JANUARY 22-28, 2026 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT FLU BUG BITES HARD 10 | FILLING THE CHAMBER POT 17 | MURPHY’S LAW 37 | KITCHEN TABLE TALK 42 FIRST PLACE GENERAL EXCELLENCE • 2025 CA JOURNALISM AWARDS • Health& Fitness Gillian Young Barkalow coaches women on fitness and nutrition—while winning bodybuilding competitions. p. 40 PLUS other stories of self-care, activity and wellness in our health & fitness issue. p. 20 BODY LANGUAGE
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 22-28, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com STAY NEW, STAY NOW AND SAVE UP TO 35% Experience the best of the Central Coast at Monterey County’s newest destinations— Courtyard Sand City Monterey and Residence Inn Sand City Monterey, now open! From modern rooms to spacious suites with full kitchens, both hotels offer vibrant amenities like fire pits, onsite dining, heated pools, electric bike rentals, and live entertainment at The Lido Stage. Celebrate our grand opening with an exclusive local offer available to California residents. Call (831) 855-4100 and ask for the “Discover Monterey” rate by March 31, 2026. TWO UNIQUE EXPERIENCES. ONE ADDRESS. *Offer valid for California residents only. A valid government-issued ID must be presented at check-in. Limited number of rooms are available for this promotion. Tax is additional. Offer does not apply to groups of 10 or more rooms. Offer cannot be combined with any other promotions. Blackout dates may apply. Advance reservations required. Other restrictions apply. Rates are per room, per night and based on availability at the time of reservation.
www.montereycountynow.com JANUARY 22-28, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 3 A landmark hospital. And so much more. montagehealth.org Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula is the beating heart of Montage Health. Today, we’re much more than a hospital. We’re urgent care centers, wellness centers, primary care doctors, health insurance plans, and a groundbreaking mental health program for youth. Through it all, we remain an independent, nonprofit healthcare organization. Locally owned. And accountable only to the communities we serve.
4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 22-28, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com JANUARY 22-28, 2026 • ISSUE #1956 • ESTABLISHED IN 1988 Lori Mazzuca (iPhone 15 Pro Max; 1x at portrait setting) A fog-free winter has meant extraordinary sunsets lighting up the sky over the Monterey Peninsula. MONTEREY COUNTY PHOTO OF THE WEEK Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: Carmel nutrition and fitness coach Gillian Young Barkalow recently won bodybuilding titles at the NPC Natural City of Lights competition in Las Vegas. She trained herself for the event. Cover photo: Daniel Dreifuss etc. Copyright © 2026 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) SENIOR STAFF WRITER Pam Marino pam@montereycountynow.com (x106) STAFF WRITER Celia Jiménez celia@montereycountynow.com (x145) STAFF WRITER Agata Pope¸da aga@montereycountynow.com (x138) STAFF WRITER Katie Rodriguez (California Local News Fellow) katie@montereycountynow.com (x102) STAFF WRITER Aric Sleeper aric@montereycountynow.com (x127) 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. NEWS • ARTS • ENTERTAINMENT • FOOD • DRINK • CALENDAR Subscribe to the newsletter @ montereycountynow.com/subscribe READ MORE NOW ONLINE NEWSLETTER Go to montereycountynow.com LOCAL NEWS EVERYDAY AT MONTEREY COUNTY NOW
www.montereycountynow.com JANUARY 22-28, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 FREE COMMUNITY FLU CLINIC Sunday, January 25 1:00pm–4:00pm Northridge Mall Near food court next to Auntie Anne’s 796 Northridge Drive Salinas, CA 93906 Walk-ins Welcome | No Appointment Needed Aurora Robledo, MD | Family Medicine Flu vaccines provided by Salinas Valley Health Mobile Clinic For more information, contact our Health Promotion Department at 831-759-1890. We believe vaccinations save lives. SalinasValleyHealth.com/flu Questions about vaccines? Talk with your doctor or healthcare provider, or scan the QR code.
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 22-28, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH Google, which spent millions advocating against a bill that would have required its parent company to pay journalists for their content it profits from, eventually conceded somewhat in 2024, agreeing to help form a fund with the state for newsrooms and artificial intelligence research over five years. Although $10 million each from the state and Google has been distributed into the fund, none of it has yet to make its way into newsrooms, according to CalMatters. Now, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s latest budget proposal includes no new money for the funds, despite the agreement to jointly spend $175 million over five years. A spokesperson from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development told CalMatters that the state expects to distribute the $20 million this year. “He’s more interested in the billionaires and his friends than he’s interested in journalists who are out on the street,” California News Publishers Association President Chuck Champion said of Newsom. “He talks about democracy, he talks about how critically important it is, and then he allows our journalists to starve on the vine.” Good: The Monterey Public Library launched a new, convenient way to check out and pick up library books on Tuesday, Jan. 20. There are now two library lockers—similar to lockers for picking up online purchases—located at the Monterey Sports Center (301 E. Franklin St.) and Montecito Fire Station #13 (401 Dela Vina Ave.), both in Monterey. The brightly decorated lockers with images of sea otters and a book-loving octopus—designed by Library Director Brian Edwards—are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to dispense books that have been ordered through the library’s website. The goal is to increase access to resources for those who can’t reach the library’s physical building, according to Edwards in a newsletter. “We often have busy individuals and families who want to pick up their requests in the evening after they get off work or early in the morning,” he said. GREAT: In a boost for high-speed internet infrastructure, the California Public Utilities Commission on Jan. 15 approved a nearly $3.3 million grant that will fund the installation of 23 miles of fiber lines in Chualar. California Broadband Alliance’s Surfnet-Salinas project is estimated to give broadband access to a population of nearly 1,300 people. According to the CPUC, the California Broadband Alliance will offer a “low-cost” broadband plan, while Surfnet Communications will lease and operate the network. “We look forward to working with Surfnet Communications, our ISP partner for this grant, to use these funds to help close the digital divide in Salinas and the greater Monterey region,” said Kiran Bengard, operations manager for the California Broadband Alliance. Surfnet is also requesting nearly $25 million for further broadband infrastructure across the Central Coast. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY The total of all funding sources of the SHARE Center, a Salinas homeless shelter, in fiscal year 2025-2026. The City of Salinas and the County of Monterey share responsibility for the center—on Jan. 13 they agreed to a new memorandum of understanding, laying out what each jurisdiction is responsible for. Source: City of Salinas staff report $3,013,284 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “His life mattered, no matter how it happened.” -Seaside Mayor Ian Oglesby, speaking about Ronald Tinsley of Seaside, who was shot and killed by a Marina Police officer during a traffic stop on Jan. 18 (see story, montereycountynow.com/news). casaofmonterey.org I’m a Veteran and a CASA CASA volunteers are parents, professionals, retirees—people who once felt too busy. Then they realized the moments were already there: a ride home, a day-o visit, an evening check-in. CASA becomes part of your life’s routine. You’re more ready than you think—become a CASA volunteer. Find out how you can impact the life of a child in foster care and juvenile justice systems. Thank You, MC Gives Donors! Your impact will help create stability, opportunity, and a stronger future. Follow the journeys of our families as they build their homes in 2026 at: habitatmontereybay.org Connect with us on Facebook & Instagram ~ Team Habitat Monterey Bay
www.montereycountynow.com JANUARY 22-28, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 NEW YEAR 20% OFF PERSONAL TRA I N I NG PACKAGES THE PREMIER Sports & Fitness Center on the Monterey Peninsula GET STARTED ON YOUR FITNESS JOURNEY TODAY (831) 646-3730 301 East Franklin St., Monterey montereysportscenter.org KICK START JANUARY 1 - JANUARY 31
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 22-28, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com 831 Rudy Ayala smiles when he’s asked if his 11-year-old son Mason beats him when they run together on the track. “Sometimes,” he says. Mason interjects: “No, always.” Rudy gives in. “He always has that burst at the end,” he says. Father and son often spend their weekends training on a track. Running is in the blood for the Ayala family of Pacific Grove. They compete in various races locally and beyond, multiple generations all on the same course together. Rudy says his father got him into running at the age of 11, and Rudy Sr. continues to run at the age of 75. So Rudy Jr. wanted to pass along that knowledge to his sons, starting with Mason when he was 6. And in a story as old as time, the student has surpassed the teacher. Mason completed his 10th official race in November, meeting his goal of finishing 10 races before he turned 11. That goal he set when he was 8 while running in the Pacific Grove Lighthouse 3K, and has placed first in his age group or close to it in every race since across Monterey County and the Bay Area, plus one in El Paso, Texas. That goal formed in his mind mid-race, when he broke away from the crowd and there was no one else around—“I just felt great,” he says. “When I run, I like seeing the scenery,” he says. “It propels me forward.” Now, Mason has more goals: run his 11th race in his 11th year, and next, run a half-marathon with his grandfather when he turns 13, the first year he becomes eligible to compete in most such events. The fifth-grader from Stevenson School in Pebble Beach leads an active lifestyle. In addition to running, Mason is also a football and baseball player, along with being a swimmer. However, his father notes that even though Mason competed in a triathlon where swimming was involved, his son isn’t a fan of jumping into the cold water. While he may not like getting in the water himself, Mason still has a fondness for the ocean. He notes that his dream is to become a fisherman. “I’ve always liked the ocean and the idea of catching fish,” he says. Rudy says he’s proud to see how far Mason has come in his athletic journey in such a short time. “I watch him enjoy it and push himself,” he says. “We’ll run next to each other in a lot of these races. I’ll see him get tired, and sometimes he talks out loud, ‘I can do this, I can do this.’ My heart flutters when I hear him pushing himself.” Both mother Chnar and father keep meticulous track of Mason’s race times—Rudy shows the long list he’s compiled on his phone. For example, he placed first in his age group in the Pacific Grove Lighthouse 3K in 2023, as well as 14th overall out of 478 participants, running a blistering 14:44. It’s worth noting that the time is about half that from when he competed in the same 3K the previous year, the pivotal race that set him out on his journey. Mason has also inspired his little brother Titan to run with him in practice, as well as his friends. He notes that by sharing his goals, he hopes it helps others pursue their dreams. “I hope they will get inspired and encouraged to keep going,” he says. But it’s not easy work. He says when he set his goal, he felt it was going to be difficult, “at the edge of my capability.” But, “With the last few [races], I knew I could do this,” he says. “It’s in my comfort zone now.” He points to the Pebble Beach Zombie Run, which he has run multiple times, and each time he’s faced a steep hill near the end that’s proved challenging. Mason says he found himself tempted to slow down and walk the hill, but remembers what his father told him, that he needs to keep his muscles moving to keep his momentum. Otherwise, it’ll be harder to get going again. “As I’m running, it feels like a challenge, but it’s a challenge that’s fun as you’re doing it,” he says. Mason notes that it would be “really inspiring” to continue making and meeting goals, but he adds that’s never been his main motivation. Running may be fun for him, but there’s another motivation behind it. “I like to impress my dad, first of all,” Mason says. In Stride A young Pacific Grove runner hoping to inspire others sets—and meets—goals for himself. By Erik Chalhoub “I like seeing the scenery. It propels me forward.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE DANIEL DREIFUSS Mason Ayala of Pacific Grove is an active runner who has completed 10 official races before he turned 11. He’s set his sights on more goals to accomplish over the next couple of years. Health& Fitness Make 2026 Your Year with MPCC Take your business further in 2026 with meaningful connections, advocacy, and resources designed to help you grow. From high-impact networking and Chamber events to education, promotion, and a strong voice on issues that matter, MPCC is here to support your success all year long. Join our award-winning business community and start 2026 with momentum! Join Today! • montereychamber.com • info@montereychamber.com • 831.648.5350 JOIN TODAY!
www.montereycountynow.com JANUARY 22-28, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 MAJOR PARTNERS Monterey County Gives! is a special project of Monterey County Weekly in partnership with PRINT | WEB | MOBILE shatters its own record. Total donations to the 2025 campaign were up almost 20% over 2024. Thank you to the major partners and each of the 8,043 donors who contributed.
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 22-28, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com NEWS Some actions people might engage in on the street include scrolling on a phone or eating. These are among the many distracting tasks that can increase the risk of a crash. Following a surge of collisions late last year, all five Salinas Valley cities sent out a joint announcement urging drivers to slow down and be alert. The City of Salinas shared a traffic safety video, the first of a series. “It needs to be an ongoing education,” Mayor Dennis Donohue says. Seven pedestrians lost their lives last year to vehicle collisions in Salinas; the most recent occurred near downtown, where Shawn Allen, a 63-year-old man in a wheelchair, was struck while crossing the street. In 2025, Salinas received two grants totaling nearly $200,000 from the California Office of Traffic Safety; one focuses on education and is run by nonprofit Ecology Action; the other grant supports enforcement, including DUI checkpoints. Traffic safety has also sparked interest among youth leaders in Salinas and Greenfield. Youth Councils in both cities are working on education campaigns for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists. In Salinas, they are preparing a series of videos targeting different age groups, and coloring books for young people. They plan to release a new social media video every couple of weeks. The Greenfield Youth Council has so far shared two episodes on Instagram of its mini-series called The Pedestrian Patrol. Marisol Mederos, 17, chairs the Salinas Youth Council. She says the group hopes to broaden their reach: “We really want to collaborate with elementary schools in order for them to teach how to properly cross crosswalks.” Safety First Local cities and youth councils expand their messaging and outreach about safer streets. By Celia Jiménez Last summer, before the flu season officially kicked off, one seasonal flu, influenza A, mutated into a more contagious and stronger version, influenza A H3N2 subclade K, dubbed the “super flu.” It packs a wallop with intense symptoms that can linger longer than in the case of other flu viruses. It has resulted in the highest number of cases in 30 years. The Centers for Disease Control estimates there have been 18 million cases nationally since last fall, with 230,000 hospitalizations and more than 9,300 deaths. Three children have died, all in California. The super flu hit Europe and the East Coast hard, particularly New York, and has been making its way west. In December, Salinas Valley Health started seeing the variant appear in about 15 percent of test results. The rise in cases worried hospital officials, motivating them to initiate a public campaign to encourage more people to get vaccinated. “The most important thing we can do to protect ourselves from influenza, or the super flu, is to vaccinate,” says Dr. Orlando Rodriguez, medical director and chief medical officer of Ambulatory Services for SVH. Despite the scientific evidence that the vaccines are safe and save lives, vaccination rates have been declining. Among California health care personnel, the rate dropped to 72 percent during the 20242025 season, the lowest rate in 10 years, according to the California Department of Public Health. The CDC estimates 41 percent of California adults were vaccinated in 2024. “Unfortunately we recognize there is tremendous vaccine hesitance,” Rodriguez says, adding that the criticism of vaccines by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “has made it worse.” The current vaccine was formulated before influenza A mutated, but because the formula contains elements to fight influenza A, it may not stop someone from contracting the flu. It’s estimated to be 30-percent effective at preventing flu but it’s still protective, Rodriguez says. “Even though it’s not a perfect match, it helps prevent severe complications, hospitalizations and ultimately death,” he says. It’s especially important for young children, the elderly and pregnant women to be vaccinated. (Most pediatric deaths occur among unvaccinated children, according to CDPH.) The majority of patients Rodriguez has seen experience a runny nose, coughs, body aches, fatigue and fever. People may experience only one symptom, or they may experience a combination. Rodriguez encourages people to seek medical attention as soon as possible and get tested so they can be treated properly. There are medications that can shorten the severity and length of the virus. It’s not too late to get vaccinated, Rodriguez says. Most flu vaccine clinics take place in the fall, but because of a possible surge, SVH and the County of Monterey added free clinics the weekend of Jan. 24-25. The County’s clinic takes place 10am-1pm Saturday, Jan. 24 at Gavilan View Middle School, 18250 Van Buren Ave., Salinas. SVH’s clinic is happening 1-4pm Sunday, Jan. 25 at Northridge Mall, 796 Northridge Drive, Salinas. Free or no-cost vaccines are available at most pharmacies and at county health clinics. Gonzales Mayor Jose Rios receives a flu vaccine in October at a vaccination clinic held by Salinas Valley Health. A sixth was added for Jan. 25 to combat “super flu.” New Flu The ‘super flu’ is here; local officials say vaccines are the best defense. By Pam Marino According to Salinas Police, the number of pedestrian-related collisions decreased from 2024 to 2025 from 90 to 80. However, the number of fatalities increased from six to seven. “We recognize there is tremendous vaccine hesitance.” SALINAS VALLEY HEALTH DANIEL DREIFUSS Health& Fitness
www.montereycountynow.com JANUARY 22-28, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 (831) 755-4111 natividad.com GREAT CARE BEGINS HERE Whether you’re having a baby, need surgery or to see a specialist, Natividad is here to provide excellent, safe, award-winning health care for you and your family.
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 22-28, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com Founded more than four decades ago, the annual EcoFarm conference has served as a meeting place for generations of organic farmers and enthusiasts from around California and beyond. “One of the most powerful things about EcoFarm is the intergenerational exchange of knowledge,” Ecological Farming Association Communications Manager Katya Baty says. “It’s incredibly inspiring to see experienced farmers, first-time growers and advocates come together to learn from one another and strengthen the future of organic farming and build a resilient food system.” This year’s conference, with the theme “Seeds of Strength: Empowering Farmers for a Changing Climate,” features farm tours, seed swaps, tastings, a dance and more than 65 skill-building workshops. Pre-conference workshops began on Jan. 21 and the event continues at Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove through Sunday, Jan. 25. One of the workshops is moderated by retired UC Cooperative Extension farm adviser Richard Smith. He will lead a panel discussion about the system created by the acclaimed and recently deceased grower and cofounder of JV Farms Organic, Israel Morales Sr., who will be honored at the conference with a posthumous Sustie Award, which recognizes leaders who advance agroecology and sustainable food systems. “Going back 35 years ago, he first started developing a system for reducing tillage in the Salinas Valley,” Smith says. “He used that reduced tillage system throughout his career after he developed it. Other people did not really pick up on it, but they are now. His life’s work is really gaining relevance now with the younger generation.” Morales’ method also consisted of cover cropping, or growing crops not intended for sale but for the enrichment of the soil. “That’s a keystone practice for improving the health of the soil,” Smith says. “They provide biomass and basically carbon to the soil. Carbon is the key ingredient to soil organic matter and in building soil organic matter, you build soil health.” Smith has taken part in the conference for many years and says he always learns something new. “This is one of the more hopeful events,” he says. “Growing food in a sustainable way and reducing the use of pesticides is very hopeful.” Mercedes-Benz of Monterey plans to move into Marina’s Dunes development in the former Fort Ord, gaining Marina City Council’s approval to help with construction costs. That agreement got the green light from the council in May, with the stipulation that Unstoppable Automotive Group, the owner of the dealership, break ground by Jan. 1. It’s now more than halfway through January, and the spot, located at the corner of Divarty Street and 1st Avenue, remains a dirt lot and staging area for construction equipment for the nearby housing development. The sales tax revenue sharing agreement has yet to be finalized. Marina City Manager Layne Long says the dealership has not submitted a building permit. “We are continuing to meet with them and they are getting closer to submitting their application,” he says, adding that an updated construction schedule and incentive agreement will have to come back to the council once the development plans are finalized. An inquiry to Unstoppable Automotive Group was not returned as of press time. Unstoppable Automotive Group plans to build a 60,000-square-foot dealership, estimating it would start with more than 80 employees. Land acquisition and construction costs are expected to top $40 million. Under the agreement approved by the council in May, Marina would rebate half of the city’s 1-percent local share of sales tax revenue generated by the dealership to Unstoppable Automotive Group, for up to five years. The city expects to receive $6.4 million in tax revenue over the five years, according to a report by Long. Monterey County Clerk-Recorder documents show Marina Community Partners sold the property to Marina Auto Properties, a subsidiary of Unstoppable Automotive Group, on Dec. 19 for $5.3 million. Mercedes-Benz of Monterey is currently located at 498 Fremont St. in Monterey. It’s one of the top sales tax generators in the city, according to city reports. The business is billed as one of the first MercedesBenz dealerships to be established in the U.S., opening in 1957. Temeculabased Unstoppable Automotive Group purchased it in 2023. Farm Team EcoFarm to honor longtime local farmer Israel Morales Sr., an organic innovator. By Aric Sleeper NEWS HOUSING MATTERS Salinas City Councilmember Margaret D’Arrigo hosts a discussion on housing rights. The meeting is open to renters, property owners, managers and the public. 6-8pm Thursday, Jan. 22. Salinas City Hall, 200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas. Free. (831) 566-0824, echofairhousing.org. BLOOD BANK The American Red Cross is on the brink of a blood shortage, and asks the public to donate blood or platelets now. Blood drives are scheduled in Monterey County. 9:30am-1:30pm Friday, Jan. 23. Monterey Elks Lodge, 150 Mar Vista Drive, Monterey. 9:30am-1:30pm Friday, Jan. 23. Pacific Grove Community Center, 515 Junipero Ave., Pacific Grove. Free. Schedule at (800) 733-2767, redcrossblood.org. BY THE NUMBERS City of Carmel is moving forward with street addresses. Residents can learn more at a “Walk-In Day,” where the Street Addresses Group will answer questions and show residents how to navigate a draft map. 1-3:30pm Friday, Jan. 23. Carmel City Hall, Monte Verde Street, between Ocean and 7th, Carmel. Free. (831) 620-2000, ci.carmel.ca.us. AGING ACCESSIBLY Speak to agency representatives on a range of topics, including caregiver resources, dementia care, Medicare and Medi-Cal, legal services and more. Alliance on Aging’s South Monterey County Community Resource Fair also includes lunch. 11am-2pm Saturday, Jan. 24. Lockwood Community Center, 65951 Lockwood Road, Lockwood. Free. (831) 758-4011, allianceonaging.org. WHERE WE CAME FROM Those looking to dive into their genealogy journey or the latest technology are invited to the Ancestor Roundup genealogy seminar. The event, presented by the Daughters of the American Revolution, Commodore Sloat Chapter, includes classes on preserving family archives, Black American Freedman genealogy and more. 8am-4pm Saturday, Jan. 24. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1024 Noche Buena St., Seaside. $35-$47. bit.ly/AncestorRoundup2026, junel_d@ yahoo.com. PLANNING CHUALAR The County of Monterey is developing the Chualar Community Plan, intended to define the small community’s boundaries and encourage housing and commercial development. A survey is underway for residents to share their thoughts. Survey ends Feb. 12. English: surveymonkey.com/r/NHQJ7MF. Spanish: surveymonkey.com/r/GJ8ZYGL. Speed Bump Marina and Mercedes-Benz work on a new plan after previous agreement was never finalized. By Erik Chalhoub The EcoFarm Conference features pre-conference activities, including a bus tour, which allows participants to witness sustainable agriculture in action. E-MAIL: publiccitizen@montereycountynow.com PUBLIC CITIZEN “His life’s work is really gaining relevance.” ECOLOGICAL FARMING ASSOCIATION
www.montereycountynow.com JANUARY 22-28, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 We solve insurance problems for Monterey County’s business and nonprofit communities. Leavitt Central Coast Insurance is committed to giving back to our community, supporting initiatives that make a positive impact, and building connections that enrich the lives of those around us. Leavitt Central Coast Insurance Services As an experienced Benefits Broke and Human Resource Leader, I understand employee benefits from both the business and human sides. 950 East Blanco Road, Suite 103 Salinas | (831)424-6404
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 22-28, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com After a years-long legal battle between the Yuma, Arizonabased grower Desert Premium Farms and the Salinas harvester and distributor Andrew Smith Company, a Monterey County Superior Court jury concluded on Jan. 14 that the grower is not responsible for a 2018 E. coli outbreak caused by romaine lettuce. According to court documents, in 2018, multiple individuals became ill with a strain of E. coli after consuming items containing romaine lettuce at Panera Cafes. Following an investigation conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Food and Drug Administration months after the incident, the bacterial strain was traced back to the Wellton growing area of Yuma, Arizona, where Desert Premium Farms and other growers operate. However, the investigators were unable to locate the specific point in the growing area where the lettuce was contaminated. At the time, the Andrew Smith Company—founded in 1973 by Salinas native Andy Smith and now defunct due to reasons unrelated to this case— was contracted with Desert Premium Farms and other growers in the region to harvest romaine lettuce and distribute it to Panera’s processing facility. During the 2017-2018 growing season, Desert Premium Farms supplied the distributor with 8 million pounds of romaine lettuce, roughly 125,000 pounds of which came from a ranch irrigated with water from the Wellton area canal, where investigators found E. coli samples that matched the strain that sickened 13 Panera customers in 2018. In 2021, the Allied World Insurance Company, acting for the Andrew Smith Company, filed a lawsuit in Monterey Superior Court to recover money spent defending three of the injury claims stemming from the 2018 outbreak, totaling roughly $8.6 million in settlements and $350,000 in defense costs from Desert Premium Farms. Desert Premium Farms argued that it wasn’t contractually obligated to pay the costs and pointed out that pre-harvest testing conducted by the Andrew Smith Company did not identify traces of E.coli on the lettuce that was ultimately distributed. The attorneys for Desert Premium Farms explained in court arguments that their client was one of several growers contracted to grow romaine lettuce in 2018 and that the Andrew Smith Company harvested the crop and mixed it with lettuce from other suppliers at processing facilities before it reached consumers. They also made the case that the Andrew Smith Company could not prove without a doubt that the tainted lettuce was harvested from land owned by Desert Premium Farms and that it never ruled out the possibility that the lettuce was contaminated through its own actions. Attorneys representing both parties did not respond to requests for comment as of press time. After a trial in Monterey, a jury concluded on Jan. 14 that Desert Premium Farms did not break its contractual obligations and would not be responsible for the settlement and defense costs. Leaf Out An Arizona grower wins a long legal battle with Salinas distributor over 2018 E. coli outbreak. By Aric Sleeper The lawsuit against Andrew Smith Company, a Salinas distributor, revolved around romaine grown in Yuma, Arizona. There were 56,400 acres of romaine planted in Monterey County in 2024. NEWS The company did not identify traces of E. coli on the lettuce. DANIEL DREIFUSS MONTEREY PENINSULA Col lege NEW YEAR. FRESH START. SPRING AHEAD! mpc.edu/findaclass Spring Classes Start January 27th ENROLL TODAY! *Early Spring Classes: Jan 6-25 MONTEREY PENINSULA Col lege NEW YEAR. FRESH START. SPRING AHEAD! mpc.edu/findaclass Spring Classes Start January 27th ENROLL TODAY! *Early Spring Classes: Jan 6-25 MONTEREY PENINSULA Col lege NEW YEAR. FRESH START. SPRING AHEAD! mpc.edu/findaclass Spring Classes Start January 27th ENROLL TODAY! *Early Spring Classes: Jan 6-25 26 MONTEREY PENINSULA Col lege NEW YEAR. FRESH START. SPRING AHEAD! mpc.edu/findaclass Spring Classes Start January 27th ENROLL TODAY! *Early Spring Classes: Jan 6-25 *Early Spring Classes: Jan 5-24 17 LIBRARIES ONE MISSION Three Bookmobiles Your generosity opens windows to a larger world. Thank you for supporting us through MCGives! Su generosidad abre puertas a un mundo más grande. ¡Gracias por apoyarnos a través de MCGives! With your gift, we can reach families across all branches of our Monterey County Free Libraries. Help us fund literacy, access, and continued growth of all our unique communities. LIBRARIES Three Bookmobiles 17 ONE MISSION Con su donación, podemos llegar a familias en todas las sucrusales de nuestras Bibliotecas Gratis del Condado de Monterey. Ayúdenos a financiar la alfabetización, el acceso y el crecimiento continuo de todas nuestras comunidades únicas. Total Raised $57,787 Donors 162
www.montereycountynow.com JANUARY 22-28, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 15 Since before the downtown Pacific Grove entertainment venue/bar/record store Pop & Hiss opened in 2024, it faced stiff opposition from residents and future neighbors who challenged the venue’s use permit and alcohol license. Pop & Hiss overcame those challenges, but it continues to be at the center of controversy, more recently because its landlord is a city councilmember who voted in 2025 to explore raising decibel levels for all entertainment businesses. P.G. Councilmember Tina Rau owns the building at 215 Forest Ave., through Lovers Point Properties LLC. Rau told the Weekly previously that when the vote was approaching last year to consider advancing an ordinance raising the allowable decibel levels from 70 to 80, she asked City Attorney Brian Pierik if she needed to recuse herself. She was told she did not. On March 19, Rau and three other councilmembers voted 4-2 in favor. (Councilmember Cynthia Garfield was absent.) Within two weeks, a complaint was filed with the California Fair Political Practices Commission by three residents. In all, four complaints have been filed with the FPPC since last year. A Weekly request for information submitted to the FPPC in December resulted in receiving records including correspondence between the state agency and the city, detailing the complaints and defense of Rau’s vote by the City Attorney’s office. Pierik’s office sent at least two letters to the FPPC defending Rau’s ability to vote, calling her a “disinterested landlord,” and saying she has no financial interest in Pop & Hiss—Lovers Point Properties LLC is paid a flat rent, not a percentage of revenue. One letter also argued that the vote—to pursue an ordinance—had no impact on any business in the city. “The action taken by the City Council…did not commit the City to approving an increase in the noise level from 70dB to 80dB or to take any other action regarding noise levels,” an April 25 letter states. One anonymous complaint was amended by the complainant on Nov. 5 with new information, pointing out that contrary to the City Attorney’s statements, Pop & Hiss owner Michaela Kuenster once sat on the LLC’s board as a “manager/member.” (She has transitioned to being a tenant only.) “Any policy decision that benefits Pop & Hiss—such as increasing the allowable sound level in commercial districts—could therefore financially benefit the LLC, and by extension, Councilmember Rau,” the complaint stated. The complaint also argued that the omission by the city attorney’s office that Kuenster was an officer of the LLC “undermines the City Attorney’s portrayal of Rau as a ‘disinterested landlord’ and calls into question the accuracy of the City’s factual submissions.” FPPC officials are investigating. In the meantime, work by city staff on proposed changes to the noise ordinance is on hold. “We just have to let the process play out,” Rau says. “We can’t do much other than that…The law is on our side and I’m sure that will be borne out.” Sound Off An anonymous complaint about a P.G. noise ordinance vote cites a potential conflict of interest, spurring a state investigation. By Pam Marino Pacific Grove City Councilmember Tina Rau is under investigation by the state Fair Political Practices Commission for a vote on a noise ordinance. “We’re sure we’ll prevail,” she says. NEWS “We just have to let the process play out.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
16 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 22-28, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com MAN DOWN The city leadership of Marina’s choice to cancel an event on Martin Luther King Jr. Day after the unfortunate police shooting of a Black man at a traffic stop is a disappointment (“Marina police officer shoots and kills one person in a traffic stop,” posted Jan. 19). It simply serves as an example of how the suppression of free speech works. It literally shows a lack of understanding of the civil rights movement. What were they afraid may happen? A violent protest? King actually believed that the Christian doctrine of love operated through the Gandhian method of nonviolence. That is what he stood for! The ability for any and all oppressed people in the community to gather in their struggle for freedom and justice is exactly what should have been encouraged on MLK Day after such a tragedy. Laura Bourret | Seaside I suspect that the decision to cancel the MLK Day event did more harm. It is not a good look and sends a bad message. Celia Madison | via social media A traffic stop should never warrant a killing. Ebony Hand | Fresno It doesn’t matter if he had a background. Prayers for his family. Angela Hernandez | via social media CANNA BUSINESS These cities always act like they want local folks then end up awarding the permit to businesses that are basically McDonald’s (“Eight of 10 companies vying for a single P.G. cannabis license are linked to one source,” Jan. 15-21). Joey Espinoza | Salinas Off the Charts is a good dispensary, nice staff. Would be great for P.G. Katy Annigoni | via social media Katy, not doubting that—the discussion is on the flaws in the application process and the city’s internal management of this. Karin Locke | Pacific Grove DOCTOR’S ORDERS Dr. Tamler was my husband’s radiation oncologist. His staff, his care and his support are appreciated more than he can know. We never felt rushed and felt like a true part of our treatment. It saddens me that CHOMP has pushed out an excellent physician and human being (“A former CHOMP radiation oncologist files a breach of contract and whistleblower lawsuit against the hospital,” posted Jan. 15). Camille Jaque | Soledad Dr. Tamler was the most considerate and conscientious physician I’ve ever dealt with. During a stressful time of cancer treatment, he was a real human for us. For instance when a nurse told him “Your squamous cell is in the waiting room,” he took her aside and said he has a name and is not just his illness. I’ve never forgotten that. You go, Dr. Tamler! Kira Godbe | Carmel WORDS MATTER Five Salinas city leaders attended the censure of City Councilmember Andrew Sandoval over admitted violations of decorum predetermined to vote yes (“Andrew Sandoval censured for social media posts and his conduct at the dais,” posted Jan. 14). Over two hours of overwhelmingly pro-Sandoval comments didn’t influence the final outcome whatsoever. So much for the value of public input. So, Sandoval had his day in court, sort of, a truncated version of due process that involved no examination of the damning evidence (i.e., silly Instagram videos). And it’s now depressingly clear via comments from his colleagues and Sandoval himself that nothing will change moving forward. Just ever-more toxic working relationships among dysfunctional Salinas city leaders. Salinas’ new motto: “Potshots over Potholes!” Peter Szalai | Salinas BEHIND THE SCENES Your article gave us a thorough, in-depth look (“As Julie Packard prepares to retire, a look at her legacy that shaped the Monterey Bay Aquarium and its global impact,” Jan. 8-14). Julie’s original concept grew and morphed into something making a positive worldwide impact into the science of oceans, oceanography. She understood so well the importance of good oceanic health environmentally speaking meant, healthy oceans, equals healthy people on this planet. Christo Soper | Pacific Grove You missed a huge part of the story: volunteerism. Thousands and thousands of volunteers were trained and given the responsibility to meet the public and educate the masses about the importance of our oceans. That was a new idea Julie Packard’s mom initiated. What a gift, personally and to the community! Thanks for your reporting. You remind us of our personal responsibility to do what we can. Pat Dally | Carmel Valley OPEN SEA In response to Bill Dalhamer’s support for offshore drilling along our coast I encourage him to do a few things (“Letters,” Jan. 15-21). Go tidepooling and look closely and you will find an amazing assortment of creatures. Now imagine them coated in an oil slick. Walk along Asilomar beach and imagine it with globs of oil on the sand. Watch out for your dog. And I invite you to go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and visit the “Into the Deep” exhibit. I’ll pay for your ticket. If you do this, I think you will change your mind. For your edification: Our country’s massive production of oil means it often produces more oil than it consumes, so you don’t need to worry about depleting our oil supply. Lin Blaskovich | Pacific Grove HALF BAKED Michael and Hillary, feeling for you both as you work through an arduous process (“Big Sur Bakery’s owner and landlord negotiate to settle a court dispute and consider a possible sale,” Jan. 15-21). No doubt a lot, but essential and meaningful to us all. My prayer is that a win-win is established for the both of you and whatever is best for the Bakery and Loma Vista’s future. You got this. Pull it together. We love you! Tracy Parker | Big Sur 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 JANUARY 22-28, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 17 The idea that there are health fads that cycle in and out of the medical mainstream, not to mention the popular consciousness, is not new. (Was margarine ever a staple in your kitchen?) This kind of evolving advice is normal in a realm informed by science, because science is ever-developing. Studies done in volume and over years help change medical opinion. The frequency of certain tests and the recommended schedule for certain vaccines has been changing for a long time, well before the Covid-19 pandemic thrust the messaging about health into existential territory. But never before has the whiplash been so blatant and extreme as it has under the administration of President Donald Trump. There are even scientific studies evaluating his messaging about Covid during his first term. The peer-reviewed Journal of Medical Internet Research evaluated 11 of Trump’s tweets about unproven therapies and 65 times he mentioned those therapies— including hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine—in 2020. The conclusion: “Individuals in positions of power can sway public purchasing, resulting in undesired effects when the individuals’ claims are unverified. Public health officials must work to dissuade the use of unproven treatments for Covid-19.” How much sway public health officials hold is certainly open for interpretation. I asked Karen Smith, the public information officer for the County of Monterey Health Department, if information ever has flowed in a straight line. “There was a time that the [U.S. Centers for Disease Control] and [California Department of Public Health] and locals would pretty much be singing off the same sheet of music,” she says. These days, the County follows vaccine guidelines from a new four-state West Coast Health Alliance rather than the feds. “It’s a dance, because everything is in such flux,” Smith says. “It’s very frustrating; I feel sorry for the public.” The flux is not new, Smith says, but the proportion is new as of Covid-19. I don’t think it’s fair to shift the blame entirely onto Trump—health officials also struggled to articulate openly and honestly the nature of their own uncertainty about appropriate interventions, and failed to openly acknowledge they’d been wrong. (Remember that era of spraying down grocery bags?) The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Human Services released new nutritional guidelines this month, essentially flipping the old food pyramid—long since debunked—upside-down. It’s easy to hate the messenger (Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy in particular has advanced many controversial, unsupported and potentially dangerous views) but in this case, the message seems to generally be a good one, with a focus on real food and consuming more fruits and vegetables. There is controversy around its embrace of saturated fats, but it still looks better based on current information than the food pyramid I grew up with. Another communication problem comes in the form of hard prohibitions. I was troubled by a do-not-eat advisory around foraged mushrooms earlier this winter, when I thought more sensible advice would have been to exercise extreme caution. “Because death caps are hard to differentiate and the number [of hospitalizations] was high, all we could say was ‘don’t, just don’t,’” Smith says. For people who, like me (OK, like all of us?), raise an eyebrow at “just don’t” advice, Smith sees a solution. Community health workers became increasingly significant during the pandemic. These are not medical professionals but regular people trained in understanding public health guidelines, what we do and don’t know and able to answer people’s questions about “why.” The concept was so effective that the Health Department launched its own pilot program, Communities Reaching for Equity (CORE), about a year ago, with five community health workers now. “Healthy skepticism is a good thing,” Smith says. “But the toughest thing about public health communications is getting through the mis- and disinformation that’s confusing people.” The hope is that local people who earn trust and have time to talk through people’s hesitations can cut through the confusion. It’s a good model well worth replicating. Sara Rubin is the Weekly’s editor. Reach her at sara@montereycountynow.com. Inverted Pyramid With changing health guidelines, how do you know who to trust? By Sara Rubin CHECKED OUT…As a cephalopod columnist, Squid is acutely aware of the Fourth Estate. It’s the only estate Squid is involved in, since Squid’s tiny undersea lair doesn’t qualify as one. It’s a tough time for local journalism. KION suddenly shuttered its news operations in 2025, and the Salinas Californian and Monterey Herald are shells of their former selves. Squid reads whatever Squid can get Squid’s tentacles on, and that includes the Salinas Valley Business Journal, a publication of the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce. The publication is posted online and inserted monthly into the Californian and the Herald. Not only does it have a larger page count, but ironically it often covers issues better than the papers it’s inserted into. Squid read an article in the latest edition recapping 2025. In it, the Chamber wrote: “The demise of the KION news division means the Chamber is more needed than ever to serve as a check and balance for the people against government waste, fraud, abuse and excess.” Chamber CEO Colleen Bailey tells Squid’s colleague that the journal isn’t changing its mission—it has always served as a check and balance. Still, Squid knows the Business Journal inherently has a slant—the Chamber is beholden to its members, i.e. business owners, not the general public. But what’s good for business isn’t necessarily the same as what’s good for the average person. Squid will keep doing Squid’s thing on behalf of average seafaring creatures. LETTER FROM THE FUTURE… Speaking of local media, Squid grabs a hard copy of the Salinas Californian whenever Squid can. Squid started reading a calendar story—“Searching for a winter escape in the Monterey Bay area?”—and thought it seemed a little robotic. Then Squid checked the byline: “Dave DeMille, AI-assisted reporter.” Was DeMille a robot? Squid checked and he seems quite real, listed as the AI-assisted editor for USA Today Co., the Californian’s parent company. (Squid did not hear back from DeMille or AI on his behalf.) A note at the bottom of the story assured Squid that despite the use of AI, “Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process.” The ratio of AI to human—in event selection, writing writing the listicle, the observation that Monterey County vineyards are known for Pinot and Chardonnay—is not disclosed. Squid still relies on Squid’s own ink supply to write this column, but got inspired to try using AI to write love letters to Dinah the Doryteuthis. “Oh Dinah, you so fina, I would like to make you minah. Dear Dinah, so slippery, so squishy, so divine—sweet cephalopod, won’t you be mine?” So far, like DeMille, Dinah has not responded. Squid, assisted by AI, will be waiting. THE LOCAL SPIN SQUID FRY THE MISSION OF MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY IS TO INSPIRE INDEPENDENT THINKING AND CONSCIOUS ACTION, ETC. “All we could say was, ‘don’t, just don’t.’” SEND SQUID A TIP: squid@montereycountynow.com
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