This Week on the Central Coast…
Monterey Bay Aquarium’s process of rearing otter pups, Santa Cruz welcomes monarch butterflies, and small food businesses thrive in Salinas.
Monterey
Carmel-by-the-Sea is Considering Street Addresses (again)
The Carmel-by-the-Sea city council once again discussed adding street addresses to the city. The topic came up around the same time last year.
Those in favor of adding addresses pointed to the changes in technology and deliveries, which can be complicated by the lack of building numbers.
Those in opposition of adding addresses view the post office as “the last standing place where this community comes together and gets welded together as we are today," said one attendee to the meeting.
It will be interesting to see if anything comes of the discussion this time around. What are your thoughts on adding street addresses to Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Sea Otter Surrogacy Program
The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Otter Surrogacy Program has been wildly successful at helping orphaned otter pups return to the wild.
After researchers began using surrogate mothers, Sea otter populations saw a 50% growth, bringing the mammals back from the brink of extinction. One surrogate otter, named Rosa, has successfully raised 15 pups who have since been released back into the wild. Rosa is now 23 years old and retired. She can be viewed at the aquarium while she is spoiled with all the clams and crab she wants.
The entire progression of the Aquarium learning to rear otter pups is fascinating. At first, the Aquarium was taking orphaned pups and raising them by hand. However, this resulted in the otters becoming attached to their humans, which made it difficult to reintroduce them into the wild.
Now, the wild otters are separated from the otters on display. The idea is to keep them away from humans to minimize familiarity. Otters can easily become attached to humans and become a problem (Santa Cruz’s Otter 841 was thought to be too comfortable around humans, but may have been acting that way due to pregnancy).
In order to help the otters while minimizing attachment, Aquarium researchers wear oversized rubber ponchos and large tinted masks to hide their human form (and look incredibly creepy to everyone except the young otters).
While the process looks incredibly strange, it works. Otter populations have been recovering, thanks largely to the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s hard work and dedication to making a difference.
Salinas
MMM… Churros Opened a Location at Northridge Mall
Last Sunday, MMM… Churros opened its first location at Northridge Mall in Salinas. While this is their first stand-alone location, MMM… Churros has been present at many local festivals and venues, including Monterey Bay F.C. matches. The company plans to open a cafe in Hollister next, with the goal of eventually expanding into a franchise.
This year, the San Benito Chamber of Commerce named them “The 2023 Entrepreneur Business of the Year”. When asked about their success, the owners pointed to their family’s hard work and trust in each other, as well as their secret recipe. “It's our own recipe. He [Michael Jones, owner] worked over two years perfecting it,” said Priscilla Jones.
MMM… Churros offers classic cinnamon-sugar churros, as well as many other unique flavors, such as green apple, watermelon, and strawberry shortcake. All their churros are vegan and house-made, including the sugar coatings. MMM… Churros also offers catering and deliveries. Find all the info at their website.
Salinas-Based Caulipuffs Are Taking Over
Caulipuffs are baked corn, rice, and cauliflower snacks that resemble Puffed Cheetos. They were made when the owners wanted a healthier snack to feed their kids. “My husband and I try to find stuff that they would eat so that when they come back from school, we don't have to completely throw away their lunches.”
Star Market in Salinas was the first retailer to carry the snack. However, now they can be found in several locations across the Central Coast. The company has become so successful that they are striking deals with bigger brands, such as Costco.
The owners attribute their fast success to the fact that they are a local, family-owned business and Caulipuffs are non-GMO, gluten- and soy-free, and cooked with avocado oil. The current lineup of flavors include white cheddar, honey BBQ, habanero ranch, and vegan salt & pepper.
The family hopes to turn their brand into a household name.
Santa Cruz
Monarch Season Arrives at Natural Bridges State Beach
It’s currently prime time to see the migration of monarch butterflies while they are stocking up on food for their big hibernation.
Last year around the same time, around 7,000 monarchs were counted. That number dropped after the storms late in the year. However, park staff is still optimistic about this year’s count.
Beach staff stressed the importance of battling climate change as the changing temperatures could have drastic effects on local ecosystems.
The butterflies are viewable at Natural Bridges State Beach.