ALERT: A petition has been circulated asking city council to rescind the contract for the Roundabout at the intersection of Madison/Larkin and Hermann Streets (the entrance to Monterey High) until after public outreach and approval of the project, rather than just allow modifications after public input. Public Works expects to hold a public outreach meeting sometime after July 4, and in the meantime, there have been many concerns received from residents about worsening the gridlock and whether there is even sufficient room for vehicles to make the tight turns with the narrowing proposed of the streets at this intersection. Comments and questions can be submitted to engineering-admin@monterey.gov. See under announcements more information on this topic
EVENTS COMING UP
Friday, July 3, 6-8 pm – Opening Reception at the Pacific Grove Art Center, 568 Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific Grove. Enjoy music by Glenn Leon-Guerrero on keyboards and vocals, purchase raffle tickets for bidding on Tiny Treasures Annual Miniature Show Fundraiser, and visit four new exhibits: PGAC Studio Artists in the Gill Gallery; “7 in 7 Exhibition-Seven Continents in Seven Years” by Theodore Heublein in the Dyke Gallery; “Painterly Perspective- Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association Signature Members in the Annand Gallery, a juried show; Tiny Treasures Annual Miniature Show Fundraiser with over 100 pieces in the Boyer Gallery and Small Halls. Exhibits will be continuing until August 27, 2026.
Saturday, July 4, 2026, 7:30-10:10- Pancake Breakfast at Fire Station #11 at 600 Pacific Street. Enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast, kids activities, music and a chance to interact with your local Monterey Firefighters. Tickets are $17 at www.mymuseum.org/july4, supporting Monterey Firefighters Charity.
Saturday, July 4, 2026, 10 am – Annual Independence Day Parade- Monterey’s annual 4th of July Parade is a must-attend celebration that draws approximately 20,000 people of all ages to line the streets in and around Old Monterey. Revel in the festive floats, patriotic displays, entertaining costumes, and musical bands. The parade begins at 10am sharp, starting at the corner of Alvarado Street and Pearl Street. It will go down Alvarado Street and turn left onto Del Monte Ave and then take an immediate left onto Calle Principal. It will continue on Calle Principal until Jefferson Street, and end there.
Saturday, July 4, 2026, 10:45-4:30 -Annual Big 4th of July Celebration and Backyard Food Fest on Colton Hall Lawn. Hear Samz School of Music Youth Band, 10:45-11:45; New Moon on Monday from 12:00-1:30; Chicano All Stars 1:30-3:00 pm; and Foreverland (Michael Jackson Tribute Band) from 3:00-4:30 pm.
Saturday, July 4, 2026, 1-3 pm Monterey Pops 4th of July Concert at Devendorf Park Carmel on Junipero across from the Carmel Plaza. Hear patriotic music by the Monterey Pops beginning at 2 pm. Bring your chairs/blankets. There is no warm up group as previously announced in error.
Saturday, July 11, 2026, 1-3pm – Old Town Neighborhood Annual Picnic in the Park – Meet at Group site #1 in Veteran’s Park, close to the play structure and lawn. Old Town Neighborhood Association will provide soft beverages and sandwich bites. Guests are encouraged to bring hand-held snacks to share. This is a free, fun-friendly family event for all who live or own property in Old Town. No registration required. Dogs and kids are welcome.
Monday, July 20, 2026 10-11 am Colton Hall and Old Jail Walking Tour- Meet at Colton Hall, 570 Pacific Street. Step back in time to 1849, where forty-eight delegates debated, wrote, and signed the California Constitution during the California Constitutional Convention, held inside Colton Hall. See original documents, artifacts, and even walk on the same floor as the delegates. Tours of Colton Hall are free of charge on the 3nd Monday of the month and last one hour. Reservations are required. Spaces are limited. Register at https://montereypl.libcal.com/event/ 16945361
Monday, July 20, 2026, 2-3 pm Colton Hall and Old Jail Walking Tour- See above. Register at https://montereypl.libcal.com/event/ 16945379.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Roundabout at Madison/Larkin/Hermann Intersection Update:
Here is the wording of a petition being circulated to rescind the contract for construction of the Roundabout prior to full outreach and approval by council (this can be copied, signed with your address and council district number, and pasted into your email to jeanrasch@gmail.com prior to June 29):
I support stopping the award of a contract to construct a Quick Build traffic circle at Larkin/Madison/Hermann. Outreach to the public should have happened first, sometime in the last 2 ½ years since the design’s inception, BEFORE a contract was awarded. The City has done this backwards. To award a contract first is to pressure the neighborhood into a project that may be neither wanted nor needed. I understand this project is not considered permanent, but only a pilot project to see how the community views the project. I understand that the project costs about $130,000 and was funded through the Transportation Agency for Monterey County's Quick-Build Pilot Program, which was specifically created to help local agencies test pedestrian and bicycle route improvements quickly and cost-effectively before investing in permanent construction. Name, Address. District #
Old Town has requested of Public Works-Engineering (engineering-admin@monterey.gov):
- a new diagram showing exact dimensions of the proposed narrowed lanes, both inside the traffic circle and on the narrowed feeder streets. We asked for the new diagram to show vehicles (with dimensions shown) as they are in the traffic circle and feeding into it.
- We have asked for the city to outline the new lanes on the street itself, even if minimally, along with the new circle and bollards/posts at the edge of the circle, leaving 4 traffic cones by the phone pole so residents can visually see and test with their cars whether it is a feasible design.
- There are concerns of gridlock at all five streets feeding into the traffic circle, if pedestrians block an exit street.
- We asked how many, if any, parking spaces will be removed on the streets.
- We requested that notices of the outreach meeting when set be mailed to residents, since OTNA has only a portion of email addresses for residents.
- We have passed on concerns we have received about gridlock starting from Hartnell all the way up Madison and a suggestion for a “Keep Clear” area where Van Buren crosses Madison due to it often being blocked, making it dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists.
- We also asked if alternative drop off locations had been considered.
Community Emergency Response Team Training –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.
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 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.