"Happy Hour." What is it about these two simple words that are immediately symbolic and never fail to produce a smile? How did it come to be synonymous with time spent unwinding at the conclusion of the workday and/or work week? Out of curiosity, I conducted a quick bit of unscholarly Internet research to discover that the term's origin can allegedly be traced back to a 1959 … [Read more...] about Happy Hour Hangouts
Archives for November 2018
Life is Good
I'm a Dog…and You're Not! Four-legged Lessons for a Day Well Lived
Winifred is sprawled on the couch, head between paws. We lock eyes. And I can't help thinking… Am I the only one who looks in the eyes of his dog and knows exactly what she's thinking? Good. Then you understand. Her look is unmistakable: So many things to be thankful for. Get with the program, Oman! I'm working on it, girl. Give me a break. I'm only human! Of course, that is … [Read more...] about Life is Good
Elvis and Me
Priscilla Presley Comes to Carmel
Priscilla Presley sits quietly for a moment before answering a question about her memories of when she and Elvis Presley visited Monterey in December 1967. They had traveled from Los Angeles to visit her parents, Ann and the late Colonel Paul Beaulieu, who were living in Fort Ord. Laughing softly, her eyes sparkle. Presley's eyes will telegraph many things over the next few … [Read more...] about Elvis and Me
Sixty Years of Cannery Row’s Developing Renaissance
Monterey Transformed from Sardines to Civility
Sitting at a polished boardroom table next to Ted Balestreri, chairman and CEO of Monterey's Cannery Row Company, it's easy to picture the popular waterfront area that he was instrumental in developing which is now bustling with shops, restaurants, hotels and the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. What is harder to imagine is the rundown state of Cannery Row 60 years ago, with … [Read more...] about Sixty Years of Cannery Row’s Developing Renaissance
Immortal Words
The Lasting Legacy of Author John Steinbeck
December 20, 2018, marks the 50th anniversary of the death of one of America's most beloved writers—and Monterey County's most famous sons—John Steinbeck. His body of work is widely regarded as among the finest of his generation, and has been translated into more than 40 languages, ensuring that his novels, short stories and non-fiction reach readers in every part of the … [Read more...] about Immortal Words