Friday, January 9, 2026, 6-8 pm “Stand Up, Save Our Coast”, an important panel discussion of the US Department of the Interior’s new Five-Year Off Shore Drilling Plan, at the Portola Hotel Conference Center. This important issue affecting waters off the central coast will be discussed by our federal, state, and local officials, as well representatives from the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Oceana, Save Our Shores, Surfrider Monterey, and Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust. Government speakers include Congressman Panetta, CA Senator Laird, County Supervisors Kate Daniels and Chris Lopez, and Mayor Tyller Williamson. Free parking for attendees at the Portola Hotel Garage (bring ticket for validation).
Friday, January 9, 2026 –“Celebrating California Art: Artistic Alliance in Monterey, 1942-1946”, the opening of a new exhibit at Monterey Museum of Art. This exhibit explores the artistic response to Executive Order 9066, which authorized the forced removal and incarceration of more than 100,000 people of Japanese descent. The exhibit will be on view until April 26, 2026.
Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 7 pm – Old Town Neighborhood Association Meeting at the MIIS McKone Building Conference Room, 499 Pierce Street/corner of Jefferson. We will hear from our committees and discuss future plans. If you would like to join a committee or work on the board, please respond to this email and/or come to the meeting. We will have elections at our March meeting.
Saturday, February 21, 2026 4-7 pm Chocolate and Wine – A Fundraiser to support the Monterey Public Library. This promises to be an unforgettable evening of chocolate, wine, beer and savory snacks among the stacks while supporting your local public library. Consider purchasing advance tickets as a stocking stuffer! Tickets available now at: https://www.investinmpl.org/event/21st-annual-chocolate-wine/
ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE CITY OF MONTEREY IS ACCEPTION APPLICATION FOR BOARDS, COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS. One alternate is needed for the Building and Housing Appeals Board, and a resident to represent the City of Monterey is needed on the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Committee. For more information, visit monterey.gov/bcc.
THE OLD TOWN HISTORIC HOMES WALK has a new addition—The Frank Hellam House at 581 Scott Street, just uphill from the Perry House. Check it out at our website, https://oldtownmonterey.org/historic-homes-walk/the-frank-hellam-house/
Ventured Gallery Featured December/January Group Show: “Winter Musings” at Venture Gallery at the Portola Hotel and Spa, 260 Alvarado St.
A beautiful new mural depicting Monterey Bay and Cannery Row History has been produced by Chris Shake along the recreation trail behind Austino’s Restaurant at 851 Cannery Row. The colorful mural by artist Renae McCollum, depickts John Steinbeck, Kalisa Moore, and the Western Flyer boat that John Steinbeck and Doc Ricketts to to the Sea of Cortez in 1940.
Sand Bag Fill Station next to the Fire Station at 600 Pacific Street is now operational for the season. This is a self-serve station. Sand and bags are provided. Bring your own shovel.
PGE Outage Compensation Program – If you have an outage longer than 48 hours, PGE will compensate you automatically on your bill. For more information, go to https://www.pge.com/en/outages-and-safety/.
Free Recycling Bins are available by asking at the Planning Office, main level of Colton Hall at 570 Pacific Street, or by emailing bristow@monterey.gov to arrange for a pick up.
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) next training course on three consecutive Saturdays in February is full. Reserve now for the next course, three consecutive Saturdays,, April 25, May 2 and May 9 from 8:30-5pm, as they fill fast. The program instructs local citizens in a wide variety of rescue, search, emergency medical, preparedness, safety, team operations, basic fire control and community service skills. CERT members regularly respond to assist local fire and police with storm impacts, searches for missing persons, fire scenes, evacuations and many other emergency situation CERT members become sworn Disaster Service Workers (DSW). The free training occurs in downtown Monterey. Attendance on all three days is mandatory to graduate. As these classes often fill up way in advance, Email certmonterey@gmail.com with your name, resident address, email you most commonly use, your cell and home phone numbers.
The Monterey Airport Board New VOLUNTARY Flight Curfew is from midnight to 5 am! The board voted to rescind the prior ordinances which had a curfew between 11 pm and 7 am, and had limitations to how low flights could come in.
New Zoning for R-1 Properties in Monterey. At the August 19, 2025 meeting, the City Council voted to adopt the SB9 requirements for lot splits allowing 2 units each, for a total of four, and went further to allow six units on a single lot when a unit is an affordable housing unit. They did not want to defer until the lawsuit by other Charter cities (Monterey is a charter city) is settled on appeal. In the original lawsuit, the court found that the state could not direct zoning in Charter cities. The vote was 3-2 with the mayor, Councilman Gino Garcia, and Councilwoman Dr. Kim Barber approving (District 1, most of Old Town), and Councilman Ed Smith (District 2, most eastern part of Old Town) and Jean Rasch (a slim part of Old Town on Madison) opposing.
Invitation to Wednesday and Saturday Barbecues at the American Legion. At our Old Town Neighborhood Association Meeting on Wednesday, August 20, our speaker from the American Legion wanted to be sure that we, their neighbors, are always invited to attend the Wednesday Steak Barbecues (at $15, a bargain) and the Saturday Grills of Hot Dogs/ Hamburgers (under $6). Soft drinks are reasonable and it’s a nice way to meet our veterans.
LOST AND FOUND: If you left your navy cotton jacket at the July picnic in Veterans Park, please reply to this bulletin.
Rental Registry Compliance – All rental properties must be in compliance with the city rental registry ordinance, and be registered annually.
The Monterey Public Library is now fine-free!
Annual Residential Parking Passes are available to residents of Monterey and active military for $20, good for two hours at both East and West Downtown Garages, Cannery Row Garage and the Waterfront lot. Bring proof of residency, vehicle registration and ID to Parking office, 340 Tyler Street in the East Garage. See Monterey.org/parking for more information.
City of Monterey Accepting Applications for Boards, Committees, and Commissions. For position descriptions and requirements, please go to Monterey.gov/bcc.
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!
Free Public Tours of Ed Ricketts Pacific Biological Laboratories Second Saturdays, 10:00-11:00 and 11:30-12:30 pm, subject to availability. Modeled after famed ecologist Ed Ricketts, “Doc” was featured prominently in John Steinbeck’s novels about Cannery Row. The Lab at 800 Cannery Row was also where the idea of the Monterey Jazz Festival was born and welcomed such prominent figures as Louis Armstrong. Reserve in advance at monterey.gov/museums or by calling 831-646-5648. Visitors are also welcome to drop by without a reservation to self-tour this historic site from 12:00-4:00 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.
Kiwanis Club of Monterey –founded in 1926, helps support community projects, scholarships, and youth groups in our community. Learn more at http://www.kiwanisclubmonterey.org or by emailing factpath-kiwanis@yahoo.com.
| 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.