Summer 2024

BEST OF THE CARMEL POLICE LOG… Case of cat vs. person bite: The owner of a cat was bitten by their cat. SHORT CUTS CARMEL CONFIDENTIAL Giving Back and Getting Praise A Monterey stop of the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour raised funds for Habitat Stewardship Project Monterey Bay. Formerly called Return of the Natives, Habitat Stewardship Project is a community- and school-based environmental education program that restores native habitats with the help of local volunteers. The *ebruary gathering at the +olden State Theatre featured films showcasing stories of outdoor sports, mountain culture, adventure and environmental exploration. Habitat Stewardship Project Director Laura Lee Lienk addressed viewers at the event. The organization’s supporters also planted trees at Fort Ord National Monument on the day of the screening. Funds Raised for Habitat Stewardship Project Monterey Bay S everal local chefs contributed to a new cookbook by the Blue Zones Project of Monterey County. The publication features 25 recipes for plant-based dishes anchored around local ingredients. Blue Zones Project Monterey County promotes healthy lifestyle choices and community-wide wellness through workshops, walking groups, volunteer events, and school and workplace part- nerships. For its recent project, the nonprofit connected with culinary professionals from Blue Zones partner organizations such as the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa’s Coastal Kitchen, Mezzaluna, the Steinbeck House Restaurant, and Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula. Chefs shared recipes and personal anecdotes about their Blue Zones involve- ment. Eight community members also provided recipes for the book. To view a free digital version of the cook- book, visit bit.ly/BZPMCCookbook. “The Great British Bake Off” co-host Noel Fielding says his dream main course is the ambrosia burger at Nepenthe. The English comedian mentioned the Big Sur mainstay during an interview on “Off Menu,” a podcast hosted by comedians Ed Gamble and James Acaster. In addition to noting “the greatest burger” that’s available at Nepenthe, Fielding talked about the restaurant’s views and its pop- ularity among Beat writers. U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta secured $3 million in project funding for the Carmel River Floodplain Restoration and Environmental Enhancement Project (Carmel River FREE). Using a combination of federal, state, local and community funding, the project aims to reduce repetitive flooding, protect infra - structure and restore habitat. “Finding the balance is necessary when it comes to safeguarding our community from flooding and pro - tecting our natural environment,” said a statement from Rep. Panetta. “Through innovative projects and partnerships like Carmel River FREE, I’m ensuring the federal gov- ernment is investing in local infra- structure initiatives that will not only better protect us against extreme weather events but also enhance the natural beauty of our home.” Visit Carmel hosted a pre- view party for the new season of KQED’s “Check, Please! Bay Area” in April. Host Leslie Sbrocco and team members from the show attended the Sunset Center event, which cele- brated the first episodes centered on the Monterey Bay area. Several local restaurants headlined two of the show’s April episodes. Cameras cap- 78 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R 2 0 2 4 Local chefs and eight community members contributed recipes to “Inspired,” a new Blue Zones cookbook.