CRA ProgramsThroughout the year, the CRA sponsors educational (and entertainment) programs relevant to our Village - our history, environmental issues, or speakers who have made a big impact on our community. They may be individual speakers or panel discussions. We also sponsor candidate forums during election years and partner with other groups in the Village to hold town halls on important and timely issues. CRA Social Programs Roster of both Social and Educational Programs in 2026 December 3rd - 5:00-7:30 - CRA's Annual Members Holiday Gala at Anton & Michel HERE Plus don't miss CRA regularly at these local gatherings: - CRA leaders at the Community Table at the Carmel Farmers Market - Every last Thursday each month - January - October. Roster of Social Programs in 2025 December 3rd - 5:30-7:30 - CRA's Annual Holiday Gala at Anton & Michels HERE ...plus our regular and Monthly CRA Beach Clean Up (3rd Saturday) and Community Table at Carmel Farmers Market (last Thursdays) and many routine City events - on holidays and more! Past 2023/2024 Social Programs included: (expanded listing of routine social programs here) - Nov 7th - CRA No-Host Gathering tentatively set in Carmel Plaza's "Carmel Links Club" for a post election wind down, mixer.
- Sept 8th - CRA Members - Feast in the Forest in Pebble Beach. Details are available HERE. Past Educational/Informational Programs October 22nd 2026 - CRA Hosts - US Congressman Jimmy Panetta for a Town Hall HERE is the program details, photos, and complete write up of this session, with Q&A's. Graeme Robertson, CRA President introduced the Congressman, then began a Q&A. The topics covered includes: services he and his staff provide to constituents, especially challenging times in today Washington DC conditions, his work to protect our central coast marine sanctuary from oil drilling, his work to designate Monterey Presidio's Commodore Sloat Momument as a National Momument and Heritage Area, a Car Week and tourism discussion on its challenges, future dollars for a shovel ready Police Station project and Housing legislation options. Audience questions covered: Social Security Trust fund concerns, protection of our November + Voting Rights, Immigration system challenges, how can Washington DC work collaboratively, and are there solutions in the works to address costs of HealthCare. September 15th 2026 - CRA Hosts the Biennial City Council Candidates Forum This session is held every two election years in September prior to the November elections where we select a Mayor and two City Council Members - where residential questions are asked and answered. Paul Miller, owner and editor of the Carmel Pine Cone moderated. This year we had two Mayor Candidates - David Boland and Han Buder. We had three Council Candidates - Alisandra Dramov, Stefan Karapetkof and Bobby Richards. HERE is the YouTube Video. HERE is the full program details, photos and press coverage. August 20th and October 8th 2026 - CRA+ Hosts Tourism Town Hall At the August 20th Town Hall - This Community session is where feedback was gathered and shared real time on varied Village specific tourism topics - using mobile devices. HERE are the 8/20/2026 Intro Slides presented by Cathy Ritter of Better Designations. A personal unpolished video captured most of what was said live HERE (there were technical glitches with the Zoom). Added details including photos and press coverage are included HERE. At the October 8th Town Hall - This Community session is where results from the August 20th and the preliminary finding of the online survey were shared. This session was recorded in audio only format HERE. HERE are the Slides from Alissa from Smari Insights - who provided the preliminary email survey results. HERE are the Slides from Cathy Ritter of Better Deistinations as presented in the second half of this Town Hall. Added details including photos and press coverage are included HERE. May 20th 2026 - CRA's Members Annual Meeting with Sunset Center Executive Director Guest Speaker At this year’s Annual meeting our Guest Speaker was Beth Bowman providing a behind the curtains view of the opeations of our historic Sunset Center Cultural Center and much more. We honored our Business of the Year - Greg and Madigan Ahn of 7th & Dolores (part of the Folktail Group). HERE is the YouTube of this program. HERE are the details from this program. May 15th 2025 - CRA's Members Annual Meeting & Tourism Management At this year’s Annual meeting we explored Tourism with how the local business & tourism organizations are funded, how their efforts complement each other and how tourism and our residential community mix. In the Q&A panel, led by Graeme Robertson and leaders from Visit Carmel, Carmel Chamber and See Monterey, insights were shared. We honored our Business of the Year - Little Napoli & the Pepe Family. HERE is the YouTube of this program. HERE are the details from this program.
February 6th 2025 - CRA Hosted "Wildfires and Emergency Preparedness - Live Q&A with the Chiefs" With the devastation in Southern California, this raises local concerns to know how our Village is prepared and preventing the possibilities including property owners, residents, businesses and the City teams. The format for this community briefing was interactive Q&A with our Police Commander Todd Trayer and Fire Chief Andrew Miller and City Administrator Chip Rerig. Our thanks to them for their support. Visit this page for video, photos, details and resources. September 17th 2024 - CRA's Residential City of Carmel Candidates Forum CRA's Biennial Forum had a great overflow crowd and two panels for our Candidates - MC'd by Paul Miller of the Carmel Pine Cone. Panelists-Candidates: for Mayor included Dave Potter (I), Dale Byrne and Jeff Baron, then for Council Hans Buder, Bob Delves, Danny Hala, (Daniel) Parker Logan, and David O'Neil. For full event video's, details and photo's visit this program page. July 10th 2024 - CRA Hosts a Conversation with Mary Adams - our Monterey County District 5 Supervisor Doors opened at the Carmel Woman’s Club, as Mary offers her 8 years of insights on the workings on the Monterey County dais and beyond. In an interactive question format, we will cover topics including Mary’s experience and roles in County and Regional area committees and boards – covering AMBAG, Energy, Water, Transportation and more. CRA recognized Mary Adams with a Lifetime of Service Award with our appreciation. Details, video and photos are available HERE. June 6th 2024 - CRA's Annual Meeting - with special historic photos We introduced our CRA Board, we provided a breif update on our organization, we extend our yearly award of recognition to a Carmel Business, we mix/mingle with fellow members our munch & imbibe, plus as our keynote we explore Village worthy topics. For your enjoyment, this year we are explored the heritage of our amazing Village through the lens of Pat Hathaway, presented by James Perry, this collection curator and Executive Director of the Monterey County Museum. Visit this page for details, program video, PDF of slides, event photos plus. Feb 21st 2024 CRA Hosts our “Carmel’s City Directors - On Point, a pannel discussion" Familiar staff names including Wright, Harary, Gullo, Tomasi, and Swanson shared updates and insights on projects and what's next in a Q&A formal. This was free and open to the public, with details, pictures and YouTube link can be found HERE. Jan 23rd 2024 CRA Hosts Paul Miller for "The Carmel Pine Cone from the Inside/Out". Paul the owner, publisher, editor of the Carmel Pine Cone, at the Carmel Woman’s Club, doors open at 6:30 PM will share a Behind the Curtain views into what makes this our Village weekly “must read”. Open to the public. Details, photos and YouTube can be found HERE. Oct 23rd 2023 CRA's "Carmel meets Sacramento - a Coastal Community Town Hall on California Housing Legislation" We gathered over 100 community residents and guests, plus our honored panelists at the Carmel Highschool Center for the Performing Arts. We heard from our California State - Sacramento Senator John Laird and Assembly Member Dawn Addis who represent our Coastal Community. Paul Miller, Publisher of the Carmel Pine Cone moderated this session exploring the latest in recent Housing legislation. Learn more about about critical housing laws and explore protecting Land Use and Zoning Local Controls in our Monterey Peninsula Community. Visit this page for more details and coverage on our Town Hall. YouTube of our Program is HERE. Feb 22 2023 - CRA Hosts, the authors of "Humbled, How Monterey Bay Escaped Industrial Ruin" by Glenn Church & Katheryn McKenzie. This program celebrates the power of noteworthy local environmental activists and how they prevented Moss Landing to become a large oil refinery. Doors Open at 6:30, Program begins at 7PM. Open to the public. Join us at Carmel Woman's Club, to grab a glass of wine at 6:30 and mix with fellow enthusiasts. Program YouTube Video is available HERE. Full program details are available HERE. Jan 26 2023 - CRA Hosts "Experience the Monterey Bay as Seen by early California Artists". This program celebrates our area's natural beauty through renowned local painters, as presented by locals professor Cynthia Weick and artist/gallery owner Joaquin Turner. Program YouTube Video is available HERE. Full program details and pictures are available HERE. Oct 19th 2022 - CRA Hosts "Historic Hotel Del Monte and 17 Mile Drive with John Sanders" John's expertise and research included answers to questions to how Hotel Del Monte reshaped our local history, including: Sept 21st 2022 - CRA Hosts the 17th Biannual Candidates Forum for 2022 Candidates for City Council on the November Ballot answered questions of concern to our Village and Carmel Residents. More details on connecting with the Candidates, a post event Pine Cone Article and Youtube link are available HERE.
Our Panelists and 2022 Council Candidates roster includes:
March 24th 2022 - CRA Hosts "Future of Architecture in Carmel with Brandon Swanson" Brandon Swanson, Carmel Director of Planning and Building, reviewed the new state regulations and regional requirements for increased housing in our Village. More details, youtube link and Brandon's slides are available on this page Nov 9th 2021 - CRA Hosts "Will Bullas - UNSUPERVISED" We were honored to hear the latest from our one-of-a-kind local Will Bullas - for a program chalk full of great art, new insights and laughs! Click here for full program details and Will's significant, award winning credentials. Youtube video link for your review is Here Sept 23rd, 2021 - CRA Hosts "Carmel Adapting to Climate Change - Planning for the Future"Councilmembers Theis and Baron delivered an interactive presentation and discussion on the strategies that our village should use in order to prosper in an increasingly climate challenged environment. We must plan and act to combat Climate Change impacts in our Village. We are all seeing the effects of our changing climate from extreme weather, floods, erosion, fires and more. Of course our Village must take action and invest. We cannot only rely on County, State, National efforts - we are all in this together and must plan to invest locally with Climate Change in mind. More detail on this session can be found here. Youtube video link for your review is HERE March 25th 2021- CRA Hosts "My Grandfather, Sam Morse, with Charles Osborne"Charles researched and authored “Boss: S.F.B. Morse, Founder of Pebble Beach”. Charles, a businessman and native son, will share images and stories about his grandfather – who by all accounts was a renaissance man – conservationist, athlete, artist, and entrepreneur. For more information on accessing this session, pictures and quotes from the author, visit this page. YouTube Video of this program is HERE. Jan 28th 2021 - CRA Hosts "Stephen Moorer’s – History of Live Theater in Carmel"Learn about the early personalities bringing their Bohemian influence to our Village from 1900 to today including surnames such as Sterling, Austin, London, and Hopper. And hear about the performances and locations ranging from Carmel Arts & Crafts Clubhouse, Forest Theater, Golden Bough, Circle Theater, Sunset Center, Carl Cherry Center and more. For details on this great event and Stephen Moorer please visit this link. YouTube Video of this program is HERE. Dec 9th 2020 - CRA Hosts "Carmel-by-the-Sea Climate Change Initiative Plans"Join CRA and Jeff Baron & Carrie Theis of the Carmel City Council, who will update residents on the scope, directions, phases and how you can participate in their committee's work on Climate Change. The background and details of this program can be found here. YouTube video of this program is HERE Nov 19th 2020 - CRA Hosts "Charles Dickens in America" with Howard BurnhamHoward Burnham's one man show , Dickens in America. The background and details page of this performance can be found here. YouTube video of this performance is HERE. Oct 21 2020 - CRA Hosts "Flora Woods, Madam of Cannery Row" with Tracy ShawThe Cannery Row Madam Flora Woods still has untold stories to share. Flora Woods’ great-granddaughter, Tracy Shaw, has a tell-all history of Flora and Cannery Row from the early 20th century. More details on this presentation are available here. YouTube of this great program is available HERE. Oct 1st 2020 - CRA Hosts "16th Biannual Candidates Forum"This was a must see event for those who are concerned about our Village and want to get to know the 2020 candidates for our City Council and Mayor. Visit this page for full agenda, topic time slots details on this event and how to interact with these candidates. YouTube Video of this Panel Session is available here Election Year - CRA's Candidates Forum. A panel discussion with Candidates for Mayor and two City Council Seats will be moderated by Sam Farr our 24 year former US House of Representative - based on questions from you.
Mayoral Candidates Include: Incumbent Mayor Dave Potter and Challenger Judy Refuerzo.
Council Candidates Include: Incumbent Councilperson Bobby Richards and Challengers: Karen Ferlito, Mo Massoudi, Graeme Robertson. (Two Council Seats were open this year).
Note: The winning candidates are underlined above.
May 6 2020 - CRA Hosts "Reimagining the Village: How do we Emerge - from the COVID19 limitations?"Our Panelists were:
May 9th 2020 - Dixie Dixon & Steve Mortensen - Online Patio Set Dixie and Steve will provide their unique musical talents live from their upstairs patio on Carmelo in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Steve plays guitar and Dixie plays bass and they both sing!
April 22 2020 - CRA Hosts "You Can Never be too Prepared!" Wanda VollmerWanda joins us as a CRA member and from Peace of Mind Preparedness, a disaster readiness program that serves families and businesses on the Central Coast. She is very active in our community, having served with the American Red Cross and is currently Co-Captain of the C.E.R.T. Team in Carmel and managing the newly-formed Carmel Neighbors project. Wanda will review information we need to be better organized and prepared for all types of disasters. (YouTube not available) April 25 2020 - Live From StoryBook Cottage with Roger BookRoger is a natural performer, poet and story teller. He will present some fun and uplifting original songs from his successful Cherry Center concerts while providing highlights about his life story and what inspired his music. (YouTube not available - technical glitches) April 29 - The life and times of Hayes Perkins & His Magic CarpetPresenter: David Laws, California Garden & Landscape History Society. David will tell the amazing world-class story of the man who, after traveling the world, came to PG and spent 14 years fulfilling his dream of creating the beautiful "Magic Carpet" cliff-side garden of spectacular purple flowers.
Jan 30 - CRA Hosts - "The Future of Carmel - Panel Discussion"This was a lively panel discussion with four distinguished guest speakers.
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