Monthly Archives: June 2008

Sustainable P.G. – Noble Cause Or Ego Trip?

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The discrepancy between SPG’s big presence and small volunteer pool has caught the attention of P.G. sisters Pat and Sally Herrgott. “I’m confused about what kind of an organization they are,” Pat Herrgott says. “They’re just a loose group of people with similar objectives. To me, they seem more like a political action committee than a nonprofit.”

At only 2 years old, Sustainable Pacific Grove has taken up a big public presence: hosting eco-booths at Good Old Days; running green cleaning and worm composting workshops; developing criteria for the new P.G. Farmers Market; lobbying for a regional ban on polystyrene take-out containers; and outfitting the eco-hub known as The Green Spot with an edible garden, fog collector and cisterns.

Edible Garden? The Brown Green Spot is a collective of weeds, garbage and fire hazards.

Three foot high weeds and discarded coffee cup (not a styrofoam cup!)green spot trash

Broken glass to play with.green spot glass

Using old news as moisture barrier? Looks more like litter.
green spot news

The collective of rubbish and unsafe lead acid storage batteries.
green spot dump

Sustainable P.G. – Noble Cause Or Ego Trip?

Liquor Store Owner Opposes Farmers Market

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What’s behind Ron’s Liquors? A huge free parking lot. People in need of liquor, cigarettes and porn will not be slowed down by a bunch of veggie lovers.

On June 4, the Pacific Grove City Council approved an ordinance allowing public gatherings on Lighthouse, a prerequisite for the farmers market.

But Lighthouse Avenue merchants say the market will hurt them.

“It was supposed to come to town and be something positive for the city,” said liquor store owner David Pollacci.

Instead, he said, it will take business away from merchants.

His business, Ron’s Liquors at 613 Lighthouse Ave., loses 30 percent to 40 percent of its business on days when the street is closed — Good Old Days, the Butterfly Parade, car rallies, the Christmas Parade of Lights and similar events. Pollacci said he doesn’t mind giving up sales from time to time, but shutting down the street once a week would be too big a loss.

Rons Liquors

Liquor Store Owner Opposes Farmers Market

Google Maps’ Street View

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Google’s Street View is now available in Pacific Grove (and much more of the Monterey Peninsula).

The original intent of LighthouseAvenue.com was to be a local version of Google Street View combined with Yellow pages. Each address would have a subdomain such as 565.lighthouseavenue.com. I would have sold home pages to stores at each address and become rich. Since I never was a salesperson type, that fell through.

Streetview is neat, check it out.

Google Street view

Google Maps’ Street View

Green, Carbon Neutral, Sustainable, Ghetto

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Nothing like making your image of being green and offsetting some CO2 with flower pots outside the business. Live flowers to brighten the day.

But remember that most people don’t give a hoot and use your flower pots for cigarette butts and other trash:
Butts In Flower Pot

After the flowers die from neglect it gets worse:
A Bird In Every Pot

Not sure who takes care of these things – it’s in the 500 bock in front of Monte Cafe.

Green, Carbon Neutral, Sustainable, Ghetto

Now That’s Original

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Not!

At least the previous failed art gallery left it’s signs up, so you know what it is/was.Welcome To A Vacant Gallery

Storefront empty since last September is now occupied. By another art gallery. No wonder there is no sales tax revenue in P.G.

What about advertising revenue? Even the cheapest weekly papers are full of ads for dining, health, real estate and retail but it’s evident that galleries do not “shop local” for services.
In the June 4, 2008 issue of the Bulletin, there is only 1 art gallery ad.
In the June 6, 2008 issue of the Pine Cone, there are only 2 both for Carmel galleries.

Now That’s Original

Forget The Butterflies, It’s “The Most Romantic City”

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Does someone else own the copyright to “The Newly Wed And Nearly Dead”?

The Pacific Grove City Council Wednesday voted to use the brands as part of a marketing strategy to draw more tourists to the city.
Although P.G. for some time has billed itself in fliers, brochures and advertisements as the most romantic destination, the copyrights will solidify those monikers and generate publicity.

The city wants to be known as the “most romantic city,” “most romantic town” and “most romantic place.” “It creates news by saying you have copyrighted it,” said P.G. Chamber of Commerce President Moe Ammar.

Forget The Butterflies, It’s “The Most Romantic City”

Raise Golf Fees To Pay For Lighthouse Upkeep?

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Councilman Dan Davis said that because the city took responsibility for maintaining the lighthouse as part of an agreement to acquire the back nine holes of the municipal golf course, revenue from golf fees should help.

On June 18, the council will discuss a $2 surcharge for 18 holes and $1 for nine-hole rounds at the city golf course played on annual card privileges.

Old Grumpy Golfers

Sounds like a fair deal. Unless you are a cranky golfer.

Perhaps the city manager would like to start yet another new trend for designer golf courses by charging a fee for use of the putting green. It wouldn’t surprise me if the city would require your score card to be turned in at the end of each round for an additional overcharge of a nickel per swing. How about improving concentration by installing parking meters in the parking lot?

Jim Willoughby

Raise Golf Fees To Pay For Lighthouse Upkeep?