Thursday, April 11, 2024, 6 pm- Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Meeting in City Council Chambers. Please come and comment on projects that you support at this first review of the 2024-2025 submitted projects in the second half of neighborhoods and multi neighborhoods. NCIP projects use a portion of the Transient Occupancy Tax collected by the city. Hear details of projects by attending in person, or online via Zoom at https://monterey-org.zoomgov.com/j/1613137270. You may also call 833-568-8864 or 669-254-5252, entering webinar 161 313 7 270#. If prompted to enter a participant ID, press #. Live viewing only can be done on youtube.com/cityofmonterey or by viewing Channel 25 on your television. You can find the entire list of projects on pages 10-14 of the agenda packet found at https://isearchmonterey.org/onbaseagendaonline/. The board of the Old Town Neighborhood Association supports project 93, listed under Multi Neighborhood, submitted by Suzie Grimes of Old Town. This project would help the safety and reliability of our power by undergrounding the portion of Del Monte Avenue between Sloat and Palo Verde, where the downed communication lines last year forced an outage of several days west of the transformer located here, including large portions of Monterey, Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach. We feel this would be a crucial first step in a city plan to protect not only services but necessary escape routes. Written comments which will be made available, although not read aloud, can be emailed to https://monterey.org/submitted-comments.
Saturday, April 13 and Sunday April 14, 10 am to 5 pm- Whalefest Enjoy wharf history walks with historian Tim Thomas at 11:00 and 12:30 (meet in front of Harbor House); a calamari cooking demonstration by chef Tene Shake at 2:30-3pm in front of Kokomos/Grotto Fish Market on the wharf; abalone races at 11:30 and 1:30 in front of Rockfish Harbor Grill; Scrimshaw, whale origami, and gyotaku arts and crafts in front of Abalonetti from 12-3 pm; Musicians and special performances 10-5 pm at head of Fisherman’s Wharf; Research and Rescue Vessels to tour at the California Dock on the wharf 10-5 pm; SATURDAY ONLY: See fun and educational marine-centered exhibits at the Custom House Plaza, Causeway and Fisherman’s Wharf, including a 43-foot walk-in inflatable whale, and “Gracie” a real 30 foot gray whale skeleton. The Pearl Fire Boat, Current’ Sea (a “whale disentanglement ambulance can be seen on Saturday only. SUNDAY ONLY: Symposium with world renowned marine researchers from 10-5 pm at the Stanton Center Theater off Custom House Plaza. The recently-restored Western Flyer may be toured on Sunday only at the California Dock on Fisherman’s Wharf with required reservation to be made at https://www.westernflyer.org/events/. In addition, there will be a Marine Mammal Center Release at 10 am Sunday at the Monterey Beach by Adventures by the Sea. A Beach and Street Clean-up will start from the Marine Life Studies Booth between 11-1 pm Sunday only. Events are free for the whole family to enjoy! If you can help volunteer for this wonderful event, please contact dorothyfindlater@gmail.com. Volunteers working a four hour shift or longer will receive a free chowder bowl or turkey sandwich plus a marine lanyard. Volunteers must be 15 years or older. For a complete schedule of events, visit whalefest.org and Montereywharf.com.
Saturday, April 13, 2-4 pm – “Monterey in the Mexican Era” and the Role of Women in Monterey during the 1800s, a free presentation by Aaron Gilmartin and Julia Madden-Fulk, both interpreters at the Monterey State Historic Park. A third speaker will be Pulitzer prize-winning local author Jane Smiley who will discuss her book, “A Dangerous Business”, about challenges faced by women during that era in Monterey. Books will be available to purchase after the presentations. The event will be held in the Monterey Public Library community room, and is sponsored by the Monterey County branch of the American Association of University Women. No formal registration is required, and membership in AAUW is not required, but an email to deborahstern1@gmail.com would be appreciated.
Wednesday, April 17, 6:30-8:30 “Jane Gallatin Powers, A California Modernist”-Free Lecture, reception and book signing by author Erin Lee Gafill at the Irvine Auditorium of MIIS, at the McCone Building, 499 Pierce Street. Hear about how the artist helped build the thriving artist colony on the peninsula. Lecture and slide show at 6:30. Wine and cheese reception, book sale and signing 7:30-8:30. Free, but reservations needed at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jane-gallatin-powers-a-california-modernist-lecture-by-erin-lee-gafill-tickets-867703272847. Sponsored by the Old Monterey Foundation.
CANNERY ROW DAYS – April 18-May 11- Events are sponsored by Monterey Public Library and are free but must be reserved. Space is limited and events book up quickly. Visit monterey.org/canneryrow2024 to see events and reserve.
Thursday, April 18, 4-5 pm “Susan Gregory’s Tortilla Flat”, a presentation by historian Dennis Copeland in the Monterey Public Library Community Room, the kick off to Cannery Row Days which this year highlights John Steinbeck’s novel, “Tortilla Flats”, set in beautiful Monterey. RSVP required at monterey.org/canneryrow2024.
Sunday, April 21, 2024, 11:00 am “In the Steps of the Paisano”: A walking Tour with Tim Thomas. The tour begins with historian Tim Thomas in front of Fisherman’s Wharf and is limited. RSVP to reserve at monterey.org/canneryrow2024, as this will book up quickly. Sponsored by the Monterey Public Library.
Thursday, April 25, 4-5 pm “Steinbeck and Mexico: Considering Tortilla Flat”, a presentation by Professor Susan Shillinglaw via zoom. Free, but you must reserve at monterey.org/canneryrow2024.
Thursday, April 25, 3:30-4:30 “Paws to Read” with Tortilla Flat inspired books at Monterey Public Library Community Room. Free, but you must reserve at monterey.org/canneryrow2024.
Thursday, April 25, 4-5 pm – “Steinbeck and Mexico: Considering Tortilla Flat”, a presentation by Susan Shillinglaw via zoom. Free, but you must reserve at monterey.org/canneryrow2024.
Thursday, May 2, 4-5 pm “Stirring the Pot: Working the Canneries, a Multicultural Stew”, presented by Fisheries Historian Tim Thomas via zoom. Free, but you must reserve at monterey.org/canneryrow2024.
Friday, May 3, 3:30 – Tortilla Flat Reading Group with Susan Shillinglaw at Colton Hall. Free, but you must reserve at monterey.org/canneryrow2024.
Sunday, May 5, 1-3 pm – Ohlone Basketweaving Demonstration with Linda Yamane and Violet Smith at Colton Hall. Free, but you must reserve at monterey.org/canneryrow2024.
Wednesday, May 8, 2024, 4-5 pm- “The Long, Slow Death of Eddie Romero” a presentation by Joe Livernois, writer, in the Community Room of the Monterey Public Library. Free, but you must reserve at monterey.org/canneryrow2024
Friday, May 10, 4-5 pm “ From the Archives: The Sal Colletto Collection”, a presentation in the Monterey Public Library Community Room. Free, but you must reserve at monterey.org/canneryrow2024
Saturday, May 11, 2024, 4-6 pm “Tortilla Flat” (1942): A Film Screening in the Monterey Public Library Community Room, as the finale to Cannery Row Days. Free, but you must reserve at monterey.org/canneryrow2024.
Monday, May 27, 2024 – Memorial Day Concert by the Monterey Pops! on Colton Hall Lawn
Saturday, June 1, 11:15-3:00 pm La Merienda –Merienda “Tickets” are on sale to members of the Monterey History and Art Association for $100 and to non-members for $125 per person. Go to https://montereyhistory.org to join, purchase tickets, or for more information. If paying online, please email merienda2024@gmail.com with each guest name, your email address and people you want to sit with, if applicable. The Merienda is Monterey’s celebration of the 254th anniversary of the founding of our pueblo, held in the Memory Garden behind the Pacific House. The senses are enlivened by this colorful and extravagant celebration featuring a barbecue buffet of stellar food prepared by chefs from Old Fisherman’s Grotto and their team and served by local celebrities. Mariachis, folklorico dancing on stage, and exquisite pageantry mark this as a signature event for Monterey, rarely seen by non-locals. There are two tables hosted by Old Town members but only seven seats remaining. OTNA members can request on their reservation form sent/emailed to MHAA to sit at Old Town neighborhood’s table until filled. Please also email us at oldtownneighborhood@gmail.com once your reservation (and membership, if applicable) has been completed through MHAA, to let us know you requested to sit at our table, subject to availability. Dress is colorful casual wear or feel free to dress up in costume!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Old Town Neighborhood Association Election Results for the Board of Directors to March 2025: The seven directors elected were: Corey Brunson, Phyllis Bussey, Mary Grove, Gari Soulé, Nancy Soulé, and Max Troyer. Officers elected on the board were Gari Soulé, President; Corey Brunson, Vice President; Mary Grove, Treasurer and Nancy Soulé, Secretary.
Tiny Treasures Art Show Solicits Original Art Donations in support of the non-profit Pacific Grove Art Center, 568 Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific Grove, between April 13-June 20 Wednesday-Saturday 12-5 and Sundays 12-4 except 4/28 and 5/5. A maximum of three original pieces, no larger than 8×10 inches including frame, may be submitted, ready to hang. These will be exhibited on July 5 at the opening reception of the fundraiser from 7-9 pm.
Monterey CERT new training class will be held on May 4, 11, and 18 each day 8-5 pm. Attendance all three days is necessary to graduate. Classes teach basic preparedness skills, plus valuable skills on searching for lost persons, helping our fire and police departments in duties that relieve them to handle emergencies, such as crowd control and setting up a rehab station for first responders. You can sign up to participate by emailing training@montereycert.org with your full name, physical resident address, cell and home phone numbers, and the email you most commonly use.
STORM HELP- Free Sandbags are available to fill at the Fire Station, Pacific and Jefferson Streets. Free charging of phone and warmth are offered at the Monterey Public Library.
Monterey County’s New Emergency Alerting System is up and available. Residents need to update or create an account by visiting alertmoontereycounty.org. Official public safety text messages will come from 65513 and phone calls will come from 831-308-4911. For more information, visit alertmry.org/informed.
Monterey’s Rental Registry Opens. Effective January 1, 2024, owners of rental property in Monterey must register their rental unit on the city’s new Rental Inventory Portal prior to March 1. If an owner owns and manages three or less rental units in Monterey, an exemption may be requested, but filing for the exemption must also be done by March 1. More information and the form to register can be found at https://monterey.org/residents/neighborhoods___housing/rental_inventory.php. Any residential property owner or manager who wants help can drop in to the solarium room at the Monterey Public Library Tuesdays and Thursdays from March 5 through April 18 from 1pm to 4 pm.
Monterey’s City Engagement Survey – Help the city assess various programs by taking their survey at: https://monterey.org/engage.
UNDERGROUNDING SURVEY – If you haven’t yet, please go to montereyundergrounding.net and complete an important survey. Also, let them know if you want to be part of this committee.
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.
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.
Corral of Westerners – Local group of western history buffs meets at St. Timothy’s fellowship basement room, 52 Soledad in Monterey on the second Monday each month to hear a speaker on topics of history in the west, with emphasis on our local area. $2.00/meeting (annual dues $20). Refreshments served.
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. To see more information, visit gentrain.org.
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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 helps support social events and technical costs of website, Zoom meetings, and newsletter. 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