one the leading causes of death for Indigenous females between ages 1 to 45, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While these numbers are alarming, they could actually be worse, since crimes against Native Americans are believed to be underreported for various reasons, including fear of discrimination and distrust in law enforcement. The Indigenous identity of victims may not be known. “People don’t ask a victim, are you Indigenous? And if you are, what’s your tribal affiliation? They don’t ask that question. They don’t know what to do with that information,” says Ismana Carney, SICG’s vice chair. Attendees on Nov. 14 will learn more about cultural awareness, building trust among indigenous communities, how to identify human trafficking and strategies to communicate with survivors, among other topics. They will also learn about the Feather Alert, an emergency notification alert in California for missing Indigenous people, similar to Amber or Silver alerts, that started in 2023. They will analyze the cases of two Indigenous women, one with a negative outcome and one positive outcome. The former is about Courtney Ann Turney, a 33-year-old woman from the Comanche nation who suffered domestic violence, and was imprisoned and murdered in Seaside. The second case, about a Mexican Indigenous woman from Greenfield who was trafficked, resulted in the victim going missing and later being found. Monterey County Assistant District Attorney Matthew L’Heureux, who is presenting on Turney’s case, says it is better to report if something doesn’t feel right instead of expecting someone else to do it. “Almost no one made any reports to law enforcement about what they saw until after the victim was found,” L’Heureux says. Other presenters include Janet K. Bill, director of the Office of Native American Affairs in the Attorney General’s Office (and also a member of the Chukchansi Tribe). About 180 people have signed up for the conference including local law enforcement from Salinas, Sand City, Seaside and Gonzales, and tribal members from different nations across California. The event will be recorded and made available to the public. Fight for Life A local effort to bring attention to missing and murdered Indigenous women is growing. By Celia Jiménez Mary Ann Carbone hopes those who attend the conference share their knowledge. “This is an epidemic in the United States, so wherever they go, they can take awareness with them.” NEWS “Somebody’s got to do something.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 13-19, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com HARBOR SIDE Thank you for your in-depth research and presentation of the complex journey of Heritage Harbor (“The story of a failed shopping mall on Monterey’s waterfront held promise in the past, and holds potential in the future,” Oct. 30-Nov. 5). Too many locals are not aware of the historic value of the area, hence the tourists aren’t educated to utilize history as a valued experience in the area. It’s time to lift the curse and value what’s close at hand. Knowing and appreciating history is one of the greatest life lessons about how to succeed going forward. Annie Auburn | Del Rey Oaks In 2018, I began a master’s in psychology program at Brandman University at Heritage Harbor. It was an incredibly convenient place to get my degree. As a local who spent some important hours of my life at Heritage Harbor, I’d love to see it used for the benefit of locals and/or visitors once again. There is a cumbersome parking area between the complex and the Wharf/Custom House area that could easily be removed. It’s unfortunate that the story began so sadly. It’s definitely time for a new, happier chapter, though many locals have already benefited from Brandman’s former presence and given back to the community through skills learned at Brandman. Perhaps the curse can now be lifted. Claire Fay | Carmel Rule 1 of marketing: Be visible. Rule 2: Get people there. Being hidden is charming (I love the hidden historic buildings and gardens), but is death to retail. Celia Bosworth | Salinas This article contained some rather staggering incompetence or just poor reporting. David Schmalz happened to visit the Pacific House and the Custom House on one Saturday afternoon and found them empty, drawing the conclusion that no one ever went to these museums. Of course, all he had to do was simply ask the people there about traffic patterns or even look at the visitors log which paints an entirely different picture than the one he portrays. To me this kind of hit job on these historic adobes brings into question the accuracy of his reporting. He is apparently clueless about the number of visitors that enter the museums as well as the organizations that support the historic adobes through volunteer work and fundraising. Lee Henderson | Monterey What a great article! I grew up in Monterey during this period of time and this story reminded me of all of the events that transpired with the urban renewal projects in Monterey. Dan Herkimer | via web HOTEL RISING Downtown Salinas desperately needs a nice boutique hotel (“Taylor Fresh Foods plans to turn two Salinas parking lots into housing and a hotel,” Nov. 6-12). When we brought in business visitors, they had to stay on the outskirts of town. As a result, they often decided to stay in Monterey instead. Having a nice hotel downtown would support evening activities and provide another source of income for the restaurants, as well as a chance to house business travelers meeting in Salinas. Fingers crossed that this project happens. Debbie Hale | Capitola So it’s used for parking now but where will all those vehicles go? Plus housing and a hotel will need even more parking. Debbie Myers Bryant | via social media Bruce Taylor can do anything he wants…he is the owner of Salinas. Alberto Rosales | Salinas SHOW TIME I was deeply disappointed with Agata Popeda’s commentary regarding comedian Aziz Ansari (“A Golden Globe-winning comedian with a controversial history makes a stop in Monterey,” posted Nov. 7). The media has given our collective fervor to destroy the reputation of anyone who has merely been accused of wrongdoing access to the widest audience imaginable. As an unapologetically progressive father of two daughters, I wish the MeToo movement hadn’t diminished its credibility under the weight of its own excesses. But it did. It’s not feminism to elevate every instance of inappropriate behavior to the status of a crime. A bad date isn’t a felony, it’s a reason to block someone’s phone number. I respectfully suggest that responsible journalistic voices consider the damage done when perpetuating hearsay accusations that were never adjudicated in a court of law. Either find someone guilty of a crime, or leave them in peace. R.M.C. Sulahian | Carmel Valley NUMBERS GAME Suggesting funds be taken from reserves when Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program projects can be postponed a year is as ridiculous as how the city got into this deficit (“Monterey City Council remains unable to find consensus on closing a $10 million budget deficit,” Oct. 30-Nov. 5). For decades, previous city councils added infrastructure projects but not funds for their maintenance, which has put the city in this current predicament. Why would we go backward taking from reserves? It would be like taking money out of your 401(k) when you have the money needed in a checking account. Esther Malkin | Monterey ART OF HISTORY What a wonderful thing to do for Monterey (“A new mural at the back of Austino’s in Monterey pays homage to Cannery Row figures,” posted Oct. 31). Chris Shake is an amazing part of Monterey history and his restaurants rock! Thank you for taking the time to implement a great idea. Patty Cramer | Coarsegold, Calif. RAISE A GLASS It was fantastic! (“The Big Sur Food and Wine Festival masters the art of food, place and story,” Nov. 6-12.) Irma Magdayao | via social media CORRECTION A Hot Pick about an introductory birding event at Laguna Grande Park (“Hot Picks,” Nov. 6-12) listed the wrong date. It takes place on Nov. 22, not Nov. 12. LETTERS • COMMENTSOPINION Submit letters to the editor to letters@montereycountynow.com. Please keep your letter to 150 words or less; subject to editing for space. Please include your full name, contact information and city you live in.
www.montereycountynow.com NOVEMBER 13-19, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 15 Here in the United States of America in the 21st century, more than 50 million of your friends and coworkers and neighbors rely on food banks and food pantries to get enough to eat. That is the problem that we could be focused on. Instead, President Donald Trump is obsessed with withholding government food aid (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, or CalFresh in California) from millions of Americans, thereby increasing the pressure on charitable organizations to feed Americans. It would be easy for me to focus on the inhumanness of Trump’s mindset, but I’m interested in a much more positive story. Local people, businesses and governments are stepping up where our federal officials are abdicating responsibility. While the SNAP kerfuffle may be resolved by the time this issue hits newsstands—court decisions and congressional votes on reopening the federal government are an ever-moving target—there are humane responses here in Monterey County to this crisis that was created by politicians. Sand City officials decided not to wait for policymakers or the courts to decide what to do about funding SNAP—they decided on Nov. 4 to do it themselves, approving $10,000 for an emergency food security grant program for Sand City residents. (It’s unknown how many people in Sand City qualify; countywide, about 51,000 people. 29,000 of them children, are SNAP recipients.) On Nov. 4, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors approved giving $150,000 to the Food Bank for Monterey County. In Marina on the same day, City Manager Layne Long announced that the City would make a mid-year allocation of $10,000 to the Food Bank, at the request of Councilmember Jenny McAdams. Long said another five cities would match that amount. “My heart is really aching for our community, and this felt like a meaningful step we could take right now,” McAdams says. “It’s not much, but it’s something. I’m hoping it will motivate those who can to give. People are stepping up and helping however they can.” McAdams adds that monetary donations, even in small amounts, go further than donating your miscellaneous pantry leftovers—nonprofits like the Food Bank for Monterey County and All-In Monterey County have a well-established distribution network. (Besides, if you don’t want that questionably too-old can of corn, do you really think a stranger does?) Businesses are also contributing where they can. In Pacific Grove, Pavel’s Backerei has been offering free loaves of bread to SNAP beneficiaries and federal workers going without a paycheck; in Monterey, Ad Astra Bread Co. announced free loaves of bread for SNAP beneficiaries starting on Nov. 12. Salinas City Barbeque is offering free meals for children who are impacted, “no questions asked, no strings attached.” Those are food purveyors, but even a cannabis company, Grupo Flor, is launching a program called Eat Better Together (EBT—get it?) on Friday, Nov. 14, distributing free bags of groceries to up to 300 families. Nonprofit Everyone’s Harvest, which operates multiple farmers markets, kept honoring its Market Match program, giving CalFresh cardholders up to $30 toward fresh groceries—even if those cards had a zero balance—from Nov. 1 to Nov. 13. (Cards should be replenished on Nov. 14.) Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula is offering grab-and-go meals for free to anyone with a SNAP card. “We know many people are feeling the impact of rising food costs and uncertainty about future benefits, and we want to make sure no one in our community goes hungry,” an announcement read. Yes, this is 21st-century America and yes we are relying on nonprofits and businesses and individuals to step up to feed our community. The good news is that they are doing it. It just so happens that Nov. 13 also marks the launch of Monterey County Gives!, a year-end fundraising campaign in which the Monterey County Weekly is a partner. Many of the organizations that feed people day in and day out are participating. They need your help all the time, and especially now, while the federal government cannot be relied upon to keep Americans from going hungry. Sara Rubin is the Weekly’s editor. Reach her at sara@montereycountynow.com or follow her at @sarahayleyrubin.bsky.social. Eat the Rich As the federal government plays with hunger, locals step up. By Sara Rubin CHEAP SEATS…Squid applauds the hope that springs eternal in a human sports fan’s breast. But Squid is also wary of overconfidence. In the food chain that is the sea, Squid is well aware of the pitfalls when a sea creature scoffs at natural selection. Before the start of the team’s fourth season in soccer’s USL Championship, the powers that be promised a 20-percent refund to the club’s season ticket holders should Monterey Bay FC fail to make the playoffs. Squad members were even more certain. “Playoffs are the minimum,” said midfielder Adrian Rebollar in March. Defender Jacob Muir agreed, calling the post-season “non-negotiable.” MBFC did not qualify for the playoffs. In fact, the club has still never finished a season better than 11th place in the 12-team Western Conference. MBFC is honoring its promise to fans, giving them options including a refund or a credit applied to 2026 tickets. After all, next year could be the year. The team improved in the loss column—by one (16 in 2024, followed by 15 this season). And team management remains committed to the goal, promising Squid’s colleague that “exciting times” are ahead. The hope remains. But the generous spirit may have fallen prey to sports reality. Squid hears that there are no plans—at least for now—to offer a similar refund deal for next season. LEGENDS OF SQUID…In the sea, there are no monuments to sea creatures—nothing lasts for very long in Squid’s lair. But humans seem to be obsessed with memorializing themselves. Squid has tried to cross the species divide, nominating Squidself for recognition with the Seaside Stars initiative, to no avail (so far). Now Salinas is getting in on the back-patting action with Salinas City Center Improvement Association launching the Salinas Legends Walk of Fame, “a public tribute showcasing the diverse contributions of Salinas residents, past and present, who have shaped the city’s culture, economy, and community spirit.” There are 10 potential categories listed: agricultural and farming pioneers, civic leaders and changemakers, business and entrepreneurship icons, arts and culture trailblazers, sports and athletic achievements, educators and innovators, culinary stars, historic figures and storytellers, community heroes and first responders, and local legends and wildcards. It’s that final category that makes Squid think Squid has a chance (the example in the storyteller category is “authors like John Steinbeck”—Squid sees the bar being set and Squid does not attempt to jump that high). The wildcard category includes “unique, beloved or quirky figures.” So consider this the official launch of Squid’s campaign for permanence: You too can nominate Squid for the quirky recognition Squid has long deserved. THE LOCAL SPIN SQUID FRY THE MISSION OF MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY IS TO INSPIRE INDEPENDENT THINKING AND CONSCIOUS ACTION, ETC. “It’s not much, but it’s something.” SEND SQUID A TIP: squid@montereycountynow.com
16 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 13-19, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com Making Waves Elementary school students are putting into practice what it means to be environmental stewards. By Ellie Salameh FORUM For the past two years, Forest Grove Elementary School has been making strides toward keeping our oceans clean with a program called Ocean Guardians. The program, led and funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, helps children learn to protect the ocean through hands-on experience and advocacy. Students become empowered through education, informative field trips, and scientific speakers—all with the common goal of reducing plastic waste in the environment. One speaker who has come to our school multiple times is Tom Kieckhefer from Save the Whales. He has enlightened us about watersheds, helping us understand how our activities on land are connected to the ocean. We have also changed our own practices to make an impact. Using our Ocean Guardian grant, our teacher purchased reusable metal water bottles for intermediate students, and kindergarten students received reusable snack bags. By doing this, we have helped reduce plastic waste upstream. For years, the teachers here at Forest Grove have taught children about respecting the environment and preserving it for future generations. We have taken multiple field trips to the beach, observing the beauty of the oceans we are trying to protect. We have gone to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, where we see the creatures that are affected daily by humans and our interference in their environment. Forest Grove is also dedicated to keeping our campus clean and making sure that we do not contribute to putting waste in the ocean. Everyone at the school is included in the effort. Fourthgraders make presentations to the entire school, enlightening them on the problems our oceans are facing and what we can do to help. Last year, the oldest students (fifth-graders) started a club that writes scripts for presentations with the goal of sharing our love of the ocean and ideas for what we can do to make a difference. The Ocean Guardian Club did community outreach at Robert Down Elementary School about the importance of reducing plastics in the oceans. I loved being a founding member of the Ocean Guardian Club and I continue to pick up trash that I see, and I always take a reusable water bottle with me when I go to a sports practice or hiking. The Ocean Guardians are passionate about what we are doing and presented to the PGUSD school board about local efforts to conserve our oceans. In writing this story, I hope to share our inspiration with readers of all ages—it is not just students in Ocean Guardian schools who can make a positive impact. Forest Grove’s Ocean Guardians work hard to achieve our goals. NOAA makes it possible for our school and many others to make a difference in our communities, as well as in the ocean. Ellie Salameh is a sixth-grader at Pacific Grove Middle School. She attended Forest Grove Elementary School and participated in the Ocean Guardian program in fourth and fifth grades and is now a volunteer. Learn more at sanctuaries.noaa. gov/education/ocean_guardian. OPINION It is not just students who can make a difference. (831) 649-4511 | Portolahotel.com Indulge in a lavish spread of traditional holiday favorites at our Thanksgiving Day Buffet in the De Anza Ballroom, while enjoying the soothing sounds of live piano music by David Conley. Adults $89.95 | Seniors $79.95 (65 or older) Children $39.95 (ages 6-12) | Kids under 5 eat free 20% gratuity and tax will be added to all checks. Reservations required. Please call (831) 649-7870 or email lhenderson@portolahotel.com and reserve your table today! THANKSGIVING DISPLAYS California Cheeses, Cured Meats, Veggies, Shrimp, Local Baby Greens, Tortellini Salad, Beets with Feta TRADITIONAL FARE Stuffing, Whipped Potatoes, Yams, Squash, Green Beans, Fisherman’s Sustainable Catch CARVED TO ORDER Prime Rib, Free Range Turkey DESSERTS Pecan & Pumpkin Pies, Cookies, Fruit Tarts & much more menu hgihlgihts pricing & reservations let’s AT PORTOLA HOTEL & SPA FOR GATHER thanksgiving THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2025 | 1PM TO 8PM
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