Whether Obama has earned another term is almost moot.
When the 44th president took office in January 2009, the Bush era had left the country in nothing less than a complete mess. The country was embedded in a futile war in Iraq (started upon ...
Valuing free and independent media, too.
Because the news is my business, I was stunned by Executive Editor Joe Livernois’ admission in Saturday’s Herald. It wasn’t the paper’s rationale to stop publishing the stock market listings that got my attention. What ...
Character Study
National Coalition Building Institute empowers students to instill tolerance.
It’s the time of year when people dream big. Peace on earth. Joy to the world. But if the ideal of sharing the planet peacefully is ever to bear fruit, we’d have to embrace the ...
Making Conservatives Jealous
Peninsula-raised NAACP president organizes a D.C. rally to rival Glenn Beck’s.
Ben Jealous – a 37-year-old Pacific Grove native, York High School grad and Rhodes Scholar – organized a boisterous rally Oct. 2 in the nation’s capitol to bring attention to the need for jobs and ...
It’s time to face the facts—and for Guillen to go.
What did Carmel city officials know about the Rich Guillen scandal, and when did they know it? The answers to those questions appear depressingly clear. The mayor and city councilmembers knew in May 2008 about ...
Carmel Valley Road’s free right turn lane should stay.
For anyone who lives in Carmel Valley, the last couple of months have been a driving godsend. I’m not referring to being able to gawk at $500,000 Aston Martins or racing past a slow Lamborghini ...
Bird Brain
An ill-advised hummingbird emergency affirms the role of SPCA Wildlife Rescue Center.
Baby Bird was having a bad day. Baby Bird was a striking Allen hummingbird, red and green with some brown feathers, a member of a species that can hover, fly forward, backwards, vertically up or ...
April Fools! 2010
Despite years of profitability as the county’s largest-circulation rag, the Weekly ends its print edition and goes exclusively online and mobile.
Disclaimer: This article was a part or April Fools 2010 cover story. For more information read the letter from the publisher April 1, 2010. Seaside, California. It is with a sense of great sadness, mixed ...
Happy New Year: Wise Words from an Elder
The Decade in Review: Daniel Schorr of NPR offers his unique viewpoint.
Few journalists can deliver like NPR's Daniel Schorr, who's been a working reporter for over 60 years, earning his stripes under CBS's famed Edward Murrow. Last week, on December 30, 2009, he offered this commentary ...
Our Best Foot Forward
In this special issue, the Weekly showcases 73 local nonprofit initiatives worth supporting – and pledges $100,000 from our Community Fund to match readers’ donations.
It tends to get buried under all the news about budget woes and partisan politics, but there is some good news we’d like to bring to your attention. A lot of it, in fact. Chances ...
Taking Action for 350
So, what are you going to do for the atmosphere's carbon levels today?
350: It's a number that may ensure our survival as a species, according to a number of leading climate scientists. If we can keep our carbon dioxide levels below that figure in the atmosphere, then ...
Zip It 93923 v. 93924
Which is more prestigious, a Carmel or Carmel Valley address?
For some voters in Carmel Valley, there is concern that their zip code will change if the town is approved. While the post office confirms no such change would occur, the rumor continues to circulate ...
Analysis Paralysis
The Carmel Valley numbers game.
Before Measure G could get on the ballot, proponents for a new town needed to demonstrate – to the county and the regional governing body LAFCO – that a new town would be fiscally sound, ...
Local Hero: Leon Panetta
Locals hail him as the Central Coast’s environmental watchdog on Capitol Hill. He devotes his time to civil rights legislation, an end to homelessness and hunger, and fair employment for all Americans. Clearly, he’s also ...
U.S. Supreme Court Closely Divided as to whether use of Sonar is Harmful to Marine Mammals
Earlier this year, U.S. District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper ruled that the sonar used by the Navy almost certainly harms marine life. That decision was the outcome from a lawsuit initiated by environmental organizations who argued ...
20th Anniversary -- Building Blocks
Twenty years has brought Monterey County great new public architecture.
The buildings where we work, live and visit do more than keep us warm and dry. They have a life of their own. In their highest form, these spaces can elevate our spirits, open our ...
20th Anniversary -- Capture His Spirit
In memory of long-time Weekly colleague Pablo Reiter (1961-2008)
He was self-confident and comfortable with life. He had a great sense of fashion, stylish shoes, cool haircuts, often a little goatee. And he always arrived to work on time in his signature red Nissan ...
20th Anniversary -- Community Voices
More than two dozen local leaders get their chance to write for the Weekly – almost unedited.
We thought you’d like to hear from someone other than us, since we get to have our way with you nearly every week. So we asked a number of community folks if they’d reflect on ...
World Record Aviator's Discovery
Investigators ponder aviator Steve Fossett's last flight. He owned a vacation home in Carmel and frequently flew out of Monterey.
On September 3, 2007, Steve Fossett took off in a stunt plane for a joy ride. He never returned. Fossett was a world record aviator and adventurer — he set 116 records in five different ...
Governor Schwarzenegger signs $145-billion California budget, finally.
Despite a growing state deficit, the Governor and state legislature approved a new budget, allowing for increased spending of more than $68 million compared to a year ago. As is typical, K-12 education is the ...
Ben Jealous, NAACP CEO and Former York Student, Speaks In Monterey
Watch Video From our archives: http://www.montereycountyweekly.com/archives/2003/2003-Feb-13/8728/1/@@index
The Monterey Bay Aquarium tracks a white shark from Monterey to Baja, thanks to a pop-tag and GPS.
When commercial fishermen unintentionally catch a great white shark in their nets, it’s John O'Sullivan of the Monterey Bay Aquarium that gets the assignment to retrieve it. O'Sullivan may have the best job on the ...
ARE SHARKS REALLY THE EATING MACHINES WE'VE MADE THEM OUT TO BE?
In the waning days of August, beachcombers flock to the coast for one last dip (unless it's foggy and cold! )before returning to the dull routine of school. But are any sharks lurking (not in ...
McCain uses Obama's VP candidate Joseph Biden in new ad, to attack Obama.
Not unexpected, there was a quick response from the McCain headquarters after Obama's announcement of his VP. The McCain camp started advertising a television ad Saturday using VP candidate Joseph Biden, in his own words, ...
Hillary is out — Biden is in — as Obama announces his pick for Vice-President in 3am email.
Hillary fans may shed a tear this morning as the news spreads that presidential hopeful Barack Obama selected long-time US Senator Joseph Biden as his vice-presidential candidate. Biden brings a wealth of foreign policy experience ...
California considers ban on plastic bags — would be the first state to adopt measure.
A year ago we reported on the growing island of plastic trash, now twice the size of Texas, floating about 100 miles off the California coast. The story reported how every plastic product ever manufactured ...
Energy, sexism and Barack Obama: The first woman speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, discusses her new book about power in Washington, D.C.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who represents California's 8th Congressional District, covering much of San Francisco County, is the highest-ranking elected woman in U.S. history. And she has a new book coming out this ...
The Industrialized World
Chris Jordan's powerful images show how our stuff adds up in mesmerizing ways.
National Geographic photographer Chris Jordan is fascinated by the sheer magnitude of the stuff in our modern world, and the cumulative impact of some of these items: plastic cups and bottles, cigarettes, prisons, etc. In ...
Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams
Pausch, who died Friday at the age of 47, was a tenured professor at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. Ten months ago, he was given three to six months to live, due to pancreatic ...
Fields of Plenty
Agriculture farm land for row crops and vineyards shows increased values in Monterey County
As former Weekly contributor Kate Campbell reports in a story for the California Farm Bureau, the trend for Monterey County row crop land values is either stable to increasing over the past five years. But ...
Hanging by a Thin Line
To protect turtles, state legislators pass a resolution to ban long-line fishing. The federal fisheries council may not care.
A modern-day battle of state versus federal rights is underway and the outcome may determine the fate of a frequent visitor to the Monterey Bay. Right now, the feds have the power, and a bystander ...
Tassajara Road Reopens to residents
Cachagua and Jamesburg residents permitted to return —Road passes to be issued to locals by Cachagua Fire or CHP
On Thursday July 18th the U.S. Forest Service announced that the mandatory evacuation order has been lifted for Tassajara Road, as of 7:30pm. The lower Cachagua area was downgraded from a mandatory to voluntary evacuation ...
Back burn and wind changes create unexpected shift
Fire jumps Chews Ridge fire line near Mira Observatory on Saturday prompting mandatory evacuation order for Jamesburg residents in Carmel Valley.
"There are complicated fires and political fires and this one has been both." That remark was made by section 23 Branch commander, Jack Frogatt, as he surveyed a new fire that had jumped the fire ...
Going Head to Head With Mother Nature
Flames Seen From Carmel Valley Village Tuesday Night As The Fire Moves North — Highway One Now Open to Residents South of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
The Big Sur Basin Complex fire continues to remain intense and extreme in the north and northwest part of the fire, and late July 8 the fire reached Devil’s Peak, a critical battleground where firefighters ...
Big Sur Locals Get a Break
Highway 1 Reopens for Many Big Sur Residents — Reentry to Begin 10am Tuesday as Mandatory Evacuation Lifted
Mandatory evacuation for Big Sur residents was to be reduced to an advisory evacuation order at 10am Tuesday, July 8, allowing many local residents access to their properties, Monterey County Sheriff Mike Kanalakis announced Monday ...
CDF Calls In Air Support
DC-10 Air Tanker Joins Effort to Contain Big Sur Fire At Pico Blanco
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) utilized major air support this weekend to combat the extreme conditions at the northwestern edge of the Basin Complex Fire, near Pico Blanco. CDF’s largest aircraft, ...
July 5: Fire Remains East of Highway — Old Redwoods at Julie Pfeiffer Burns State Park In Tact
Starting A Backfire, Holding the Line in Big Sur Basin Complex Fire
“Adding fire to fire is a risky thing,” Sam Wilbanks, division supervisor for the Basin Complex Fire, told the Weekly as he and branch director Don Forsyth surveyed conditions on Thursday afternoon. We stood east ...
Celebrating Democracy for Over 200 Years
Independence Day, 2008
On July 4, 1776, the 56 courageous signers of the Declaration of Independence committed an act of treason by registering their desire to overthrow the King of England, in favor of self-governance. The Declaration may ...
Fire Remains Out of Control
Basin Complex Fire Update: Highway 1 Closed South of Palo Colorado — Fire 200 Yards from Ventana Inn
Fire Update: July 3, 6pm More than 10,000 acres burned today, with the size of the fire now at more than 64,000 acres. The evacuation in Big Sur has displaced 1,500 residents and is threatening ...
Basin Complex Fire Roars On
Big Sur Fire Takes Turn For The Worse — Residents Ordered to Evacuate
The dense coastal fog offered firefighters some reprieve earlier this week in the intensifying Basin Complex Fire in Big Sur. But Wednesday the fire jumped several key firebreaks to threaten more residences, forcing a mandatory ...
Fire Season Arrives Early, Firefighters Stretched Statewide
A rare summer thunderstorm blew through much of Northern California on Saturday, sparking numerous fires in the already parched region. As of June 24, firefighters were battling 32 large fires in the state and the ...
Comedian George Carlin Dies at 71; 'Seven Dirty Words' became Important Free Speech Supreme Court Case in 1978
Watch Video Funnyman George Carlin died Sunday at a Los Angeles hospital after being admitted for chest pains. Carlin had an illustrious 50-year career as a Grammy-winning comedian, and as a lightening rod for free ...
In 4-3 Ruling, California Supreme Court Okays Same-Sex Marriage
In a long-awaited decision following a legal challenge to the highly publicized San Francisco gay weddings in 2004, California's Republican dominated highest court affirmed that same-sex couples have the right to marriage. While it won't ...
Exxon Mobil Reports Profits of $10.9 Billion in First Quarter
Thanks to record oil prices, with crude oil reaching its all-time high (and hovering over $115 a barrel yesterday), Exxon Mobil reported its net income rose 17% over the same period last year. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/01/business/01oil-web.html?ex=1367380800&en=131c2939eead74dc&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink Just ...
Nation's Largest Mortgage Company has Huge Losses in First Quarter, but CEO Still Made Out Like A King
The nation's largest home mortgage company, Countrywide Financial Corp., based in southern California, reported a loss of $893 million for the first quarter this year, its first losing quarter in 25 years. Ironically, just last ...
A Lot of Character
Chuck Thurman, 1954-2008: Former Weekly associate editor was known for his curiosity, zest for life.
Monterey County lost one of its good men last weekend in the passing of Chuck Thurman. James Charles Thurman was 53, and long-time readers of the Weekly will remember him in a variety of roles: ...
Special Judgment
Three legends show the kids how it’s done
The 15 judges who will evaluate the 50-plus student bands that will travel here to compete would make a pretty insane group themselves—Ron Westray, George Stone, Lauren Sevian, Jon Nordgren, Mike Galisatus, Lynne Fiddmont, Matt ...
Seaside, a city in transition, rolls the dice for new taxes.
The chances of winning the California Lotto Jackpot are 1 in 14 million. And although she didn’t win the whole jackpot, Idella Tyus, a caregiver from Seaside, did win $25,000 last Saturday in the lottery. ...
Why the citizen’s initiative serves Monterey County better than the supervisors’ GPU 4.
1. MEASURE A BETTER PRESERVES AG LAND AND THE AG ECONOMY.Monterey County has the fastest conversion rate of ag land to urban use of any county in California. Measure A will ensure that when development ...
A Democratic Plan
A Democratic Plan
American politics experiences its greatest seismic shifts when citizens respond to the misuse or abuse of power. In Monterey County, the earth is shaking. There’s a growing revolt in response to a county Board of ...
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