The 13 ( hover to pause, click picture for larger view)
Calendar of Events
LIBRARY EVENTS
Mondays: 11am Toddler Tales at Jewell Park (Ages 18 months – 3 years) 4pm Second Monday of the Month: Family Bilingual Storytime at Arnett Park (All ages)
Tuesdays: 11am Preschool Stories at Jewell Park (Ages 2-5 years)
Wednesdays: 12pm-1pm Drop-In Crafternoon! (Ages 4-12 years) 11am Second Wednesday of the Month at Jewell Park Music with MaryLee
Please visit https://www. pacificgrovelibrary.org/calendar for details
PG Museum
July – September
SHIFTING TIDES, CONVERGENCE IN CLOTH Come into the museum from Friday, July 16 through Sunday, September 12, 2021 during Museum hours to explore the SAQA’s traveling quilts exhibit!
Please visit https://www. pacificgrovelibrary.org/calendar for details. •
Congressman Jimmy Panetta held a press conference at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History Saturday to announce reintroduction of the bi-partisan Monarch Act and the Highway and Pollinator Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. Panetta said these acts will commit over $12 million to “stem the imminent risk of extinction of the Western Monarch species, a major pollinator for our crops and bright icon for our culture”.
The full story will be presented in the next issue of the Cedar Street Times online Friday April 2, 2010.
On Saturday, March 27 at 2:30PM PT, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) will hold a press conference on the introduction of his two bills to prevent further decline of the Western Monarch Butterfly. Congressman Panetta will be joined by Mayor Bill Peake of Pacific Grove and Mayor Donna Meyers of Santa Cruz in the Central Coast Native Plant Garden at the Natural History Museum in Pacific Grove. A staff representative of the museum will be in attendance to answer questions surrounding the native plant garden, which is home to local plants that attract the Western Monarch and play a crucial role in the species’ conservation.
A joint-venture between Vir Biotechnology and GlaxoSmithKline applied to the U.S. FDA for emergency use authorization for their COVID-19 dual-action antibody which in a phase-3 clinical trial showed a remarkable 85% reduction in hospitalization or death for patients with confirmed disease.
Similar antibody treatments from Eli Lilly and Regeneron, have not been widely used because they require intravenous infusion in a hospital setting soon after patients become symptomatic. The Vir-Glaxo venture aims to develop an intramuscular injection which would be targeted to the pre-symptomatic at-risk population as soon as disease is detected by testing.
The new antibody is effective against all COVID variants according to a company spokesman.
Caroline Coen – Pacific Grove High School Valedictorian 2021
Native Pagrovian Caroline Coen is an alumna of Robert Down Elementary and Pacific Grove Middle School. A National Merit Scholar and US Presidential Scholar nominee, she published a novel, The Angel Oak, in 2020. She has served on the Feast of Lanterns Royal Court (Queen Topaz 2019), as a volunteer at the PG Library, and as founder of a free camp for children, WAVE Writers, an offering of the WAVE program. A flutist, she serves as the PG High School Drum Major. She is also editor of the school’s newspaper and yearbook. A four-sport varsity athlete (cross country, tennis, soccer, and track), Caroline qualified for the 2019 XC State Championships. Caroline plans to study English and statistics.
Eva Mills – Pacific Grove High School Co-Salutatorian 2021
An alumna of Robert Down Elementary and Pacific Grove Middle School, Eva Mills has been balancing academics and athletics for many years. At Pacific Grove High School, she is a three-season varsity athlete on the water polo, basketball, and swim teams. In addition to her school and sports commitments, Eva works part-time as a tutor and is active in campus clubs including the National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She plans to study Environmental Science and Policy at a four-year university.
Gaby Giraldo – Pacific Grove High School Co-Salutatorian 2021
Gaby Giraldo has enjoyed being a leader on and off the field at Pacific Grove High School. She was sophomore and junior class president and during senior year was president of both the Associated Student Body and National Honor Society. She was varsity soccer team captain for three years, being named the League’s Midfielder of the Year as a freshman, a first-team All-League selection all three years, and twice All-CCS Honorable Mention. Gaby attended Forest Grove (with the exception of a semester abroad in England in fourth grade) and PGMS. She plans to study Political Science in college and pursue a career in public service.
Caroline Martin, Tianna Battistini, Karlee Kelly and Matilde Romano were singles winners in Pacific Grove’s 7-0 win over Notre Dame. Caroline Coen-Bella Yanez, Victoria Adint-Serra Arkan and Emma Font-Christie Oh swept the doubles competition.
For a wonderful live musical performance and a peek into the Pacific Grove Library
The Monterey Symphony Orchestra (MSO) will broadcast its next virtual performance from the newly renovated library on Saturday, March 27 at 4:00 p.m. (PDT).
This 30 minute Balcony Session features the MSO’s principal flautist Dawn Walker and cellist Mark Walker with a special guest appearance by MSO Executive Director and violinist Nicola Reilly.
Library Manager Diana Godwin reminds us that “The light and warmth of the library is a beautiful backdrop for a classical music concert, and library staff are looking forward to hosting the Monterey Symphony. We are also pleased to be able to provide a look into the library.”
Full program details and artist’s bios can be found at the Symphony’s website: www.MontereySymphony.org
The Monterey Symphony was founded in 1946. The Symphony’s mission is to engage, educate and excite our community through the performance and continual discovery of symphonic music.
In preparation for reopening with guidance from State, City, and public health authorities, the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History announced today limited operating days and hours, a new ticketing reservation policy, and health and safety measures so everyone can safely enjoy visiting their favorite local Museum.
An Investment in the Human Soul – by Chloe Coe, PGHS Sophomore
As the daughter of former slaves, Mary Jane McLeod Bethune only dreamed of creating the change that she and many young African Americans had forever longed to see in the world. On July 10th, 1875, Bethune was born into a family consisting of her mother (Patsy McLeod), her father (Samuel McLeod), and 17 children she would call her siblings.
After the civil war, her newly freed mother continued to work for the family that had previously owned her until she was able to buy the cotton farm from said family. Bethune worked alongside her family on the farm until she was able to attend a newly founded boarding school in North Carolina. She was adamant about utilizing these newly granted privileges in order to prove herself to anyone and everyone who had ever doubted an African American child’s abilities and determination.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks – by Maryam Baryal, PGHS Freshman
On August 1, 1920, Henrietta Lacks was born in Roanoke, Virginia to a black tobacco farming family. A few years later, her mother passed away during childbirth, leaving Lacks’ father a widower with ten children. Knowing he could not raise them by himself, he moved his family north, to Clover, Virginia, where he divided up the children between his relatives to raise. Henrietta was sent to live with her grandfather who also happened to be raising her cousin named Day. In 1935, at the age of fourteen, Henrietta had a baby boy with her cousin and four years later, they had a daughter. In 1941, the couple decided to get married.
Marshall “Major” Taylor – by William Coen, PGHS Freshman
Every Sunday morning, I ride a “Greg LeMond” road bicycle, named after a famous cyclist who won multiple Tour de France races in the 1980s. I now believe that instead I should ride a “Major Taylor” road bicycle, if only it existed.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, cycling was one of the most popular sports globally and Marshall “Major” Taylor was the fastest sprint cyclist in the world. His greatest of many accomplishments was winning both the one-mile and two-mile sprint races at the 1899 World Championships, held in Montreal. To this day, Taylor is the only African-American to become a world cycling champion. Despite facing unconscionable racism, Taylor persevered, demonstrating his cycling talent in a sport dominated by White men.
In 1959, my homeland of Tibet was invaded and forcibly taken over by Communist China.
Khenpo Karten Rinpoche & Dalai Lama
Fortunately, His Holiness the Dalai Lama escaped from Tibet, and over 100,000 Tibetans subsequently followed him into exile to India. Around 1965, a Cultural Revolution was set into motion inside Tibet and continued over the next 10 years; during this period, monasteries were desecrated and destroyed. With the sole intention of transforming the land of Tibet into a Chinese territory, the Communist regime implemented all possible strategies, physical and psychological, soft and harsh, with the ultimate aim of completely destroying the environment of Tibet and eradicating Tibetan culture.
What a beautiful day to finish this issue and get it off to you all! There’s a lot of great stuff in it, too. Wonderful pictures by Bob Pacelli, and Gary Baley, an inspiring story by Jill Kleiss, and all the usual suspects including the winners of the Black History Month essay contest. A new contest will be forthcoming with the Middle School. Look for it, especially if you have a Middle-Schooler. Meanwhile, flip your sunglasses up and go to https://cedarstreettimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/03-05-21-with-Joy.pdf
SPCA Advises Removing Bird Feeders, Bird Baths Through April
The Central Coast, Northern California, Oregon, and Washington are experiencing a salmonellosis outbreak in migrating Pine Siskins This bacterial pathogen is lethal for these small birds. Bird feeders are the primary source of transmission for the disease. Sadly, many Pine Siskins exposed to the bacteria at bird feeders have succumbed to salmonellosis this winter here on the Central Coast.
Most of the affected birds are Pine Siskins, small, heavily streaked, yellow-accented finches, but Lesser Goldfinch and other finch species can fall victim to salmonellosis as well. While more rare, this disease can also transmit to outdoor cats.
The bacteria are spread through droppings, especially where bird seed piles up beneath feeders or in-tray feeders where the birds can simply stand among the seeds.
Community members can help stop the spread of salmonellosis by discontinuing backyard bird feeding and remove backyard bird baths through April, to encourage these birds to disperse and forage naturally. Pine Siskins migrate and will move on from our area in March and April.
Infected individuals will appear lethargic, puffed or fluffed-up, with eyes partially closed. Their eyes may also appear swollen, red, or irritated. If you see a sick bird or any injured or orphaned wild animal, please contact the SPCA Wildlife Center for help.
The SPCA Wildlife Center is available for emergency wildlife rescues 24 hours a day. To support our work, please visit www.SPCAmc.org/donate. To report injured, sick, or orphaned wildlife in Monterey County, please call 831-264-5427.
The SPCA Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is the only full service wildlife rehabilitation center serving Monterey County. We operate under permits from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Your support is extremely important to us, as we do not receive funding from any federal, state or local government agency. Each year, The SPCA Wildlife Center admits over 2,000 animals for treatment and care.
SPCA Monterey County is your nonprofit, independent, donor-supported humane society that has been serving the animals and people of Monterey County since 1905. The SPCA is not a chapter of any other agency and does not have a parent organization. They shelter homeless, neglected and abused pets and livestock, and provide humane education and countless other services to the community. They are the local agency you call to investigate animal cruelty, rescue and rehabilitate injured wildlife, and aid domestic animals in distress.
In recognition of Black History Month, Cedar Street Times’ Black History Essay Contest challenged Pacific Grove High School students to write about some lesser-known figures in Black history.
The essays from these young journalists are both educational and fascinating. Look for their photos in next week’s issue at cedarstreettimes.com this Friday 3-5-2021.
Sophomore Chloe Coe’s First-Prize essay, “An Investment in the Human Soul”, was about Mary Jane McLeod, daughter of a former slave whose family after emancipation had to work the very plantation where they’d been enslaved until they saved enough money to leave. Then she endured a failed marriage; but went on to start a literary and industrial school for Black girls, started a clinic which grew into a hospital, founded or co-founded organizations for Black women and a Black college fund. She said “Believe in yourself, learn, and never stop wanting to build a better world.”
Freshman Maryam Baryal’s Second-Prize essay “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” is a tragic story about a Black woman who died from cancer, but who in a real sense lives on today, in that her cells taken for a biopsy were found to be immortal—the holy grail of cancer research—a human cell line that can reproduce forever. It is no exaggeration to say that her life has saved millions of lives worldwide, although she never knew of her contribution to medical science.
Sophomore William Coen’s Third-Prize essay, “Marshall ‘Major’ Taylor”, is set in the 1890s. It tells the story about the only Black man to become a world cycling champion in a sport dominated by White men—and prejudice. He retired at 32 years old and lived in poverty for most of his life. However, he is remembered by his quote: “Life is too short for a man to hold bitterness in his heart.”
Although we had only three prizes, some other essays were worthy of honorable mention, and we will publish them in a future issue of Cedar Street Times. We also regret that a few essays did not meet our deadline for submission due to the online system of the high school being unable to email us directly. This was an unexpected problem we will warn against the next time we conduct an essay contest.
We thank all students who participated in the contest. I certainly learned something new about Black history and I hope you all did as well. We’d love to get your feedback on the contest, so please email us or write a letter to the editor at editor@cedarstreettimes.com.
February is Black History Month; accordingly, Cedar Street Times is hosting a Black History Essay Contest for Pacific Grove High School students. The theme suggested is write about some lesser-known person in Black history and tell about their life and their impact on U.S. History.
Three local businesses generously sponsored prize money for the contest.
$100 1st Prize by Wilson’s Plumbing & Heating, 307 Grand Ave, PG 375-4591
$50 2nd Prize by Pacific Grove Hardware, 229 Forest Ave, PG 646-9144
$25 3rd Prize by Cypress Cleaners, 230 Grand Ave, PG 375-3111
Please support these businesses and mention the Black History Essay Contest when you do.
The Strange case of Noah and Tricia Boewer – did they get a fair trial?
Husband and wife Noah and Tricia Boewer, who are White, were found not guilty of hate crimes against Dirrick Williams, who is Black; but they were found guilty of lesser charges stemming from an altercation outside the Monterey Lanes Bowling Alley July 6, 2018. All three were Seaside residents at the time.
Hurling racial slurs at someone then attacking them is an exemplar hate crime. However, if racial slurs are uttered during a fight that began for some reason other than hatred, it’s not a hate crime.
Dirrick claimed the former, but the Boewers claimed the latter occurred.
SACRAMENTO – Today, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released the most recent statistics on COVID-19. CDPH ended the Regional Stay at Home Order, lifting the order for all regions statewide, including the three regions that had still been under the order – San Joaquin Valley, Bay Area and Southern California.Four-week ICU capacity projections for these three regions are above 15%, the threshold that allows regions to exit the order. The Sacramento Region exited the order on January 12 and the Northern California region never entered the order.
This action allows all counties statewide to return to the rules and framework of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy and color-coded tiers that indicate which activities and businesses are open based on local case rates and test positivity. The majority of the state’s counties are in the strictest, or purple tier. CDPH provides tier updates each Tuesday. As always, individual counties may choose to impose stricter rules.
Actions taken by the City Council at its continued meeting on December 16, 2020 include:
• Commander Rory Lakind with certificates of appreciation in conjunction with his retirement.
• Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula for their work.
• The minutes of the December 2 and 9 City Council Regular and Special Meetings.
• The City Manager to Execute Agreements with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration Related to the Measure L, the New 0.50% Local Transactions and Use Tax.
• A Resolution Authorizing Examination of Transactions (Sales) and Use Tax Records and authorized the City Manager to Execute an Amendment to the Agreement with HdL Companies to Provide Measure L Audit, Recovery, and Reporting Services.
• Second reading and adopted an ordinance to add Chapter 2.60 to the Pacific Grove Municipal Code relating to electronic and paperless filing of Fair Political Practices Commission Campaign Disclosure Statements.
• The Core Revenue Report for November 2020.
• Minutes from the Association of Monterey Bay Governments October 14, 2020 meeting.
• A status update on the “Referendum Against Ordinance No. 20-022 Amending the Municipal Code Chapter 11.100, “Cannabis” to Authorize Cannabis Sales pursuant to a Cannabis Retail License.
• Update on the status of Special Events scheduled for January and February 2021.
• Revised Council Policy: Council Guidelines 000-9.
• A letter to be sent to Governor Newsom and Secretary Ghaly of the California Health and Human Services Agency to support the County of Monterey’s request for prioritization of COVID-19 vaccinations for essential farm workers.
• Report of emergency directives/modifications, ratified the Planning Commission meeting time to resume to 6:00PM effective January 2020, extended the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) to March 31, 2021, directed the City Manager to draft and present to Council a proposed small business loan program to reimburse local businesses for Covid-19 related and/or Shelter in Place Order compliance expenses, and discussed circumstances needing emergency response.
and held first reading of a draft ordinance to amend the Fiscal Year 20/21 Operating and Capital Improvement Budget and directed publication of an ordinance summary approved by the City Attorney.
• A resolution to Repeal and Replace Resolution 20-027 to Implement Measure L (voter-approved tax increase), held first reading of an Ordinance to amend the Pacific Grove Municipal Code Chapter 6.07 to implement the voter-approved 0.5% the City Transaction and Use Tax increase, and authorized publication of a summary of the measure as approved by the City Attorney.
and held first reading of an ordinance to amend the Pacific Grove Municipal Code to Rescind the Cannabis Retain License Process Approved by Ordinance No. 20-022, directed that publication of the ordinance be satisfied by publication of a summary approved by the City Attorney, and directed staff to develop a plan for cannabis community outreach and return to the City Council with a strategy.
• The City Manager to apply a 30% discount to the Water Entitlement Price Shown on the Master Fee Schedule through December 31, 2021.
• The appointment of two City Council-designees to serve on the Cannabis Retail License Selection Committee until March 3, 2021.
Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) will operate limited schedules for the upcoming holidays.
On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, MST will operate a Saturday schedule. Only the following lines will be in service: JAZZ A, JAZZ B, 1, 2, 3, 7, 11, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 41, 42, 44, 45, 49, 61, 84, 91, 92, 94, 95, and MST On Call Marina.
No other bus lines will be in service.
On Christmas Day and New Year’s Day the following lines will operate a holiday schedule:
JAZZ A Monterey–Sand City via Hilby (Service between Monterey Transit Plaza and Sand City Station only. No service to MPC or Monterey Bay Aquarium.)
JAZZ B Monterey–Sand City via Broadway(Service between Monterey Transit Plaza and Sand City Station only. No service to Monterey Bay Aquarium.)
Line 1 Monterey (Service from Lighthouse & Fountain to Monterey Transit Plaza only. No service to Asilomar.)
Line 2 Pacific Grove via Forest Hill(Service from Monterey Transit Plaza to Lighthouse & Fountain only.)
Line 20 Salinas – Monterey via Marina
Line 23 Salinas – King City
Line 24 Monterey – Carmel Valley Grapevine Express via Carmel(Service between Monterey Transit Plaza and Carmel Rancho only.)
Line 41 Northridge – Salinas via East Alisal
Line 49 Salinas – Santa Rita via Northridge
All other lines will not be in service on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Regular MST bus service will resume Saturday, December 26th, and Saturday, January 2nd, respectively.
Customer service windows at the Salinas Transit Center and Bus Stop Shop in Monterey will be closed December 24, 25, 31, and January 1 for holiday observances. MST administrative offices in Monterey, as well as the Customer Service window at the Marina Transit Exchange will be closed December 24 through January 1, and will reopen on Monday, January 4. Customers are encouraged to purchase passes prior to the holidays or at participating GoPass outlets to avoid times when MST offices will be closed.
For more information, visit www.mst.org or call Monterey-Salinas Transit toll free at 1-888-MST-BUS1. For RealTime bus arrival information, text “Next” and your 4-digit bus stop ID (ex. “Next 9103”) to 25370, call 1-888-MST-BUS1 with your 4-digit bus stop ID, download the free Transit app, or use Google Maps. For the latest information on any transit service delays that may occur over the holidays, customers can follow MST on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MST_BUS.
The following sectors will have additional modifications in addition to 100% masking and physical distancing:
Outdoor recreational facilities: Allow outdoor operation only for the purpose of facilitating physically distanced personal health and wellness through outdoor exercise, without any food, drink or alcohol sales. The Pacific Grove portion of the Coastal Recreation Trail, Monarch Sanctuary and all Pacific Grove Beaches are currently open, as is Pacific Grove Golf Links. The Point Pinos Lighthouse grounds are closed.
Retailers: Our retailers are open for shopping indoors at 20% capacity, and 35% of capacity for standalone grocery stores, with entrance metering and no eating or drinking in the stores. For a list of retailers offering online shopping with curbside pick up or delivery, go to https://www.pacificgrove.org/onlineshoppingmall
Hotels and lodging: Allow for COVID-19 mitigation and containment measures, treatment measures, provide accommodation for essential workers, or providing housing solutions, including measures to protect homeless populations. Lodging for non-essential leisure travel is not permitted under the State’s order at this time.
Restaurants: Our restaurants are open! Allowing only for take out or delivery. Outdoor dining is currently not permitted. For a directory, go to https://www.pacificgrove.org.
Offices: Many offices and such professional service providers in Pacific Grove are closed for in-person visitation if they are not part of critical infrastructure sectors. Allow remote only except for critical infrastructure sectors where remote working is not possible.
Places of worship and political expression: Allow outdoor activities only.
What is Closed in Pacific Grove?
The following business services are closed for the duration:
Khenpo Karten Rinpoche & Dalai Lama
