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Plato's Closet Reopens January 30

Posted on January 28th, 2021 by Plato's Closet

Now that the stay-at-home order has been lifted and we're back in the Purple Tier of California's Covid regulations, Plato's Closet is reopening for business on Saturday, January 30 at 10am. Come and shop for gently used teen and young adult clothing and accessories at 402 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey. We've missed you!

Please keep in mind that we're limiting the number of people in the store at one time, requiring all staff and customers to wear masks, and enhancing our hourly cleaning.

On Valentine's Day, surprise him...by taking someone else to the beach! But seriously, folks, Pocket Change Restaurant is offering some nice picnic baskets full of food and drink for you and yours. They'd be perfect for an outing on or around Valentine's Day. Be sure to phone Pocket Change soon to place your order, 831-643-9169. Supply is limited.

Pocket Change Restaurant, your source for comfort food that will tickle your taste buds, is located at 204 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.

The Perfect Crumb Bakery needed to take a little time off over the holidays, but we're reopening on Thursday, February 4 for take-out and curbside pick-up. Come on down and enjoy our fresh baked cookies, cakes (and cake slices), breads, coffee drinks, and more! It seems like we could all use a little comfort food these days.

Our owner and head baker, Susan Carter, will be back in the kitchen, whipping up sweet treats just for you. New hours are Thursday - Sunday, 8am-2pm. We're located at 301 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.

We have wonderful news about the end of the end of the Governor's Stay-at-Home order... or maybe it's terrible. Whatever it is, most people are confused and many are angry about its abrupt end. Let's all take a deep breath and unpack why the order was ended and what it means.

The recently terminated Stay-at-Home order was a blunt instrument deployed at a moment of great urgency and was at least in part designed to fight the effects of holiday travel and gatherings exacerbating an already rising infection surge. The system of colored tiers that is formally known as the Blueprint for a Safer Economy was devised as a much more nuanced set of everyday measures designed to best balance the needs of public health with the needs of a functioning economy so that we can have a functioning society.

That we are no longer under a stay-at-home order should not be seen as an all clear signal nor any indication that things are fine. It merely means that without the looming threat of a surge upon a surge from holiday gatherings, our public health officers believe that our regular "Blueprint" colored tiers framework for regulating allowable activities should be sufficient to navigate our way back down.

We're on the right track, but we have a long way to go so we need everyone to be their most responsible selves for at least another two months. Our infection rate trajectory (the R number) is encouraging, but the total number of active infections is still very high so we are still in a very uncertain situation that's about the same as when the stay-at-home order was issued.

Now that we're back in the Purple Tier, it means that restaurants will start opening for outdoor dining and you can get salon, beauty, and wellness appointments with restrictions. If you choose to come see us, more than ever follow the rules to the letter or don't come. You'll just land us right back in another shutdown. Keep your mask on, maintain distance, and do not gather with people outside of your household.

What's Open in the Purple Tier

Most businesses are allowed to be open in at least some capacity in the purple tier, but call ahead to make sure they're open and have availability for you. Some businesses have not re-opened yet and even when they do re-open, they may be operating under erratic hours so please be patient and understand the great difficulty that they're working under.

Masks must be worn at all times except when it's physically not possible to wear one.

  • All retail stores limited to 25% capacity.
  • Restaurants open for outdoor dining and takeout only.
  • Bars can operate as restaurants. You have to order food if you want a beer.
  • Fitness studios can operate outdoors.
  • Salons, Skin Care, Massage are open.
  • Entertainment centers can operate outdoors.

For salons...Read More

MY Museum presents an engaging online conversation with New York Times bestselling author Katherine Center followed by a Q&A on Saturday, February 13, at 4pm. Tickets are $20-$65. All proceeds go to MY Museum to support the nonprofit organization during its temporary closure during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Katherine Center is the author of several novels about love and family: The Bright Side of Disaster, Everyone Is Beautiful, Get Lucky, and The Lost Husband. Her books and essays have appeared in Redbook, People, USA Today, Vanity Fair, and Real Simple as well as in numerous anthologies.

Katherine believes joy is just as important as sorrow. That’s why her stories are always about resilience and struggle and finding ways to savor life’s moments of grace. That’s why her characters joke around so much, even in the shadow of hardship. And that’s why Katherine will never, ever, run the main character over with a bus in the final chapter.

Katherine is a graduate of Vassar College and the University of Houston’s Creative Writing Program. She lives in Houston with her husband and two children.

Alta Bakery and Cafe is offering a romantic dinner for two to-go on Valentine's Day, February 14. Price is $145 per couple. Please pre-order online. Alta is located at 502 Munras Avenue in Downtown Old Monterey

Valentine's Day Dinner Menu To-Go

Salad of Watercress, Arugula, Frisee
vanilla roasted beets, citrus, feta cheese, and pecans

Main Course of Beef Wellington
with creamed spinach, wild mushrooms, everything seed roasted carrots

Chocolate Pot de Creme
with sour cream whip, chocolate streusel

And for the Morning After...
2 slices of banana bread

Outdoor Dining, Hair Salons, Personal Services Return to Monterey

Posted on January 25th, 2021 by lighthouseave

Great news, everyone! On January 25, 2021, the California Department of Public Health announced that the recent Regional Stay-at-Home Order has lifted and regions throughout California have reentered the Purple Tier of Covid-19 restrictions.

This means that restaurants may now offer outdoor dining and hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, skin care spas, massage studios, and tattoo parlors may reopen.

You're invited to call to your favorite hair professional or personal service provider and make an appointment. But please be patient - the announcement was a surprise, and it may take a day or two for businesses to get up and running again.

The coronavirus remains prevalent here, so please continue to follow the mask and social distancing protocols required by Monterey County to keep everyone safe. Be aware that most restaurants continue to offer take-out, curbside pickup, and delivery, while many retail stores welcome orders online and over the phone along with curbside pickup and shipping.

Great news, everyone! On January 25, 2021, the California Department of Public Health announced that the recent Regional Stay-at-Home Order has lifted and regions throughout California have reentered the Purple Tier of Covid-19 restrictions.

This means that restaurants may now offer outdoor dining and hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, skin care spas, massage studios, and tattoo parlors may reopen.

You're invited to call to your favorite hair professional or personal service provider and make an appointment. But please be patient - the announcement was a surprise, and it may take a day or two for businesses to get up and running again.

The coronavirus remains prevalent here, so please continue to follow the mask and social distancing protocols required by Monterey County to keep everyone safe. Be aware that most restaurants continue to offer take-out, curbside pickup, and delivery, while many retail stores welcome orders online and over the phone along with curbside pickup and shipping.

Youth Arts Collective invites you to visit our virtual Valentine's Art Show featuring new artwork by YAC students. Our online art exhibit and store will open on February 10 on our website and run through April 2021. Support young artists from our community!

Youth Arts Collective is a nonprofit art studio and mentorship program for motivated high school and college artists. Our mission is to inspire creativity, kindness, and confidence in our youth through expression and mutual respect. YAC continues to operate, in a socially-distanced manner, during the pandemic.

Do art. Be kind.

Paris Bakery is offering a delightful selection of treats in honor of Valentine's Day. These make perfect gifts for loved ones of all ages...or for yourself! Please phone 831-394-7798 to place your order and for more information. Paris Bakery, a family-operated business, is located at 271 Bonifacio Place in Downtown Old Monterey.

Paris Bakery - Valentine's Day Specials
Heart shaped cookies
Heart shaped sables
Chocolate dipped strawberries
Heart shaped bread
Heart shaped chocolate ganache
Heart shaped raspberry lemon mousse
Heart shaped mona lisas
Heart shaped chocolate bomb
Heart shaped princess cake

For a limited time only, RubyStar Gems and Gifts is holding a massive sale, featuring 50% off all jewelry, crystals, gemstones, and elegant clutch purses. We have a wide variety of items that would make lovely Valentine's Day gifts.

Visit us at 570 Munras Avenue, Suite 40, or phone us at 831-920-2730. We are happy to offer curbside pick-up on request.

Venture Gallery is proud to feature the work of several local artists who make metal, glass, and mixed media jewelry and gifts that would make wonderful Valentine's Day presents. Listed below are a few of the items and prices.

Venture Gallery is located at 260 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey. It is now open for in-store shopping Thursday-Monday, 10am-6pm.

Valentine Gift Ideas from Venture Gallery Artists
(photos below)

Maria Poroy
Heart reproductions on metal ready to hang - $67
Heart reproductions on paper - $35+
Heart reproductions, sets of 4 coasters - $35

Johna Toy Thomas
Sterling silver heart earrings, 1 1/4" long - $26
Copper drop earrings, 1 1/2" long - $28

Vanessa Martin
White coin pearl spiral earrings - $52
Abalone, pearl, & sterling silver earrings - $68
Abalone & freshwater pearl necklace, silver clasp - $175

Lilly Campos
Spring heart, glass - $315
Aquarium pendant, glass - $69

Recording of Monterey County's Covid-19 Vaccine Info Session

Posted on January 21st, 2021 by lighthouseave

Did you miss Monterey County Health Department's Covid-19 Vaccine Informational Session, broadcast live on January 14? Don't worry - there's a recording!

In this YouTube video, you'll hear Dr. Ed Moreno and Kristy Michie, of Monterey County Public Health talk about how the vaccine works, how the vaccine is being allocated in the county, and at what point you'll be eligible to receive one.

Want some up-to-the-minute written information on Covid vaccines in Monterey County? Check out this Q&A piece written on January 13 by Pam Marino of Monterey County Weekly, and her January 21 vaccine update. Her reporting on the issue has been great.

Lighthouse District SIP Mall

Posted on January 21st, 2021 by lighthouseave

Retail in Monterey's Lighthouse District is open for in-store shoppers, but if you're sheltering-in-place, there are additional options available at our SIP Mall.

All the stores listed in the SIP Mall offer shopping either online or over the phone plus no-contact curbside pick-up, delivery, and/or shipping. It's a great way to support locally-owned shops while staying safe during the pandemic.

Essential Spray Blends at Lilify

Posted on January 21st, 2021 by Lilify

As we stay close to home, a dose of forest calm is most invigorating. Formulated to relax, recharge, and fortify, Lilify's custom blended, small batch essential spray blends are handmade in California by Aiden & Coco.

The FOREST blend offers pine scotch, douglas fir, and cedar wood to mist above and around your face and shoulders or directly on your body, neck, or hair.

All five of Lilify's special scent blends are available online for curbside pick-up or shipping and in our shop at 281 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.

New men’s vintage cargo jeans have arrived at Cypress Boutique Monterey! These slim cargo pants have just the right amount of stretch. Features include front and back pockets plus cargo pockets on the sides. Come in and explore the different styles and colors to choose from.

Looking for something that's super comfortable for work or play? Try our men's moto joggers. They feature an elastic waistband with drawstring closure, branded cuffs, two side pockets, and two side-entry zippered pockets with heat sealed stretch fabric.

Visit Cypress Boutique at 800 Lighthouse Ave, Suite C in Monterey. We also welcome phone orders for curbside pick-up or shipping, 831-383-2769. Open Tues-Sun, 11:30am-6pm.

ZenTangle Art *Virtual* (5-12 yrs)

“Untangle” your kids creativity with this Artistic Meditation. This method helps aspiring artists create beautiful pictures and scenes through drawing abstract, structured patterns with step-by-step instructions from our Certified ZenTangle instructor. You create tangles with combinations of dots, lines, simple curves, S-curves and orbs. Let’s get into some serious doodling and you will know there is no limit to creativity.

Cartoons and Concept *Virtual* (5-12 yrs)

An hour of creativity delivered to you with art supplies easily available at home. You just need some markers, sharpie, pencil, paper and eraser. Everyone can draw cartoons with a few simple techniques. This cartooning course will enable students to conceptualize and produce an original cartoon character and its background. Students will learn how to create their own cartoon characters with front, side and back profiles, create and design backgrounds and environments for their characters and to create movements and poses. The course will be incredibly interactive and keep kids on track with their learning.

Pastel Art Technique *Virtual* (5-12 yrs)

Pastels are an amazing medium that with good guidance can make an Artist out of a Rookie. This Online class can be attended with some oil and chalk pastels. Kids learn blending and shading using pastels. You won't believe the results from this fun for all, skill enhancing workshop. No experience necessary. Kids get instructions in real-time and have live interactions with their coach and other kids in their small group. Join us and experience virtual learning until we can reunite in our classroom.

Paint Party *Virtual* (5-12 yrs)

Let your creative juices flow and alleviate your creative dormancy, come and explore the world of painting with OutOfTheBoxKids. This class will inspire kids to embrace their inner maker, get their hands dirty and paint their mind and heart out. We will be painting the winter wonderland, sunset landscape, valentine puppy, etc. This class is hands on with lots of guidance and support. All you need is paints, brushes, palette, A4 size paper, pencil and eraser.

Checkmate Chess *Virtual* (5-12 yrs)

Chess can raise ones IQ, increase creativity and problem solving skills and improve memory, concentration, and reading skills. This class covers a complete introduction to the chess pieces. The main focus is to teach kids the different movements and values, to understanding and strategizing on good trades versus bad trades, to ending the game with a checkmate! Everyone’s skill level is taken into account, as our coaches are dedicated to providing the most rewarding experience for your child.

CENTR Now at East Village Cafe

Posted on January 20th, 2021 by East Village Cafe

East Village Cafe now has CENTR in our grab-and-go fridge - a refreshingly light, sparkling CBD-infused drink with notes of citrus. East Village Cafe is located at 498 Washington Street in Downtown Old Monterey and is open daily, 7am-3pm, for take-out. To order this and all our other drinks and bakery treats in advance for pick-up or delivery, please click here.

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