Pam Marino
pammarino.montereycountynow.com
Pam Marino
@pammarino.montereycountynow.com
Monterey County Weekly/NOW staff writer. I cover Carmel, Pacific Grove, housing and homelessness, health care, military and veterans, and tourism. Signal: mcweeklypam.93
For all you Swifties, behind the scenes of the @montereybayaquarium.org otter t-shirt that Taylor Swift wore in her “Life of a Showgirl” album launch movie. www.montereycountynow.com/people/831/b...
Behind the scenes of how a T-shirt worn by Taylor Swift translated into $2.3 million for otters.
Taylor Swift's T-shirt sparked a $2.3M fundraiser for Monterey Bay Aquarium's sea otter program. Learn how a pop culture moment helped otters!
www.montereycountynow.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Strands #607
“Good bones”
🦴🦴🦴🦴
💀🦴🦴🦴
October 31, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Ten LLCs are vying for one retail cannabis license in Pacific Grove.

www.montereycountynow.com/news/local_n...
Ten companies are vying for Pacific Grove’s one and only retail cannabis license.
Ten companies compete for Pacific Grove's single retail cannabis license. Lottery in January to decide the winner.
www.montereycountynow.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:17 PM
About 50,000 CalFresh recipients in Monterey County representing 30,000 families are about to have their benefits paused on Nov. 1 due to the government shutdown. That puts a tremendous strain on the Food Bank for Monterey County. www.montereycountynow.com/news/local_n...
Lingering government shutdown imperils access to food for an estimated 30,000 local families.
Government shutdown threatens food access for 30,000 local families in Monterey County. Food banks see increased demand.
www.montereycountynow.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Rancho Cielo is an impressive success story, for an idea that wasn’t supposed to fly. www.montereycountynow.com/news/local_n...
Rancho Cielo was an idea that wasn’t supposed to fly. Today, the school is soaring.
On Saturday, Oct. 25, Rancho Cielo is throwing a sold-out anniversary party, honoring the legacy of John Phillips, as well as toasting to the next 25 years and beyond.
www.montereycountynow.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Wordle 1,590 3/6

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
😆
October 26, 2025 at 3:08 PM
In more Carmel “Pit” news: The Carmel Art Association’s gallery was damaged, leaders believe by excavation, but they’re left with a hefty repair bill. www.montereycountynow.com/news/local_n...
Carmel’s oldest art gallery is stuck with the bill after no one claims responsibility for damages.
Carmel Art Association blames excavation for damage to historic gallery, faces hefty repair bill. Who will pay?
www.montereycountynow.com
October 23, 2025 at 10:07 PM
“The Pit” in Carmel will be no more soon. Construction is set to begin in late November. www.montereycountynow.com/blogs/news_b...
Carmel's infamous 'Pit' is finally going to be filled—construction scheduled to begin late November.
Construction on Carmel's 'Pit' is set to begin in late November, marking the end of a seven-year eyesore in downtown Carmel.
www.montereycountynow.com
October 23, 2025 at 10:04 PM
I predicted this might happen. It seemed pretty obvious the hospitals would sue over the CA spending caps.

www.montereycountynow.com/blogs/news_b...
The California Hospital Association sues the state over spending caps, including those impacting CHOMP and SVH.
The California Hospital Association sues the state over spending caps impacting hospitals like CHOMP and SVH, calling them arbitrary.
www.montereycountynow.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:51 PM
From Saturday’s No Kings rally in Monterey. Like other rallies across the country, this one was peaceful and joyful.

www.montereycountynow.com/blogs/news_b...
Thousands rally in Salinas and Monterey for No Kings Day.
Thousands rally in Salinas & Monterey for No Kings Day, protesting the Trump Administration.
www.montereycountynow.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:50 PM
I took a little break from posting. This was a couple of weeks ago—my cover story on death doulas, aka end-of-life doulas. I found it very interesting and hopeful.

www.montereycountynow.com/news/cover/d...
Death doulas are becoming more common as people seek to make their final days more comfortable and meaningful.
Explore the growing role of death doulas in providing comfort, care and dignity to those nearing the end of life.
www.montereycountynow.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:48 PM
At Point Pinos now, man playing bagpipes displaying a Canadian flag. Playing God Bless America.
October 18, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Wordle 1,544 2/6

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Oh, come on. I don’t even believe it.
September 10, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Gather around children as I share a tale of a magical time when all you had to do was turn on the TV and change the channels to find your show. No passwords, loading, buffering or delays. 😢📺
September 6, 2025 at 4:15 PM
County of Monterey is making headway in transitioning encampment residents to housing.

www.montereycountynow.com/news/local_n...
The county makes progress on transitioning people from three encampments to housing.
Explore how Monterey County is successfully transitioning people from river encampments to housing through innovative projects and state funding.
www.montereycountynow.com
August 20, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Pacific Grove City Council to discuss next steps now that Transparent PG’s referendum against raising council compensation has prevailed.

www.montereycountynow.com/blogs/news_b...
Pacific Grove City Council set to discuss how to proceed on referendum against pay increases.
Pacific Grove City Council to decide on referendum opposing pay raises. Options include a special election or ordinance repeal. Meeting on Aug. 20.
www.montereycountynow.com
August 20, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Someone owes Monterey Peninsula residents a gift after this #MonteryCarWeek for everything we had to put up with.
August 18, 2025 at 5:18 PM
I went to a Car Week event today to support a friend. The traffic is intense. Finally made it home. I’m not going anywhere. #MonteryCarWeek
August 16, 2025 at 11:11 PM
In which I make like a TV news reporter. Lol. Great work by @celiajimenez.bsky.social. We hit the streets of Carmel last night to report on Car Week.

www.montereycountynow.com/blogs/news_b...
PHOTOS, VIDEO: The cars don't disappoint hundreds of enthusiasts gathered in the evening in Carmel.
Discover the exotic cars and vibrant car culture at Carmel's nighttime event during Car Week. From Aston Martins to Bugattis, enjoy the show!
www.montereycountynow.com
August 16, 2025 at 12:19 AM
I’m kind of taken aback that an opinion piece I wrote saying children under 16 shouldn’t ride e-bikes and e-scooters for safety reasons is getting pushback from parents. mailchi.mp/montereycoun...
An e-scooter crash highlights dangers. Salinas punts decision on money to church. Woodies and more.
mailchi.mp
August 15, 2025 at 2:31 PM
My colleague @celiajimenez.bsky.social and I hit the streets of Carmel to check out the #MontereyCarWeek night scene. Check it out.

www.facebook.com/stories/1873...
Redirecting...
www.facebook.com
August 15, 2025 at 4:17 AM
Car Week traffic coming into Monterey/Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach and Carmel is about the worst I’ve seen in 10 years. Avoid the area if you can.
August 14, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Monterey County’s short-term rental ordinance in coastal zone is certified by a majority of the California Coastal Commission. MC Supervisor Lopez voted against certification as expected. Here’s sore background:

mailchi.mp/montereycoun...
More ado about vacation rentals. Study dives into monarch deaths. Have a cup (or five) of coffee.
mailchi.mp
August 14, 2025 at 2:28 AM
California Coastal Commission has now been on break for 30 minutes, 15 min over what was stated. They should leave the camera on during breaks do we can see what’s goin on, just as if we’re in the room.
August 14, 2025 at 2:04 AM
A Pacific Grove middle school student was injured while riding an e-scooter to school, even though it’s illegal for minors under 16 to ride them. Here’s more:

www.montereycountynow.com/blogs/opinio...
There’s no law barring kids from riding e-scooters and e-bikes. But there should be.
Examining the safety and legality of kids riding e-scooters and e-bikes.
www.montereycountynow.com
August 14, 2025 at 1:44 AM