This Week on the Central Coast…
Monterey Peninsula College displays metal art, Laguna Seca sets another record, Montage’s Ohana program takes off, the circus comes to Monterey, and Santa Cruz seeks input for highway project.
Monterey
“Formed and Fabricated” Exhibit at Monterey Peninsula College
“Formed and Fabricated” is an art exhibit consisting entirely of works made of metal by MPC’s students. Pieces include fine jewelry, small sculptures, and useful tools.
The exhibit is meant to show the versatility of metal and will showcase a variety of colors and textures. Abby Bettencourt, one of the curators of the exhibit, says the way that metal can be melted down and changed into anything is a perfect medium for showcasing an artist’s personality. “Metal can always be melted down and reborn. It can also last for a long time—thousands of years.” She said.
The exhibit will run until December 8.
Chez Noir was named one of Esquire’s “Best New Restaurants in America”. The publication loved the casual styling of the restaurant while highlighting their imaginative menu. "The sea-centric, French-meets-Spanish menu changes often and with the season, but skewers of grilled abalone smothered in a funky rich sauce made from its liver, and gildas, with the addition of grilled squid, are two bites that’ll never leave the menu or your memory," reads an excerpt from Esquire.
Chez Noir joins other notable California restaurants like Dunsmoor of LA, Dalida of San Francisco, and Burdell of Oakland.
Laguna Seca’s Turkey Trot Set a New Donation Record
Laguna Seca’s annual Turkey Trot returned after a three-year break. Participants ran, jogged, and walked the historic track, taking a moment to enjoy the view from the legendary corkscrew turn. The event raised a record amount of donations for The Food Bank for Monterey County.
On November 23, Weathertech Raceway staff volunteered their time to host the event, allowing 100% of the donations to go to The Food Bank for Monterey County. This year’s donations surpassed $10k, smashing the previous record of $6,100.
Montage’s Ohana Program Seeks to Help Youth Mental Health
“The Ohana program is built on an idea that mental illness is always treatable and can often be prevented,” said the executive director of the program. The original mental health program was created in 2018 after a generous donation was presented to The Montage Health Foundation. The contribution allowed the foundation to build the campus and a team of professionals to run it.
Normandy Flicek, a former patient, spoke of her time in the program and how it helped her in life so far. “What I learned in (dialectical behavioral therapy) and individual therapy got me through my worst mental-health moments. It’s getting me through high school and the skills and strategies will stay with me as I go through college.”
The team of youth mental health professionals working at the Ohana Center praised the effort that Montage put into it. They said it’s rare for a health system to provide this much support to a mental health program. They hope to share any progress they make in mental health with other communities.
Zoppè: An Italian Family Circus Act Comes to Monterey
Zoppé: An Italian Family Circus, “features acrobats, aerial acts, juggling, strength acts and the main act of the show, the clown.” Giovanni Zoppe is the director of the show and the group’s patriarch. The family prides itself in creating a show that’s fun for the whole family and tries to touch on every emotion.
The Zoppe Family Circus has been performing for over 175 years and was, at one time, one of the most popular circuses in Europe. “According to the circus lore, it started as a love story in 1842, when a French street performer named Napoline Zoppé was looking for work and met a ballerina named Ermenegilda. The two were forbidden to be together due to Zoppé’s career as a clown, but they ran away together to Venice, Italy and founded the circus that still bears their name.”
Performances will be happening through December 11 and are showing at 6pm every weekday, except for Tuesday. There are three performances on the weekends at 1pm, 4pm and 7pm.
General admission starts at $30 and tickets go up to $200 for a VIP experience.
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz County Seeks Community Input for Highway Project
Santa Cruz County is asking the public for input on a portion of a highway project. The Watsonville – Santa Cruz Multimodal Corridor Program stretches from State Park Drive to Freedom Boulevard. The county would like the public’s input on the aesthetics of the highway project.
“The multimodal project includes enhanced traffic and safety operations along Highway 1, auxiliary lanes and bus-on-shoulder facilities in both directions and Segment 12 of the Coastal Rail Trail providing 1.2 miles of a bicycle and pedestrian facility along the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line.” The commission is asking for advice in matching the style of Aptos, including adding sound walls, fencing, and art pieces.
The council meeting will take place on Tuesday, December 5, at the Rio Sands Hotel in Aptos from 6pm to 7:30pm. It is in-person only.
Don’t forget to visit ZumZum Tea at a local farmer’s market! During the month of December, mention The Peninsula Report to receive a free sample with your purchase!
Old Monterey Farmers Market on Tuesdays
Carmel-by-the-Sea Farmers Market on Thursdays
Oldtown Salinas Farmers Market on Saturdays