This Week on the Central Coast…
NPS partnered up to battle climate change, local nonprofits get into the holiday spirit, and a native plant presents construction problems.
Monterey
NPS and Stanford University team up to battle climate change
The Naval Postgraduate School signed an Education Partnership Agreement with Stanford last week. The agreement will allow the two facilities to partner up to find ways of dealing with climate change in the next coming decades.
“Under the new partnership, NPS students and faculty will learn and work alongside Stanford students and faculty to research solutions to climate change and energy security issues.” According to the Department of State, energy accounts for a majority of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. Reducing our carbon footprint is extremely important to the Department of the Navy. “Climate change’s impact on rising sea levels, recurring flooding, extreme heat, drought and destructive storms threaten and impact Navy and Marine Corps facilities and operations.”
The Navy’s climate strategy will focus on building climate resilience and reducing climate threats. By pairing with Stanford, NPS hopes to combine its operational experience with the school’s expertise and education to better understand and take control of our climate impact.
Local organizations are helping those in need for the holidays
The Community Dinner Organization is hosting its 37th annual Free Christmas Dinner at the Fairgrounds on Christmas Day. The organization will be handing out meals from 11AM to 2PM.
Over the years, the organization has provided sit-down dinners with live music and other activities for as many as 1,800 people. This year, it will give take-out meals to enjoy at home as well as deliver meals to those who can’t attend.
The Salvation Army of Monterey is also preparing to serve meals. On Monday, December 19, it will hand out toys and meals to families who registered over the last couple months. Thanks to toy drives and other donations, including the “Red Kettles” placed outside some businesses, there are plenty of gifts for families. The Salvation Army’s sit-down meal will be served Wednesday, December 21, from 11AM to 1PM at 1491 Contra Costa Street. “Similar to the Salvation Army’s Thanksgiving feast, reservations are not required for the Christmas meal and all are welcome.”
Endangered Monterey Gilia stalled construction
Last week, Monterey City Council held a special meeting to discuss the Monterey Gilia, a rare and endangered flowering plant unique to Monterey. “The plant can only be seen around March for six weeks — the biggest populations are in Marina.” Gilia are desert plants, but the Monterey variety have adapted to grow in coastal sand.
There are currently eight development projects in Marina that are stalled due to the plant. In order to move on with development plans, cities must obtain a special permit with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. “So we have this responsibility to make it a priority and figure out some creative solutions,” said a Marina Councilwoman.
Santa Cruz
Parking for Hope in downtown Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz will host its eighth annual Parking for Hope program in downtown this week. The program directly benefits Hope Services, which “has helped to keep Pacific Avenue and other downtown Santa Cruz streets clean for 24 years while providing training and support services to adults with developmental disabilities.”
Downtown Santa Cruz parking meters will have placards posted on them describing the program. To date, Parking for Hope has raised over $218k for Hope Services.