NOVEMBER 5-11, 2026 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT HARTNELL TOUCHDOWN 6 | LOCAL ELECTION RESULTS 8 | IF VAGINAS COULD TALK 30 | EASY AS PIE 38 The Netflix show was filmed in New Zealand, but the novel is deeply tied to real locations in the Salinas Valley. p. 16 By Royvi Hernandez and Agata Popęda A LOCAL’S GUIDE TO EAST OF EDEN
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 5-11, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com NOVEMBER 5-11, 2026 • ISSUE #1997 • ESTABLISHED IN 1988 Juanita Turner (Canon Mark II, ISO 400, 30mm, f10, 1/2500) Winter skies have arrived. As shown above, rain clouds settle in over Monterey Harbor on Sunday, Nov. 1. MONTEREY COUNTY PHOTO OF THE WEEK Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: “Salinas River” is a fine art depiction of the feature that defines the setting at the heart of John Steinbeck’s East of Eden. A new Netflix adaptation was filmed in New Zealand. Cover art: David Ligare, courtesy of Winfield Gallery in Carmel 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. The Weekly is an adjudicated newspaper of Monterey County, court decree M21137. Milestone Communications, Inc. is a California corporation based in Seaside, CA. Shares of the corporation are wholly owned by Bradley Zeve, Founder & CEO, Carmel Valley, CA and Erik Cushman, Publisher, Pacific Grove, CA. The Weekly assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials. Visit our website at http://www.montereycountynow.com. FOUNDER & CEO Bradley Zeve bradley@montereycountynow.com (x103) PUBLISHER Erik Cushman erik@montereycountynow.com (x125) ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Jeanette Bent jeanette@montereycountynow.com (x132) 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 katie@montereycountynow.com (x102) STAFF WRITER Aric Sleeper aric@montereycountynow.com (x127) STAFF WRITER Chrissa Olson (California Local News Fellow) chrissa@montereycountynow.com (x130) STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Daniel Dreifuss daniel@montereycountynow.com (x140) DIGITAL PRODUCER Sloan Campi sloan@montereycountynow.com (x105) EDITOR/SALINAS VALLEY NOW Joseph Treviño joseph@salinasvalleynow.com STAFF WRITER/SALINAS VALLEY NOW Royvi Hernandez royvi@salinasvalleynow.com (x140) 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 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 NOVEMBER 5-11, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 3 Like a lot of you, we were born at Community Hospital. montagehealth.org It was the doctors at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula that brought Montage Health into the world. Our goal was to deliver exceptional care to more people, more effectively, by expanding beyond the hospital and into the community. Today, we’re much more than a hospital. We’re urgent care centers, wellness centers, primary care doctors, health insurance plans, and a groundbreaking mental health program for youth. Community Hospital is still our beating heart and a great place to be born.
4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 5-11, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH A federal judge dismissed President Donald Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal and owner Rupert Murdoch on Oct. 31, saying Trump was “grasping at straws” and attempting to “manufacture” malice in the newspaper’s reporting about his relationship with the late sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein. In 2025, the Journal published an article describing a letter with sexually suggestive content to Epstein that bore Trump’s name. Trump denied writing the letter and called the story “false.” His lawsuit accused the paper of knowingly publishing “false, defamatory and disparaging statements.” In his ruling, Judge Darrin Gayles threw out the case “with prejudice,” meaning it cannot be refiled again. “The amended complaint falls short of pleading actual malice,” Gayles wrote. “Indeed, the allegations regarding malice are conclusory, vague, sometimes inconsistent with the article, and often irrelevant to whether defendants knew or should have known that the statements in the article were purportedly false.” Trump could appeal the ruling. Good: Rancho Cielo will receive a $200,000 AHEAD Program grant from Wescom Financial in conjunction with the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. The organization will fund an 18-month transportation program for students. It includes a state-licensed driver’s education program, subsidized public transit passes, Lyft/Uber passes and part-time drivers for Rancho Cielo. “Transportation is one of the biggest barriers to success for our students,” said Susie Brusa, Rancho Cielo’s interim CEO. AHEAD grants focus on supporting small businesses, economic development and job creation. “By directly investing in the growth and development of this generation, we’re also contributing to the immediate and long-term economic success of local businesses and the well-being of the community as a whole,” said Ashley White, chief marketing officer at Wescom Financial. GREAT: The wait is over for fans of Alvarado Street Brewery: The brewpub announced that its new taproom in Castroville opens Saturday, Nov. 7. Alvarado Street has dubbed the combination of bar and brewery as The Plant. The BrauKon brewhouse system is circular, allowing the team to go from milling grain to brewing to kegs and cans in almost one motion, with dramatically increased capacity. The production facility has been in operation since August. “We’ve brewed more this week than a typical month,” Alvarado Street owner J.C. Hill said on Oct. 22. The bar features 18 taps plus a sharp pour system that is distinct from the traditional draft tap, capturing the effervescence and aromas of a beer under a creamy foam cap. Outside there is a beer garden served by food trucks. Guests can also take home canned beer. Doors open on Nov. 7 from 1-9pm. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s how many registered voters are in Monterey County. How many actually turned up to vote in the Nov. 3 election will be revealed in the weeks ahead. Source: Monterey County Elections 220,213 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “We’re on track to have the highest number of humpback whales entangled in a single year ever.” -Geoff Shester of Oceana, on the delay of Dungeness crab fisheries until at least Jan. 1 (see story, montereycountynow.com/news). WWW.SUNSTREETCENTERS.ORG Whether you're seeking support for yourself or a loved one, Sun Street Centers offers personalized treatment services designed to help individuals build healthier lives. - PRIVATE INSURANCE & SELF PAY - Compassionate Outpatient Services Now Available on the Monterey Wharf! 245 Washington St, Monterey Call Us for Other Locations! 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (831) 753-6001 Certification No. 270003KN. Expires 4/30/2028 H I L LT O P 871 JESSIE STREET 831-646-3975 EL ESTERO 777 PEARL STREET 831-646-3873 Pre-registration by appointment only. Please call the Preschool location of your choice for a registration appointment. Visit www.monterey.gov/rec for more info. learn - engage - play - socialize Tuesday – friday, 3 hours per day THE CITY OF MONTEREY must be “potty” trained years 3-5 for ages preschool p r o g r a m
www.montereycountynow.com NOVEMBER 5-11, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 No appointment needed We believe vaccinations save lives. For more information about our FREE Community Flu Clinics, scan the QR code or contact the Health Promotion Department at 831-759-1890. Aurora Robledo, MD Family Medicine Monday, November 9 4:00pm–7:00pm Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County Salinas Clubhouse 85 Maryal Drive Salinas, CA 93906 Tuesday, November 17 2:00pm–6:00pm Hartnell College Student Center (Next to Starbucks) 411 Central Avenue Salinas, CA 93901 FREE COMMUNITY FLU CLINICS Flu vaccines provided by Salinas Valley Health Mobile Clinic
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 5-11, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com 831 The Hawaii boys are in Salinas. Hartnell College football has targeted the Aloha State for a huge chunk of its out-of-state recruits, with 16 players hailing from eight different high schools spread across Hawaii. Last season, the roster had just a couple of players from Hawaii, and that ballooned this year, standing out against a primarily local roster from Gonzales, Alisal, Salinas and Greenfield high schools. “The amount of Hawaii boys makes it a home away from home,” freshman quarterback Mana Forges says. He’s from Honolulu, where he went to Kamehameha High School. Coach Art Berlanga says that they liked Hawaii because it was full of talent—and underrecruited. The kids are at a disadvantage immediately because of geography, says Coach Jason Lenich, who focused on recruiting in Hawaii. Travel to and from the islands is an expensive, fivehour flight, requiring a steep time and monetary commitment from both families of players and from coaches. As Lenich recruited linebacker Ryan Peters and Forges, they started to tell him about other players he should look out for, too. “Mana would tell me a friend to reach out to, or Ryan,” Lenich says. “It was a domino effect.” The Hawaiian contingent became a big reason that Peters and Forges were willing to travel 2,400 miles from the tropics of the islands to Salinas. Hartnell hardly resembles Hawaii. “I think being from Hawaii helped me fight through adversity,” Peters says. “There’s a lot of tragedy that happens around the islands, and if it happens on one island, it’s felt by all the islands.” Despite coming into a new team, they’re not coming into a completely new social circle—Peters says that many of his former teammates from Kapaa High School came to Hartnell alongside him, and he met Forges before their freshman year at Kamehameha High School. “Short” was Forges’ first impression of Peters four years ago. “Chubby” was Peters’ first of him. “I wasn’t very good either,” Forges admits. But they clicked, Peters says. They remained friends, and after Peters switched high schools, they eventually got back in contact when they realized they were both going to Hartnell. Their moms are even friends. And now, they live together. Hawaiian players certainly aren’t the whole team—Berlanga notes that they look for competitiveness in all recruits. With the challenge of creating a cohesive ,nearly all-freshman team just six weeks before their season opener against San Joaquin Delta, the team was up against a steep learning curve. “We didn’t get enough time to grow, we didn’t go through enough to be as close,” Forges says. “Now that we’ve lost games we were supposed to win, it’s brought the team closer in general.” After interviews with the Weekly, the Panthers played for the American Golden Coast Conference title, but they fell to an undefeated Shasta 30-27 in overtime, breaking their undefeated streak in conference play. Despite the loss, the season still strides ahead of the Hartnell team that won no conference games two years ago. This season, they also achieved their first shutout since 2019 when they won 36-0 against Contra Costa. They’ll have one more chance for a winning season against Gavilan on Saturday, Nov. 7. Under their feet for the first time are also the magenta and gold stripes of a brand-new football field, which was particularly special for Berlanga, who recalls being a player from 20012003, an assistant coach from 2013-16, and now the head coach. “With the new field, it’s home,” Berlanga says. “Before that, everything was a road game. You’ve got to get on the bus, load things up and drive across town. It’s a home game, but it’s not really a home game.” The Hawaiian players have inspired new events—the team is having a luau for the first time on Nov. 20 to raise money for the team. Berlanga says that’s never happened before. “I think almost every night we’re at someone’s house from Hawaii, all the Hawaii boys hanging out or talking about home,” Forges says. They talk about the people compared to home, food, stories from home, their high schools and more. “There’s definitely a community.” Aloha, Salinas A contingent of Hawaiian players dominates the Hartnell College football roster this season. By Chrissa Olson “The Hawaii boys make it a home away from home.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE DANIEL DREIFUSS Hartnell College’s Mana Forges throws a pass during the Panthers’ Oct. 31 football game against Shasta College. Forges is one of 16 players from Hawaii on the team’s roster this season.
www.montereycountynow.com NOVEMBER 5-11, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 Insured by NCUA 1The dividend rate and Annual Percentage Yield (APY) accurate as of 10/01/2026. The dividend rate and APY may change at any time. There is no minimum balance required to earn the stated APY. The minimum deposit for the 9-month, 4.30% APY New Money Certificate special is $500. The special 9-month new money term savings certificate can only be opened in-branch or by phone and funded with new money. New money is defined as funds not on deposit at Golden 1 in the 30 days prior to the certificate account opening. 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. These certificates are not extended to organization accounts. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Call 1-877-GOLDEN 1 (1-877-465-3361) for current rates. 100626-MTW Visit a branch, call 1-877-465-3361 or scan to learn more Earn up to 4.30% Limited-time offer with a Term Savings Certificate APY1 HOLIDAY JEWELRY/FASHION EVENT Friday-Sunday • November 3-5 • Jewelry: silver, vintage, heirloom & quality costume • Designer clothing (some with tags still on) • Designer shoes and handbags • Holiday decor...and so much more! SPCA Benefit Shop 26364 Carmel Rancho Lane, Carmel near the Barnyard Shopping Village 831-624-4211 Open Mon-Sat 10-4 • Sun 12-4 Glitz & Glamour Designer clothing - Some new with tags! Glitz &Glamour Holiday Jewelry/Fashion Event Friday-Sunday • Nov 6-8 26364 Carmel Rancho Lane, Carmel HOLIDAY JEWELRY/FASHION EVENT Friday-Sunday • November 3-5 • Jewelry: silver, vintage, heirloom & quality costume • Designer clothing (some with tags still on) • Designer shoes and handbags • Holiday decor...and so much more! SPCA Benefit Shop 26364 Carmel Rancho Lane, Carmel near the Barnyard Shopping Village 831-624-4211 Open Mon-Sat 10-4 • Sun 12-4 We will be closed Wednesday and Thursday, Nov 4-5 to set up for this exciting event!
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 5-11, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com NEWS There was one Carmel party to rule them all after the polls closed Nov. 3, hosted by Hans Buder. Seventh & Dolores, the steakhouse with the same name as its address, saw roughly 75 people sipping wine and snacking on baconwrapped prawns as they waited in anticipation for election results to roll in. “Carmel, are you ready to fix the sidewalks?” Buder asked a cheering crowd. “We are going to build a better-run city. This council is going to measure performance, track results and constantly be looking for ways to do things better, faster and cheaper.” Early results showed Buder, who is halfway through his first term on City Council, poised to become the next mayor, leading the race by about 860 votes over opponent David Boland, a margin of 81-19. The winner will fill the seat Dale Byrne held for one term, and for which he is not seeking reelection. “I think it’s important that we stay on track with our public works projects,” Byrne says of anticipated challenges for the next mayor. He attended an earlier election night celebration at City Hall. “We pushed hard to get Measure M passed.” Measure M, which would increase the transient occupancy tax rate from 10 percent to 12 percent, and Measure N, a sales tax increase, are also leading. Of the three candidates running for two City Council seats, incumbent Alissandra Dramov and Carmel Planning Commissioner Stefan Karapetkov, running for council for the first time, are leading the race in early returns. Bobby Richards, who served two terms from 2016 to 2024, is trailing in third. “Serving on City Council comes with more responsibility,” Karapetkov says of the preliminary results showing in his favor. “It’s still close, but it’s looking good.” Big Win Hans Buder heads to landslide win in Carmel mayor’s race; Measures M and N victorious. By Katie Rodriguez It was a festive night on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at the United Farm Workers in Salinas, where rock ‘n’ roll in Spanish, banda and Michael Jackson tunes played from the speakers. Attendees at a No on Measure H party toasted with tequila in honor of the late Dolores Huerta, who died on Oct. 28. Before election results came in, they gathered outside to hit a star-shaped piñata that read “Yes on H.” When the initial results came in at about 8:25pm from the Monterey County Elections Department, the room filled with cheers. Measure H, which would repeal four housing-related ordinances that offer stronger tenant protections than state law, is failing. As of 2:20am on Nov. 4, it has just 41 percent, or 8,013 votes, compared to the 11,580 No on H votes to keep those protections, including rent stabilization. “People gave so much of themselves to ensure that Salinas’ renters, the working families that are the backbone of our community, would be protected,” organizer Rosa González says. “What we saw today was power to the people,” says Anthony Rocha, a former District 6 councilmember who championed the ordinances. The No on H campaign group was outspent by a landlord-backed committee by a margin of over 9-to-1. In some races for council, candidates who supported the repeal and opposed rent stabilization were faring well. Mayor Dennis Donohue is on track to secure his fifth non-consecutive term, leading with 62 percent in a four-way race. In North Salinas’ District 5, incumbent Andrew Sandoval, a champion of rent stabilization, is losing his reelection bid, with 46 percent, or 1,351 votes compared to Irma Lopez, a Hartnell College trustee, who has 1,351 votes as of 2:20am on Nov. 4. “My first priority is paint striping, fixing the lights and to fix the potholes in my district and I will act quickly because those are safety hazards,” Lopez says. She joined Donohue and District 3 incumbent Margaret D’Arrigo at an election night party at The Glasshouse downtown, where all three were leading, D’Arrigo with 60 percent of the vote in a three-person race. In a bright pink pants and jacket, D’Arrigo stands out in the crowd of about 60 people. “I’m excited and filled with gratitude to take this role again,” she says. “Change is coming and now there will be new energy. Irma is good at what she does and having another female on the team is great.” In East Salinas’ District 2, longtime councilmember Tony Barrera holds a commanding lead with 63 percent of the vote over challenger Jose Guerra. Barrera also campaigned for the No on H side, and volunteered for the signature-gathering campaign that got it on the ballot. Another initiative in Salinas, Measure G, was heading for a landslide victory with 77 percent of the vote in early returns. The measure would extend a 1-cent sales tax voters passed in 2014 and remove its sunset date. Supporters of rent stabilization (including, from right, Dominic Dursa, Tony Barrera and Anthony Rocha) take tequila shots in honor of Dolores Huerta on election night. Tenants Speak Despite a big-spending campaign by property owners, Salinas residents vote to keep rent stabilization. By Royvi Hernandez and Celia Jiménez Hans Buder, right, speaks to supporters—including two leading candidates for council, Alissandra Dramov and Stefan Karapetkov—at a party on Nov. 3. “What we saw today was power to the people.” CELIA JIMÉNEZ NIK BLASKOVICH
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10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 5-11, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com As the first vote counts dropped for candidates in the Monterey mayoral and City Council races Tuesday night around 8:25pm, a roar of excitement rang through Oscar’s Playground on Cannery Row, where Monterey Mayor Tyller Williamson, District 1 Councilmember Kim Barber and Alec Manas, candidate for District 2, held a joint watch party attended by about 100 supporters. The trio was elated at the initial results. In the race for the Monterey mayor, Williamson has received 5,170 votes, or roughly 72 percent as of Wednesday, Nov. 4. Candidate Vince Malfitano, who declined to comment on the results, received 2,025 votes, or 28 percent. “I feel amazing,” Williamson said at the party. “I am so thankful for everybody coming out. I am excited.” Barber, who says she heard many concerns about affordability from residents on the campaign trail, took an early lead in the District 1 race, with 1,062 votes, or 52 percent. “I’m ecstatic and very grateful to have the support of the people to get a second term and go back to work for them,” Barber says. Barber’s challenger Tom Reeves, a retired Monterey city engineer, is trailing Barber by 59 votes as of Nov. 4. “I appreciate all the support I have received from throughout the community,” Reeves says. “It’s been a very humbling experience to have so many people engage with me along this campaign. “And no matter what happens, I will continue to support and advocate for this community. I’ve been involved ever since I arrived here 38 years ago and I’m not intending to go away.” In the three-person race for an open seat in District 2, Jeff Whitmoyer, who did not fundraise for his campaign, has received 400 votes or 23 percent of the early count. Vicki Nohrden, who ran for state office in the past and received support from retiring Councilmember Ed Smith, received 633 votes or 37 percent. Manas, a first-time candidate, is currently in the lead with 688 votes or about 40 percent of the tally as of Nov. 4. “I knew I had support coming into this but I didn’t realize how much support I actually had,” Manas says. “I put my best foot forward with this campaign and I feel confident.” Measure S would extend a 1-cent tax first approved in 2014. It looks likely to win based on initial results, with 1,665 votes cast against it, and 5,752 votes in favor, nearly 78 percent of the total. It needs two-thirds to pass. As the first election reports were posted around 8:30pm on Tuesday, Nov. 3, Alex Miller could only smile and shrug. “Well, I tried,” he says. As of Wednesday, Nov. 4, incumbent Ian Oglesby tallied 57 percent of the vote in Seaside’s mayoral race, compared to 43 percent for the challenger— despite Miller raising five times more in campaign donations and ringing some 4,000 doorbells. “I think it’s a statement about my leadership and ability to get things done,” Oglesby says. The mayor, who has held the seat for eight years, cites strides made by the city toward projects such as Campus Town— known now as Pacific Landing—and Main Gate on the former Fort Ord property. He expressed confidence in the outcome even before results began to come in. “We’ve shared our vision,” he says. “We will continue to invest in our community.” At a festive gathering on Tuesday night, as votes are still being counted, Miller’s supporters seemed optimistic. Earlier in the day, Miller thanked his team of volunteers. Oglesby wrapped up some final campaign calls before joining followers at a quieter event. Miller, who has served on Seaside’s City Council for four years, pinned his campaign hopes on a desire for change. But, he admits, “Ian has been good.” The City Council seat forfeited by Miller is one of two up for grabs. Of the six candidates vying for those positions, incumbent Rita Burks leads the way with 25 percent of the vote, followed by Lacey Raak with 24 percent. Both are well ahead of Annalisa Mitchell (at 16 percent), Ken Fittro and Dennis Volk (both with 14 percent) and Karla Lobo, who managed 8 percent of the vote. “It was the consistency of knocking,” says Raak, who will be a first-time council member. “I felt like I was talking to my neighbors.” Speaking for all of the elected officials, Raak says the next step is to “keep working really hard.” Finish Line Mayor Tyller Williamson heads to commanding win for another term. By Aric Sleeper NEWS LIMMUD LOWDOWN Congregation Beth Israel presents Limmud, a day of learning about the Jewish experience. People of all backgrounds are invited to attend. 9:30am-4:45pm Sunday, Nov. 8. Hidden Valley Music Seminars, 104 West Carmel Valley Road. $36; sold out. (831) 624-2015, carmelbethisrael.org. SHOT IN THE ARM Salinas Valley Health offers a community flu clinic. The clinic is open to all. 4-7pm Monday, Nov. 9. Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County, 85 Maryal Drive, Salinas. Free. (831) 759-1890, salinasvalleyhealth.com/flu. CLEAN UP Salinas City Council meets to consider a Quick Quack car wash facility at the Northridge Mall, among other city business. Public comment is accepted. 4pm Tuesday, Nov. 10. Council Chamber Rotunda, 200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas. Free. (831) 758-7381, salinas. gov. STORM SURVIVAL The Monterey County Department of Emergency Management and Supervisor Kate Daniels host a winter storm preparedness town hall for Carmel Valley residents. 5-7:30pm Tuesday, Nov. 10. Tularcitos Elementary School, 35 Ford Road, Carmel Valley. Free. (831) 647-7755, readymontereycounty.org. AT YOUR SERVICE Show your appreciation for members of the U.S. military at the annual Veterans Day parade in Salinas. An opening ceremony and remarks kick off the event. Noon Wednesday, Nov. 11. Salinas High School, 726 S. Main St., Salinas. Free. (831) 214-9781, montereycountyveteransdayparade.org. SEA CHANGE Marina Planning Commission meets to discuss projects in the Sea Haven development, including removing 371 trees. Public comment is accepted. 6pm Thursday, Nov. 12. Council Chambers, 211 Hillcrest Ave., Marina. Free. (831) 884-1220, cityofmarina.org. FOR HOUSING To maintain its Prohousing Designation from the state, the City of Salinas is submitting an application outlining its efforts to support housing development. The public is invited to weigh in on the application. Comments due Dec. 1. housingwebmail@salinas.gov, or send written comments to Community Development Department - Housing Division, Attn: Lisa Brinton, Community Development Director, 65 W. Alisal St., 2nd Floor, Salinas, CA 93901. bit.ly/ ProhousingSalinas2026. Status Quo Ian Oglesby leads in Seaside’s mayoral race; Rita Burks looks certain to retain council seat. By Dave Faries A slate of allies headed for victory celebrate on Nov. 3. From left, Councilmember Gino Garcia (who is midterm), Alec Manas, Kim Barber and Tyller Williamson. E-MAIL: publiccitizen@montereycountynow.com PUBLIC CITIZEN “I put my best foot forward with this campaign.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com NOVEMBER 5-11, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 In a corner of Mountain Mike’s Pizza in Marina, surrounded by signs supporting Mike Moeller for mayor and opposing Measure Q, more than 20 people are eagerly checking their phones to see when the Monterey County Elections Department would release the first round of election results on Tuesday night, Nov. 3. The first count, expected to be released at 8pm, was late, leaving many glued to the multiple televisions on the wall, where NBC News was displaying results from around the nation. A “blue wave” seemed to be sweeping the country, leading to an upbeat atmosphere inside the pizzeria. At last, at about 8:25pm, early results appeared on the county elections website, so a Weekly reporter handed Moeller his phone to show Moeller how the mayor’s race was shaping up. Moeller sat in stunned silence for a few seconds as his supporters cheered and clapped around him. As of Nov. 4, Moeller leads challengers Liesbeth Visscher and Ana Luz Acevedo-Cabrera with 46 percent of the vote, 520 votes ahead of the second-place Visscher. Those gathered at Mountain Mike’s had even more to celebrate: Measure Q, a 7-percent utility users tax, was being hammered at the polls. In early results, 75 percent opposed it. Moeller is a health care professional who is hoping to become the city’s first new mayor in 18 years following the retirement of Bruce Delgado. “Never count your chickens before they hatch,” Moeller says as he looks at the numbers. “It’s a strong lead and I’m really happy with that, but it’s not over until it’s over.” At Visscher’s gathering at her home, people sit in the living room and around the dining room table, as Councilmember Jenny McAdams watches national results on a laptop and reports the latest. Before the local results roll in, County Supervisor Wendy Root Askew shows up. Earlier in the day, Visscher says she began her morning “human billboarding” for her campaign. “Whatever happens with the vote will happen,” she says. In the three-person race for the District 4 seat on the Marina City Council, Brad Imamura and Mike Simmons are in a close contest, with Simmons leading by three votes as of 2:20am on Nov. 4, Athena Burciaga, with 30 percent of the vote, is in third. After the first results were announced, Burciaga thanked everyone for coming to a party hosted by the Central Coast Democratic Socialists of America at 6th Avenue Studios in Seaside. She was celebrating the results, adding more Democratic ballots will be counted last. The group is also watching national results roll in. “You don’t have to tear down the minorities to win in a conservative state,” she says about James Talarico’s Senate win in Texas. “You just have to lower the cost of living for people living there.” Burciaga also opposed Measure Q on the campaign trail. “Measure Q is dead,” she announced at 8:36pm. New Direction Mike Moeller leads Marina’s mayoral race as Measure Q heads to a resounding defeat. By Erik Chalhoub and Agata Popęda Mike Moeller chats with supporters at Mountain Mike’s Pizza in Marina on Tuesday night, Nov. 3. The mayoral candidate was joined by opponents of Measure Q at the party. NEWS “Whatever happens with the vote will happen.” ERIK CHALHOUB
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 5-11, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com About 50 people are gathered in the courtyard of the Kimpton Mirador Hotel in downtown Pacific Grove just after 8pm on Tuesday, Nov 3, sipping wine and munching on French fries and charcuterie while waiting for local election results. Although they were there to support Mayor Nick Smith, running for a second term against former councilmember Luke Coletti in a nonpartisan race, they are in a good mood as more Democrats nationally were reported to win seats in the House and Senate. As the minutes wore on with no Monterey County results forthcoming, Smith stood with his family, watching a large monitor and waiting. Councilmember Tina Rau sat at a nearby table with her iPad, constantly hitting the refresh button hoping for the first tallies to appear. When the first results flashed on the monitor more than 20 minutes later, the crowd erupted in shouts and hollers. Smith had a commanding lead with 57 percent of the vote. As of Wednesday, Nov. 4, he had 3,057 votes over Coletti’s 2,339. Next came results in District 1 followed by more shouts of approval, where the incumbent, Councilmember Cynthia Garfield, an ally of Smith’s, is ahead of challenger Kevin Hanley, 522 to 444. The crowd was also buoyed by results in District 3, where Tara Leweling leads in a three-way race with 312 votes, or 43 percent. Andrew Kubica had 274 votes for 38 percent, and Susan Goldbeck attracted 140 votes, just over 19 percent. Incumbent Lori McDonnell, running for a two-year, at-large seat as the P.G. City Council phases in district-based elections, won her race easily against James Ogle, who did not campaign. She had 4,216 votes to Ogle’s 696, for 86 percent as of Nov. 4. “This is a mandate, folks,” Rau told the crowd. “Pacific Grove needs to be progressive. We showed tonight we are progressive and we are going to move forward.” She later pointed out that if the leads hold, the P.G. Council will be majority women, possibly a first in the town’s history. In the mayor’s race, Coletti outspent Smith by nearly $9,000, with an outlay of $20,406 to Smith’s $11,508. Coletti used the $20,600 he raised, including over $13,000 in loans to his own campaign, to send out mailers and text messages to voters. Smith relied on walking neighborhoods. He estimates he visited about 1,000 homes, joined often by councilmember-elect Chris Thomas, a newcomer who ran unopposed in District 5. “We had a lot of great results tonight and I’m really excited about the future,” Smith told supporters. “We’re going to do some great things this term.” Measure R leads with 70 percent of the vote, which will raise the sales tax by 0.375, taking it from 9.25 percent to 9.625 percent. In the race for Pacific Grove Unified School District’s District 1 seat, former P.G. councilmember Dan Miller leads with 415 votes, or 37 percent. Chuck Brinker had 361 votes for 32 percent. Stephen Bennett had 338 votes, for just over 30 percent, as of 2:20am on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Blue Wave P.G. Mayor Nick Smith heads for another term; an incumbent and a newcomer lead for council. By Pam Marino Members of P.G. Progressives—Christina Rodriguez, John Mothershead and Colleen Ingram—react to results showing Mayor Nick Smith in the lead. The group campaigned heavily for Smith. 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