november 9-15, 2023 montereycountyweekly.com LOCAL & INDEPENDENT counting steelhead trout 16 | inside the frame 34 | raise a glass at the american legion 38 An initiative in Salinas aims to rethink how economic development works, giving nonprofits a seat at the table. p. 22 By Sara Rubin Blank Canvas Cultivating Community Join in supporting the work of 206 local nonprofits. INSIDE
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 9-15, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com PUBLIC NOTICE Notice of availability of DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT/ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT and ANNOUNCEMENT of OPEN FORUM HEARINGS (Study Results Available) Scenic Route 68 Corridor Improvements Project WHAT IS BEING PLANNED? WHERE YOU COME IN? CONTACT SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS WHAT’S AVAILABLE? WHY THIS PUBLIC NOTICE? The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) proposes to improve intersection operations to reduce vehicle delay, reduce the rate and severity of collisions between vehicles as well as with wildlife, and improve bicycle and pedestrian access on an approximately 9-mile stretch of State Route 68 in Monterey County, from highway post mile 4.8 to post mile 13.7 (west to east). The project proposes to modify the design of nine intersections from Josselyn Canyon Road to San Benancio Road and provide five new underground culverts for wildlife to cross under the highway. Two build alternatives are being evaluated: Alternative 1 would convert the nine intersections into roundabouts, eight of which would be converted into single-lane roundabouts and one into a two-lane roundabout. Alternative 2 would include expanded signalized intersections with adaptive signal control technology and enhanced lane channelization to provide auxiliary through lanes and additional right and left turn lanes. Both alternatives would provide improved bicycle and pedestrian facilities, replacement lighting, replacement drainage facilities, and relocated utilities where necessary. Temporary construction easements would be required to access nearby properties for construction activities where necessary. Because the proposed work would encroach upon wetlands, the project is being evaluated to determine if there are any practical alternatives to avoid this encroachment or, if not, to ensure that all practical measures are taken to minimize harm to the wetlands. The proposed work may affect historic properties eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. Caltrans is evaluating alternatives to determine if the project can avoid adversely affecting the property(ies) or, if not, if adequate mitigation measures can be incorporated into the project plans. Have the potential impacts been addressed? Do you have information that should be included? Your comments will be part of the public record. If you wish to comment, submit your written comments by Monday, January 8, 2024, to Caltrans Environmental Planning, Attention: Matt Fowler, Senior Environmental Planner, 50 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo, California 93401, or by email at sr-68@dot.ca.gov. Several public hearings are planned to be held during the public review period for the draft environmental document to provide an overview of the proposed project and the draft environmental document, allow you to ask questions about the analysis in the environmental document, and provide your comments. For more information or to request a copy of the Draft Environmental Impact Report/ Environmental Assessment, please contact Matt Fowler, Senior Environmental Planner, at 805-779-0793 or by email at matt.c.fowler@dot.ca.gov. For information on other state highway projects, please visit the Caltrans District 5 website at https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me-district-5/ or contact the Caltrans District 5 Public Information Office at 805-549-3138 or by email at info-d5@dot.ca.gov. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, individuals who require accommodation (American Sign Language Interpreter, accessible seating, documents in alternative formats, etc.) are requested to contact the Caltrans District 5 Public Information Office at info-d5@dot.ca.gov or by phone at 805-549-3138. Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf (TDD) users may contact the California Relay Service line at 1-800-735-2929, Voice Line at 1-800-735-2922, or contact the California Relay Service Teletype Voice Line by dialing 711. Volume 1 of the Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment is available for review and can be downloaded from the following website: https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-5/ The report is also available for review in printed format at the following locations: The technical environmental studies are available upon request. Please contact Matt Fowler, Senior Environmental Planner, 50 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo, California 93401, by email at matt.c.fowler@dot.ca.gov or by telephone at 805-779-0793. • Monterey Public Library · 625 Pacific Street, Monterey, California 93940, during operating hours • El Gabilan Library · 1400 North Main Street, Salinas, California 93906, during operating hours • Cesar Chavez Library · 615 Williams Road, Salinas, California 93905, during operating hours • Transportation Agency for Monterey County Offices · 55-B Plaza Circle, Salinas, California 93901, during operating hours • Caltrans District Office · 50 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo, California 93401, on weekdays during operating hours Caltrans has studied the effects this project may have on the environment. Our studies show it will significantly affect the quality of the environment. The report that explains why is called an Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment. This notice is to inform you of the preparation of the Draft Environmental Impact Report/ Environmental Assessment and of its availability for you to read. Three open forum hearings will be held to give you an opportunity to talk about certain design features of the project with Caltrans’ staff before the final design is selected. Open Forum Hearings will be held as follows to discuss the Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment: • Wednesday, November 15, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Hospitality Pavilion · 1021 Monterey Salinas Highway, Salinas, California 93908 • Thursday, November 16, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at The Armory Police Activities League · 100 Howard Street, Salinas, California 93901 • Wednesday, December 6, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Monterey Conference Center · 1 Portola Plaza, Monterey, California 93940 BEGIN CONSTRUCTION PM 4.8 END CONSTRUCTION PM 13.7 Del Rey Oaks Fort Ord National Monument Monterey NOT to SCALE
www.montereycountyweekly.com NOVEMBER 9-15, 2023 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 3 Our medical center is nationally recognized for excelling in quality and safety. We earned the 8th consecutive “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group. Congratulations to our outstanding team, keeping our community rising in good health – and safety! Leading the Way in Patient Safety Learn more about our awards by scanning the QR code.
4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY november 9-15, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com november 9-,15 2023 • ISSUE #1840 • Established in 1988 Steve Zmak (Hasselblad 35mm camera with a 28mm lens on a DJI Mavic 2 Pro) The deconstruction of the Moss Landing power plant reveals the innards of a different energy era. Current owner Vistra is removing most of the old Dynegy plant to make way for more battery storage; the smokestacks will remain as a visual artifact. Monterey County photo of the week Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@mcweekly.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: The “He Had a Dream” mural at Martin Luther Jr. School of the Arts in Seaside was a collaborative project of the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District and Hijos del Sol, with work by apprentices José Nolasco, Josue David Rubio and Luis Aguilar, with artist José Ortiz and students. Hijos del Sol is one of nine organizations in the first cohort of the Salinas Inclusive Economic Development Initiative (SIEDI). Cover photo: Courtesy of Hijos del Sol etc. Copyright © 2023 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: $120 yearly, pre-paid. 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.montereycountyweekly.com. Audited by CVC. Founder & CEO Bradley Zeve bradley@mcweekly.com (x103) Publisher Erik Cushman erik@mcweekly.com (x125) Editorial editor Sara Rubin sara@mcweekly.com (x120) features editor Dave Faries dfaries@mcweekly.com (x110) associate editor Tajha Chappellet-Lanier tajha@mcweekly.com (x135) Staff Writer Celia Jiménez celia@mcweekly.com (x145) Staff Writer Pam Marino pam@mcweekly.com (x106) Staff Writer Rey Mashayekhi rey@mcweekly.com (x102) Staff Writer Agata Pope¸da (x138) aga@mcweekly.com Staff Writer David Schmalz david@mcweekly.com (x104) Staff photographer Daniel Dreifuss daniel@mcweekly.com (x140) MONTEREY COUNTY NOW PRODUCER Sloan Campi sloan@mcweekly.com (x105) contributors Nik Blaskovich, Rob Brezsny, Nic Coury, Tonia Eaton, Jeff Mendelsohn, Jacqueline Weixel, Paul Wilner Cartoons Rob Rogers, Tom Tomorrow Production Art Director/Production Manager Karen Loutzenheiser karen@mcweekly.com (x108) Graphic Designer Kevin Jewell kevinj@mcweekly.com (x114) Graphic Designer Alexis Estrada alexis@mcweekly.com (x114) Graphic Designer Lani Headley lani@mcweekly.com (x114) SALES senior Sales Executive Diane Glim diane@mcweekly.com (x124) Senior Sales Executive George Kassal george@mcweekly.com (x122) Senior Sales Executive Keith Bruecker keith@mcweekly.com (x118) Classifieds business development director Keely Richter keely@mcweekly.com (x123) Digital Director of Digital Media Kevin Smith kevin@mcweekly.com (x119) Distribution Distribution AT Arts Co. atartsco@gmail.com Distribution Control Harry Neal Business/Front Office Office Manager Linda Maceira linda@mcweekly.com (x101) Bookkeeping Rochelle Trawick rochelle@mcweekly.com 668 Williams Ave., Seaside, CA 93955 831-394-5656, (FAX) 831-394-2909 www.montereycountyweekly.com We’d love to hear from you. Send us your tips at tipline.montereycountyweekly.com. We can tell you like the print edition of the Weekly. We bet you’ll love the daily newsletter, Monterey County NOW. Get fresh commentary, local news and sundry helpful distractions delivered to your inbox every day. There’s no charge, and if you don’t love it, you can unsubscribe any time. SIGN UP NOW Sign up today at montereycountyweekly.com/mcnow
www.montereycountyweekly.com NOVEMBER 9-15, 2023 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 AN OCEAN OF GIFT- GIVING OPTIONS Visit the new Monterey Bay Aquarium Store at 585 Cannery Row. Members receive a 10% discount. *Terms and conditions apply. Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of May 30, 2023. The Dividend rate and APY may change at any time. The APY is based on the assumption that dividends will remain in the account until maturity. Any fee, withdrawal, or transfer reduces the earnings and there are penalties for early withdrawal. The minimum deposit for this 12-month certificate is $1,000.00. Does not Automatically renew. NMLS# 786119 Members Save More! Certificate Special At CCFCU, Membership Means More Become a Member Today 4.10% APY* 18-Month Term *offer limited to new deposits of $10,000+ *Terms and conditions apply. Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of January 17, 2023. The Dividend rate and APY may change at any time. The APY is based on the assumption that dividends will remain in the account until maturity. Any fee, withdrawal, or transfer reduces the earnings and there are penalties for early withdrawals. The minimum deposit for this 18-month certificate is $10,000.00. Does not automatically renew. Call 831-393-3480 or visit your local CCFCU branch to take advantage of our Special Certificate rate. Seaside: 4242 Gigling Rd. | Salinas: 900 S. Main St. | Soledad: 315 Gabilan Rd. | King City: 510 Canal St. centcoastfcu.com NMLS# 786119 Members Save More! Certificate Special At CCFCU, Membership Means More Become a Member Today 4.10% APY* 18-Month Term *offer limited to new deposits of $10,000+ *Terms and conditions apply. Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of January 17, 2023. The Dividend rate and APY may change at any time. The APY is based on the assumption that dividends will remain in the account until maturity. Any fee, withdrawal, or transfer reduces the earnings and there are penalties for early withdrawals. The minimum deposit for this 18-month certificate is $10,000.00. Does not automatically renew. Call 831-393-3480 or visit your local CCFCU branch to take advantage of our Special Certificate rate. Seaside: 4242 Gigling Rd. | Salinas: 900 S. Main St. | Soledad: 315 Gabilan Rd. | King City: 510 Canal St. centcoastfcu.com NMLS# 786119 Certificate Special At CCFCU, Membership Means More Become a Member Today *offer limited to new deposits of $10,000+ *Terms and conditions apply. Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of January 17, 2023. The Dividend rate and APY may change at any time. The APY is based on the assumption that dividends will remain in the account until maturity. Any fee, withdrawal, or transfer reduces the earnings and there are penalties for early withdrawals. The minimum deposit for this 18-month certificate is $10,000.00. Does not automatically renew. Call 831-393-3480 or visit your local CCFCU branch to take advantage of our Special Certificate rate. Seaside: 4242 Gigling Rd. | Salinas: 900 S. Main St. | Soledad: 315 Gabilan Rd. | King City: 510 Canal St. centcoastfcu.com NMLS# 786119 Members Save More! Certificate Special At CCFCU, Membership Means More Become a Member Today 4.10% APY* 18-Month Term *offer limited to new deposits of $10,000+ *Terms and conditions apply. Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of January 17, 2023. The Dividend rate and APY may change at any time. The APY is based on the assumption that dividends will remain in the account until maturity. Any fee, withdrawal, or transfer reduces the earnings and there are penalties for early withdrawals. The minimum deposit for this 18-month certificate is $10,000.00. Does not automatically renew. Call 831-393-3480 or visit your local CCFCU branch to take advantage of our Special Certificate rate. Seaside: 4242 Gigling Rd. | Salinas: 900 S. Main St. | Soledad: 315 Gabilan Rd. | King City: 510 Canal St. centcoastfcu.com Call 831-393-3480 or visit your local CCFCU branch to take advantage of our Special Certificate rate. Seaside: 4242 Gigling Rd. | Salinas: 1141 S Main St. | Soledad: 315 Gabilan Dr. | King City: 510 Canal St. centcoastfcu.com Certificate Special Become a Member Today 5.00% APY* 12-Month Term Offer limited to new deposits of $1,000.00+ Thanksgiving Meal pick ups are available on both Tuesday, 11/21 and Wednesday, 11/22. THANKSGIVING MENU $112 PER TICKET (TICKET FEEDS TWO PEOPLE) OVEN-ROASTED TURKEY BREAST seasoned with Orange, Black Pepper & Cinnamon (GF, DF) ROASTED TURKEY GRAVY (GF, CONTAINS DAIRY) APPLE-SAGE STUFFING (CONTAINS GLUTEN, EGGS, BUTTER) (NOT VEGETARIAN) STRING BEAN CASSEROLE with Shitake Miso Cream Sauce & Crispy Shallots (GF, VEGETARIAN, CONTAINS SOY) RAW CRANBERRY-ORANGE RELISH (GF, VEGAN) BUTTERMILK-WHIPPED POTATOES (GF, CONTAINS DAIRY) DINNER ROLLS served with Sorghum-Pumpkin Butter (CONTAINS GLUTEN & DAIRY) To place your order visit www.elroysfinefoods.com or scan this QR CODE! Quantities are limited, so order soon! Get Your Turkey Dinner from Elroy’s Fine Foods LIMITED QUANTITIES, SO PLEASE ORDER SOON! @ELROYSFINEFOODS WWW.ELROYSFINEFOODS.COM 15 SOLEDAD DRIVE (831) 373-3737 MONTEREY, CA 93940 Poultry In Motion
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 9-15, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH Hateful Zoom-bombers have found a way to disrupt local government meetings all over the country. Many jurisdictions continued the pandemic-era practice of allowing virtual public comment, allowing members of the public to address government agencies like city councils and planning commissions without having to be physically present—a practice that encourages greater public participation by reducing barriers. But local cities are joining other jurisdictions in limiting the practice after their meetings were derailed by groups of hateful callers, who made antisemitic and anti-Black slurs. On Nov. 2, Seaside City Council voted to end Zoom comments, following a similar decision by Pacific Grove Mayor Bill Peake on Oct. 27. The Monterey City Council, on the other hand, directed staff on Oct. 11 to continue accepting virtual comments. “It is unfortunately easier for folks to spew hate speech online because they can be anonymous, they can use whatever name they want and there aren’t ways to restrict that,” Monterey Assistant City Manager Nat Rojanasathira said. Council opted to keep it, seeking to maximize public participation. Good: Military veterans were trained to doggedly pursue victory, and nowhere is that better illustrated than through the Veterans Transition Center in Marina, which despite many challenges is on the way to constructing a 71-unit complex of permanent supportive housing for veterans and their families on the site of former Fort Ord military housing. The nonprofit celebrated the accomplishment on Friday, Nov. 3 at the construction site, joined by Marina Mayor Bruce Delgado, Assemblymember Dawn Addis and County Supervisor Wendy Root Askew. “As a resident of Marina, as a former military child, as a leader in our community, my heart explodes with appreciation to each and every one of you and I can’t wait to get families in here,” Root Askew said to an audience that included members of VTC and the team from nonprofit EAH Housing which is constructing the project, scheduled to be done in 2025. GREAT: Cesarean sections to deliver babies are sometimes the safest way to go if either the baby or mother are in jeopardy. When overused they can lead to higher rates of surgical complications for moms and higher rates of infection and other issues for their children. In 2015 the California Health and Human Services Agency created the Maternity Care Honor Roll to recognize hospitals with a low rate of C-sections for low-risk, first-time births. The state target is 23.6 percent or less of all births. On Oct. 31, the state released the 2023 honor roll, showing that all three hospitals located in Monterey County that have maternity departments—Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, Natividad and Salinas Valley Health—are on it. The great news is that Natividad, owned and operated by the County of Monterey, has been on the honor roll all eight years since the list was created. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY Estimated annual revenue from a cannabis dispensary in Pacific Grove. On Nov. 1, City Council voted 6-0 to approve a draft ordinance after voters in 2022 passed ballot measures M and N, authorizing council to allow retail cannabis sales. Source: Pacific Grove City Council’s Nov. 1 meeting and agenda $300,000 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Poetry is both for the people and of the people.” -Daniel B. Summerhill, Monterey County’s poet laureate. The Arts Council for Monterey County is now seeking nominations (until Nov. 15) for the next two-year poet laureate (see story, mcweekly.com). The current agreement for Ambulance Services between the County of Monterey and American Medical Response is set to expire June 30, 2025. The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency is developing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for ambulance service for the County of Monterey Exclusive Operating Area (EOA) to begin on July 1, 2025. The EMS Agency is seeking feedback from members of the community, city and county officials, and the EMS system as a whole on the Draft RFP Scope of Work (SOW). The draft of the RFP SOW and a form to submit feedback are available via the EMS Agency’s website at www.mocoems.org. Public meetings are being held to provide additional opportunities to hear from our community. These meeting will take place on the following days: Tuesday November 14, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM via Zoom All meetings can be accessed via Zoom. Link below: https://montereycty.zoom.us/j/95332162459? pwd=Zkd0RmdPZitZZDQ2VTNxSW1peHJOdz09 The public comment period closes on Friday, November 17, 2023. The EMS Agency looks forward to hearing from you. RELEASE OF DRAFT RFP SCOPE OF WORK (SOW) FOR PUBLIC COMMENT HAPPY HOUR SUNDAY BREAKFAST 4PM TO 6PM LATE NIGHT 9PM TO 10PM 9:30AM TO 11AM Catch all your favorite teams on 18 HDTV’s LOCATED BEHIND THE PORTOLA HOTEL & SPA | COMPLIMENTARY PARKING (831) 649-2699 | PETERBSBREWPUB.COM VOTED BEST SPORTS BAR BY MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY READERS!
www.montereycountyweekly.com NOVEMBER 9-15, 2023 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 Federally Insured by NCUA | Equal Housing Lender 831.479.6000 • www.bayfed.com • 888.4BAYFED * APY is effective as of September 1, 2023. $1,000 minimum deposit required to open and maintain Certificate account. APY assumes the dividends are reinvested and remain in the account for the full term. Individual Retirement Account (IRA) Certificates are eligible for this offer. Penalty for early withdrawal. Bay Federal Credit Union membership required. This offer is subject to change without notice. Other terms and conditions may apply. For more information, visit any Bay Federal Credit Union branch or contact us. 3.05% APY* 3-month Certificate 3.56% APY* 6-month Certificate 4.08% APY* 12-month Certificate Elevate Your Earnings Terms Up to 5 Years Available For more info call (831) 394-5656 or email sales@mcweekly.com Invite Weekly readers to your business. Advertise in Shop Local Guides Starts November 16 ♥ PeoPle Are Shopping LOCAL thIS holIdAy SeASoN ♥
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 9-15, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com 831 On a recent Friday afternoon, the sun splashes across the green at Del Mesa Carmel, an adult community where the minimum age of residents is 55. Nearly two dozen people, all wearing white, gather in the shade outside the community’s indoor pool. Making announcements to the group is Steve Henrikson, president of the Del Mesa Carmel Lawn Bowling Club, a role he has held for the last three years. On this day, club members will be playing “triples” matches— three on three—and Henrikson breaks them up into teams. Lawn bowling has been a thing at Del Mesa since the community was born in the late ’60s, Henrikson explains. The club currently has 55 members, and he says about 20 to 25 of them come out twice a week when the club gathers for 1pm matches on Tuesdays and Fridays. “It’s a ladies’ and gentlemen’s game. Win or lose, you shake everyone’s hand and say, ‘thank you, good match,’” he says. A few minutes later, George Daskaloff walks by, and Henrikson’s face immediately lights up. He announces that Daskaloff’s team won the club’s annual Halloween tournament held the previous Saturday, adding that Daskaloff is 95. “He will beat anybody out here on the green,” Henrikson says. “When I grow up, George, I want to be just like you.” Daskaloff laughs. And then, with the bounce of a teenager, he springs up a small flight of stairs to the green. “He walks a lot,” Henrikson says. Henrikson doesn’t always play. He sits at a nearby table as the matches begin, making sure everything goes off without a hitch. But even with a decorous pastime, issues can occur. One club member isn’t feeling well, and Henrikson advises him to sit in the shade. This writer is called into action to take his spot. Del Mesa is set atop a plateau, and the view from the bowling green is breathtaking: the Santa Lucia Range sweeps to the south and, hanging over it, the sun inches west across the sky toward the Pacific. So far as Henrikson knows, Del Mesa’s is the only regulation-sized green—120 feet by 120 feet— in Monterey County, with the next closest being at the Santa Cruz Lawn Bowling Club. Lawn bowling, or some version of it, started in ancient Egypt. The game came to America by way of the English colonies, and the terms in the sport are a reflection of that heritage. For instance, the Del Mesa club elects to wear white clothes only for Friday matches. It’s an English thing. The balls in lawn bowling aren’t perfectly round—imagine a sphere being squished a bit—and are called “bowls.” Bowls are also asymmetrically weighted, which causes the bowls to curve toward the lighter side. This is called the bowl’s “bias,” and the bowls are marked with symbols to let bowlers know which side is which. The aim of the game is to roll the bowls across the green to rest as closely as possible to a small white ball, called a jack. Points are awarded to a team if one or more of their bowls are closer to the jack than any bowls from the other team. Each round is called an “end,” and when all three bowlers from each team have rolled their bowls toward the jack, then the next “end” is played going the other direction. As the games are getting close to wrapping up—they go for 12 ends, and last about two hours—Doug Davenport, as he’s changing ends, makes light of how much distance bowlers cover in a game. “I measured it once, and it’s about a mile walk,” he says. “There’s a lot of standing, but that’s good for people in their 80s and 90s.” After the matches finish and everyone shakes hands, a handful of club members gather at tables in the shade and enjoy a refreshment and a snack. The club functions like a community within a community. Henrikson first started playing nine years ago when he moved to Del Mesa with his late wife, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s. “The club was so supportive of her, and helped her play when she didn’t know what was going on anymore,” he says. “It’s almost like family in the way we support one another.” Slow Roll The Del Mesa Carmel Lawn Bowling Club brings community to the green. In this game, age is just a number. By David Schmalz Members of the Del Mesa Carmel Lawn Bowling Club, wearing white outfits per their custom for Friday matches, enjoy an afternoon of lawn bowling Nov. 3. “It’s a ladies’ and gentlemen’s game.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE ROBERT DANIELS JR. SHOP. EAT. STAY. LOCAL Fall in love with shopping small at your favorite Monterey County businesses this holiday season! SHOP SMALL Need ideas? Visit our Member Directory at montereychamber.com/list
www.montereycountyweekly.com NOVEMBER 9-15, 2023 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 DR. BRYNIE KAPLAN DAU, MS, DVM SURGERY DERMATOLOGY FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE REGENERATIVE MEDICINE PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) LASER THERAPY EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE COMPASSIONATE CARE WITH EXCEPTIONAL MEDICINE. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com VOTED MONTEREY COUNTY’S BEST VETERINARIAN THREE YEARS IN A ROW! ’23 ’22 ’21 Cornucopia Community Market offers quality nutritious and environmentally safe products, free of artificial additives and preservatives. Wishing You a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving Find everything you need for your feast at Cornucopia Your Local Health Food Store OPEN MON-FRI 9AM-7PM SAT & SUN 10AM-6PM 831-625-1454 26135 Carmel Rancho Blvd, Carmel (at the mouth of Carmel Valley) Natural, Organic Produce Fresh Bakery & Deli Olive Oil/Vinegar/Local Honey Wine, Beer, Juice, Coffee & Tea Selections Fresh, Organic Dairy Products Healthy Snacks Vitamins and Nutritional Supplements All Natural Bath & Body Products
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY november 9-15, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com news Learning is often cited as the key to unlocking one’s potential. In the case of the County of Monterey and the Coalition of Homeless Service Providers, learning is also the key to unlocking millions in state grant money. Specifically, uncovering what people in the community think are the most effective programs to assist those experiencing homelessness and help them find permanent homes. Under a budget trailer bill approved by the state Legislature in June, local agencies are required to hold public input sessions and conduct a survey seeking the community’s input on homeless services in order to collect up to $2.5 million from the state’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention program in the 2023-2024 budget year. Both the County and the Coalition— which also covers San Benito County—could apply for separate grants. The first input session was held during the 2023 Lead Me Home Summit on Homelessness in Salinas on Oct. 19, a second was held in Monterey on Nov. 8 and the third and final in-person session takes place from 6-7:30pm on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at the Soledad Community Center. “We’re encouraging people to come out, make your voices heard and give us your suggestions,” Kierston Young, grants manager for the Coalition, said in a County of Monterey news briefing on Nov. 1. An online survey is also available through Dec. 31 at bit.ly/homelessinput. The survey asks participants to gauge the effectiveness of programs like rapid rehousing, street outreach teams and shelters, among others, and asks them to prioritize which programs should be pursued. The answers will be used in grant applications due by March. Heading Home Agencies tackling homelessness seek the public’s input on effective solutions. By Pam Marino In the wake of the sixth inmate death this year at Monterey County Jail, several families of people who have died at the jail have launched wrongful death lawsuits against the County of Monterey and its health care contractor at the facility. On Oct. 24, 34-year-old Edgar Maldonado died at the jail, where he was being held while awaiting trial. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has tapped the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the cause and manner of death. Maldonado is the sixth person to have died at the jail in 2023, according to the Sheriff’s Office. He is believed to be the 27th inmate to have died there since a 2015 class action settlement over inadequate inmate health care conditions. In September, a federal judge ruled that Wellpath, the jail’s for-profit health care provider, was in “substantial noncompliance” with the settlement’s terms, which called for the County and Wellpath to improve deficiencies in the jail’s medical, mental and dental health care. That continued noncompliance is now being cited by personal injury law firm Arias Sanguinetti in multiple lawsuits filed on behalf of family members of people who have died at the Salinas jail in recent years. After suing the County and Wellpath last year on behalf of the family of Carlos Regalado, who died by suicide in March 2021, the law firm filed complaints earlier this year representing the families of Juan Carlos Chavez, who died by suicide in April 2022, and Jimmy Steven Hall, who allegedly had multiple untreated medical conditions before collapsing in his cell in April 2023. Arias Sanguinetti partner Jamie Goldstein says her firm is also planning to file three more lawsuits in the coming months representing the families of David Sand, Matthew Medina and Jose Garcia Paniagua—all of whom died at the jail in the past 12 months. The complaints will all name the County and Wellpath as defendants, Goldstein says, while they differ in also naming various Wellpath and Sheriff’s Office officials, including Sheriff Tina Nieto and her predecessor, Steve Bernal. “The repeated occurrences where a person comes into the jail and is not initially evaluated properly at intake, both medically and for mental health issues, is often resulting in the deaths of these inmates,” Goldstein says. Eric Sand, whose 29-year-old son David Sand died at the jail in November 2022, says his lawsuit could be filed as early as this week. Sand says he is particularly disturbed at the jail’s treatment of mentally ill people like his son, who had a documented history of schizophrenia and whose cause of death was ruled as acute water intoxication from the excessive and compulsive drinking of water. “Whatever’s going on in the Monterey County Jail has to stop,” Sand says. He lays blame on Wellpath and its for-profit business model and also criticizes the Board of Supervisors for renewing the company’s contract at the jail last year. “Wellpath’s profit comes out of not addressing inmates’ needs. They minimize care of the inmates because it adds more profit for them—it’s strictly a money-making industry.” Representatives for Wellpath, the Sheriff’s Office and the County of Monterey did not respond to requests for comment. Juan Carlos Chavez (left) died at Monterey County Jail in April 2022. Chavez’s widow Anabel (right) has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the county and Wellpath. Court Dates Families of people who died in Monterey County Jail are turning up legal pressure on the County. By Rey Mashayekhi The SHARE Center in Salinas provides temporary housing, one solution of several listed in a community survey focused on approaches to ending homelessness. “Whatever’s going on in the Monterey County Jail has to stop.” Anabel Chavez Joel Angel Juárez
www.montereycountyweekly.com NOVEMBER 9-15, 2023 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 Please place ONLY food scraps and organic materials into the GREEN cart. For more info, please visit SalinasValleyRecycles.org Organics Trash Goodwill Central Coast builds lives, families and communities by helping people with employment needs become successful, supported by innovative enterprises that preserve earth’s resources. BY GIVING BACK COUNT YOUR BLESSING The true meaning of Thanksgiving is right in the name! Let’s give thanks for all we have, while turning hope into reality for others Share the love. Your donation to Goodwill helps empower others to build a brighter future through life-changing employment.
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY november 9-15, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com With big smiles and cheers, about 20 people showed up at Soledad City Hall on Monday, Oct. 30 to deliver a petition with 1,405 signatures. Their goal is to get a referendum on the ballot, giving Soledad voters a chance to reverse City Council’s approval of the city’s first district-based map for elections, which is set to take effect next year. Until now, councilmembers have been elected at large. City Council’s vote on how to proceed with district lines followed consistently political alignments: Mayor Anna Velazquez and ally Councilmember Fernando Cabrera voted in favor of a plan that would keep the mayor’s position at-large, with four districts. The other three councilmembers—Ben Jimenez Jr., Maria Corralejo and Alejandro Chavez, who just resigned due to a move— voted for a plan favored by former mayor Fred Ledesma that creates five districts, with a rotating mayor. In the plan adopted on Oct. 4 by a 3-2 vote, Velazquez is unable to run for council in 2024, and is in the same district at Cabrera, who will be midterm. Organizers say their goal isn’t to protect Velazquez’s seat, but the opportunity to select an at-large mayor: “We just want that ability to vote,” says Fernando Alsaldo-Sánchez, who was a member of the city’s advisory committee for the districting process. Calls for a referendum began in council chambers during the public conversation the night of the vote, and led to the group’s effort to gather 1,405 signatures in less than a month. If they have enough—841, or 10 percent of the number of registered voters in Soledad (8,401)—the referendum will move forward. Monterey County Elections officials are in the process of verifying the signatures to see if they are from registered Soledad voters, and that there are no duplicates. “We really want to bring meaningful change to Soledad and the way we elect our representatives,” says Monica Andrade, a spokesperson for the Soledad Committee for Voting Rights, and also Cabrera’s wife. “I think the residents of Soledad are disenfranchised by the City Council,” says Lyndon Tarver, president of the local chapter of the NAACP, which supports the referendum. “Since 1909 we’ve been fighting for civil rights, social justice and voting rights—and this is one of them.” Monterey County Elections officials began the process of verifying signatures on Friday, Nov. 3. Five years ago, hopes ran high when CSU Monterey Bay launched a Master of Science Physician Assistant program to much fanfare. It was the first of its kind in the California State University system and held the promise of filling the gaps of a primary care physician shortage, since PAs are able to perform some of the same tasks as doctors. It was that promise that spurred Central California Alliance for Health and Montage Health to donate a combined $1.35 million for the degree’s creation. On Monday, Nov. 6, current and future students were informed the program is losing its accreditation, effective May 2024, from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, called ARC-PA—a Georgiabased organization that sets standards for PA education and evaluates programs against those standards. CSUMB’s program, accredited for up to 33 students per class since 2018, had been on probation since September 2021, when ARC-PA evaluators found it was failing to meet 15 standards. Some were related to paperwork, but others cited a lack of evidence that students were receiving instruction in some areas, including patient safety. CSUMB did not appeal the probation decision; a follow-up visit was scheduled for spring 2023. In an email to the CSUMB community, President Vanya Quiñones said ARC-PA withdrew the probationary accreditation after that site visit, and CSUMB was forced to close the program. An email was sent to students already accepted to begin in January 2024, stating CSUMB is no longer able to provide admissions and deposits would be refunded. The program graduated 84 students since 2019, with a “high success rate” in graduates completing certifying exams, according to a statement from CSUMB Vice President for Academic Affairs Andrew Lawson. He added that administrators would be “re-evaluating how we can move forward with a successful program in the future if we determine that is the best for the university and the community.” Line Drawn Soledad organizers gather signatures seeking to overturn district lines. By Celia Jiménez news City Growth The city of Carmel, like all California jurisdictions, has prepared a housing element laying out plans for where new residential units could be built in the next eight-year period. The Housing Ad Hoc Committee hosts a special meeting on the state’s response to the city’s proposed housing element. 4pm Monday, Nov. 13. City Hall, Monte Verde between Ocean and 7th, Carmel, or via Zoom at bit.ly/carmelhouse2023, meeting ID 85011621646 and passcode 895504. Free. 6202010, planning@ci.carmel.ca.us, HOMECarmelbythesea.com. Showing Support The Maui Hawaiian Concert and Festival features 13 performances of music and dance. The event includes raffles, a silent auction, and food and crafts available for purchase. Proceeds go to support families in Maui as they recover from a devastating wildfire. Noon-8pm Saturday, Nov. 11. Northminster Presbyterian Church, 315 E. Alvin Dr., Salinas. Free admission; donations accepted via Salinas Valley Rotary. carpentertv@gmail.com. Honoring Veterans For Veterans Day, American Legion Post 591, CalVet, the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery Foundation and the City of Seaside host a ceremony to pay respect to those who have served in the U.S. military. 10:30am Saturday, Nov. 11. California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery, 2900 Parker Flats Road, Seaside. Free. Refreshments provided after the ceremony at VFW Post 8679 in Seaside, with a free lunch for veterans. 5211076. Cop Watch The county Sheriff’s Oversight Ad Hoc Committee provides updates on a potential sheriff’s oversight board, including results from a survey on the potential for creating such an oversight body. 5:30-7:30pm Monday, Nov. 13. County Government Center (second floor), 168 W. Alisal St., Salinas or via Zoom at bit. ly/3SObmcH, passcode 722699. Free. co.monterey.ca.us. History Speaks San Antonio Valley Historical Association hosts its fall lecture and annual meeting. The focus is on siblings Daniel, Marlene and Marvin Daniels and their work on “Pearl’s Diary,” transcribing 45 years of their mom Pearl Daniels’ observations about life as a ranch wife in South Monterey County. 1pm lunch, 2pm lecture Saturday, Nov. 18; last day to RSVP is Nov. 15. St. Mark’s Church, 301 Bassett St., King City. $15/SAVHA members; $20/nonmembers. 385-0323, savha4@gmail. com, savha.org. Lost Cause A CSUMB program, designed to alleviate the region’s physician shortage, loses accreditation. By Pam Marino Monica Andrade, spokesperson for the Soledad Committee for Voting Rights (in blue), delivers the signatures for the referendum to City Manager Megan Hunter (right). e-mail: publiccitizen@mcweekly.com TOOLBOX “We just want that ability to vote.” Celia Jiménez
www.montereycountyweekly.com NOVEMBER 9-15, 2023 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 Wellness Wednesday 20% Off All Skincare on Wednesdays It is time to pamper yourself and the perfect place to do that is at a unique Aveda concept salon and spa. Our Esthetician Alex WARNING: For more information, please call: 1-800-523-3157 11-23 Crude oil, gasoline, diesel fuel, and other petroleum products can expose you to chemicals including toluene and benzene, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. These exposures can occur in and around oil fields, refineries, chemical plants, transport and storage operations, such as pipelines, marine terminals, tank trucks, and other facilities and equipment. For more information go to: www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/petroleum. The foregoing warning is provided pursuant to Proposition 65. This law requires the Governor of California to publish a list of chemicals “known to the State to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity.” This list is compiled in accordance with a procedure established by the Proposition, and can be obtained from the California Environmental Protection Agency. Proposition 65 requires that clear and reasonable warnings be given to persons exposed to the listed chemicals in certain situations. VALERO Refining and Marketing Company, Ultramar Inc., and their affiliates and subsidiaries AERA ENERGY LLC PBF Energy Western Region LLC its affiliates and subsidiaries EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION its affiliates and subsidiaries PHILLIPS 66, including its divisions and subsidiaries (and under the trademarks 76) SHELL OIL PRODUCTS US Tesoro Refining & Marketing Company LLC (a subsidiary of Marathon Petroleum Corporation) and its affiliates (and under the trademarks ARCO, Shell, Thrifty, Exxon, and Mobil) Two Portola Plaza | Monterey, CA 93940 (831) 649-4511 | Portolahotel.com Indulge in savory holiday favorites like Free Range Diestel Turkey, Maple Glazed Country Ham, Traditional Stuffing, Candied Garnet Yams, Classic Pecan & Pumpkin Pies. Served in the Bonsai Ballroom with David Conley on piano and in the newly refreshed Club Room. ADULTS $89.95 SENIORS $79.95 (65 or older) CHILDREN $39.95 (ages 6-12) Kids under 5 eat free 20% gratuity and tax will be added to all checks Thursday, November 23, 2023 | 1pm to 8pm Pricing & Reservations Reserve your table today! (831) 649-7870 or mmares@portolahotel.com Portola Hotel & Spa
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 9-15, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com In less than two months, Greenfield’s District 1 has had three representatives on City Council: Angela Untalon, Luis Dominguez and Drew Tipton. Tipton, the current councilmember, was appointed to fill a vacancy, and his Sept. 12 appointment has prompted a local government watchdog (and member of the Salinas City Council) to sue the City of Greenfield. On Oct. 27, Andrew Sandoval filed suit in Monterey County Superior Court, claiming Greenfield City Council illegally took steps to appoint Tipton—a former councilmember who lost an election to Untalon in 2022— without proper notification to the public on an agenda, as required by the Brown Act, which establishes public meetings rules in California. A report from the City Attorney’s office to City Council recommended “that the City Council determine a process to fill the District 1 Councilmember seat and direct staff to proceed accordingly.” But, Sandoval’s lawsuit alleges, “The City Council…went beyond the scope of a discussion on the process by which to fill the vacancy and voted to appoint a specific individual, Drew Tipton, to the District 1 seat.” Art Savagno, a long-time Greenfield resident and former council member, says he wants the city council to follow procedure, which to him means “anyone that would like to apply for the vacancy will have the opportunity to do it.” He adds, “I’m not interested in taking Drew Tipton off, just ‘boom,’ on purpose.” Per the City Attorney’s report to council: “There is no legal requirement that the council use any particular method of appointment.” City Manager Paul Wood says the council has wide discretion in the appointment process. “We didn’t do anything wrong,” Wood adds. Council chose to look at the list of candidates who applied previously, and voted 3-0 to appoint Tipton, all on Sept. 12. (Councilmember Yanely Martinez was participating remotely and was unable to cast a vote due to technical difficulties. On Sept. 26, the council reaffirmed Tipton’s appointment 3-1, with Martinez opposing.) It all comes during a period of change for Greenfield leadership. The city’s districting process put council colleagues Tipton and Untalon in the same district, running against each other for re-election in 2022 to represent the newly formed District 1; Untalon won, but a few months later, on May 23, announced her resignation. Council’s process to appoint her replacement included an invitation to the public to apply, followed by interviews. Luis Dominguez was appointed on July 18, sworn in on July 25, then less than a month later, on Aug. 22, notified city officials he would be moving out of the district on Sept. 1. Tipton, appointed less than halfway through an unfilled term, will be up for re-election in 2024. It’s the second council district to be represented by an appointee to fill a vacancy. Councilmember Ariana Rodriguez was appointed in February to replace Mayor Bob White, who was a previous councilmember. Musical Chairs Appointment of another Greenfield City Council member spurs a lawsuit against the city. By Celia Jiménez Beatriz Diaz is president of the Greenfield chapter of LULAC (the League of United Latin American Citizens). She says the appointment process took her by surprise. NEWS “We didn’t do anything wrong.” DANIEL DREIFUSS SHIP Grant Statement This project was supported, in part by grant number 90SAPG0094-04, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy. It’s tIme to thInk about your medIcare coverage! For questions, please contact the Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP) at 800-434-0222 Learn more at a Free Seminar oldemeyer center (seaside) – mon. november 13th at 10am (English) carmel Foundation – Wed. november 15th at 2pm (English) scholze Park (monterey) – mon. november 20th at 10am (English) Prunedale senior center – tue. november 28th at 10:30am (English) and 11:30am (Spanish) www.allianceonaging.org Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program - ‘HICAP’ medicare costs, medicare advantage (Part c) and the Prescription drug plans (Part d) change each year… Learn more about options to re-evaluate your coverage at one of our Free medicare update presentations! Showroom DiSplayS for Sale 70% OFF! Cabinets • Appliances • Hardware Accessories • Decorative Plumbing Visit our showroom Monday-Friday 10am-4pm 1368 S. Main St C, Salinas www.cabinetsandsuch.com P.S. We are NOT going out of business! Inquiries: please email info@cabinetsandsuch.com or call (831) 422-9900
www.montereycountyweekly.com November 9-15, 2023 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 15 Local pesticide reform advocates are ramping up pressure on regulators over what they deem “environmentally racist” policies that leave Monterey County’s agricultural communities at risk of health hazards. Safe Ag Safe Schools, a local group that’s part of the statewide coalition Californians for Pesticide Reform, has criticized the California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s draft strategic plan for 2024-2028—a set of regulations guiding the agency’s oversight of pesticide use over the five-year period. At a public hearing in Watsonville on Oct. 30 and in a subsequent letter to DPR Director Julie Henderson, Safe Ag Safe Schools attacked the agency’s stated targets of formally mitigating as few as two “priority pesticides” per year in the form of 5-percent annual reductions in their use. The group criticized those goals as inadequate. “It’s a plan to make sure our communities continue to get poisoned and permanently damaged not just for the next five years, but far into the future,” Safe Ag Safe Schools’ Future Leaders of Change group—composed of local, predominantly Latino high school students—wrote in its letter. The advocacy group has also escalated a letter-writing campaign to Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner Juan Hidalgo expressing concerns over the local use of chemicals like Dacthal, Telone and organophosphates, which they cite as particularly harmful to children. In an Oct. 24 letter to Hidalgo, Safe Ag Safe Schools pointed to data indicating that in 2021, one-fourth of all organophosphate pesticides in California, by weight, were applied in Monterey County. The group wants him to impose measures like requiring public notices of intent for the use of all organophosphates, as well as buffers around all residences, schools and hospitals. Safe Ag Safe Schools organizer (and Greenfield City Councilmember) Yanely Martinez says they have met with the recently appointed commissioner and he has thus far proven more open and receptive to their input than his predecessor, Henry Gonzales. Hidalgo says while he understands activists’ concerns, the state’s guidelines are a science-based process that must also consider impact on California growers. He also cited progress in restrictions around the use of chemicals like Telone, or 1,3-D—noting stricter rules requiring deeper soil injections and impermeable plastic film covers over fields where the pesticide has been applied. In a statement, a DPR spokesperson says the agency “regularly engages with advocacy, environmental justice and community groups. We appreciate the feedback we received; it will inform our five-year strategic plan and immediate priorities.” Still, Safe Ag Safe Schools believes DPR’s rules around the use of pesticides like Telone remain too lenient. “This is an environmentally racist policy,” Martinez says of allowed levels of pesticide use around schools serving mostly Latino students. “That’s something they don’t want to hear, but they have to hear it.” Toxic Debate Local advocates push state and local regulators harder on pesticide restrictions. By Rey Mashayekhi Pesticides are applied as a routine practice in Salinas Valley agriculture. The California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s five-year plan targets 5-percent reductions in two chemicals. NEWS “Our communities continue to get poisoned.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
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