MARCH 5-11, 2026 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT PUFFING UP CANNABIS LOUNGES 14 | PAJARO’S FLOW 15 | RBG ON STAGE 30 | MBFC KICKS OFF 36 FIRST PLACE GENERAL EXCELLENCE • 2025 CA JOURNALISM AWARDS • In a time of algorithmic playlists, a growing number of local DJs are doing something different: curating music. p. 20 By Sloan Campi SPINNING UP Published by FREE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY® Wedding2026-2027 cover_WG26.indd 1 2/19/26 1:41 PM Best of Monterey Bay® Wedding magazine inside
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 5-11, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com A COMMUNITY HUMAN SERVICES MUSIC FESTIVAL FUNDRAISER A COMMUNITY HUMAN SERVICES MUSIC FESTIVAL FUNDRAISER SPONSORED BY SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE USE, AND HOMELESS SERVICES IN MONTEREY COUNTY SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE USE, AND HOMELESS SERVICES IN MONTEREY COUNTY Banding Banding Together Together 2026 SCAN FOR TICKETS SATURDAY, MARCH 7 | 12:00 - 5:00 CA STATE PARK CUSTOM HOUSE PLAZA MONTEREY SATURDAY, MARCH 7 | 12:00 - 5:00 CA STATE PARK CUSTOM HOUSE PLAZA MONTEREY DANNYV RUMBA MADRE SEA.LVL RICHIE CUNNING W/ DJBADDJ & COLTON BELL DANNYV RUMBA MADRE SEA.LVL RICHIE CUNNING W/ DJBADDJ & COLTON BELL LIVE MUSIC BY LIVE MUSIC BY CRAFT AND FOOD VENDORS RESOURCE FAIR CRAFT AND FOOD VENDORS RESOURCE FAIR
www.montereycountynow.com MARCH 5-11, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 3 If you know Community Hospital, you know Montage Health. montagehealth.org The fact is, we’ve always been here. You’ve just known us by a different name. The people at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula created Montage Health to deliver exceptional care to more people, by expanding our services beyond the hospital. Today, we’re urgent care centers, wellness centers, primary care doctors, health insurance plans, and a groundbreaking mental health program for youth. Still independent, nonprofit, locally owned, and accountable only to the community we serve.
4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 5-11, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com MARCH 5-11, 2026 • ISSUE #1962 • ESTABLISHED IN 1988 Sara Rubin (iPhone SE) Spring came early for these California toads caught mid-amplexus in a puddle in Carmel Valley. The larger female lays thousands of eggs in gelatinous ribbons (shown underwater) and the male fertilizes them externally. Tadpoles should hatch within a couple of weeks. MONTEREY COUNTY PHOTO OF THE WEEK Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: DJ Daniel T (Dan Terndrup) spins regularly at Pop & Hiss in Pacific Grove and at Night Glide roller skating events hosted by Monterey Skates. The Los Angeles transplant quickly started searching for vinyl after he arrived in Monterey County. 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 MARCH 5-11, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 For more information, scan the QR code or visit SalinasValleyHealth.com/ortho When injuries or accidents happen, we are here to provide quality care for a smoother and faster recovery.* • Sports injuries • Acute pain • Fractures • Sprains and strains • Ligament tears • Ultrasound-guided injections • Splinting and casting • State-of-the-art X-ray services • Timely triage for acuity INJURIES WE TREAT SERVICES WE OFFER * Please note that we cannot treat work-related injuries. Minor Emergencies. Major Care. Expert Care for Orthopedic Injuries John Bonano, MD Salinas Valley Health Orthopedic Urgent Care Services 611 Abbott Street, Suite 101 Salinas 831-757-3041 Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm WALK-INS WELCOME!
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 5-11, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH The first two months of 2026 have seen the most attacks on journalists—physical or not—for the time period in the United States. The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, a project of the Freedom of the Press Foundation, reported 60 incidents, 54 of which were in January, marking the highest number since the Tracker started measuring in 2017. Most of the incidents stem from protests in Minneapolis and Los Angeles around federal immigration policy. One of those incidents happened Jan. 27 at the federal building in Eugene, Oregon, when photographer Robert Scherle was shoved and hit multiple times with projectiles by federal agents. FBI agents later arrived at his house, asking him to identify those who attended the protest. He declined. In a statement to the Eugene Weekly, the FBI said it asked people to share footage of the protest. “Should an interviewee identify themselves as a member of the media and produce identification or credentials, we have processes in place to request information that adheres to the Constitutional right ensuring freedom of the press,” according to the statement. Good: Monterey Bay FC is launching an amateur women’s soccer team this year that will benefit young girls in the Salinas Valley and beyond. To speed up the process, MBFC announced a partnership with Salinas Soccer Femenil and Cosmos Femenil F.C. “Monterey Bay FC, Salinas Soccer Femenil and Cosmos Femenil F.C. all share the same commitment of growing the game and expanding opportunities for young female athletes in our region,” said Oliver Wyss, MBFC’s chairman and chief soccer officer. The team will play in the NorCal Division of the United Soccer League W. “We wanted to make a statement that we’re here to support women,” says Maria Zamora, co-founder and CEO of SSF. Laura VanWart, head coach of CSU Monterey Bay women’s soccer team, will be its first coach. Tryouts to join the team begin on Sunday, March 8 at the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex. GREAT: A transitional housing complex that once sat on the brink of failure is now about to open with 46 affordable units with supportive services. In 2023, the Fairview Housing Complex, at 1030 Fairview Ave. in Salinas, was being transformed from a motel into housing for youth experiencing homelessness under the state’s Homekey program, when the developer began defaulting on loans—an employee of the developer allegedly stole millions in state funds and was recently arrested. Local and state officials collaborated to rescue the project—the Housing Authority of the County of Monterey purchased the site for $8 million with help from the state, City of Salinas and Monterey County Health Department—and now it’s ready to open to families who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. HACM is hosting a grand opening from 10:30am-2pm on Thursday, March 5. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s how many departing and arriving passengers the Monterey Regional Airport served in 2025, which is a 6.3-percent increase from 2024 and the most travelers served in a year by the airport, breaking the previous record of 637,903 served in 1978. Source: Monterey Regional Airport 659,867 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “On again, off again— it’s a joke. We worked so hard.” -Pecos League owner Andrew Dunn, after Monterey Parks and Recreation informed him it will not recommend approval of the Amberjacks’ agreement for 2026. The board meets on March 11 to consider the contract (see story, montereycountynow.com/news). The City of Monterey is an Equal Opportunity Employer. THE CITY OF MONTEREY Now Hiring! APPLY Today! Do you enjoy helping children? Are you flexible and adaptable? Do you have a positive attitude? SUMMER JOB OPPORTUNITIES • Playground Recreation Leader • Day Camp Counselor • Field Sports Recreation Leader • Camp Quien Sabe Resident Camp Counselor, Support Staff (Kitchen Helper, Handyperson, Crafts Assistant), Crafts Leader, Lifeguard and Cook WHERE TO APPLY: MONTEREY.GOV/SUMMERJOBS SCAN ME! OPEN DAILY FOR LUNCH AND DINNER EXPERIENCE THE ORIGINAL VALIDATED PARKING 136 OLIVIER ST. MONTEREY NEAR OLD FISHERMAN’S WHARF (831) 644-9007 WWW.BENIHANA.COM
www.montereycountynow.com MARCH 5-11, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 5-11, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com 831 Lupita Arroyo and Andrea Sanchez hover over a laptop inside a room at One Main Street in downtown Salinas on a recent Thursday afternoon, deep in troubleshooting mode. The laptop is connected to a large machine that looks like a 3D printer. But this machine is actually an Opentrons OT-2, a liquid-handling robot that is used in the realm of biotechnology. The arm of the robot dispenses liquid in the tiniest of vials in a precise but rapid manner. The screen on the laptop is filled with code, but Arroyo and Sanchez expertly comb through it, looking for one bit that is preventing the robot from doing what the two want it to do. The OT-2 is designed to automate processes that include sampling genetic material for the presence of the virus that causes Covid-19 and other experiments that require control of small quantities of liquids—complicated stuff for the average person. Here, though, it just needs to do something much simpler (at least in theory): pour liquid in the shape of the sun and an oyster shell. It’s week three of 14 for “How to Grow (Almost) Anything,” a class by the MIT Media Lab and taught concurrently throughout the world. Budding and experienced bio-enthusiasts alike tune in to weekly classes via Zoom and take what they’ve learned to complete projects at in-person labs in their communities. The Hartnell College Foundation is the newest “node” for the class, meaning it hosts a lab for students to use. It is just one of two in California. Ana Ibarra-Castro, director of K-12 STEAM Programs for the Hartnell College Foundation, says the number of local students participating may be small (five), but this class serves as a starting-off point to grow opportunities in the local biotech space in the near future. “There’s just so much in almost every industry that you could incorporate a biotech perspective,” she says. Being in Salinas, the agriculture industry is one where advances in biotechnology can have a major impact, such as engineering crops to be resistant to certain pests. Ibarra-Castro says the goal is to tailor future classes to the needs of the local community. “We’re known as the Salad Bowl of the World, and a lot of things are changing in agriculture, from a labor-intense industry to a mechanized industry,” she says. “One of the greatest impacts some of these technologies will have will be in agriculture.” The class was made possible locally thanks to Hartnell College receiving a workforce development grant from BioMADE, a nationwide organization that focuses on growing the workforce around biomanufacturing. Ibarra-Castro worked with MIT Media Lab professor David Kong on the grant application to BioMADE. Kong, who has been conducting the class for a number of years, has sought to expand its reach around the world through the “nodes.” Starting off with just students from MIT and Harvard, there’s now more than 1,000 students who participate globally. The class, which started in earnest the week of Feb. 3, runs through May 5 with a different topic each week, such as protein design, lab automation, building genomes and more. Students are able to tap into an expansive knowledge base of professors and teaching assistants around the world, each with their own areas of expertise. Ibarra-Castro is hopeful that such educational opportunities in biotechnology attract younger students, including those in middle and high school (noting one of the local students in the current class is in high school). With equipment costs being a significant barrier, accessibility is key to expanding the workforce. Such equipment can easily cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, Ibarra-Castro says, pointing to the relative affordability of the OT-2 robot, which can cost around $5,000 on the used market. The plan is to expand the lab at One Main Street and open it up to the broader community with various workshops and open lab dates. “We’re very interested in exploring the intersection of the industry we live in with what we offer here at the college,” she says. “A lot of things are changing, and we need to make sure we are looking at those changes and what it means for our local community and the opportunities that lie ahead.” Lab Work A worldwide biotech class has a presence in Salinas, teaching students about a growing field. By Erik Chalhoub “One of the greatest impacts…will be in agriculture.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE DANIEL DREIFUSS Lupita Arroyo (left) and Andrea Sanchez work on programming an Opentrons OT-2 robot during a lab in Salinas for a 14-week-long biotech class. The students are joining others throughout the world in completing assignments. SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2026 MONTEREY CONFERENCE CENTER WITH MASTER OF CEREMONIES DAN GREEN, KSBW ACTION NEWS 8 ANCHOR Annual Awards Dinner GET TICKETS! montereychamber.com In CelebrationOf: 2025 Citizens of the Year Kelli Uldall and Steve Snider Carmel Magazine 2025 Ruth Vreeland Memorial Public Official of the Year Robin McCrae Community Human Services 2025 Robert C. Littlefield Award for Lifetime Achievement Keith Severson GraniteRock 2025 Community Impact Award Dan Baldwin Community Foundation for Monterey County Business of the Year Award To Be Announced During the Event PRESENTED BY
www.montereycountynow.com MARCH 5-11, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 2020 INFORMATIONAL SESSIONS AND INTERVIEWS TO BE HELD AT 2:00 PM AT THESE LOCATIONS THE SUPERIOR COURT URGES YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN IMPROVING YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT! Greenfield Tuesday May 12 Monterey Wednesday May 13 www.monterey.courts.ca.gov/grandjury (831) 775-5400 Extension 3014 Salinas Thursday May 14 Monterey Courthouse Wednesday, May 6 at 2:00 pm Salinas Courthouse Thursday, May 7 at 2:00 pm King City Courthouse Friday, May 8 at 10:30 am www.monterey.courts.ca.gov/general-information/grand-jury (831) 775-5400 Extension 3014 The 2026–2027 Civil Grand Jury Needs You! 2026 INFORMATIONAL SESSION AND INTERVIEWS TO BE HELD AT THESE LOCATIONS PREVENTION•EDUCATION TREATMENT•RECOVERY HOPE. RECOVERY. HEALING. Let’s recognize the challenges and triumphs of recovery and encourage individuals and communities to work together to support those in need. WWW.SUNSTREETCENTERS.ORG Community Garden at Hope Housing in Marina, CA
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 5-11, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com NEWS The Salinas Intermodal Transit Center is a hub on Market Street, serving as both an Amtrak train and Monterey-Salinas Transit bus station. Besides providing mobility, the site is also full of history, with the California Welcome Center focused on the agriculture industry’s evolution in Monterey County, and the First Mayor’s House. The Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad Museum is next door. Last year, Craig Kaufman (representing the Welcome Center) and Denise Estrada (from the First Mayor’s House) presented to the Salinas Historic Resources Board and proposed designating the transit center as a heritage park, hoping to attract tourism and boost economic activity in the area. When the city’s Historic Resource Board convened on Monday, March 2, they discussed the possible designation. If approved, it would put into motion a name change (one potential name is Salinas City Heritage Park), rebranding and signage. “People driving by there really don’t know what’s down there, and this new name change will help get people to all of the historic resources and open house and welcome center, etc.,” Don Lauritsen, a board member at the First Mayor’s House, told the HRB on March 2. The board voted 5-1, with Eloise Shim dissenting, to revisit a revised version of the resolution in the future. Concerns included limited community involvement, an incomplete Intermodal Transit Center master plan and vague resolution language. “We’re not looking for perfection. We’re just looking to move forward so everything is addressed,” said Michael Mazgai, an HRB board member. Train Whistle Salinas inches toward heritage designation of its transit center, hoping to increase tourism. By Celia Jiménez Monterey County Supervisor Kate Daniels sees the bumper-tobumper rush hour traffic on Highway 68 and her thoughts go to housing. The daily backup represents thousands of workers who can’t afford to live on the Monterey Peninsula and other areas of the district she represents. “As someone who grew up in this area, I grew up in a time when people could live where they work and that has become so much more difficult to attain today in District 5,” she says. Her teachers all lived where they worked; her neighbors were electricians, contractors and health care workers. “These were all family friends. And this entire workforce does not live here anymore.” The housing market in recent years has focused on either single-family homes priced beyond the means of middle class workers or subsidized affordable housing, creating what’s been dubbed the “missing middle.” To address the challenge, Daniels wants county leaders to consider a transfer tax in unincorporated Monterey County on the sale of luxury homes over $10 million. The revenue generated by such a tax would go into a local housing fund to encourage the construction of missing middle, or moderate-level housing. It would not be enough to build homes, Daniels says, but could be used as developer incentives, help for first-time homebuyers, or rental assistance, among other possibilities. Daniels asked county staff last month to conduct a feasibility study, looking at other cities in California that have implemented transfer taxes. Voters in San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland and Santa Cruz have approved them, varying in terms of which homes are eligible and where the revenue goes. San Francisco’s revenue goes into the general fund, while Santa Cruz’s transfer tax revenue is slated to go toward affordable housing. In San Jose, the tax is applicable to most home sales, which Daniels believes is too low of a threshold, possibly slowing home sales and creating a situation that is punitive to sellers of lower-priced homes. By focusing on sales of $10 million or more—and there are many in her district along the coast, in Carmel Valley and Big Sur—she believes a transfer tax would not impact sales. “We’re seeing homes that perhaps were $400,000 or $500,000 that are now in the tens of millions,” she says. “When you live in an area with those home values, there is a domino effect.” The tax will likely face pushback. Adam Pinterits, government and community affairs director for the Monterey County Association of Realtors, says that while MCAR appreciates Daniels’ efforts to advance the conversation on housing, the county “needs more affordable-by-design homeownership opportunities, not policies that unintentionally reduce them.” Pinterits points to a 2025 study by Tufts University that concluded that every 1-percent increase in transfer tax corresponded to an 8-percent drop in sales. “We simply can’t tax our way to affordability,” Pinterits says. Daniels’ proposal is scheduled for discussion by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, March 17. A feasibility study to be prepared by county staff is underway. The Butterfly House on Scenic Drive in unincorporated Carmel sold for $29 million in 2023. A proposed transfer tax would levy a tax on the sale of homes over $10 million. Taxing Time A proposal to create a housing fund by taxing the sale of luxury homes heads to county supes. By Pam Marino Craig Kaufman at the California Welcome Center, with information on the history of the Southern Pacific Railroad and its importance to the development of the agriculture industry. “This entire workforce does not live here anymore.” DANIEL DREIFUSS DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com MARCH 5-11, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 NE Corner of Dolores & 11th, Carmel-by-the-Sea 2 Beds, 1 Bath • $2,799,950 • www.DoloresAnd11th.com 67 & 69 W Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley 2 Beds, 1 Bath • $1,999,000 • www.CarmelValleyVenture.com 22241 Toro Hills Drive, Salinas 4 Beds, 2.5 Baths • $1,599,000 • www.22241ToroHillsDr.com 70 Forest Ridge Road #30, Monterey 2 Beds, 2.5 Baths • $825,000 • www.ForestRidge30.com Interested in a property? Contact us to schedule a showing! 831.624.2300 MontereyCoastRealty.com CalDRE #01871677 Locally Owned. Globally Connected. View all available listings by scanning the code Let the Best Of Monterey Bay® Family readers know what you have to offer. FOR MORE INFO: CALL: 831-394-5656 EMAIL: sales@montereycountynow.com FamilyFREE 2025-2026 BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® SUMMER CAMP LISTINGS 2025 FORGING LIFE SKILLS CAMP FROM A COUNSELOR’S PERSPECTIVE TEAM BONDING PUBLISHED BY cover_family_25.indd 1 3/20/25 10:59 AM SUMMER PLANNING IS AROUND THE CORNER SUMMER CAMPS • ACTIVITIES • HEALTH • SCHOOLS PUBLISHING APRIL 2 AD DEADLINE MARCH 13
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 5-11, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com Although it is currently just planes of leveled dirt—marked off by concrete retaining walls and divided by shallow channels and square depressions with jutting rebar—the future site of Monterey Regional Airport’s new terminal is beginning to take shape. The replacement terminal, which broke ground in June 2025, is part of the phased project known as the Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) Metamorphosis, or Safety Enhancement Program. The $200 million project includes numerous upgrades, such as a new fire station (already completed) and a relocated taxiway (the final phase), with the new terminal expected to emerge from its chrysalis in the summer of 2027. “I’m excited for the community because I think all of this will make for a better travel experience,” MRY Executive Director Chris Morello says. MRY Project Manager Dan Johanson explains that the new terminal will have five gates and be roughly the same size as the current terminal, which will remain open (including administrative offices and Woody’s Restaurant & Bar) after its successor is complete. “From Gate 1 to Gate 5 is approximately 330 feet,” Johanson says on a site tour. “It’s the same scale as the existing building. It seems big, but it is still very compact.” Morello adds that although the amount of square footage is similar, the use of space in the terminal has been completely reimagined to maximize efficiency and benefit passengers: “[In the replacement terminal], the bulk of the square footage is on the secure side, where in the current terminal, the bulk of the square footage is on the non-secure side.” Two contractor teams are working on the site: Hensel Phelps, with about 75 workers constructing the terminal, and approximately 25 from Otto Construction, working on parking lots and circulation. The latter includes transforming the intersection of Garden and Olmsted roads into a roundabout. That project started on Monday, March 2. Construction is slated to take 18 weeks and end before Car Week in August. For the replacement terminal, the next big step is steel. Johanson says the construction team will start “going vertical” with steel structural supports at the end of April, and if everything goes according to plan, passersby and passengers will begin to see “the skeleton of the building” by Memorial Day. Eight years ago, a milestone law for climate adaptation took effect to ensure California could maintain adequate water supplies for generations to come. The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, or SGMA, created a 25-year roadmap by which local agencies would begin modeling, implement sustainability plans and enforce compliance. While still early in the overall timeline, 2026 marks a significant decision year as the Salinas Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency brings together feasibility studies, modeling and economic analysis to formulate a set of projects and management actions to carry forward. “It’s a big year of decision-making and getting the whole community behind it,” says Piret Harmon, general manager of SVBGSA. “We need to choose a suite of projects to move forward, and that’s going to happen this summer.” For agriculture, the largest groundwater user in most basins, the impacts of SGMA are predicted to look different than for residential users. About 95 percent of water used in Monterey County is extracted from groundwater aquifers, with nearly 200,000 acres of land under cultivation in the Salinas Valley. Approximately 500,000 acre-feet of water per year are pumped in the valley, of which about 450,000 acrefeet are used for agriculture. Future possibilities include shifting to crops that use less water or keeping some land unirrigated, although it is likely too early in the process to tell. Robbie Long is general manager for Braga Ranch, and also sits on the advisory committee for his subbasin. He says the company does not anticipate increased operational expenses outside of collected fees and is not anticipating the need for new infrastructure to comply with SGMA. “It’s too soon to tell how, and in what areas, farms may be impacted,” Long says. “But certainly, there are discussions regarding reduced pumping and fallowing farmland. These could lead to decreased agricultural production in the Salinas Valley.” Taking Off Monterey Regional Airport’s ‘metamorphosis’ project is underway. By Aric Sleeper NEWS FULL STOP The City of Monterey is considering changing the traffic signal at the intersection of Prescott Avenue and Taylor Street. Learn about possible alternatives. 5:30-7:30pm Thursday, March 5. Hilltop Park Center, 871 Jessie St., Monterey. Free. (831) 646-3921, monterey.gov. FUTURE VISION Share your ideas about the future of Salinas. City officials share the Visión Salinas 2040 General Plan and accept feedback. 9am-noon Saturday, March 7. One Main Street, 1 Main St., Salinas. Free. Register at tinyurl.com/GPREG26. EQUIPPED FORCE Monterey Police Department hosts a meeting to discuss its use of military equipment. The meeting and report is required annually by the state. 6pm Monday, March 9. Monterey City Council Chambers, 580 Pacific St., Monterey. Also via Zoom at bit. ly/26MontereyAB481. Free. View the report at monterey.gov. (831) 6463965. IN MEMORIAM The County of Monterey commemorates the unveiling of the Covid Memorial Garden. The memorial honors those in Monterey County who died from Covid-19. 10:30am Tuesday, March 10. Board of Supervisors Chambers, 168 W. Alisal St., first floor, Salinas. Also via Zoom at montereycty.zoom.us/j/224397747. Free. (831) 755-5011, mejiacortezj@ countyofmonterey.gov. WATER WISE League of Women Voters of Monterey County present a talk titled “Water 101: Who’s in Charge?” Representatives from local water agencies provide project updates. 11:30am (program begins at 12:30pm) Wednesday, March 11. Unitarian Universalist Church, 490 Aguajito Road, Carmel. $25/lunch; free/talk. (831) 236-1611, beverlygb@gmail.com. RACE TO THE TOP Six Democratic candidates for governor of California participate in a forum about issues facing the state and the local area. The forum is presented by the Democratic Women of Monterey County, Democratic Women’s Club of Santa Cruz County and San Benito County Democrats. 6-8pm Thursday, March 12. Hilton Garden Inn, 1000 Aguajito Road, Monterey. $25; $10/students. dw-mc. org. RIVER RESILIENCE The draft Pajaro River Watershed Resilience Plan is available for the public’s review and feedback. The plan guides the future planning process for the Pajaro River watershed. Comment period runs through March 16. pvwater.org/prwrp. Deep Well 2026 marks a key decision year for groundwater management in the Salinas Valley. By Katie Rodriguez The construction of Monterey Regional Airport’s replacement terminal is underway and slated for completion in the summer of 2027. One new feature will be jet bridges. E-MAIL: publiccitizen@montereycountynow.com PUBLIC CITIZEN “It’s the same scale as the existing building… very compact.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com MARCH 5-11, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 americanleisurepatio.com 944 Blossom Hill Rd San Jose | 1118 Ocean Street Santa Cruz COME SEE US TODAY! (831) 423-2425 (408) 446-9350
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 5-11, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com Smoke. Odor. Public safety. How to mitigate and measure intoxication. These were the primary concerns raised by Monterey County planning commissioners at a workshop on Wednesday, Feb. 25. It was the first meeting following years of research and industry discussion on the subject, step one in drafting an ordinance that could allow cannabis consumption on-site at retail locations in unincorporated areas. After continued requests from the industry, the County Board of Supervisors directed staff in fall 2025 to prepare recommendations, the subject of the Feb. 25 workshop. “It’s kind of the next natural progression of the cannabis industry,” says Joey Espinoza, a longtime industry advocate. “The opportunity to have a consumption lounge is a big step, and it could potentially help the industry and operators be a little more innovative. It’s very difficult to be innovative when you’re so heavily regulated.” Since 2016, cannabis has been legal for recreational use in California. The industry has faced a rocky road, with tax revenue to the County of Monterey collapsing from $20 million in 2021 to $3 million in 2024. Several California cities, including San Francisco and West Hollywood, have pioneered cannabis consumption lounges. County planners analyzed regulations in those jurisdictions, as well as in Santa Cruz County and National City in San Diego County. Mike Novo, a management specialist for the Monterey County Planning Department, presented several options, ranging from streamlined approval to a complete prohibition. Novo supported the streamlined option, which would allow retailers to obtain County staff approval for indoor consumption, with additional permitting required for outdoor consumption. While commissioners generally supported creating a path forward, they debated how to address public health risks associated with a substance whose effects are less understood than alcohol or cigarettes. “Our directive is how to figure out how to do this safely,” Commissioner Martha Diehl said. Commissioners debated how to ensure proper ventilation and how to control odors associated with cannabis consumption. They compared potential cannabis lounges to cigar lounges as well as bars, raising questions about secondhand smoke risks and how to detect patrons who are too inebriated. Commissioners also discussed hours of operation, on-site food sales and the inclusion of live entertainment. County staff anticipate returning to the Planning Commission with revised draft ordinances this spring. The commission will then make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors. “It gives people an opportunity to have somewhere to go,” says Aram Stoney, co-founder of Big Sur Canna+Botanicals. “I’ve seen people just out in the parking lot or over on a bench somewhere. This isn’t going to stop that completely, but it does give people that chance. It also opens up the door for other sources of revenue for an already struggling industry.” Smoke Point Monterey County planning commissioners discuss next steps to allow on-site cannabis consumption. By Katie Rodriguez Aram Stoney at Big Sur Canna+Botanicals, one of two Carmel-area dispensaries in unincorporated Monterey County. (There are eight total in the County’s jurisdiction.) NEWS “It gives people an opportunity to have somewhere to go.” DANIEL DREIFUSS Voted Monterey County’s Best Antique Shop ’25 ♦ 3 Card Poker ♠ Century 21st No Bust Black Jack ♣ Texas Hold’em ♥ FULL BAR! BLACKJACK BONUS POINTS PAYS UP TO $20,000 SMALL TOWN BIG PAYOUTS! 1-800-Gambler • GEAR-000383, GEAR-000376, GEAR-000375 The Marina Club Casino ensures the safety and security of all guests and team members at all times, while providing exceptional service. 204 Carmel Ave. Marina 831-384-0925 casinomonterey.com ♠ ♣ ♥ ♦ Just minutes from Downtown Monterey Where Monterey Comes To Play
www.montereycountynow.com MARCH 5-11, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 15 It’s been three years since the Pajaro River levee crumbled and the river flooded the town of Pajaro, displacing hundreds of people and causing untold amounts of damage to homes and businesses. Decades in the making, a project to bolster the levee in Pajaro and Watsonville is at last expected to begin construction in earnest this week, but first in Watsonville. Pajaro residents will have to spend a few more winters with the current levee, as the portion that breached and was repaired in 2023 may not begin construction until 2029 or 2030. Mark Strudley, executive director of the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency, says the Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Project takes years of effort behind the scenes, and support from the federal and state governments, before heavy equipment arrives on the scene. That includes moving Pacific Gas & Electric utilities, as well as sewer lines. It also involves purchasing properties, and making sure those landowners are compensated for their losses, he says. The project must also be creatively designed in order to minimize the impacts to properties along the levee. “Three years later, getting construction started may seem like a long time, and it is,” Strudley says. “It’s a complicated process that unfortunately takes a long time to get to the starting line of construction.” The cost of the $599 million project is shared by the state and federal government. But when the Trump administration cut $38.5 million in funding for the project in 2025, it put future construction of the levee in jeopardy. The project received good news in February, as U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff announced they had secured $54 million in federal funding for the levee, filling in what was cut and giving the next phase of the project a boost. The next three sections of the project are now in the design phase. For Pajaro residents, rebuilding from the flood continues. The $20 million flood relief package secured by Pajaro’s representatives in the State Legislature was fully expended by the end of 2025, as was required, which included direct aid to residents and businesses, as well as infrastructure improvements. It also included grants to community organizations, such as to Hijos del Sol and Community Bridges, which celebrated the completion of a giant mural on Salinas Road on Feb. 27. Community Bridges CEO Ray Cancino estimates about 20 percent of Pajaro’s population moved out of the town since the flood, due to high housing costs and fears over federal immigration policy and the levee. Commitment from the state and federal governments goes a long way toward helping Pajaro residents feel safe and find opportunities here, Cancino notes. “But at the same time, we live in a flood zone,” he says. “Mother Nature doesn’t care about engineering. For me, it’s a constant reminder that you need to understand where you live and that you’re never going to be truly safe if you’re living in a flood zone.” Slow Flow Three years after the Pajaro River levee breached, rebuilding continues at a steady pace. By Erik Chalhoub Hijos del Sol founder Jose Ortiz was one of the muralists who worked on a massive new piece in Pajaro with images that represent the community’s rise from the flood of 2023. NEWS “Getting construction started may seem like a long time, and it is.” DANIEL DREIFUSS The Peninsula’s Downtown Shops, restaurants, hotels and businesses Spend some time with us Downtown… oldmonterey.org 11:30am-close, 10am Sat & Sun 484 Washington Street Downtown Monterey 831.643.9525 www.melvilletav.com WOOD FIRED PIZZAS, BURGERS, PASTA, SAlADS & SANDWICHES INDOOR, PATIO DINING & TAKEOUT HAPPY HOUR FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS SUN-tHUR 4-6PM wEEKEND BRUNCH Family-Owned. Locally Loved. Since 1980. 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16 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 5-11, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com INSTANT RECALL What is going on with the City Council? Who is actually behind this? I am disgusted with the turmoil in our council (“Residents mount a recall effort against Salinas Councilmember José Luis Barajas,” posted Feb. 24). They all need to be replaced. Alice Giottonini | Salinas At this point, get rid of all of them and start over (“A notice to circulate a recall petition against a Salinas councilmember fails for lack of signatures,” posted Feb. 26). I don’t care if I like them or not. This is like watching high school drama. A bunch of “mean girls.” Rachelle Davi-Razzeca | Moss Landing THE EPSTEIN FILES Disturbing, sick and horrifying to say the least! (“A Carmel Valley woman worked for the infamous man who befriended her family,” Feb. 26-March 4.) Tiffany Newman | Carmel How disappointing that you would name their daughter, who was a minor during any period of this time. Name and shame adults but please remember that there are children involved. While she may be 22 now, when Epstein died in 2019 she would have been a minor. Shame. Melissa Daniels | via social media BREAKING GROUND Congratulations—continuing the good work they have already done (“The Seaside City Council chooses a development group to take on the Main Gate property,” Feb. 26-March 4). Jay Donato | Salinas They seem to be the only developer that has the funds, the vision and the ability to complete a project. Maybe they can take on the Grand Hyatt for their next project since there’s been no movement since groundbreaking. Valentina Rosendeau | via social media HOT SEAT To Mr. [John] Gaglioti: The concept of term limits for government seats is to provide communities a chance to approach existing problems with fresh eyes in hopes of finding better solutions (“A voting process for a LAFCO commissioner turns political, and kind of mean,” posted Feb. 19). To suggest we need to keep only a “distilled” LAFCO board is to suggest a moribund adherence to the status quo, which frankly is not acceptable to me in light of the increasing congestion and the management of resources here in Monterey County. It sounds as though Mr. [Jonathan] Ahmadi is willing to recognize and honor LAFCO’s actual mission and not just pay it lip service. I am heartened to hear Ahmadi echo my concerns about our disappearing quality of life that only seems to be progressing under current leadership, and I believe there are many other residents that feel the same way. It is time for a change. Tina Walsh | Marina PLAY BALL Considering how whiny and unprofessional his social media posts were, I could see how he could be difficult and time-consuming to deal with! (“Parks and Recreation staff to recommend against an agreement with the Monterey Amberjacks,” posted March 1.) I went to an Amberjacks game once and was underwhelmed. Kim Smith | Monterey I also agree if you took the best players locally (18 and over) you would absolutely smash the Amberjacks. Alexander Swartz | via social media BOOB JOB So sad. Women rely on medical establishments without needing to check for fraud and abuse (“District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni files suit against owner of defunct mammography center,” posted March 2). Maureen Wruck | Salinas CORNER STORE And this makes a difference why, exactly? It’s sold alcohol from the time it opened to the time it closed, and if you didn’t buy it there, there are other markets and convenience stores close by you could go to (“A Marina convenience store is approved despite concerns about alcohol saturation in the area,” Feb. 19-25). It’s not like this is some new or unique product, carrying alcohol in a convenience store. Eric Gates | via social media [There are] nine other stores in close proximity. Kelly Hendrix Boutelle | via social media This is a strong and accurate article that highlights the real concerns many residents have raised. While the Planning Commission has approved the project, the key issue now is how this business will actually operate. Will it truly function as a neighborhood convenience store with limited, incidental alcohol sales—or will it effectively become another liquor store and smoke shop? There is still a limited window to appeal the ABC license decision. If our community is serious about addressing alcohol sales over-concentration and protecting quality of life, now is the time to speak up. Brian McCarthy | Marina Note: McCarthy filed a protest against the license with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. RISING ABOVE Thank you, Monterey County Now, for this article (“A teenager’s message in a poem: Let’s make the world a better place,” posted Feb. 21). This poem is a testament of what we (Black people) still endure on a daily basis. This poem represents that we will not go away, we will not let our history and legacy be erased. We will be silent no more. We are not monkeys or apes! As people continue to keep us below the line, we rise above it. Famous words of Michelle Obama: “When they go low, we go high.” Although there is much more work to do, Zechariah Alexander’s generation will carry the torch and one day get us to the promised land. Lisa Lewis | Seaside What an amazing young woman (“Monterey High School senior Paris Charles represents the next generation of Black leadership,” Feb. 26-March 4). We are so lucky to have her to show us all how to do better. Lisa Bernardi | Seaside 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 MARCH 5-11, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 17 Hundreds of pages of planning documents and three drafts, now two-plus years into an eight-year planning cycle, the County of Monterey is still lacking a certified housing element. The concept behind these documents, required by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, is for each jurisdiction to plan for housing needs based on existing and projected future population. It should come as a surprise to no one that every jurisdiction in the tri-county region needs more housing. In the case of unincorporated Monterey County, the magic number to plan for is 3,326 units between 2023-2031. The state has so far sent back the county’s proposal twice for revisions. After the third draft closed to public comment on Feb. 24, the County resubmitted again, hoping for HCD’s blessing this time. While that process is underway and the County is without a certified housing element, state law allows for developers to move swiftly and push forward projects under a provision called Builder’s Remedy. It forces agencies to approve projects that would otherwise probably never pass muster. In concept, I think Builder’s Remedy is a great idea—it means less pushing paper, more shovels in the ground. But these fasttrack projects can also be horribly misaligned. Such is the case of a proposal for 711 Viejo Road, just east of Highway 1 between Monterey and Carmel, that envisions a massive 11-story building, roughly the size of Seaside’s Embassy Suites, plunked down on a steeply sloped property where today there are mostly just trees. It would include 239 units of housing (191 at market rate and 48 low-income). The Monterey City Council voted 4-0 on Feb. 17 to write a comment letter voicing a range of concerns including traffic, emergency egress, lack of water supply and the need for a septic plan. The developer is Carmel Housing Group LLC, registered to Fullerton-based Ben Eilenberg, an attorney whose license has been suspended by the State Bar. I was unable to reach Eilenberg for comment, but in emails to County officials, he has already threatened litigation and declined to answer planners’ questions about basic things like the floor plan, drainage plan and so on. California’s environmental protections might be cumbersome, but Builder’s Remedy is not a substitute for sensible projects that take into account basic health and safety elements. Speaking to Monterey City Council about the project on Feb. 17, City Community Development Director Kim Cole offered a theory: Eilenberg might be planning to negotiate a much smaller project. “This is clearly a chess play by the developer,” she said. Eilenberg also has Builder’s Remedy projects in Carpinteria, Los Gatos and Santa Barbara, according to news reports. He seems positioned for a fight. Whether it’s to make a point or make money (or both) remains unknown. Meanwhile, some Builder’s Remedy projects progressing in Monterey County are far more reasonable, proposed by developers actually willing to talk to the community. Big Sur-based Patrick Orosco of the Orosco Group is meeting at 6:30pm on Wednesday, March 18 with the Carmel Valley Association about his 90-unit Carmel Valley proposal. Jeff Damavandi of LA is proposing 127 units on the site of a nearly century-old hospital building near Carmel. The Diocese of Monterey has a proposal in the works. Monterey Mayor Tyller Williamson signed the letter expressing concern about Eilenberg’s absurd proposal, but expressed frustration that he was being asked to do so at all. “It’s really disappointing that someone is taking advantage of a system that is meant to do good,” he said. “The last thing I want to do is make it appear as if the city of Monterey is anti-development, anti-growth. This makes the situation worse. When someone tries to take advantage of a situation to line their own pockets, it’s disgusting.” Builder’s Remedy should be just that—a remedy that bypasses some of the zoning restrictions that make development too slow and too expensive, helping right-size California’s housing supply. But impossible projects are a distraction: We need real and buildable housing, not more lawsuits. Sara Rubin is the Weekly’s editor. Reach her at sara@montereycountynow.com. Battle of the Builders State policy meant to jumpstart housing can also lead to bad planning. By Sara Rubin BURIED TREASURE…Squid has already plundered most of the sunken treasure in Squid’s watery lair— good supplemental income to work as a columnist— and lately has been thinking about oozing onto land to see what shiny objects Squid can dig up with the help of Squid’s treasure-sniffing doggo, Roscoe P. Coltrane. Squid also thought Squid would invite Neal the eel to wiggle along on the journey, perhaps on the former Fort Ord in Del Rey Oaks, to help to discover a trove of old, shiny objects, maybe grab some shrimp tacos at Taqueria Zarape afterward and make a day of it. However, Squid and Neal’s aspirations were buried after the Del Rey Oaks City Council approved a new ordinance on Tuesday, Feb. 24 banning metal detecting on the city-owned land in the former Fort Ord. It turns out that this year, city officials realized that although excavation on Fort Ord parcels was already banned by an existing ordinance, metal detection was not specifically prohibited. Squid realizes that digging on the old military base isn’t the greatest idea and is already illegal, with all the potentially unexploded explosives in the dirt, so Squid will take Squid’s passion for finding shiny objects back into the deep sea. Neal knows a good spot for seafood in Monterey Canyon, anyway. TRAVEL BAN…Squid rarely oozes far from Squid’s lair, but knows many migratory creatures—including humans—like to take trips. Many parts of Monterey County are popular destinations for travelers, with tourism as the second-biggest economic sector. With tourism come some challenges and See Monterey, the county’s convention and visitors bureau, is trying to get the message out about being kind to the place. Squid can think of a few messages: Don’t park your car in the middle of Highway 1 in Big Sur (it’s, um, a highway) and don’t litter—cephalopods live here. One travel site, Travel Off Path, took things in a different direction with a March 1 story titled, “7 Destinations Americans Should Not Visit This Summer,” and No. 2 on the list is…Monterey County. As if traffic back-ups on Bixby Bridge (the featured photo) mean you should also avoid attractions like Pinnacles National Park, the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the River Road wine trail. According to the story, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors voted in January to ban shortterm rentals (not true). Facts aside, Travel Off Path offers: “The remaining legal hotels…are operating at absolute maximum capacity, with prices skyrocketing to match the sudden lack of inventory.” Wait, what? Squid searched for lodging over July Fourth weekend and found multiple options at a range of price points. Is Airbnb sponsoring this stuff? For Squid’s part, Squid will spend tourism season like usual: oozing around and people-watching. THE LOCAL SPIN SQUID FRY THE MISSION OF MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY IS TO INSPIRE INDEPENDENT THINKING AND CONSCIOUS ACTION, ETC. “This is clearly a chess play by the developer.” SEND SQUID A TIP: squid@montereycountynow.com
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