A Giving Story


A few weeks ago, I came across a Carmel Middle School student who said he was going to bring $100 on Monday to donate to the MEarth campaign through Monterey County Gives! Knowing middle schoolers tendency towards showboating, I had some funny banter with him, but basically forgot about his promise. Until I walked onto campus again.


The student was waiting patiently for me to arrive. He pulled out a carefully rolled up wad of twenties from a little container in his backpack and proudly dropped it in my jar. I thanked him for his sweet generosity, but also tried to convince him to take it back and/or maybe only give $20 instead… (That is a lot of money for a 12-year-old!) But he was insistent. He said it was his own money he had been saving since summer and that he really wanted to give it to support “nature” and what goes on at the habitat. After more conversation, it became clear he was not taking the money back.


The vice principal suggested that I might just double check with the student’s parents to make sure that it was all good. I called their house and the answering machine picked up. Somewhat disappointed, I went on to introduce myself and tell the story of the MC Gives! campaign and their son’s donation, asking if they knew about it and if they approved etc. Part of the way through the message, the mom picked up. She said she was literally up to her elbows in sugar and flour (baking pies for Thanksgiving) but had to pick up after listening to my message. She was grateful that I would think to check in, but she said she had the exact same conversation with her son the night before, about maybe only giving $30 and saving the rest, but she too said he was adamant. She said he has a “generous heart” and just wanted to support the cause.


Wow. That sent shivers up my spine. A sweet-hearted kid and supportive parents. This guy will be someone to watch as he continues to make his way in the world. An amazing reminder that generosity comes in all shapes, sizes and ages! - Tanja Roos | Carmel


(Editor’s note: Tanja Roos is the organic garden program manager at MEarth, an environmental nonprofit and a participant in this year’s Monterey County Gives! campaign. For more information on Gives! and to donate, please visit www.montereycountygives.com.)


Save the Whales, Again


Having grown up in the Central Valley and observed the changes over the decades I’m not surprised at this move by farmers (“Farmers petition to remove killer whales from endangered species list,” posted Dec. 4). 


I recently drove a section of I-5 along the west side of the valley and was amused at the new orchards planted in the same areas where orchards had been planted and removed decades ago. They were removed when the rights to the needed water were sold to buyers in So. Cal. Now the land is re-planted with water-intensive crops (presumably by new owners) who will likely also sell their subsidized water to the highest bidder. The game stays the same, and not surprisingly, the players don’t really change. - novo_czech | via Web


Surf City


Absurd (“Ventana tourist package pisses off Big Sur waveriders,” Dec. 6-12). I don’t surf, but I’m smart enough to know that if a surfer is experienced, they don’t need a “Ventana Package” to go surfing – they need manners and respect for other surfers. - Elaine Giampietro | via Facebook


Good luck getting customers. Most good surfers are poor and/or don’t need a package to find waves. 


The hotel is peripheral, as a sleeping bag on the side of the road next to a good wave is better than a five star without. Mediocre surfers are of no consequence as they will have to go to beginner waves. Ventana is in the wrong place in the winter, and the real summer breaks will be out of bounds. Nothing to be worried about. - Max Lynn | via Facebook


Oldtown Beatdown


First of all, let the justice system take its course; innocent until proven guilty – it’s the law of the land (“Analyzing the nastiest detail of a brutal Salinas beating,” Dec. 6-12). That said, this victim/homeless man needs justice! These are two fully grown men beating a weak homeless man nearly to death for no reason whatsoever. Two to one is bad enough, but when you factor in the size of these guys and that an aluminum baseball bat was involved in the beating it’s unforgivable. If justice prevails and they are found guilty by a jury of their peers, they should get the maximum punishment allowed by law and the victim should be compensated monetarily as well. If this isn’t a hate crime, I don’t know what is. Just for the record, I’m a lifelong resident of Salinas and I’m tired of seeing this type of B.S. where I’m raising my 9-year-old son. - Tom Waite | via Facebook


Thank You, Mr. Brubeck


(“Jazz legend Dave Brubeck has died at the age of 91; what was your favorite Brubeck tune?” posted Dec. 5 to Facebook.)


My dad was a total Brubeck fan and introduced me to “Take Five” when I was a wee lassie. RIP, Dave, and be sure to shake my dad’s hand on your arrival. - Traci Townsend | via Facebook


He was the soundtrack of my young life. I learned about jazz, its roots and syncopation, and developed an abiding love of tunes in a minor key. - Luana Conley | via Facebook


My favorite was “Take Five” when I heard him play it live from the front row at Villa Montalvo in the mid-90s. Fantastic! RIP Dave Brubeck. - Dan Tudor/Tudor Wines | via Facebook


Everyone’s a Comedian


(“Holiday crab are once again in question as fishermen continue to strike in San Francisco. Is Dungeness crab part of your holiday tradition?” posted Dec. 10 to Facebook.)


Yes. I celebrate Dungeness Day every year on a random day. So, it’s part of my holiday tradition. - Lou Richards | via Facebook


(Editor’s note: He’s here all week. Try the veal.)


Correction


A story (“As Monterey faces its post-redevelopment future, affordable housing could disappear,” Nov. 29, 2012) incorrectly stated that $2 million in proceeds from selling affordable condos was allocated to the Monterey Hotel. The $1.3 million allocated from that sale is dedicated to the Monterey Hotel; the remaining $2 million from the sale is dedicated to other projects.