We have some bad news for you fans of fine artisanal burgers. Brown Chicken Brown Cow closed their doors quietly this weekend without any fanfare. They just posted a farewell message on their Instagram account.

BCBW's owner, Chris Yamashita has been an integral part of the Downtown Campbell community for many years and also served faithfully on the board of the Downtown Campbell Business Association for a good number of them. He didn't just run one of your favorite restaurants. He gave back... a lot.

One thing few people see about small businesses is that the people behind them have lives and the people behind them are so integral to it that you can't always keep the two separated. Sometimes the special sauce is the person who started it.

Life took Chris to Sacramento several years ago. Somehow he managed to endure an extreme commute for the past few years to run a much beloved restaurant. Honestly, I have no idea how he managed to do it for as long as he did.

We're sad about this, but hope that closing the doors to Brown Chicken Brown Cow gives Chris the freedom to pursue new things and live life on his own terms that's best for him and his family.

Thanks for the many great years in Campbell, Chris and the entire BCBC crew! We're gonna miss you.

Calling all party people! High Scores Arcade is now accepting 2-hour private party bookings for our location at 459 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey. Here's your chance to have the entire arcade all to yourself!

We offer free play on all games, no tokens required; a 6-foot folding table for the drinks and snacks you bring; and a dedicated High Scores host to provide game assistance and help set up and break down the party.

Please visit our website for all the details and to place your booking. Please note: because of the vintage nature of our arcade games, we do not host parties for children under 8 years old.

In honor of the season, Paris Bakery now has Halloween cookies! You'll find pumpkins, ghosts, bats, and more. They're a delight for the young and young-at-heart. Visit us at 271 Bonifacio Place in Downtown Old Monterey.

The Lighthouse District's annual Movie in the Park on Saturday, September 16, a screening of the surf classic "North Shore," drew a wonderful crowd of people of all ages and had a great community atmosphere. A fun time was had by all! See the photos here.

We want to thank everyone who joined us for a movie night under the stars and helped make it such a good time. Thanks also to our stalwart volunteers who set up and took down the equipment and the 13 businesses along Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey who chipped in to sponsor the event and keep it free for the community. Please stop by and thank them if you have a chance.

Originally posted at Cloud City Supply's website: Ask Amy: The Important Distinction You Need To Know Between Hemp & Marijuana

One of the biggest challenges in the ever-evolving world of cannabis is the confusion between the different subspecies. Hemp often gets a bad rap due to its association with the notorious reputation of marijuana. And that’s not to mention all the other compounds and extracts that stem from the estimated 700 strains of cannabis. Each has a distinct, intricate set of characteristics, uses, and legal implications. In this blog, we’re asking the owner of Cloud City Supply to elaborate on the important details you need to know about the difference between hemp and marijuana.

Hemp vs. Marijuana

Characteristics

Hemp and marijuana both come from the cannabis plant. However, each is produced and used for its own purpose, independent of the other. The primary distinction is in their chemical composition, namely the levels of tetrahydrocannabinoil (THC). THC is the intoxicating compound that often precedes the plant’s overall reputation. Legally speaking, hemp is defined as a cannabis plant that contains less than 0.3% THC.

You can even tell the difference between hemp and marijuana plants just by looking at them. Hemp plants are tall and skinny and have fibrous stalks with fewer leaves. Comparatively, marijuana plants are shorter and bushier, featuring a broader array of leaves and flowering buds.

Use

Hemp is mainly produced for industrial use due to its nutritious source of proteins and fatty acids. It is commonly found in textiles, paper products, bioplastics, and construction materials. The 0.3% THC limit exists to ensure these products and materials are non-psychoactive. Conversely, marijuana is specifically cultivated for its THC content which can range anywhere from 5% to 30% or more, classifying it as a potent, psychoactive drug used for recreational and medicinal purposes. Furthermore, CBD, another hemp-derived extract of the cannabis plant is famous in alternative medicine for its highly effective yet non-intoxicating therapeutic benefits, yet is still often confused with the notoriety of marijuana.

The psychoactive properties of marijuana have proven to successfully manage various medical conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, nausea, and sleep. However, to that effect, its relaxing and euphoric impact has also driven a complicated legal history that varies depending on location.

Legality

On a global scale, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the legal status of hemp nor marijuana. Each...Read More

Out walking Fido along Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey? Lighthouse Books is a dog-friendly shop! Bring in your well-behaved mutt, we'll give them a little treat at the front desk, and you can browse through our extensive collection of used books together.

Lighthouse Books is a small, owner-operated business located at 600 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey (corner of Lighthouse and Hoffman). We're open Sun-Thu, 11am-7pm, and Fri-Sat, 11am-8pm.

Calling all golfers! InSight Eyewear offers Shamir Golf lenses. This is a Freeform lens designed to ensure that you experience your perfect golf game.

Unlike standard progressive lenses, the three vision zones in the lens are specifically tailored to the needs of golfers to maximize their viewing: the scorecard in your hand, the ball at your feet, and the green in the distance. (The secret is in the peripheral vision.) Shamir Golf provides sharp focus without distortion in these crucial areas.

Visit InSight Eyewear at 490 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey for more information.

Epicenter Cycling invites you to bring in your old bike helmet now through September 30, 2023, and we'll give you $20 off a brand new one here. Epicenter has a wide range of helmets to choose from. Visit us at 230 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey and mention the special code at the bottom of this page to receive your discount. (Limit one per customer; no cash value.)

When it comes to keeping your noggin safe, it's important to wear a helmet designed specifically for the type of cycling you enjoy. For example, mountain biking options range from half dome styles to full face for optimum protection; road cycling helmets boast an aerodynamic, well-ventilated design.

Helmets should be replaced every 3-5 years, or immediately after a crash (whether you see cracks in it or not). Proper fit and regular helmet maintenance are also key to your safety as well.