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Join us for an empowering session on How to be Legally Healthy: Protect Yourself from Scams and Other Forms of Abuse!

Date: June 4, 2024
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 PM
Location: Campbell Community Center, Room C35

Learn how to avoid becoming a victim of financial and other forms of abuse and discover the services that Senior Adults Legal Assistance (SALA) provides to keep you "legally healthy".

RSVP by calling the Campbell Adult Center at 408-866-2146. RSVP is not required to attend.

Cost: FREE

At Gracie Jiu-Jitsu during the month of June, mothers and daughters (ages 13+) can train together for the price of one person. That's right: we're offering two one-month memberships for the price of one!

We're located at 800 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey. Learn more and register on our website. Please note: offer must be redeemed by June 30, 2024.

About the Women Empowered Program

Gracie Jiu Jitsu's beginner program, Women Empowered, promotes physical fitness, builds confidence, and develops self-defense skills as it strengthens the emotional connection among family members as they learn and progress together.

In this class, women create a strong network of encouragement and camaraderie, celebrating each other's achievements and overcoming challenges as a united group.

About Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Monterey

At Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Monterey, we believe Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone, regardless of age, gender, athleticism, or ability. We are proud to say we are continuing the legacy of Grandmaster Hélio Gracie who believed jiu-jitsu should empower the weak to be able to defend against the strong.

We take pride in creating a safe, comfortable, and welcoming learning environment for all students and family members. We're passionate about what we do because, simply put, we believe confident humans make kinder humans.

Venture Gallery presents the multi-media work of France Ruhnke, our featured local artist for June. Her latest exhibit, Contours of Nature, consists of three new collections: “Haute Couture,” “Botanical,” and “Continuity.”

The three collections reveal the essence and elegance of nature’s contours, with its flow and transparency. Seen as pure perspective, a two-dimensional plan in neutral tones transforms magically into a three-dimensional joyful artistic encounter.

Venture Gallery is open 10am-6pm daily. France Ruhnke's artwork will be featured through June 2024. Venture Gallery is located at 260 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey. Visit our website to shop online for work by our local artists.

High Scores just moved a bunch of fresh games into our arcade at 459 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey! Come and check them out.

On the arcade floor we now have Joust, Punch-Out!!, Missile Command, and Rampage, joining our other classic games such as The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Brothers, Donkey Kong, Pac-Man, Frogger, Tetris, Tron, Mortal Combat II, and much more.

Hours & Pricing

Price is $10 for 1 hour of unlimited gaming, or $22 for a full day of unlimited gaming with in-and-out privileges. Our summer hours, which begin May 31, are Sun-Thu, 12:30pm-10pm. and Fri-Sat, 12:30pm-11pm.

About High Scores Arcade

We're a family-owned business focused primarily on the golden age of arcade gaming, mostly featuring games from the early to mid 1980s. Our collection of classic arcade games is much bigger than our physical arcade; of 170+ games, we feature apx. 40 on the floor at any one time. If you're itching to play one particular title, give us a call to see if it's currently being showcased, 609-468-3083.

The City of Monterey, in partnership with the Central Coast Overdose Prevention Coalition, has installed NARCAN Now Boxes to provide free access to the lifesaving opiate overdose reversal medicine Naloxone.

Box Locations

Boxes have been placed at Monterey Transit Plaza (500 Tyler Street), Monterey Police Department (351 Madison Street), and the Monterey Outreach and Navigation Center (401 Camino El Estero).

What is Naloxone?

Naloxone is an opiate antagonist that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. It has no effect on someone who does not have opioids in their system.

Why in Monterey?

Drug overdose deaths in California continue to rise. In Monterey County, statistics show that drug related overdose deaths in the first six months of 2023 surpassed the drug related deaths in all 12 months of 2022. Use of Naloxone can prevent death from opioid overdose.

Learn more about the NARCAN Now program in Monterey.

There's going to be a new hangout in Downtown Campbell soon! Later this year, 7 Stars Bar and Grill, previously located on Bascom Ave. in San Jose is moving in to the space that used to be Lvl Up. 7 Stars closed in 2021 and they're bringing it back in Downtown Campbell.

Meet the owners, Paul and Mayra! Apparently they're huge Star Wars and sci-fi nerds so you know this is going to be interesting!

The expected opening of 7 Stars is sometime in the summer in the July-August time frame.

Unfortunately, they won't be able to carry forward the barcade part of Lvl Up. It's going to be a fun and offbeat bar and grill. They said in a video they would have loved to keep the old concept going, but they're working with what they know and do best.

You can always head upstairs to the Retro Fix if you want to nerd out over some retrogaming.

The Lighthouse District welcomes International Cafe to 296 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey! Opened by the same wonderful family that has owned and operated International Market and Deli for years, International Cafe has a cozy, relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff, and a menu bursting with mouthwatering dishes. It's the perfect place to unwind and savor a meal or enjoy a Turkish coffee.

The Mediterranean menu caters to every palate, whether you're looking for a leisurely dinner with loved ones, a quick lunch catch-up with friends, or a solo meal at the bar. Gluten free and vegan options are available. There are also some great desserts.

Come as you are and leave with a satisfied heart, a full stomach, and a smile. The cafe is open 10am-7:30pm on Sun, Tue, Wed, & Thu, and 10am-8:30pm on Fri & Sat. Closed Mondays.

Monterey Trolley Returns on May 25, 2024

Posted on May 18th, 2024 by omba

The Monterey trolley is returning! This free service will operate May 25 - September 2, 10am-6pm daily. Trolleys run every 10-15 minutes. Look for the green MST Trolley signs to board along the route.

Park and Ride

Park in the Downtown Monterey Garage (340 Tyler Street) or the Cannery Row Garage (601 Foam Street) and get a free ride to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, the Lighthouse District, Downtown Old Monterey, and Old Fisherman's Wharf.

Monterey Trolley Returns May 25, 2024

Posted on May 18th, 2024 by lighthouseave

The Monterey trolley is returning! This free service will operate May 25 - September 2, 10am-6pm daily. Trolleys run every 10-15 minutes. Look for the green MST Trolley signs to board along the route.

Park and Ride

Park in the Downtown Monterey Garage (340 Tyler Street) or the Cannery Row Garage (601 Foam Street) and get a free ride to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, the Lighthouse District, Downtown Old Monterey, and Old Fisherman's Wharf.

UPDATE: Entries for the 2024 Car Show have been closed.

The Historic Downtown Campbell Car Show is coming on June 29th! Many of our favorites from last year are returning along with a whole fleet of stunning newcomers of all kinds and vintages that we can't wait to show you.

If you want to enter the show, we're still taking entries, but don't wait too long. We're going to run low on space soon.

We also have a few sponsorship slots left for local businesses and organizations.

See our official car show event page for more information.

The Pearl Works is partnering with the Monterey County Business Council (MCBC) to offer new small businesses and entrepreneurs in the Monterey area subsidized access to The Pearl Works community co-working space for people who wouldn't otherwise be able to be here.

Together, MCBC and The Pearl Works will subsidize up to 50% off: access to The Pearl Works conference rooms on an hourly or daily basis; memberships to The Pearl Works (for people who need a consistent workspace); a virtual mail mailbox (for people who need a stable business address); or a mix of all three, up to a total of $500 in discounts per applicant.

Read here to learn everything you’ll need to know about eligibility and application, as well as the link to the application form. The Pearl Works is located at 288 Pearl Street in Downtown Old Monterey.

Stoke Adobe Restaurant and Bar is now open seven days a week for happy hour (4pm-5:30pm) and dinner (5pm-9pm). Plus, we're serving lunch on Saturdays and Sundays, 12pm-4pm.

See our daily dinner menu, our weekend lunch menu, and our happy hour menu on our website. We're located at 500 Hartnell Street in Downtown Old Monterey in a beautiful, historic adobe building with cozy indoor and outdoor seating.

You can always build your own tasting tour at The Whisky Club at 425 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey!

While The Whisky Club is known for our menu of 80 tasting tours based on region, distillery, or type of whiskies or other spirits, you can always select your own 1 ounce pours to sample and compare whatever unique expressions you wish.

The tour pictured here is Jack Daniel’s Frank Sinatra, Maker’s Mark BRT1, and Garrison Brothers' Lady Bird.

Ad Astra Bread Co presents our breakfast sandwich: frittata, breakfast sausage, Tillamook cheddar, chimichurri sauce, kewpie mayo, arugula, and milk bread.

Our breakfast sandwich is available daily until 11am (...because after 11 you should be eating lunch). Visit us for this and many other delights at 479 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey.

Manasiri's Crepes and Sandwiches is a family business. While you usually see the siblings behind the counter, our mama has been working hard behind the scenes to bring you a selection of homemade savory pastries every weekend.

Saturdays and Sundays, stop by Manasiri's and enjoy Mama's zaatar or halloumi cheese pastries. They're soft, fresh, and delicious. She's also been baking some fun mini pizzas and mini hot dogs, which everyone is loving.

You won't find Mama's savory pastries anywhere else in town but here at Manasiri's at 321 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey. It's homemade comfort food.

Throughout 2024, the Lighthouse District's own Escape Room 831 and Cannery Row's Oscar's Playground are supporting local nonprofit Central Coast Overdose Drug Prevention (CCODP) with Fundraiser Fridays.

Every Friday in 2024, Escape Room 831 and Oscar's Playground will donate a percentage of their proceeds for the day to CCODP. So you can have fun on Fridays while supporting an important initiative working to raise awareness and eliminate overdoses in Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties. Book your escape room here.

Escape Room 831's three New Monterey locations and Oscar's Playground on Cannery Row boast a total of 9 unique, wildly creative escape rooms plus a full arcade lounge only at Oscar's. Both businesses are owned and designed by local couple Christina and Barrie Riddoch.

Why focus on CCODP in 2024? Christina Riddoch commented, "We feel that overdosing is an epidemic that's affecting many families in Monterey County and there's a need to bring awareness to our community."

CCODP is an initiative that focuses on addressing substance use realities through harm reduction strategies, treatment options, and community support services. Their programs include NARCAN Now Boxes, offering free Naloxone at: Monterey Transit Plaza (500 Tyler Street), Monterey Police Department (351 Madison Street), and the Monterey Outreach and Navigation Center (401 Camino El Estero).

A couple of months ago we announced that the RetroFix in Downtown Campbell was intending to go out with a bang on April 14th.

There was a loud bang alright, but it wasn't the sound of RetroFix leaving. It was the sound of racous cheering when the shop's owner, Rudy, announced with his entire team and community standing there with him announced that at the last minute he was able to work something out with the building owner to continue building the community hangout and business that he'd been dreaming of building his entire life.

On their "last day" the RetroFix held what was to be their final swap meet and mini-con. Normally their mini-cons have a single theme. It's retro games, Anime, or collectible toys. As a farewell, they blended their two biggest communities for the last hurrah. The Anime people and the retro games people were all there together for a sendoff.

At the end of the event, Rudy gave a straight from the heart talk from memory where he thanked everyone who had sacrificed for him and with him to make the place even possible. Instead of saying goodbye, he teased that with this new lease on life, they have plans, but couldn't talk about them yet.

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