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Breaker Stadium Grand Opening

Photos by Skyler Lewis

Photos by Nate Philips

Saturday proved to be a day of wonderment at the public library of Pacific Grove. And that goes for grown-ups as well as for kids. Under the direction of Linda Bailey, program originator, children showed up by the dozen to “take a chair” and read their hearts out. Many came accompanied by a parent. Some parents even shared the chair and read books of their own. One mom escorted a lively group of five all the way from Salinas to join the fun. Read more…»

PG Family portrait: The Sweigerts

By Cameron Douglas

Readers of this newspaper may recall a poem that appeared in our April 24 issue as part of our Young Writer’s feature. The poem, penned by PGHS student Julia Sweigert, was titled, “Ellen.” The words carried such a strong feeling that we wanted to learn more about Ellen and her family. The Sweigerts - Jan, David, Joshua, Ellen and Julia - generously agreed to an interview. Their house sits on a hill in what could be called, “Pagrovia Heights.” Here is the Sweigert family, starting with Mom. Read more…»

Asilomar on a Sunday

This is why we live in Pacific Grove.

48th Annual Wildflower Show

The three-day event was held at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. Hundreds enjoyed the examples of native California wildflowers on display.

Send money, not trash!

The 8th grade graduating class of Monterey Bay Charter School, most of whom have been together since kindergarten, held a “Trash-A -Thon” on April 17 not only to raise money for their upcoming graduation trip, a five-day rafting venture on the Klamath River, but also “to help Pacific Grove,” in the words of Hannah, one of the students. As of 11:30 that morning, they had raised $986 and the proceeds were sure to go higher. The students said they were helped in great part by “Philly Billy” Clements who, when approached, not only donated $20 but took the litter pickers around to fellow merchants and raised $150 for them. In-kind gifts from other Pacific Grove merchants included a box of donuts, much appreciated by the hungry students, and some coupons. They were also handed a full bag of garbage and found a piece of cash iron which added to the weight of the total — 335 pounds by 11:30 a.m. The preponderance of trash, according to the students, was cigarette butts. Another interesting find was a dead bird. The students were assisted by their teacher, Ted Maehr, and Pacific Grove City Council Member Deborah Lindsay. The class was also planning a car wash to help raise funds. Anyone wishing to donate — and please send money, not trash! — can send a check to MBCS 8th Grade, 1004 David Ave. #B in Pacific Grove.

Sea Otter Classic: Don’t try this at home

“Molten heat with occasional light breezes brought out the crowds for all four days of Sea Otter. Veteran participants wandered around gaping in disbelief at the weather while newcomers buckled at the knees by the enormity of the event. Upsets in Downhill and Dual Stunts kept fans engaged while it was all business for Specialized and LUNA, which plucked podium spots like they were low-hanging fruit.” That’s how Sea Otter Classic publicists summed it up. Our photographer, Nate Phillips, just said “Wow!”

The event has grown since its first days in 1991 from 300 participants to 9,500 and from 150 specatoes to 50,000 — and that was last year. More than 300 exhibitors showed their stuff, too, in the sweltering heat.

There were events for recreational bikers including recreational road and mountain bike tours. Amateur racers enjoyed nearly 200 classes of road and mountain bike racing for all ages. There were Pro/Elite Mountain Bike Races, Pro/Elite Road Circuit Race, and Pro/Elite Gravity Mountain Bike Races (a better name might have been Gravity-Defying!).

Not only were there plenty of events for adults to watch but there were also events for children: A Kids’ Carnival, Sea Otter Egg hunt, Bicycle rodeo for learning bike safety skills, Bicycle Races and a Kids’ Bicycle Playground.

The event is scheduled for April 15-18 next year, 2010. Nate will probably be there. We expect great things at the upcoming Butterfly Criterium, too!

Larry Haggquist, PGHS poetry teacher

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Larry Haggquist

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PG Volunteers

Bay Life Photos by Skyler Lewis

Around Town: AT&T Commercial Filming

Schools: Barbara Priest Wins Award

Barbara Priest, Instrumental Music Director for Pacific Grove Middle School, has won the prestigious 2009 California Music Educator’s Association (CMEA) Outstanding Music Educator award for the Central Coast Section of the CMEA. Fellow music teachers voted for their choice in the Central Coast Section. There are eight sections in California. Priest, shown above at a rehearsal of her beginning band class, will receive the award plaque at the Gala Awards Banquet at the CMEA State conference in Ontario this March.

Priest is also the PGUSD Music Coordinator, CMEA-CCS Board President Elect, and the Pacific Grove Performing Arts Center Foundation Board and Facility Coordinator.

Bay Life: Photos

Photos by Skyler Lewis

People: Charlsie Kelly and the Art of Life

Artist Profile by Robert Lewis

Pacific Grove artist Charlsie Kelly is a ray of sunshine in an otherwise gloomy time. Kelly’s straightforward approach to life, her deep creativity, and mischievous take on the world, shines through in her demeanor and in her work: watercolors, oils, acrylics, sculpture, jewelry and even clothing. Kelly was one of the founders of Gallery 417 on Cannery Row, and Kelly’s Grand Avenue Artworks, formerly in the basement level of the Pacific Grove Art Center building, was, until recently, a creative hub of artistic activities such as exhibits, demonstrations, artist receptions, and art classes for children and adults.

Though Artworks is now closed, Kelly has opened a working studio just one door down Grand Avenue in the same complex where you can find Crackpot Studios and Bijouterie. She has taken over part of the space once used by artist David Rojas and his Red Mill Gallery, transforming the space. One stands in her studio awestruck at all the work and the palpable creative prowess that emanates from this woman and from her work.

She apologizes for “the mess”, but it’s not a mess so much as a very complicated assembly of artistic pieces, paintings, mobiles, art supplies, photos, jewelry, shelves of books, canvases, and art supplies. Everywhere you look, there is another bright, colorful, whimsical expression of Kelly’s unstoppable creative output. A large canvas of a big pink heart stands on an easel, a work in progress, typical of her positive perspective. A drafting table holds the latest sketches of her planned work. You get the sense that if the art supplies could talk they would be saying “Here she comes! Here she comes!” the studio is so full of life. However, the studio is not a mess. There is a very solid structure and order underlying all of this seeming clutter. In some mysterious way, it is all balanced and in its place, much like Kelly herself.

Kelly’s new studio is yet another beginning that, from the outside, looks like a life of beginnings. Surviving the death of two husbands and five bouts of cancer, Kelly has a real sense of proportion about life. “You just don’t sweat the small stuff.” she says, shrugging her shoulders and smiling generously, projecting a happy, “get over it” attitude. She is sitting in her studio, surrounded by the wonderland of her art past, present, and in progress, talking enthusiastically about her upcoming adventures.

One of those adventures is her planned trip to Costa Rica, where she is Artist-in-Residence at the Hemingway Inn, a boutique hotel in San Jose. Kelly has made a few of these trips to San Jose, Costa Rica, to spend time at the Inn painting murals and decorating rooms with her prolific talent. She typically spends several weeks there, finishing art projects for her host and painting on location.

During this time in residence, Kelly will be living for about two months on the outskirts of San Jose, where she has taken a small house in an international artist community. Her time spent in Costa Rica has been rich with experience and human relationships. Living in the hotel for that time, she becomes close with staff, socializing, becoming friends. Kelly stories of these times conjure colorful images of big dinners, warm people, swaying music, and laughter. “They’re family.” she states.

Certainly, Costa Rica and Pacific Grove are an interesting contrast, each with its own difference in people and place. One place lends perspective to the other. In the time spent in Costa Rica, painting, living day by day, relaxing into a slower pace, Kelly finds a renewal in her own perspective, and new beginnings when she returns to Pacific Grove.

Charlsie Kelly’s work is exhibited in Costa Rica at Gallery Teoteca, but can be seen locally at Pacific Grove Florist, Sand and Glass on Cannery Row, and, by appointment, in her studio on Grand Avenue in Pacific Grove. See charlsiekelly.com for lots of photos and contact information.

People: PG’s Finest is PG’s Finest

He may not be your favorite City employee if you’ve ever violated Pacific Grove parking laws, but Parking Enforcement Officer Tony Marino (and the Pacific Grove Police Department) are the year’s favorites of the Executive Board of the Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce. Marino said, “I think it’s a set-up! I’m waiting for the rotton tomatoes.” The chamber will honor Marino and the police department at a public reception on Wednesday, March 11 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at Passionfish, 701 Lighthouse Avenue. The public is invited for complimentary refreshments.

Young entrepreneurs honored at awards presentation

By Rebecca Riddell

[SinglePic not found]The Pacific Grove Young Entrepreneur Awards (YEA!) presentation was held on Feb. 24 at Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. More than 150 people attended.

Teachers, local business people and community leaders acknowledged approximately 120 Pacific Grove Middle School students who entered this year’s competition. A series of cash awards were presented to students who excelled in preparing comprehensive essays titled, “How I Will Create A Successful Business.” Read more…»

Point Pinos Lighthouse

Photos by Robert Lewis

The Many Colors of Green

The meaning of “green” has been enriched in recent years and “organic” is one of the many shades of meaning that can now be included in the green category. But green doesn’t necessarily mean green! The Pacific Grove Farmers Market offers a rich selection of inexpensive, and colorful, organic produce. Here are some close-ups from last Monday’s abundant farmer’s market tables. Photos by Robert Lewis