Speaking of sights, here's a sight worth sharing. A view of a lifetime for these people at Arches National Park in Utah. The almost-full moon seen as an eye through the rock arches. We may not be able to travel right now, but we can sure enjoy views like these from afar. If we can visualize 2021as a positive move out of this difficult pandemic the world is in, then it may help us get by each day and in the months ahead. Photo Credit: @zachcooleyphoto Share Credit @thewanderedworld both on Instagram

If you can, please help support the local businesses. They need our patronage more than ever as we start a new stay at home order. Many businesses have adapted by adding online shopping opportunities, ordering online with to-go and curbside pickup. The North Fremont Business District of Monterey just posted a new list of businesses open for to-go and curbside pickup - find it at monterey.org/Portals/0/News/Covid19/Open-Businesses-NFBD.pdf or northfremontmonterey.org/. And while traditional holiday events are canceled this year, the City of Monterey has an updated Holiday Events web page with information on safe ways to celebrate. Thanks to our businesses for adapting and keeping the holiday spirit alive!

A couple of examples include the drive-in events at the Monterey County Fair, and the plans for a virtual First Night Monterey. See https://montereycountyfair.com/ and https://www.firstnightmonterey.org/ for more information. Both are also posted at monterey.org/holidayevents.

Due to the global pandemic, First Night Monterey will be hosting a virtual First Night as we ring in 2021! First Night Monterey is teaming up with other First Night organizations to bring you a unique New Year's Eve celebration that will feature performances from local favorites, KIDS’ NIGHT OUT art activities and youth performances! From Classical to Jazz, Blues to Rock, Samba to Folk! First Night Monterey will have a virtual line-up of performances designed to delight the entire family.

If you missed the Planning Commission Meeting on December 8, they hosted the second in a series of workshops (the first was held in May) to discuss how to adapt our transportation system to projected sea level rise. You can watch the workshop - fast forward the video to about 3:03 (3 hours and 3 minutes) since it started at the 7:00 PM session. We are developing a Climate Change web page that will be ready soon and provide more information as well.

To end the week and start the weekend, perhaps a little yoga sounds pretty good.

NEW! California Department of Public Health Guidance Documents - the latest information on guidance about stay at home orders, mask wearing, reopening the economy and more,

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