DOWNTOWNMONTEREY

51st Monterey Jazz Festival mixes funk with . . . .

2008-09-23T20:20:00.000-07:00

The 51st Monterey Jazz Festival-08 fused the late Godfather of Soul (James Brown), 'Sax' icon Maceo Parker with sultry vocalist, Nancy Wilson. Don't miss next year's 52nd Monterey Jazz Festival 2009.

La Raza pulls 2009 Convention/ Minutemen Controversy

2007-10-24T18:09:00.000-07:00

LaRaza's convention expected to attract more than 2,000 attendees to Kansas City, Missouri with an economic impact of $5-$6 million dollars. See KCtalk . . . . . . .

Armenian Film: 'Forty Days of Musa' Dagh (Armenian tragedy)

2007-10-10T20:18:00.000-07:00

Historic recognition of the Armenian tragedy by The US Congress
today .

The US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee approved of a bipartisan bill today that calls on the US to recognize the World War I massacres of Armenians 92 years ago during the height of the Ottoman Empire collapse.
This is a great opportunity for MISS to invite members of the Turkish & Armenian Community for meaningful dialogue of a complex subject.

Jewish Food Festival (Carmel Valley) Beth Israel

2007-08-28T09:14:00.000-07:00

I hope you were out & about for the Lunar eclipse today (3:30AM-this morning). The number of people near the Wharf, like me were in the wrong place. But did you see the strangest orange (Texas-Orange) colored moon ? Well, if you were in the right place at the right time this past weekend, you would have been at Beth Israel's Food Fest.

Little did I know why I enjoyed the sound of Klezmer music from Eastern Europe so much. Was it Benny Goodman ? America's foremost jazz musician, who made the clainet one of the most popular horned instrument in the late 1940-50s ?
The Jewish weddings? A combination of influences, I'm sure.

I miss the music and Grandma Betty's (someone from my pass, who was so nice to me)
deep-fried & golden-brown shredded potato know as latke. A Texas boy, Southern raised, the Jewish pancake, known as latkes is irrestible. I also ate them with maple syrup & grits. There are many ways to enjoy.

The 20th Jewish Food Festival was not for the calorie conscious. With rugelach & latkes and the dynamic sound of the Klezmer clarinet in the background.

This tradition of food would easily hold you until the
High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah (Sept. 13-14) & Yom Kippur ( Sept. 22).

And my addiction to blintse ( בלינצע )or blintzes. Um-m-mh!

Lending support to Beth Israel's Food Fest was San Francisco artist, Will Bullas.
Mr. Bullas donated & autographed his vivid water-color like posters from the event for the synagogue's scholarship educational programs. Remember Godfather II, a toast was made to mob boss, Hyman Roth?
"Le'Chiam' (to life).

Artist Will Bulas poster is aptly titled: Le'Chaim, "to life".

Latkes images from: Flickr
-mmitchell8462'
-Potato Latkes on the Last Night of Hanukkah, by: sussmanb's

Poster by: San Francisco painter, watercolor wonder artist & former Peninsulan,
Will Bullas.

Donations for the scholarship program can be made to:

Congregational Beth Israel
5716 Carmel Valley Rd
Carmel, CA 93923
(831) 624-2015

Dog Rescue (Pit Bulls) visiting from Orange County

2007-08-23T23:37:00.000-07:00

Owner, Rob visiting us from Orange County couldn't believe the warm welcome he received on the Peninsula, esp., Carmel, with his Pit bulls. Rob acquired these beauties from the Rescue program for pit bulls. More about this in a later update. They were so lovable that we wanted to take them both home.

Brunch at Rosine's

2007-08-23T23:11:00.000-07:00

Always enjoy my brunch at Rosine's plus the best people viewing spot of all DownTownMonterey restaurants. The brunch today rates a five. The waffles were a bit dry but the strawberries were a ten. Maple syrup ? No! I didn't touch the butter. Lunch was great a few weeks ago. Rosine's is starting their 28th year in business. Can you believe the Sports headline? 30 runs in a baseball game.

University Village (Retail) , nearing completion.

2007-08-14T16:21:00.000-07:00

University Village mixed retail space-of Kohl's, Target to be completed in three-weeks .

University Village, putting local and Monterey county contractors to work.

2007-08-14T16:09:00.000-07:00

Keeping construction jobs in the County.

University Village razing . . . . . .

2007-08-14T16:01:00.000-07:00

Razing the Garrison.

University Village & up we go.

2007-08-14T15:55:00.000-07:00

The metamorphis of Fort Ord.

University Village - part of Cal-State Monterey Bay mixed-used Community

2007-08-14T15:28:00.000-07:00

Merging housing & education.

University Village - to be completed Late Summer 07

2007-08-14T15:03:00.000-07:00

Marina transformation

Marina's 'University Village' 1st stage of development.

2007-08-12T21:05:00.000-07:00

Marina's Universty Village first stage:

'Majestic'

2007-08-08T16:13:00.000-07:00

4th of July 07. Truly Aztec

"Mr. Carmel"

2007-08-08T15:06:00.000-07:00

Barnet " Barney" Segal, known as "Mr. Carmel," started Carmel's first bank in 1923 at the age of 25. Seven years after Carmel was incorporated. Before that time most Carmelites had to drive or ride a horse to Monterey or Pacific Grove to secure a loan. Equivalent to driving from Carmel to San Francisco. Mr. Carmel pasted away in 1985.

"Mr. Carmel" (Segal) is one of the Peninsula's, esp., Carmel's most significant historical figures having laid the foundation for the present Carmel.

Monterey guitarist strums Mayor' ambitious development plans

2007-08-08T01:21:00.001-07:00

After 54 years at the gateway to Downtown Monterey at 570 Munras, Safeway has lost its lease. Thanks to a group of forward thinking city planners and officials. Mayor Della Sala envisions Calle Principal (Calley P) to replace Alvarado Street as the gateway to Downtown Monterey.
Monterey's historic Downtown known as 'Old Monterey' will transition commercial & residential living as a mixed-use community. The Monterey Hotel & Rosine's (est. 1980 by the Culcasi family) restaurant were before their time but not enough to revive an already ailing Downtown, esp., after the recent fire. Osio Plaza with movie theaters, retail shops and restaurants are the latest wave to infuse a new "lets meet Downtown" attitude, missing for two decades. The Farmer's Market is not enough.
The new Downtown (Old Monterey) is led by The Osio Plaza as the first mixed-used community on the Peninsula. A walkable community where parking and walking to get to work or home is a pleasure.

Safeway is no more. Trader Joe's is now building on the former torn down 20,000 square-foot market that opened in 1951. Trader Joe's mixed-use project consists of retail shops on the bottom and condominiums on top. Safeway's lease, under $300.00 annually was the Peninsua's realestate's deal of a lifetime that will never be again.

Bluegrass guitarist, the spirit of DownTownMonterey

2007-08-07T00:59:00.000-07:00

Classic 38 second display of BlueGrass music featuring
Downtown Monterey Band's guitarist at the Farmer's Market.

Alright music theme.

Penelope, winner of Marina's best dog in 2001

2007-08-02T04:55:00.001-07:00

1st Pet Post

2007-08-02T04:38:00.001-07:00

Dogs of Winter

The Master's Festival presents Elaine Douvas

2007-08-02T04:29:00.000-07:00

Elaine Douvis, Principal Oboist of the Metropolitan Opera since 1977, is accompanied with amazing pianist, Marc Shapiro (formerly with The San Francisco Symphony) will perform at Hidden Valley in Carmel Valley on Monday, July 9th at 8pm.

2007-08-02T04:28:00.001-07:00

Actress, Jane Seymour presents her 'One Woman' show at Simic Galleries in Carmel.