APRIL 16-22, 2026 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT 24 HOURS OF BIKING 8 | PAY TO PARK 12 | SUNNY STREETS 15 | CELEBRATE EARTH DAY 26 | REGGAE ICON 31 FIRST PLACE GENERAL EXCELLENCE • 2025 CA JOURNALISM AWARDS • Returning favorites join new adventures at Sea Otter Classic, where trials await the athletes and the volunteers behind them, on and off the course. p. 20 PUMP IT UP
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 16-22, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com JOIN WORLD’S BIGGEST OUTDOOR FESTIVAL April 16–19, 2026 Monterey, CA
www.montereycountynow.com APRIL 16-22, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 3 The Salinas Valley Health Diabetes & Endocrine Center is a leading resource dedicated to caring for adult, pediatric, and gestational diabetes patients. We offer services in both English and Spanish to meet the needs of our diverse community. Caring for Our Community Fighting Diabetes Together MONTEREY COUNTY IN 2025 *Sources: 2025 PRC Community Health Survey, PRC, Inc. [Item 106] Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Data. Atlanta, Georgia. United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): 2023 California data. 2023 PRC National Health Survey, PRaC, Inc. Notes: Asked of all respondents. Excludes gestational diabetes (occurring only during pregnancy). 11.1% OF ADULTS REPORT A DIABETES DIAGNOSIS* while another 19.0% OF ADULTS ARE LIVING WITH PRE-DIABETES* Diabetes continues to impact Monterey County at alarming rates. According to the recent Community Health Needs Assessment, it is one of the region’s top health concerns. Scan for more information about our diabetes services. Serving our community by: • Delivering advanced medical management and personalized education with our team of clinical experts, lifestyle and technology specialists, social workers and child life specialists • Providing local Type 1 and Type 2 pediatric diabetes care through our partnership with UCSF Madison Clinic for Pediatric Diabetes Together, we’re improving the health of our community— one patient at a time. Gina Capodanno, MD, pediatric endocrinologist with patient
4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 16-22, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com APRIL 16-22, 2026 • ISSUE #1968 • ESTABLISHED IN 1988 Warren Anderson (iPhone 13 Pro Telephoto lens (77 mm at f2.8)) A scenic view from Monterey Harbor, with a cumulus cloud formation, somewhat rare for this time of year, in the distance. MONTEREY COUNTY PHOTO OF THE WEEK Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: Life Time Grand Prix gravel racers barrel down Oil Well Road in Fort Ord National Monument during the Life Time Sea Otter Classic in 2025. The massive biking event returns with a full slate of events April 16-19. 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 APRIL 16-22, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 Join the LGBTQIA2S+ and ally community for a joyful celebration of pride, identity, and unity in the heart of Monterey! Pride Parade kicks off at 11AM at Alvarado and Polk Street near Alta Bakery, led by Grand Marshals Dave Reichard and JT Mason! Post-parade celebration starts at 12PM with live music, drag performances, speakers, and over 65 local organizations. Honoring youth with our Queer Youth Recognition Scholarship. Food trucks, local artisans, resources, and fun for everyone! Follow @montereypride on Instagram and Facebook, or visit peninsulapride.org BE QUEER HERE Monterey Peninsula Pride Saturday, June 27, 2026 11AM – 3PM Monterey State Historic Park’s Custom House Plaza FREE & open to all ages.
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 16-22, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH A landmark verdict in a March case confirmed what many already know: Social media is addictive and can harm mental health. Even before that verdict was reached, countries around the world have been taking steps to ban access to these platforms by children. In December, Australia became the first country in the world to ban social media for those under 16. Many other countries are in the process as well, including Greece. “Now I’m certain that many young ones will be angry,” Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a video posted, perhaps ironically, on social media. “If something makes us feel more anxious or worse, lesser than who we really are, then it’s perhaps best that we put a stop to it.” In the United States, some states have laws that require parental consent to access social media. Earlier this month, the Massachusetts House of Representatives took it a step further by passing legislation to ban children under 14 from social media. Companies such as Meta and TikTok would be on the hook for a $5,000 fine for each account found to be out of compliance. The bill still needs Senate approval and the governor’s signature. Good: King City High School senior Morgan Hancock was crowned the 2026 Miss Salinas Valley Fair, a prestigious honor that encourages young women to be ambassadors in their community while providing scholarship opportunities. “I am beyond excited to be representing my hometown fair as this year’s Miss Salinas Valley Fair,” Hancock said. “I can’t wait to meet so many new people and connect with my community through this opportunity.” The 17-year-old Lockwood resident has been active in her 4-H and Future Farmers of America groups, serving in various leadership roles. She’ll be attending Cuesta College and later transferring to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where she plans to study kinesiology. Hancock will make her first appearance at the fair’s kickoff event on April 18, featuring dinner, an auction and dancing, and will take part in various activities during the fair from May 14-17. GREAT: New athletic facilities await San Lucas Union Elementary School students. Those include a track, soccer field and sand volleyball court, which will be unveiled on Wednesday, April 22. The project was funded by Measure S, a $3.6 million bond approved by voters in the school district in 2023. “This project represents so much more than new facilities, it reflects our deep commitment to providing our students with the opportunities they deserve,” San Lucas USD Superintendent Catherine Reimer said. “These new spaces will allow our students to stay active, build teamwork skills and create lasting memories for years to come.” The new facilities follow other modernization and energy efficiency upgrades to the school in recent years. “Investments like these make a meaningful difference for students, especially in our rural communities,” County Superintendent Deneen Guss said. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s how much in grants the Hospice Giving Foundation handed out to 12 agencies in 2025. The funds support hospice and palliative services, caregiver assistance and more. Source: Hospice Giving Foundation 2025 annual report $1,053,900 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Not everything has to be Michelin star.” -Brandon Bollenbacher, the new chef at The Quail in Carmel Valley, on his philosophy of offering approachable food (see story, montereycountynow.com/ eat_drink). M P WM D . N E T Free Water Efficient Hose Nozzle. EARTH GIVE THE SOME LOVE FREE Up to 2 per Household as Long as Supplies Last MPWMD / Monday to Friday / 9 - 4 pm, 5 Harris Ct., Building G, Monterey Earth Day Celebration / April 18 / 10 – 2 pm, Devendorf Park, Carmel-By-The-Sea Earth Day Celebration / April 19 / 1 – 4 pm, Laguna Grande Regional Park, Seaside Earth Day Celebration / April 22 / 10 – 2 pm, Monterey Peninsula College, Monterey Campus Good Old Days / May 2, 3 / 10 – 4 pm, City of Pacific Grove Designated Watering Days Wed. & Sat. PLEASE
www.montereycountynow.com APRIL 16-22, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The County of Monterey’s Family and Children’s Services is looking for dedicated Resource Parents to help protect foster children and promote family reunification. Learn how you can help keep families together at fcsmc.org Foster Youth in Monterey County Partner. Protect. Support. Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 10am - 2pm Locke-Paddon Park 190 Seaside Circle near the Marina Library GROVER THE PLOVER “Celebrate our planet and our city by working together on fun environmental service projects.” 20th Annual Earth Day Marina Visit bit.ly/MarinaEarthDay26 to learn about this free, family-friendly event!
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 16-22, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com 831 There’s an iconic scene in most Star Wars movies, which shows pilots in the cockpit of a spaceship looking out from massive windows into the nothingness of the universe. But once they flip their ship into lightspeed, the stars around them form streaks of light, demonstrating just how impossibly fast they are sailing. It was kind of like that for the dozens of mountain bikers who traveled the Rec Trail from Marina to Monterey, albeit at much slower speeds—many in the dark of night and early morning. With only a headlight illuminating the path in front of her and shining off of the mist around her around 2am, Laney Graham says she felt like she was in a scene from Star Wars as she zoomed into the darkness. “It’s so much fun,” she says. Graham is one of the team captains for the Salinas High School Cowboys Mountain Bike Team, which embarked on a 24-hour ride of the Rec Trail from 6pm April 3 to 6pm April 4. With the exception of a pandemic-era break, the ride has become a tradition for the team since 2019. With tents and trailers camped out in the parking lot of the VA clinic on 9th Street in Marina, groups of riders took their turns riding in one-hour spurts along the trail in a relay-style event. Many took their bikes for a spin around the parking lot, checking that their rides were ready to go, while others helped set up chairs and other equipment as they prepared for the long haul. Head Coach Bob Agan says each group would be out on the trail multiple times of the night and day, attempting to get some sleep in their tents before the next leg of the relay. Groups ride for a half-hour south into Monterey, before returning back to Marina. Adult ride leaders also participated in each group, making sure no one was left behind or experiencing bike trouble. The event serves as a fundraiser for the growing team, which has about 40 members, including two from North Salinas High School. Students garner sponsors in the weeks leading up to the ride, who donate not only funds, but also food and other things required for the event. Those sponsors are thanked on a T-shirt designed by the students every year. Graham, a sophomore at Salinas High School who handles the team’s social media presence, says her goal was to stay awake for the entire 24 hours, something she has never done before. This was her second time participating in the event. She noted the serenity of the ride, only broken up by the sounds of barking sea lions. Perhaps most importantly, events such as this help bring the team closer together, who also take part in team-building exercises in between the rides. Graham notes that she is friends with students from all grades of high school. “This team is so close,” she says. “The connection would never be there without this sport.” Many of the students rode on their own bikes, while others rode on bikes obtained by the program thanks to community grants. It’s part of the team’s philosophy that all are welcome to join, Agan says. “It’s a sport that has no bench,” he says. “Everyone participates.” The team is also coming off of two recent races in the Northern California Interscholastic Cycling League, at Fort Ord National Monument on Feb. 28 and in La Grange on March 14. “It’s very supportive,” says Scott Johnson, an assistant coach. “Everybody cheers for everybody else.” The team practices at Fort Ord National Monument multiple days a week, with coaches riding in the front and back of the group. Team members learn about the importance of nutrition and how to treat injuries, among other life skills. All of the team members will also be volunteering at the Life Time Sea Otter Classic from April 17-19, taking on the various roles needed to bring the massive mountain biking festival to life. With the 24-hour ride, Assistant Coach Cathy Weidemann says it takes the students out of their comfort zone, and allows them to do something many have never done before: ride a bike in the middle of the night. “It’s an exciting challenge for them,” she says. Rolling Relay Salinas High’s mountain bike team rides the Rec Trail all night and day, with little rest in-between. By Erik Chalhoub “It’s a sport that has no bench.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE DANIEL DREIFUSS As the sun sets on April 3, the Salinas High School Cowboys Mountain Bike Team rides the Rec Trail in Marina. Pictured, the first group of the evening returns to camp. Join Today! at montereychamber.com Seeing two nonprofit CEOs recognized among this year’s honorees at the 2026 Annual Awards Dinner speaks volumes about the Chamber’s inclusive approach and its clear understanding that nonprofits are an essential part of our business community. I appreciate the Chamber’s leadership and would encourage organizations that value collaboration and community to be part of its work. WHAT OUR MEMBERS ARE SAYING: Dan Baldwin President/CEO Community Foundation for Monterey County
www.montereycountynow.com APRIL 16-22, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 The Monterey Peninsula is a leader in water conservation. Thank you for your commitment to being water wise! Learn more at: montereywaterinfo.org/events JOIN US FOR FREE CONSERVATION WEBINARS Join us for free, interactive workshops in April, May and June, presented by Green Gardens Group via Zoom. Tuesday, April 28 Nonna and Abuelita’s Garden 6–7 p.m. Tuesday, May 26 Renter’s Garden: A Portable Oasis 6–7 p.m. Tuesday, June 16 Small Space Gardens 6–7 p.m. Thursday, May 14 Wonderful World of Succulents 6–7 p.m. Insured by NCUA 1The dividend rate and Annual Percentage Yield (APY) are accurate as of 03/03/2026. There is no minimum balance required to earn the stated APY. The minimum opening deposit for the 7-month certificate is $500. The APY is based on an assumption that dividends will remain in the account until maturity. Any fee, withdrawal, or transfer reduces earnings and there may be penalties for early withdrawal. Call 1-877-GOLDEN 1 (1-877-465-3361) for current rates. We reserve the right to change or discontinue this program at any time. Rates and term are subject to change without notice. 0226-MTW 3.60% APY1 for 7 months Visit a branch, call 1-877-465-3361 or scan to learn more Limited time offer Earn more with a Term Savings Certificate
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 16-22, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com NEWS Shawn Stone, CEO of Community Human Services, came with hat in hand to the city councils of Carmel and Del Rey Oaks recently looking for help. Despite the success of the nonprofit’s two shelters for women and families—Casa de Noche Buena in Seaside and Shuman HeartHouse in Monterey—they are both running out of money. Besides those two, CHS operates a youth shelter in Monterey for 18- to 24-year-olds and is contracted with the City of Salinas and County of Monterey to run the SHARE Center in Salinas. The latter two have funding, but funding for the women’s shelters is running out. The women’s shelters derive the majority of their operating costs from federal and state subsidies, from 60-70 percent, Stone says. Over the past two years, that money has reduced steadily. CHS is expecting a 40-percent funding gap for the shelters in fiscal year 2026-2027, growing up to nearly 80 percent in 20282029. Each shelter costs from $1 million to $1.2 million annually to operate. Most of the money goes to pay for employees who help shelter guests secure housing. Currently about 75 percent of guests find either permanent or temporary housing, well above the industry average, Stone says. “We have proven successful outcomes. It’s quite sad to see these services reducing or dissolving,” Stone says. While Pacific Grove, Monterey, Salinas and the County of Monterey Department of Social Services have contributed funds, other cities have shared that they are facing their own financial challenges. Stone is looking for new partnerships and hopes the community will contribute to keep the shelters operating. Growing Gap Disappearing federal cash means two women’s shelters are facing future deficits. By Pam Marino The County Board of Supervisors are back at the annual Rubik’s Cube— attempting to rightsize the county budget while looking ahead at mounting shortfalls. At a budget workshop on April 7, the County Administrative Office presented a bit of good news: More money was brought in than expected for fiscal year 2025-26, mainly thanks to property taxes and one-time reimbursements. But as the budget gets drafted for adoption by July 1, projections show expenditures outpacing revenue significantly over the next three years, with shortfalls of $40.6 million for fiscal years 2026-27, $61.9 million in 2027-28 and $76.9 million in 2028-29. And that’s if no vacant positions are filled. “If we were to fill up every vacancy, we’d end up at $118.9 million short for fiscal year 2026-27,” County Budget Director Deja Sero said. Employee costs, pensions and health insurance are cited as the key drivers pushing costs higher each year against slowly growing (and somewhat uncertain) revenue streams. Department budgets present a mixed picture. Twelve departments are in a deficit in fiscal year 2025-26, with the Sheriff’s Office accounting for over half of that total shortfall at $6.8 million. Meanwhile, 11 departments are in a surplus, including the County Health Department with $2.2 million thanks to a boost from a $1.6 million settlement, and improved reimbursements from the state. The forecasts are compounded by brewing concerns over reliability of federal and state funds, as well as potential economic downturns on revenue. Disasters, from fires and floods to the Moss Landing Battery Energy Storage Facility fire, have strained funds, pulling from strategic reserves while reimbursements have been slow. “Departments, with the limited resources that they have, are adjusting their budgets, but also experiencing impacts in terms of some of the grants going away,” Sero said. How the County will use Measure AA—a voter-approved revenue measure that generates about $26 million per year—remains a source of debate. District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni’s office is asking for $842,347 in emergency funding to avoid cutting investigator positions. “The attorney positions in my 2026–2027 budget are not wish‑list items. They are the bare minimum required for this office to fulfill its statutory duty,” Pacioni said. The Sheriff’s Office is requesting $755,447 to fund just existing services, which includes funding two vacant positions and ongoing operational maintenance for things like the Flock Safety camera network and Axon Air drone systems. The department is also requesting nearly $4 million to bump the total number of Flock cameras from 60 to 200, launch a one-year pilot program for deputy sheriff recruits and fund new searchand-rescue vehicles. “We don’t have one-time money available like we have had in previous years because we spent it on ongoing expenses,” Supervisor Wendy Root Askew said. A week later, on April 14, the board discussed potential revenue-generators and agreed to hire a consultant to look into voter support for a possible ballot measure to increase the hotel tax rate from 10.5 to 12 percent, generating about $5 million annually. Wendy Root Askew, chair of the board, said, “The decisions we make now are going to determine what future residents have available to them in terms of services.” Divest Invest Mounting budget shortfalls and uncertain funding challenge efforts to manage County spending. By Katie Rodriguez Deborah Evans is a resident of Shuman HeartHouse, which provides beds, meals and wrap-around services for single women and families. Government subsidies for operations are running out. “We don’t have one-time money like in previous years.” DANIEL DREIFUSS DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com APRIL 16-22, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 The Marina Station Real Estate Team, in partnership with Monterey Coast Realty Copyright © 2025 Marina Station. All rights reserved. Homes and community information are subject to change without notice. Photos are for representational purposes only. CA DRE license #01871677. Equal Housing Opportunity. Realize Your Dream Home on the Coast Grand Opening Celebration & Model Home Debut | Saturday, April 18th Follow us on Instagram for event details @LiveMarinaStation or visit our website www.LiveMarinaStation.com MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Volunteer with the Alzhiemer’s Association Millions of Americans are impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. Find the role that’s the best fit for you! • Link families to programs and services • Educate caregivers and the community • Advocate for people • Help fund the fight to end Alzheimer’s To learn more, contact Jordan Berg at jaberg@alz.org or Yuliana Mendoza at ymflores@alz.org Millions of Americans are impacted by Alzheimer’s disease, and you can do something to help by becoming an Alzheimer’s Association® volunteer. Our ability to reach and support those affected depends on people like you who are dedicated to the fight against this disease. As an Association volunteer, you can use your unique talents to make a meaningful impact in your community while connecting with others who share your passion. Find the role that’s the best fit for you! Are you interested in: MAKE A DIFFERENCE: VOLUNTEER WITH THE ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION Connecting with a variety of people in your area? Teaching caregivers about Alzheimer’s? Organizing fun social activities for people living with Alzheimer’s? Helping community members find programs and services? Creating a safe environment where people can share feelings and experiences? Advocating for people affected by Alzheimer’s? IN-PERSON GROUPS Caregiver support groups, conducted by trained facilitators, are a safe place for caregivers (family and friends) of persons with dementia to: Develop a support system Exchange practical information on caregiving challenges and possible solutions Talk through issues and ways of coping Share feelings, needs and concerns Learn about community resources MONTEREY, SAN BENITO & SANTA CRUZ DEMENTIA FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS Presented by the Alzheimer's Association® Salinas Caregiver Support Group 1st Wednesday of the month, 12:30-2 p.m. First Baptist Church 1130 San Vincente Road, Salinas, CA 93901 Santa Cruz Afternoon Caregiver Support Grou 2nd Wednesday of the month, 2-3:30 p.m. Satellite Workplace & Digital Media Studio Large Cnf. Rm. 325 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 Monterey Evening Caregiver Support Group 2nd Thursday of the month, 6-7:30 p.m. Shoreline Church 2500 Garden Rd., Monterey, CA 93940 Monterey Afternoon Caregiver Support Group 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, 1:30-3 p.m. First Presbyterian Church of Monterey 501 El Dorado St., Monterey, CA 93940 Santa Cruz Evening Caregiver Support Group 3rd Wednesday of the month, 5:30-7 p.m. Dignity Health Wellness Center 21340 E Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz, CA 95062 BUILD A SUPPORT SYSTEM WITH PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND. SUPPORT GROUPS Free of charge For family and friends of persons with dementia only No solicitation allowed REGISTRATION: 800.272.3900 Call our 24/7 Helpline to register, find other groups meeting in Northern California and Northern Nevada or if you need additional support. Updated #END OVER DOSE IN 2022,NEARLY 296 PEOPLE PER DAY DIED FROM A DRUG OVERDOSE! OVERDOSE! WWW.SUNSTREETCENTERS.ORG
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 16-22, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com Modernizing Monterey’s decades-old residential parking program has been “a heavy lift” for the city’s Parking Division, according to Monterey Parking Superintendent Cristie Steffy, who says the years-long effort will ultimately make life easier for city residents and staff. “There’s nothing modern about the current program,” Steffy says. “In modernizing it, it makes it more efficient, and it makes it more effective.” Since its creation in 1985, the residential parking program has expanded to include 18 residential parking zones, which Monterey residents have petitioned to create over the years. The updated residential parking program has some key distinctions from its predecessor. While the existing program uses sticker decals placed on a vehicle’s bumper, the new system uses a resident’s license plate as the pass, which is read by cameras that are affixed to parking vehicles. Short-term guest permits will move from paper form to digital, and ongoing management of the program for residents will move largely online. While the old program was free, the new system is $25 per permit per year, among other differences. Community members have expressed concerns about the program’s requalification process, which requires city residents in neighborhoods with existing programs to register through an online portal. To maintain an existing residential parking permit zone, 51 percent of neighborhood residents are required to register. Steffy explains that this aspect was created to ensure that community members in existing zones still want the program, but it has created barriers to participation. Because of community feedback, the Parking Division has decided to bring the matter to the City Council and will recommend they scrap the requalification process entirely. “That would mean that they wouldn’t have to requalify any area that is already a [residential parking permit] zone and already has signage,” Steffy says. “Existing zones would keep their signage and they will automatically opt in to the new program.” Although it is the Parking Division’s intent to eliminate the requalification step, the decision will ultimately be in the hands of the City Council. Steffy expects the council to consider the recommendation on May 19. Existing permits, slated to expire April 30, will be valid at least until that time. Residents will also be able to continue to register for requalification until council votes. On Tuesday, April 14, first-graders at Los Padres Elementary School in Salinas are eagerly waiting for Clifford Gilkey to start reading aloud a bilingual book, El león y el ratón, The Lion and the Mouse. After the former teacher and volunteer wraps up, each student will get their own copy of the book—a gift from the Kiwanis Literacy Club of Salinas—to keep. “When kids have their own library at home, they are going to be better readers,” says Gilkey, who is also in charge of purchasing the books for the Kiwanis Club, which delivers books here on the second Tuesday of each month. For the past four years, the club has distributed books, in English and Spanish, to first-graders at four elementary schools: Los Padres, Natividad and Loma Vista in Salinas City Elementary School District, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy in Alisal Union School District. On April 14, the club reached a milestone: delivering its 10,000th book at Los Padres. The club spends about $12,000 on books a year, thanks to various fundraising sources; Gilkey says they hope to add a new school every two years. Julietta Morga, a firstgrade dual immersion teacher at Los Padres, says the book distribution has increased students’ curiosity and interest in reading. “They really enjoy having Kiwanis here reading to them,” she says. Many of the volunteers are retired teachers and they know how important it is for kids to learn how to read by third grade. “We want them to become lifelong readers and learners,” Mitchell Huerta, the club’s fundraising director, said in a statement. (Huerta also serves as a board member of Salinas Union High School District.) Getting books to keep enables kids to build home libraries and to share books with their parents and siblings. Los Padres Principal Linda Barrera says it takes a village to help students succeed. “It’s nice to have community partners come into the classrooms and into the schools and just work together,” Barrera says. Park It Monterey pauses new residential parking program rollout due to feedback. By Aric Sleeper NEWS FINDING SUCCESS The Undocu-Success Conference presents immigration and legislative updates, along with resources, advocacy efforts and more. The keynote speaker is artist and entrepreneur DJ Sizzle Fantastic. 9am-3pm Friday, April 17. CSU Monterey Bay, Otter Student Union, 3118 Inter-Garrison Road, Seaside. Free; register at bit.ly/UndocuSuccessConference26. (831) 5825414. COLLEGE AND CAREERS Hartnell College hosts its annual career and resource fair. The public is invited to connect with employers. 11am-2pm Monday, April 20. Hartnell College Main Campus, 411 Central Ave., Salinas. Free. (831) 759-6066, hartnell.edu. PULSE OF THE MARKET The Leon Panetta Lecture Series continues with its second forum of the season, on the topic “The Legacy of the American Economy.” 7pm Monday, April 20. Monterey Conference Center, 1 Portola Plaza, Monterey. $100. (831) 582-4200, panettainstitute.org. TAX TIME Monterey voters will decide on a 0.375-percent sales tax measure on the June ballot, and property owners will vote on a proposed stormwater fee in May. City officials host a town hall meeting to discuss both. 6-7pm Wednesday, April 22. Hilltop Park Center, 871 Jessie St., Monterey. Free. (831) 646-3799, monterey.gov/ elections. QUALITY OF LIFE The County of Monterey’s Area Agency on Aging is drafting its 2026-2027 Area Plan on Aging. Public comment is welcome on the plan that outlines programs and services for older residents. 1:30-2:30pm Thursday, April 23. Department of Social Services, 730 La Guardia St., Salinas. Via Zoom at bit. ly/AAAPlanUpdate26. Free. (831) 7554465, countyofmonterey.gov/AAA. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS The County Public Defender’s Office presents an overview of immigration law and the Clean Slate Program. 5:30-6pm (English), 6-6:30pm (Spanish), 6:30-7pm (Q&A) Thursday, April 23. Greenfield Council Chambers, 599 El Camino Real, Greenfield. Free. askpubdef@countyofmonterey.gov. PLAN IT OUT Marina Planning Commission meets to consider granting a permit for a Mercedes-Benz dealership at the Dunes, among other projects. Public comment is accepted. 6pm Thursday, April 23. City Council Chambers, 211 Hillcrest Ave., Marina. Free. (831) 884-1289, cityofmarina.org. For the Books Literacy club delivers its 10,000th book to first-graders in Salinas. By Celia Jiménez The Monterey Parking Division is recommending the Monterey City Council reconsider a component of its new residential parking program. Existing policy remains in effect. E-MAIL: publiccitizen@montereycountynow.com PUBLIC CITIZEN “There’s nothing modern about the current program.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com APRIL 16-22, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 16-22, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com In something akin to finding a forgotten $20 bill in a coat pocket, cities are discovering that a small piece of the sales tax pie has been sitting unnoticed—until recently. Someone figured out that a 0.375 percentage, or three-eighths of a penny of sales tax, has been available for over a decade for local jurisdictions to claim, as long as voters approve. The City of Monterey already has Measure D on the June 2 ballot asking voters to approve a 0.375-percent sales tax increase. Pacific Grove officials indicated they will put its own measure on the November ballot and Carmel is considering a similar measure. All three cities currently levy a 9.25 percent sales tax—0.375 percent would increase their sales taxes to 9.625 percent. The source of this scramble to capture a 0.375 percent increase goes back to 2015 and is tied up in a state cap on how much total jurisdictions can levy in sales tax. By law, cities can only levy up to 2 percent over the state’s base sales tax, which is 7.25 percent, which means cities can levy no more than 9.25 percent. Back in 2015, the Transportation Agency for Monterey County was proposing a countywide sales tax of 0.375, but it was blocked because Greenfield was also proposing a sales tax increase—both taxes would result in pushing the percentage Greenfield collected to over 9.25 percent. TAMC turned to the State Legislature and won an exception to the cap, with Senate Bill 705 paving the way for Measure X in 2016, which voters approved. By then, Greenfield’s measure had already won in 2015; after Measure X passed, the city was collecting 9.5-percent in sales tax, with 0.375 of that going to TAMC. For reasons that are unclear, other local cities charging 9.25 percent didn’t catch on, until recently, that they could ask voters for a 0.375-cent increase above the state cap thanks to the legislative carveout awarded to TAMC. “Everybody thought the tax was maximized,” Jayme Fields, Carmel’s finance manager, told the Carmel City Council on April 6, noting other cities are headed toward similar ballot measures. “Now that we all know about it, we all know about it.” Carmel voters approved Measure C in 2020, a 1.5-percent sales tax increase. Fields says that had the city realized in 2020 that the additional sliver of tax was available, officials would have asked for a 1.8-percent increase instead. She warned the council that the 0.375 percent could get “scooped up” by another agency, blocking the cities from asking for the increase. In other words, if another jurisdiction, such as the County of Monterey or MontereySalinas Transit, asked for that 0.375 percent, cities would find themselves maxed out. If passed, Monterey’s Measure D, titled the “Preserve Essential City Services Measure,” could bring in $4.5 million annually for the cash-strapped city over nine years when it expires. The city is holding three town hall meetings to explain the measure to residents at 6pm on April 22, 27 and 28 at different locations. Brass Ring Cities pin hopes on a sliver of sales tax previously thought unavailable to them, despite a legislative carveout a decade ago. By Pam Marino Carmel is considering a sales tax measure in November, in part to pay for deferred maintenance. The Carmel Police Station (above) is in need of either a major upgrade or complete replacement. NEWS “Everybody thought the tax was maximized.” NIC COURY 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 APRIL 16-22, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 15 Sun Street Centers, which operates facilities for substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery in Monterey County and beyond, is gearing up to open a short-term adolescent substance use disorder residential facility in Seaside. CEO Anna Foglia says the facility would be the first of its kind in the county. “There’s an urgent need for kids to have a residential treatment program in our area,” Foglia says. “Although we have several agencies that provide outpatient services, sometimes that’s just not enough.” The nonprofit has had a youth substance abuse treatment facility in its strategic plan for nearly a decade. Foglia says they’ve been waiting for the right opportunity, which was found in Seaside at 1732 Fremont Blvd. The site currently contains a roughly 10,000-square-foot mixed-use building with a restaurant and office space. Sun Street Centers plans to renovate the existing building to contain 18 beds. A proposed second two-story building on the site would be approximately 5,400 square feet, with 22 beds and additional office space. The property would include 16 parking spaces and two electric vehicle charging spots. The facility will serve youth ages 12 to 17 and will accept patients with MediCal or private insurance. “It will be a place for healing,” Foglia says. “It will also be a place where they continue their education while they’re in treatment. We’re expecting to have lots of additional classes for exercise and creativity and self-awareness and hopefully get kids in a place where they can step down into a lower level of care.” The real estate group known as LA’I Communities, which was founded by local real estate developer Galen Ishii and others, worked with Foglia to obtain an approximately $10.1 million state grant to build the facility. Ishii says the development team “creates intentional therapeutic environments that uphold dignity and deliver specialized care to underserved communities, with the goal of fostering lasting, positive generational impact.” The Seaside Planning Commission approved the project by a 6-0 vote, on Wednesday, March 25, where some community members voiced opposition to the facility. A group of residents from the nearby Seaside Mobile Estates attempted to appeal the project to the Seaside City Council, on the grounds that it would worsen traffic and parking issues and cause noise and disturb the existing community. The appeal letter, penned by Seaside Mobile Estates resident Chris Thomas on behalf of himself and other residents, was filed after the city’s seven-day appeal deadline, however, so the city rejected it. Foglia says that she understands the concerns but feels that through her experience of opening other facilities, she believes the new facility will be “a very good neighbor.” “I can’t wait to tour the neighbors and be a valued community member in that neighborhood,” Foglia says. “I do care about what they think, but I really feel like we’ll be a jewel in the crown of Seaside.” Healing Space Sun Street Centers plans to build an adolescent residential treatment center in Seaside. By Aric Sleeper Galen Ishii of real estate group LA’I Communities (left) and Anna Foglia, CEO of nonprofit Sun Street Centers, are collaborating on the forthcoming substance abuse facility. NEWS “We’ll be a jewel in the crown of Seaside.” DANIEL DREIFUSS Ribbon Cutting & Carmel-by-the-Sea Office Opening Celebrating 40 Years of Homes with Heart — and a New Chapter in Carmel-by-the-Sea MontereyRentals.com invites you to join us as we mark an important milestone in our 40th Anniversary year — the opening of our Carmelby-the-Sea office. For four decades, MontereyRentals.com has connected guests and homeowners while supporting the vitality, character, and sense of place that define our coastal communities. Thursday, April 23, 2026 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Southwest Corner of San Carlos & 7th Hampton Court, Suite #1 Carmel-by-the-Sea, California Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with the Carmel Chamber of Commerce and the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Join Us for: • Wine and champagne reception • Charcuterie and coastal bites • Dessert bar • Meet the MontereyRentals.com team • Community gathering and celebration Help us celebrate four decades of trusted hospitality and welcome MontereyRentals.com to the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Kindly RSVP: info@thebuzzpr.net
16 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 16-22, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com HOLD AND COLD Compliments are in order for District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni for initiating the Cold Case Task Force (“Over 40 years after a Monterey man was murdered, investigators continue looking for leads,” April 9-15). The years drift by. Heartbroken families and friends wonder whatever happened to their loved ones. Sadness permeates every holiday, birthday and missed milestone. Solving the mystery and holding perpetrators finally accountable is justice for everyone involved—the victims, family and friends, and the community. DA Dean Flippo was a hard act to follow. Pacioni is continuing and expanding that legacy with her Goldilocks, just-right priorities. Child molesters are having a very difficult time in Monterey County these years. “I-got-away-with-it” murderers are looking over their shoulders more nervously these days. Prioritizing crimes against children and cold cases is an excellent use of time, energy and tax dollars. Mary Quirit | Monterey Thank you for this story of the masterful work done by retired Monterey Assistant Chief Bill Clark. Good work like this makes us all more safe and secure, knowing they are following through to closure. Laurie McNamara | Carmel ANIMAL PLANET Every single person who is in rescue supports a spay-and-neuter ordinance (“County supervisors consider a spay-and-neuter requirement in unincorporated areas,” April 2-8). We are exhausted. You need to ask yourself why Cindy Burnham, chief administrator of Hitchcock Road Animal Services, and Scott Deluchi, executive director of the SPCA, are against it. Hitchcock Road euthanized the same amount of animals it adopted out. We can’t continue on this hamster wheel that isn’t working. Spay and neuter saves lives. Karen Gunby | Pacific Grove WAR CHEST I have sent two communications to Congressman Jimmy Panetta’s office. The questions I have are straightforward (“Squid Fry: Deep Pockets,” March 19-25). In a district that you will win overwhelmingly, why are you sitting on a war chest in excess of $4.5 million? The principal donors are major corporations which have no presence in our district. Perhaps these funds are prepaid insurance that Panetta will support business over people when the time comes. A huge contributor to this fund is AIPAC and groups affiliated with supporting the government of Israel. At a minimum, Panetta can return that money or see that it is used to try and relieve the misery of the Gazans. Kindly do not accept the money from arms merchants used to create human destruction. That’s not what this district wishes in the slightest. Just ask us. Jim Lauderdale | Monterey BRIDGE TO SOMEWHERE Dear Squid, if you could ooze your way to the neighborhood and schools near the pedestrian bridge over San Pablo Avenue in Seaside, you would hear lots of cheering and hoorays celebrating the soon-to-be-repaired span (“Squid Fry: Safety First,” April 9-15). Lots of neighbors think the bridge is worthy of being rebuilt—for connections and safety, yes, but also for the sake of history. Many locals have wonderful memories of walking their kids to school. There are accounts of wedding engagements on the bridge with the phenomenal view of the bay as a backdrop. The bridge is a beautiful focal point in a city with few architectural landmarks. Certainly paint could decorate the city crosswalk below it, but what about an amazing mural on the bridge itself once it’s repaired? Jeannie Reese and Donna Penwell | Seaside TRAVEL PLAN The issue is twofold: First, should the general fund be used to the tune of almost $500,000 over two years with an expectation of continuing and increasing subsidies; and, second, how many resources do taxpayers want to sink into a highly speculative (delusional?) idea to promote Salinas as a tourist destination involving a train from the future that was promised in 2014? (“Salinas City Council says yes to its welcome center, with tough questions,” April 2-8). The county spent $11.2 million on related improvements that are largely unused five years later. You know what’s not speculative? Broken streetlights, sidewalks, roads, sewer, etc. Peter Szalai | Salinas I read the article on attracting tourists to Salinas with much interest. I think China’s village tourism might be of some reference. Village tourism in the form of “Farmer’s House Fun” has played an important role in bringing income to villagers who otherwise have limited job opportunities. Urban people can visit villages on weekends. They are housed and provided village-style foods while enjoying the rural landscape and folk activities. Of course there is a huge difference between rural society in China and here. Experiences cannot be copied but can serve as guiding references. Focus should be put on how to combine tourism with agriculture to develop a platform for educational and creative experiences. Such rural tourism may include such activities as fruit-picking, farm tours, art performances such as Mexican music and dance, etc. Lan Yu | Seaside MIND MELD Thank you so much for printing Colleen Beye’s and Jolie Delja’s article (“The need for youth mental health support is growing, but local schools are cutting support,” March 12-18). Mental health support is extremely important for the individuals, their families, and for the community. Susan Courrejou | via email FOR DESSERT With sad hearts, we learned of the sale of Pavel’s Backerei (“Hundreds of fans line up in Pacific Grove for Pavel’s last day,” posted March 30). Their bread has graced our table for years. We don’t begrudge for a minute the most well-earned retirement of Paul and Johanna Wainscoat. Of course, we will give the new owners a try but they have very big shoes to fill! Roberta Myers | Monterey LETTERS • COMMENTSOPINION Submit letters to the editor to letters@montereycountynow.com. Please keep your letter to 150 words or less; subject to editing for space. Please include your full name, contact information and city you live in.
www.montereycountynow.com APRIL 16-22, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 17 Certainly there are voters in Monterey County who share President Donald Trump’s unwarranted hatred and fear of immigrants, even though we live in a county where nearly a third of the population is foreign-born. But fortunately, most of us view this as a gift of the melting pot that is the United States of America, a chance for people to pursue economic opportunity, live in freedom, build a life—and of course for all of us, wherever we were born, to soak up the cultural experience of living in a diverse community. That concurrence is shared at all levels of local government. Since Trump was elected on a platform of xenophobia, elected officials have raced to articulate their support for our immigrant community and pledge to uphold and honor their rights. This is true of all five members of the Monterey County Board of Supervisors and also the Monterey County sheriff. But the devil is in the details, and the details were so fraught in a discussion on Tuesday, April 14 that Sheriff Tina Nieto asked the board to appoint a special legal counsel to represent her department, raising concerns about a potential conflict of interest since County Counsel’s office represents both the sheriff and the Board of Supervisors. The issues at hand mostly concerned the degree to which the sheriff communicates with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In 2025, ICE requested access to 285 inmates in the Monterey County Jail, about 3 percent of the incarcerated population. The Sheriff’s Office approved the release of just 21 of those inmates to ICE custody. We know that data thanks to a mandatory presentation California sheriffs must provide to the public each year, and which Nieto did in January. But faced with additional concerns from the board, she was back on April 14 with more detail about those people. She read off descriptions about the charges or convictions against the 21 people: One was convicted for lewd acts on a child; one was arrested for attempting to stab a victim in a parking lot while intoxicated; another stabbed his roommate, injuring the victim to a point that required hospitalization, and was arrested for attempted murder. The grim list went on. “These are not minor offenses,” Nieto said. “These individuals pose a potential danger to the community if released.” No Monterey County supervisor condones such conduct, but they did have questions centered on the eight of the 21 individuals who had not yet been convicted for their grisly crimes. “I believe this sort of collaboration is the definition of extrajudicial,” Supervisor Kate Daniels said. “The safest thing to do is to let the judicial system play out and ensure violent criminals are convicted and sentenced. That’s what would be the safest thing.” She and Supervisor Wendy Root Askew vehemently agreed that eliminating any shred of cooperation between the County and ICE was in the best interest of public safety. But the two supervisors who serve on the county’s committee to deal with threats to immigrants’ rights under the Trump administration, Luis Alejo and Chris Lopez, were skeptical. “Are we making our communities, especially Latino communities, safer through the actions we are taking today?” Lopez said. “I don’t think we are…we’re scoring political points.” Given the data, Alejo questioned the need to request a complete prohibition that goes beyond California’s standards. “I want to be sure we aren’t putting a solution forward in search of a problem,” he said. Root Askew asked for a policy that the HR department require County employees to disclose outside work for immigration enforcement agencies. She asked for the long-awaited creation of a third party with oversight over the sheriff. (Supervisor Glenn Church, her colleague responsible for advancing that oversight board, said the committee has not met in about two years.) The biggest challenge, perhaps, is that the Board of Supervisors does not actually have authority over the sheriff, also elected. That makes the creation of an oversight board— long promised, and something Nieto herself said she was open to during her campaign—all the more important. The supervisors will revisit the topic on June 9. Sara Rubin is the Weekly’s editor. Reach her at sara@montereycountynow.com. Safe Haven Politics and reality in Trump’s xenophobic America collide locally. By Sara Rubin GROWING FLOCK…Driving around town in Squid’s jalopy, Squid does Squid’s best to keep eyes on the road and also potential newsy events happening around Squid. That includes hundreds of automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras placed by various agencies around Monterey County. Squid is not surprised to see ALPRs these days, but Squid was surprised to learn that state law was broken by Flock Safety in 2025 when the company shared the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office data with numerous states across the country. (When Squid’s colleague raised the issue with Sheriff Tina Nieto, she seemed surprised as well.) After this revelation, Squid was again surprised to hear that the Sheriff’s Office is now seeking to expand its network of cameras from 60 to 200. On April 7, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors held a budget workshop (see p. 10), where Squid listened to Undersheriff Keith Boyd explain that instead of punishing Flock Safety for breaking the law, the Sheriff’s Office wants to reward the company by using $420,000 in Measure AA funding to buy an additional 140 cameras to be placed in the unincorporated areas of the county. Squid understands the 1-percent sales tax is intended partly for “enhanced public safety,” but it seems questionable that 140 additional ALPR cameras make Squid or anyone else more safe. Squid is more familiar with the laws of nature than human laws, but still finds it odd for a law enforcement agency to propose rewarding an entity that has broken the law. SNAIL MAIL…Squid’s ever-replenishing supply of ink makes Squid an excellent pen pal, in Squid’s not-sohumble opinion. Since Squid received a note from the U.S. Postal Service announcing that April is National Card and Letter Writing Month, Squid decided it was time to write to the Postmaster General David Steiner. “Dear David: Squid appreciates getting mail and packages delivered to the lair daily. You’re the greatest,” Squid wrote. “Sincerely, the cephalopods of the sea really do appreciate this service—although can you please stop including the solicitations for new credit cards? Also, the free SPCA Monterey County calendars—which were conspicuously lacking ocean dwellers yet again this year, and besides, who uses a calendar anymore anyway? Squid doesn’t really care what day it is—only if the currents are upwelling more food. “Anyway, Squid hopes you are well and is sorry that President Donald Trump has suggested disbanding the USPS Board of Governors and eliminating 10,000 postal worker jobs. He’s clearly one lost package.” Squid has not yet received a response, but will keep checking the mailbox for a new pen pal. THE LOCAL SPIN SQUID FRY THE MISSION OF MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY IS TO INSPIRE INDEPENDENT THINKING AND CONSCIOUS ACTION, ETC. “Are we making our communities safer today?” SEND SQUID A TIP: squid@montereycountynow.com
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==