Wednesday, August 19, 2026, 7 pm Old Town Neighborhood Association Meeting -at the conference room inside the McKone Building, corner of Pierce and Jefferson Street. We will discuss the plans for the September 21, 7 pm Candidates Forum, get updates from committees, and hear about our fall membership appreciation event at the historic Perry House. Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://middlebury.zoom.us/j/97712796176?pwd=EA2Zr7SbZrI6oHbym1cmeOOAQB2WxC.1 Password: 6422
Saturday, August 22, 2026, 5:30-9 pm Mexican Fiesta Dinner – a fundraiser for the historic Casa Serano adobe, which has undergone major repairs. Help support the cause while enjoying a delicious Mexican Fiesta dinner at Casa Serano, 412 Pacific Street, owned by Monterey History and Art. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased at montereyhistory.org and click on events. There are still tickets left, and deadline has been extended!
Wednesday, August 26, 6 pm-7 pm – “Touch of Grey, or How the Grateful Dead Became Pop Stars”, a talk by author John Brackett at the California First Theater, corner of Scott and Pacific Streets. Free, but RSVP is required and spaces fill up. Doors open at 5:45. Books will be available for purchase after the talk. RSVP at https://montereystatehistoricpark.as.me/schedule/ded03ce9?appointmentTypeIds%5B%5D=96530361&ref=qr_code&mc_cid=be3305a8f1&mc_eid=f01e0bc039
Thursday, August 27, 1pm-2:30 pm “A Different Conversation” with NYT bestselling local author Alka Joshi at the Monterey Library Community Room. Free and open to the public. Hear how she develops characters, where she gets her ideas from and how she keeps going despite setbacks. Author of “The Henna Artist”, “The Secret Keeper of Jaipur”, “The Perfumist of Paris” and “Six Days in Bombay”.
Saturday, August 29, 11 am – 7 pm and Sunday, August 30, 2026, 11-6 pm – Turkish Arts and Cultural Festival – Enjoy food, live Turkish music and Turkish culture. Special this year are a performance by the Whirling Dervishes and a live demonstration of Ebru, the traditional Turkish art of water marbling, and a Turkish Carpet Weaving demonstration. Taste Turkish delights including Maras Dondurmas, the famous Turkish ice cream and Simit Turkish Sesame bread, Turkish coffee. See traditional costumes and cultural presentations at this free, family-friendly event. New Contest: In 50 words or less, tell which Turkish food dish is your favorite and submit to info@turkfestca.org with the subject line “Turkish Favorite Food Contest” by August 21 (one entry per person). 3 lucky winners will receive $25 vouchers redeemable for food at the festival.
Sunday, August 30, 2026, 2-4 pm – “Robert Louis Stevenson in the South Seas”, a free presentation at the Stevenson House, 530 Houston Street, Monterey to commemorate his time in Monterey. Explore the fascinating years that followed, from his travels through the South Seas to his eventual home in Samoa. Hear stories of Stevenson’s life in Samoa and discover objects, photographs, and artwork from his life and family. All are welcome.
Thursday, September 3- 7, 2026, 12 noon – 11 pm– Monterey County Fair at the Fairgrounds (closed slightly earlier Monday), Enjoy free concerts and exhibits of the best of Monterey County. Rides $35 for a day pass) and Rodeo are extra. Advance online tickets purchased by 8/31: Adults $15, Seniors $12, Children 6-12 $8, 5 and under free. Thursday, Sept 3 – Seniors are FREE; Friday, Sept 4 Military and Veterans and their dependents are FREE. Monday, Sept 7 Kids 12 and under are FREE. Purchase tickets at montereycountyfair.com.
Monday, September 7, 2 pm Monterey County Pops Labor Day Concert on Seaside City Hall lawn, 440 Harcourt, Seaside. Bring your own towel or chair to sit on and enjoy the music!
Monday, September 21, 2026 7 pm – Monterey Candidates Forum – at Monterey High School Science Room (Room 20). Hear from the mayoral and city council candidates. This year we will elect a councilperson from District 1 and District 2, both of which represent Old Town.
Wednesday, September 30, 6-7:30 Storm Preparedness Town Hall at the Conference Center.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
First City Academy – The City of Monterey invites residents 16 years and older to participate in the First City Academy. The Fall 2026 First City Academy will consist of seven one-week sessions on Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., beginning September 3 and ending on October 15, 2026. The program is designed for City of Monterey residents to learn about city programs and services, how local government operates, and to find more ways to be involved in the community. Topics include city governance and management, community services, public works, police, community development, fire and emergency management, economic development, and city financial anagement. Applications are open and now available at https://monterey.gov/firstcityacademy
REMINDER: If you are a resident or owner in Old Town and haven’t paid dues in 2026 ($20/household), please see details at the bottom of the bulletin. Dues help us keep most events free, such as providing the food and renting the venue for the picnic in July, and the party at the Perry House in November.
| Community Emergency Response Team Training –Learn many life safety skills to protect yourself, your family and your neighbors during an emergency, especially when fire and medical responders cannot immediately respond. CERT trained citizens also assist their community with fire scene support, storm response, searches for missing persons and many other emergencies. CERT graduates become sworn disaster service workers. Signups for the next CERT training class have begun. The next free CERT training occurs October 10, 17, 24, 2026. Attendance at all three days is necessary to graduate. To enroll, or for more information, email certmonterey@gmail.com. | |
Casa Gutierez New “Shipwrecks of Monterey” Exhibit- From the SS Frank H Buck wrecked at Point Pinos in 1924 to the Roderick Dhu at Asilomar Beach in 1909- Monterey Bay’s seafloor holds stories that few know. This new exhibit brings them to the surface, beginning June 11. 590 Calle Principal (next to the sculpture garden and museum), open Fridays and Saturdays 11-3 pm. Free.
Monterey Public Library Used Book Sale Wednesdays and Saturdays 12-2 pm. Find a treasured bargain in the basement below the library, entered from the parking lot. Paperbacks $1.00. Others as marked. Proceeds go to support the library.
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.
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.
Rental Registry Compliance – All rental properties must be in compliance with the city rental registry ordinance, and be registered annually.
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. After July 31, your old permit and guest passes expire and cars will be subject to ticketing.
City of Monterey Accepting Applications for Boards, Committees, and Commissions. For position descriptions and requirements, please go to Monterey.gov/bcc.
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 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 except in summer 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. Schedules are shown at gentrain.org.
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 of membership 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.