Category Archives: Monterey Herald

Less Steinbeck, More Stockton: Red’s Station On The Way Out

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Fischer says you’ll never notice it. Who needs to? As if anyone from P.G. will afford the 10 apartments in this block.

Now
Reds Station

Future. Notice that the new 5th floor of the Holman is missing in the drawing.
Reds Station Replacement

“The residents who live on Walnut or 10th Street or Asilomar Avenue won’t even notice anything — they won’t even see or hear the changes downtown. In fact, most of the city will see no change except that the city has more money to take care of their streets,” added Fischer.

Now, the project will be put on the city’s water wait list. While the last time the gas station there was modified was in 1992 (after being built in 1957) it is not on the city’s historic resources inventory. Still, there’s a great history behind the original gas station that once existed there. That was the Flying A service station that was owned and operated by Everett “Red” Williams. Known as Red’s, it was where John Steinbeck and other characters of the time in the 1930s would often congregate.

Less Steinbeck, More Stockton: Red’s Station On The Way Out

California Firestorms Good For P.G. Tourism

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Don’t give Moe any ideas.

Moe Ammar Dont Buy American

The conditions caused by the California wildfires that have affected a number of tourists visiting popular summer destinations like Wine Country and Yosemite have conversely led to a surge in visitors to Pacific Grove.

That’s according to Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce President Moe Ammar who said that in particular, the number of foreign visitors to America’s Last Hometown has nearly doubled this summer, according to statistics gathered from the town’s tourist information center.

“It’s very unfortunate what’s happened there but the fact that we don’t have any fires on the Monterey Peninsula is good for us,” said Ammar, who noted the cancellation of his own family’s upcoming trip to Yosemite.

California Firestorms Good For P.G. Tourism

Every Election Needs A Politically Correct Candidate

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Not This Pc Again

Seeking to bring diversity to the face of the city council, an emphasis on more green initiatives and policies that foster affordability for renters and buyers, Dionne Ybarra has announced her candidacy for mayor of Pacific Grove.

The candidate said her Mexican-American heritage represents one of many diverse groups that have come to live in P.G. from all over the world bringing different cultures, languages, and perspectives.

Every Election Needs A Politically Correct Candidate

Vacation Homeowner* Bill Peak Running For Mayor

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A newcomer running against a status quo new comer. Doomed.

Vote Machine

Peake will face fellow Councilman Rudy Fischer, who has served on the council since 2010. Last month Fischer officially tossed his hat in the ring for November’s mayoral race. Fischer said he wanted to continue the council’s current policies and direction including improvements to the city’s infrastructure and noted the importance of upcoming roadway renovation

*From Coast Weakly October 9, 2014:

We recommend adding Bill Peake to the council. A newcomer to both the city and its political landscape, Peake is a retired Chevron engineer who bought a house in the city 25 years ago, but only moved in full time four years ago.

Vacation Homeowner Bill Peak Running For Mayor

Help Wanted: Firefighters

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Union thought process – pick us or there may be lay offs. But no P.G. firefighters were laid off when their jobs were given to Monterey.

Neal Hurd, president of the Monterey Firefighters Association, said all of the Pacific Grove firefighters joined the Monterey Fire Department at the time of the merger.

Hurd said if Pacific Grove chooses to go with another agency to provide fire service, it could mean up to 12 positions would be eliminated leading to layoffs.

Help Wanted: Firefighters

Museum Turned Art Gallery Sued

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Need permission for using a famous name, who’d a thought?

The complaint filed in federal court July 6 by Fundacio Gala-Salvador Dali, the Spanish foundation charged with protecting Dali’s copyright and use of his name and work, claims the museum and its owner Dmitry Piterman have “misappropriated his name and likeness to advertise and promote their museum.”

“Defendants have been informed that their conduct is unlawful, but remain undeterred and continue to advertise and provide goods and services infringing on the Foundation’s intellectual property and publicity rights,” the complaint reads. It also states that the unauthorized use of the Dali17 mark, Dali’s name and likeness, and his works for commercial purposes is damaging the foundation and likely confusing to the consuming public.

Museum Turned Art Gallery Sued

Nader’s Next Hotel Plan Debated

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Yuck.

Durell Hotel

“The design has a contextual problem – context meaning the design within the realm you’re placing the building,” said Mark Brodeur, director of community and economic development, noting that the nearby Holman Building, museum and library each have a certain design. “They believe the Victorian architectural of the proposal didn’t fit within its context.”

Nader’s Next Hotel Plan Debated

Consuelo’s “Greene Mansion” Sold

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After the losing art gallery closed. Out of towner playing with his phone buys it.

Building Of Light

Mike Mollica, a 45-year old bio-tech professional based out of San Diego has purchased the historic property for close to the asking price of $999,000. Mollica, who has former ties to the Peninsula as one of the first 500 students to ever attend CSU Monterey Bay, plans to live in the upstairs portion of the mansion and rent the downstairs out for special private affairs.

“I was satisfied I could turn this place into a home for myself but also use the downstairs and have rooms themed for events too,” explained Mollica, who said the timing involved in buying the stately manor was serendipitous. Mollica had recently been thinking about re-locating to Monterey when he was scrolling on his smart phone and saw the story in the Herald about it being on the market.

Consuelo’s “Greene Mansion” Sold

City Leaders Sued For Leading City On STRs

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Out of town owners of houses turned into motels cry over resident’s wishes to remain residents.

Now represented by attorneys Timothy Sandefur, Christina Sandefur and Matthew R. Miller of the Phoenix-based Goldwater Institute, the couples’ suit names Mayor Bill Kampe and council members Robert Huitt, Ken Cuneo, Rudy Fischer, Cynthia Garfield, Bill Peake and Nick Smith as plaintiffs.

When this latest suit was filed in the Monterey Superior Court last week, of note was the page dedicated to it on the Goldwater Institute’s website, addressing how “home-sharing” has long been a way of life in Pacific Grove.

But P.G. resident and member of Pacific Grove Neighbors United Luke Coletti pointed to the distinction behind home-sharing and short-term rentals.

“Despite what the Goldwater Institute is claiming, the plaintiffs are not involved in Home Sharing,” said Coletti. “Instead, they operate an un-hosted whole-house short-term vacation rental (mini-motel). The lawsuit errs in conflating the two.”

City Leaders Sued For Leading City On STRs

Sunshine Surf Shop Shutters

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Bought gear there for my kids. Seemed higher priced but definitely an excellent customer experience.

Sunshine Freestyle Oob

While Sunshine Freestyle has had a few different owners over the years since it first opened in 1976, when Wenzlik and Kreyenhagen purchased it on April 1, 1998, the store carried winter sports gear. But when sales of skis, snowboards and winter clothing started to decline, they stopped carrying that inventory and turned their focus to summer merchandise.

“Since 2010, there’s been a lot of changes with corporations,” said Wenzlik, noting that both the REI in Marina and the Vans store in the Del Monte Center have affected his sales.

The one thing that remained over the years was the annual Surfabout two-day event that Sunshine Freestyle sponsored at Carmel Beach. This year, due to the store closing and mounting costs to schedule the use of the beach, the event was canceled.

“It was an idea of bringing the tribe – all the surfing communities around Monterey Bay and Monterey County – of bringing everybody together for a community family event and friendly competition,” explained Wenzlik, noting that this last three or four years, he’s been able to witness three generations compete in the contest. He hopes to resurrect the event in the future.

Sunshine Surf Shop Shutters