This Week on the Central Coast…
Whalefest needs volunteers, CSUMB gets a new otter statue, a dual-concept restaurant is opening in Marina, and Santa Cruz plans to renovate the downtown library.
Monterey
15th Annual Whalefest Needs Volunteers
Monterey’s 15th Annual Whalefest is coming up soon and the organization is looking for volunteers. Anyone interested can apply on their website. Extra help is needed with arts and crafts booths, merchandise tents, walking around as costumed animals, conducting research surveys, and helping at interactive exhibits. Anyone who volunteers at least four hours will receive a meal voucher.
“The free, family-friendly festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Old Fisherman’s Wharf and the Custom House Plaza” on April 12 and 13. In addition to educational exhibits and live music, there will also be a symposium with marine experts at the Stanton Center as well as public tours on research and rescue boats.
New Otter Statue Commissioned for CSUMB
“In our region, otters are ecologically vital to the health of kelp forests, which are vital to a thriving ocean, [and] conversely, kelp forests are vital to the health of the sea otter species,“ said Professor Trish Sevene, chair of CSUMB’s Department of Kinesiology. She related this connection between the otters and their environment to the students and CSUMB, which is a symbolic way to introduce the new otter sculpture that will be unveiled at the entrance of the Otter Student Union in mid April.
Edward Eyth is the sculptor behind the work. He spent fifteen years living in Pacific Grove, taking his kids to the aquarium and being fascinated with our ocean wildlife, before moving to Savannah Georgia. He is currently a professor at the College of Art and Design.
“My intention was to create a timeless tribute to the university's beloved mascot, embodying the vibrant spirit and dynamic energy that define CSUMB.” Eyth says the challenge of this particular sculpture was capturing the high-energy of otters in a static medium. To help with this aspect of the bronze sculpture, Eyth consulted with CSU Monterey Bay’s own Department of Kinesiology to help with limb proportions and other details.
Despite all the attention to detail, Eyth says he just hopes his work encourages people to connect with it, whether that be by taking selfies or simply eliciting a smile.
Dual Concept Restaurant Opening in Marina
The owners of The Bagel Corner and Pastability’s in Salinas are opening a new concept in Marina that will combine the best of both worlds. Located on Del Monte Boulevard near Reservation Road, the business will feature both menus as well as a drive thru lane.
The Bagel Corner menu (at their current location) features unique flavors such as Pesto Provolone and Triple Berry bagels. They also offer breakfast burritos and a limited selection of bakery items, like muffins, cookies, and brownies.
Pastability’s menu has a broad range of traditional pasta dishes as well as a couple Cajun-inspired items featuring blackened chicken. The truly unique part of their menu, however, is the Build-Your-Own Pasta Bowl where you can pick your noodles, pick a sauce, and mix in any other ingredients from a list. Pastability’s menu also includes Signature Rice Bowls and a Build-Your-Own Family Meal. This is just like the BYO Pasta, except with larger portions and the addition of either soup or salad, and garlic bread.
The combination restaurant is still in the early phases of opening, waiting on permits to begin renovating.
Santa Cruz
Downtown Library Lot to be Renovated for Mixed Use
Santa Cruz’s city council voted unanimously to renovate the library lot on Church Street into a mixed-use property. Currently, “the property is largely made up of the library structure and a pair of adjacent parking lots and has, for years, represented a sort of dead zone in the downtown neighborhood.” This new property would allow for living space, offices, and a permanent home for the farmers market, all of which would create a new experience for locals and visitors alike. “‘Folks want to come downtown to have an experience,’ said the vice mayor, adding that the right vision could turn the area into a space for ‘gathering and community.’”
The approved plans include space for 102 residential units, 19,000 square feet of office space, 84 market vendor stalls and about 1 acre for a public plaza that could host the farmers market permanently. Due to the construction, which begins in May, the farmers market will temporarily be moved to occupy both Cedar and Church Streets and one of the library parking lots.
The project has a strong approval with local residents and groups who are interested in modernizing Downtown Santa Cruz.