The Buzz 09.16.14

WHO’S IN TOWN?

As climate change, deforestation and sprawl permanently alter the Earth, some people are watching more closely than others. Naturalists observe the subtle changes that show evidence of major shifts, often serving as the first line of defense against extinctions. The inaugural UC California Naturalist Conference provides the latest on climate change and citizen science from speakers likeMary Ellen Hannibal, who’s chronicled the birth of conservation biology, and Anthony Barnosky, curator of fossil mammals at UC Berkeley’s Museum of Paleontology. Opening night includes a “dress as your favorite organism” challenge.

Oct. 17-19. Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove. $420/certified California naturalists, naturalists-in-training; $495/general public. lmmcnees@ucanr.edu, www.calnat.ucanr.edu/2014Conference.

DID YOU KNOW?

The most recent official Monterey County census data includes the following: 49 percent female, 57 percent Latino/Hispanic, 32 percent white only, 7 percent Asian only, 4 percent black only, 4 percent multiracial and 3 percent Native American.

OVERHEARD

“Don’t you hate when birds fly overhead and explode?” 
“No.” 
“Why not?”
- Two 20-something men in front of Starbucks Coffee in downtown Monterey.

GOOD WEEK / BAD WEEK

GOOD:

The future of Monterey’s Cooper Molera adobe has been in question in recent years, as hopes to commercialize it have run up against restrictions in Frances Molera’s will. No more: The historic adobe’s owner, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, won a judgment in Superior Court releasing the restrictions, allowing the trust the option of using some buildings to sell food, beverages and goods. While some – including those with familial ties to the adobe – may decry the judgment, the trust was endowed only $50,000 for the property. Two barns on the grounds are already red-tagged, and need $1 million in restoration just to become usable. Future plans, which involve developer Doug Wiele, include adapting the space to host weddings and concerts in addition to educational historic programming.

BAD:

County Supe Dave Potter can expect cranky calls from local mayors. Their intention: to lobby Potter’s support for the Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority, made up of mayors of the six Peninsula cities served by California American Water and facing cutbacks on water supply. At a Sept. 30 meeting, the supes balked at a request for about $150,000 a year, with tough questions from Potter. On Oct. 3, eight mayors held a monthly meeting where they talked strategy – and trash talked Potter. Sand City Mayor Dave Pendergrass’ take on Potter: “He should know better.” “They may have just screwed the Peninsula,” opined Del Rey Oaks Mayor Jerry Edelen. Said Seaside Mayor Ralph Rubio: “If they hear from mayors everywhere in the county, that would really wake them up.”