Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 4 pm -5:30 Planning Commission Meeting. One of the agenda items is for a use permit requested for a massage parlor upstairs from the former Ordway Drug Store at the corner of Alvarado and Pearl Streets. At the request of one of our residents, this was discussed at our Old Town Neighborhood meeting last week. This use permit would become the seventh massage parlor permit within a 500 ft radius of the proposed site, so would be an exception to the downtown specific plan goal of a wide mix of businesses. It would operate daily, but close at 9 pm. Residents may attend the meeting, submit comments to planninig@monterey.gov, view the meeting (but not participate) on youtube.com/cityofmonterey, or view on Channel 25. You can view the city report at https://isearchmonterey.org/onbaseagendaonline/.
Saturday, January 18, 10 am – Kim Talks at the Paris Bakery, corner of Bonifacio and Washington Streets. Meet and hear ideas on the future of our city, and discuss issues of importance with our District 1 City Councilwoman, Dr. Kim Barber.
Friday, January 24, 2025, 5-8 pm- “Steinbeck in Monterey” Opening Night Reception. Take a deep dive into John Steinbeck and Monterey with the 2025 exhibition opening January 24, 2025 at the Monterey History and Art Association at Stanton Center, 5 Custom House Plaza. The city of Monterey was Steinbeck’s stomping ground through his childhood and into his thirties. Here, he had some of the foundational experiences of his life that appear in his writing, again and again. This exhibit explores the interplay between living and writing. Get free tickets at https://steinbeck.org/event/ and click on Tickets. You do not need to be a member of Monterey History and Art, simply click on free General Admission and request the number of tickets, subject to availability.
January 30-February 2, 2025 – A T &T Golf Tournament at Pebble Beach. There is a unique opportunity to see the golfers up close while staffing the hospitality tent at the 15th hole. The First Night Monterey organization earns money by providing the staffing for the 15th hole hospitality tent, and staffers can be high school students (earning community service hours) or adults. There are two shifts per day. Visit firstnightmonterey.org to sign up and learn more. The application is at https://forms.gle/ygadqSWcVxBvtd3T8.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
January Jewelry Artist Exhibit at Venture Gallery, 260 Alvarado Street. There are three featured artists at Venture Gallery in January: Lilly Campos creates mesmerizing fused glass with the colors of the sea; Vanessa Martin creates stunning modern and classic designs with pearls, gems, gold and silver: Sandra Saldivar creates dramatic yet classic designs with Austrian crystals, abalone, and gems. Each artist creates necklaces, earrings, and bracelets that are delicious “eye candy”.
Free Wharf Walks by Maritime Historian Tim Thomas the first Saturday of every month from 10am to noon. Hear and experience a two hour cultural maritime history tour, with themes changing monthly. Meet at the head of Old Fisherman’s Wharf near the pink Harbor House store. Free, but advance reservations are required and can be made by contacting Tim Thomas at 831-521-3304 or by email at timsardine@yahoo.com. Participants must be 10 and above with a maximum group of 15 people.
The Presidio Museum of Monterey is open Saturdays and Sundays 10-4 pm – Learn the fascinating history of our Presidio, including the early indigenous settlers, the founding of the fort, the history during three wars, and the history of the Buffalo Soldiers. An interpretive walk with great views of the bay lead up to the Sloat Monument. You can take a short cut from Van Buren over the creek bridge to reach it from Old Town. Free.
Second Saturdays, 9-10 and 10:30-11:30 am- Tours of Ed Ricketts Pacific Biological Laboratory subject to availability. “Doc Ricketts” was featured prominently in John Steinbeck’s novels about Cannery Row, and the lab at 600 Cannery Row was the site where the idea of a Monterey Jazz festival was born. Tours are free, but limited in size. As waiting lists fill quickly, this item is listed as announcements so you can reserve in advance at this link: https://montereypl.libcal.com/calendar/pbl?cid=15157&t=g&d=0000-00-00&cal=15157&inc=0. You are also welcome to drop by without a reservation to self-tour this historic site from 12-4 pm on the second Saturday.
Casa Serano, the historic adobe at 412 Pacific Street, is now open for free visits on Saturday and Sunday 2-4 pm. Docents can help you learn the interesting history of this adobe built in 1843, as you peruse the art and furnishings.
Old Town Neighborhood Association’s website is LIVE! Visit oldtownmonterey.org for the latest on events, issues, and to find the Historic Homes self-guided walk featuring historic homes in our Old Town neighborhood. Photos of the July 13 picnic are now posted on the social page of the website.
COMMUNITY GROUPS AND CLUBS
Are you interested in finding others with your interests? Below are some of the other local organizations that welcome new members:
American Association of University Women – This national organization promotes equity for women in the workplace and in education. In addition to supporting education through scholarships, they have book clubs, social events, monthly speakers, a Romancing the Coast monthly adventure, a hiking/walking group, and other interesting events. See http://mpb-ca.aauw.net for more information.
Monterey Civic Club – Founded in 1906, the club owns and meets monthly at the House of the Four Winds, located at 540 Calle Principal. This beautiful and historic adobe is believed to be the oldest women’s clubhouse in continuous use in the United States. Members meet the first Tuesday of each month for lunch and a social program ($20), often with a speaker of importance to members. Contact (831) 747-1072 for more information.
Gentrain Society is an organization for life-long learners. They generally meet the first and third Wednesdays from 1:30-2:30 at the Monterey Peninsula College Lecture Forum #103. Lectures are free and open to the public (except $3.00 parking fee). Topics range from drama, history, and understanding civilizations and more. Courses are also offered, along with trips organized for special events. Note: Gentrain has arranged a special bus trip to tour the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento on October 27. For more information, visit gentrain.org – Special events.
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| Not Yet a Member of Old Town Neighborhood Association? Annual membership dues are just $20 for two adults in your household which covers the calendar year in which paid. Your dues help support social events and technical costs of website, Zoom meetings, and newsletter. Members can be renters, owners or landlords of a property in Old Town. Learn how to become a member on our website! If you have any questions, contact us! All residents living above Pacific St between the creek near Madison and the Presidio/DLI are eligible. Checks to OTNA can be mailed, along with your names, address, phone and email to our address below. Old Town Neighborhood Association P O Box 724, Monterey, CA 93942 |
This information is being shared as a service by Old Town Neighborhood Association. Information is presumed accurate, but is not guaranteed, and always subject to change. Visit our website at oldtownmonterey.org.