Here's a letter to the mayor from Collins:

Dear Jason Burnett,

Please consider overturning the Carmel Cultural Commission's decision to go with Jerry Lami instead of Iris Peppard of Everyone's Harvest. There are several reasons I feel that Mr. Lami is not the right market manager or association for the position.

First off, I learned a few things about Mr. Lami and his background. He has only 18 months of running farmers markets under his belt, and during this time he has started five markets with another 6 planned to open within the next few months. The markets he recently opened already have established markets in the same town, which waters down the previously existing farmers markets for the vendors. These vendors have spent years growing the markets, only to have Mr. Lami's farmers market association open another down the street hindering the vendor's ability to generate the livelihood they made previously. As a farmer in Carmel I know too well about these direct affects.

Opening five markets in little over a year also tells me Mr. Lami is enterprising on the farmers market concept much like the franchises he opened (Togo's and Round Table Pizza) and does not see Carmel's market any different. My other concern: How will Mr. Lami focus on making Carmel's Artisan Market unique from his other markets when we runs so many and lives over 100 miles away? It seems to me he would be spread too thin to do so. Also, he talks about small farms being anything other than a farm that sells wholesale, as if there is no middle ground. This tells me he will have large scale farmers in the Carmel market. There is nothing unique about that, nor does it show he will support truly small scale farmers. His market model looks to replicate what he has at every other market he creates, plugging in the same vendors - which is not going to make the Carmel market different whatsoever.

Ms. Peppard has 12 years running local markets that have been sustainable and a pilar of the community on the Monterey Peninsula. Starting the farmers market in Marina was her college senior project 12 years ago. Iris starts markets one at a time giving her direct attention to each new market before taking on another market. Once markets are established she continues to have unique, weekly community building activities that are interesting and appropriate to each city's population. In fact the Marina market is much different than PG and PG would be much different than Carmel. Iris goes over and above in everything she does, connecting people to their food and local farmers. She is a local community member with her finger on the pulse of true local, small scale farmers and artisans. We need someone like her to run the Carmel market, not someone who looks at the opportunity as another business deal.

Please consider supporting the ad hoc committee and their decision based on many hours of meetings. They made the right decision with Iris Peppard.

Here's the pitch Allen sent the *Weekly*:

*The historic Southern Pacific Railroad Station in Monterey has a rich history from the 1800’s through the days of Cannery Row. Trailside Café, the popular eatery serving the locals and visitors for the past 14 years, has proposed a new project, “Monterey Depot”. Monterey Depot will cater to the visitors and the locals of the Monterey Peninsula by offering a “Visitor Service Center” in the historic location. Trailside Café will play an integral part in the success of this business. The City of Monterey Staff and Waterfront Subcommittee has laid the guidelines for the tenant to involve a Visitor Serving Business that should have a mixed (or hybrid) use.*

*Sean Allen of Trailside Café plans to move his business from Cannery Row, down the Recreation Trail (enabling Mr. Allen to keep the Trailside name), to the SP Station at the base of the wharf. In addition to the café, Mr. Allen will add a Historic Visitors Center, a Retail Shop and Bike Rental. The Visitors Center will have similar amenities as the Visitors Center on Lake El Estero with a focus on the Historic Railroad that existed in the late 1800’s-1950’s. Mr. Allen will enhance the retail offerings he has had with the addition of historical books, photographs and nostalgic items. Bay Bikes of Monterey, has teamed up with Mr. Allen to add the perfect component to cap off the project with a bicycle rental.*

*The Hybrid Use, Mr. Allen is planning, will not only resurrect the lost history of this building but will bring new life to this area with his well established, hometown café and new concept. This hybrid use would not be in direct competition with most of the businesses in the area but instead be able to complement their offerings through the Visitors Center in this Gateway Building. Mr. Allen’s proposal should satisfy the Waterfront Subcommittee and the City Council as it will cater to wide variety of customers at one central location.*

*To show your support for Trailside Café please write a letter to the Monterey City Council at 580 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA 93940 or send emails to suggest@ci.monterey.ca.us*

*Respectfully submitted,*

*Sean Allen*

From Antoinette Saylor:

This quote from Julia Child was posted prominently for many years at the now sadly closed tasting room at Chalone Vineyards:

“With the possible exception of breakfast, a meal without wine is just not civilized!”
--- Julia Child

Cheers!

this one from Diana Darling:

“Sometimes when I reflect back on all the wine I drink, I feel shame! Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the vineyards and all of their hopes and dreams. If I didn't drink this wine, they might be out of work, and their dreams would be shattered. Then I say to myself, "It is better that I drink this wine and let their dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver”
― Jack Handey

"My favorite wine is the one in my glass." —Gary Pisoni

one tweeted from @mbadso deserves props:

Beer haiku try it/one and all drink and compose/hard to do while drunk

ok...this one's not a haiku but hard not to love it:
BEERS
by Dan Linehan
•••
good beer/
dad's from the fridge/
had to sneak
•
cheap beer/
for the volume/
not much dough
•
good beer/
girls by the bar/
had a job
•
cheap beer/
for the garden/
drowns the slugs