Civil rights of the homeless to be addressed at forum in Carmel

The civil rights of homeless individuals and how to defend them will be the focus of a homeless advocacy forum on Tuesday, Sept. 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Monterey Peninsula sanctuary in Carmel.

Author Mike Rhodes of “Dispatches from the War Zone” will speak prior to a presentation, question and answer period and panel discussion featuring Dr. Tia Sukin, the director of the One Starfish Safe Parking Program, and the Rev. Michael Reid, leader of the fund for Homeless Women and former associate minister at St. Mary's by the Sea Episcopal Church in Pacific Grove.

Presented by the ACLU of the Monterey Peninsula and the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Monterey Bay Social Justice Committee, the event is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact mibsmccarthy@comcast.net or call 831-659-1115.

Salinas to re-institute violence suppression unit in the wake of a spike in homicides

The Salinas Police Department will be re-forming a small Violence Suppression Unit (VSU) to gather intelligence, coordinate and conduct counter-violence operations and to support detectives in their investigations, administrators announced Monday. The unit will consist of a supervisor and two officers supported by additional officers on an overtime basis, as well as by other law enforcement agencies at the local, state and federal level as available.

The Salinas Police Department was forced to fold the violence suppression unit in July 2015 due to staffing shortages. The police department closed all units outside of patrol and investigations. This left the department with no dedicated gang enforcement/gang investigation unit.

The city has seen a spike of violence. Early Tuesday, a 20-year-old man was found dead near Chinatown, the victims of multiple gunshot wounds. He's the 27th homicide victim so far this year, and the ninth in the month of august.

Voices of California needs Salinas senior participants

Are you a senior who was born and raised in Salinas? If so, Voices of California hopes you’ll be interested in their project.

Voices of California, a project from Stanford University, is coming to Salinas to record the experiences of people who were born and raised here. The project is an attempt to record different ways of "being" Californian.

The group will be in Salinas September 11-21. If you are interested in participating this project please click here to fill out an interest form. Or call  916-806-6732.

Building Healthy Communities celebrates five-year anniversary

The East Salinas Building Healthy Communities, a 10-year project of the California Endowment, is celebrating its halfway mark with an open house intended to highlight its achievements and present plans for future projects.

The idea behind the state-wide project was to select a handful of low-income California communities that were experiencing significant health disparities. Salinas made it as one of the final 14, and the idea was to invest $10 million and leverage those moneys to bring other resources and make the community healthier.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Aug. 23., at the initiative's offices on 606 Williams Road, Salinas.

For information or RSVP, email Jesus Valenzuela at jesusbhc@actioncouncil.org

Carving of Berwick Park's breaching whales begins

The process of carving out a pair of Cypress tree stumps into a sculpture of two breaching whales began in Pacific Grove's Berwick Park Friday. That's according to Pacific Grove Chamber President Moe Ammar, who said that three different donors stepped forward at Thursday's celebration of the Pacific Grove Tourist Information Center's fifth anniversary to fund the project announced last May. Ultimately, Ammar said that the city's rotary club would be donating the $8 thousand needed for the three local artists to transform the stumps into a symbol of the city's surrounding sea life.

It was John Bridges, a Monterey attorney that had the idea for the sculpture after noticing the big stumps on his drive home from work one day. They were left after high winds had broken the major branches off the tree during a January storm, causing the city to cut it down. 

Come find your next job during at the 2016 Community Job Fair

Job seekers: Meet face-to-face with local employers and network with your peers. Resume critiques available. No need to register, just show up.

The 2016 Community Job Fair in Salinas will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Aug. 11. America’s Job Center of California, 730 La Guardia St., in Salinas.

The Job Fair is co-sponsored by the Employment Development Department, the Monterey County Economic Development Department, Central Coast Goodwill, Army Community Service and the Fleet and Family Support Center (U.S. Navy).

Help improve the lives of women in Monterey County

Join the commission on the status of women!

The Monterey County Commission on the Status of Women is looking for commissioners. The group advises supervisors on needs and problem of women, recommend programs that offer them greater opportunities, and provide information to the public about the accomplishments, problems, and concerns of women.

The commission has openings in each of the five districts. For updates on meetings and how people can get involved, visit the Facebook page here.

To apply simply follow this link to the application form, fill it out and submit it via the commission's email account:

To speak with the group's vice-chair, contact Aranyani Azevedo at Aranyani.azevedo@gmail.com, 707-295-6417.

Salinas to celebrate "National Night Out" on Tuesday

The City of Salinas and Community Alliance for Safety and Peace will host National Night Out Salinas from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Constitution Soccer Fields.

National Night Out is a free, family-friendly event. The goal is to help build stronger relationships between residents and the police in order to create safer communities.

National Night Out Salinas will feature entertainment, speakers, K-9 demonstrations, emergency vehicle tours, and an inflatable obstacle course.

The Salinas Police and Fire Departments, the CHP, and the Monterey County Sheriff's Department will participate, along with more than 50 community based organizations. Attendees will have the chance to learn about public safety programs and resources in the community such as community policing, drug prevention, community leadership development, neighborhood watch, public safety vehicles, and other anti-crime efforts.

Details
What: National Night Out
When: Tuesday, August 2, 2016 from 4 - 7:00 p.m.
Where: 1440 Constitution Blvd. Salinas
Who: Open to all
Cost: Free

Marina Coast Water District completes five-year water management plan

Stressing the need to develop recycled water supplies for outdoor irrigation for current and future Ord Community redevelopment and reduce demand for groundwater, the Marina Coast Water District has completed its five-year Urban Water Management Plan.

Required by state law, the plan includes analyses of projected water demand and supplies, conservation, demand management, shortage contingency plans, and the like through 2020.

Marina Coast general manager Keith Van Der Maaten said the plan is a key aspect of the district's capacity for supply clean water at relatively low rates.

The plan also accounts for projected growth in the district's service area in the future, and suggests there is adequate water availability for planned redevelopment in the Ord Community over the next five years.

Last month, the district agreed to share costs with the Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency on a 10-mile recycled water delivery pipeline to district territory.

"We're excited to work with the MRWPCA and other agencies to stretch supplies and provide for environmental stewardship of our water supplies," Van Der Maaten said. "Reuse is a key to that end."

Salinas celebrates renovations to soccer complex on Wednesday

Members of Salinas Community Leadership Academy will show off improvements they've made to the Constitution Soccer Complex at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 27.

The Leadership Academy completed the renovations using neighborhood beautification grant, which they received in Apri. The group chose the complex as their community impact project for this year, and have now restored the rest rooms there.

The Constitution Soccer Complex is one of the largest and most-used athletic fields in the City of Salinas, hosting hundreds of kids, youth, and families on a daily basis.

The Community Leadership Academy is designed to increase our community's leadership capacity by giving residents the tools to enact positive social changes. Participants attend 11 workshops over a period of six weeks, gaining the skills needed to plan and carry out a community impact project. For more information, click here.

What: Constitution Neighborhood Beautification Project
When: Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at 5:30PM
Where: 1440 Constitution Blvd. Salinas
Free and open to the public. 

Greefield releases survey of community concerns

More than 60 percent of Greenfield residents surveyed said they feel safe in the city. And nearly half said gangs are not a problem in their neighborhood.

These are some of the responses found in a survey police representatives conducted earlier this month.  Representatives held 200 face-to-face surveys throughout the city in order to find out residents biggest concerns.

The surveys were conducted at randomly selected addresses by teams of officers and community members knocking on doors for in-person interviews. Community members who accompanied police also provided translation services. Addresses were randomly selected by a computer application.

Detailed results were presented to the Greenfield City Council and can be found here.

Salinas' first pooch park set to open next week

Salinas city administrators have converted an unused acre at Natividad Creek Park to welcome off-leash dogs and their owners starting Saturday, July 30, officials announced.

The City's Animal Services and Recreation and Community Services Division will hold a grand opening ceremony at 10 a.m.

Admission is free and open to the public for grand opening. Light refreshments will be served.

More information is available at 831-758-7306.

Monterey approves new massage establishment regulations; adopts state efficient landscaping regs

At Monterey’s Tuesday city council meeting, the council approved new regulations requiring massage establishments to have a conditional use permit and off-street parking. The new regulation mandates that the business must have one off-street parking space per 500 square feet or else it will not be issued a permit to operate. 

The city also noted the adoption of the state’s requirements for water efficient landscaping regulations.

New legislation requires that new construction projects with landscape areas of 500 square feet or more have to have a water efficient landscaping plan submitted and approved by the city.

The city adopted their present proposed regulations by staff back in 2010.

The California Water Commission created the rules for outdoor water use for landscapes in July 2015, which became law in December 2015.

Pacific Grove Library Improvement Project underway; city approves appointment of new police chief Amy Christey

Besides approving the admission tax measure for the November ballot while voting down the business license tax increase, the city of Pacific Grove on Wednesday approved an agreement with the Pacific Grove Public Library Foundation Corporation to fund the Library Renewal Project. The money will go towards ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) updates, painting the library’s walls and ceilings and new carpet, among other improvements. 

The council also approved the appointment of Amy Christey as the city’s new police chief with a salary adjustment to $151,000, what Christey currently makes as police chief in Morro Bay.

Wanna tell the CHP how you feel about its services? Take online survey

The California Highway Patrol is inviting the public to participate in a brief, online community service survey. The results will be used to address the public’s concerns, develop solutions to potential problems, and improve services.

“All professional organizations self-assess in an effort to improve the way they do business and ensure they are providing the highest level of service to its customers. It is no different here at the CHP,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow in a statement. “This community survey gives the public a voice and is an opportunity for the people we serve to evaluate us.”

The survey will be available on the Web site indefinitely, during the month of July, the link to the survey will be prominently featured on the CHP’s Home page. Participation in the survey is anonymous. To participate, click here.

This is the first time the CHP has participated in an analytical, third-party online survey.

FORA board votes to help fund Marina Coast recycled water pipeline

Agreeing to help fund the planned $26 million Marine Coast Water District recycled water pipeline, the Fort Ord Reuse Authority board approved an agreement on Friday last week that would dedicate up to $6 million for the proposal.
The nearly mile-long pipeline, part of the district's Regional Urban Water Augmentation Project, is designed to deliver potable-quality recycled water to the Ord Community as part of the redevelopment of the former military base.
Under the agreement, FORA will commit to reimbursing Marina Coast for pipeline costs through fiscal year 2019-20.
Last month, Marina Coast and the Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency agreed to cooperate on the pipeline, which will also deliver recycled water to the Seaside basin as part of the Pure Water Monterey groundwater replenishment project.

AgTech Meetup Features Three Startups from Salinas-Based Incubator

The upcoming Salinas AgTech meetup will feature three of the startup companies that are housed at the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology. The meetup will also serve as a followup to Forbes Reinventing America: The AgTech Summit, which will be held the week before.

The startups to be featured are:

Trace Genomics: Molecular assay for soil and seed-borne pathogens enabling detection of pathogens and beneficial organisms simultaneouslyv
specright: End-to-end packaging specification management
Inteligistics: Real-time pulp temperature tracking, reporting and alerting across the value chain

The event is open to all and free of charge. Food and drinks will be provided. A registration form can be found at here.

More information about the Salinas AgTech Meetup group is available at here.

More information about the Salinas AgTech Summit can be found here.

What: AgTech Salinas Meetup
When: Tuesday, July 19 at 6:00 p.m.
Where: CSUMB at Salinas City Center, 1 Main St., Salinas, CA 93901
Cost: Free

Salinas to present plan for a greener city

Salinas city officials will unveil their plans to create more green spaces on Monday, June 27 at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend event.

The Neighborhood Vibrancy-Urban Greening Plan was prepared for Creekbridge, Alisal and Maple/Monterey Park, which were chosen for their physical and cultural diversity.

"Great cities have great neighborhoods," Mayor Joe Gunter said in a statement. "Our intent is to make our neighborhoods great by making them more walkable, greener and safer. We want to create places that connect people with each other and with nature. More parks and street trees will help us achieve that."

The Greening Plans took two years to create. A twelve-member Plan Advisory Committee, comprised of local community groups and technical experts, worked to put it together utilizing community involvement.

The presentation will take place at 6 p.m. Monday, June 27 at the Salinas City Hall Rotunda, 200 Lincoln Av. For more information about the Neighborhood Vibrancy-Urban Greening Program, call Salinas City Hall at (831) 758-7450.

Monterey planning commission unanimously approves aquarium's ed center

The Monterey Bay Aquarium's proposed education center was officially approved this week by a unanimous vote from the Monterey City Planning Commission.

Designed by San Francisco-based architectural firm Mark Cavagnero Associates, the new four-story $30 million dollar building will include five learning spaces/labs, a multipurpose room, office space for 35 staff members and a video lab. It will also feature an event center located on the top floor and have many features that qualify as “environmentally responsible,” such as solar panels on the roof. It's targeted opening date is for 2018.

“It was a big project approval,” said Kimberly Cole, Chief of Planning and Environmental Compliance for the city. “It's really taking the center of Cannery Row, which is a little dilapidated, and giving it new life.”

Cole said there was quite a bit of discussion at the planning commission meeting Tuesday, with most of it positive. She noted there were seven letters of support and one letter of concern from the New Monterey Neighborhood Association. Concerns centered mainly around the building's height.

“Concerns were about the fourth story height of the building and there was quite a bit of discussion whether the building would be set back from Hoffman Avenue or not,” said Cole. “Those were the two key issues that the neighborhood association was concerned about.”

As Cole explained, the bridge between the two buildings will actually be demolished, opening up the view corridor down Hoffman and the new 25,000 square foot building will be shorter than the current structure.

“What really swayed the planning commission was that the proposed new building will be smaller in height than the existing building that's there now,” she said.

Cole noted that the general mood during the meeting was one of excitement and anticipation for the education center.

“This is something that we've been waiting for for a really long time,” said Cole. “That heart of Cannery Row – we need a center to it.”

Carmel Film Festival moves Filmmakers Beach Dinner to Pacific Grove

At Pacific Grove's city council meeting Wednesday, the council approved Carmel Film Festival’s request to hold their Filmmakers Beach Dinner at Lovers Point Park this year. Organizers of the event requested that fire pits be placed on the beach and that alcohol would be allowed for the event. Pacific Grove’s municipal code prohibits both. 

“We approved it to go ahead but we need to review some aspects of events like that,” said Kampe. “We’ll need to look at city ordinances.”

The Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce also hopes to shift additional festival events in the future.

Festival organizers say they will pay for all needed city services in addition to rental fees for city parking lots and park areas and will utilize the city’s businesses for managing, catering and equipment rentals. 

While Pacific Grove Mayor Bill Kampe noted he didn't want to speculate, he said the change in venue was most likely due to space issues.

"I think they are just finding that the events have become very large for Carmel,” said Kampe.  

The event, which draws some 300 people, will held on Oct. 22.

FORA executive officer attends National Security Seminar

Photo courtesy US Army War College

Michael Houlemard, Fort Ord Reuse Authority executive officer, (first row, third from left) poses with seminar colleagues from the U.S. military, Mali, Peru and Macedonia during the Army War College National Security Seminar. He was invited to join the special academic seminar and exchange thoughts about national security topics in the capstone phase of the graduate program.

Michael Houlemard, executive officer of the Fort Ord Reuse Authority was one of 160 business, government, academic and community leaders selected from across the country to take part in the week-long US Army War College 62nd annual National Security Seminar in Carlisle, PA last week.

Attending with students of the Army War College, Houlemard represented fellow American citizens in discussions with the next generation of senior leaders of the US Armed Forces giving the leaders a deeper understanding of perspectives across the American society they serve, according to a press release.

The National Security Seminar was the capstone event of the Army War College's 10-month curriculum, just before the class of 2016 graduated with the Master's degree in Strategic Studies.

The NSS forum was structured around a daily presentation about an issue of significance to the nation's security, followed by extended and candid discussion of the topic within one of 24 seminars. Featured speakers for this year's NSS included Ambassador Ron Kirk, a former U.S. Trade Representative in the Obama Administration;  Ambassador Ryan Crocker, a career ambassador within the U.S. Foreign Service and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom; Dr. Dan Drezner, professor of international politics at the Fletcher School Tufts University; and Michele Flournoy, former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and Senior Fellow at Harvard's Belfer Center for Science & International Affairs.

Mr. Houlemard became a member of USAWC Seminar 6, comprising Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force officers at the rank of colonel or lieutenant colonel, a senior federal civilian, and three international officers, representing Mali, Peru and Macedonia.  He was invited to share perspectives, background and experiences in the capstone event in the Strategic Studies graduate program.

The U.S. Army War College resident class of 2016 includes 380 students who represent a cross-section of the joint military, federal agency and multinational security environment: 218 Army officers, 11 Navy, 26 Air Force, 16 Marine Corps officers and one Coast Guard officer of the Active, Reserve/ National Guard forces.  The class includes 79 international officers from 73 countries, and 29 senior civilians of federal agencies.

The U.S. Army War College educates and develops leaders for service at the strategic level while advancing knowledge in the global application of land power.

Established in 1901 in Washington D.C., the Army War College relocated in 1951 to historic Carlisle Barracks, Pa. and today, it educates more than 1500 senior leaders and strategists annually through a variety of specialized strategic education programs.
Learn more about the U.S. Army War College and the National Security Seminar at www.carlisle.army.mil or www.facebook.com/usawc. 

Two theaters back at it

ARIEL Theatrical's Karen Wilson Children's Theatre in Oldtown Salinas sustained water and electrical damage
from the Dick Bruhn fire in February. It has reopened after four months of repairs. (Courtesy of ARIEL)

Four months after the Dick Bruhn fire in Oldtown Salinas forced ARIEL Theatrical out of its home, the youth theater company is back where it belongs.

The Karen Wilson Children's Theatre, where ARIEL has been housed for the past 15 years, sustained water and electrical damage as firefighters worked to control the blaze at the former men’s clothing store next door on Feb. 13. In addition to structural work to repair the theater, thousands of costume pieces had to be professionally cleaned.

The first show back on the home stage is "Disney's 101 Dalmatians KIDS," with four showtimes this Friday and Saturday. See www.arieltheatrical.org for details.

The theater is not the only one back in commission. The Outdoor Forest Theater in Carmel has reopened after closing in April 2014 for renovations. The Forest Theater Guild's Films in the Forest series returned June 1, Pacific Repertory's School of Dramatic Arts program moves in for the summer on Monday, and the first play to return to the stage, "The Borrowers," opens June 23. More information at www.foresttheaterguild.org.

Monterey named a Tree City USA for the 35th year

The city of Monterey was named a Tree City USA for the 35th year. It's a designation that means Monterey qualified to meet the required four standards that lead to receiving such a title. They include having someone legally responsible for the care of all trees, having a basic public tree care ordinance and a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita, and having an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
At Tuesday's council meeting, the city was presented with the 35th Tree City USA flag. 

Carmel Valley project broke new ground, built collaboration and cooperation

James Herrera - Monterey Herald

Panorama photo of the former site of the San Clemente Dam with the rerouted Carmel River, steelhead trout habitat and temporary footbridge during the project celebration on Monday, June 6, 2016.

Now that the largest dam removal in California history is complete, and the rerouting of the Carmel River and restoration of wildlife habitat is ongoing -- it is a definite feather in Granite Construction Company's hat.

Granite broke new ground and set the bar in both dam deconstruction and river restoration. The work took three seasons – in six-month blocks with 100 workers a day – to get to this point.

Restoration work continues with native vegetation being planted along the river’s banks and the Old Carmel River Dam, built down-river in the late 1800s, to be removed along with the artificial Sleepy Hollow crossing.

When the project is complete, 920 acres of the site and surrounding area will be donated to the Bureau of Land Management and, working with the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District, will eventually open the area to public access.

Besides the core project partnership of California American Water, California State Coastal Conservancy and National Marine Fisheries Service -- these other project funders made the San Clemente Dam Removal and Carmel River Reroute Project possible.

• The California Department of Fish and Wildlife which contributed $7 million to the project and participated on the technical advisory committee for the restoration components of the project.

• The California Natural Resources Agency which contributed $4 million and assisted other state agencies in finding solutions to procedural obstacles to funding this project.

•  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contributed $904,000 and oversaw restoration components related to the California Red-Legged Frogs.

• The Wildlife Conservation Board contributed $8 million.

• The Nature Conservancy contributed $1 million.

• The Resources Legacy Fund Foundation contributed $433,756 through a grant from the Packard Foundation.

The Conservancy contributed $9.2 million to the project and led the effort to raise an additional $25 million. While the Fisheries Service contributed $1.6 million and oversaw the fish passage restoration portions of the project while assisting with getting the permits required for the project.

California American Water contributed $49 million for which the average water customer on the Monterey Peninsula will pay $2.94 per month over 20 years, according to Cal Am.

7,200 made it in the gates to see Bernie Sanders in Monterey

Bernie Sanders fans wait for his to speak at Colton Hall in Monterey, Calif. on Tuesday May 31, 2016. (David Royal - Monterey Herald)


Monterey >> Nancy Williams, the city of Monterey's director of sales and events, said about 7,200 people made it in the gates to see Sen. Bernie Sanders speak in front of Colton Hall on Tuesday. But that doesn't mean the crowd count of 7,800 originally reported was wrong.

"We had about 7,200 inside the gated-off section of Colton Hall and Pacific Street there," Williams said. "Then my understand is there was approximately 600 more in the exterior there."

Spectators lined Calle Principal and other nearby streets to get a glimpse of the presidential candidate and hear his speech. 

Williams said the rally was one of the largest events she can remember at Colton Hall, adding the Fourth of July celebration usually brings out a couple of thousand people approximately, though she was uncertain on the exact number.  

"I don't think we've every had anything that large in the history that I know of," she said.  

Click here for video of Sanders' chat with The Herald before the rally and click here for photos of the rally.  

Tommy Wright can be reached at 831-726-4375. Follow him on Twitter @wrightscribe and like him on Facebook.

Nominations for the 2016 California Peace Awards now being accepted

Nominations are being accepted for the 2016 California Peace Awards. Every year, one individual from each of the four counties in the 30th Assembly District is recognized for their efforts to promote peace in their respective communities. The 30th Assembly District consists of parts of Santa Clara, San Benito, Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, and is now represented by Luis Alejo (D-Watsonville).

Nominees should be individuals who over the past year have made a significant contribution to prevent violence and increase safety in their communities. Individuals should have a strong record of volunteering and noteworthy accomplishments in philanthropy and community involvement. Individuals who have previously received a California Peace Award are not eligible for nomination in 2016.

The 2016 California Peace Award recipients will be honored during a ceremony on National Night Out, taking place on Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016.

Nomination forms are available here. Deadline to apply is Tuesday, June 23, 2016.

Monterey's birthday, by the pound

John Lotz and Sal Ferrante volunteer in the barbecue area during La Merienda in 2013.
(Vern Fisher/Monterey Herald)

Monterey's annual birthday party, La Merienda, has as its centerpiece a barbecue lunch served by local luminaries. The head of the barbecue committee, restaurateur Chris Shake, and Old Fisherman’s Grotto executive chef Juan Ponce are tasked with serving an estimated 400 people this year. Just how much food is that? Shake provided a breakdown:

* 275 steaks
* 125 pounds of chicken breast
* 60 pounds of mild Italian sausage
* 100 pounds of salmon (that's 400 4 oz. pieces)
* 110 pounds of shrimp
* 6 hotel pans each of fresh fruit, pasta salad and roasted sweet corn
* 8 hotel pans of mixed salad (the ingredients, because it sounds tasty: mango, papaya, candied walnuts and Gorgonzola cheese in a balsamic vinaigrette)
* 75 loaves of garlic bread
* 7 gallons of salsa
* 10 gallons of chili beans

La Merienda takes place at 11:15 a.m. Saturday at the Memory Garden at Custom House Plaza. Tickets are $55-$65 and can be purchased at museumofmonterey.org/lamerienda.

Salinas to host meeting about new marijuana businesses permits

Salinas city officials will begin the application period for commercial cannabis business permits on June 6. They'll host an information meeting from 3:30 to 5:00 pm the same day for those interested in learning more about the application process or guidelines. The meeting will take place at City Hall, 200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas.

The informational meeting is not mandatory in order to submit an application, but those who are interested in possibly submitting an application for a commercial cannabis business permit are highly encouraged to attend. Applications will be made available on June 6 on the City of Salinas's website and may be picked up beginning June 6 at the City Attorney's Office located inside City Hall.

Questions regarding the applications, application guidelines, or application process may be directed to the City Attorney's Office at mjsalinas@ci.salinas.ca.us.

Two Monterey High School jazz musicians take center stage

Akili Bradley, left, and Marina Panzetta.

Two Monterey High School juniors who have been sitting in with jazz pros at the Hyatt Regency Monterey will be the center of attention Friday night as the Fireplace Lounge's featured performers.

Saxophonist Marina Panzetta and trumpeter Akili Bradley have made quite the impression on Hyatt jazz director and drummer in residence David Morwood.

They've studied with Monterey Jazz Festival clinicians and jammed with professional musicians during the hotel's weekly jazz program.

And their confidence is unshakable.

“I remember the weekend of the jazz festival, the room was packed with professional musicians and sophisticated fans," Morwood said. "They walked right up to me and said, ‘We want to play a Herbie Hancock tune, "Cantaloupe Island."' ... ‘They were so confident and clear and they knew what they wanted to do. They sat in with the professional band behind them and they held their own and really made the tune swing.”

They continued to practice and improve, he said, so “at a certain point I realized I wasn’t doing them any favors by having them sit in.”

He challenged them to come up with a list of 15 jazz tunes to play while backed up by a professional rhythm section. They came up with a mix of bebop, swing, jazz and bossa nova.

The program is from 7-10 p.m. It's what Morwood calls a Las Vegas-style set, with the house band -- Morwood, Gary Meek on keyboards and Billy Bosch on bass -- playing a few tunes, followed by Marina and Akili playing seven or eight songs. That format will repeat after an intermission.

Pacific Grove Police Chief search down to four with hire expected by July

The search for Pacific Grove's police chief is down to four, according to City Manager Ben Harvey, who said he hopes to name the city's new chief by July.

Harvey said the City had over 50 applicants and from that pool narrowed it down to 17 and then seven. Four of those candidates are being brought back for second interviews.

“I have been very pleased with the candidates and the process, and know that I will be able to select a highly qualified chief that is a good match for both the community, the department and the greater municipal organization,” said Harvey, noting that with the time needed for a background check and other reviews, he felt mid-summer was a good estimated hire date.

He also said that the city's interim Chief of Police Steve Belcher has been very involved in the selection process.

Recently, Salinas Chief Kelly McMillin announced his retirement and just this week, Seaside Police Chief Vicki Myers announced hers, which means that both of those city's officials will be conducting their own searches for a new police chief.  

Police chiefs to retire in Monterey County's two largest cities

Seaside Police Chief Vicki Myers shown here at a news conference at the Monterey Police Station in 2015, announced she will retire in May 2017.  (Vern Fisher - Monterey Herald)

Seaside >> When Seaside Police Chief Vicki Myers announced Monday she will retire in May 2017, it meant the two largest cities in Monterey County will have new top cops in the next year.

Salinas Police Chief Kelly McMillin announced last month he plans on retiring in October. Pacific Grove and King City also have police chief openings. Myers said she spoke with McMillin while considering when to retire.

"We had different idle conversations and we jokingly have said, 'Police officers who don't retire when they can, it's because they're bad at math,' " Myers said. "We just talked about it and he said he was looking at (retirement) for different reasons and I know that he was going to meet with (the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training). He talked about it and the different things and opportunities; you just kind of talk about those things."

When he announced his retirement, McMillin explained it wouldn't make financial sense for him to continue in the position. Like Myers, he said he looks forward to being able to spend more time with family and friends.

Myers mentioned it was time to make way for a "new generation of leadership" in Seaside in a press release announcing her retirement. A majority of the police chief positions in Monterey County will have turned over in the past few years once she retires.

Monterey Police Chief Dave Hober took over as the permanent chief less than a year ago and Greenfield selected Adele Frese to head its police department in 2014. Brian Ferrante took over as Sand City chief in 2015, 

When Reuters spoke to the Police Executive Research Forum in December, the nonprofit group told the news organization that big city police chiefs last an average of 2.5 to 3.5 years on the job. Police chiefs of smaller cities last an average of just over four years. According to the 335 chiefs surveyed by PERF, their predecessors lasted slightly longer, from five to six years.

By the time Myers plans on retiring in May 2017, she will have been on the job 6.5 years. McMillin will have been chief for about 4.5 years when he retires.

Pacific Grove's Beach House at Lovers Point to add cafe

At Pacific Grove's Wednesday city council meeting, Kevin Phillips, owner of the Beach House restaurant at Lovers Point, said that after a four-year process, the building permit for their coffee shop has been approved.

Phillips, who expects the cafe to be completed by summer, said it will operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Besides its coffee, baked goods and expanded food offerings, it will offer free Wi-Fi for the entire Lovers Point beach area. For Phillips, the project is personal. He's a long-time Pacific Grove resident whose son Jeremy is the restaurant's general manager. He said he hopes the cafe's offerings will not only attract visitors but provide local Pacific Grove residents with a new morning coffee ritual. 

Pacific Grove Chamber's Moe Ammar notes new interest in Lighthouse Avenue properties

During the public comment period at Pacific Grove's city council meeting this week, Chamber President Moe Ammar noted that three buildings on Lighthouse Avenue were being sold for “$3 and $4 million.” Later, Ammar confirmed to The Herald that the property at 522 Lighthouse where re-purposed furniture and clothing store Marina Patina is currently located, just sold for approximately $1 million. Ammar said the property’s new owner is Greg Zimmerman, the former owner of Pacific Grove’s Sea Breeze Inn and the current owner of the Monterey Peninsula Inn. According to Ammar, Zimmerman has plans to turn the property that still has gas pumps from when it served as a filling station in front of its facade, into a mixed use building with condos and retail/restaurant.
"It'll be kind of what the Holman is like but on a smaller scale," said Ammar. "Instead of 25 condos it would have probably 10."
Ammar credited the partners of Monterey Capital Real Estate Development, the development company behind Pacific Grove's Holman Building, for instigating the renewed interest in the downtown area. 
"Every city and every economic development person will tell you the way you revitalize cities is by mixed use," said Ammar. 

Salinas councilman to host townhall meeting about new chief of police

Salinas Councilman Tony Barrera will host a townhall meeting at 6 p.m. on June 2 so people can chime in about the qualities they'd like to see in the new chief of police.

Salinas Police Chief Kelly McMillin announced in April he would retire in early October.

The townhall meeting will take place at the Jessie G. Sanchez Education Center, 901 N. Sanborn Rd. Salinas. For more information, call 831-206-7563 or district2@ci.salinas.ca.us

City of Monterey approves Osio lease; adopts Villa del Monte Neighborhood plan

By the end of the month, cinema lovers in Monterey will have another venue to lean back, break out the popcorn and candy watch movies.

It wasn't unexpected, but at Monterey's city council meeting on Tuesday, the terms of the Osio Cinemas lease were worked out in a closed session after the first part of the city council meeting. All that's left to make the agreement final, according to Assistant Manager Hans Uslar, are the needed signatures.

“I'm so pleased we're going to see that back in operation again,” said coucil woman Libby Downey, about news of the Osio's return to Monterey. And in the case of the Osio Cinemas, patrons will even be able to buy a glass of wine to accompany their film-watching venture because that too will be among the Osio's refreshment offerings.

Before the city approved the lease agreement, Mayor Roberson bestowed a proclamation to 17-year-old Sydney Martindale, who found the missing head of the decapitated Junipero Serra statue when she was exploring tide pools in Breakwater Cove last month.

“It was really a lucky find,” said Martindale as she accepted the proclamation. “The tide was just right.”

It was also fortunate that Martindale's grandmother was the head docent at the Carmel Mission and recognized what Martindale said “looked pretty much like a rock made of granite” after Martindale discovered it and decided to lug it up a hill to show her family.

Also on Tuesday, the city council adopted the Villa del Monte Neighborhood Revitalization Plan with residents praising the progress and teamwork that led to its approval bu council members.

“It will give our neighborhood an identity, which is sorely needed,” said resident Karla Blossom.

The council also heard from residents about the proposed neighborhood improvement plan involving Ferrante (ball) park with some residents speaking in favor of keeping the park. That's a discussion to be continued at future council meetings.

Wrapping up the meeting was a presentation by Tammy Blount of the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau who noted positive trends for the city's hotel tax and return on investment. She also said that the economic impact from groups booked in the city has grown by nearly 200 percent in the past year.

Seaside Resort Development equity partner still a mystery

Vern Fisher - Monterey Herald

Construction on one of the thirty housing lots at The Enclave at Cypress Grove at Bayonet and Black Horse golf courses in Seaside on Thursday, February 25, 2016. The housing development is part of the Seaside Resort Development.

On Thursday, Mayor Ralph Rubio confirmed that the Seaside City Council/Successor Agency to Redevelopment Agency/Parking Authority would meet in closed session to discuss terms for the Seaside Resort Development project, concerning price and terms of payment as well as other contingencies.

There has been speculation of who the equity partner on the project is since earlier this year but neither  SRD nor the city will name it.

On Thursday, Rubio said he was not at liberty to announce who the development company's equity partner is because they "are still doing their due diligence."

But he said the announcement is imminent and he expects it "real soon."

In February, Craig Malin, Seaside city manager, confirmed that Seaside Resort Development, LLC had found an equity partner “associated with the highest quality projects in the nation” to bring on to the luxury resort development project that has been on the city’s books for about 16 years.

“Seaside Resort Development has secured a new partner to complete the full project,” said Malin. “I hope they announce who it is soon. I want to be gracious to them and their equity partner and not steal their thunder.

“This development means hundreds of millions of dollars of economic impact over the next few decades,” said Malin. “It’s a big deal.”

Board of Supervisors: Pilot health program for uninsured needs more public outreach

A six-month report to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday regarding a pilot program offering supplemental health services to county residents who are ineligible for health insurance assistance and coverage because they are in the country illegally showed about $36,000 out of a $500,000 budget had been spent to offer services to about 750 participants.

That prompted a call from the supervisors and a representative of the faith-based Communities Organized for Relational Power in Action organization for more public outreach and consideration of an expanded scope of services.

Interim county health director Elsa Jimenez told the board increased outreach efforts are in the works, including on Spanish-language radio talk shows, and there has been discussion about expending covered services.

Started on Nov. 1, the program offers the uninsured access to specific pharmacy, laboratory and radiology services.

Also Tuesday, the supervisors called for completion of negotiations on an Interlake Tunnel project labor agreement, which is apparently stalled over a drug testing policy clause in the proposed agreement that the board approved in principle last month. 

The stalled talks prompted Supervisor Jane Parker to note that influential building trades union wouldn’t support State Assemblyman Luis Alejo’s legislative bid for up to $25 million in state funding for the $76.7 million proposal as long as the agreement remains unfinished.

Seaside students show support for multicultural arts center

Art students at Seaside High School participate in their ninth annual chalk art competition
on campus in 2015. (Vern Fisher -- Monterey Herald)

In deciding whether to pursue a multicultural arts center in Seaside, Juan L. Sanchez of the new organization Palenke Arts surveyed 144 Seaside High School music and art students last June to gauge their interest in the idea.

The five-question survey -- part multiple choice, part free response -- found that nearly all of them were in favor of it. Forty-two percent said they would use it often, 36 percent said on occasion and 16 percent said they would use the center every day.

"Based on our survey, a center for the arts in Seaside is something which is not only needed in order to further develop our youth's artistic talents, but is also something which many students would openly embrace," according to a survey analysis. "Opening a multicultural arts center in a town full of young individuals seeking outlets to express their creativity would be extremely beneficial to the community."

In their free responses, students wrote about why they would welcome such a center.

"This is an amazing idea," wrote one. "Not only does it bring Seaside's performing arts community together, it also provides a place for people to go who lack the resources."

"It's a great idea because it will motivate kids, young and older, to express themselves with art and to give them something else to value in life," wrote another.

In an interview with The Herald, Sanchez said his takeaway was that students "know what they have and what they don't," emphasizing that the center would reflect Seaside's cultural as well as socioeconomic diversity.

One of the students said the center would be good because they wouldn't have to give concerts in the gym anymore, where acoustics are terrible. Sanchez said he'd like to see a center that's something akin to Carmel High School's Performing Arts Center, if not as grand -- "nice enough that it's an upgrade from what kids are performing in these days."

The project is in its very beginning stages. A festival introducing the community to the idea and Palenke Arts is this Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. at Laguna Grande Park.

You can read the full survey analysis here.

Former NAACP head Ben Jealous to speak at Seaside Bernie Sanders rally

Ben Jealous speaks at the Panetta Institute in Monterey on April 20, 2015. (Vern Fisher - Monterey Herald)

Seaside >> Ben Jealous, the former president and CEO of the NAACP, will speak Saturday in Seaside at a rally for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, according to a post on the Sanders website.

Jealous, 43, announced his endorsement of Sanders in February. The Monterey Peninsula native will give two commencement speeches earlier Saturday at CSU Monterey Bay.

While the Sanders website lists the location of the rally as to be determined, it lists the time of the event as 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. A post on the Monterey Bay for Bernie Sanders Facebook group by page admin Natalie Gray states: "We have a Yuuggge event coming on Saturday, May 21st, at 6 PM. Venue is being locked down, but save the date. : )"

The event listing on the Sanders website states other speakers will also be featured during the rally.

Graduates from the CSUMB's College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Business will listen to Jealous' speech at the 10 a.m. commencement. The 3 p.m. event featuring Jealous will honor graduates from the College of Education, the College of Health Sciences and Human Services and the College of Science. Both will be take place at Freeman Stadium on campus.

CSUMB will award Jealous, and Panetta Institute CEO Sylvia Panetta, an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at the ceremonies.

Jealous endorsed Monterey County Deputy District Attorney Jimmy Panetta in the House race for retiring Rep. Sam Farr's (D-Carmel) seat in Congress. Panetta's parents are Sylvia Panetta and former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. Before Farr took the seat in 1993, Leon Panetta represented the Central Coast in Congress. Bill Clinton selected Panetta as his director of the Office of Management and Budget in 1993.

"Jimmy Panetta is a good man, a dedicated public servant, and leads with courage and integrity," Jealous said in a quote posted on Panetta's website. "He is committed to inclusion and will serve the Central Coast and our Country well in Congress."

Jealous, who comes from a family of civil rights crusaders, was educated locally at Ord Terrace Elementary School in Seaside, Pacific Grove Middle School and York School in Monterey. He was elected head of the NAACP in 2008 -- the youngest leader in its history -- and served for four years.

He is currently a partner at the Oakland-based Kapor Center for Social Impact, a venture capital firm whose stated focus is creating opportunities and leveling the playing field for young minorities who are interested in entering the field of information technology.

The present and future of bicycling in Salinas, the topic of a panel discussion

“Bicycling in Salinas – Now and in the Future,” will be the topic of a discussion to take place at Destination Salinas, 222 Main Street in Oldtown Salinas at 7:00 pm on Thursday, May 19.

The panel will include Matthew Sundt of Velo Club Monterey and Eric Petersen of Pedali Alpini, Inc. The purpose of Velo Club Monterey is to foster and encourage bicycling activities and opportunities. Members regularly volunteer during Bike Month, Sea Otter Classic, bicycle rodeos, local group rides and centuries throughout the year. Matthew Sundt is president.

Pedali Alpini is one of the oldest and bicycle organizations in the United States. It promotes the annual Salinas Criterium bicycle race, as well as other activities during Bike Month. This year, Pedali Alpini celebrates its sixtieth anniversary.

Further information can be obtained here , or 831-442-8356.

State estimate shows Monterey County grew by 1 percent in 2015

The University Village Apartments in Marina was completed in 2014. Marina's population grew by 2.4 percent in 2015. Vern Fisher — Monterey Herald

Monterey >> According to provisional estimates from the California Department of Finance, Monterey County's population grew 1 percent in 2015 from 432,637 to 437,178.

Soledad's population grew by 3 percent, the largest growth rate in the county and one of the 16 highest growth rates in the state, going from 24,809 to 25,556. A news release from the Department of Finance explained Soledad was among the cities that experienced some of the largest proportional population gains in 2015 due to increases in local correctional facilities. The Salinas Valley State Prison is located in the city.

Greenfield's population grew at a similar rate to Soledad, expanding 2.9 percent from 16,947 to 17,446 in 2015. Marina's population expanded by 2.4 percent from 20,496 to 20,982.

The only city in Monterey County that saw its population shrink was Seaside, where the number dropped 0.3 percent from 34,185 to 34,071. Only 43 other municipalities in the state saw their population decline.

The city of Monterey saw minor population growth, increasing 0.1 percent from 28,576 to 28,610. Pacific Grove grew 0.7 percent from 15,251 to 15,352. Sand City's population grew a whopping five people, increasing 1.3 percent from 376 to 381. Carmel expanded 0.2 percent from 3,824 to 3,833. Del Rey Oaks added 11 people to grow 0.7 percent (1,655 to 1,666).

Salinas, the county seat and by far the largest city in the county, added about 1,500 people to increase its population 1 percent (159,486 to 161,042). Gonzales grew 0.7 percent from 8,411 to 8,473. King City's population grew 1.5 percent, going from 14,008 to 14,221.

The rest of the county expanded 0.9 percent from 104,613 to 105,545.

The state's population grew by 0.9 percent, adding 348,000 residents to the new total of 39,256,000. San Joaquin County grew the most (over 1.3 percent), followed by Yolo, Riverside, and Santa Clara counties, which all expanded by just under 1.3 percent. Los Angeles, the state's largest city, added more than 50,000 people to break the 4 million mark for the first time (4,031,000).

San Jose, with a population of 1,042,000, added more than 12,000 people, while San Francisco, with a population of 867,000, added more than 9,000 people in 2015.

The population estimates are produced annually by the Department of Finance for use by local areas to calculate their annual appropriations limit.

Pacific Grove holds the line on housing and butterfly habitats

There were some different housing issues addressed in Pacific Grove this week. One involved a housing unit and the other involved housing some butterflies.

The council on Wednesday denied the appeal by resident Jacqueline Trees upholding the planning commission’s decision to not continue to allow a 4th housing unit at 210 17 Mile Drive to exist.

City Manager Ben Harvey said that city staff will work with the existing tenants of the unit to help them relocate.

Trees was represented by attorney Anthony Davi in the appeal. 

Also Wednesday, the city’s butterfly habitat bonds were addressed with the bond payment of .0035 percent on assessed value of property in Pacific Grove approved.

“Each year, we have to adopt a resolution that says the tax rate,” said Harvey. “This is the second year of essentially paying off the mortgage on the butterfly habitat. After this year, we’ll have one more year to go.”

Fracking issue in Monterey County advances towards the November Ballot

James Herrera - Monterey Herald

An anti-fracking proponent speaks to a reporter as volunteers and supporters of the Protect Our Water initiative pose for a group photo after a press conference at a trail head to the Fort Ord National Monument in Salinas on Wednesday.

Salinas >> The group Protect Monterey County held a press conference Wednesday morning before delivering 16,108 signatures, more than double the amount needed to get the measure in front of voters in November, in support of an initiative to ban fracking and dangerous oil production practices in Monterey County.

The Protect Our Water: Ban Fracking and Limit Risky Oil Operations initiative:

• Bans fracking, acidizing, and other risky well stimulation treatments.

• Bans new, and phases out existing, wastewater injection wells and wastewater ponds. 80 percent of Monterey County’s wastewater injection wells are currently injecting contaminated water into protected aquifers, in violation of the U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act. There are safer alternatives for disposing of wastewater from oil production. For example, San Ardo’s wastewater treatment facility can currently clean up to 1/3 of the oil field’s wastewater using reverse osmosis technology. Why not clean up the other 2/3 instead of injecting it into protected aquifers? Wastewater ponds are a well-known hazard for surface water, groundwater, and wildlife. These should be phased out.

• Bans new oil and gas wells within Monterey County. The easy-to-extract oil has been removed. Any new drilling would rely on high-risk methods, which endanger our water, health, and economy. 

The initiative does not prohibit Monterey County’s more than 1,500 existing oil and gas wells. They can continue to operate.

But a group called the Monterey County Citizens for Energy Independence opposes this initiative.  It says that Senate Bill 4, signed into law in 2013 by Governor Brown, created the most transparent and stringent environmental protections in the country for well stimulation.

According to the Energy Independence website, Senate Bill 4 requires:

• An independent, science-based study of fracking

• The development of a comprehensive EIR

• A mandatory public disclosure of all chemicals used

• Well integrity testing before and after fracturing

• Regular testing of nearby drinking water sources

• Prior notification of surrounding land owners.

The initiative was drafted by a coalition of concerned citizens with the help of the environmental law firm of Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger.

After the press conference, the Protect Monterey County group headed to the Monterey County Elections Office to submit the petitions for consideration.

Highway 156 toll road project's state funding slated to be cut

In a second blow this year, the Highway 156 improvement project is facing an additional $9.1 million cut in state transportation funding.
On Wednesday, the Transportation Agency for Monterey County board was told that California Transportation Commission staff are proposing state funding for the project's right of way phase be deleted as part of $754 million in statewide cuts as a result of lower-than-expected gas tax revenue.
The Highway 156 project's design phase would also be delayed, as would several other projects including the proposed Highway 1 operations upgrade, Highway 68 and Corral de Tierra intersection, and Imjin Road improvement.
The latest state funding cutback pushes Monterey County's share to $16 million, following an earlier $7 million cut.
Under the earlier cut, the Highway 156 project had already lost $2 million, and a south county Highway 101 frontage roads project also lost $5 million.
TAMC executive director Debbie Hale told the board staff was furious about getting hit with a second round of state funding cutbacks, and would argue for restoration of the funding in future years.
Hale said the Highway 156 funding would need to be restored "even to make a toll project feasible."
The toll road proposal would allow a private operator to charge drivers a fee to travel on a new four-lane highway between Prunedale and Castroville to pay off the $268 million project cost, including upfront costs.
A traffic and revenue study is currently under way for the project before a private operator is chosen and is expected to be finished by this fall.
Hale said the funding uncertainty underscored the need for passage of a proposed 30-year, 3/8-cent, $600 million transportation sales tax measure on the November ballot, which she said would guarantee local projects a secure source of funding not dependent on outside agencies.