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.

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

Shear Addiction is excited to announce we're participating in an online Instagram auction, Change Happens Together , August 21-25, to support Kinship Center. Mark your calendars! Funds from the auction will go directly to Kinship Center to help provide adoption and foster care services to children and youth on California's Central Coast.

Besties Boutique moved recently and made its debut over a Zoom video conference. Maria held a virtual Sip and Shop to show off all the items she had prepared for a big grand opening party at her new location...

Monterey Firefighters and Pacific Grove Kiwanis are teaming up to provide presents to families in need this holiday season and they need your help! They are seeking donations of new toys only. You can make your donation at Fire Stations #11-15 , including the fire station located at 600 Pacific Street. Donations will be accepted until the morning of Saturday, December 19.

Great news! Old Capitol Books, a locally-owned new and used bookstore, is reopening on Thursday, April 8 at our new home on the second floor of 482 Alvarado Street. We'll be open Thur-Sun, 12pm-6pm.

If you enter through the front doors, you can either use the elevator or the stairs to get to the second floor. Accessible parking is located behind the building at 499 Calle Principal. From there, you can enter through the back door of the building directly onto the second floor. Come say hello!

The Old Monterey Business Association is happy to announce that Monterey County moved from the most restrictive Purple Tier into the Red Tier on Tuesday, March 16.

What this means for businesses in Monterey is:

Restaurants are allowed 25% indoor dining in addition to current outdoor dining, take-out, curbside pick-up, and delivery (please view our Dining Guide to see what's available - it's updated daily)

Retail shops can increase in-store shopping to 50% capacity

Entertainment venues (such as movie theaters, the Aquarium, etc.) can open at 25% capacity

Fitness studios and gyms can open indoors at 10% capacity

It is extremely important that we all continue to follow health requirements such as wearing masks and social distancing so that Monterey County stays in the Red Tier and we're able to progress to the Orange and Yellow Tiers, which have even fewer restrictions. Vaccinations are increasing and hospitalizations are decreasing, but the pandemic is not over yet.

This move into the Red Tier reflects all the hard work the business community and our residents have done so far. Congratulations on a job well done and keep it up, Monterey!

Trying to decide between pick-up or delivery from your favorite restaurant? If you want to support small, locally-owned businesses, pick-up is the way to go.

Most small eateries in New Monterey's Lighthouse District are operated by the owner and a handful of employees. The margins are small. Delivery charges can be expensive for restaurants, and in these tough times, every bit counts.

Don't want to wait onsite? Place your order in advance over the phone or online. Don't want to go indoors? Some restaurants offer curbside pick-up on request - they're listed in our online Dining Guide . You can enjoy great take-out food and stay safe from coronavirus!

Gasper's Jewelers, located at 447 Alvarado Street, offers beautiful and elegant holiday gifts. Owner Gasper Spadaro is now taking phone orders for his top-selling Everlasting Hand-Dipped 24k Gold Roses as well as custom made jewelry. Please phone him at 831-594-2773 to discuss your order and place your deposit.

The Downtown Campbell temporary parklet program has been extended once again. The program is now scheduled to continue until October 2022.

Well, this is going to come as a big disappointment for a lot of people, but we're going to have to call off the Bunnies and Bonnets Parade for another year.

Most of you have probably heard that the State of California and Monterey County lifted the indoor mask mandate on February 16 for people who are vaccinated for Covid.**

As of February 16, businesses in Monterey's Lighthouse District are not required to enforce masking and social distancing for anyone who's been vaccinated. Keep in mind that they can still request that everyone wear a mask while on their premises.

Please remember that each small business is run by someone who has a family and is dealing with challenges that you can't see. If a business is still requiring everyone to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status, they surely have a good reason for doing so.

Please help us by being your most compassionate and understanding self. If wearing a mask is not something you're willing to do, just take your money to another business until their rules change.

What if you want to keep wearing a mask? If you're vaccinated but still want to wear a mask, that's your business. You're allowed to do that regardless of what other people are doing around you.

**Not vaccinated? Please keep your mask on indoors. Want to get vaccinated and/or boosted? You can make an appointment here.