This Week on the Central Coast…
A classic Carmel restaurant changes hands, the Music in the Forest Concert series kicks off, and Cabrillo College plans support for its students-in-need.
Monterey
Cantinetta Luca transitioning to a new owner
David Fink, owner of Cantinetta Luca in Carmel-by-the-Sea, is selling the restaurant to his head chef, Jason Balistreri.
Balistrieri, who grew up making gnocchi with his grandma, doesn’t plan on making any big changes on the menu. He loves the way it focuses on local, seasonal ingredients while making as many menu items (such as the salami and pasta) in-house. However, he does plan on adding more Italian wines to the wine list and expanding the cocktail offerings.
As a new owner, he’s excited to spend more time with his customers. “Being shackled to the stove makes it difficult to get out and meet the customers who have been your biggest supporters over the years and talk to people one on one.”
Carmel will try paid-parking again
Recently, the Carmel City Council identified traffic congestion and parking as top priorities. This has lead to the inception of the Parking and Congested Traffic Program (PACT).
Previous attempts to implement paid-parking were shot down when locals did not approve of how the parking kiosks looked. Residents didn’t think the machines matched the overall atmosphere that Carmel tries to bring.
Studies conducted by the city showed that parking spaces were consistently filled (sometimes by employees) and made it difficult for anyone to find parking close to the places they wanted to shop. Many people had to circle the blocks several times before finding a free space. The city hopes that by turning the main shopping areas (between Junipero Avenue and Monte Verde Street and 5th and 8th streets) into paid parking, employees will be less likely to park in them, leaving more spaces for visitors.
Before making it official, the city council will have several public meetings where locals can voice their concerns, ask questions, and make comments about the program. The schedule of upcoming meetings can be found at the end of the article, or at the Carmel City website.
The Forest Theater is kicking off its concert series with a fundraiser
The Forest Theater’s annual Music in the Forest Concert Series will start with a fundraiser to support the Veterans Transition Center of California (VTC), specifically the Music Therapy Room. The Music Therapy room is currently located in the basement of the center, which is in Martinez Hall, formerly the headquarters of the Fort Ord Army Installation in Marina. With the fundraiser, the VTC hopes to make a dedicated music room in the Old Veterans Affairs Clinic near CSUMB.
“The VTC offers many programs, services and housing for veterans, and the music therapy room will help enhance the feeling of community, improve mood and reduce stress while giving the vets a sense of accomplishment and an opportunity to learn”
Advanced tickets to each concert are $20, or can be bought at the door for $25. Discounted tickets are available for those who are under eighteen years old for $15 each.
Santa Cruz
Cabrillo College discusses expanding its hybrid learning opportunities
A $3 million grant was secured by Jimmy Panetta for Cabrillo College in order to help “bridge the digital divide for traditionally underserved students across the country.”
The school recognizes how important hybrid learning has become, especially now that technology has made it easier and since COVID made it a necessity. It helps students who may have trouble making it to classes in-person due to a number of reasons, such as a lack of transportation, childcare, economic reasons, or illness.
“According to a release from Cabrillo College and Pajaro Valley Shelter Services, about 20% or 2,200 of Cabrillo’s 11,000 students experience homelessness at least once during the year.” To further help local students, Cabrillo has also applied for grant funding for an affordable housing project. The 624-unit complex would be located at its Aptos campus and is part of a joint venture with UCSC.