DECEMBER 18-24, 2025 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT ON THE RECORD 10 | MAPPING HIGHWAYS IN THE SKY 16 | ICE SKATING MONTEREY, A LOVE STORY 38 FIRST PLACE GENERAL EXCELLENCE • 2025 CA JOURNALISM AWARDS • But local fishers are still offering plenty of local catch, and hoping consumers can learn to love it. p. 26 By Katie Rodriguez NO CRAB FOR CHRISTMAS Last- minute gifts p. 34
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY DECEMBER 18-24, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com SUPPORT ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE MOBILE SPAY/NEUTER SERVICES ACROSS THE MONTEREY CALIFORIA AREA 113,000K+ SNIPPED AN INSIDE LOOK AT #SNIPBUS VISIT SNIPBUS.ORG & FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA @SNIPBUS TO LEARN MORE! FROM NOVEMBER 13TH THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST MONTEREY COUNTY GIVES WILL MATCH A PORTION OF YOUR DONATIONS!
www.montereycountynow.com DECEMBER 18-24, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 3 We are rooted here. We just branched out. montagehealth.org 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 much more than a hospital. And as we’ve grown, we’ve remained true to our deep roots — nonprofit, independent, locally owned, and accountable only to the community we serve.
4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY DECEMBER 18-24, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com
www.montereycountynow.com DECEMBER 18-24, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 SalinasValleyHealth.com Some childhood vaccines don’t just protect your children, they can also help keep grandparents, older adults, and family members who are sick from getting very ill. Vaccinating children is one of the best ways to protect the whole family. Questions about vaccines? Talk with your doctor or healthcare provider, or scan the QR code. VACCINATIONS SAVE LIVES Patricia Mayer, MD | Family Medicine
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY DECEMBER 18-24, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com DECEMBER 18-24, 2025 • ISSUE #1951 • ESTABLISHED IN 1988 Susi Diallo (Canon Rebel T6) A ripple in the water at Elkhorn Slough blurs the reflection of a snowy egret. MONTEREY COUNTY PHOTO OF THE WEEK Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: Fishermen with Sea Harvest, a family-owned business that’s been operating since the 1980s, offload their morning catch before bringing it to their wholesale market on Sandholdt Road in Moss Landing. Cover photo: Daniel Dreifuss etc. Copyright © 2025 by Milestone Communications Inc. 668 Williams Ave., Seaside, California 93955 (telephone 831-394-5656). All rights reserved. Monterey County Weekly, the Best of Monterey County and the Best of Monterey Bay are registered trademarks. No person, without prior permission from the publisher, may take more than one copy of each issue. Additional copies and back issues may be purchased for $1, plus postage. Mailed subscriptions: $300 yearly, prepaid. The Weekly is an adjudicated newspaper of Monterey County, court decree M21137. The Weekly assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials. Visit our website at http://www.montereycountynow. com. Audited by CVC. FOUNDER & CEO Bradley Zeve bradley@montereycountynow.com (x103) PUBLISHER Erik Cushman erik@montereycountynow.com (x125) EDITORIAL EDITOR Sara Rubin sara@montereycountynow.com (x120) ASSOCIATE EDITOR Erik Chalhoub ec@montereycountynow.com (x135) FEATURES EDITOR Dave Faries dfaries@montereycountynow.com (x110) STAFF WRITER Celia Jiménez celia@montereycountynow.com (x145) STAFF WRITER Pam Marino pam@montereycountynow.com (x106) STAFF WRITER Agata Pope¸da (x138) aga@montereycountynow.com STAFF WRITER Katie Rodriguez (California Local News Fellow) katie@montereycountynow.com (x102) STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Daniel Dreifuss daniel@montereycountynow.com (x140) DIGITAL PRODUCER Sloan Campi sloan@montereycountynow.com (x105) CONTRIBUTORS Nik Blaskovich, Rob Brezsny, Robert Daniels, Tonia Eaton, Jesse Herwitz, Luz Rimban, 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
www.montereycountynow.com DECEMBER 18-24, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 • Delivering the highest quality health care to residents of the Central Coast by meeting their individual needs in a caring, e ective, honorable, and accessible manner….The VNA Way! • Serving 3,900+ patients through 73,000 home health and hospice visits annually. • Treating all patients without discrimination or ability to pay. • Providing dignified, compassionate clinical and volunteer support through all life stages. • Only provider on the Central Coast o ering the Continuum of Care to meet changing patient needs from Home Health to Palliative to Hospice. ACT TODAY. IMPACT TOMORROW. • VNA faces significant reductions in all payor reimbursements. • Medicare only covers 70% of the cost of delivering our services and continues to reduce funding while raising quality improvement expectations. • Much-needed VNA Community Services, Connections, Volunteers, and Bereavement Programs are solely funded by philanthropic support. • We’re partnering with Monterey County Gives! to help us bridge this gap to continue to provide our critical home health and hospice services to all patients who need them. CENTRAL COAST VNA & HOSPICE BRIDGES FOR COMPASSIONATE CARE: THE VNA WAY Central Coast VNA & Hospice Bridges for Compassionate Care: The VNA Way Thank you for your support in Choosing VNA! Donate today at monterecountygives.com/vna and make a meaningful dierence in the lives of those we serve across Monterey County. • Delivering the highest quality health care to residents of the Central Coast by meeting their individual needs in a caring, e ective, honorable, and accessible manner….The VNA Way! • Serving 3,900+ patients through 73,000 home health and hospice visits annually. • Treating all patients without discrimination or ability to pay. • Providing dignified, compassionate clinical and volunteer support through all life stages. • Only provider on the Central Coast o ering the Continuum of Care to meet changing patient needs from Home Health to Palliative to Hospice. ACT TODAY. IMPACT TOMORROW. • VNA faces significant reductions in all payor reimbursements. • Medicare only covers 70% of the cost of delivering our services and continues to reduce funding while raising quality improvement expectations. • Much-needed VNA Community Services, Connections, Volunteers, and Bereavement Programs are solely funded by philanthropic support. • We’re partnering with Monterey County Gives! to help us bridge this gap to continue to provide our critical home health and hospice services to all patients who need them. CENTRAL COAST VNA & HOSPICE BRIDGES FOR COMPASSIONATE CARE: THE VNA WAY Central Coast VNA & Hospice Bridges for Compassionate Care: The VNA Way Thank you for your support in Choosing VNA! Donate today at monterecountygives.com/vna and make a meaningful dierence in the lives of those we serve across Monterey County.
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY DECEMBER 18-24, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a memo to law enforcement agencies and federal prosecutors on Dec. 4, railing against “anti-fascists” after President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring Antifa a domestic terrorism organization, even though it has no hierarchy and is commonly described as an ideology. Bondi wrote that Antifa uses “violence...to advance political and social agendas, including opposition to law and immigration enforcement…adherence to radical gender ideology, anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, or anti-Christianity; [and] support for the overthrow of the United States Government.” Bondi also called on the Justice Department to investigate groups that view “conservative viewpoints as ‘fascist,’” and directed the establishment of a “cash reward system” for people to report others they suspect of domestic terrorism. “I think this causes a chilling impact, because it definitely seems to be directing enforcement toward particular points of view,” Mary McCord, a former acting assistant attorney general for national security, said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. Good: Winter break is here for Monterey County students, but that shouldn’t mean reading does the same. Read to Me Project launched the Read for All Literacy Challenge to encourage students and their families to keep reading and learning. Throughout the winter break, students are tasked with completing 12 challenges outlined on a bookmark, available at participating schools and other locations, and tracking their progress online. These include reading aloud for 15 minutes, reading to a friend, reading a food label and more. It’s open to students from fourth to sixth grade, and those who complete challenges will raise points for their classes that lead to rewards. The goal is to make reading fun for children and their families, says Jason Little, executive director of the Read to Me Project. “Literacy is not just an education issue—it’s a community responsibility,” he said. GREAT: Beacon House in Pacific Grove may be no more since 2021, but the legacy of the substance use disorder and mental health support facility lives on in grants awarded by the Gateway Foundation. On Dec. 9, the foundation announced it was awarding $25,000 in Beacon House Community Fund Grants to eight local organizations. Some of the grants are for ongoing programs of the following: Central Coast Overdose Prevention, Motivating Individual Leadership for Public Advancement and the Village Project. Other grants are for specific needs: Community Human Services, toward a passenger van; Door to Hope, launching new recovery services; Monterey Sober Living for Women, toward the purchase of a permanent residence; National Alliance on Mental Illness, to secure a permanent headquarters; and Sun Street Centers, expanding services in Monterey. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s the total number of Firewise community groups in Monterey County, up from 56 in June. Firewise community groups are neighborhoods recognized by the National Fire Protection Association that have taken measurable steps to boost wildfire resilience and have committed to reducing wildfire risk around their homes. Source: Fire Safe Council’s annual impact report 63 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “To get nothing, that’s what drives me insane.” -Tim Obert, a family friend of Trenten Black, speaking on the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office’s decision to not pursue charges against Joshua Holtzclaw in Black’s death at Moss Landing Harbor earlier this year (see story, montereycountynow.com/news). DECEMBER 17-25, 2025 3:30 AM - LAST DEPARTURE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE SECOND FLOOR OF TERMINAL BUILDING For active duty along with your traveling companion(s). Complimentary meals, snacks, beverages, comfortable seating, and Wi-Fi will be available. MONTEREY REGIONAL AIRPORT WELCOMES OUR MILITARY TRAVELERS HOLIDAY MILITARY LOUNGE y , e. ail THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE DECEMBER 17-25, 2025 3:30 AM - LAST DEPARTURE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE SECOND FLOOR OF TERMINAL BUILDING For active duty along with your traveling companion(s). Complimentary meals, snacks, beverages, comfortable seating, and Wi-Fi will be available. MONTEREY REGIONAL AIRPORT WELCOMES OUR MILITARY TRAVELERS HOLIDAY MILITARY y , e. ail THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE DECEMBER 17-25, 2025 3:30 AM - LAST DEPARTURE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE SECOND FLOOR OF TERMINAL BUILDING For active duty along with your traveling companion(s). Complimentary meals, snacks, beverages, comfortable seating, and Wi-Fi will be available. MONTEREY REGIONAL AIRPORT WELCOMES OUR MILITARY TRAVELERS HOLIDAY MILITARY LOUNGE y , e. ail THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE DECEMBER 17-25, 2025 3:30 AM - LAST DEPARTURE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE SECOND FLOOR OF TERMINAL BUILDING For active duty along with your traveling companion(s). Complimentary meals, snacks, beverages, comfortable seating, and Wi-Fi will be available. MONTEREY REGIONAL AIRPORT WELCOMES OUR MILITARY TRAVELERS HOLIDAY MILITARY LOUNGE . DECEMBER 17-25, 2025 3:30 AM - LAST DEPARTURE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE SECOND FLOOR OF TERMINAL BUILDING For active duty along with your traveling companion(s). Complimentary meals, snacks, beverages, comfortable seating, and Wi-Fi will be available. MONTEREY REGIONAL AIRPORT WELCOMES OUR MILITARY TRAVELERS HOLIDAY MILITARY LOUNGE DETAILS. The Military Lounge will be available to active duty U.S. military traveling on orders or for personal reasons during the December holiday traveling season. The Lounge will be provided as a courtesy of the airport, and community partners. Overnight accommodations will not be available. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT US AT (831) 648-7000. To make arrangements for large group accommodations, please email operations@montereyairport.com THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE DECEMBER 17-25, 2025 3:30 AM - LAST DEPARTURE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE SECOND FLOOR OF TERMINAL BUILDING For active duty along with your traveling companion(s). Complimentary meals, snacks, beverages, comfortable seating, and Wi-Fi will be available. MONTEREY REGIONAL AIRPORT WELCOMES OUR MILITARY TRAVELERS HOLIDAY MILITARY LOUNGE DETAILS. The Military Lounge will be available to active duty U.S. military traveling on orders or for personal reasons during the December holiday traveling season. The Lounge will be provided as a courtesy of the airport, and community partners. Overnight accommodations will not be available. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT US AT (831) 648-7000. To make arrangements for large group accommodations, please email operations@montereyairport.com THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE a courtesy of the airport, ity partners. Overnight ions will not be available. NFORMATION, S AT (831) 648-7000. ngements for large mmodations, please email montereyairport.com DECEMBER 17-25, 2025 3:30 AM - LAST DEPARTURE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE SECOND FLOOR OF TERMINAL BUILDING For active duty along with your traveling companion(s). Complimentary meals, snacks, beverages, comfortable seating, and Wi-Fi will be available. MONTEREY REGIONAL AIRPORT WELCOMES OUR MILITARY TRAVELERS HOLIDAY MILITARY LOUNGE l be ary al liday be port, ght ilable. 00. email m THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
www.montereycountynow.com DECEMBER 18-24, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY DECEMBER 18-24, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com 831 If your grandparents had a record player and lived in Monterey, then chances are something in their collection came from Recycled Records—or perhaps is on the shelf there now. Half a century marks the time Recycled Records is believed to have been in existence, but it has changed hands a lot during that time. Still, the same analog attitude is felt when you walk in: A record is often playing on the house system and has a story behind it that shop owners Kellen and Bree Cookson can tell. Kellen moved to Monterey County in 2012 and Bree in 2013. A few years later they met in that same shop for a first date, bonding over their love of vinyl records. They married about a year later in 2017. “He won me over with Lionel Richie,” Bree laughs. “I even gave you a CD of his,” Kellen adds, turning to her. The couple has been collecting records individually for about 15 years. Recycled Records stood out to them as the go-to shop when they moved to Monterey County—something they say audiophiles look for in a new town. The Cooksons became regulars at the shop, often going together but browsing quietly on their own for their dates. When they saw a “For Sale” sign placed in the window one day, they talked to then-owner Tom Stewart and bought the shop in October 2023. Kellen says that there were a few owners before that, but the rest of its history isn’t fully accounted for. “We didn’t get a history rundown,” Bree says. “It’s been a bunch of people,” Kellen adds. A green “Est. 1975” sign hanging in the back of the shop is one of the few proofs of age. The Cooksons also found artwork and flyers dated 1975 and 1976 by the original owner, Jeff Helwig. Kellen believes that Helwig painted the sign green and it hung outside the shop. Bree cites that there was at one time a different address on one of Helwig’s posters, but according to their landlord, that may be because it used to be two separate buildings. (Both addresses are on Lighthouse Avenue.) The only real history that the Cooksons have about the shop is spoken word from the building owner Lorna Torkos, who still lives above the commercial space. “Her family owned it and her dad used to have the watch shop,” Kellen says. Bree adds, “We have some clues, but not really a whole lot of ways to figure it out.” Still the Cooksons concur that the shop is indeed 50 years old as of 2025. Though it’s unclear as to which month Recycled Records actually opened, they commemorated 50 years with small events over the course of 2025. Some of those included a costume party in October, onsite performances by local artists and vinyl pop-ups at Other Brother Beer Co. All the events stayed rooted in the informal traditions that come with record stores, acknowledging the resurgence of analog and vinyl happening in the 21st century even as streaming has come to dominate. “It’s really cool to see so many different kinds of people from all walks of life,” Bree says. “It reminds me of when I was first collecting.” The Cooksons say there’s a lot of camaraderie between different record shop owners in Monterey County. “The nice thing about records is there is so much music,” Kellen says. “No one does exactly the same thing.” Other record stores in Monterey County specialize in different kinds of music or experiences depending on the owners’ tastes. Vinyl Revolution in Pacific Grove, for example, carries more inventory from metal genres while Pop & Hiss, also in Pacific Grove, focuses on experiences, with a bar and live performances. The Cooksons curate a general selection for their shop with records, cassettes, 8-tracks and even movies on DVD and VHS. Their goal is to have something for everyone but they’re also quick to call another store if something isn’t there for a customer. Kellen remarks that he and Bree grew up with what he calls the “switch to digital,” but they don’t want the stories to go away with that. “It’s cool to not feel alone in your liking of this niche thing,” Bree says. Recycled Records is located at 604 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey. (831) 375-5454, instagram.com/recycledrecords831. Analog is Alive Recycled Records in Monterey celebrates what is believed to be 50 years in business. By Sloan Campi “It’s cool to see so many different kinds of people.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE DANIEL DREIFUSS Kellen and Bree Cookson had one of their first dates at Recycled Records in Monterey. They are now married and own the Lighthouse Avenue establishment. Our Big Idea catalyzes FOOD IS MEDICINE in Monterey County through nutrition programs and farmers’ markets providing local, sustainably grown fruits and vegetables to families in need. Support Access to Affordable Nutritious Food! montereycountygives.com/harvest Nov. 13 - Dec. 31, 2025 Our Local Impact: 2,900+ Families served weekly $3.5M in Healthy Food Incentives provided over the past 10 years 243 Farmers’ Markets hosted annually 2,420+ Fresh Rx produce prescriptions filled $923K Paid To Local Farmers through our programs this year Please donate!
www.montereycountynow.com DECEMBER 18-24, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 (831) 718-9041 merrillgardensmonterey.com 200 Iris Canyon Rd, Monterey, CA 93940 Merrill Gardens at Monterey knows how to celebrate — with music, entertainment, and special dining experiences. Join us and enjoy the benefits of our community lifestyle! Lic #275202591 Start New Traditions With Us Enjoy Lunch On Us!
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY DECEMBER 18-24, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com NEWS For the past five years, a key venue in Salinas to meet, learn and organize has been closed. The Hebbron Family Center first shut its doors in 2020 due to the pandemic. Once social restrictions were lifted, it remained closed because it was in a severe state of decay with leaky roofs, foundation problems and mold, and it was deemed unsafe for reopening. After a long wait, this is about to change. The new Hebbron Center is near completion, with an estimated reopening timeline of January or February. The new facility was designed with residents’ needs in mind. The space has two assembly areas, multipurpose classrooms, a teen lounge, a kitchen, outdoor sport courts and a courtyard area. “It has a more functioning space so that all of the spaces work together, where the previous building had previously been a church and was converted to a rec center,” says Kristan Lundquist, Salinas’ library and community services director. (The building has served Salinas residents since the 1960s and was turned into a community center in the ’70s.) In 2021, the city received $8.1 million in state funding to support the construction of a new community center on the old location. The project, which broke ground in 2024, has a total price tag of over $14 million. On Dec. 9, city staff requested that City Council increase the project’s contingency fund to redo the parking lot. “It’s not a request for new funds,” Lundquist explains. As construction wraps up, city staff are now looking at various vendors and programming offerings to bring back a range of classes and workshops for the community. Community Space The new Hebbron Family Center in Salinas is nearing completion. By Celia Jiménez Word travels fast, especially when it could mean Highway 1 reopening early after nearly three years of closure through Big Sur, the longest sustained duration in the region’s history. On Friday, Dec. 12, the Big Sur Chamber of Commerce contacted local businesses to tease a de facto Christmas gift on behalf of Caltrans: cleanup efforts at Regent’s Slide were going so well that the highway could reopen by the new year. “They’re confident they’re approaching something imminent,” says Kirk Gafill, president of the Big Sur Chamber of Commerce and owner of Nepenthe. “There’s a number of things they need to get done. But to be honest, it wouldn’t surprise me if a notification came out today. We’re waiting on pins and needles.” Caltrans announced Sept. 22 that it hoped to reopen the highway to through-traffic by March 2026. The long-standing closure stems from two overlapping slides: Regent’s Slide, which occurred Feb. 9, 2024, and Paul’s Slide, which occurred on Jan. 14, 2023. The update comes as weather forecasts predict heavy rain into the week of Dec. 22, which could slow progress. “I’m not holding my breath,” says Diana Ballantyne, general manager of Fernwood Resort and Campground, about 20 miles north of the slide. The closure has had various impacts on Big Sur businesses. Gafill notes that two-thirds of Highway 1 traffic in a normal year originates from the north and turns around near Nepenthe. Ballantyne says that while it’s impacted Fernwood’s capacity and visitation, especially during the off-seasons, it’s given them the opportunity to work on maintenance projects and build a more robust array of amenities. For Nepenthe, also north of the slide, visitation has dropped by about one-third—something the business has experienced during past Highway 1 closures. What sets this time apart, Gafill says, is the duration compounding by rising operating costs. “When you’re talking three years, that’s just extraordinary,” Gafill says. “It’s also happening during a timeframe somewhat unique economically in California, where our fixed costs have skyrocketed well beyond inflation.” For John Handy, owner of Treebones resort on the south side of the slide, business has dropped by about 40 percent. While he was thrilled by the possibility of an early reopening, he says the lack of advance notice has complicated planning. “We have to calculate everything and see if it is worth it to keep our staff here,” Handy says. “With the road being closed, we closed after Thanksgiving and planned to stay closed until Valentine’s Day. We could have been open for New Year’s.” Caltrans officials say there is no exact reopening, but that Highway 1 at Regent’s Slide is likely to reopen ahead of schedule. Construction crews may only know the final reopening date a day or two in advance, Caltrans reports, noting that helicopter installation of protective metal mesh remains to be completed and the roadway must still be cleared of debris. “They seem wary to let us know, but we can already see it happening,” Handy says. “To be able to flow freely to the north coast is crazy. It’s been so long. We’re really looking forward to 2026.” Caltrans has been using shear dowels (40- to 60-foot-long steel rods) drilled into the side of the cliff to help stabilize the earth. This photo was taken on Dec. 3. Opening Day Highway 1 at Regent’s Slide in Big Sur is expected to reopen early, potentially by the new year. By Katie Rodriguez Kristan Lundquist outside the new Hebbron Family Center in Salinas, which has been fully rebuilt after major damage was discovered. It is expected to reopen by February 2026. “It’s been so long.” CALTRANS DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com DECEMBER 18-24, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 31 3PM-MIDNIGHT FIRST NIGHT MONTEREY For more information go to firstnightmonterey.org Enjoy Ice Skating at the Custom House Plaza “Visit the City Christmas Tree all a glow at Colton Hall” For Over a Century the Tradition of Last Minute Christmas Shopping Lives on in Downtown Monterey SHOPPING DINING HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT r Old Monterey has something for everyone 1 HOUR FREE PARKING IN THE WEST GARAGE “SHOP LOCAL” www.oldmonterey.org r HISTORIC DOWNTOWN MONTEREY SPONSORS OldMonterey.org (831) 655-8070 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5 5:00 PM Colton Hall Lawn 570 Pacific St. Monterey SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY DECEMBER 18-24, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com Some employees at Premier Hyundai of Seaside say they were only given a couple of days’ notice that they were losing their jobs since the dealership was closing its doors. The dealership’s final day was Friday, Dec. 12, as employees drove the last vehicles out of the showroom that morning and workers removed signage from the building on Heitzinger Plaza. The inventory headed to the nearest Hyundai dealership in Gilroy, where some workers also found a new job. Others were not sure of their next steps. A longtime employee named Robert, who declined to give his last name, says it was a sad day for the staffers. “It’s just unfortunate,” he says. “I love this dealership.” Louisiana-based Premier Automotive purchased the Hyundai and Chevrolet/Cadillac dealerships in 2019 after they were shuttered by their previous Texas-based owner. The neighboring Chevrolet dealership moved to a new location in Seaside’s auto mall under new ownership earlier this year. A representative from Premier Automotive did not respond to an inquiry on the reasoning behind the closure. Employees, though, said the dealership’s sales plummeted this year. “We’ve seen the writing on the wall,” Robert says, noting a variety of factors may have played a role, from federal policies such as tariffs and eliminating the electric vehicle incentive to the fact that the dealership is located in an area that prefers luxury brands. Seaside’s budget reports appear to back up this latter point. Of the top 25 sales tax generators in the city for 2023, the most recent data available, 12 are auto dealerships, and seven of those could be considered high-end brands such as Porsche and Jaguar. Premier Hyundai is not on the list. Still, the closure of Premier Hyundai will “have a measurable impact on the City’s budget,” Seaside City Manager Greg McDanel says. Auto sales make up 45 percent of Seaside’s sales tax revenue. Such revenue went down during the previous fiscal year, with city staff attributing it to declining auto sales. “While we plan conservatively and do not rely on any single business, the loss of a major auto dealer is not insignificant and will require close monitoring of revenues in the coming fiscal year,” he says. To offset declining sales taxes, Seaside’s 2025-26 budget report points to upcoming developments such as the Grand Hyatt hotel and Campus Town as a way to bring in new tax revenue. CSU Monterey Bay Liberal Studies Professor Miguel Lopez was placed on paid administrative leave in early 2023, after students complained to the university’s Title IX Office that Lopez made inappropriate comments in an online class regarding race, gender and disabilities, as well as giving preferential treatment to some students based on race and gender. Over two years later, he’s back. If there was an investigation, no results were disclosed to the public due to it being a personnel matter. According to a current student in one of the three classes he taught over the fall semester that ended Dec. 12, Lopez explained his absence by saying he took leave to care of his mother. It didn’t take long for new complaints to arise. Some student concerns echo earlier allegations, including that Lopez showed favoritism toward Latina students. In the past he reportedly had a group he called his “comadres” that met separately outside of class and were given extra instruction and assignments not available to others. A Latina student this fall reported that she felt “upset, uncomfortable and angry,” after he asked to meet with her privately, during which he told her if she met with him for extra help she could get an A in the class but she could not tell anyone, adding that he had “gotten in trouble for doing this kind of thing before,” according to a letter she wrote to administrators anonymously out of fear of retaliation. She declined his offer. A group of students met with administrators in late November and were told that an administrator would be monitoring Lopez’s classes for the rest of the semester. A student says she and others have already switched out of Lopez’s spring semester classes in case he returns. The Weekly was unable to reach Lopez for comment. A written statement from a CSUMB spokesperson said they “cannot share additional information about the status of his employment as this is a personnel matter.” Going Flat Seaside’s Hyundai dealership suddenly closes, as the city faces slumping auto sales. By Erik Chalhoub NEWS COMMUNITY BENEFITS City of Soledad and Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey host a CalFresh and Medi-Cal application workshop. Drop in to get assistance on completing the application. Bring basic identification documents. 10am-6pm Thursday, Dec. 18. Soledad City Council Chambers, 248 Main St., Soledad. Free. (831) 393-3110, catholiccharitiesdom.org. PARK PATROL Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District seeks applicants to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors. Ward 2 includes Seaside, northern Sand City and the southern area of the former Fort Ord. Applications due Tuesday, Dec. 30. Free. (831) 372-3196, ext. 107, clerk@ mprpd.org. GIVE BACK It is now the final two weeks of Monterey County Gives! Read about the Big Ideas of 213 local nonprofits and donate to help their efforts to make the community a better place. Donations accepted through midnight on Dec. 31 at montereycountygives. com. OFFER WARMTH Closer Walk, an outreach center that serves unhoused people, is in need of clothing donations. Donate new or gently used clothing for those in need. 9-11am weekdays. Closer Walk, 22 Soledad St., Salinas. (831) 595-3165. BOOK SMART Salinas Public Library seeks input from the public to help shape its future programming and offerings. Share your thoughts through a survey. Survey ongoing at bit.ly/ SalinasLibrarySurvey2025. COMMUNITY POLICING Monterey’s Community Police Academy is now taking applications. The academy begins Feb. 4 and runs weekly for 11 weeks, giving Monterey residents an interactive overview of policing. Apply at (831) 646-3805, montereypolice.org. SAFETY SKILLS The City of Monterey offers emergency skills training over three days in February. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training is open to residents of Monterey and adjacent communities. Enroll by writing with your contact information to certmonterey@gmail. com. Free. Rinse, Repeat A CSUMB professor who spent over two years on paid leave for problematic behavior returns. By Pam Marino Employees watch as the final vehicle is driven out of the showroom at Premier Hyundai of Seaside on Friday, Dec. 12, the day the dealership closed. E-MAIL: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX “We’ve seen the writing on the wall.” ERIK CHALHOUB
www.montereycountynow.com DECEMBER 18-24, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 15 Did you know there are more than 500 unaccompanied homeless women on the Monterey Peninsula? Thank you for your support! The Fund for Homeless Women is a field of interest fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County. montereycountygives.com/fhw Often, these women blend seamlessly into our community, and you might never know they are without shelter. Many sleep in cars, tents, or benches, while still going to work, attending school, and contributing to the fabric of our community—often under the radar. The Fund for Homeless Women provides the expertise to leverage the power of your gift to create lasting impact, targeting the unique needs of unaccompanied homeless women in our area. By donating through Monterey County Gives! before December 31st, your gift goes even further, with a portion of all donations matched to amplify its reach. They are a mosaic of all of us. They are our neighbors, our sisters, our mothers, our grandmothers. Now – Dec. 31, 2025 Esteban IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME TO SAVE! Make your holidays merry, bright — and efficient! Take advantage of water-saving rebates and bring home devices and appliances that save water year round. Learn more at montereywaterinfo.org/rebates. TRY OUR NEW Tapas Happy Hour & Mid-Week Specials 4:30 - 6:00pm daily #Tapas! A Happy Hour Beyond Compare. Adjacent to the Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa | 700 Munras Avenue, Monterey Reservations Recommended | 831-375-0176 | estebanrestaurant.com DELIGHTFULLY ALFRESCO ’25 Voted Best Appetizers/ Small Plates Three-Course Christmas Dinner Thursday, Dec. 25th, 4-8pm
16 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY DECEMBER 18-24, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com If all goes according to plan, the Federal Aviation Administration could allow some local air taxi service before it officially certifies the aircraft for commercial use. That means a company such as Joby Aviation, which is manufacturing and testing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in Marina, may have limited taxi service at major events beginning in 2026, even as it continues through the rigorous FAA certification process. President Donald Trump’s June executive order calling for the acceleration of drone and other advanced air mobility development led to the FAA establishing the Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing and Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program. According to the FAA, the threeyear program looks to join forces with governments and private businesses to test operations and gather data that will be used to shape future regulations around the burgeoning industry. Applications are due Dec. 19, and the FAA is expected to choose five projects across the country. When it will make that decision is unknown. Locally, a group known as American Air Advantage is throwing its hat into the ring. Caltrans serves as the lead agency of the group, which also includes Joby, Archer Aviation, the County of Monterey, Monterey Bay DART, San Jose International Airport and other businesses and agencies across North and Central California. A3, as it is known, issued a threeyear plan beginning in 2026. Year one proposes air taxi demonstrations in Monterey, Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties “serving large public events,” according to the plan, while collecting data on public perception, noise and operational procedures for transporting passengers and goods. The second year aims to develop an air highway from Monterey County to the Silicon Valley and Contra Costa County for eVTOL aircraft and drones, integrating with regular air traffic. Year three intends to further expand passenger service, while using the data it has gathered over the program to inform the FAA’s guidance for air taxi service during the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Earlier this year, Archer, which is based in San Jose and tests its aircraft at the Salinas Municipal Airport, announced it was selected as the official air taxi provider for the Olympics and plans to transport fans throughout the city. That latter point is key in A3’s application, said Todd Muck, executive director for the Transportation Agency for Monterey County, which is part of the group. Muck told TAMC’s board on Dec. 3 that the Trump administration is “very bullish” on the Olympics, which may increase A3’s chances of being chosen. Joby is in the final stages of FAA certification. Approval of A3’s proposal by the FAA would allow Joby to offer limited commercial service before it is fully certified. “We are definitely competing against other parts of the country for this,” Muck said. “The beauty of our area is that we have these operators already developing this technology.” Sky Bound A federal plan could bring air taxi service to Monterey County earlier than expected. By Erik Chalhoub In early 2026, Joby’s eVTOLs will undergo testing in which FAA pilots will fly the aircraft themselves for the first time in a years-long review process. NEWS “We are competing against other parts of the country.” DANIEL DREIFUSS In addition to our Regular Menu we will offer the following specials. First Course: Endive Salad, Butternut Squash Soup and Monterey Bay Abalone Entrée:Applewood Smoked Prime Rib and Dayboat Scallops Dessert: Sticky Toffee Pudding The scenic C restaurant overlooks a spectacular waterfront setting on the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Do you live an InterContinental life? 750 Cannery Row, Monterey 831.375.4500 www.ictheclementmonterey.com e meets blue at the C restaurant + bar Located next to the Monterey Bay Aquarium 750 Cannery Row Monterey, California 93940 831.375.4500 www.ictheclementmonterey.com The reimagined C restaurant overlooks a spectacular waterfront setting on the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The C restaurant + bar, where every table o ers a blue water view. Serving breakfast and dinner Wednesday through Sunday. Located at InterContinental The Clement Monterey, a 208 room hotel on historic Cannery Row. Christmas Dinner, Thursday, December 25 By Community Colors Murals Heal Through Art: Support Arts4Healing YOUR GIFT CAN CHANGE A LIFE bit.ly/mcgives Now - Dec 31
www.montereycountynow.com DECEMBER 18-24, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 17 Mental health, substance use, and homelessness often intersect. That’s why Community Human Services delivers flexible care tailored to each person’s unique journey. at the intersection of crisis and care. Crisis doesn’t wait. Donate now to support those navigating life’s toughest crossroads. THIS SEASON, A LITTLE LOVE GOES A LONG WAY. 700 Jewell Avenue, Pacific Grove, California 93950 • MOWMP.ORG • 831.375.4454 MOWMP is a 501(c)(3) exempt organization. EIN 94-2157521 mowmp.org/mcgives Give from the heart. Help us deliver hope. 2025 MEMBER
18 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY DECEMBER 18-24, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com Dozens of people lined up outside the Mexican Honorary Consulate in Salinas on Thursday, Dec. 11 waiting their turn to talk with personnel from the Mexican Consulate and sign up for an appointment to obtain documents like a Mexican ID, passport or dual citizenship. Making an appointment with the Mexican Consulate in San Jose and its mobile consulate has become a challenge. Slots fill up quickly and sometimes people have to wait for months. While this may look like a staffing issue, there is a different factor at play: people booking appointments and selling the spots. “Intermediation prevents us from reaching people,” Consul Neftali Said Pérez González said in Spanish during a meeting with the press. Intermediaries saturate the consulate’s system and turn it into a business by automatically scheduling all the free appointment slots and selling them. Guillermina Rivera, executive director of Proyecto Mixteco, an organization that offers interpretation services, says many Indigenous people aren’t fluent in Spanish or don’t know how to download the application to make an appointment so “it’s easier for them to buy an appointment,” she says. Rivera says she almost paid for one herself after having a hard time scheduling it. “When you go on WhatsApp they send you to San Diego or another place that isn’t San Jose,” she says. Prices through intermediaries range from $50 to $170 depending on the type of application, with dual citizenship appointments being the most expensive ones. According to the consulate, dual citizenship applications have skyrocketed since President Donald Trump took office, with family members looking to ease the process in case any of them gets deported or they decide to relocate or self-deport to Mexico. It is illegal to sell or resell government appointments in the U.S., but the same doesn’t apply for the Mexican Consulate. In the past, the Mexican government has fired staff involved in these practices. “It isn’t illegal, but it’s immoral,” Pérez González said, adding this practice exploits vulnerable people. While brokers make a profit off free appointments, the issue has other consequences. On Dec. 6, the Mexican Consulate canceled its mobile consulate in Salinas since most appointments were being sold. Cristina Arrizon, a Salinas resident, attended the outreach event on Dec. 11 and made a new appointment. She was one of the people impacted by the cancellation. “I felt disappointed,” she says. Her new passport appointment won’t be in Salinas but in San Jose. A week later, the consulate kicked off an outreach campaign in Salinas titled “Conoce tu consulado,” meaning “know your consulate,” to share information about the services the consulate provides, including repatriation, vital records, legal assistance and more. Most appointments are made via WhatsApp, a free messaging service application very popular in Mexico and among Latinos. Red Tape Mexican Consulate closes mobile pop-up in Salinas amid the resale of free appointment slots. By Celia Jiménez Alan Sau from the Mexican Consulate helps Cristina Arrizon schedule an appointment via WhatsApp at the Mexican Honorary Consulate in Salinas on Dec. 11. NEWS “It isn’t illegal, but it’s immoral.” CELIA JIMÉNEZ Meals on Wheels Salinas Valley No ni ld e r hun y l al - To r, t’s aure at n’t hapen. D a day Donate: montereycountygives.com/mows OCEAN LEARNING AVAILABLE FOR ALL YOU CAN MAKE MONTEREYCOUNTYGIVES.COM/OSO THE OCEAN IS YOUR CLASSROOM El océano es tu aula
SEEDS OF CHANGE 15 days 213 nonprofits Goals for 2025 8,000 donors $14,000,000 in donations Totals as of 12/16/25 4,711 donors $10,601,115 in donations MAJOR PARTNERS Monterey County Gives! is a special project of Monterey County Weekly in partnership with the Community Foundation for Monterey County and Monterey Peninsula Foundation PRINT | WEB | MOBILE 1. Visit www.mcgives.com 2. Choose your favorites 3. Click on DONATE button HOW TO DONATE www.montereycountyweekly.com DECEMBER 18-24, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 19
20 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY DECEMBER 18-24, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com MC GIVES That veterans can get medical care through the Veterans Administration is well known. That the care they receive doesn’t include dental treatments, except in a few cases, is probably a surprise to most people. On the Central Coast, that gap is being filled by Dentistry4Vets, founded in 2018 by Carmel residents Dr. George Yellich and his wife, Patricia Yellich. The nonprofit was launched to provide quality dental care in a safe and caring environment to veterans who often have special needs. “Once they come into our clinic they are treated like family,” says Patricia Yellich, who serves as Dentistry4Vets’ executive director. With only about 4.5 percent of veterans qualified for dental care through the VA, that leaves most of the 35,000 veterans living on the Central Coast, from San Luis Obispo to Santa Cruz, without care, Yellich says. The group expects to help more than 2,400 veterans and their spouses with over 4,000 procedures in 2025, from routine care to dental implants. That kind of volume means Dentistry4Vets has outgrown its original Marina office, an 850-square-foot clinic with two treatment rooms, originally donated by Montage Health. It was a good place to start, but now they’re looking to move into a larger space. Yellich says they need the room to meet the increased demand, as well as to ensure the staff has the necessary tools and workspace. They currently have three experienced general dentists on staff, along with a team of licensed, registered dental assistants. They’re looking to move into a much larger office in Ryan Ranch in Monterey, which will give them room to grow. The new space will have four treatment rooms with office space and a break room for staff. It will also provide better Americans with Disabilities Act access for patients—about 30 percent live with some type of mobility issue. Something else she’s excited about is the inclusion of a suite for specialty care from dental specialists performing procedures like root canals and cancer screenings. “It’s a big deal,” Yellich says, in part because it will allow veterans to get their services under one roof, instead of having to travel to other offices. Smile Time With so many veterans to serve, Dentistry4Vets seeks to expand into a new space. By Pam Marino Members of the team, from top left: Dr. Rachel Hong; Air Force veteran Sal Murillo; assistants Briana Martinez and Esmeralda Sanchez; student assistant Alissa Blaine. How to Donate Go to www.mcgives.com and click the Donate button. Our Monterey County Gives Big Idea, Safe Teens Empowerment Project, prevents underage alcohol and drug use by engaging over 7,000 Monterey County youth in leadership, education, and community projects that build confidence, life skills, and resilience against high-risk behaviors. MontereyCountyGives.com/SunStreet Our Monterey County Gives Big Idea, Safe Teens Empowerment Project, prevents underage alcohol and drug use by engaging over 7,000 Monterey County youth in leadership, education, and community projects that build confidence, life skills, and resilience against high-risk behaviors. MontereyCountyGives.com/SunStreet Our Monterey County Gives Big Idea, Safe Teens Empowerment Project, prevents underage alcohol and drug use by engaging over 7,000 Monterey County youth in leadership, education, and community projects that build confidence, life skills, and resilience against high-risk behaviors. MontereyCountyGives.com/SunStreet Our Monterey County Gives Big Idea, Safe Teens Empowerment Project, prevents underage alcohol and drug use by engaging over 7,000 Monterey County youth in leadership, education, and community projects that build confidence, life skills, and resilience against high-risk behaviors. MontereyCountyGives.com/SunStreet INSIDE YORK JAN 13, 2026 6:00-7:30 PM go.york.org/insideyork26 DISCOVER WHAT MAKES YORK SCHOOL AN INSPIRING PLACE TO LEARN, GROW, AND BELONG. More information and registration here:
www.montereycountynow.com DECEMBER 18-24, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 21 THE PATHWAY FORWARD BEGINS HERE Next Step Case Management Housing Navigation Personal Care Essentials Mental Health & Wellness Medical & Dental Services Food Service Monterey Peninsula’s Only Day Center Dedicated Exclusively to Women For women experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, Gathering for Women provides a safe, dignified place to stabilize, heal, and take meaningful steps toward a more secure future. What We Do Help ensure no woman in our community has to navigate homelessness alone. Since 2014 147 El Dorado Street, Monterey 831.241.6154 gatheringforwomen.org
22 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY DECEMBER 18-24, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com HEALTH CARES Wow. I hope it happens! We tried it when I was there but it failed (“CHOMP nurses are organizing to form a union, citing patient safety as their main concern,” Dec. 11-17). Anne McCambridge | via social media They’ve been cutting corners for years. I worked there until 2019. For many years it was such an enjoyable place to work and I was proud to say that it was my place of employment. Now, not so much. Best of luck to all hoping to find empowerment and protection from the implementation/installation of a union. Erica Aronovici | via social media Nurses are the ones absorbing the consequences of a broken system. This would be a step in the right direction for them. The nurses I’ve had at CHOMP were amazing and topnotch. Hope this works out for them. Seth Metoyer | via social media MIIS OUT Thank you for covering this story and please do keep following it and reporting developments (Middlebury College’s board decided to close the Monterey Institute, but some faculty are hoping to rehome it,” Dec. 11-17). It’s a great asset to our community and I hope another institution does step forward to keep it here. When I was an Administrative Law Judge and had hearings in this area, I had translators from MIIS appear on behalf of non-English-speaking witnesses. (This was before the affiliation with Middlebury.) The quality of the translators was excellent. This is just one example of the positive impact of this school. Barbara Moore | Monterey I’m grateful for your coverage of the MIIS story and I hope you stay on it. I’ve been grateful for Monterey County Now for years, allowing me to keep up with the goings on while I live overseas (I’m a professor in New Zealand now). You might find what I wrote about the MIIS saga worth reading as well: un-diplomatic.com/p/on-utopias-imperial-decline-and-monterey. It’s a love letter to Monterey as much as an analysis of what’s happening to MIIS. Van Jackson | Wellington, New Zealand ANTISOCIAL MEDIA How does he know who inside a restaurant is illegal? By profiling anyone and everyone with brown skin?!? OMG (“A wine and restaurant influencer promises to help local restaurants, but then they say he turns on them,” Dec. 11-17). Maureen Wruck | Salinas A lot of denials. Sure hope you do a follow-up and get to the truth. Stephen Moorer | Monterey The whole Peninsula should boycott him. Robbie Evans | via social media And just like that, I don’t see his posts…Good. Jennifer Stewart | via social media OFF THE LOT They got almost no notice close to two weeks before Christmas (“Seaside’s Hyundai dealership suddenly closes, opening a hole in the city’s budget,” posted Dec. 12). They were told they were getting severance at least. That severance ended up being $1,100, probably not a week’s wages for most of the salespeople. How cheap can they be? They were also told if they didn’t stay until the end of the day, while there were no cars to sell, they would be considered to have resigned and would not get the severance. Ingrid Markham | Seaside DORM ROOMS It’s not quite correct to say an office building is being transformed into dormitories, because before Gavilan Hall was used as offices CSUMB used it as a dormitory, and before it was a university dormitory it was an Army barracks (“CSUMB breaks ground on transforming an office building into on-campus sophomore housing,” Dec. 4-10). Word of mouth had it that it was purpose built by the Army to be a women’s barracks when the Army first integrated women into the force. Honestly, it never was a very good office building. Mike Lerch | Seaside AND, SCENE Absolutely brilliant pitch on a movie for Carmel! (“Squid Fry: Perfect Pitch,” Dec. 11-17) Admittedly, these Hallmark things are kind of cookie-cutter, but I hope you get paid for the perfect idea. Only a local would be able to dream this up! I’ll be looking for it next year. Colleen Anderson | Salinas PEP IN HER STEP [Peppoli is] our favorite restaurant in Monterey County! Well deserved (“Chef Angela Tamura took an Ivy League education and turned it into award-winning cooking,” Dec. 4-10). Michelle Williamson | via social media SPEAK UP Leon Panetta recently addressed a PBS fundraiser on the Monterey Peninsula that some of us attended. Asked for five steps we can take to preserve this country’s democracy, he replied: 1. Vote. 2. Establish a legal task force locally. 3. Express concerns. Protest. Be vocal. 4. Let local leaders know what we are losing in government funding. Work to restore that funding. 5. Send letters to the editor and to our leaders. Embrace free speech, and come together to express concerns. This letter is our attempt to implement Leon’s fifth suggestion. We will be working together on all his suggestions, learning from and networking with each other and others about how to be effective. His second suggestion is a new idea to us, and we look forward to learning what efforts have been made to establish a local legal task force and how we can help. Ladies Aid Society & Sidewalk Patrol (Hans and Annemarie Bleiker, Judy Dow, Dianne Driessen, Sally Eastham. Carol Galginaitis, Nancy Harray, Peter Lesnik, Linda Lee, Bonnie Lockwood, Bella Lofaso, Gina Puccinelli and Jane Sink) | 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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