This Week on the Central Coast…
A tribute to Chinese fishermen in Pacific Grove, a new mural in Santa Cruz, and plenty of adoptable animals.
Happy New Year everyone! Here’s to another year of good news on the central coast!
Monterey
Tipsy Putt hoping to open in February
Tipsy Putt, the much anticipated miniature golf pub, was supposed to open last fall. However, confusion about the allowed signage held up the opening.
The city granted Cannery Row Brewing Company special signage rules while it was open. But now that the restaurant has closed, those privileges have not passed on to Tipsy Putt. The golf pub proposed eight signs, but city guidelines didn’t allow it. After some discussion, the council agreed to four signs.
The new opening date has been moved to February 2024.
Request to Build a Traditional Chinese Pavilion in Pacific Grove
In the 1850s, a Chinese fishing village was founded in Pacific Grove. Approximately 50 years later, the village burned to the ground and city officials blocked its rebuilding. Now, the Monterey Bay Chinese Association wants to build a pavilion and moon wall in honor of their cultures' contributions to the area.
The original proposed location was at Elmarie Dyke Park next to Chautauqua Hall. However, city council was hesitant to grant approval due to the park’s controversial lineage - Elmarie Dyke was the woman who revived the Feast of Lanterns tradition after it had been banished after World War II.
While the council agrees with the idea of a pavilion and moon wall, they would like a different location to be chosen. One council member suggested a space behind the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.
Salinas
Hitchcock Road Animal Services Rolls Out New Website
Hitchcock Road Animal Services, just south of Salinas, has seen an increase in the number of adoptable pets this year. The shelter attributes the increase to the lack of spaying and neutering during the pandemic lockdowns.
“There are currently 6% to 8% more animals coming to shelters this year, an increase in the number of puppies and kittens because spaying and neutering programs fell behind during the pandemic”. To help bring more attention to the adoptable animals, Hitchcock Road Animal Services is starting a website that will be updated as soon as pets come in. The site is not up yet, but will be at Hitchcockroadanimals.org. Search features will help people narrow their search and find their perfect furry family member.
The shelter is currently in need of volunteers. If you would like to help, call (831)769-8850. You can also visit the shelter at Hitchcock Road Animal Services, located at 160 Hitchcock Road, southwest of Salinas. They are open Tuesday to Saturday, 1 to 4pm for adoptions.
Santa Cruz
City Arts Team Looking for Input on Bathroom Mural
The City of Santa Cruz City Arts Team is planning a wraparound mural on the exterior walls of the public restrooms on Beach Street. Before starting, the team surveyed local residents with a series of questions that would help inspire the mural. The survey “asks respondents to write about or draw how they wish visitors to the city would see and take care of the river, beach and community, what messages community members would like to share in general, what types of plants and animals respondents find near their homes and what respondents love about their neighbors and neighborhood”. The survey also asked what kind of cultural references residents would like represented in the mural.
The city has been working on several beautification projects. The Beach Street restroom mural is a part of it and they want the art to be a way of sharing what is important to the community with visitors. The survey is the first effort in the project and more discussions will happen before the design is finalized.
If you live in Santa Cruz and want to fill out the survey, you can do it here.
Santa Cruz County Group Prepares Puppies to be Guide Dogs
The Santa Cruz County Guide Dogs for the Blind Puppy Raisers Club is a local group that has been raising puppies for the past 35 years. The group recruits locals to teach puppies basic obedience and socialization skills before starting their formal guide dog training.
“The dogs are bred and provided by the San Rafael-based nonprofit Guide Dogs for the Blind, which serves the United States and Canada and has raiser clubs in 10 Western states.” The nonprofit is the oldest guide dog training group in the country, having been in existence since the 40s.
Raisers keep the pups for 15 to 18 months before sending them to San Rafael to finish their training. Raisers can track their pup’s progress and even attend their graduation ceremony. The organization says it tries to make it easy to recruit new raisers by picking up vet bills while the raisers are responsible for day-to-day expenses.
If you’re interested in raising a puppy or just want more information, visit Guide Dogs for the Blind at their website.