Have you seen the beautifully lit star in the patio garden at Pearl Hour? "Star Light" was built in 1984 by Kevin Hartley, the owner of Monterey’s legendary gay bar, After Dark, located here at 214 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey, 1975-1999.

Back in the day, the star shone down on everyone from its place on the roof above the doors that go from the upper patio to the inside bar. But the star went dormant during the two ownership changes between After Dark and Pearl Hour. It returned in 2019, when Zeeek lovingly resurrected this beautiful light source and fastened it to the cement wall in preparation for Pearl Hour's first New Year’s Eve party. It has remained there to this day.

In the evenings, when the sky is dark and the patio garden is dimly lit, look at the purple wall, have someone take a close up picture of your face and you’ll see… there are stars in your eyes.

New information: soon after we posted this information from Pearl Hour, the NMBA webmaster received a message from Sal Carbone, former owner of Carbone's Bar, located where Pearl Hour is now.

Sal claims the star was made by DeMaria, who owned the bar back when it was called Stars. Sal found the star on the roof of the back bar when he opened Carbone's, put it back together, plugged it in, and hung it on the roof of the bar for all the airline pilots and flight attendants (who were Carbone's regulars) to see when they flew over New Monterey.

Have you tried the breakfast enchiladas at Mission 19 Taqueria? This and all our Mexican breakfast dishes are served all day, every day at 598 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey. We're open Sunday - Thursday, 11am-8pm, and Friday -Saturday, 11am-9pm.

The Pearl Works, located at 288 Pearl Street in Downtown Old Monterey, is seeking local artists to submit pieces for their next art show, Symbiosis. This show will be a juried exhibition of emerging artists from around Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties whose various forms of art address the theme of symbiosis: mutually beneficial relationships between two groups or organisms.

This interdisciplinary selection of 2D visual art will create a conversation about the reciprocal relationships necessary for community development. Growth is only achieved through cooperation, support, and partnership.

Get more information and submit your art here by Saturday, August 5, 2023.

The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and Mercedes-Benz have chosen Monterey County Youth Museum as one of the local nonprofit organizations to benefit from their annual car drawing. The winner of the drawing will receive a beautiful new Compact Luxury Mercedes-Benz SUV GLA 250 (MSRP $40,695).

MY Museum has been given 2,000 tickets to sell for $100 per ticket. All funds raised will be used for MY Museum's educational programs and exhibits and will support our commitment to providing subsidized museum visits for schools and families in challenging circumstances.

The drawing will be held on August 20, 2023 at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance (you need not to be present to win). Tickets can be purchased in person at MY Museum, over the phone at 831-649-6444, or by reserving tickets online - we will call you for payment. Once payment is made we will mail you your tickets and receipt.

Help us bring joy and learning through play to children! Be assured that every time someone buys a ticket (or two or three) for the car drawing, MY Museum staff do the happy dance in the office.

Please note: winner of the car will be responsible for all applicable taxes, licensing, and transfer fees. Delivery is limited to within the USA only.

Alta Bakery and Cafe is happy to announce our July drink of the month, a bay laurel latte. Come and try it - we're located at 502 Munras Avenue in Downtown Old Monterey.

Exciting Week Ahead!

Join us for a week packed with fun and FREE activities! Here's what's coming up:

July 10th - Mindful Monday (Free)

July 11th - Open Gym Volleyball (Free with pre-registration)

July 12th - Touch a Truck Event (Free)

July 13th - Summer Concert at Orchard City Green (Free)

July 14th - Museum Family Day (Free)

July 15th - Ainsley House Tours (Free)

July 16th - Downtown Walking Tour (Free)

July 17th - Cornhole Contest (Free with pre-registration)

July 18th - Otter Pop Day (Free)

July 19th - Yoga in the Park (Free with pre-registration)

Mark your calendars and bring your friends and family along for a week filled with incredible experiences and unforgettable memories. Don't miss out on these fantastic opportunities!...Read More

Monterey History and Art at Stanton Center's newest exhibit is a tribute to the 177th anniversary of Sloat's Landing.

Journey through time and relive the pivotal moment of Sloat's Landing with an extraordinary exhibit and captivating documentary that unveil the significance and impact of this historic event in Monterey's history. A display of paintings and other items is on exhibit at the Stanton Center through July 31.

Immerse yourself in the rich history of Sloat's Landing in Monterey with a captivating 20-minute documentary featuring Thom Diggins that chronicles the pivotal event on July 7, 1846, transporting you back in time to witness the monumental landing and its profound impact on the region.

On July 7, 1846, commanded by Commodore John D. Sloat, the frigate Savannah and the sloops Cyane and Levant of the United States sailed into Monterey Bay to claim Alta California in the name of the United States. Captain William Mervine of the Cyane came ashore with a small party from the Savannah. At 7:30 a.m., Captain Mervine sought the surrender of the port. Mexican commandant, Capt. Mariano Silva said that he was "not authorized to surrender the place”. 225 sailors and marines from Sloat's three ships landed and gathered before the Custom House. Purser Rodman M. Price read Sloat's proclamation and posted it in English and Spanish, declaring that a state of war existed between the United States and Mexico and that "henceforth California would be a portion of the United States." The group then raised the flag of the United States at the Custom House. Each of the three ships fired a 21-gun salute to celebrate.

The Stanton Center is open Saturday through Thursday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The Sloat Landing Exhibit and Documentary is free to visitors.

Park and Recreation Month - July 10

Embrace Mindful Monday: A Time to Reflect and Cultivate Gratitude

Share with us how you cultivate gratitude. Email a photo and a brief description to laurenc@campbellca.gov with subject Mindful Monday to be entered into a drawing for a I heart Campbell t-shirt! Email by 11:59pm on Monday, July 10th.

For all Park and Recreation Month activities and events, visit www.campbellca.gov/prm. Share online and tag us @campbellrecreation on Instagram and Facebook.

Construction will take place in front of Monterey Public Library, July 6-13, 2023, replacing the sidewalk along Pacific Street.

During that time, the library will only be accessible through the back entrance. the Library's back parking lot will be closed to vehicles, and the book return on Pacific Street will be temporarily moved to the driveway.

Need a place to park when you visit the library? Parking Lot C, next to Colton Inn, will be open.

If you have questions or need to renew a book, please call library staff at (831) 646-3933.

The Coastal Roots Hospitality Group - including Montrio restaurant at 414 Calle Principal in Downtown Old Monterey - has designated MY Museum as the nonprofit recipient of its Pick It Up - Pay It Forward Program for July and August 2023.

What does this mean? When you order takeout food from Montrio, 10% of your order will automatically be donated to this nonprofit children's museum in Downtown Old Monterey where curiosity and creativity flourish and both children and adults can discover the thrill of lifelong learning. (Please note: this offer does not apply to delivery orders.)