MontereyPeninsula.org http://www.montereypeninsula.org Accommodations, Golf, Restaurants & The Lifestyle of the Monterey Peninsula Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:02:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 en hourly 1 Asilomar gets new management company http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/06/asilomar-gets-new-management-company/ http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/06/asilomar-gets-new-management-company/#comments Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:01:25 +0000 James Raia http://www.montereypeninsula.org/?p=247 boardwalk-at-asilomarNine months after the 20-year contract was awarded,  Aramark Parks & Destinations will assume operation of Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds, the famed Monterey Peninsula conference destination.

General Manager Patrick Sheridan of Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, which has operated Asilomar for the past 10 years, said DNC had unsuccessfully challenged the award, according to the report in th Monterey Country Herald.

Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts has about 240 employees working at Asilomar. Sheridan said operations through this summer will be “business as usual” as the management transition progresses.

Asilomar has 312 guest rooms in 30 buildings, including a dining hall offering three meals a day, a gift shop and a complex of meeting and conference rooms.

Asilomar Conference Grounds began in 1913 as a camp and conference site for the YWCA, at the urging of Phoebe Apperson Hearst, mother of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst. Many of its historic buildings were designed by architect Julia Morgan and are registered as National Historic Landmarks.

]]> http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/06/asilomar-gets-new-management-company/feed/ Concours on the Ave. in Carmel, a one-day gathering in ‘09 http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/06/concours-on-the-avenue-in-carmel-a-one-day-gathering-for-2009/ http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/06/concours-on-the-avenue-in-carmel-a-one-day-gathering-for-2009/#comments Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:08:23 +0000 James Raia http://www.montereypeninsula.org/?p=238 Image by James Raia

Images by James Raia

In its first two years, Concours on the Avenue in Carmel was the best thing about Monterey Auto Week. Compared to other activities, all with great appeal, the Concours on the Avenue had the most appeal, at least for me, because of its collective calm and coolness factors.

How much better does it get than attainable vintage cars, presented on Ocean Ave., and accompanying side streets in Carmel, jazz playing the background and at an extraordinarily fair price — free?

But just like many other areas, the downtrodden economy has prompted Concours on the Avenue organizers to condense the two-day show into one day, just like in its debut year in 2007.concours2

The third edition of Concours on the Avenue will be held Tuesday, Aug. 11.

Last year, Porsche and Ferrari were featured Monday, and the other marquees were exhibited Tuesday. This year, the one-day program will include Porsches and Ferraris and a post-WWII machines on the same day. The concours will be limited to 180 vehicles. Entry deadline is June 10.

“We’re using more or less the same space to do a grander program,” event founder Doug Freedman to the Carmel Pine Cone newspaper. “that makes sense to us. Time will tell when we see the look and feel of the overall presentation.”

For additional information, visit: carmelconcours.com.

]]> http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/06/concours-on-the-avenue-in-carmel-a-one-day-gathering-for-2009/feed/ Radio station KRML in Carmel remains in limbo http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/05/radio-station-ktrml-in-carmel-remains-in-limbo/ http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/05/radio-station-ktrml-in-carmel-remains-in-limbo/#comments Sun, 31 May 2009 21:44:14 +0000 James Raia http://www.montereypeninsula.org/?p=230 The album cover of Clint Eastwood's 'Play Misty For Me'

The album cover of Clint Eastwood's 'Play Misty For Me'

One of the small treats of staying in Carmel is walking the side streets that intersect with Ocean Ave. My favorite trek is along San Carlos Ave. My favorite pub, Brophy’s is on 4th and San Carlos. And through the years, I’ve stayed at Carmel Lodge and Hofsas House on San Carlos and well as the Pine Inn, Tradewinds, Normandy Inn and Tally Ho — all within a few blocks of the route that took me past KRML, the jazz station and its accompanying gift shop and jazz museum.

On morning runs, I often waved or otherwise acknowledged the DJ behind the street front glass window. On several night walks, I’ve reminisced about my father’s appreciation for jazz while visiting the store. On later evening treks after a visit to Brophy’s or Jack London’s, I liked to walk past the studio, listen to the jazz and window shop.

But it’s all no longer. The building that housed  the station featured in Clint Eastwood’s movie Play Misty For Me is vacant and the station’s fate is in limbo.

As succinctly described in the Monterey County Weekly:

“The former radio station studio and jazz store on Carmel’s San Carlos Street are shuttered. The phone line is out of service, and the website’s ‘listen online’ link is defunct. But like a Hollywood ghost that sings beyond the grave, KRML radio continues broadcasting jazz 24/7 on 1410 AM.”

The newspaper reported that station owner David Kimball is facing personal bankruptcy, his lender, Monterey County Bank, is assisting in the search for a new buyer or buyers and that George Fuller, KRML operation manager, is manually changing programs for the station’s jazz format broadcast on 1410 AM at least twice a day.

The newspaper also reported a new studio is pending on nearby Dolores Street.

The price for the station is reported $1-$1.5 million and, according to the Monterey County Weekly, several potential buyers have expressed interest.

Kimball purchased the 51-year-old station in 2004.

“Hopefully soon we will rebuild the studio, Fuller told the newspaper. “It would be disastrous to just turn it off.”

]]> http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/05/radio-station-ktrml-in-carmel-remains-in-limbo/feed/ Earthbound Farm: Global organic farm in Carmel Valley http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/05/earthbound-farm-global-organic-farm-in-carmel-valley/ http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/05/earthbound-farm-global-organic-farm-in-carmel-valley/#comments Sat, 30 May 2009 05:37:11 +0000 James Raia http://www.montereypeninsula.org/?p=223 Earthbound Farm in Carmel Valley

Earthbound Farm in Carmel Valley

Among the highlights of the Cooking for Solutions celebration at the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a trip to Earthbound Farm, the country’s largest producer of organic produce. One of the company’s headquarters is in Carmel Valley, and founders Drew and Myra Goodman and the couple’s staff hosted a media luncheon and tour of the farm.
From its humble start in 1984 as a 2.5-acre farm, Earthbound Farm now includes more than 150 farms in five states and three countries and more than 100 varieties of organic salads, fruits and vegetables on 33,000 acres.farm8

The keynote speaker at this year’s gathering this was Julie Packard, executive director of the hosting Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Packard spoke of the aquarium’s relationship and respective for Earthbound Farm and the synergy the two companies share in their respective ongoing missions of sustainability.

Earthbound Farm’s 30-acre research and development farm in Carmel Valley is also home to the company’s Farm Stand & Organic Kitchen. It opened in 2003 and was the third certified organic restaurant in the United Sates.

The Farm Stand offers farm-fresh organic produce, organic flowers, organic and gourmet groceries.

Open to the public, the Farm Stand hosts tours throughout the local growing season.

For additional information, visit: www.ebfarm.com

]]> http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/05/earthbound-farm-global-organic-farm-in-carmel-valley/feed/ Joselyn’s Bicycles: Monterey Peninsula (and England) institution since 1870 http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/04/joselyns-bicycles-monterey-peninsula-and-england-institution-since-1870/ http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/04/joselyns-bicycles-monterey-peninsula-and-england-institution-since-1870/#comments Wed, 22 Apr 2009 05:38:15 +0000 James Raia http://www.montereypeninsula.org/?p=213 dupjoselynThe sign above the front door features a man wearing a soft-billed cap and pedaling a high wheeler, the original bicycle invented in 1870. The wooden signage is ideal for Joselyn’s Bicycles since it opened the same year. These are good times and bad times for Joselyn’s and others bicycle industry companies. For the month’s time span before, during and after the Sea Otter Classic, bike shops’ demands intensify. They meet the needs of athletes competing in the varied disciplines of cycling at the four-day festival.
Frank Pinto, a former BMX rider, has owned Joselyn’s since 1995 and his business has been part of the vendor expo during the event at Laguna Seca Recreation Area for 12 years. Pinto also worked at the event for two prior years, which further adds to his pedigree perhaps best categorized as the cycling’s equivalent of full immersion.joselyns-bannerg2

But like other businesses, Joselyn’s isn’t immune to economic woes. Last year, Pinto had nine employes; now he has five. In yesteryear, bike shops were prevalent on peninsula. Six remain  combined in Monterey, Carmel and Pacific Grove. Salinas his only two bike shops.

“Since last October, it’s really been difficult to keep a business running,” Pinto said Saturday during a break from working with friends in a covered double tent booth on the raceway infield. “But there’s just something about the Sea Otter. It sends a good message. There’s not a enough good news. This is very positive. I’m blessed.”

Pinto is the fourth owner of Joselyn’s. And while the shop’s name may lend itself to being owned by a woman, its long legacy dates to the family name of original owners in England. They were brothers Pete and Les Joselyn.

Pinto knows some of the store’s history, but his research efforts have been stalled by sketchy records and the deaths of former owners and their family members.

To the best of Pinto’s knowledge, the business was first opened on the peninsula in the 1940s. Prior to its current location on E. Franklin St., the business was situated on Lighthouse Ave. on the border of Monterey and Pacific Grove.

“I don’t count myself in the total of employees,” said Pinto, joined in the booth by friends, members the various teams the shop sponsors and his eight-year-old son, Joey. “But with me, it’s 10 employes. I’m about five employees.”

While Pinto helped customers, four employees were just beginning their shifts at Jocelyn’s retail location. Sean Rigmaiden and Nova Hairston worked the floor while Jason Johnson and Nick Kintz were in the backshop amid a good supply of bikes under repair.

“It’s a busy time,” said Rigmaiden. “It may not look like it right now, but people will be in all day needing stuff. With Sea Otter it’s different because you’re meeting people from all over the world. We had a group in from China. They were shooting video because they want to open a bike shop there.”

Joselyn’s employees also work at Lagua Seca periodically throughout the event where Pinto invests about $3,000 for the same location “front and center” he’s had for a decade.

As a cyclist, Pinto says he “pays homage” to the sport when time allows as much as 250 training miles per week. The exercise has helped him lose more than 30 pounds. He’s also the father of three children and supports cycling by investing about $10,000 in the sponsorship of BMX, road and mountain bike riders compete this week in the four-day cycling festival.

Joselyn’s accepts applications for rider sponsorship each year, and the store also supports monthly training rides at Laguna Seca and riders’ competitive pursuits around Northern California.

Pinto mingled with customers, joked with his son and spoke of his appreciation of the sport and the ever-changing, demanding requirements of small business ownership. When he was a boy he said a teacher asked students to write down their life goals in five-year intervals. One of Pinto’s goals was to own a bike shop.

“And here I am,” he said. “This is what I wanted to do and I’m doing it.”

]]> http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/04/joselyns-bicycles-monterey-peninsula-and-england-institution-since-1870/feed/ Sea Otter Classic adds new ‘green’ program for cycling festival http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/04/sea-otter-classic-initiates-new-green-program-for-cycling-festival/ http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/04/sea-otter-classic-initiates-new-green-program-for-cycling-festival/#comments Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:17:16 +0000 James Raia http://www.montereypeninsula.org/?p=207 sologoThe Sea Otter Classic, a four-day cycling festival April 16-19 at Laguna Seca Recreation Area, will introduce program this year to increase attendees’ participation in the 19th annual event’s environmental efforts. Sea Otter Classic athletes and spectators who throw recyclables in the correct bin will be offered a “ticket” to redeem for prizes at a “Zero Waste Store.”

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is sponsoring the program. It will distribute 30,000 recyclable bottle caps, which will act as “tickets” redeemable for more than 2000 donated goods from exhibitors and local businesses.

Mandi McKay, sustainability assistant at Sierra Nevada, says they want to make sure attendees know that the Sea Otter Classic is very environmentally responsible, and does as much as it can, not only to protect and respect the land, but to teach others to do the same.

Bottle caps can be redeemed at the “Zero Waste Store” for a variety of items, including bike clothes, socks, hats, energy drinks, stickers, water bottles, books, videos, bike parts, sunglasses, reusable grocery bags, and more. Attendees will also have an option to throw their lot into a raffle, held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, for a Thule rack system.

Sea Otter Classic organizers are also offering additional “green” programs.

For more information, visit: www.seaotterclassic.com

]]> http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/04/sea-otter-classic-initiates-new-green-program-for-cycling-festival/feed/ Monterey County Fair has new theme for 2009 http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/04/monterey-county-fair-has-new-theme-for-2009/ http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/04/monterey-county-fair-has-new-theme-for-2009/#comments Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:05:35 +0000 James Raia http://www.montereypeninsula.org/?p=203 headerThe 73rd annual Monterey County Fair, this year with the theme of “Reel in the Fun,” will be held August 12-16 at the Monterey County Fairgrounds. The five-day event allows visitors “to celebrate Monterey County’s coastal wonders, abundant agriculture and family fun for everyone,” according to Kelly Baldwin, CEO of the Monterey County Fair.

The theme of this year’s event, Baldwin, added, “Represents the essence of the fair; a place where the community can come together to celebrate all that Monterey County has to offer, both on land and below the bay. The fair has something for everyone; entertainment, agriculture, education, fun-fair-food and Monterey County wine.”

“The fair is an excellent opportunity to learn about our communities’ history and heritage. From produce to aquaculture, livestock to home arts, the Monterey County Fair is filled with education and entertainment for the whole family.”

For more information contact the Fair Administration Office, at 2004 Fairground Road in Monterey, Tel. 831) 372-5863; Web site: www.montereycountyfair.com.

]]> http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/04/monterey-county-fair-has-new-theme-for-2009/feed/ Cypress Point, Pebble Beach among five Monterey Peninsula courses on Golf Digest’s top-100 list http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/04/cypress-point-pebble-beach-among-five-monterey-peninsula-course-on-golf-digests-top-100-list/ http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/04/cypress-point-pebble-beach-among-five-monterey-peninsula-course-on-golf-digests-top-100-list/#comments Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:37:17 +0000 James Raia http://www.montereypeninsula.org/?p=198 Cypress Point #15Five Monterey Peninsula golf courses, including four courses in Pebble Beach, have been named to the top-100 list in the 2009 Golf Digest compilation of the finest golf courses in the United States. Augusta National Golf Club, site of the Masters Tournament, replaces long-time leader Pine Valley Golf Club in Clementon, N.J. Pine Valley is now second on the list in the May issue of the magazine, available April 7 .Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., is ranked third.

Cypress Point (4), Pebble Beach Golf Links (6), Spyglass Hill (51) and Monterey Peninsula Country Club, all located in Pebble Beach; and The Preserve Golf Club (78) in Carmel, all among the top-100.

Here’s the list:

1. Augusta National Golf Club - Augusta, GA; 2. Pine Valley Golf Club - Clementon, NJ; 3. Shinnecock Hills Golf Club - Southampton, NY; 4. Cypress Point Club - Pebble Beach, CA; 5. Oakmont Country Club - Oakmont, PA; 6. Pebble Beach Golf Links - Pebble Beach, CA; 7. Merion Golf Club (East Course) - Ardmore, PA; 8. Winged Foot Golf Club (West Course) - Mamaroneck, NY; 9. Fisher’s Island Club - Fisher’s Island, NY; 10. Seminole Golf Club - Juno Beach, FL; 11. Oak Hill Country Club (East Course) - Rochester, NY; 12. Chicago Golf Club - Wheaton, IL; 13. Sand Hills Golf Club - Mullen, NE; 14. Pacific Dunes - Bandon, OR; 15. National Golf Links of America - Southampton, NY; 16. Crystal Downs Country Club - Frankfort, MI; 17. Wade Hampton Golf Club - Cashiers, NC; 18. The Country Club (Clyde/Squirrel) - Brookline, MA; 19. Muirfield Village Golf Club - Dublin, OH; 20. Medinah Country Club (No. 3 Course) - Medinah, IL

21. Prairie Dunes Country Club - Hutchinson, KA; 22. Whistling Straits (Straits Course) - Haven, WI; 23. Oakland Hills Country Club (South Course) - Bloomfield Township, MI; 24. Victoria National Golf Club - Newburgh, IN; 25. The Ocean Course - Kiawah Island, SC; 26. The Olympic Club (Lake Course) - San Francisco, CA; 27. The Club at Black Rock - Coeur d’Alene; 28. Castle Pines Golf Club - Castle Rock, CO; 29. Bethpage State Park (Black Course) - Farmingdale, NY; 30. Baltusrol Golf Club (Lower Course) - Springfield, NJ; 31. Riviera Country Club - Pacific Palisades, CA; 32. Pinehurst Resort & Country Club (No. 2 Course) - Pinehurst, NC; 33. Bandon Dunes - Bandon, OR; 34. Southern Hills Country Club - Tulsa, OK; 35. The Golf Club - New Albany, OH; 36. San Francisco Golf Club - San Francisco, CA; 37. Butler National Golf Club - Oak Brook, IL; 38. The Honors Course - Ooltewah, TN; 39. Sebonack Golf Club - Southampton, NY; 40. Inverness Club - Toledo, OH

41. Shadow Creek - North Las Vegas, NV; 42. Canyata Golf Club - Marshall, IL; 43. Olympia Fields Country Club (North Course) - Olympia Fields, IL; 44. The Quarry at La Quinta - La Quinta, CA; 45. TPC Sawgrass (Players Stadium Course) - Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; 46. Rich Harvest Links - Sugar Grove, IL; 47. Los Angeles Country Club (North Course) - Los Angeles, CA; 48. Kinloch Golf Club - Manakin-Sabot, VA; 49. Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club - Arcadia, MI; 50. Shoal Creek - Shoal Creek, AL; 51. Spyglass Hill Golf Course - Pebble Beach, CA; 52. Milwaukee Country Club - Milwaukee, WI; 53. Garden City Golf Club - Garden City, NY; 54. Cherry Hills Country Club - Englewood, CO; 55. Forest Highlands Golf Club (Canyon Course) - Flagstaff, AZ; 56. Double Eagle Club - Galena, OH; 57. Pete Dye Golf Club - Bridgeport, WV; 58. Kittansett Club - Marion, MA; 59. Dallas National Golf Club - Dallas, TX; 60. Peachtree Golf Club - Atlanta, GA

61. Scioto Country Club - Columbus, OH; 62. Eugene Country Club - Eugene, OR; 63. Flint Hills National Golf Club - Andover, KA; 64. Interlachen Country Club - Edina, MN; 65. Winged Foot Golf Club (East Course) - Mamaroneck, NY; 66. Congressional Country Club (Blue Course) - Bethesda, MD; 67. The Prince Course - Princeville, Kauai, HI; 68. Stone Canyon Club - Oro Valley, AZ; 69. East Lake Golf Club - Atlanta, GA; 70. Galloway National Golf Club - Galloway, NJ; 71. Plainfield Country Club - Plainfield, NJ; 72. Monterey Peninsula Country Club (Shore Course) - Pebble Beach, CA; 73. Long Cove Club - Hilton Head Island, SC; 74. Shoreacres - Lake Bluff, IL; 75. Harbour Town Golf Links - Hilton Head Island, SC; 76. Aronimink Golf Club - Newtown Square, PA; 77. Laurel Valley Golf Club - Ligonier, PA; 78. The Preserve Golf Club - Carmel, CA; 79. Mayacama Golf Club - Santa Rosa, CA; 80. Bandon Trails - Bandon, OR.

81. Quaker Ridge Golf Club - Scarsdale, NY; 82. The Estancia Club - Scottsdale, AZ; 83. Eagle Point Golf Club - Wilmington, NC; 84. Sahalee Country Club - Sammamish, WA; 85. Kiawah Island Club (Cassique Course) - Kiawah Island, SC; 86. Maidstone Club - East Hampton, NY; 87. Sage Valley Golf Club - Graniteville, SC; 88. Somerset Hills Country Club - Bernardsville, NJ; 89. Black Diamond (Quarry Course) - Lecanto, FL; 90. Tullymore Golf Club - Stanwood, MI; 91. Hazeltine National Golf Club - Chaska, MN; 92. Calusa Pines Golf Club - Naples, FL; 93. Sycamore Hills Golf Club - Fort Wayne, IN; 94. Hudson National Golf Club - Croton-on-Hudson, NY; 95. Valhalla Golf Club - Louisville, KY; 96. Sanctuary - Sedalia, CO; 97. Ocean Forest Golf Club - Sea Island, GA; 98. Grandfather Golf & Country Club - Linville, NC; 99. Blackwolf Run (River Course) - Kohler, WI; 100. Crooked Stick Golf Club - Carmel, IN.

]]> http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/04/cypress-point-pebble-beach-among-five-monterey-peninsula-course-on-golf-digests-top-100-list/feed/ Allegiant Air will offer new round-trip Monterey Peninsula route to San Diego http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/03/allegiant-air-will-offer-new-monterey-peninsula-route-to-san-diego/ http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/03/allegiant-air-will-offer-new-monterey-peninsula-route-to-san-diego/#comments Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:23:11 +0000 James Raia http://www.montereypeninsula.org/?p=188 Allegiant Air plans to add round-trip, nonstop flights between Lindbergh Field in San Diego tMonterey Peninsula Airport beginning May 3.

The Las Vegas-based carrier will service the routes with its 150-seat MD-80 jet. Flights are scheduled for Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Introductory fares for $39 each way must be purchased by March 11. Allegiant also operates round-trip, non-sto flights between San Diegto and Bellingham, Wash.

]]> http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/03/allegiant-air-will-offer-new-monterey-peninsula-route-to-san-diego/feed/ Quail Lodge offering reduced spring hotel and golf rates http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/02/quail-lodge-offering-reduced-spring-hotel-and-golf-rates/ http://www.montereypeninsula.org/2009/02/quail-lodge-offering-reduced-spring-hotel-and-golf-rates/#comments Fri, 27 Feb 2009 07:21:19 +0000 James Raia http://www.montereypeninsula.org/?p=182 quail81Quail Lodge Resort and Golf Club, located in Carmel Valley on the Monterey Peninsula, has introduced new low midweek and weekend hotel and golf and spa package rates through March 31, 2009. Room rates starting at $129 midweek and $169 on weekends are now available and represent a saving of as much as 66 percent.

Quail Lodge is also offering a value-added “Golf and Spa” package starting at the low rate of $279 on weekdays and $319 on weekends, a saving of as much as 14 percent. Couples will enjoy daily continental buffet breakfast for two and a choice of two rounds of golf, two spa treatments or one round of golf and one spa treatment.

Summer travelers will also save up to 48 percent with value room rates starting at $199 beginning on April 1, 2009 through October 15, 2009. quail4

Located on 850 acres in the heart of Carmel Valley, Quail Lodge Resort amenities include 97 well-appointed guest rooms, an 18-hole championship golf course, swimming pool, tennis court, two restaurants, spa, The Land Rover Experience Driving School hiking trails, lakes, lush gardens and rolling hills.

For more information about new low rates, visit www.quaillodge.com or phone 888-828-8787.

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