District Blog

Throughout Monterey County, face masks are required to be worn indoors in public spaces as of Friday, November 5, 2021. This is because Monterey County reached the “substantial” community transmission level of Covid-19 according to the CDC. For details, please read this short article in Monterey County Weekly by Pam Marino.

There are some exceptions to the mask mandate, all covered in the article. These exceptions include indoor dining, situations in which a mask would “impede a medical or cosmetic procedure,” or at a meeting where all vaccinated people have shown proof of vaccination (unvaccinated people still have to wear masks).

We thank you for your patience, your compassion in these unusual times, and your continued support of the Lighthouse District's small, locally-owned businesses.

The Presidio of Monterey Museum has reopened after nearly 600 days of closure! Located at the Lower Presidio Historic Park, the museum is free and open to the public, Saturday and Sunday, 10am-4pm. There is no entrance fee.

The museum shows visitors the military history of Monterey from the indigenous peoples of the area to the modern-day Presidio and Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center.

After your visit, take a walk up to Presidio Hill to find one of the best views of the Monterey Bay and visit the towering 111 year-old Sloat Monument. For more information, check out this great new article by the U.S. Army.

The Presidio of Monterey Museum is located at 76th Artillery Street & Corporal Ewing Road, Bldg. 113, in Monterey near the Lighthouse District.

For years, artist Mai Ryuno, owner of Play Full Ground, has been making her signature Happy Monterey Sardine pillows to bring people joy. Each sardine has been a handmade, one-of-a kind piece.

Now, you can make your own Happy Monterey Sardine! Mai has recently published a step-by-step instruction video on her YouTube channel and provided a downloadable sewing pattern here. It's a new way to own, gift, and enjoy these fun, colorful fish.

You can make your own sardine(s) as a solo sewing project or with your family and friends! And you can keep it for yourself or give it as a handcrafted, unique gift for the holidays and other special occasions.

Check out the video, download the pattern, and have fun making, playing, and sharing.

Do you want to learn about sewing in a more personal and interactive way with Mai by working with her on a project like this or one of your own? Consider signing up for Play Full Ground's Creativity-Based Learning Program and learn how to sew, make, and explore your creativity!
 

Monterey Bay Aquarium is looking for people passionate about conservation of the ocean for several volunteer opportunities.

Please register here to attend one of our info sessions:

Virtual session
Wednesday, November 10
7pm–8:30pm

In-person session
Saturday, November 13
8:30am-10 am

As of October 7, 2021, open volunteer positions include:

Seasonal Aquarium guide
Help inspire conservation of the ocean by sharing Aquarium exhibits with our guests from around the world.

Animal care volunteer
Help us care for animal collection whether it is working in our food room, assisting with the care of our shorebirds and penguins or caring for and feeding our fish and invertebrate collections.

Otter care volunteer
Help us care for abandoned, ill or injured sea otters and release them back into the wild.

Learn more on Monterey Bay Aquarium's volunteer page.

Because of continuing concerns about Covid-19, Lighthouse Avenue businesses in Monterey will not be hosting our regular community trick-or-treat in 2021.

We wish all of you a happy Halloween this fall and we look forward to welcoming you back for sweet and ridiculous family fun with us in October 2022.

Sahara Sun Tanning and Boutique is having a sale on our services! Now through October 31, 2021, buy 2 and get 2 free: regular tans, stand up tans, high pressure tans, mid pressure tans, Versa Pro, and redlight treatments. Stop by the shop and stock up. We're located at 585 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.

Poppleton's Fine Furniture & Interior Design, located at 299 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey, announces our Fall Stickley Sale October 6-24, 2021. Receive 35% off the manufacturer's suggested retail price of any one Stickley item. (Some exclusions may apply. Please contact Poppleton's for details.)

Origins by Stickley includes three bedroom groups designed with timeless style and outstanding value in mind. It’s an attractive option for those furnishing a first home or redecorating a guest suite. Each piece is handcrafted with time-honored Stickley construction features and impeccable attention to detail.

Beginning on November 1, 2021, Monterey Bay Aquarium will require all visitors 12 and older to provide proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of their scheduled visit.

At entry, visitors must present their proof of vaccination record or proof of negative Covid-19 test, along with a valid photo ID for guests ages 18 years and older.

At this time, valid forms of vaccination records include: the original, copy, or digital photo of the CDC vaccination card or similar document from another state, local, or foreign government OR the California SMART Health Card, available online here.

Acceptable negative COVID-19 results must be taken within 72 hours of the visit; include name, date, and type of test, and indication that the result was negative for COVID-19; come from lab-run PCR or rapid antigen tests. We will not accept at-home test results. View a full list of Covid testing sites in Monterey County here.

Staff, volunteers, and guests ages three and older are still required to wear a mask when inside at the Aquarium. Timed tickets remain available for purchase exclusively through our website.

These policies are subject to change as the Aquarium continues to evaluate its operations in order to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Aquarium staff will continuously evaluate COVID safety policies, always keeping public health and safety as the top priority.

Have you ever thought that you aren't creative enough? You don't need to feel that way! Creativity comes in different forms and is useful for people of all ages not only in art, but also in everyday life.

Mai Ryuno, an experienced artist, art teacher, and owner of Play Full Ground, has found many creative qualities that she uses both as an artist and in everyday life. In Play Full Ground's Creativity Learning Program, Mai assesses, applies, and practices creativity with her students by going through a simple, three-step process of Think, Do, Share.

In her Creativity Learning Program, Mai offers her skills, knowledge, and experience as an artist, serving as a supporter, mentor, and cheerleader throughout your journey to discover your unique self and to gain ownership of your everyday life with your creative skills. Let Mai help you make your everyday life more creative in this four-week program!

Please visit the Play Full Ground website for more details and email Mai to start a conversation about how she might be able to help you bring greater creativity to your life. You can also view her latest video, "Creativity is You!" on YouTube.

Did someone say Ohana Pie? This delicious dessert from Hula's Island Grill now features a new flavor of Marianne’s ice cream: 1020. It's caramel ice cream with fudge and Oreo cookie crumbles. (Yum!) Ohana Pie is available daily after 4pm. Come and get it at 622 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.

Are you looking to start a new career in hair? Are you just out of beauty school? Oya Salon is now hiring assistants. Come join us - please phone 831-656-0570 for more information.

Oya Salon is located at 201 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey