In January of this year, in response to growing concern over the Year 2000 computer problem, Paul Fridlund called together a small group of concerned local residents and business people and suggested the formation of a Y2K community advisory group for the Monterey County area. Currently the group, Monterey Area Y2K, has expanded and formed itself into teams working to gather information relevant to the immediate impact of Y2K on the residents of Monterey County and the preparedness of local agencies and services.

Though still in the early stages of organizing, their intent is to inform, inspire and empower individuals, organizations, and institutions in Monterey County with reliable information about the potential risks and opportunities that may occur. If you wish to be placed on a list for contact regarding future planned events, or if you would like to volunteer your services to assist on one of the advisory group teams, please send your name, mailing address, email address and phone number to montereyareaY2k@yahoo.com--or mail to The Pilgrim's Way, PO Box 1944, Carmel, CA 93921, or call Paul at 624-4955.

Monterey Area Y2K applauds Coast Weekly's excellent series of articles on local Y2K readiness!

NEAL KRUSE

CARMEL

Sound Salvation?

I am curious (and maybe this is something for "Squid" to investigate), but now that New Wave "Boredcasting" has hacked KXDC into another mindless clone of other trend-following stations, can anyone name a single beneficial accomplishment by this New Jersey-based and controlled conglomerate?

KMBY is now suffering through its third format in two years, and neither of the last two have measured up to the original. KCDU has become the repetitive 20-song jukebox that people unplug at the diner because they've heard "Closing Time" just one too many times. And now KXDC has changed from a music ideally suited to the Monterey Bay lifestyle and atmosphere to one dominated by '70s dance party hits while calling themselves "the station for the new millennium."

Ironically, none of these stations are even broadcast locally, instead relying on satellite feeds from elsewhere for the bulk of their on-air music. It appears the controversy surrounding KPIG was only the beginning. At what point do we finally tune out for good? I know I already have.

BRANT GUILLORY

SEASIDE

No Napa!

Arrgggh! Please no more hysterical natter about Carmel Valley being the "next" Napa/Sonoma. The slick money types as we speak are buying up everything in sight. We can only look forward to bumper-to-bumper tour buses; and weekends and summers of not being able to get out of our driveways.

The "dirty little secret" here is Carmel Valley really can't grow grapes. Mildew, fungus, aphids, too cold temperatures, and the land is too expensive. Cachagua is where the miracle happens. World-class wines, no funny business. However, too far for the tour buses and daytrippers.

South County's vast plantings, that mass, mechanically harvested monster will fuel the coming boon. Never mind most of the stuff should be converted to Gasohol.

You can legally be a "paper winery" by buying pre-made bulk-produced product from an army of wine brokers, truck it in at night during the tourist season, bottle it in pretty bottles with chic labels, push it out of a cute tasting room, and Make A Fortune!

All the landscaping in the form of vineyards being rapidly planted has a two-fold purpose: huge tax write-offs for growing grapes, more for not harvesting. California has a "lake" of wine, and vast amounts of money will soon be spent flogging this area as the "New Napa."

Whatever Carmel Valley is or was will be lost in the coming bait-and-switch: Cute candybox boutiques, chain art galleries, hustling real estate firms, restaurants you can't get into. Speak up now. Demand inspections, new regulations and truth. And learn a new word: PLONK.

AMI MAGILL-PROCTOR

CARMEL

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