Summer 2023

A s I get ready to leave town for the tedious task of printing the 87th edition of Carmel Magazine , I reflect on something that impressed me a couple of weeks back at my youngest son Evan’s graduation from San Diego State University. It was a special weekend and one that I will never forget. I did not attend college but can certainly appreciate what it entails and the benefits as well as the oppor- tunities a good education can lead to. The commencement speech given by Dan Moshavi, the dean of Fowler College of Business at San Diego State, was simply outstanding. One of his key points, which I will share with you, is the concept that one of our most valuable forms of currency is time. He stressed that time can be wasted, lost, spent, saved and bought. When time is lost you don’t get it back, so use your time wisely was, in essence, his message. This magazine you are looking at takes a lot of time and energy to put together and hopefully the result is a positive one that shows a good return on that time invested by the people involved in making it happen. Something we can all be proud of is the goal. And for you, the reader, we don’t want to waste your time. This issue features a lot of great information that I hope you'll appreciate, and maybe learn something that you didn’t already know. I know I did. Obviously, from our cover shot by photographer Jeff Bushnell, this is our Car Week issue. Post COVID, 2023 Car week is running at full force with some new shows and auctions as well as the great events of years past. Many of those are featured here, and it will likely be a very busy week here on the peninsula. The other big event coming to the area for the first time is the 78th U.S. Women’s Open. This one brings out the best female golfers in the world to compete at Pebble Beach Golf Links this July. It’s about time! Speaking of great women, check out our feature on local world champion softball pitcher Monica Abbott. She grew up in Salinas and went on from North Salinas High School to set- ting a ton of records and many great achievements. A 20-year career has led her back here with a new book she has written titled “Rise and Shine: The Monica Abbott Story.” Her list of accomplishments is stunning. We also feature another amazing woman. Maria Villagómez is a Greenfield High School teacher by day, and an animal trap- per in her spare time. She wastes no time in capturing feral cats and kittens and getting them spayed and neutered (and, if possible, placing the kittens in loving homes) to help control the stray animal population in South Monterey County. Maria and her team have started a new nonprofit called Our Neighborhood Pet Project. As I have said in the past, at times we get a great story idea from a local person who calls or writes in. In this case, it was a Carmel woman who introduced us to Dr. Wallace J. Nichols. He lives here in Carmel, and this is his short bio from his web- site: “Marine biologist, author, water-lover, turtle nerd, explorer, movement builder, embarrassing Dad and creator of useful words.” His book, “Blue Mind,” is extraordinary. His teachings on the power of water and why we are drawn to it make so much sense. Also featured in this issue is Tim Jackson, artistic director of the Monterey Jazz Festival, who has been doing great work since taking over for Jimmy Lyons in 1992.Tim has brought us a diverse group of amazing performers ever since.Tim will be missed by so many.Thank you,Tim! There are so many more great things to read about in these 240 pages. Be sure not to miss the story on the iconic Sardine Factory, as it is truly Bert &Ted’s Excellent Adventure.They are legends and two gentlemen I am proud to know. They have done so much for our community over the years and have a great success story and a truly classic restaurant. Enjoy the summer! 46 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R 2 0 2 3 PUBLISHER’S NOTE S T E V E S N I D E R There are so many more great things to read about in these 240 pages. Be sure not to miss the story on the iconic Sardine Factory, as it is truly Ber t & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Time is Not to be Wasted