StationedInMonterey

Tanning Salon

This review was offered by Jenny:

I used to go to the tanning salon in Cypress shopping center, but it is under new ownership and they increased the prices so I caught this place on craigslist and thought I'd check it out. It is a small shop on Broadway, at 1072 A. She offers one free tan, so it does not hurt to swing by and check it out. She was very sweet and I think she is the only person that is there all the time. Her prices are definitely worth it if you like to tan. She has some specials, haircuts $30 and up, highlights $75 and up with haircut, men's haircuts $20, hair color $60 and up w/haircut and one month unlimited tanning $30. She has other tanning packages though. There are a few lay down beds and one stand up bed. Mention you saw my post (Jenny), I told her I'd put her info out where I could, she was just a really sweet gal. We get some beautiful sunny days here, but not really great days to tan, so it is a great way to build a base up before going some place warm for vacation! Helps to prevent those nasty burns!

So, in my humble opinion, this place gets a thumbs up from me!!!

Fall Activities

Earthbound Farms : Earthbound Farm's Farm Stand in beautiful Carmel Valley features an abundance of unique and colorful organic pumpkins for purchase throughout fall. Choose from blue-green offerings like Queensland Blue, Jarrahdale, Kabocha, and Green Hubbard to brilliant orange varieties like Cinderella, Jack-o-Lantern, Red Kuri, and Turban. We also offer more than a dozen delicious organic squashes. Don't miss Earthbound Farm's annual Harvest Festival Saturday, October 18, 2008. Bring the whole family to this free harvest celebration, with squash and pumpkin tastings, games, pumpkin carving demos, music, farm tours, train and hay rides, and more! Earthbound Farm's Farm Stand also features a market with organic produce and flowers, unique gifts, organic and gourmet groceries as well as an organic kitchen featuring delicious handmade organic foods. Open daily

Haunted Barn at the American Tin Cannery
Benefits Redwings Horse Sanctuary
Weekends through October 26, 2008
PLUS October 31, 2008
Saturdays, 11:00 am to 8:00 pm
Sundays, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Friday, October 31 - 6:00 to 9:00 pm
1250 Ocean View Blvd. #116

Fall Festival at The Farm
Saturday, October 18, 2008, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Hwy 68 at Spreckels Blvd
(831) 455-2575
Puppet show, Pumpkin race, Hayrides, Pumpkin Patch

Del Monte Center Pumpkin Pandemonium
& Community Trick or Treat
Friday, October 31, 2008 ~ Pumpkin carving from 1:00-5:00 pm; Trick or Treating begins at 3:00-7:00 pm
Hwy 1 & Munras Ave., Monterey
(831) 373-2705
Trick or treating, Balloon Artist, Pumpkin Carving, Costume Contest! 

Annual Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch at Swank Farms
Daily through November 1, 2008 ~ Mondays-Thursdays - 10:00 am–6:00 pm
Friday & Saturday - 10:00 am-midnight; Sunday - 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
2600 San Felipe Rd, Hollister
(831) 637-4704
Spookley the Square Pumpkin Maze, Kiddy Corral, Maniac mazes, Labyrinth, Haunted House at night Jumping Pillow (40 X 70 feet), Cow Train, Mining Slough for kids

Pumpkin Junction at Casa de Fruta
October 1 thru October 31, 2008
10021 Pacheco Pass Hwy, Hollister
Find the perfect pumpkin at in the huge pumpkin patch. There will be more pumpkins than you can count plus some spooky characters lurking amongst the pumpkins. Bring your camera and your family and make a day of it. Ride the train.
Fruit Stand Parking Area - 8:00 am -8:00 pm

Halloween Treasure Hunt at Gilroy Gardens
Weekends ~ October 4-26, 2008
3050 Hecker Pass, Gilroy, CA
(408) 840-7100
Get a treasure map and hunt for hidden treasure.

Roaring Camp Railroad Ghost Train
Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25, 2008
Departures begin at 6:00 pm
6 miles north of Santa Cruz in Felton
1-888-25EVENT
Relive “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” in a ride
designed for young children & families!

Monterey Jazz Festival

Monterey Jazz Festival  Sept. 19-21 ($50 adults/ $15 kids 2-18)

Parking: Monterey Peninsula College (Prepaid parking at fairgrounds is already sold out)

Download a Printable Schedule

Monterey Jazz Festival MySpace Page

Monterey Jazz Festival's Family Day (Sunday, September 21)
Includes Instrument Petting Zoo, Interactive Games, Jazzy Jumper, Percussion Playshop, Art Projects, The Country's Best Student Musicians, Interactive Family Entertainment By Zun Zun, And More

Wikipedia Entry on Monterey Jazz Festival (MJF)

Tips:

• No food, drinks, picnic baskets or alcohol can be carried in, except unopened bottles of water. Food and drink sold at the festival.
• Pets are not allowed.
• Strollers are not allowed in the indoor venues.
• Tickets don't allow re-entry. (Tickets will also discolor to solid black if left in the sun!)
• Weather Forecast

Me-N-Ed's Pizza

We finally got around to trying Me-N-Ed's Pizza.   We decided not to go to Gianni's because it was too expensive.  Unfortunately Me-N-Ed's is even MORE expensive!  We got a large pepperoni and a medium meat lover's + soda and it cost us $49.00!  The pizza itself was ok but it didn't rank up there with any of our favorites.  On the positive side the restaurant is large and airy with plenty of free parking.  They had coupons on their take home boxes but they were only for $2 off, which is still way more than I am willing to pay for pizza anywhere outside of Chicago.

http://www.meneds.com/
880 Broadway Ave. Ste. # C-4,C-5
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 899-0101

Peter B's

This restaurant is in the outdoor patio area of the Portola Hotel.  We've been anxious to try it for quite a while because it is also a microbrewery.  We were there at lunch time.  Unfortunately the service was not very good.  She poured iced tea in my Diet Coke and brought our appetizers after the meal was brought to the table.

The food:

Philly Cheese Steak Pizza: Not too bad
Nachos: Not very good - what little cheese there was wasn't melted and meat was cold
Mini Burgers/BBQ Sandwich Trio: The BBQ was ok, the hamburgers were way over done and very dry

Hubby says the beer was ok, but not anything he couldn't find anywhere else. 

Free SAT-ACT Software for Military Families

eKnowledge Corp. and a group of NFL players for the third year are continuing their multi-million dollar sponsorship of free SAT and ACT test preparation programs to all veterans, active-duty, reserve, and retired military members and their families, a $200 value. Those who request the donated materials need  only pay shipping and handling. Servicemembers, veterans and their families interested in receiving free eKnowledge products under this sponsorship can complete an online request form at http://sat.eknowledge.com/military.

Women's Bible Study

The Fort Ord Chapel has a Women's Bible study (PWOC) that is open to all Christian denominations.  It meets Tuesdays when school is in session from 9:15 to around 11:30.  Free childcare is available for children 4 and under (spaces are limited), and there is a co-op for home-schooled children.

I have found it to be a wonderful place to meet women in the area, find friendships, enjoy food and fellowship, and get closer to God.  The group is not just a bible study, however, and has a weekly playgroup and monthly gatherings for book-club and Girl's night out.  It is a great place to get started if you're looking for a church home.  You don't need to go to the Ord Chapel to attend.

Tomorrow, August 5th, is the Kick-off for this year's session.  Join us if you can!

You can check out the Fort Ord PWOC blog for more information about group and current studies.

Fun on the Farm

Gizdich Ranch is a farm near Watsonville where you can pick your own berries throughout the summer and apples in the Fall. They also offer in-season berries and apples for sale in their store.

Strawberries are available May through July. Olallieberries are available in June. Boysenberries are in season mid-June.  Blackberries are around for July (although they told us they were only around for the BEGINNING of June in the pick yourself area), and Apples are around in September.  Their produce is organic, so while they don't encourage grazing during picking, you can sample without worries of pesticides. 

We left with strawberries we picked ourselves, fresh blackberries and raspberries. Mmm. I smell the blackberry cobbler baking now!

We'll be back this fall to get some fantastic apples for pies! We may even go on a Saturday and stick around to watch apples being pressed for juice.  They also host the Apple Butter Festival the third Saturday in October.  Click the link below to find out more information about hours, seasons, and festivities.

Gizdich Ranch is located at 55 Peckham Road, Watsonville 95076.  They are open from 8 to 5 daily.  (831) 722-1056

Finally - a good hair cut!

We were here for 6 months before I finally got brave enough to get a hair cut.  After my son nearly had his head shaved by a nut job at Super Cuts I was scared to try anywhere!  I went to Artisan's at 380 Foam St. Desiree cut my hair and did a fantastic job!  Her studio phone number is 831-655-2024 and her cell is 831-392-7939.  She is offering $10 off when you mention that you saw her name on this site! :)  She really takes her time.  Hair cuts are $55 but worth every penny!! 

The salon/spa's website is www.artisansmonterey.com .

By the way:

* They prefer that you pay with cash because of the high % that credit cards charge, but they do accept credit cards if you need to use them. 

* For the guys: the haircutting place at the PX on DLI does a pretty good job for $8.75 (cash only).  We take our son there too and he is done in no time flat.  They have a vacuum attached to the clippers so he doesn't get covered in hair. 

Monterey Beach

Monterey Beach is near the "working wharf" off of Del Monte.  The waves are usually very small here and there is plenty of beach area.  This beach gets very crowded at times.  It has always looked pretty clean to us but it was closed last week due to high bacterial contamination.  Paid parking and bathrooms are available.  The beach runs down to the Best Western Hotel, where the waves are bigger again.  The nice thing about the beach at the hotel is that parking is free when you can find it and there is usually a life guard there.