Tuesday, April 1, 2025 4 pm City Council Meeting to Approve Rental Registry Change Eliminating Exemptions for small owners. The final vote to require owners of up to 4 units to participate in the rental registry is on the consent agenda at 4 pm today! (ie no exemption). Residents can participate in person or by zoom https://monterey-org.zoomgov.com/j/1607729333, or view the meeting on Chanel 25. You may also dial 833-568-8864 or 669-254-5252. Enter Webinar ID 16007729333#. If asked for participant ID, press #. To raise your hand, dial *.
Friday, April 4 and Saturday, April 5 – Middlebury Institute Preview Days Open House More information on obtaining a masters can be found on go.miis.edu/previewdays.
Saturday, April 5, 10 am. “Tales of the Whales” Wharf Walk put on by marine historian Tim Thomas. Meet in front of the pink Harbor House store on the Old Fisherman’s Wharf. Advance reservations for this free historical walk can be made at Monterey.gov/library/events or by callng 831-646-3933. The tour is recommended for those 10 and up.
Saturday, April 5, 11-4 pm – Monterey Museum of Art Block Party – Calle Principal will be closed off for a day of fun, music, art and crafts. Free and fun for all ages. Volunteers are needed! If you can help, you will earn a free ticket to the evening dance party! Sign up for a shift at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0844A5A92AA5FEC61-55438632-block?fbclid=IwY2xjawJOeo9leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHeBFAR7tEd9qglPWfpQLIEilg-ahVB9yPLe2cTXNxvPZQNIxkii0iwlyug_aem_VIz9GOVWq1UEy6TnPDmzwQ#/.
Saturday, April 5, 3-5pm – Artist Reception for Gordon Mayfield’s “Soulscapes” exhibition during April at Venture Gallery, 260 Alvarado Street (at the Portola Hotel). See his beautiful watercolors of Big Sur Coast and wilderness. The reception is free.
Saturday, April 5, 8-10 pm – Evening Dance Party at the Monterey Museum of Art for adults 21+. Enjoy music and light experience, craft beer and wine from Other Brother Beer Co and Scheid Vineyards, and a lineup of specialty coctails, delicious treats from a variety of local vendors, art themed activities and free museum admission. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at https://www.montereyart.org/event/dance-party-2/.
Thursday, April 10, 2025, 6-7:30 pm “Big Sur: The Way it Was”, at the Irvine Auditorium, McCone Building, MIIS, 499 Pierce Street/corner of Jefferson. Free viewing of film by Robert Blaisdell, who captured the raw essence of Big Sur’s dreamers, drifters, artists and rebels, with legends like Henry Miller and more. After the film, stay for a lively discussion about Big Sur’s enduring mystique and cultural impact. A wine and cheese follows the discussion. Free, but sign up to register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1300065714549?. Seats are limited.
Saturday, April 12-Sunday April 13 Whalefest returns! Enjoy many hands-on activities, arts, crafts, venders and research organizations, free wharf history aff=oddtdtcreator. walks, tours of research and rescue vehicles, symposiums, music and much more on the wharf and nearby off Custom House Plaza. More information and schedule at whalefest.org.
Monday, April 14, 2025, 4:30-6:00 pm “A Towering Task” film screening of the emmy award winning documentary by Alana DeJoseph which explores the legacy and history of the Peace Corp. at MIIS Campus Irvine Auditorium, McCone Bldg, 499 Pierce St, corner of Jefferson. Free and open to the public.
Thursday, April 17, 2025, 6-8 pm. –Celebrating the Past and Embracing a Sustainable Future: Exploring the Peace Corps Legacy”- a talk by film director Alana DeJoseph at MIIS Campus, Irvine Auditorium, McCone Bldg, 499 Pierce St, corner of Jefferson. After the talk, there will be a reception and dedication of the Peace Corps Bell. Free, but register at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfw7ySmcdi87bc-sVglhCNR7sfvwRgRWQ2W8gerecw64qKPgg/viewform.
Thursday, April 17, 6 pm – Fair Housing Virtual Training for Tenants. Learn your rights at this live webinar put on by ECHO Housing. Attendees must register at Monterey.gov/housing.
Thursday, April 24, 6 pm Fair Housing Virtual Training for Landlords. Learn about your responsibilities as landlords at this live webinar put on by ECHO Housing. Attendees musts register at Monterey.gov/housing.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rental Registry changes requiring owners of up to 4 units to also register passed the first reading by City Council on a 3-2 vote at their March 18 meeting. The final vote is still needed. If you have comments to share, send to cityclerk@monterey.org referencing Rental Registry.
Old Town Neighborhood Association Meeting Speaker and Elections– At our March 12 meeting, residents heard from Mayor Tyller Williamson, who reviewed the housing plan, rental registry (next week council meeting will present two changes) and rental assistance (being renewed), water (Pure Water Monterey expansion due in October 2025 he believes is sufficient for future housing needs), and clarified e-bike regulations. He also discussed parking regulations, and other topics. Seven directors were elected to serve for one year, and they voted on officers for the term. In alphabetical order they are: Corey Brunson (Vice President), Phyllis Bussey (our social co-chair), Mary Grove (Treasurer), Susan Ricketson (our NCIP rep), Gari Soule’ (President), Nancy Soule (Secretary), and Max Troyer (our webmaster).
WILDFIRE READY Links from February 27 Town Hall Meeting:
Panel Discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N3njGF6g6c
Tree Standards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cInp6kC0PP8
Defensible Space Inspections: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDk7zxULL2M
WHALEFEST VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – April 12 and 13, 10-5 pm- Whether a seasoned volunteer or new to the event, volunteers are needed to assist with arts and crafts, photo ops with marine mammal costume ambassadors, merchandise booths, survey teams and more. Sign up at https://signup.zone/whalefest-monterey. Lunch vouchers are given for those who volunteer for 4 or more hours. This qualifies for students needing volunteer hours.
City of Monterey Accepting Applications for Boards, Committees, and Commissions. There are vacancies in the Architectural Review Committee and the Building and Housing Appeals Board. For position descriptions and requirements, please go to Monterey.gov/bcc.
Merienda Tickets are on sale for members of Monterey History and Art Association. This special festival on Saturday, June 7 from 11:15-3pm celebrates the founding of Monterey and is the highlight of the Monterey social calendar. Held in the beautiful memory gardens behind the Pacific House off Custom House Plaza, guests enjoy pageantry, folklorico dancing, mariachis, music and an abundant, fiesta barbecue buffet with meats of all kinds, fabulous sides, wine, beer, cake, all prepared by the city’s finest chefs. As it normally sells out, tickets are only available to members of MHAA until April 1 at a cost of $100 (plus $50 to join, if applicable). After April 1, tickets, if available, cost $125 for non MHAA members. For more information or to get tickets, go to montereyhistory.org. If you would like to sit at one of two Old Town member tables, ask for this on your reservation form and send us an email reply to this bulletin.
MIIS Student Housing Needed! Do you have an extra bedroom in your house or a local rental? Consider renting to a Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) student! The housing crisis in Monterey is deeply affecting our student population with low inventory and high prices. MIIS is reaching out to our community to form partnerships with local landlords and homeowners. For more information, go to this link: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGb0hGd1Qk/V0hDlFvuILlZKtzRyIWIcQ/view?utm_content=DAGb0hGd1Qk&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hba13c991dc. Still have questions? Contact the MIIS Landlord Coordinator Naomi Braswell at nbraswell@middlebury.edu or at (831) 647-4120.
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 at monterey.gov/library/events or by calling 831-646-3933. This tour is recommended for ages 10 and up 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. Please consider volunteering as a docent for this great museum!
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 monterey.gov/library/events. 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 ($25), 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.
Native Daughters of the Golden West – founded in 1880s, for women born in California. The Monterey Junipero Parlor No 141 meets at 6:30 pm in the Casa Serrano on the second Monday of each month. An added benefit is that members can stay at the NDGW home designed by Julia Morgan on Baker Street in San Francisco. For more information, call or text Jerilynn Crivello at 831-320-2080.
| 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.