Beginning on November 1, Monterey Bay Aquarium will require all visitors age 12 and older to provide proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of their scheduled visit. View a full list of Covid testing sites in Monterey County here.

Staff, volunteers, and guests ages three and older are still required to wear a mask when inside at the Aquarium. Timed tickets remain available for purchase exclusively through the Aquarium's website .

Remember that restaurants, including Kyoto Palace Japanese Steakhouse, are still open for take-out. Get a great meal and support local businesses.

Great news for all who want a haircut! On Friday afternoon, it was announced by the California Department of Public Health that hair salons and barbershops in Monterey County are permitted to reopen for indoor services on Monday, August 31.

You're invited to call to your favorite hair professional and make an appointment, but please be patient - given the short notice, it may take our local artisans a few days to get up and running again.

When we lost Vince, we lost a big part of the soul of the shop and Snake and Butterfly just cannot continue without him.

By now, all of you have probably heard that California reopened on June 15. You may be asking: what does that mean?

It means that most, but not all, Covid-19 related public health orders have been lifted for all the lucky people who've been vaccinated. For people who haven't been vaccinated, the new rules are somewhat relaxed, but remain similar to what they were before.

As of June 15, businesses in Monterey's Lighthouse District no longer have any capacity limits and most 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.

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 remember that each small business is run by someone who has a family and is dealing with challenges that you can't see. While we're all thrilled to be starting the return to normal, the reality is that for people operating shops, restaurants, and services, things are still a long way from normal. 2021 is going to be a year of transition.

Please help us this year 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.

If you're vaccinated but still want to continue to wear a mask, you're welcome to do that regardless of what other people are doing around you.

What if you want to get vaccinated for Covid-19? Now is a great time to get vaccinated - there are many free vaccine appointments available in Monterey County . Increased vaccination rates protect your physical health as well as our economic health. We simply do not want to return to shutdowns and curfews. Vaccines are the most important tool we have to return California to a vibrant, growing, and healthy economy. Anda!

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.

At this time, in order to be admitted to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, all visitors ages 12 and over must present either proof of full vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test result (either rapid antigen or PCR test).

Please note that, beginning January 10, those Covid-19 tests will need to be taken within 24 hours of your visit. Results from at-home tests will not be accepted. Find information on Covid testing sites in Monterey County here .

The State of California has extended its indoor mask mandate through at least February 15 as Covid infection rates have risen dramatically since the holidays.

Please wear a high-quality mask over your nose and mouth and stay safe, everyone. You can find information on where to get Covid vaccines and boosters in Monterey County here .

All our Downtown Old Monterey businesses remain open, and many offer options for people wishing to be more cautious, including take-out service from restaurants and curbside pick-up and shipping from select retail shops.

Thanks from all of us to all of you, our valued customers and friends, for continuing to support locally-owned businesses!

We have a new indoor mask mandate in California which began Wednesday, December 15. But while we'll all be wearing our face masks in Monterey's Lighthouse District, we'll still be bringing our hometown-style cheer to the holidays!

Visit us and wear your face mask over your nose AND your mouth, lovelies. We look forward to seeing your beautiful eyes.