The Monteery County Health Department and Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula present a free flu vaccine drive-thru clinic on Saturday, October 17, 10am-1pm, at Hartnell Professional Center, 576 Hartnell Street in Downtown Old Monterey. For more information, please click here.

This year, more than ever, it’s important to get your flu vaccine. This drive-thru clinic is offered free of charge to community members. Please follow the guidelines below:

1) All attendees must stay in their vehicle at all times
2) No walk-ups will be allowed for the safety of all attendees and staff
3) Health screenings will be conducted, including a temperature check
4) Masks are required at all times
5) Do not attend if you feel ill or have a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or have recently been diagnosed or exposed to COVID-19

Can't make it that day? View a complete list of free flu vaccine clinics in Monterey County in October.

Did you know the Campbell Library is the location of one of Santa Clara County's ballot drop off boxes? You can use these drop off locations instead of the USPS when returning your vote by mail ballots. Additionally, if you want to track your ballot to ensure that it's being processed, you can register for updates on your ballot's status at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov.

The ballot drop off box at the Campbell Library is at the base of the main entrance ramp next to the library's parking lot. If you don't live near Downtown Campbell, there are other ballot drop off locations around Santa Clara County.

Look up your closest location here: https://eservices.sccgov.org/Rov

Members of Monterey Bay Aquarium: grab your costumes! On Wednesday, October 28, 6:30pm-7:30pm, we're hosting a Halloween-themed Monterey Bay Aquarium Live event for Aquarium members only, featuring spooky (and family-friendly) fun in our Kelp Forest after dark.

Join our divers for our annual member-favorite Halloween dive show, then get ready to party as we bring you a virtual dance experience in your home, complete with live music! Not yet a member of Monterey Bay Aquarium? Become an Aquarium member today, join us for this fun online event, and support this amazing local institution!

Has your income been impacted by Covid-19? Is your Monterey One Water account past due? In collaboration with the County of Monterey and the United Way of Monterey County, a Covid-19 Emergency Utility Assistance Program is now available for Monterey One Water residential customers. This program is designed to provide utility relief for eligible households facing financial instability because of a loss or reduction of income due to COVID-19.

The program is available until all funds have been allocated or December 30, 2020, whichever comes first. Applications will be reviewed and approved on a first-come first-served basis. If approved, Monterey One Water will issue a one-time credit to the customer’s account in the amount of up to two billing cycles. Missed payments must have occurred between April 2020 through November 2020. View complete details here.

Everyone knows that New Monterey's beloved American Burger serves up fantastic beef burgers and pupusas, but did you know they also offer veggie burgers? Try their Ultimate Veggie Burger (pictured here) with grilled bell pepper, onions, mushrooms, and avocado. Delicious!

American Burger, a family-owned restaurant, is located at 738 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey and now offers take-out, curbside pick-up, delivery, and outdoor dining.

Did you know? California State Department of Healthcare Services now offers a free Covid-19 Medi-Nurse Phone Line at 1-877-409-9052. If you are uninsured or have Medi-Cal but don't have a regular doctor, the Covid-19 Medi-Nurse Line can connect you with a nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to talk about Covid-19 symptoms and help you find local health resources.

Medi-Nurse provides services in multiple languages, with steps in place that allow callers to access interpreters as needed. They can help you understand if your symptoms might be related to Covid-19, determine whether you need to self-isolate, decide if you need to see a doctor to get tested and/or treated, and help you connect with a Medi-Cal provider who can get you enrolled in the program.

If you have a regular doctor or health plan, call them first. If you don't, the Medi-Nurse can help!

Here is your chance to let The Foolish Times know who offers the best pizza in Monterey County.

Chicago Deep Dish, New York Thin Crust, St. Louis Cracker Crust, Detroit Square, California Style or the original Neapolitan. So many choices and all tasty...even with pineapple!

Winners will be reviewed in the November issus of Foolish Times.

To celebrate Monterey Bay Aquarium’s 36th anniversary, the Aquarium's Store is introducing its newest line, the Sea Sketches Collection, featuring art and illustrations by the Aquarium's Executive Director, Julie Packard. Her beautiful sketches of marine life in Monterey Bay have been transformed into clothing, glassware, and other gift items. Support the Aquarium in style and visit the online store today!

Each item is Fair Trade Certified and made by companies exhibiting positive social and environmentally progressive standards. Many items are the product of woman-owned companies, in the U.S. and internationally. The Aquarium deliberately works with vendor partners who do business in ways that advance social justice for their workers.

Attention all ghouls and goblins: Monterey Museum of Art (or, shall we say, the Monsterey Booseum of Art?) is getting creepy and creative for their next virtual Free Family Fun Day on Saturday, October 24, 11am-5pm! They’ll be sharing art projects all day that are sure to give you chills and thrills. (But mostly thrills!) Come join in the family fun! Details available soon on the museum's website.

In its physical (non-ghostly) incarnation, Monterey Museum of Art is located at 559 Pacific Street in Downtown Old Monterey.