Pop Quiz! What did the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail used to be? ⁣

Answer: Railroad tracks! When driving down Cannery Row, you’ll see some bridges over the street. Some of these bridges held conveyor belts that moved sardine cans from the bayside buildings, where the fish were prepared, cooked and canned, to back warehouses. Here they were labeled and dropped in railcars, on their way to be shipped around the world. Around 35 years ago, the old railroad track was converted into our beloved recreation trail.

Public art along the path teaches visitors about the area’s fishing and literary history. Want to learn more? Take a walk! Thank you for wearing a face covering and keeping a distance from others while enjoying the trail. Watch a short documentary about the history of the path: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHuyR3ywJ4k

It's official! Monterey County moves from the most restrictive "purple" tier to the "red" tier, effective tomorrow. This is significant because Monterey County has been in the most restrictive tier since the "Blueprint" tier system started in August. California got through a deadly surge, and now more than 50% of the state's population are no longer under the most restrictive measures. The state's average positivity rate is now only 1.8% (the fourth lowest case rate in the country) while Monterey County's is 2% and 4.7 cases per 100K residents. THANK YOU to everyone who did their part to stop the spread by staying home, wearing face coverings when outdoors, social distancing and limiting interactions with people outside of your household. Please keep in mind that the "red" tier still means that our county risk rate is "substantial." We must continue to get our residents vaccinated and follow these safety measures so we can keep up the momentum. Learn about what can open and reopen under the tier systems at covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/

COVID-19 testing days are changing for the State supported sites. Starting March 18, testing will be Thursday through Monday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with walk-ins available from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Make an appointment at lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling 1-888-634-1123.

Governor Newsom signed into law a comprehensive package providing urgent relief for the small businesses of California. Round 4 of the package is allocated solely for certain eligible nonprofit cultural institutions. Applications are now being accepted today! Please apply by March 23. Visit CAReliefGrant.com/arts-and-culture/ to learn more and review the eligibility requirements.

The State of California is offering daily webinars to support Round 3 of the grant process. Find dates and register for the webinars at https://fullerton.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZHC9bRXBRV-N_22Rg-k4vw

From the CDC: Prevent getting or spreading COVID-19 by celebrating St. Patricks Day outdoors, virtually, or with people who live with you. Avoid crowds. Instead, decorate your home or have an outdoor celebration at least 6 feet apart from others. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3n6X3x4.

From the Monterey Public Library: March 17 has been celebrated as the Feast Day of St. Patrick in Ireland since 1631, the death anniversary of the 5th century patron saint. In Ireland, the day is actually a religious holiday, but in America, the festivities have morphed into dyed green beer, a dyed green river in Boston, "everyone Irish" wearing green, and lots of parades. For some of the real story and more about Celtic culture, check out a library book from our extensive list in the MPL catalog.

On Wednesday, March 17, many more people will qualify for vaccination as the state opens eligibility to those 16-64 who are considered at the very highest risk for severe illness and death from COVID-19 as a direct result of one or more specific, serious health conditions.

IMPORTANT NOTE: VACCINATION LOCATIONS WITH APPOINTMENT DATES AND TIMES UPDATED REGULARLY: Refer to the Monterey County Health Dept (MCHD) vaccine appointments web page for the latest information - mcvaccinate.com

Vaccine clinics hosted by CHOMP - https://www.chomp.org/coronavirus/vaccine/appointments/

Vaccine clinics hosted by Safeway Pharmacy

Vaccine clinics hosted by CVS Pharmacy - DATES AND TIMES

Vaccine appointments Rite-Aid Pharmacy - Limited - DATES AND TIMES

Vaccine appointments Walgreens - Limited - DATES AND TIMES

Vaccine appointments Pharmaca - MORE INFORMATION

Please remember, it's important to maintain accurate data so the numbers we share are accurate, and help reduce community spread. If you have symptoms please get tested. Test Sites in Monterey County

Here are today's numbers from CHOMP:

Have Your Say Monterey - the City's new public engagement portal

Visit https://haveyoursaymonterey.org and register to have YOUR say!

Please note: Data refreshes Tuesday through Saturday

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