Google Maps’ Street View

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

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

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”

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?

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?

P.G. Looking For A Full Time Lawyer

City Hall Help Wanted

To haul itself out of financial quicksand, the City of Pacific Grove has slashed jobs and shrunk services. Now, city leaders are looking to lighten legal costs by hiring a salaried city attorney.

David Laredo reckons his firm is giving P.G. a good deal. For the past year, he says, De Lay & Laredo has billed the city a flat monthly retainer fee for basic legal services, including attendance at City Council and Planning Commission meetings, reviews of city contracts and ordinances, and responses to public record requests. This fiscal year the city will pay about $130,000 in retainer fees, by Colangelo’s estimate. But if the firm had billed the city for every hour worked, Laredo says, the total would have been closer to $200,000.

Despite P.G.’s high payout to contracted lawyers, Laredo questions the cost-effectiveness of hiring a staff attorney. On top of salary and benefits, he says, the city would have to pony up legal library fees, malpractice insurance, postage, copying, state bar fees and continuing education costs.

P.G. Looking For A Full Time Lawyer