FREE SPEECH
The Society for Professional Journalists and Center for American Islamic Relations launched a press and community education program called Muslimedia in November, with the first presentation at a Florida mosque. CAIR provided a free halal lunch, and SPJ visited a mosque to host a “blunt debate about the way journalists cover Muslims at home and abroad.” Topics for debate included whether the term “Islamic terrorist” is accurate and when reporters should mention the faith of a source in a story. They’re now taking suggestions for where to go in 2017 at www.spj.org/muslimedia.asp.
WHO’S IN TOWN?
The Pacific Conference on Spectroscopy and Dynamics is one of the longest-running scientific conferences in the U.S., and it’s in town this week for the 63rd year to explore the world of molecular spectroscopy. That’s the study of absorption of light by molecules in both gas and condensed phases. The three-day conference provides a forum for speakers to present the latest results in the fields of chemistry and physics, and their confluence with biology. This year’s speakers include researchers from the University of Melbourne in Australia and National Chiao Tung University in Taiwan, among others.
Thurs Jan. 19-Sun Jan. 22. Asilomar Conference Center, 800 Asilomar Ave., Pacific Grove. $220-$540. www.westernspectroscopy.org.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“If you go back five years and listen to a record, it sounds like cavemen playing instruments. We learned how to be a good, functional touring band.”
- See story, “Woods returns to Big Sur”.
GOOD WEEK / BAD WEEK
GOOD:
It’s a good week for clean oceans and environmental stewardship, thanks to nonprofit Surfrider Foundation teaming up with Seaside’s Chartwell School to get restaurants up to speed on ocean-conscious practices. The project is called Ocean Friendly Restaurants and Chartwell students started it locally, reaching out to local restaurants. Participating restaurants must abide by these rules: zero use of Styrofoam, proper recycling, reusable tableware for on-site dining, disposable utensils for to-go items only on request, plastic straws only on request and no plastic bags for takeout orders. Restaurants must also choose from other criteria like not selling beverages in plastic containers, using energy-efficient LED lighting, and offering vegan and vegetarian options daily, among others.
BAD:
When Monterey city officials entered the former Balesteri property on Fisherman’s Wharf, they were in for a surprise. After evicting Sam Balesteri Dec. 15 from the property he held for five decades, they found the building requires more work than expected. Balesteri is suing the city for $1.7 million for improvements he says he made to the buildings, but City Manager Mike McCarthy says the building looks as though it has not received upkeep for well over 10 years. In the former cafe and ice cream shop, The Coffee House, a hole in the floor was found – likely used as a drain – leading directly to Monterey Bay. There is no price tag for the needed repairs, as costs will be negotiated with future tenants. The city received six proposals for the space; City Council reviewed them Jan. 17 in closed session.