Spring 2026

I t’s a fine Friday here in Carmel on a day when the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is underway. Since the format change, which was implemented in 2024, the celebrity participation has changed as well. The number of A-list actors, musicians, comedians and sports figures has become minimal which is a biproduct of becoming a Signature event on the PGA Tour. I personally loved the whole party atmosphere and tradition that goes back to the Crosby tournament in 1947. That said, I’m told the pro players prefer the $20 million purse now associated with the tournament. Go figure. There is, however, this buzz on the course and throughout the peninsula that superstar Taylor Swift is in town. Her fiancé, Travis Kelce, is playing in the Pro-Am and commanding a gallery of hopeful Swifties among the other spectators. So far, Swift has not been seen on the course. The Associated Press is reporting that an additional $60,000 in tickets were sold within the first 12 hours of announcing Kelce would be playing. We’ve heard rumors that Taylor Swift has been spotted at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Rumors that her private jet flew in yesterday. She has been here and caused a stir before. In 2024, she was in town and dined at the excellent restaurant La Bicyclette and, back in 2014, she had a trip with her friend Karlie Kloss to Big Sur. So far, from what I can tell, these current theories and sight- ings are just rumors, but they don’t seem too far-fetched, as I think she likes this area. Who wouldn’t like it here? I’ve said it before, in my opin- ion, Monterey County is the most ideal place to live in the USA and possibly the world. It’s hard to imagine a location that offers more. Publishing Carmel Magazine is a great way for me to keep learning about the amazing history and diverse landscape of Monterey County as well as the passionate people who live here who make this place truly special.We are fortunate to be able to share some of these stories with you each quarter, as we have for the last 26 years. In this issue, we have an exclusive interview with the down- to-earth actor, comedian, television host Joel McHale. He will be hosting the 33rd Annual Comics for Kids event, helping to raise money for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Monterey County. He is the perfect host and is sure to bring the laughs. I also recently had the opportunity to learn of a desperate situation involving a group of wild horses in the Eastern Sierra which are in danger, and a group of Carmel locals, among oth- ers, who are trying to save them. One of these people is Shelia Sheppard Georis, who, along with her son Nico, has invested so much time, passion and energy for all the right reasons. Artist Patricia Qualls, who is also involved, brought this story to my attention, and Canadian photographer Marni Grossman, who is heavily involved, shot some great photos of these beautiful horses in their natural habitat. Most important in the struggle to save the horses are the Indigenous tribes of the Eastern Sierra—they are of the same land as these horses and have had strong ties with them for generations. See Grossman’s photos and Dina Ruiz’s excellent story in this issue as well. We also learn the fascinating history of the artist Joseph “Jo” Mora, his many talents and the lasting impact he left throughout Monterey County. In 1920, Mora, along with his family, moved to Carmel. He is an important early California artist who you will learn a ton about, as I did, from Peter Hiller’s article featured in this issue. There is much more to be discovered here.The older I get, the more I want to know about the rich history that got us here. Life has changed so much. Not sure it’s all for the better, but it is what it is.We all need to do our part to preserve the things we value here and know that living or visiting this area is truly a great thing. Enjoy Spring! 52 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G 2 0 2 6 PUBLISHER’S NOTE S T E V E S N I D E R Life on the Peninsula We all need to do our par t to preserve the things we value here and know that living or visiting this area is truly a great thing.