The New Normal
I play in a local band led by a singer/songwriter/musician named Chuck Brewer. He recorded a song called “The New Normal,” a catchy little tune that appears on his latest album, titled “Catch me if You Can,” which came out last year. A lyric from that song—”It’s getting stranger every day, is it the new normal?”—seems particularly relevant. As we all attempt to settle in to this new normal, we are hopefully learning some valuable lessons along the way that will have lasting value. It’s been a long haul, but certainly not all bad. Despite all the negatives, there are some good things to come out of all this as well.
The number one priority should be to take care of ourselves and our loved ones. Obvious changes are taking place in almost every aspect of life. The supply chain thing is getting old. The political stuff is getting tiring, and the pandemic, which has caused so many problems seems to be on the decline (for the time being). Oh, and climate change—it’s a thing. How else could we be coming off these record high temperatures here in February?
We can navigate through this changing landscape, and what better place to do it than here on the Monterey Peninsula? So many great places to hang out and do whatever it is that inspires you. I notice on my drive home passing by the local parks with hiking trails, that there are more people out walking than I have ever seen before. The parking lots at these parks are packed most every day. Lots of people walking dogs and getting exercise. Something I am in desperate need of. Don’t these people work?
I have been publishing Carmel Magazine for 22 years now and have been in this business since 1977. Everything about it has changed. Even back when we started this magazine, people said print was dead, yet here we are 22 years later, and so happy to still be here.
In this issue we remember three great individuals who shared their generosity and larger-than-life personas with us. Betty White, Michael Nesmith and John Madden touched many of us over the years, even if we didn’t know them personally. My demographic grew up with all three. I hope you enjoy the touching stories of each in our cover story.
We have two features which are of historical significance and well worth your time to read: the Monterey Cypress story and an article about the famous Gallatin’s restaurant. Each one provides an in-depth look and will both educate and entertain.
The new “Carmel Cares” program is alive and well and this all-volunteer organization is doing amazing work on projects all around Carmel-by-the-Sea. Check out the story and learn what this group is up to and how you can help.
You will also find a cool story on mushrooms and the passion of the foragers and chefs as well as consumers of the tasty fungi. My first real job was in 1974 washing bottles at a mushroom wholesaler, located on the West Side of Santa Cruz. I hated the taste of mushrooms at the time, but did enjoy the occasional dose of magic mushrooms, both frozen and dried, back in those days. These days I do enjoy the culinary mushroom varieties very much.
This issue also celebrates local art and introduces local personalities and some great new culinary options as well as shopping opportunities. Lots to look at and take in. I hope you enjoy our spring issue during, what appears to be, the “New Normal!”