Well, by the time you read this, last week’s COMMUNITY FEEDS OUR NATION event at the Aquarium will be still be the talk of the town. As I write this, we’ve got two days to go. I am awed by the effort set forth by everyone involved and the community at large. I believe this will be one of the best events ever held at the Aquarium, a tall order when you consider how many spectacular events are held there each year.

The members of the Aquarium staff, led by “GENERAL” GINGER HOPKINS, have been outstanding in their organization, execution and energy. We should have had them running the relief effort on the Gulf Coast. TODD FISHER, who redefines the term high energy, has been the locomotive pulling this train—he deserves a great deal of thanks and congratulations. It was Todd who first came up with the idea, who then called TONY BAKER, who then called JEFF JAKE, and the rest is history. Without overstating it, there is something truly unique about good chefs’ ability to elevate their energy level far beyond the norm. These are three of the best in every way. Also, a special shout out to STACY “TICKER TAPE” HENDRICKS, whose tireless and peerless assault on the ether through media, information dissemination and overall coordination of thought, provided the connective tissue required to propel this multi-celled organism forward.

To the rest of the folks who jumped on board at varying stages of the process, a hearty “well done” to all of you…especially to our beloved Monterey Peninsula, which pulled together on this thing and helped cut another sparkling facet on this ever evolving jewel we call home. To have experienced this firsthand has created a special memory for me personally and I’m sure for many others around here. I hope we can all keep the beautiful vibe in mind in the future, so that this type of harmony can occur without a devastating tragedy preceding it. I say right on.

JUST WALKING AROUND… I went to the Taste of Carmel event last week at Carmel Mission; my goodness, what a beautiful affair that was. Encircled in the majestic courtyard of that beautiful mission stood table after table of goodies representing many of Carmel’s favorite eateries, wineries and funeries. (Meredith, would you come here please…what is this word here? He’s doing it again.) As we walked in through the grand double gates, first table we hit was BILL LEE and the Bixby’s and Bahama Billy’s gang. They fed me a few delicious bites, and gave me a flyer about how 20 percent of food and beverage totals through Oct. 28 at both joints will be donated to the Red Cross, Carmel Chapter in your name (very cool)…on and on, KURT GRASING, CHRISTOPHER CAUL, ROBIN FAGUNDES (Robin Fagundes?—ask around), CAL STAMENOV, JEROME and SPILL from Sugar Reef—they’ve started brunch and are also looking into doing some live music as soon as they work things out with the City. (Heard about the new ordinance? Actually it’s a revision of the old one. “No live music in Carmel” now translates to “no live music no more.”) (Meredith? Meredith? What’s on television?) (That one definitely confused the program on my PC that tries to keep you writing things according to the rules set forth in the Chicago Manual of Style, or whatever doctrinalized version of English communication the techies at Microsoft use.)

Where was I? Oh yeah, Taste of Carmel. KERRY LOUTAS and his delicious leg of lamb skewers…Robin Fagundes (Meredith, he’s talking about that Robin Fagundes again…I thought you were watching television, dear.)…RICK EDGE and the Club XIX crew…TOM NASH (he ought to have a band attached to that name…something like Tom Nash and the Susquehanna Swamp Kings)…TONY SALAMEH, his wife MARIA (I swear they both look younger than I remember when I worked at Anton and Michele ages ago). Also there was their son ANTON, who was a young whipper-snapper then—now he’s an airline pilot. I used to think how cute it was that he liked planes…hello, so that’s what it’s like to have direction…Of course the irrepressible CSABA AJAN was there—if Csaba’s not there, it really ain’t a party…ROB and MICHELA WEAKLEY, strolling along in the golden setting sunlight…HANK and MAXINE KLAPUT—oh how I love those two great people…DAVID BERNAHL of Pacific Tweed—wow, he was really sloppily dressed (I don’t think so)…the BERNARDUS posse…EVAN OAKES, the Ag Venture Tours mogul…oh I don’t know…I was just out having fun, no taking notes, no interviews, just hanging out digging the scene…had the winning bid on a decadent facial treatment of some sort for my SWEET THING at Beleza Skin Care, the great shop of the mother/daughter team of MINDY and ASHLEY PEREIRA—the TIGER WOODS and VIJAY SINGH of skin care (you can tell I have a broad perspective in life—hey, at least I didn’t use a football analogy)…apologies to anyone I left out, you know I’m a burnout…next year, anyone who misses it is a rotten egg.

YOU TELL ME… Got notice of a new joint opening on Oct. 16 in the Del Monte Center. It’s called BOADIE’S AMERICAN GRILL, a fresh new concept in fast casual dining. The menu is a greatest hits of American food so there’ll be something for everyone. Check it out and report back to me (Meredith, Meredith, I thought he was supposed to check things out and report back to us? What’s wrong with this guy?).

FAMILY AND FRIENDS… Forgot to tell you about the swell time I had at Max’s Grill in PG a couple of weeks back when QUEEN ANN OF WINCHESTER was out visiting us. Naturally, MAX and his lovely wife YUKO, along with their son HIDEO, made us feel really special in addition to feeding us absolutely delicious food. Stop in to say hi and try his unique fresh-made fare.

On a serious note, as I’m writing this, BERT CUTINO, the relentlessly energetic ambassador for Monterey dining and all things culinary, plus one of our industry’s most illustrious figures, is sitting in the hospital awaiting open heart surgery. Hopefully, when this is printed, he will already be at home, driving everyone around him a little batty because he can’t get back to the restaurant yet, or some other mundane thing. Meanwhile, give a moment of your heartfelt thoughts to our big guy here and let’s say thanks to him for the years of giving it up in the service of others. It’s a damn tough business.

SORRY; SEEYA… Which reminds me. I guess I ought to apologize a bit for the way I got after the owners last week, about the ESPRESSO MACHINES behind the bars. It’s just that I’ve been watching bartenders’ jobs become progressively more complex and I guess I was just protecting my own. I was hurting from all the memories of the joints from which I went home bloody and beat late at night, after working without a net back there…in the great thoughts of HUGH PRATHER, though: distill me from my words. Don’t let the way I deliver a message interfere with the message, it’s a good one. Be good to your bartenders.

I know I should probably be promoting something for somebody right now, but I’m a bit weary and feeling a little self-indulgent, a little worried about how Community Feeds Our Nation is going to turn out, plus a few other things that are blocking the synaptic gaps. Hope y’all understand…get well Bert, we love you and need you big around here.