Tag Archives: Aquarium

Jack Up Aquarium’s Rent? Maybe . .

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Tidepool Cop Lee Willoughby says yes, but to tax them out of business so they can fence off the tidepools.

Willoughby

Hear-Old Opinion Page

In addition to the city’s generosity regarding the original lease agreement, the aquarium had convenient and easy access to the Point Pinos tidepools for more than 15 years to collect invertebrates for its exhibits. These animals were free for the taking. Unfortunately, there was very little management or monitoring by the Department of Fish and Game.


The real scientists differ . .

My file of correspondence and conversation notes with Jim Willoughby’s Tidepool Coalition about our collecting practices goes back more than a decade, and little has changed. Willoughby’s statements often question the aquarium’s motives. The coalition relies on “facts” taken out of context, half-truths and innuendo. And all too often, it’s simply flat-out wrong.

Should the rent be raised? Sure. Rent never stays the same, unless you have a lease . .

Money Calculator

Jack Up Aquarium’s Rent? Maybe . .

Aquarium’s Tuna Commits Hari Kari

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A 229-pound bluefin tuna was found dead Monday morning in the popular Outer Bay Exhibit at Monterey Bay Aquarium, after slamming head first into the tank’s 13-inch acrylic window the night before.

Tuna researchers at the center, a collaboration between the Hopkins Marine Station and the aquarium, will study the remains of the bluefin tuna.

Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole
From: Campbell’s Kitchen
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 1160
Ingredients:

290 cans (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell’s® Condensed Cream of Celery Soup OR 98% Fat Free Cream of Celery Soup
145 cups milk
290 cups cooked peas
580 tbsp. chopped pimiento (optional)
229 lbs tuna, drained and flaked
580 cups hot cooked medium egg noodles
50 tbsp. dry bread crumbs
290 tbsp. butter OR margarine, melted

Directions:
PREHEAT oven to 400°F.
MIX soup, milk, peas, pimiento, tuna and noodles in 1 145-qt. baking dish.
BAKE 20 min. or until hot. Stir.
MIX bread crumbs with butter. Sprinkle on top. Bake 5 min.

Aquarium’s Tuna Commits Hari Kari

Fish Prison Ranked #8 US Attraction

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The Monterey Bay Aquarium was ranked No. 8 on the list of the 10 top attractions for travelers in the United States today by TripAdvisor — the world’s largest travel community.

The list of top attractions is based on both the evaluation of TripAdvisor editors and traveler popularity as reflected in online opinions posted by TripAdvisor’s 6 million members.

It beats the San Diego Zoo, that’s surprising. And a fountain in Vegas, no surprise. Not as good as a rooftop in New York or a closed down prison though.

From Yahoo! News, The List:

1.Orlando, Florida
2.Cirque du Soleil, Las Vegas, Nevada
3.Hana Highway, Maui, Hawaii
4.Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
5.Central Park, New York City, New York
6.Alcatraz, San Francisco, California
7.Top of the Rock Observation Deck, New York,New York
8.Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey Bay, California
9.Bellagio Fountains, Las Vegas, Nevada
10.San Diego Zoo, San Diego, California

Fish Prison Ranked #8 US Attraction

Cannery Row May Remain Closed For 2007

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It may be a lot longer before a person can drive down parts of Cannery Row in Monterey again.

A stretch of the famous street is closed because of the new hotel construction.

The road was supposed to reopen in two more months so merchants wouldn’t miss out on summer tourism, but now that may not happen.

Makes it sound like the whole gargantuan tourist mall is shut off from habitation.

The street is blocked to car traffic from Prescott to David Avenue. Well, if the summer gas prices don’t keep them out of town altogether I don’t think this half block where nothing stood before will make much difference.

Cannery Row Detour

What’s happening beyond the barricades.
Clement Ocean Edge

What it will someday be:
Clement Ocean Edge Construction

What’s at the end where people come from miles around to visit? The Fish Prison!
Kalisas 2

Kalisa’s is closed. Still can visit the Wing Chong Building for gifts & such:
Wing Chong

But over on the other side, these businesses may be hurting, saying that they are cut off from the throngs of aquarium visitors. Frankly, I would not miss them. I mean some real tacky stuff could stand to be erased and replaced by butcher paper covered windows for all I care. There’s little worthy experience aside from the fish prison, except maybe an exhibit of some famous authors’ characters:
Famous Author

Ready for the ticky tacky? Here you go.

Cannibalistic Squids
Capt Calamaris

Sharks with leis
Festive Shark

Pet Puns
Dog Bowl

Disaster preparation. I see an opportunity to open a Cannery Row Treasure Outlet selling stuff from the out of business places – “After The Tourists Fled”
After The Quake

If the earthquake reference was not enough to remind you that we are close to San Francisco, there’s the famous chocolate boutique:
Ghirardelli Choc

Let’s stoop to the lowest common denominator, Anna Nicole Smith and Homer Simpson in one joke:
Homer

Really. You come all that way just to see some fish. You surely must have to buy:

Paintings
Kinkade

Socks
Sock Shop

Wine or Candles
Cannery Row Shops

The little crab with the stupid name says “Eat More Pizza (not me!!)
Louie Linguini

Don’t have anything to claim that would draw the crowds? Call your bar a “Family Restaurant”.
Slys Family Restaurant Claim

Sly McFly is the most historic restaurant on cannery row?
Slys Historic Restaurant Claim

Historic? Pft. In the 70s the building was a import shop, ala Pier One. It was built as a bar with a motoring theme. Destroyed by a fire that took out the whole building, rebuilt in the replica of the cannery building it now thinks it is historic? Real history lies back at Kalisas or Neil DeVaughns. O’Kane’s “Spaghetti Warehouse” was real fun. But up the street is where the REAL history is – the Sardine Factory.

Hate to put down the workers and owners, but the ‘Row really has turned into a garish plastic tourist trap. If you are a visitor that wants to experience it here’s what the webmaster family does for visitors. Go to Compagnos Deli up on Prescott and Taylor Streets. Buy one of those great sandwiches for every two people. Get some drink and side orders. Take that down to the stage and access area at the bottom of Prescott. There is often live music in the plaza. Beach access is available – you can either watch the performance and eat or go down to the beach. You’ll be glad to see a bit of history and not overpay for “most historic” meals.

Fish Hopper

Cannery Row May Remain Closed For 2007

Aquarium’s Landlord Wants To Raise The Rent

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Money Calculator

Pacific Grove thinks the Monterey Bay Aquarium should pay more than $1 a year to lease the slice of city land the world-class facility occupies, drawing more than a million visitors annually.

Cash-strapped Pacific Grove wants the aquarium to pay more rent or help the city improve its services, including running the Museum of Natural History or fixing its storm water problems, said City Manager Jim Colangelo.

“Given our financial situation, we think we need to get more from that kind of an asset,” Colangelo said.

An aquarium representative said that while the nonprofit is sympathetic to the city’s financial situation, its money is better spent reinvesting in the exhibits and programs that draw tourists to its facility and to Pacific Grove’s hotels and shops.

Aquarium’s Landlord Wants To Raise The Rent

New Monterey Police Blotter – January 2007

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1/1/07 Citizen fell on the recreation trail adjacent to the Lighthouse Curve.

1/1/07 MPD aided the Secret Service in the investigation of a counterfeit $10 bill from 886 Cannery Row, The Aquarium.

1/2/07 KALEEF, JAMES was cited for driving on a suspended license and stop sign violation at Cannery Row and Prescott.

1/3/07 KENYON, JOHN was arrested for public intoxication on Lighthouse at Drake.

1/3/07 Valero gas station, 700 Lighthouse reports theft of $42 in gas.

1/4/07 Citizen reports unknown to have stolen his 30 GB IPOD from his vehicle at 400 Cannery Row on 12/30/06 between 0030 hours and 1300 hours.

1/5/07 MPD towed a 1991 Geo, from Foam and David for expired registration.

1/6/07 Citizen reports someone to have slashed his tire while at 701 Wave.

1/7/07 Hit and run accident 1500 block of David

1/8/07 QUIGLEY, PETER was cited for driving on a suspended license, throwing a cigarette onto the roadway and speeding at David and Lily.

1/9/07 Citizen 300 block of Drake, reports unknown to have burglarized her detached garage and taken luggage and other unknown items.

1/9/07 MPD towed a black 1999 Lincoln Towncar (Limo) for being parked more than 72 hrs in the 500 block of Newton.

1/9/07 Battery reported 800 block of Hawthorne.

1/11/07 Mountain lion sighting Alice and Withers.Ruttschow

1/12/07 LOUIS ALBERT SANDOVAL, EDWARD JOSEPH HYER, and DMITRIY, DAVID KHAYKIN were arrested for public intoxication at 214 Lighthouse, Ocean Thunder. POLD: Ocean Thunder.

1/13/07 Citizen 300 block MCCLELLAN reports vandalism in the form of window smash to the driver’s side window of her vehicle while parked outside her residence.

1/14/07 Citizen 700 block of Newton, reports the theft of his motorized gardening tool from his unlocked vehicle.

1/15/07 WHITEHURST, JOSHUA LEE was cited for discharging solvents into the storm water system while repairing a vehicle in the 600 block of Belden.

1/15/07 MCSO was aided in the arrest of WHITEHURST, JOSHUA on warrant for FTA on 166(C)(1) PC with $10,000 bail.

1/15/07 Citizen 400 block of Belden reports a couch to be abandoned on the sidewalk.

1/15/07 CHIOINO-CROCQUET, SHEENA MARIE was arrested for DUI.

1/16/07 MPD investigates graffiti on the Hilltop Community Center building, 871 Jessie.

1/16/07 MONTEREY PLAZA HOTEL, 400 Cannery Row reports embezzlement of $1,230.

1/16/07 Monterey Public Works reports vandalism to the rear of 497 Lighthouse. Vandalism consists of black spray-paint graffiti.

1/17/07 Juvenile male fell on the sidewalk on the 700 block of Cannery Row causing injury.

1/18/07 Citizen 600 block of Terry advised that the dogs belonging in the 600 block of Parcel barked all night and disturbed the peace.

1/18/07 Citizen 200 block of Mar Vista reports a blue Mercedes to have struck and damaged her vehicle and fled in the 100 block of Lighthouse.

1/18/07 MARTIN, KENNETH was arrested for public intoxication at Lighthouse and Prescott.

1/21/07 MICHAEL SLYE was arrested for DUI and driver in possession of marijuana at Foam and Drake. JOHN KLAIBER was arrested for public intoxication at Foam and Drake.

1/21/07 MPD towed a black 1986 Lincoln LSC for registration expired over 6 months from 400 block of Hawthorne.

1/22/07 625 Cannery Row, graffiti found on the Hoffman side of the building.

1/22/07 City of Monterey had graffiti in the men’s restrooms of Hilltop Park.

1/22/07 Citizen 600 block of Archer advised that a neighbor’s dog was running loose in his yard barking and charging at him.

1/22/07 Citizen 1100 block McClellan reports burglary to his vehicle.

1/22/07 PROVE, MATTHEW was cited for possession of marijuana while driving and broken tail lights at David and Foam.

1/23/07 Citizen, 600 block Grace St., reports finding a set of keys on the walkway to his home.

1/23/07 Found passport at 800 block of Cannery Row.

1/25/07 Citizen 400 block of Larkin reports fraud of $3000 via the internet

1/26/07 Michael VENUTI, Beau SCHOCH, and Seth SCHOCH were arrested for public intoxication at Hoffman & Wave.

1/26/07 RAUSHNOT, NICHOLAS was arrested for DUI at Pacific and Scott.

1/26/07 City of Monterey Public Works employee turned in one men’s 24 speed 18″ Schwinn mountain bike found the bike in the Coast Guard lot area near the bushes.

New Monterey Police Blotter – January 2007

Great White Shark Set Free

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Mister Jaws

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water the Monterey Bay Aquarium today released a 6 foot 5 inch, 171-pound white shark into Monterey Bay.

The shark had been on display at the aquarium’s Outer Bay since September. Approximately 600,000 aquarium visitors saw the shark during the 137 days he was on display, according to aquarium officials.

Free Bruce!!

(Bruce was the name given to the mechanical shark in the movie “Jaws”)

Great White Shark Set Free

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

ATM Machine Stolen At Aquarium

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On September 13, 2006 at 12:22 A.M., Monterey Police officers were dispatched to the Monterey Bay Aquarium in reference to the theft of an automatic teller machine.

The suspects, described as two white males 20 to 30 years of age, wearing dark clothing pulled up in front of the Aquarium in a black sport utility vehicle similar to a Dodge Durango. They entered the building via an unlocked gate and removed a free standing ATM from the food court area. They loaded it into the back of their vehicle and fled.

Aquarium ATM Burgle 1

Aquarium ATM Burgle 2

Aquarium ATM Burgle 3

Aquarium ATM Burgle

Also reported in the Hear-Old

ATM Machine Stolen At Aquarium