Here at Cult Taco, we have received tremendous support from locals in the Monterey Bay Area. One such is Amanda Little, who at 26 years old was forced to medically retire from the Coast Guard after serving for six years due to a rare vascular condition known as Nutcracker Syndrome. Amanda is now 28, has the goal of attending Brown University to be come a writer, and is facing an open-vascular-transplant surgery.

We have been lucky enough to get to know Amanda and her husband Stephen through countless visits here at Cult Taco. As some of you may know, part of our mission at Cult Taco is to support our community in the best possible way. We want to help Amanda bring awareness to this rare disease and help assist her with medical bills.

In order to do that, we are offering a silent auction to cater a dinner at your private home for up to 15 guests. We will make this event an unforgettable evening full of great food and drink to share with your friends and family. We will hold this silent auction until January 1, 2020. Bidding will start at $500 and the highest bidder will have a menu personally created by Chef Michelle Estigoy.

Please DM us through Facebook or Instagram for all bids and/or questions. Thank you so much for helping us support out amazing community!

Team Cult Taco
481 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey

Below are the showtimes for Osio Theater, December 13-19, 2019. Osio, a nonprofit movie theater dedicated to independent, foreign, and art films, is located at 350 Alvarado Street in Old Monterey. Purchase advance tickets on our website.

THE TWO POPES
Weekdays at 1:45pm, 4:15pm, 6:45pm
Sat & Sun at 11am, 1:45pm, 4:15pm, 6:45pm
At a key turning point for the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI forms a surprising friendship with the future Pope Francis. Inspired by true events. This film, directed by Fernando Meirelles, stars Jonathan Price and Anthony Hopkins. Watch the trailer.

HARRIET
Daily at 1:45pm, 4:30pm
Based on the thrilling and inspirational life of an iconic American freedom fighter, Harriet tells the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes. Her courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history. Watch the trailer.

THE AERONAUTS
Weekdays at 2pm
Sat & Sun at 11:30am, 2pm
Set in 1862, wealthy young widow Amelia Wren and headstrong scientist James Glaisher mount a balloon expedition to fly higher than anyone in history. This is a journey to the very edge of existence, where the air is thin and the chances of survival are slim. As their perilous ascent reveals their true selves, this unlikely pair discover things about each other - and themselves - that helps each of them find their place in the world they have left behind. Watch the trailer.

JOJO RABBIT
Weekdays at 1:30pm, 4pm, 6:30pm
Sat & Sun at 11:15am, 1:30pm, 4pm, 6:30pm
This World War II satire follows a lonely German boy whose world view is turned upside down when he discovers his single mother is hiding a young Jewish girl in their attic. Aided only by his idiotic imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler, Jojo must confront his blind nationalism. Watch the trailer.

MARRIAGE STORY
Daily at 4:15pm, 7pm
A stage director and his actor wife struggle through a grueling, coast-to-coast divorce that pushes them to their personal and creative extremes. This film, directed by Noah Baumbach, stars Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver, Laura Dern, and Merritt Wever. Watch the trailer.

PARASITE
Weekdays at 7pm
Sat & Sun at 11am, 7pm
Meet the Park Family: the picture of aspirational wealth. And the Kim Family, rich in street smarts but not much else. Be it chance or fate, these two houses are brought together and the Kims sense a golden opportunity. The Kims provide “indispensable...Read More

This month’s featured landmark home is the first J. C. Ainsley House at 84 North Third St. The Queen Anne cottage style house is estimated to have been built in 1874, on a 7 ½ acre ranch. It originally stood on the northeast corner of East Campbell Ave. and Winchester (Road) Blvd. Its story is another example how homes were saved rather than demolished by moving them to new locations as the township grew.

Yet another house built by George Whitney, it shows his talent for creating unique details in the Queen Anne Style. The wide shiplap siding made of clear heart redwood, was likely sourced in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Ornately carved brackets support the eaves, with cut scallop shaped shingles and decorative work underneath. The one story house with no basement and an unfinished attic, had a half story added in 1983. The addition maintains the exterior architectural integrity of the Queen Anne style.

When John Colpitts Ainsley first arrived in Campbell in 1887, he purchased this house and ranch lands. Originally from England, he came to the United States in 1884 to seek his fortune in America. While still a bachelor, Mr. Ainsley began to experiment with canning fruit on a stove in his backyard sheds. It was here that J.C. figured out how to keep our locally grown peaches, pears, apricots and prunes from spoiling, while maintaining their flavor and color. His canning methods allowed the fruits to be shipped back to eager buyers in England who were looking for quality above and beyond what they could get locally. J.C. Ainsley is credited with inventing canned fruit salad.

In 1891, his “Washboiler Cannery” produced a thousand cases of fruit. (See Jeanette Watson Campbell the Orchard City). Mr. Ainsley went on to become a highly successful business man, building the J.C. Ainsley Packing Company, while providing good employment for many of the town’s residents. He married a local young lady, Alcinda Shelly, on May 1, 1894 and they had two children.

In 1921, the Campbell Union School District purchased the house and property and built the Campbell Union Grammar School, now the Heritage Village Office Complex. The district moved the house to the rear of the property to make way for the new school building, where it was rented to the first school principal for $25 a month. At one point the house was converted to a Manual Arts shop for students when the principal’s wife decided their growing family needed more room.

During the Great Depression, the house was put up for sale, and in 1930, it was sold to the only bidder, the school custodian and volunteer fireman, Antone Ferro. Mr. Ferro bought the house for $150. In 1933, he moved the house once again, by using horses, a capstan and a system of 12 foot long wooden skids with short wooden rollers rather than a wheeled vehicle, to its current location on North Third St. This method of house moving was common in Campbell because it allowed the structures to be maneuvered...Read More

The Monterey Music Store is now offering local delivery for some of our bigger products such as amplifiers, electric pianos, and more. For further details, please visit us at 425 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey, or phone us at 831-372-5893.

Does your loved one need a smartphone upgrade this holiday season? I Point Cellphone Repair buys and sells used smartphones, and they're conveniently located at 801 Lighthouse Avenue, Suite A, in New Monterey.

Locally owned and operated, I Point repairs smart phones, tablets, laptops, and other personal computers in-house at very reasonable prices. They also carry smart phone accessories such as cables, chargers, and screen protectors, which make great stocking stuffers.

Having trouble with your device? I Point repairs charging ports, digitizers, cameras, and speakers. They even unlock cell phones. Visit them and let them help you with your smartphone and laptop woes!

Fashion Trade Boutique is offering 10% off your purchase to everyone who brings in an unwrapped children's toy for our toy drive this holiday season. Gifts will be donated to children attending the 34th annual holiday dinner on December 25 for people in need at Monterey County Fairgrounds. We also have a donation box for gently used clothing to be donated to families at this event.

Fashion Trade is located at 544 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.

As of December 8, 2019, Bull Dog British Pub (611 Lighthouse Ave) and Nacho Bizness (615 Lighthouse Ave) in Monterey have closed down temporarily for a big remodel and expansion. Don't worry - they'll be back in 2020 bigger and better than ever! We'll keep you posted.

The Old Monterey Business Association announces the 2019 Downtown Business Awards!

Best Downtown Small Business
Sur Burger

Most Inviting Business
MidiCi The Neapolitan Pizza Company

Best New Restaurant
Alta Bakery and Cafe

Most Innovative Business
Cult Taco

Best Downtown "Meet Up" Spot
TZONE Monterey

Best Window Display
Butterfly Boutique

Best Business Renovation
Peet's Coffee and Jacks Terrace at Portola Hotel & Spa

2019 It's Happening Now Award
Puma Road at Portola Plaza

Downtown Anchor Award
Rosine's Restaurant

Old Monterey Impact Award
Golden State Theatre / Selfieville

2019 Business Partnership
Language Capital of the World Cultural Festival

Best Downtown Holiday Traditional Event
Ice Skating by the Bay

Downtown Street Beat Award
Uretsky Security

Best New Downtown Community Event
Monterey Peninsula Pride Celebration

Best Downtown Beautification Project
Sandy Freeman & the Alvarado Maintenance District

In Great Appreciation
Louie Marcuzzo

The Old Monterey Business Association (OMBA) is a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing and promoting the economic vitality and community spirit of Old Monterey. We strive to enhance and promote the economic vitality and community spirit of Old Monterey as well as maintaining the Downtown as a unique retail, entertainment, and commercial center for both residents and visitors of Old Monterey.