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Sally Aberg & Jeffrey Becom Brian Ackerman Marlene Cohen & John Adair Denise Adams John Adams Mary L. Adams Lew and Sarah Adams Les Addison Stephen Addleman Robin Aeschliman Neil Agron Michael Aiona Peter & Anne Albano Joyce Aldrich Oana Alexan Susan Alnes Staci Alziebler-Perkins Tony Amarante Emmy Ames Steph Anastasia Dawn Anderle Amy Anderson Colleen Anderson Laura Anderson Virigina Anderson Jane Anfinson Tonya Antle Walter Antoku Jeanie Anton Jim Arao and Yoshiko Matsushita-Arao John and Lynn Archer Ginny Arguello Hank Armstrong Robert Armstrong Laura & Sarah Arnow Don Arns Yvonne Ascher & Leonard Laub Leslie Asher Arts Council for Monterey County Ausonio Family Kevin and Mickie Azevedo Larry & Sharon Bacon Kathleen Baer Nancy Baker & Mike Smelser Sameer Bakhda Maxine Balma Analis and Will Bans Anne Banta Barbara Bullock-Wilson Katia Barrett Carrie & Jim Barry James Barry and Carolyn Bretz Barry Linda Beam Kenneth and Sandra Bear Reinhard Beer Lise Belton and John Prader Joining Hands Benefit Shop Kiera Benidettino Letitia Bennett Sheila Benson Judy & Bob Berglass Nancy Bernhard Gail Beyatte Len & Antonia Beyea Laura Bianchi Payne Elizabeth & Brian Birkeland Mads Bjerre Linda Bjornson Margot Black Sarah Blackstone Mary Ellen Blakley Carol Bland Leroy Blankenship Robert Boerner David Bogart Janet and Randy Borchardt Nan Borreson Patti Bosler Celia Bosworth Elizabeth Bowditch Nancy Bowen Sheila Bowman Lynne Boyd Richard Boynton Wren Bradley Bonnie Bragg Amy Brewster Kate & Monroe Bridges Tom and Sally Brocato Vicki Briesacker Brian Broggie Jennifer Brook-Kothlow Julie Brooks Marilyn Brown Peggy Brown Emma and Ronn Brown Paul Bruno Susie Brusa Daniela Bryan Richard Bryant Betsy Buchalter Adler & Barry Adler Karen Buchinger Rob & Rhonda Budas Kim Bui Marjorie Bullock & Nina Harrison The Burciaga Family John Burke Wendy and Joe Burnett Janet Bush Deb Busman Clifford Buxton Linda Calafiore Joni Caldwell Connie Calero Nancy Callahan Karen Calley Lori Calvery Ann Campbell Gordie Campbell S. James Campbell Cannery Row Company Marie Cantin Sharen Carey Carmel Rotary Fund of the CFMC Nathalia Carrillo, Laurel Heights community member Jeff Carter Ruth Carter Robert Carver Anne & William Carwile John & Mary Castagna Kellin & Alan Chaffin Troy Challenger & Barrie O’Brien Peter Chandler Jean Chapin Janine Chicourrat and Dave Potter Nona J. Childress Mishka Chudilowsky & Henry Azama Diane Church-Davies David Ciani Lisa Ciani Michael & Ranjana Clark Robin Clark Pat Clark-Gray Cecil and Patty David Clemens Phyllis Cleveland Thomas Clifton Kelly Close Philip Coelho Elena Cohen Robin Cohen and Peter Kwiek Ronald Cohen Barbara Cole, Ph.D. Cathy Jean Cole Jeannine Woerz Cole Judith and Terry Cole Jeanne Colletto & Gustavo Carvalho Joan Condon Juliana Coniglio Connie Conlee Patti Connolly Gerri Conway Daniel Cooperman Earl Cory Elizabeth Cotsworth David & Susan Courrejou Judy H and Bruce D Cowan Karen Cowdrey Linda Coyle Jaaon Cripe Catherine Crockett Michele Crompton Esther & Colleen Thomas Cruz Jim Cullem Lynda Cunningham Kent Curley Cynthia Curry Erik & Kristin Cushman Susan Cushman Mary Ann Cutino Sarah Dahlen David Dandridge Patrick Daniel and Michelle Kaiser Katharine Daniels Tom and Jane David Charlie & Peri Cynthia Davis Donald Davis Elaine Ireland Dawson Jacqueline Day Susan Day Diane de Lorimier Vince Deatras Tammy Del Conte Bill and Lisa DeLacy Michael DeLapa David Delfino Sheila Delimont Matthew Denecour Robin Denga JOIN OVER 4,041 OF YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS INSIDER Thank You And thanks to the additional 750 anonymous donors. If you’re an Insider and you don’t see your name on this list, please email linda@montereycountynow.com. 26 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 12-18, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com We understand the importance of independent journalism and want to support your efforts in our community. Nancy and Barry, Monterey
JOIN OVER 4,041 OF YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS INSIDER Malinda DeRouen Kathy Dervin Chuck Des Roches Adonis Diaz Martha Diehl Jane DiGirolamo M Susan Ditzler Lynne White-Dixon Judith Doby Alexandra Doherty Sharron Douglas Hallie Mitchell Dow Dion & Judy Dow Donna in PG David & Vicky Duke Lynda Dunn Margy Dunn John & Nancy Durein Mike Durrant Ken Dursa RK Dusek Sharon Dwight Arden Eaton Laurie Eavey Karin Eckvall Cathey Edwards Kwarentine KEdwards Kate Egerton Nicki Ehrlich Maria Eisenhart Donna Elder-Holifield Mary Eldredge JM Eliceche Julie Engell Lannis Enriques David & Lois Epel Suzanne Erdbacher Carole Erickson Dave & Sue Erickson Amy Essick Barbara Evans Deborah Evans Lyn Evans Steven Evans Thad Evans & Yolanda Celaya Beth Fabinsky Paul Farmer Christina Farnsworth Linda Faro Nan Farrell & Kent Marshall Patti Fashing Bob Faulis Marlo Faulkner Heidi Feldman Douglas Ferguson Hugo Ferlito Bonnie Fernandez Jennifer Filzen Lisa Fimby-Dukart and Greg Dukart James Findlay Myrleen Fisher Dr. Anne R Fitzpatrick Jeff & Karen Flack Timothy Flanagan April Fleeman John Fleige Paul Fleischman Pat and Peter Fletcher Erin and Trevor Fogg John Foot Mary Forbord Jean Ford Karin Forno Kim Forrest Kim Forsberg Alyce Foster Jeannette Fowler Ernest and Madeline Franco James Frangella Renee Franken Charly Franklin Brian Fraser Edith Frederick Robert & Delores Frederick Linda Frederiksen Amanda Freedman Al and Friends Elizabeth Fries Tom & Eileen Fukunaga Barbara Furbush Charles and Nikki Gaccione Dana Gallagher Monica Galligan Maria Garcia Gary & Chris Krejsa Alice Gates-Wilcox Ellen & Paul Gaucher Fran Gaver Anna M. Gazo Shawn Gazzano Philip Geiger Daulan Gentry Michael Gentry John Gianelli Alice Gibilterra Laurie Gibson Beat and Kathy Giger Nellis Gilchrist Peggy & Edward Dickson David Ginsburg Alice Ann Glenn Diane Glim Kira Godbe Diana Godwin Jennifer Golden & Peter Gray Jennifer Gonzalez Margaret Goodman Dan Gotch Robert Gotch Rosanne Gould Robert Grace Mike Grattan Whitney Gravel Gray’s Art Gallery Bryce Graybill Joe Grebmeier Christine Green Dan Green Siobhan & Joe Greene Carol Greenstreet Barbara Greenway Phyllis Grillo and Joe Sweeney Christopher Grimes & Martina Volpp Arlen Grossman Mary and Bret Grove Allan Groves Barry Groves Jyl Groves Michael & Karen Gunby Margaret Guthrie Tim Haag Roger and Libby Hagman Debbie Hale Roberta J. Hall Cliff Halverson Raymond Hames Jackie & Randy Hamilton Lynn Hamilton and Pat McNeill Lisa Handley Thomas Hannah Peggy Hansen Sarah Hardgrave & Josh Plant Elinda Hardy and Sam Buttrey Maggie Hardy Steven Harper Nancy Harray Dorothy M Harrelson Susan Harris Tamara and Reuben Harris John Harrison Kelleen Harter Ben Harvey Chris Hasegawa Shari Hastey Heike Hauck Jeff Hawkins Janet Isak Hawley Erin Hayes In Memory of Jimmy Cribbs Yolanda Hayes George Hayhoe Kriss Hayward Cathy Heape Lauren Heflin Michael Helmes Lee Henderson & Donna Gibson Catherine & Scott Hendrick Kathleen Hendricks Peggy Hennessee June Henry Bob & Anne Herendeen Miguel A. and Bonnie Hernandez Joseph Hertlein Noelle Hetz Karen Hewitt John Heyl Jeane Hickman James F. Hicks Sheila Gibbons Hiebert John Hiestand Kathleen Hill MaryNina Hill Celeste Williams and Peter Hiller Larry Hirahara Sue Hobbs Yadira Hobby Cyndy Hodges Denis Hoey Astrid Holberg, MD JoAnn F Holbrook Nancy and Mark Hollingsworth Jack Holmgren Tina Holston Mary Hood Beth Hopkins Heidi Hopkins William Hopkins Jill Hosmer-Jolley Michael Houston Nancy Howden Steve Howell Eileen Hu Chris & Toula Hubbard David & Patti Hughes Mark and Kathy Hughes Boon Hughey and Nikki Nedeff Oona Hull LAc Timothy Huntington Jean Hurd Kate Hurley Gary Huskey Nancy Hutton Doreen Hyland Mary Ichiuji Efren Iglesia John Ittelson Morgan Ivens-Duran Ann Jacobson Nicole Jakaby Lorraine Yglesias and James Rice Hans Jannasch Andrea Jarvis Ann Jealous Jeanette Cisneros Lindsay Jeffers James Jeffery Adam Jeselnick Donna Jett Diana Jimenez Stiven Jimenez Carol Johnson Kathleen Johnson Larry Johnson and Kathleen Baker Mitch Johnson Richard Johnson Donna Johnston Local coverage is an essential foundation for a healthy community. Your staff writers provide objective, in-depth reporting and analysis on important and interesting topics. Please thank them from me and keep up the good work. Terry, Monterey Become a Weekly Insider: insider.montereycountynow.com www.montereycountynow.com MARCH 12-18, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 27 We devour the Weekly and are so grateful to have such a fine newspaper. Annie, Prunedale
SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM I read a quip from a satirist the other day that made me laugh. She wrote that she wanted to cancel her threemonth trial subscription to 2026: “Whatever the hell this is, this thing you’re selling as 2026, no thank you. Please cancel.” It was funny in a haha way, but also funny in a bewildering, headshaking way. We’re not even 90 days into the year and the news on the national and international level is dumbfounding. Here at Monterey County Weekly and Monterey County Now (our digital platforms) we don’t cover national and international news much, but the sheer volume and force of events since the start of the year is inescapable even here at the local level. It is said that journalism is the first draft of history, and the national media’s coverage of these historic first weeks of the year—even while it feels suffocating at times—has been invaluable. In our pages you’ll find different information and context, not so much about missile attacks and the latest Trump meanderings, but equally vital to our understanding of this time and place. The flow of information is a bonding agent for civil societies. Without it, people’s engagement with those who wield power—and engagement with each other—is diminished. I predict that local news, much like national reporting, will be seen in the years to come as a bulwark protecting the rights and freedoms of everyday Americans. From our headquarters in Seaside, the Weekly’s reporters and editors are covering how immigration policies are affecting local people and the major local industries of agriculture and hospitality; how education and health care will be impacted by cuts to funding and policy changes decided in Washington, D.C.; and how potentially groundbreaking technology is being launched and advanced in the region. In addition, we let our readers in on some excellent options for what to do each weekend. In this week’s cover story (see p. 18), senior staff writer Pam Marino walks us through the 250th anniversary of the Anza expedition, the first overland colonizing expedition of California, which had a transformative stop in Monterey. It is a nuanced and thoughtful look at a major international event. As regular readers of the paper and Monterey County Now, many of you Become a Monterey County Weekly Insider: insider.montereycountynow.com MARCH 27-APRIL 2, 2025 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT LEGAL DRAMA FOR CALI ROOTS 8 | SPENDING SCHOOL BONDS 11 | TARIFFS HIT WINE AND BEER 42 FIRST PLACE GENERAL EXCELLENCE • 2024 CA JOURNALISM AWARDS • BATTERY STORAGE IS PART OF THE RENEWABLE ENERGY FUTURE. WHAT SAFETY LESSONS CAN WE TAKE FROM A CATASTROPHIC FIRE IN MOSS LANDING? P. 16 By David Schmalz POWER DOWN JANUARY 15-21, 2026 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT A FUTURE FOR BIG SUR BAKERY? 10 | P.G. OPENS FOR CANNABUSINESSES 11 | FOOD MEETS ART 34 FIRST PLACE GENERAL EXCELLENCE • 2025 CA JOURNALISM AWARDS • NEW GROUPS ARE BRINGING FRESH IDEAS TO TRY TO SOLVE THE LONGSTANDING HOUSING SHORTAGE. P. 16 By Pam Marino JANUARY 8-14, 2026 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT SONGS OF TRANSITION 5 | HOSTEL TAKEOVER 6 | ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM 23 | INTO THE FRYER 30 FIRST PLACE GENERAL EXCELLENCE • 2025 CA JOURNALISM AWARDS • As Julie Packard prepares to retire from the Monterey Bay Aquarium, she reflects on the state of ocean science. p. 14 By Katie Rodriguez UNCHARTED WATERS SEPTEMBER 4-10, 2025 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT MAKE YOUR OWN CLASS 8 | END OF AN INSTITUTE 17 | CUP COMES AROUND 32 | GO CAMBODIAN 38 FIRST PLACE GENERAL EXCELLENCE • 2025 CA JOURNALISM AWARDS • JOBY IS SCALING UP ITS MARINA FACILITY AND HITTING MILESTONES WITH ITS FUTURE AIR TAXIS. WILL IT BE COMMERCIALLY SUCCESSFUL? p. 20 By Erik Chalhoub SUPER FLY 28 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 12-18, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com From the Publisher
SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM Become a Weekly Insider: insider.montereycountynow.com INSIDER HOW TO JOIN Go online at insider.montereycountynow.com Or by mail: 668 Williams Ave., Seaside, CA 93955 Your contribution level: $500 $150 $50 $20 $15 $10 Other $________ Contribution schedule: Monthly (dollar match special) Annual One-time Name_ ________________________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________________ City, State_ ____________________________________________________________________ Email____________________________________ Phone________________________________ May we include your name in public acknowledgements? Yes How would you like your name to appear?_ _________________________________________ No, I would prefer to be anonymous Payment: Credit card number______________________________________________________________ Expiration date __________________________CVV code_ _____________________________ Name/Billing address (if different from above)_______________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ For more info: linda@montereycountynow.com (831) 394-5656 031226 www.montereycountynow.com MARCH 12-18, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 29 will recognize it as an example of local journalism that is tightly interwoven with a far larger story. In addition, you can read stories about land use (more specifically water and housing), a local artist and a local drummer, and a loaded Bloody Mary—a blend representative of any given week’s paper. This is the kind of journalism that is underwritten by your friends and neighbors who contribute financially to support Monterey County Weekly and Monterey County Now. This is a group that we call Weekly Insiders. Since 2020, when we began actively inviting readers to offer their financial support, 4,041 of your friends and neighbors have stepped up. If you are one of that group, as we say in big letters on the preceding pages: Thank you. If you have a friend who you think should be an Insider, please give them a nudge. If you haven’t yet become a Weekly Insider, I hope you will join them. We are looking to get 400 new Weekly Insiders signed up by the end of April. We have a few incentives and a special gift for those who commit to a monthly contribution of $15 or more: Your first month’s contribution will be matched, and we’ll send you a stylish grocery bag made of recycled plastic and emblazoned with the likeness of our very own animal mascot, Squid. It’s a thank you gift where form meets function, and it can be yours for less than the price of a Netflix membership. In return, I pledge that we will put your donations to good use reporting on events and people that will shape our lives now and into the future as we publish the first draft of history. As you are able, please contribute today. - Erik Cushman, publisher DOLLAR MATCH SPECIAL Sign up as a monthly supporter by April 30 and your first month’s donation will be matched dollar for dollar.
JOIN OVER 4,041 OF YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS INSIDER Neil & Stephanie Johnston Shirmaine Jones Teresa Jones Therese Jorgensen Debbie Juran Karen D. Kadushin Margaret Kahn Stefanie Kaku Bobbi L Kamil Jennifer Kamp Bill Kampe Carol Kaplan Doug Kasunich Reed Kavner Marjorie Kay Constance and Michael Kean Celia and Tim Keefer Christopher Keehn William & Lauren Keenan Carolyn Kelleher Greg Kelley Karen Max Kelly Diane Kelsey A. Kennedy & D.W. Daniels Ovilee Kennedy Quinn Kennedy Dana Kent and Bill Monning Mark Kent Ann Kern John Kern Henrik Kibak Lorene Kimzey Don King Amber Kingery Kay Kingsley Kenneth & Linda Klein Lisa & Karl Kleissner Willem Knibbe & Anna Jarrard Jacquelyn Koch Jonathan Koomey Tom Korper Marlene Kosinski Michelle Kozak John and Terri Kratchmer Arlene Krebs Gary Kreeger Anita Kreitman Jack Krell Suzanne Kroeze Nicholas B Kromer Butch and Patte Kronlund Fredric Kropp Carrie Kuhl Robert Kuhling Danielle Kuska Renee La France Monica Lal Leslie L Jerome Landesma Melissa Langley Heather Lanier Matt Lanza Cesar Lara Nathan Larison Lance and Gail Larsen Lifejester & Miss Ellen Mark Lasnik Elizabeth Latona Suzanne Laurens Jennifer Lawrence Laura and Elrond Lawrence Heather Lazare Leon Leash Bowen Lee Kathleen & Rob Lee Kay Lee Richard Lee Brooks Leffler Alan Lehman Hans Lehmann Leni Hazlett Chelsea Lenowska Darlene Lenters Gus and Denese Sanders Leonard Mabel Lernoud David D Lesikar Gretchen Lester Larry Levine Jennifer Levinson Tia Gindick and Ritch Lewis Alan and Maia Liddle Cara Lieb David Ligare Alex and Margaret Lilley Dan & Christine Limesand Darold Skerritt and Judy Lind David Lindenthal-Cox Lynn Ling Bob Lippi Kirsten Liske in Memory of Betty Liske Kay Lubansky & Layne Lisser Wendy and Rob Mari Sue Logan Ellen Logue Eugene Loh Bobbi Long Dennis Long Ernie and Kathy Long Juan Pablo Lopez Maria Lopez Karen Lovejoy Charlene Howell Lowery Lynn Lozier Marsha Lubow Kevin Ludwig Rosemary Luke Scott Lundy Loretta M. Lynch Michael Lynn Carol M Linda Maceira Betsy MacGowan Samantha Macleod Elisa Maddalena Corey Madden Mark Mahady Maja Josina Makau Craig Malin Esther Malkin Christopher Manke Pat Mannion Dennis Mar Melina Mara Heather Marquard George Marquez Douglas Marsh Lisa Martin Maren Martin Marlene Martin Ed Matchak Kirsten Matsumoto Betty Matterson Justin Matthews Therese Mayone Elizabeth Mazik Jenny McAdams Eleanor McCalla Mike McCann Joan and John McCleary Beau McCoy Linell Mccray Chris Mccrum Patricia McDermott Rebecca and Budj McDill Steven McDougall An McDowell Onnette McElroy Christine McEnery Marcella McFadden Sharon McFarlin Patrick McGovern Brigid McGrath Massie Tom McGurn Steve and Kim McIntyre Anita McKean Nicki & Michael McMahan John McNally Susannah McNamara Pat McNeill Scott McReynolds Steve McShane Jane Meade-Roberts & Michael Roberts Peter And Kay Mehren Barbara Meister Susan Meister Mary Melland Stan Mellin and Catherine Sheen Ed Mellinger and Pam Hopkins Marli and Bob Melton Judith Menconi Bruce Merchant & Sandra Reel Paul H. Meredith Sharon Meresman Irene Merrill Derinda L. Messenger Fred & Phyllis Meurer Kay and Angelo Micalizio S. Michelson and R.T. Brophy Cathy Miller Flo Miller Kevin Miller Maria and Jim Miller Sharon Miller Susan & Allen Miller M & P Minnis Kate Mitchell Mehle Anne Mollet Patricia Monahan & Gordon Newlands Vaughan Monnes Robert Montgomery Annelise Moore Lucy Moore Jennifer Moorhouse Sean Morgan Kellie Morgantini Kendra Morgenrath Audrey Morris Tom Motley Nancy Mouat Valerie Moule Todd Muck Christiane Muehlich Marla Murphy Konny Murray Elizabeth Murray Dick Murray G. Muson Roberta Myers Laura & Harry Nagel Kit Menkin Nan Bettina Navarro Janice Neal Nicole Nedeff Victoria Nelson Neumeier Taylor Foundation Fund of the CFMC Jeanette Nicely Emily Nicholl Teri Nicoll-Johnson Dianne Nielson George Niesen Susanne Nilsson Michelle Noble McCain Craig Noke Karen Nordstrand George Norton Ann Notthoff Jo Ann Novoson and Carl Christensen Carol O’Neil Central Coast Senior Services, Inc. Meghan O’Donnell Helen Ogden and Rick McGarrity Anne Oja Rob O’Keefe John Olver Tama Olver Lawrence Omoto Jennifer ONeill Become a Weekly Insider: insider.montereycountynow.com 30 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 12-18, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com We appreciate all the hard work that you and your staff do to keep free press alive. Judy, Monterey You guys rock! Thank you to you and the entire Weekly team for all that you do for our community. Nice to see journalism alive and thriving! JMC, Carmel
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Richard Stanley Maggy Steele Robin Stelle M. Sterrett Kyle Stewart Sandra Still Zoe Ann Stivers Sigrid Stokes Katherine Stoner & Michelle Welsh Stephen Storey MD Honest Engine Film Gary & Karen Stotz Nancy Stout Karin Strasser Kauffman Ladd Strnad Vida Strong Nijomu Studio Nicholas Sturch Becky Suarez Kathleen Sullivan Trish Triumpho Sullivan Judy Souza Robert and Taye Suzuki CJS Kris Swanson Steven Swartzendruber John Swendseid Mark Swenson Sherry Sybertz Robert C Sykes and Kyoko Ito Bryan Syverson Frank Takacs & Amy Essick Pamela Takigawa Tammy Lewis Peter J. Tansill, CPA Alice Tao Bruce & Linda Taylor Nina Taylor Scott Taylor Mary Teer Cath Tendler & Jan Valencia David and Kelly Terry Antony Tersol Diana Thelander Chris Thomas Elizabeth Thomas & Bernie Shellem Cole Thompson & Donna Mueller DeeAnn Thompson & Michael Jones Judy Thompson Nancy Thompson Jim Thomson Lila Thorsen P. Tibbals Claudia and Ryan Tibbs Marlene Tise Lauren Tobin Francis & Leigh Toldi Paul Tomaselli Brian Tomaszewski David Tonus Cameron Torgenrud Skin by Cilla Linda Torre Berta Torres Roberta Troxell Wesley Truscott & Gari Ann Judy Tschirgi & Steve Hoch Laura Tugwell Rita Tuzon Kristin Vais Michelle Valdez Jim & Jeri Vanderzwaan Carol Venolia Roy & Colette Verley Earl Vickers Jan Wagstaff Ximena Waissbluth Dorothy Walker Margaret Walker Beth Walker and Tina Rau Pris Walton Cathy and Ed Waltrip Pat Walworth Clara Wang Jason Warburg Max & Mary Warburton-Boland Thomas Ward Diane Wardell Tuel Cole & Carolyn Warren Nanda Warren Lisa Wartinger Christina Watson Don & Cathe Weber Brenda Webster Susan Weir Richard Weiss Jerry Wen Tom Werbe Cody + Maija West Terri Wheeler Digital Giraffe Berkley White Joanne White Amanda Whitmire Dave & Alessandra Whitney Maryanne Will Susan Johnson Willey Juan Vargas & Edie Williams Gary Williams Jennifer L. Williams & John Carpenter Kathleen Williams Leah Williams Molly Williams Paul Wilner Elizabeth Wilson Nahas Family Fund Meg Withgott Jeannine Woerz Cole Kathi and Bill Wojtkowski Alan Lurie And Kathy Woo Patricia Woodman Suzy Worcester Julianne Wutke Dave and Linda Wyckoff Dennis & Roz Wyszynski Lynn Yaghoubian Vicky Yakobovich Kari & Michael Yeater Lawrence Yee Cary Yeh Michelle Yellich Young Family Kathleen Youngquist James Yuen Mary Yui and Jeffrey Longmate Christopher Zalewski Emily & Zefferman Matthew Marc Zegans Dawn Zinser Church Susan Zsigmond Veronica Zucca Jay Zwagerman JOIN OVER 4,041 OF YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS INSIDER 32 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 12-18, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com Become a Weekly Insider: insider.montereycountynow.com I’m so impressed with all you’ve accomplished so far and look forward to seeing it as it evolves. Journalism is my thing and I tell everyone I encounter that the Weekly is the best source of local news and issue coverage that we have. Local news is expensive--and vital. Susan, Carmel Thank you for your investigations, reporting and news!! Chrysanna, Salinas A SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT OUR ADVERTISERS: In addition to the many, many individuals listed in these pages, Monterey County Weekly got support this past year from 949 different organizations. The vast majority of the advertisers in the newspaper, the newsletter and website are local businesses and nonprofit organizations that have advertised with us for many years. In the Before Times, local adver- tising was essentially the only source of revenue for the Weekly. As we recognize the many people who have helped our company move into a business model where reader revenue is ever more important, we wish to acknowledge and thank those business decisionmakers who have long used our platforms to help their own organizations succeed. Not only do local advertisers utilize Monterey County Weekly and Monterey County Now to market their businesses, but as we know, most of them are loyal and voracious readers as well. Next time you find yourself doing business with one of our advertisers, please mention that you saw their message in our pages or on our digital platforms. We would not be here without them. Thanks for reading, Erik Cushman, publisher
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