Old Monterey District Blog

This is a very exciting time of year for tea lovers. This year’s tea crop is aromatic, flavorful and well finished. As we have done in previous years, Cha-ya Japanese Tea & Things is offering a 10% discount for those of you who wish to pre-order until May 1, 2016. We will be offering three Shincha teas at the discounted price. All tea may be paid by phone or upon pick up. The tea will arrive in early May. Please call today to place your order, 831-646-5486.

Hashiri Shincha: Hashiri means “first harvest of the season.” It is made from very young leaves and buds of the tea plant. It was picked by hand. 2 oz. for $26 (after May 1, $30)

Shincha Kunpu: Kunpu means “aromatic wind” and comes form the Honyama region of Shizuoka. It is lightly steamed with a woodsy aroma and a natural sweetness similar to fresh green vegetables. 2 oz. for $24 (after May 1, $28)

Shincha Houryoku: Houryoku, meaning “sprouting green,” is from the Makinohara region. It is a Fukumushi Sencha steamed longer than Kunpu. It produces an emerald liquid full of herbaceous flavor. 2 oz. for $24 (after May 1, $28)

As the Monterey Conference Center renovation continues to make great progress, Portola Hotel & Spa is thrilled to announce the start of the construction on Portola Plaza. On April 25, 2016, the City of Monterey will be replacing the Portola Plaza driveway at the main entrance to the Portola Hotel & Spa and Monterey Conference Center with an extensive remodel slated for completion in early September 2016. Designed by the world renowned architects at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the sleek design of the driveway will complement the modern architectural elements being incorporated into the Monterey Conference Center renovation.

While the driveway is in the process of being replaced, the Portola Hotel & Spa’s front entrance will be temporarily closed. Access to the Portola Hotel & Spa will be through the hotel’s parking garage, located on the right hand side of Del Monte Avenue. Our guests’ experience throughout this renovation is very important to us and we have taken extra steps to ensure a smooth arrival process for each and every one. A check-in valet will be stationed to greet and direct all arriving guests, along with a garage attendant to answer any questions.

Portola Plaza is home to a bronze statue of Gaspar de Portola, a Spanish soldier and administrator in New Spain who became the founder and first governor of Alta California, which held Monterey as its capital. The statue, donated to the City of Monterey by King Juan Carlos I of Spain to honor the bicentennial of the US, was personally dedicated by King Juan Carlos I during his trip here in 1987. In the new design of Portola Plaza, the statue will remain an integral part of the plaza and will give visitors a better opportunity to capture a fantastic photo with a piece of Monterey history.

East Village Coffee Lounge invites you to watch the 2016 NBA playoffs with us! That's right, we'll have basketball playing live on the television every night. Stop by, watch the game, and enjoy our delicious coffee, tea, beer, wine, and pastries as you cheer on your team.

Bay of Pines is now offering a special after-school program for children, April 25 - May 23, 2016. Entitled the Kids' International Science & Culture Camp, children will learn about cooking in a restaurant and for themselves as they explore many different countries through cooking, arts,and culture.

Camp Administrator and Lead Teacher is Dana Mills Helman, a Presidential Awardee for Excellence in Mathematics & Science Teaching in 1997. Camp activities include: cooking/chemistry, astronomy, earth sciences, biology, ecology, technology, math, music, art, dance, and more.

The camps meet on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, 3:30pm-5:30pm. Fee is $300 for all 10 days, $40 per day for two or more days, or $50 for one day. Please phone Bay of Pines for more information and to register, (831) 920-3560.

Bay of Pines Organic Restaurant, located in the heart of Old Monterey at 150 Del Monte Avenue, is happy to announce that we're now open for lunch seven days a week! Stop by Monday - Friday, 11am-3pm, and Saturday - Sunday, 11am-4pm. We're also available for dinner for groups of 8 or more people by reservation as well as for private events. For more information, please phone us at 831-372-1718.

At this time, until further notice, Old Capitol Books will only be buying books on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please be sure to call us in advance to let us know you'll be arriving with books to sell us, 831-333-0383.

In Spa on the Plaza’s continued effort to operate as a green business, we are constantly looking at ways to become more environmentally friendly and more energy efficient. Being a green business, we consider the environment in how we operate the business, as well as the products we use in our treatments and feature in our retail space.

Most recently, we’ve updated all of our lighting to a lower energy option, utilizing LED bulbs and fixtures. In our retail and salon areas, we are quite proud to have removed all cosmetics from the spa that are not approved by the Environmental Working Group’s cosmetic safety database.

In other updates and renovations, we now are featuring new salon reclining chairs to relax in, as well as a new pedicure chair with water foot chamber and a new manicure table. All linens are new, and upgrades are constantly being implemented in our treatment rooms, including equipment to allow for hot towels. All session tables are now electrically heated featuring new colored linens with unique table sashes. We also added decorative shells that can also be used to hold jewelry or other items not removed prior to the appointment, so personal items are not forgotten in robes and free the body for better bodywork.

We are also quite proud to feature new facial equipment including: microcurrent galvanic machines, microdermabrasion machines, high frequency machines, oxygen machine, and LED light therapy machines.

And last but not least is our beautiful new flooring and fresh paint, as well as the renovation of our private relaxation area! Now a warmer and brighter bleached oak, this new flooring complements the soothing and calming design elements of the spa.

We look forward to sharing our updates and renovation with our clients, and look forward to seeing you for an amazing spa day!

Bella's Studio, Old Monterey's sewing, craft, and design studio, is presenting Summer Kids' Camps June 6 - August 5, 2016 for a variety of ages and skill levels. For a complete list of our summer camps, including descriptions, please click here. Be sure to sign up early because sessions fill up quickly.

Kids' Summer Camps 2016

June 6 - 10: For the Young Ones (ages 6-8)
This is the perfect camp for young ones who want to get their little hands all crafty. Campers will create fun, easy projects to jump-start their sewing journeys. No sewing experience necessary, just a desire to learn a new craft and meet new friends. $360

June 13 - 17: Boys Can Sew (ages 8-12)
Boys love to sew! This camp focuses on projects that boys will love. $325

June 20 - 24: Fashionista #1 (ages 8-16)
June 27 - July 1: Fashionista #2 (ages 8-16)
Fashionista Camps are for those with some sewing experience who want to take their designing and sewing skills to the next level. Budding designers will create an original outfit while learning to follow a pattern and sew with professional results. We'll explore design theory and fashion illustration. $385 per week; $750 for both sessions

July 11 - 15: Quilt & Stitch (ages 7-16)
A summer favorite! Campers will create a cozy quilted blanket and learn the art of hand embroidery. $360

July 18 - 22: It's a Doll Party (ages 8-12)
Campers will create a matching sleepover outfit with their favorite 18" doll. Cozy jammies and a snuggly pillow will make quite a fashion statement. We finish the week with a tea party - all dolls invited! $360

July 25 - 29: Accessories Galore! (ages 7-16)
Totes, pouches, pencil cases, book covers, hair flowers - this camp is a week of fun small projects that are stylish and practical. $360

August 1 - 5: Sew Green Fashionista (ages 7-12)
All budding fashionistas can take this camp. Campers will create a simple outfit and learn to re-purpose a favorite piece that needs a little makeover. No sewing experience necessary! $360