This Week on the Central Coast…
Monterey staples change hands, expanded commuter rails coming to Salinas, and UCSC reaches a conclusion on camper van student living.
Monterey
The legendary Paris Bakery has sold. Fortunately, much of the management team and bakers are staying. The new owner, Hector Capelo, doesn’t have any bakery experience, but he has run several successful commercial kitchens.
The transition began on February 16. “The family is currently working alongside Capelo to help him gain familiarity with the operation, meet the vendors and get to know the bakery’s clients.”
The bakery opened in 1985 and became so popular that Master Baker Jackie Jegat brought his brother over from France and opened a second location in Seaside. After the pandemic lockdowns, Jackie realized just how much the “days and hours” had taken a toll on him. It was time to move on.
Zucchini’s Magic Shop Adds Wands and Seances
Cannery Row’s only magic shop recently went through a change in name and location. The Magic Wand at Zucchini’s Magic Shop is now at 660 Cannery Row. Seance Cannery Row is also located inside the shop.
“The shop features custom magic wands created from wood salvaged from Monterey Bay shipwrecks and driftwood.” Fellow magician Chris Herron puts on a one-man historical ghost tour and seance. “I promise you there’s no sacrificing of goats,” new owner Will Roberts says.
Roberts is no stranger to the stage. His 45-year acting career includes tons of TV shows, commercials, and films, including, most recently, Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer”. Despite his acting career, Roberts has always kept up with magic. While going by the stage name of Honest Huckster, he’s a member of a couple magician societies. As a professional cowboy, he holds a Guinness World Record for Gun Spinning and Most People Inside a Spinning Lasso.
And now he’s returned to where it all began.
Salinas
More Commuter Rails Coming to the Central Coast
The Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC), is moving forward with a commuter rail project that will connect Salinas, Castroville, and Pajaro by rail. Plans for the commuter rail have been in the works since at least 2006. Now, finally, TAMC is hoping construction will start in 2025.
The project has three phases, the first of which is a six-train layover facility at the Salinas train station. After that, additional stops at Castroville and Pajaro will be constructed. All designs are 100% complete and approved.
Once the rail extension is complete, the trip from Salinas to San Jose is expected to take 90 minutes.
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Warriors to Honor Fallen Santa Cruz Fire Captain
The Santa Cruz Warriors will honor Santa Cruz Fire Captain Brian Tracy who passed away due to brain cancer last year. The remembrance game will be held on March 27 against the South Bay Lakers at Kaiser Permanente Arena.
Santa Cruz Fire said the proceeds will be going back to the Tracy Family who will make a donation to a first responder family in need on his behalf. If you’re interested in tickets, you can purchase them here.
UCSC offers camper vans at a trailer park as a form of alternative housing for students. The vans offer basic equipment, such as a small fridge and kitchenette with a cooktop and microwave. Restrooms and showers are communal.
However, Camper Park was closed last year in order to conduct safety and sustainability evaluations. Students were relocated (and charged at the same rate as the trailer park) and given a free dining meal plan.
This week, staff of the Affiliated Residential Community Housing announced that students could return to the campers if they agreed to give up their propane. Since this would mean students wouldn’t have a means of cooking in their trailers, they will be offered a complimentary dining meal plan.
Thank you for sharing the positive news every week. I always get excited when the new report comes out.