NOTE: Reservations for our Membership Night at the Perry House (see November 11) are now being taken by our social chair, Phyllis Bussey. Also, please submit your questions for our Candidates Forum (see September 21) to mvneighborhood@gmail.com.
Friday, September 11, -Sunday, September 13– Festa Italia Monterey! Friday 3-9; Saturday, 10-9 and Sunday 10-6 pm Enjoy three days of wonderful Italian food and drink and amazing entertainment at Custom House Plaza. Dancing under the stars Friday 5-9pm and Saturday 6:30-9 pm; Saturday opening ceremonies on the custom house plaza at 11:30 with procession to the wharf and blessing of the fleet. Bocce tournament Saturday and Sunday. Children’s coloring contest Saturday and Sunday 11-1 pm on the upper custom house plaza; Cooking Demonstration (calamari) 1:00-1:25 on the wharf; Festival is free but children’s rides and food are purchased with tickets. Entertainment schedule at https://festaitaliamonterey.org.
Saturdays, September 12 and 19 and Sundays, September 13 and 20, 11 am-5 pm – Open Studios Art Tour at Colton Hall.
Saturday, September 19, 7 am -noon Carmel’s 63rd Annual Sandcastle Building Contest on Carmel Beach below Scenic between 10th and 12th. Building begins at 7 am; judging starts at 11:00 am. Non-monetary bribery is encouraged (food, wine, chair massages). Winning team receives the coveted Golden Shovel award. Families and small groups can enter. This year’s theme is “It Never Gets Old: Carmel at 110” (celebrating the village’s 1916 incorporation). Free and open to everyone and all ages. You simply show up at the beach registration tent, get your official entry number, and start your masterpiece. For more information, you can check the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea Events Page or call Carmel Community Services at (831)620-2020.
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, sponsored by Old Town, New Monterey and Monterey Vista neighborhoods. This year we will elect a councilperson from District 1 and District 2, both of which represent Old Town, as well as the mayor. If you have questions to be considered, send to mvneighborhood@gmail.com. Questions will be compiled and most common questions selected by League of Women Voters, who will moderate. As Monterey Vista does not elect a councilperson this term, they are collecting and forwarding to the League, to retain impartiality. Questions will be asked, and should be relevant to all candidates.
Tuesday, September 29, 8:30-10 am – Budget Brews at East Village Coffee, 498 Washington St. The City of Monterey is hosting a drop-in session to share info on the city budget and gather feedback from residents and business community members.
Wednesday, September 30, 6-7:30 Storm Preparedness Town Hall at the Conference Center in the Steinbeck Ballroom. Hear a panel from National Weather Service, PG&E, the County Department of Emergency Services, Emergency Operations, Fire, and Police discuss the upcoming El Nino season.
October 15, 5-6:30 5th Annual Halloween Movie Night and Trunk or Treat on Colton Hall Lawn. The movie being shown is “Scoobie-Doo” sponsored by the Firefighters Community Fund and City of Monterey Recreation.
Saturday, October 24, 11 am to 1 pm – Carmel Annual Pumpkin Roll Ocean Avenue between Santa Rita and Junipero. Free and open to all. Pumpkins are provided.
Saturday, October 24, 10 am-11:30 am – Budget Brews at Plume’s Coffee400 Alvarado Street. The City of Monterey is hosting a drop-in session to share info on the city budget and gather feedback from residents and business community members.
Sunday, October 25, 2-5 pm – Pumpkin Plunge and Dia de los Muertos at the Monterey Sports Center. Thriller costume contest and Thriller dance party, plus free pumpkin decorating and more. Pumpkins provided for the plunge in the pool. Beginning at 5 pm, the Dia de los Muertos festivities begin with salsa dancing, mariachi music, cultural performances, and a costume contest. Food vendor trucks are available.
Wednesday, November 11, 6-8 pm Membership Appreciation Evening at the Perry House – Old Town Neighborhood Association will be hosting its annual Member Appreciation Party on Wednesday, November 11 at the Perry House, corner of Van Buren and Scott Streets. The party will be from 6 – 8 pm. This adults-only event is for current OTNA members. Join us for a delicious meal complete with wine and beer and a spectacular view. Send your RSVP to philbussey2@gmail.com as soon as possible as space is limited. Reservations will be accepted until Sept 30. Volunteers to help at check in will be greatly appreciated. The Member Appreciation party is OTNA’s signature event, don’t miss out!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
HELP NEEDED- Ray Meyers, head of Monterey Undergrounding committee, is writing a book about Monterey’s history of undergrounding, which began in 1911 and was started when Monterey had their own power generation! To help with his research, as you go on your walks, please make note of blocks which are already undergrounded, and drop an email to rmeyers527@aol.com with the specific information, such as “West Franklin Street from Alvarado to Van Buren”.
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.
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.