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By Eric Johnson
Published Nov 18, 2024

The Chumash National Marine Sanctuary The Chumash National Marine Sanctuary Image credit: Robert Schwemmer/NOAA

The Life Aquatic: Resilience and ... Aquarium Webcams!

This week, you might appreciate some reasons to believe that it's reasonable to hold out hope for the future—I'm just guessing. And you may also be ripe to be remindeed that there are some good things happening in this real world, while elsewhere things are getting weirder than ever. I feel fortunate to bring you three pieces of truly good news. 

And yes, a reminder: If you hopescroll a bit here, you will find a recipe that you might use to make yourself and your loved ones more happy, AND links to true news articles about stuff that is happening where you live, so you can actually participate in building democracy. (Sorry ... don't mean to sound preachy ... and  ... you're welcome.)


People Have the Power

Here’s a good story with a happy ending: A decade ago, the Chumash Tribal Council, led by Chief Fred Collins, proposed to federal authorities that the coastal waters offshore of their ancestral homeland be designated as a National Marine Sanctuary. In October, that wish came to be. (See below.)

The Chumash people found an ally in the state of California, and also in federal agencies. Sometimes–not always–government works. In this case, definitely yes.

Meanwhile, up the coast in Santa Cruz County, the California State Parks department is working to democratize decisions about rebuilding a state beach and campground that were decimated by storm damage in 2023. The Seacliff Resilience Project is holding public meetings and collecting input—"reimagining" ways to guard against the twin threats of megastorms and rising sea-levels. This could be a new thing statewide and beyond.

And the life of the sea abides: The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a California treasure of global significance. Among the myriad gifts it brings the world are its webcams. Please do yourself a favor and hit the link and watch -- the otters. Or the moon jellies. Or (deep breath) the kelp forest. Face it: Things are not all bad. 


The Chumash National Marine Sanctuary

The newest of the 17 U.S. marine sanctuaries is being stewarded by the people who know it best.
Thousands of square miles of ocean and coastal habitat are now preserved for future generations.

Crowdsourcing Plans for Resilience


Seacliff State Beach was obliterated by storms in 2023. California State Parks is mobilizing the public to reimagine its future.

One Good Thing: Monterey Bay Aquarium Webcams

The gentle waving back and forth of the kelp forest has entranced visitors since the aquarium opened.
Have a desire to watch a kelp forest, or some moon jellies, or some otters, or sharks, or birds? Not a problem thanks to these amazing live webcams.


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Monterey County's Homepage

Direct your browser to https://monterey.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and Monterey County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community!


Recipe of the Week

Our friends at Sacramento Digs Gardening publish a recipe from their gardens every Sunday, which we feature here so you can start your week with some yum.

See more recipes in their Taste Fall! cookbook.


Persimmons add flavor to fruity fall scones

The firmer Fuyu persimmon is the fruit featured in this delicious scone.
New! Persimmon-raisin scones with fresh Fuyu persimmon


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Ecology Action logo Ecology Action

Ecology Action states its mission concisely: “Reduce emissions.” The nonprofit group advocates for innovative energy, water, and transportation solutions in communities across California.

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From Our Media Allies

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Monterey County Weekly logo The Arts Make for a Thriving Community, but More Investment Is Needed to Make Sure It Continues for Future Generations.

Agata Popęda here, with another arts and culture cover story in this week’s edition of the Weekly. For years I’ve been learning about the structure and the network of arts in Monterey County, starting with a map of galleries, even …

Monterey County Weekly logo King Tides Have Arrived. Here’s How They Work.

Katie Rodriguez here. If you’ve visited a beach in the last 24 hours or so, you may have noticed that there is a lot more, or a lot less, beach to walk on.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo Soledad Celebrates Día De Los Muertos 2024 With Vibrant Community Event

City of Soledad hosted its second annual Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Celebration last Saturday afternoon at the Soledad Community Center.

King City Rustler logo Día De Los Muertos 2024 Celebration Brings Community Together in King City

King City’s Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration brought community members together once again to honor Mexican culture and tradition.

Monterey County Weekly logo Monterey County Gives! Is Now Live. Make Your Donation to One or Many of the 206 Participating Nonprofits.

Bradley Zeve here. Community is an idea that most everyone I know cherishes and wants more of—a deeper sense of place, commonality and connection, a definition that includes a feeling of fellowship with others as a result of sharing common …

Monterey County Weekly logo Concours d'Elegance Announces Record Amount Raised for Local Charities.

Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is known for showcasing the world’s finest automobiles, most worth in the millions. As it turns out, however, this year’s event may be remembered for a figure that has nothing to do with cars.

Monterey County Weekly logo Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute Discovers a New Deep-Sea Creature.

The deep-sea is the largest habitat on Earth and remains a dark, mysterious place.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo Gonzales Celebrates Veterans With ‘Hometown Heroes’ Ceremony

In a heartfelt tribute, the City of Gonzales honored 28 local veterans and active-duty service members during a special Hometown Heroes ceremony last week at Central Park.

Sacramento News and Review logo When Fish Are Free: Hundreds of Salmon Are Now Spawning in Klamath River and Tributaries After Dam Removal Completed

Hundreds of fall-run Chinook salmon are now spawning on the Klamath River and its tributaries both above and below the former sites...

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo Sierra Nevada May Hold Key to Meet California’s Ambitious 30×30 Goal

California's 30 X 30 goal was a topic at the Sierra Nevada Alliance Conservation Conference held at Lake Tahoe Community College, Nov. 7-8. In 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom committed the state to conserving 30% of lands and coastal waters …

Monterey County Weekly logo TAMC Is Adapting to Expedite the Commute to the Monterey Peninsula.

After the Transportation Agency for Monterey County started construction on a project to widen Imjin Parkway in February, Doug Bilse, a traffic engineer at TAMC, noticed a marked change: More drivers were changing their westbound commutes to Highway 68.

Monterey County Weekly logo Seaside to Enact a Spay-and-Neuter Ordinance to Curb Wanton Breeding of Cats and Dogs.

So-called “backyard breeding,” the breeding of cats or dogs with no regulation, is a problem the City of Seaside has faced for years. At least in part, that’s because the city hasn’t required a permit for breeders.

Monterey County Weekly logo P.G.’s Chinese Fishing Village Story Is Powerfully Told by Its Descendants in a New Interactive Film.

The burning of a Chinese fishing village on the shores of Pacific Grove in 1906 continues to reverberate through the town’s history to the present – two years ago, P.G. City Council issued an official apology for the fire and …

Monterey County Weekly logo Check Those Containers: Here Is What Is Recyclable, and What Isn’t.

Katie Rodriguez here. About two weeks ago I received an excellent refresher on recycling when I visited ReGen Monterey, our regional waste management district.

Monterey County Weekly logo King City Courthouse Opens for Expanded Services.

The Monterey County Superior Court expanded its court services in South County to offer limited services for residents every Tuesday.

Monterey County Weekly logo Do Candidates for Local Office Believe in Ghosts, Plus Other Human Insights Beyond the Politics.

There’s more to Election Day than campaign platforms. While candidates run on policy ideas and promises, they are human beings behind all those glossy mailers.

Monterey County Weekly logo A 104-Year-Old Veteran of Service in the Navy Quietly Celebrates Veterans Day.

There is a photograph of Anne Rasmussen wearing her dress blues. It dates from World War II, when she served in the WAVES, or Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service, a branch of the Navy.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo CHISPA Receives $1.3M to Repair Housing for Farmworkers in Soledad

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren has announced that the Community Housing Improvement Systems and Planning Association will receive $1.32 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture through a combination of a grant and a low-cost federal loan to rehabilitate affordable housing for …

King City Rustler logo King City Honored Among California’s ‘Cutest Small Towns’ Near National Parks

The internet site TheTravel.com has recognized King City, Calif., as one of the “Cutest Small Towns Near California National Parks.”

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Recent Local News

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Rail Between Monterey & Santa Barbara Counties Receives Grant

This report on the $63 million grant recently awarded to fund rail transit between Monterey and Santa Barbara includes details about the agencies involved and the part this segment plays in a larger rail line linking San Francisco and Los Angeles. Read on to learn more.

(11/13/2024) → Monterey Herald
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Recent Statewide News

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• Lobbying Activity This Past Summer Cost a Record-Breaking $168 Million. Here’s What We Know.

Between the summer session of the California Legislature featuring hot topics like AI regulation and money for journalism, and a special one focusing on gas prices, powerful corporations poured in record-setting money to influence lawmakers.

(11/18/2024) → CalMatters

• How Three Trump Policy Decrees Could Affect California’s Agricultural Industry

Voters in California’s farm belt, stretching more than 400 miles from Kern County on the south to Tehama County on the north, delivered solid majorities for Donald Trump in this month’s presidential election.

(11/18/2024) → CalMatters

• Fewer Kids Are Going to California Public Schools. Is There a Right Way to Close Campuses?

Declining enrollment, the end of pandemic relief funding and uncertain state funding are forcing school districts to make some difficult decisions.

(11/14/2024) → CalMatters

• California Schools Brace for Trump’s Attacks on Immigrants, Trans Students and ‘Woke’ Curriculum

More than 115,000 children in California were undocumented in the most recent census count, and it’s estimated almost half of California children have at least one immigrant parent.

(11/13/2024) → CalMatters

• UC Faces Half-Billion-Dollar Budget Shortfall and Eyes Tuition Increase for New Nonresident Students

The University of California anticipates more than a $500 million budget gap next summer, so It’s considering a $3,402 jump in tuition for new nonresident students next fall. Meanwhile, the system is planning billions in construction projects.

(11/13/2024) → CalMatters

• Trump Has Promised to ‘End’ Offshore Wind. What Will That Mean for California’s Big Bet?

Trump’s promise to “end” the offshore wind industry could threaten CA’s renewable energy goals, potentially cutting off federal funding.

(11/13/2024) → CalMatters

• Trump’s Proposed Tariffs, Especially on China and Mexico, Could Hit California Hard

Trump has threatened new, higher tariffs on two of California’s biggest trade partners, China and Mexico. The state’s workers and economy could feel the most impact.

(11/12/2024) → CalMatters
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Government Announcements

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Image of City of Monterey seal. City of Monterey   (11/18/2024)

Local Road Safety Plan Project - Take the Survey

Image of United States seal. United States   (11/17/2024)

IHA Beverage Issues a Voluntary Recall of Super Cinnamon Powder 4oz Because of Lead Contamination

IHA Beverage of Commerce, CA is recalling Super Cinnamon Powder 4oz, because it has the potential to be contaminated with elevated levels of lead. Short term exposures to very low levels of lead may not elicit any symptoms. It is possible that increased blood lead levels may be the only apparent sig
Image of United States seal. United States   (11/17/2024)

Fabalish Inc. Recalls "Kickin' Carrot Falafel Bites" Because of Possible Health Risk

Fabalish Inc, Carlstadt, NJ is recalling Kickin' Carrot Falafel Bites because it may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) O121:H19
Image of United States seal. United States   (11/16/2024)

Grimmway Farms Recalls Organic Whole and Select Organic Baby Carrots That May Be in Consumers' Homes Due to Potential E. coli Contamination

Grimmway Farms has issued a recall of select organic whole carrots and organic baby carrots that should no longer be in grocery stores but may be in consumers' refrigerators or freezers.
Image of City of Marina seal. City of Marina   (11/15/2024)

Community Thanksgiving Meal

Join us on Thursday, November 28, 2024 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm for a delicious Thanksgiving meal.
Image of City of Marina seal. City of Marina   (11/15/2024)

Public Outreach - Marina Aquatic & Sports Center

Have your say on the Marina Aquatic & Sports Center
Image of City of Monterey seal. City of Monterey   (11/14/2024)

2017 Police Investigation Involving Peter Hegseth (AKA Pete Hegseth)

Image of City of Marina seal. City of Marina   (11/12/2024)

Marina Police Hold Community Meeting - AB481

The Marina Police Department will host a community meeting regarding military equipment per the requirements of AB481
Image of City of Monterey seal. City of Monterey   (11/12/2024)

Local Road Safety Plan Project Community Meeting, November 14, 2024

Image of City of Monterey seal. City of Monterey   (11/12/2024)

On-Duty Motorcycle Collision