CRA News September 2007

Selected articles from the newsletter of the Carmel Residents Association

Carmel-by-the-Sea City Councilman Ken Talmage, former Mayor Jean Grace and Kyla Cyr were among the hundred plus CRA members attending the annual Twilight Barbecue at Indian Village in Pebble Beach. In the background, in addition to the beautiful Monterey Pines circling Indian Village, can be seen some of the festive banners strung everywhere. Learn more about the event.

CRA Meeting:
What's Next in the War on Terror?

President's Message
Everywhere you look you find us

by Roberta Miller

Welcome to the Carmel Residents Association's 2007-08 year-the beginning of our 21st year of community service. Residents living in Carmel, second homeowners, and local businesses are welcome to join. With over 585 members, we are the largest residents' organization in Carmel and also the most far-reaching in our scope, offering opportunities to take part in educational and informational programs, civic affairs, community service, social events, and to support local business. We continually strive to be a valuable and positive influence in our community.

The CRA membership mirrors the demographic makeup of Carmel. Our membership runs the gamut -- long time and newer residents, including active or retired professors, mayors, doctors, lawyers, school teachers, business owners, artists, authors, actors, corporate executives, engineers, nurses, bankers, newspaper editors, college presidents, military officers, historians, scientists, and everything betwixt and between. They are positive, thoughtful individuals who want to share and give back to this community a lifetime of experience and learning.

We are committed to providing community education and information programs. To meet this goal, Sept. through April, general meetings, open to the public, are held on the fourth Thursday of the month at 4:45 p.m. Last year's speakers included architect Brian Congleton on Creative Solutions to Low Income Housing, Cindy Heitzman of the California Preservation Foundation, and Dennis Weber of the Office of Historic Preservation on the Economics of Historic Preservation, cartoonist Bill Bates on Carmel Quirks in Cartoons, Dick Crispo on The Cultural History of Carmel through Its Art, City Attorney Don Freeman on My View of Carmel, Don Newmark, The Wonderful, Exciting World of Jazz and our finale, a Festival of Artists, Actors and Writers featuring CRA members' talent at the Cherry Center for the Arts.

Our monthly newsletter, the Carmel Residents Association News, is our signature contribution, our jewel in the crown. It is a cohesive element that members value and look forward to reading. It keeps us current on important city issues and events, reminds us of our past history and heritage, provides factual information with which to make our own decisions and is a constant reminder of the wonderfully talented, interesting and caring people living in our midst.

We are committed to participating in civic affairs. CRA members serve on city commissions and boards. In addition, our board members review and carefully study the issues under consideration by the City Council, Planning Commission, Design Review Board, Forest & Beach Commission, Library Board and Historic Resources Board and regularly attend these meetings. They often speak on issues of importance to the residents.

When necessary, we stand at the Post Office with flyers or petitions to raise awareness of important issues affecting the residents of Carmel.

We are committed to participating in community service. For 17 years, on the fourth Saturday of every month (sometimes on the 3rd Sat.), the CRA Beach Cleanup brigade can be seen working to help maintain Carmel Beach. We can be seen volunteering at the city birthday party and just having fun participating in the Halloween Parade. Look around and you will find CRA members involved in two city support groups-Friends of the Carmel Forest and the Friends of Sunset Foundation. In fact, one soon notices that CRA members are busy making a difference in other Carmel organizations as well. We have members involved in Carmel Heritage, Carmel Foundation, Carmel Public Library Foundation, Carmel Youth Center, Carmel Woman's Club, Forest Theater Guild, Sunset Cultural Center, Carmel Art Association, Yes! for Carmel, Carmel Bach Festival, Carl Cherry Center, American Legion and the American Red Cross.

We are committed to participating in social events. This gives us an opportunity to make friends, and to feel a real sense of community. Our August Fiesta in the Forest, Holiday Gala at La Playa and Citizen of the Year Celebration in March are enjoyed by all. Outings on a smaller scale have included trips to Brazil Ranch, Glen Deven Ranch, Mitteldorf Preserve, Hopkins Marine Station, Asilomar and a special tour of the Carmel Mission.

We are committed to supporting local businesses. Our members are encouraged to enjoy shopping locally. CRA's Certificate of Appreciation program gives special recognition to individuals or local businesses which have done an outstanding job of making Carmel a better place to live and helping to preserve its special qualities. We often have a section in our newsletter entitled Our Favorite Places which features testimonials of good service by local businesses. Our popular "CRA Dines Out" dinners acquaint members with local restaurants and support local businesses.

We have representation on the Carmel Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee and are continuing to explore other ways to work together on common goals.

Carmel residents often get to extend a friendly welcome to visitors. How many times while walking have you answered the typical questions, "Where is the Beach?" "Where is the Hog's Breath?" "What restaurant would you recommend?"

Everywhere you look, our members can be found offering their talents in an effort to be a part of this wonderful community. Elinor Smith stated, "It has long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things." Certainly one could make the case that Carmel Residents Association members are in this frame of mind.

Fond farewells

Councilman Mike Cunningham resigned in July nine months before the end of his term. The Carmel Residents Association has greatly appreciated his enthusiastic participation in community-service activities. Mike and his wife Judy are beach cleanup regulars and he has always been willing to help in planting and watering new trees.

Carmel-by-the-Sea lost not only a valued 22-year employee but a great deal of institutional knowledge when Tim Meroney, building official and trained police officer, retired in August. Tim will be difficult if not impossible to replace but at least will be "around" and will still be on call for police duty.

The Fire Department has also lost an employee, engineer Bill Scott, who retired in July after a 19-year association with the city. Scott has publicly stated his concern about the city's moving toward a merger with other fire departments rather than toward having its own fire chief.

And, finally, Sgt. John Nyunt has left the Carmel Police Department after 16 years to become a commander in Pacific Grove's larger operation.

Hearty hellos

There's another new face on the City Council as of August 7 when the council voted unanimously to appoint Karen Sharp to fill out the term of Mike Cunningham. Karen had been appointed to the Planning Commission to fill out Ken Talmage's term when he was appointed to the council.

Prior to serving on the Planning Commission, Councilwoman Sharp was a member of the Design Review Board. A former surgical nurse and director of surgical services at a Fresno hospital, she also has "been involved with the acquisition, remodel, staging and sale of residential real estate from both the investor and owner/contractor perspective for over 25 years." In her council application, Sharp said, "I respectfully listen and fully review options presented with an unbiased and rational view before making a decision."

In the Fire Department, part-time employee Kenny Hutchinson has been made a full-time engineer to replace Bill Scott.

Fighting flagrant fire pits

The city is well aware of illegal charcoal pits on Carmel Beach if for no other reason than from the letters written by Beach Cleanup regular Ali McDaniel. Each month volunteers pick up hundreds of pounds of black charcoal, which sullies our white sand beach. [Public Works employees haul the heavy bags from the beach.] We know that Carmel Police patrol the beach and let people know that their fires north of 10th Avenue are illegal. However, we need to alert the public before they ignite the fires. This might take the form of a dedicated beach patrol officer -- potentially paid for by paid parking kiosks for visitors at Del Mar. [McDaniel's idea]

Also, helped by Ali's persistence, most of the extremely dirty trash containers near the beach have been replaced.

Interesting city staff statistics

Recently we came across a 1995 printout of full-time city staff provided by then City Administrator Jere Kersnar to help the CRA Newsletter staff with profiles we were writing on city employees.

It is interesting to note that out of 80 full-time employees in 1995, only 24 still have full-time jobs with the city -- a 70% turnover in 12 years.

The latest city budget indicates 66 authorized full-time positions -- 14 fewer than 1995. Some of these staff cuts are from the Forest and Beach Department, which has far fewer full-time employees, and from the decision to eliminate the positions of fire chief, assistant fire chief and public works director.

Small-bus service to CHOMP

The Monterey County Transportation Agency has resumed small bus service to Community Hospital. The bus runs hourly, Monday through Friday from 6th and Mission to the hospital. The first trip of the day is at 8:22 a.m., the last at 4:22 p.m.

Coastal Cleanup

CRA PROFILES
by Kay Ambro

Wendy and Dave Banks -- making their retirement count

Wendy and Dave Banks are longtime Carmel residents, but their busy schedules left little time for socializing. It wasn't until their friends Ken and Jean White introduced them to the Carmel Residents Association that they decided to join and since then have enjoyed social activities as members for the last five years.

Although Wendy and Dave have never lived outside of California, they grew up in different areas of the state.

Wendy was born in Sacramento, but grew up in Redding, where she said it was much too hot. "I dreamed of being a journalist," said Wendy. "I went to the University of the Pacific in Stockton, but ended up with a teaching credential."

Dave grew up in Orange County with three brothers and a younger sister. "It was a good time to grow up there between 1941 to 1950," said Dave, "but now there is far too much smog and traffic." He attended a Catholic high school and one of the nuns encouraged him in the study of chemistry.

"I had spent some time working for my father filling orange crates before I got a part-time job delivering prescriptions for a pharmacy," said Dave. "I decided that was the career for me -- far better than manual labor." So Dave was off to the School of Pharmacy at the University of Pacific in Stockton, where he met his future wife.

Dave and Wendy were married in 1962 and continued to live in Stockton while they finished their degrees. Four years after Dave graduated from the Pharmacy School he read in the paper that a drug store was for sale in Carmel-by-the-Sea. In 1968 he and a partner bought Carmel Drug Store and the Banks happily moved to the village by the sea.

Wendy and Dave went on to have four children, three daughters and a son. They are now blessed with nine grandchildren, with a tenth one on its way.

Both became very involved with their careers and their new community. Wendy was a founding member of the Historic Preservation Committee. "I served two terms and felt that this committee has made a difference by helping to keep the character of Carmel," said Wendy. "We worked closely with contractors to keep historic homes looking as they did when first built, but upgrading them to make them livable by today's standards." She was also a member of the Carmel's Host Lions Club, whose main objective is to help people with poor eyesight, active with the Carmel Mission, a volunteer at Hospice for seven years, and a member of the board of Friends of Sunset for 15 years. And for the last 30 years she taught pre-school at Bay School, Carmelo School, Church of the Wayfarer, the Children's School at the Temple Beth Israel in Carmel Valley and in an enrichment program of the Lyceum of Monterey County.

Dave has worked as a pharmacist for a total of 43 years, the last 39 on the Monterey Peninsula. He owned the Carmel Drug store from 1968 to 1970 and continued to work as a pharmacist at various drug stores around the Peninsula. "

At the time there were five drug stores in Carmel," said Dave. "There were three just on Ocean Avenue. All but one of the privately owned drug stores in Carmel have gone out of business because of the growth of chain stores like Longs and Wal-Mart that have their own pharmacies."

Although they have traveled to such exotic places as Russia, Australia, the British Isles, Italy, Greece, and other parts of Europe, the Banks are most excited about their upcoming trip across the country. Wendy and Dave both retired last May and bought a used motor home. They are preparing for a leisurely trip across the country and back from September to December. Once they return, they will have a few months to enjoy their home before joining the Carmel Chamber on its second China trip in March. Sounds like a life of luxury for this retired couple, but not for long. Next June, they will be leaving Carmel to serve for 27 months in the Peace Corps.

When asked what drew them to the Peace Corps, Dave replied, "I wanted to give back something to the world that had given me so much." Wendy agreed, "I wondered what it would be like to live as other people in another country live. To come home from work, not to our warm, comfortable home, but to a place like others come home to whether it be a tent, hut, or single room and to live like they live."

The Banks are not yet sure where they will be going, but think it might be Eastern or Southern Africa. Dave will be setting up medical services for flu and other immunizations and Wendy will be doing teacher training.

When asked if they were worried about the unstable situation in the world today, Dave replied, "We were told that the Peace Corps only goes into countries where they are invited. During the first three months in the country we will be instructed in language, customs and safety."

Although their travels have taken them to many foreign countries, Dave and Wendy Banks still enjoy their village by the sea. When asked what they liked most about Carmel, Dave replied, "I enjoy the people. They seem to all get along with each other and you can discuss your differences without people getting upset."

"I feel Carmel is such an inviting place with its scenic beauty," said Wendy. "And the weather is ideal. I don't even mind the fog -- it's part of the ambience."

If you are out and about in Carmel you just might see avid walkers Wendy and Dave Banks around town or down by the beach with their adorable Schnauzer Timmy. If so, be sure to take the time to ask them about their upcoming travel adventures.

The August Twilight BBQ received rave reviews!

Beautiful weather, festive decorations, a congenial crowd, live Latin music, plentiful libations, shrimp, grilled sausage and a scrumptious south-of-the-border dinner added up to a perfect twilight barbecue!

Because of space constraints, more photos of this sold-out event, as well as thanks to all of the committee members, will be printed in the Oct. CRA News.

For now, bouquets to Susie and Don Carr for the incredible job they did in organizing this popular party and making sure it was perfect in every way.

SPOTLIGHT ON MEMBERS

The Herald reported in August that CRA founder, former president and current board member Francis P. "Skip" Lloyd of Horan Lloyd Karachale Dyer Schwartz is one of sixteen Monterey County attorneys recently named Northern California Super Lawyers, an annual list published by Key Professional Media, Inc. of Minneapolis. The group recognizes the top five percent of attorneys as evaluated by their peers. Congratulations, Skip!!

John Kerby-Miller not only displayed his Mercury Comet racer at the Carmel Concours on the Avenue, but drove his Porsche Speedster for his 31st consecutive Historic Car Race at Laguna Seca. In an emotional ceremony after the race, Kerby-Miller was presented with a Steuben crystal eagle and given a standing ovation by 400 drivers.

Carl Iverson displayed his Bristol '68 Porsche 912 at the Carmel Concours and volunteered for various "car week" activities along with Nancy Collins, Jane and Tony Diamond, Suzanne Paboojian, Ken Talmage, Ken and Jean White, Sarah Berling, Casey MacKenzie, Perry Walker and Erl Lagerholm. Many were recruited by longtime auto enthusiast Gene McFarland, whose wife Connie and daughter Meagan were also involved. [If we missed you, let us know and we'll print it in October.]

The layout for the Carmel Concours was designed by CRA member and architect Brian Congleton. Brian was surprised to find that the elaborate program for the event included copies of his original design sketches.

Need help with your trees?

Carmel's urban forest includes native trees on private property and many of us are unsure of how to care for them or what to plant under them.

On Thursday, Sept. 27, from 2:30 to 5 p.m. in Sunset Center's Carpenter Hall, tree expert and consulting arborist Barrie Coate and Dave Egbert, "The Coastal Gardener," will hold a public forum with interesting presentations as well as time for your individual questions.

The free event is cosponsored by Friends of Carmel Forest and the Carmel Forest and Beach Commission.

[Since Sunset Center and Vista Lobos are only minutes apart, you should be able to fit this event in with the later CRA meeting.]

Remember that your City Council is on T.V.

City Council meetings are taped and re-broadcast
Sundays, 8 a.m. - 12 noon on
KMST Channel 26