Old Monterey District Blog

Introducing The Stevenson Monterey Hotel!

Posted on October 13th, 2014 by omba

Travelodge in Monterey has changed its name to The Stevenson Monterey Hotel! We are now a fully independent hotel with the same great staff and service you’ve come to love over the years, operating under the same ownership.

Along with super-friendly, concierge-style service, we also offer free wi-fi, continental breakfast, parking, air conditioning, and a seasonally heated pool. The most reasonably-priced downtown hotel year-round, clean and well-maintained, we’ve become a go-to spot for travelers from all over the world, some of whom have returned year after year for decades!

Our central location, at 675 Munras Avenue, gives our guests convenient access to more than 60 restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques within walking distance, including those in Old Monterey and Fisherman’s Wharf. And we’re only a 12 minute walk away from the Monterey Conference Center.

Whether you’re visiting on a romantic getaway or with your family, we’ll have the right room for you.

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In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, for every booking during the month of October, Blush Makeup & Skin Studio will donate $5 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Your makeup consultation and application will help someone's fight! Make an appointment soon and help us empower women - please phone Blush at 831-901-3924.

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Alvarado Street Brewery & Grill Announces New Happy Hour

Posted on September 30th, 2014 by omba

Alvarado Street Brewery & Grill is pleased to announce our new Happy Hour, 3pm-6pm daily. Enjoy beer and food specials along with a new mid-day dining menu!

In addition, we'll now be open Sundays at 10am for some great football as well as beer and food specials. And, along with the Sunday football specials, Alvarado Street Brewery will offer Happy Hour beer prices on Mondays from 3pm until closing.

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Photographs by Susan Theodore at Monterey Conference Center

Posted on September 16th, 2014 by omba

The City of Monterey, Colton Hall Museum & Cultural Arts Commission, and the Monterey Conference Center are pleased to announce the Alvarado Gallery exhibit: Along the Way, Photographs by Susan Theodore. The exhibit will be on display August 8 - October 19, 2014 in the Alvarado Gallery located at the Monterey Conference Center, One Portola Plaza.

Susan first created photographs in Chicago neighborhoods and lakefront, trying to make visual sense of the streets, buildings, and people she encountered. She began capturing images that resonated with her and sought to evoke memories and emotions in the viewer.

Susan moved to Monterey in 2003 and was enchanted by the great visual contrast to Chicago. She explored the historic missions and adobes, private homes and military installations, fishing boats, wharf activity, and sea coast that seemed so foreign to her. She worked to make photographs that gave each viewer a sense of what she saw, offering them an opportunity to enter into a photograph from their individual perspectives. Her work became more abstract as she attempted to distill the urban landscape into core emotional components.

This exhibit offers images of Monterey she made over the past six years. Her work can be viewed online at photographsbysusantheodore.com.

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The Monterey History and Art Association, Museum of Monterey - Stanton Center and Whalefest 2015 are calling for submissions of photographs by local photographers from Monterey and Santa Cruz counties to be exhibited at the Museum of Monterey (5 Custom House Plaza in Monterey) and subsequently donated to a drawing to benefit both the Museum and Whalefest Monterey.

The subject matter of the photos should be marine life and activities photographed locally. The prints can be any size up to 16×20 inches, black and white or color, and should be mounted on a board so they can be displayed on an easel. On the back should be the photographer's name and a brief description of the subject matter, where and when taken, and any technical details of the shot.

Initial submissions of up to three photos should be made in digital form to Pete Rerig at [email protected]. Deadline for submissions is October 15, 2014. Accepted mounted prints need to be delivered to the Museum by November 7, 2014. The quality of the prints needs to match that of the electronic entry, especially with regards to resolution. Whalefest reserves the right to reject the prints if they do not meet quality standards.

Up to 30 photos will be selected by the Museum's curators. They will be displayed on easels throughout the Museum beginning November 15, 2014 until the last day of Whalefest on January 25, 2015. Many of Whalefest's lectures, presentations, and documentary screenings will take place at the Museum on January 24 and 25. Intellectual property rights remain with the photographer.

While the photos are on exhibit, patrons may purchase tickets for a drawing to win one or more photos of their choice by placing tickets into individual receptacles for each photo. A drawing from each receptacle will be held to determine the winner of that particular photo on January 25, 2015. Winners do not need be present to win. Winners may pick up the prints at the Museum, or have them sent to them, in which case shipping and handling charges apply.

For more information, please click here or contact Antoinette Saylor at [email protected].

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Om Studios presents Fit & Flexible Classes

Posted on August 30th, 2014 by omba

Om Studios in Monterey presents Fit & Flexible with instructor Jill Willett, Tuesdays and Thursdays, September 2 - October 2. Fit & Flexible is personalized, convenient, and effective. Come for the 30-minute high-intensity workout, the 45-minute full-body stretch, or both!

Session 1, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 12pm-12:30pm
High intensity 30 minute full-body workout. Utilizing training in TRX, Barre, and Personal Training. $20 drop-in fee.

Session 2, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 12:30pm-1:15pm
Flowing full-body stretch using techniques including resistance stretches, breathing techniques, and yoga.

Fee is $20 per session, drop-in; $30 for both sessions together, drop-in; or $250 if you pay for all 20 classes in advance. For more information, please visit Om Studios website, or phone 831-204-7949.

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House Blend Happy Hour at Cibo Restaurant

Posted on August 30th, 2014 by omba

Beginning Friday, September 5, Cibo Restaurant, KWAV 96.9 FM, and Maddox present "House Blend" Happy Hour every Friday night, 4pm-8pm. Enjoy a sophisticated post-work celebration blend of music, mingling, and diversion. DJ Sy-Ence will be playing a tasteful blend of Soul, R&B, House, and Jazz to ease you into the weekend.

Cibo will offer $3 well drinks, beer and wine, plus a tasty Small Bites Menu including grilled cheese and short rib panini with caramelized onions and arugula, grilled prawns with salsa verde and black garlic, and polenta caprese. Enjoy $7 specialty cocktails such as an agave margarita, lavender martini, or cherry blossom fizz, to name a few.

Stay for dinner at Cibo and receive a complimentary Chef's Choice Appetizer with your entree when you mention KWAV.

Cibo is open seven nights a week for dinner from 5pm with the bar opening at 4pm. For more information, please visit Cibo's website or phone 831-649-8151.

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NFL and college football season is here, and Characters Sports Bar & Grill at Monterey Marriott is expanding its morning hours on the weekends so you can watch the games on our eleven HDTVs.

Beginning August 30, Characters will open Saturdays at 9am and begin serving lunch at 11:30am.

Beginning September 7, Characters will open Sundays at 9am, offering our spectacular All You Can Eat Breakfast Burrito Bar ($11), 9am-11:30am, as well as our Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar ($6), 9am-4pm. At 11:30am, we'll begin serving our regular lunch menu.

Are you more of a night owl than an early bird? We stay open until midnight on Saturday and 11pm on Sunday.

Come on down, watch football with us, and enjoy delicious food and drink! We're able to show all NFL games (except Oakland Raider Blackout Games) and most college games. We also offer free wi-fi access. For more information, call us at 831-647-4023.

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From CSUMB SBDC:

The CSUMB SBDC is partnering up with JL White International to bring the 12 O'Clock High to Monterey County. The program begins with an innovative one-day workshop followed by follow-up coaching and support. We have seen amazing results and want to share this with small business owners in Monterey County! The 12 O'Clock High event is scheduled for September 19.

We are holding a 90 minute free Webinar with Dr. Jim White on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at 10 am PT. Dr. White will take your questions and review 9 keys to personal and professional success. Bring your most pressing issue to the session and he will address your issue and give you a strategy or strategies that you can use immediately to solve your issue. We invite you to participate and learn more about what 12 O'Clock High is all about!

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Dinner to Benefit Monterey County Youth Museum

Posted on August 18th, 2014 by omba

Monterey County Youth Museum invites you to join us for a spectacular evening with fabulous views, incredible food, amazing wines, interesting people, and a great cause!

On Saturday, September 20, 2014 at the former estate of Merv Griffin in Carmel Valley, there will be a MY Spectacular Dinner. Cocktails begin at 4:30pm, dinner served at 5:30pm. Cost is $150 per person for a seated, multi-course culinary experience. Attire is dressy casual and dinner will be served outside, so please dress accordingly. All proceeds will benefit MY Museum, a registered non-profit organization.

For more information, please phone Lauren Cohen at MY Museum, 831-649-6444, ext. 203. To register, please click here.

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Museum of Monterey Offering Free Admission in August

Posted on August 13th, 2014 by omba

The Museum of Monterey is pleased to offer free admission in August 2014! Visit us at 5 Custom House Plaza and see what's happening. We have the re-opening of the Allen Knight Room, the latest Year of Fishing exhibit on Boat Builders, the Etched in Monterey display, the expansion of our Italian/Sicilian heritage wall, and a fascinating permanent collection of art and artifacts documenting the history and culture of the Monterey Peninsula.

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RECAP - Monterey Classic Car Week Kick-Off in Downtown Monterey

Posted on August 11th, 2014 by pcofresi

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca brought some classic race cars to the downtown on Friday, August 8 to kick off the week-long classic car races, celebrations, events, and auctions happening throughout the Monterey Bay.

Here is a video from the event, please enjoy!

Monterey Classic Car Week Kick-Off on Alvarado

Posted on August 7th, 2014 by pcofresi

Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion
Monterey Classic Car Week Kick-Off

The heart of historic downtown Monterey will be transformed into an outdoor motorsports museum when historic race cars line Alvarado Street between 5 and 7 p.m. on Friday, August 8 when Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca kicks off the 2014 Monterey Classic Car Week activities.

The race car show lines the street allowing visitors the chance to freely walk among the race cars, take pictures beside them and ask questions of their owners. This event marks the start of an exhilarating week on the central coast and allows visitors to gain an up-close look at the weekend’s biggest automotive stars. In addition to its motorsports attractions, the race car show will also feature raffle prizes, music and driver interviews.

With the support of the Old Monterey Business Association, the show features a select group of classic race cars that will participate in the week’s cornerstone event, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Under police escort, this band of historic race cars will travel from the race track, down Highway 68 and finish their journey in beautiful Old Monterey where they will be on display for the downtown community.

This year’s race car show will feature a diverse lineup of race cars, such as a 1956 Lotus Eleven, 1965 Alfa Romeo GTA, 1968 Bizzarrini Strada and a 1963 Corvette Stingray.

For race participants it is an opportunity to showcase their cars to the community in a festive environment filled with families. Cibo Ristorante Italiano (www.cibo.com) located at 301 Alvarado is a generous supporter of the event. Cibo is hosting a driver reception that will be open to the public at 5 p.m. with complimentary appetizers until 7 p.m. and live jazz music beginning at 5:30.

We hope to see you there!

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Hellam's Tobacco Shop is giving away an Alec Bradley limited edition triple-flame torch lighter (valued at $49.95) with a minimum purchase of $100 of Alec Bradley cigars at our store.

As of July 19, 2014, we only have ten lighters remaining - get 'em while they last! There's no better time to buy something special for the cigar lover in your life. Visit us at 423 Alvarado Street in Monterey.

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Birthday parties at MY Museum: we know how to party!

Posted on July 21st, 2014 by omba

Did you know you can hold your child's birthday party at Monterey County Youth Museum?

MY Museum sets the stage for creating a great birthday party for your child at competitive prices. Not only will your guests enjoy the Museum's seven galleries, we also offer three different birthday party packages with help from a staff known for creating memorable experiences. You bring the cake and we’ll help with the rest.

Standard Party Package - 15 children per room
Includes 2 hours of playtime for party guests, 15 goody bags, 15 party crowns, and exclusive use of the Party Room.
Members: $175 or $300 for two rooms
Non-members: $200 or $325 for two rooms

Private Party Package - up to 75 guests
Have the whole museum to yourself and your favorite friends. This package includes 2 hours of exclusive use of the museum and party rooms, a decorated gift table, and all guests receive a special 10% discount at the MY Gift Cart.
Members: $375
Non-members: $425 (includes a complimentary membership)

Slumber Party Package - 1 adult for every 5 guests required
You'll get an all night exclusive sleepover in the Museum starting at 7pm, including 2 Sleepover staff members, goody bags, activities and games, light evening snack, and light breakfast.
Members: $35 per person
Non-members: $40 per person

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Angie would like to introduce to you her newest women's jacket, available now at Angie's Boutique at 315 Calle Principal. This soft, stylish, semi-fitted quilted jacket has zippers, zippers, zippers! It's perfect for an evening out, a day at the office, or to wear casually with a pair of jeans. Available in black and cream.

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Summertime at Ocean Sushi Deli

Posted on July 12th, 2014 by OceanSushiDeli

Ocean Sushi Deli has had a busy summer! In July, we helped cater the 100th year birthday celebration of George Tanimura (of Tanimura & Antle). The epic event, with 600 guests, included a fireworks display, taiko drummers from San Jose, and even sky jumpers!

On August 13, we'll be serving sushi for the unofficial kick-off party of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and its 2,500 guests. There's never a dull moment!

If you're looking for a caterer and delicious Japanese fare, please give us a call at 831-645-9876. We'll be happy to speak with you.

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