Old Monterey District Blog

We're famous! Downtown Monterey recently got a wonderful shout out from the Frugal Traveler column in the NY Times! In A Cheapskate in Monterey (gift article link), Elaine Giusac, explored Monterey looking for great travel experiences that won't bust the bank and she specifically called out Ad Astra Bread, Alvarado Street Brewery, Alta Bakery & Cafe, and El Charito Express as some of her Monterey highlights.

Thanks for coming to visit us Elaine! Come back anytime!

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Do you have books gathering dust on your bookshelf? Monterey Public Library Friends & Foundation (MPLFF) is seeking donations of gently used books, which they will then sell, all proceeds going to Monterey Public Library programs and events.

MPLFF now welcomes book donations in the following genres:
First edition or rare books
Adult fiction
Mystery
Biography / Memoir
Local interest
History
Children’s picture books

At this time, MPLFF is not accepting coffee table books, children’s nonfiction, teen, DVD, CD, self-help, textbooks, or any books that are musty or damaged.

When dropping off your gifts, please pack donations in disposable bags or boxes and bring them to the Library's basement door (off the rear parking lot) on Wednesdays, 1pm-3om. If that time doesn't work for you, please email MPLFF and a volunteer will arrange a convenient time to meet you.

PLEASE NOTE: Book donations can NOT be accepted by Library staff, at the book return, or at the loading dock.

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Did you know that Revival Ice Cream can cater your next event? We’ve catered weddings, corporate events, birthdays, surprise parties, and more. We love sharing the Revival experience!

Revival lovingly crafts hand-made, small batch, organic ice cream, using locally harvested and sustainable ingredients and organic, California dairy. We also make plenty of dairy-free and gluten-free flavors, so our scoops can be enjoyed by even more people.

If you’re interested in hiring us for your next event, please contact us here. Revival Ice Cream is located at 463 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey.

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Looking to add a little humor to your day? Franklin Street Collaborative now carries an assortment of very funny mugs handprinted in Akron, Ohio. Each 15 oz. mug is microwave and dishwasher safe, and is sublimated (printed) with high quality materials so the silliness won't fade with washing.

Stop by and check them out, along with a great selection of home decor at 201 W. Franklin Street in Downtown Old Monterey.

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We have new demo bikes at Work Horse Bicycles! If you want to try out an e-bike, we have Levo bikes by Specialized now in the shop. It costs $150 to try one out for 24 hours and if you like it so much you want to buy one, we’ll take the $150 off your purchase.

Work Horse Bicycles is independently owned and operated by local bike enthusiasts at 486 Washington Street in Downtown Old Monterey.

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The Coastal Roots Hospitality Group - including Montrio restaurant at 414 Calle Principal in Downtown Old Monterey - has designated Seneca Central Coast as the nonprofit recipient of its Pick It Up - Pay It Forward Program for March and April 2024.

What does this mean? When you order takeout food from Montrio, 10% of your order will automatically be donated to this nonprofit agency. (Please note: this offer does not apply to delivery orders.)

Since 1984, Seneca Central Coast has helped build and strengthen families through vital community services including foster care, adoption, relative caregiver support, children’s mental health and wraparound services, legal guardianship assistance, and parent and professional education.

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Easter chocolates are now available at Parker-Lusseau Pastries and Cafe in Downtown Old Monterey. We make everything in-house and have a variety of designs including eggs, rabbits, chickens, fish, and ladybugs.

We hope to carry our delicious chocolates right up until Easter (March 31), but we can't make any promises, so don't wait! Stop by the shop at 539 Hartnell Street in Downtown Old Monterey and pick up yours soon.

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Slowfiber wants to make confident quilting converts out of all of you! Whether you know almost nothing beyond basic sewing technique, or you already understand how quilts come together but you still need to learn some extra skills, we can help get you and your bag of fabric to the finish line.

Slowfiber is now offering 8 different, stand-alone beginning quilting classes in Spring 2024 which can be mixed and matched to suit your needs. These include classes in binding, hand stitching and quilting, free-motion machine stitching, and how to quilt using upcycled fabric and non-standard-size pieces.

All off the classes are taught by Lyn Sandberg, a hot-shot quilter from Santa Cruz who is also a super-patient instructor. Lyn is full of fun stories and lots of tricks to help you expand your skill set.

**Spring 2024 Quilting Classes at Slowfiber**
517A Hartnell Street, Old Monterey

Hand Stitching Quilts: March 29, 12pm-4pm
Non-Standard Quilt Piecing: March 15 & April 12
Free-Motion Machine Stitching: May 18, 12pm-4pm
Seam Binding: May 25, 12pm-4pm
The Upcycled Quilt: May 31, 12pm-4pm

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Venture Gallery presents the paintings of Christine Crozier, our featured local artist for March.

Christine's latest exhibit, In a Garden, was inspired by the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, a quiet, almost magical, place. This collection of work was painted over several years, giving Christine the opportunity to celebrate the seasons with their changing patterns of color and light.

Venture Gallery is open 10am-6pm daily. Christine Crozier's artwork will be featured through March 2024. Venture Gallery is located at 260 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey. Visit our website to shop online for work by our local artists.

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Ballot Drop Box at Monterey Public Library 2024

Posted on February 11th, 2024 by omba

The California primary election is March 5, 2024, and it's time to vote! A permanent Monterey County Elections ballot drop box for voters is installed at Monterey Public Library, available 24 hours a day until 8pm on March 5. The County will empty it on a regular basis. Just drop your ballot safely in the box at 625 Pacific Street.

To view a list of other ballot drop box locations in Monterey County, please click here. To check your voter registration status, please click here.

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Youth Arts Collective invites you to visit our 2024 Pop-Up Valentine’s Show made with love by YACsters and mentors.

The exhibit is on display in the YAC gallery at 472 Calle Principal in Downtown Old Monterey, 3pm-7pm weekdays and 12pm-4pm Saturdays, and online here. It’s a fun show and a perfect place to buy an original art piece at a reasonable price.

YAC is a nonprofit, after school art studio and mentorship program for high school and college artists. The mission is to inspire creativity, kindness, and confidence in youth through artistic expression and mutual respect. "Do art. Be kind."

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Nacho Bizness fans! You know what time it is. Be prepared for The Big Game and order a party pack from Nacho Bizness. Just send us a message via Instagram or via Facebook.

Each pack includes our house made queso, your choice of carne asada or chicken, pico de gallo, jalapeños, lime crema, and Taco Works chips.

3 packages available:
First Down, 4-6 people: $48
Field Goal, 8-10 people: $95
Touchdown, 8-10 people plus guac & beans: $115

You can also add the following items to your order:
1 quart mac & cheese: $12
1 pint fresh guac: $10
1 quart jalapeno cheddar queso or pepper jack queso: $12

Nacho Bizness, home of legendarily delicious nachos, is located at 470 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey.

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Just in time for Valentine's Day, Parker-Lusseau Pastries and Cafe at 539 Hartnell Street in Downtown Old Monterey has delicious, heart-shaped chocolate boxes filled with assorted chocolate truffles.

Our chocolate hearts, all made in-house, are available in two sizes: small (3 truffles) and large (6 truffles). They're a beautiful, classic way to say, “Je t’aime."

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Spa on the Plaza, located at 201 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey, is offering Valentine's Day specials throughout the month of February. To make an appointment, please phone us at 831-647-9000.

Valentine's Day Specials

Cupid's Couple Package
$320 for 80 minutes
Indulge in the ultimate Valentine's treat. Immerse yourself in a blissful couple's tub while sipping on chilled champagne. Then pamper yourself with a couple's 50-minute aromatherapy massage. It's the perfect way to celebrate love and relaxation together.

Bubbly Me Package
$175 for 90 minutes
Treat yourself to our exclusive solo spa package. Immerse yourself in a blissful tub and sip on champagne as you indulge in much-needed me time. Then pamper your skin with an invigorating bubbly Image Skincare oxygen facial.

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