Old Monterey District Blog

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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Venture Gallery presents the ceramics of Sachiko Yokota, our featured local artist for February.

In her latest exhibit, Enso in Zen, Yokota focuses on the circular form (enso). Born out of the Japanese minimalist aesthetic, the enso symbolizes absolute enlightenment, strength, elegance, the universe, and the void. Here you'll find enso expressed in ceramic works such as ikebana containers, incense stands, and tableware.

Venture Gallery is open 10am-6pm daily. Sachiko Yokota's artwork will be featured through February 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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Paris Bakery invites you to celebrate Valentine's Day with all your loved ones (young and old) with special seasonal treats! We have so many heart-shaped desserts to enjoy, including a variety of cakes (large and small), chocolate dipped strawberries, cupcakes, cake pops, and decorated cookies.

Visit us at 271 Bonifacio Place in Downtown Old Monterey. You can place an order in advance to avoid disappointment - stop by the bakery or call us at 831-646-1620.

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The Geneo Glo2Facial Oxygen Facial is now available at the Haute Beauty Guide Spa, located at 71 Pearl Street in Downtown Old Monterey. Delivering immediate results, it will leave your skin glowing.

Customized based on your own skin type and concerns, the Glo2Facial includes a double cleanse, exfoliation and oxygenation of the skin, lite ultrasound, a hands-free lymphatic massage, LED treatment, and a custom mask with a signature Japanese pressure point scalp massage.

Book your appointment with esthetician Doran on Haute Beauty Guide's website. Sessions are $249 and last 75 minutes. Haute Beauty Guide is a small, woman-owned business.

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