The Butterfly Hunters

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Rounding up butterflies can be as difficult as herding cats. Ventana Wildlife Society biologists gathered in Pacific Grove early Tuesday, intent on catching, tagging and releasing at least 1,000 of the estimated 6,000 monarch butterflies clustered in the Monarch Grove Sanctuary’s eucalyptus trees. The butterflies did not make themselves too available.

Only 500 were resting in the trees on the 2½-acre sanctuary. The rest congregated in pine trees on adjacent private properties, which were off-limits to the research team.

Monarch Cluster

“as difficult as herding cats” Crikey!! LOL

The Butterfly Hunters

Cannery Row Construction Affects Some Merchants

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Since August, a portion of Cannery Row has been closed to traffic and parking to accommodate construction.

Marsha Edwards, owner of Dippin’ Dots ice cream shop, next door to the construction, said she thinks the lack of parking right in front of her shop may have something to do with the slow sales she’s seeing.

Across the way at Bubba Gump’s, public relations manager Dave Trombetta said the restaurant is attracting just as many diners as it does during an average year.

Monterey Bay Aquarium is seeing a regular stream of visitors and hasn’t needed to make any extra efforts, said Ken Peterson, senior public relations manager for the aquarium.

Cannery Row Detour

Advertising makes people aware. Even if the Aquarium is well known it still advertises. Bubba Gump advertises. Since I visit the Row about as often as 99% of Americans (which is hardly once in every 5 years) I don’t know whats down there besides the Aquarium, Bubbas, Paradiso and the stuff that’s been there over 50 years like the Bear Flag, Kalisas and Wing Chong building.

Cannery Row Construction Affects Some Merchants

Water Bills Going Up Up UP

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(The) . . surcharge approval comes on the heels of a 20 percent general rate increase approved by the PUC last month.

That increase covered all rates, including those paid by commercial users, which tend to be higher than than what consumers pay. The 10 percent surcharge is the consumer portion of that increase.

By time the 10 percent rate increase is reached, the average consumer’s bill will rise from the current $31 to $34 a month, said Cal Am spokeswoman Catherine Bowie.

And I used to think that gas stations and cable TV were bandits.

Water Bills Going Up Up UP

Alan Shugart Dead

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Ernest And Shugart

Alan Shugart, a Pebble Beach resident who co-founded Seagate Technology LLC and made a name for himself when his dog ran for Congress, died Tuesday at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula.

Shugart was 76. He helped start Seagate Technology in 1979, a pioneering hard-drive manufacturer that eventually became a multibillion-dollar industry.

Shugart was a partner in the Fandango restaurant, ran his dog Earnest for public office and contributed to a comic strip about Earnest.

Rest in peace – one of my heroes.

Alan Shugart Dead

Lawyer On The Lam

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Michael Yacuta Alvarez, 49, fled a Salinas courtroom in August when it appeared a judge was going to sentence him to prison rather than probation.

Prosecutor Lisa Poll said her office received several tips from local residents saying that Alvarez was seen about town shortly after his flight. Some reported that he was driving a red BMW. Others saw him in a 1998 black Mercedes with the license plate number 5WKG476.

She said Alvarez has reportedly been seen at his former address, 740 Harrison Road, and at a home in the 28000 block of Mesa del Tierra, both in Salinas.

Alvarez also maintained offices at Jamber Properties, 1974 N. Main St. in Salinas, and at 1745 Saratoga Ave., Suite 2A in San Jose. He began selling real estate after his conviction.

Lawyer On The Lam

KAZU Knocked Off Air – Again

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A ruptured water heater forced the shutdown of radio station KAZU early this morning, said the station’s general manager.

The water heater was located directly above the station’s master control and broadcast operations center and the water poured directly on the equipment, destroying some of it.

KAZU has had a run of bad luck, after a fire in downtown PG, and this is the second flood at the present location. Perhaps the Chamber Of Commerce can raise some funds to buy KAZU a couple of umbrellas to put over the control board.

KAZU Knocked Off Air – Again

Salinas Election Fallout – Sour Grapes?

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Nearly a week after several Salinas City Council members failed to show up for a swearing-in ceremony for the new mayor and council members, the full body met Monday to formalize what voters decided in November.

It led to accusations of sour grapes considering the three members absent – Maria Giuriato, Robert Ocampo and Sergio Sanchez – did not support candidate Donohue’s mayoral bid. Giuriato ran against him, leaving open the council seat Villegas will now fill.

Robert Ocampo was once questioned by police at a prostitution stakeout

Salinas Election Fallout – Sour Grapes?

Sam The Sham Farr Cares Not For Your Safety

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Or taxpayer money well spent…

Nearly two years after installing a series of overhead lights along a section of the Recreation Trail, Sand City officials may have to tear them down.

That’s because, according to state Coastal Commission staff members, the current lights pose “adverse impacts to the sensitive dune(s) by altering nocturnal conditions in a manner that could affect species composition and behavior.”

According to Mayor David Pendergrass, Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel, brought up the lights issue to the Coastal Commission. Farr spokesman Alec Arago said the congressman had “expressed concern about the aesthetics of the lights.

Rec Trail Lights Sand City2

“aesthetics of the lights”? This is not a wild remote nature preserve we have here, they are beside a frontage road that parallels a freeway. The recreation trail attracts people and promotes healthy alternative to cars. It needs to be safer.
Sand City

Sam The Sham Farr Cares Not For Your Safety

A Store For Ghetto Life Busted For Drugs

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Well that was bound to happen.

On Wednesday, officers arrested Alicia Lewis, 32, owner of the store on Broadway Avenue, and Shaka Fitzgerald, 31, on suspicion of possessing marijuana with intent to sell. Both suspects live in Marina.

Officers searching the store said they discovered marijuana stowed inside shoes for sale. Police said they found four digital scales, baggies, cash and a loaded semi-automatic pistol.

Ghettotech

Won’t be long until one opens on Lighthouse among the karate schools and body piercing shops.

A Store For Ghetto Life?