This Week on the Central Coast…
CSUMB is recognized for its research efforts, the SPCA is asking for help with baby opossums, and El Gabilan library celebrates 5 years.
Monterey
CSUMB achieves a prestigious Carnegie designation
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching recently awarded CSU Monterey Bay its Research Colleges and Universities designation. The designation recognizes institutions that are actively trying to get outside funding for research programs.
In addition to this most recent accolade, CSUMB is a top school on several other lists:
U.S. News & World Report ranked it fifth among public institutions in the West and first for upward mobility.
Forbes ranks CSUMB number elevan for midsize, open to the puppet, driving around. among mid-size public schools nationwide, while Money Magazine awarded a 4.5 rating.
The university ranks in the top 50 schools that graduate Hispanic students.
Moving forward, CSUMB plans to continue to emphasize its research projects and economic programs to strengthen its community impact.
Monterey SPCA asks for help saving baby opossums
Monterey’s SPCA is requesting help with saving baby opossums. They say that the babies, which can be “as small as honeybees” can survive for several hours in their mother’s pouch after she has died. The organization instructed:
If the opossum is alive but injured, call SPCA at (831)264-5427 or visit spcamc.org/wildlife.
“If the opossum is recently deceased, check to see if it is male or female. Their anatomy is easily apparent. If the opossum is female, use gloves and a towel, rag or washcloth to gently open the pouch and check for babies. They can be as small as honey bees, but they will be pink and squirming. If you find babies, call SPCA for help. Don’t attempt to remove the babies as their tiny mouths could be seriously injured. Be sure to always wash hands afterward.”
Opossums are incredibly helpful to our local ecosystem. Not only are they the only marsupial in North America, but they also eat many common household pests, like rodents, cockroaches, slugs, and other insects. “Just one opossum can consume up to 5,000 ticks in a single season.”
If you would like to support the SPCA with a donation, you can do so here.
Salinas
El Gabilan Library Celebrates 5 Years
El Gabilan library celebrated its 5th anniversary this week. The festivities included food trucks, a mariachi performance by YOSAL, and dozens of family friendly activities. The library has quickly become the community’s third place, playing host to local groups and welcoming anyone to use their computer lab, outdoor courtyard seating, and stationary bikes.
One of those local groups is the Blue Zones Project, which hosts regular cooking classes that draw crowds of up to 50 people. “El Gabilan welcomes an average of 75,000 visitors each year, according to Salinas Public Library. Last year, nearly 10,000 people attended over 200 community events.”
In addition to the books and community events, El Gabilan hopes to acquire more modern technology, such as a 3D printer, so any person can have access to new digital media. Over the next five years, the library has the goal of reaching people outside of its walls. Plans for bringing the library to people in the community who don’t have a library card is in the works.