NUMBER 29…An 18-year-old man was shot and killed behind Hartnell College on Central Avenue on Dec. 16, marking Salinas' 29th gang-related homicide of the year.  Salinas Police said Brian Beecher was shot multiple times in the upper torso when authorities arrived at 7pm. Beecher was later pronounced dead at the hospital. [ZS]

FIT FOR FOUNDATION…Dan Baldwin, president/CEO of a foundation in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will replace longtime Community Foundation for Monterey County leader Todd Lueders in March 2010, the foundation announced last week. The foundation’s board chose Baldwin after a nationwide search. Lueders has been at the Community Foundation for nearly 30 years. [ZS]

FINE ART BASELESS…Following the shuttering of Ol' Factory Café, Sand City’s contemporary gallery/studio space, fine art base, will close Jan. 10. Executive Director Elizabeth O'Malley explained: “It has become apparent on personal and economic levels that we don’t need to run a physical space to advance the fine art base mission.” [WR]

STAMP OF APPROVAL…Attorney Michael Stamp will keep representing on-leave Carmel Human Resources Manager Jane Miller, who’s suing the city for harassment. Carmel’s lawyers argued Stamp should be disqualified because he’s advised the city on personnel matters. On Dec. 18, Judge Larry Hayes allowed Stamp to remain on the case. [KA]

BACH IN ACTION…The Carmel Bach Festival has named Paul Goodwin its music director and conductor. Goodwin, who succeeds Bruno Weill, is currently a guest conductor for the Swiss Kammerorchester Basel. As the fourth music director in the 73-year-old festival's history, he’ll begin in spring 2010 for his 2011 inaugural festival. [PW]

OUT OF THE FLAMES…Eight-year Seaside Fire Department Chief Jerry Wombacher plans to retire Dec. 26. Wombacher oversaw a department-wide reorganization to prep for the city’s growth, but the Seaside Firefighters Association, now facing layoffs, alleged mismanagement at City Hall. Wombacher will be Interim Chief as the city explores a Peninsula-wide fire service. [KA]

OBAMA THANKS YOU…On Dec. 17, 22 members of Seaside’s Volunteers Improving Parks, led by Norman Yasany, received White House service awards. Mayor Ralph Rubio also presented certificates of appreciation to the volunteers, whose work transformed Martin Park from a crime-ridden neighborhood blight into a friendly, well-lit and landscaped park. [KA]