Alta Bakery and Cafe is offering a romantic dinner for two to-go on Valentine's Day, February 14. Price is $145 per couple - view the menu here . Alta is located at 502 Munras Avenue. Please pre-order dinner online.

On Jan. 25, the California Dept. of Public Health announced that the recent Regional Stay-at-Home Order has lifted and regions throughout California have reentered the Purple Tier of Covid-19 restrictions.

This means that restaurants may now offer outdoor dining and hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, skin care spas, massage studios, and tattoo parlors may reopen.

The coronavirus remains prevalent, so please continue to follow the mask and social distancing protocols required by Monterey County. Be aware that most restaurants continue to offer take-out, curbside pickup, and delivery, while many retail stores welcome orders online and over the phone along with curbside pickup and shipping.

For a limited time only, RubyStar Gems and Gifts is holding a massive sale featuring 50% off all jewelry, crystals, gemstones, and clutch purses. We have a wide variety of items that would make lovely Valentine's Day gifts. Visit us at 570 Munras Avenue, Suite 40.

Did you miss Monterey County Health Department's Covid-19 Vaccine Informational Session, broadcast live on January 14? Don't worry - there's a recording !

In this YouTube video , you'll hear Dr. Ed Moreno and Kristy Michie, of Monterey County Public Health, talk about how the vaccine works, how the vaccine is being allocated in the county, and at what point you'll be eligible to receive one.

Prefer up-to-the-minute written information on Covid vaccines in Monterey County? Check out this Q&A piece written on January 13 by Pam Marino of Monterey County Weekly, and her January 21 vaccine update. Her reporting on the issue has been great.

The tunnel is long, but there's a light at the end of it.

As we stay close to home, a dose of calm is most invigorating. Formulated to relax, recharge, and fortify, Lilify's custom blended, small batch essential spray blends are handmade in California by Aiden & Coco.

All five of Lilify's special scent blends are available online for curbside pick-up or shipping and in our shop at 281 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.

On The Beach Surf Shop invites you to stop by and check out some of our Buell soft top surfboards before we sell out...again. On The Beach is located at 693 Lighthouse Avenue.

Enjoy a Virtual Sweet and Sparkling Build-a-Cookie Social, a fundraiser for PacRep Theatre, on Saturday, Feb. 13 at 4:30pm. This online event will feature a cookie decorating workshop by Paris Bakery, a wine and cookie pairing class by Albatross Ridge, and entertainment by the PacRep All-Stars and SoDA Kids. Please register online by Feb. 7.

Want to have some fun with your little one on Valentine's Day? Haute Beauty Guide has a wide selection of gifts and activities for small children, including lollipops, crayons, dolls, and books (including a Valentine's Day themed Baby Shark book). Check out the selection online! The shop is located at 71 Pearl Street and also features skin care, home decor, and gift items for women . Curbside pick-up and shipping available.

Shortly after the New Year, El Guapo's announced that they were closing temporarily.

Monterey Public Library is currently accepting applications for Collections Volunteers, age 18 and older, to sort books and other materials, collect holds, straighten shelves, shelve books and materials, and more. For more information and to fill out a volunteer application form, please click here . The library is located at 625 Pacific Street.

Montrio Bistro, located at 414 Calle Principal, has extended its "Pick It Up - Pay It Forward" fundraising campaign. Through Feb. 28, 10% of all proceeds from all take-out orders made at Montrio will be donated to JCM United. (Please note: this does not apply to delivery orders.)

For a limited time at Mattress Nation, receive $399 worth of accessories free with every Nectar memory foam mattress you purchase, including mattress protector ($99), sheet set ($150), and premium pillows ($150). Visit our website to check out our selection of Nectar mattresses or visit us at 296 Lighthouse Avenue.

The owner of Play Full Ground, artist Mai Ryuno, has begun a new collaborative art and fashion project with local artist Linda Lay: Relation, Fashion, Creation, Connection (RfCC). RfCC seeks to inspire and connect people, building authentic relationships through artistic creation and technology.

Through RfCC, Linda and Mai design and create clothes for each other, communicating their thoughts and their creative process via videos on YouTube and Instagram . Everyone is invited to watch the videos and participate in their fun creative journey through social media.

Chef Delfino has introduced a new special at Alvarado Street Brewery and Grill. The Fried Calamari Sandwich features fried tubes and tentacles, tartar sauce, alfalfa sprouts, tomato, red onion, jalapeno aioli, brioche bun, and is served with your choice of fries or salad.

Located at 426 Alvarado Street, they're now open for take-out Wed-Sun, 12-7pm. Check out the menu and give them a call at 831-655-2337 to place your order for pick-up.