Category Archives: Community Events

Community Events, Homes for Sale, Pacific Grove Lifestyle

Feast of the Lanterns ~ Pacific Grove, CA

July 27, 2017 Susan Clark

Feast of the Lanterns! July 26 -29th

Feast Court – From left to right: **Bottom Row**: Princess Ruby Juliana Aliotti, Princess Sapphire Jenna Hall, Princess Amethyst Serena Paci **Top Row:** Master Rooster Thor Birch, Princess Tourmaline Rachel Sands, Queen Topaz Caroline Evans, Princess Emerald Caroline Coen, and Master Horse Elias Yevdash This is one of the big festivals during the year held in Pacific Grove – that is SO Pacific Grove. PG, as we locals call it affectionally, is called “Americas Last Hometown”, because it’s like the hometown that many of us grew up in across America in an earlier day. And, yes, it’s still pretty much like that now.

My hometown was kind of like Pacific Grove – but lose the coastline. Now I live 4 blocks away from the water and love it – matter of fact it’s my Xanadu! In my estimation, Pacific Grove has one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world – and I’ve seen a lot of them – but that’s really a different subject!

Feast of the Lanterns – Opening ceremony

Back to Feast of the Lanterns. I’ll let you click the link to learn all about the story and the wonderful young women and men who are lucky enough to land on the court. They will spend all year doing service for their community and receive academic scholarships. I have to give a shout out to Juliana Aliotti who is the daughter of Dominic and Mary Aliotti who own the very popular Pacific Grove eatery known as “Victorian Corner”. Not only great food (you will find my husband and I there most Saturday and Sunday mornings), but just a welcoming atmosphere that never fails to make you feel like you just walked into “Cheers’ and everyone yells your name.

Another place we love is the “Beach House” and love to take advantage of their Sunset Special (read Early Bird special by 5:30PM). As I looked out onto the beach this evening as we were being seated, I literally asked my husband to sit in the chair that faced the beach, so I wouldn’t have to look out at all the blankets that some people have put down 3-4-5 days before the event — so they can have a front row seat. It drives me crazy! The event isn’t until Saturday night 2 days from now and the blankets have been on the beach for days!

Lover’s Point Beach covered with blankets by people saying Me First!

I know this may be a controversial subject, but it raises the hair on the back of my neck every year! I usually try to stay away from controversial matters on my blog, but my Social Media Guru, Katie Lance, says one shouldn’t stay vanilla on your blog – express your opinion – so here goes. Look at this photo above. There are 20-25 people who have spread out blankets -as they do every year – 3-4 days – maybe more – before the big Saturday night event and fireworks. They have decided, Me First – doesn’t matter if someone might actually want to enjoy the beach this week like our locals and the many visitors that bring income to this lovely resort town.

I am really interested in how you feel about this. Am I the Lone Ranger here? I would love to hear your comments and what you think on the subject.

But don’t worry, I’ll get over the angst of the beach taker overs and enjoy Saturday night and the fireworks! I love this town!

Thinking of buying or selling in Pacific Grove? I’m your gal. I love it here and know you will too!

Susan Clark, Alain Pinel Realtors 831-320-6801

Carmel Lifestyle, Community Events

Chris Botti at the Sunset Center ~ Carmel-By-The-Sea 1/29/17

January 27, 2017 Susan Clark

Chris Botti will play to a SOLD OUT crowd at the Sunset Center Sunday evening. Every year I have missed seeing him, but last time I swore that the next time he came back – I would be there! So this time I bought tickets as soon as the announcement was made that he was coming.

So I will be there this weekend, head cold and all, but I wouldn’t miss it for anything. Chris has become the largest-selling American instrumental artist and puts on a fabulous show. He has four #1 jazz albums along with multiple Gold, Platinum, and Grammy awards. My husband said, “You mean he’s just going to play the trumpet all night? ” I told him – “just you wait!”

We are so lucky to have such a fabulous venue like the Sunset Center here in Carmel. Wonderful entertainment is brought here practically at our door step without having to travel to San Jose or San Francisco – although I love our trips into the City to see shows.

Hope to see many of you there Sunday night – but if not – next time rush to buy tickets as soon as he is announced – he’s a sell out every time he comes.

For a list of upcoming events at the Sunset Center this year go to their web site but be sure to get your tickets as soon as possible – the great acts sell out fast!

P.S. Post show. The show was fantastic!! Not only was Chris Botti amazing, but the array of musicians and singers he assembled for the show was awesome! Thanks for the video, Kim!

https://www.facebook.com/kim.dibenedetto.3/videos/10209484311002322/

Susan Clark is a realtor in Carmel-by-the-Sea and loves to share community information as well as real estate news. Call her for more information about Carmel Real Estate 831-320-6801.

Carmel Lifestyle, Community Events, Holidays

All I Want for Christmas . . is the Smuin Christmas Ballet

December 9, 2016 Susan Clark

The 2016 Smuin Christmas Ballet in Carmel-by-the-Sea

ballet-in-flight — The Smuin Dancers seem to fly through the air!

For me the beginning of the holidays starts with my husband and I going to the Smuin Ballet at the Sunset Center every year.

Susan Clark and hubby, Allan Freidson — The Sunset Center deck out for Christmas

Now previously my husband had never gone to a ballet and if I had approached him and said, “Let’s go to the ballet,” he would have looked at me like I was crazy and gone back to watching the football game. I think it was about 5 years ago when I heard about the Smuin Ballet coming to town with a special Christmas program and I knew I would need to be a little cagey to get my hubby to come along.

I gave him a call and said I’d like for him to go to a dance with me. The other end of the phone was silent and then I followed it up with, “Remember it’s my birthday!”. He said OK (how could he refuse on my birthday!) and I think I told him the morning of that we were actually going to go watch other people dance. Long story short, he actually really liked it. Particularly, Act 2.

ACT I Classical Christmas is what most of us think of as ballet. However ACT 2 Cool Christmas is full of fun acts with wonderful dance numbers including some jazz and tap and Irish dancing thrown in.

One really fun and favorite dance number is to “Santa Baby” sung to the Eartha Kitt recording. The singer drags a long boa onto the stage and she is offered all kinds of worldly goods as the song lyrics indicate. In honor of the boa – everyone was asked to wear a boa to the performance. Thus, the red boa below gracing my neck!

I have to admit though, my very favorite is the Christmas in New Orleans number seen below. It’s just so clever and I love the music by Louis Armstrong.

The grand finale is White Christmas with snow drifting down onto the stage and into the audience and the dancers jubilantly dancing and playing in the snow.

So that’s it — my holiday season has started! Now we’ve picked out our Christmas tree . . .

Picking out the Noble Fir Christmas tree in Carmel. — Picking out the Noble Fir Christmas tree in Carmel (tree to my right was the winner)!

and trimmed it. This was a team effort.

Susan trimming tree - the truth is she did the "heavy lifting" on the trimming. — Susan trimming tree – the truth is she did the “heavy lifting” on the trimming.

And voila!

Finished tree. I decided this year to go with less is more. The tree itself was so beautiful I went easy on the ornaments.

And so our holiday season has started. I have decided not to be in a frenzy this year. I want to sit back and enjoy the holiday season by getting together with good friends, enjoying being with my wonderful husband, enjoying all the decorations, singing carols, getting in touch with my spiritual side, and just enjoy being.

All my best holiday wishes to you to experience love, joy, peace, happiness, and good health in this holiday season. Enjoy your friends and family and hold them close. All my best!

Carmel Lifestyle, Community Events

Carmel’s Favorite Ex-Mayor Rides Again! ~ Carmel-by-the-Sea Centennial Parade

October 30, 2016 Susan Clark

Clint Eastwood getting ready to be in Carmel's Centennial parade. — Clint Eastwood getting ready to be in Carmel’s Centennial parade.

Clint Eastwood is everyone’s favorite mayor of Carmel – no offense to our current mayor, but hey, he’s Clint! When Clint was elected mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea in 1986, he put Carmel on the national map – for those who already didn’t know about our charming village that just turned 100 years old yesterday!

So who else would Carmel invite to be the Grand Marshal of the Carmel Centennial parade. Well, Clint of course!

The whole town turned out to take part in this fabulous community event. There were amazing floats, marching bands, school groups, the girl scouts, theater groups, musicians, dancers, and dignitaries.

clint-stage — Clint Eastwood getting ready to lead the parade on the Wells Fargo stagecoach.

Here’s Clint in the staging area ready to lead the parade! The Sunset Center, our center of performing arts, offered this lovely float.

sunset-center-float — The Sunset Center’s fabulous float

Carmel Plaza is Carmel-by-the-Sea’s only shopping center featuring many restaurants and boutiques. You can also find the Carmel Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center there with answers to all your Carmel questions. They proudly entered this lovely float below.

carmel-plaza-float — Carmel Plaza with its amazing entry

The most fun was to see all of the community organizations turned out in their 1916 best! Since I was in the parade, these photos are of everyone getting organized in the parade staging area.

chamber — The Ambassadors of the Carmel Chamber of Commerce representing the business women and men of 1916! What fun we had dressing up!

suffragettes — The Carmel Women’s Club as Suffragettes

The Red Cross of 1916 as depicted by a community organization

I loved watching these very well organized and adorable kids from the Carmel River Elementary School.

North Monterey County High School sent a fabulous marching band.

It is quite an amazing thing to be in a parade and quite a thrill. Usually I am watching on the sidelines like these folks.

I’m not sure who had more fun those marching . . .

The Carmel Chamber of Commerce ambassadors rounding the turn-around at Monte Verde and Ocean

or those watching. In any case, it was a fun-filled day.

Let’s not forget that Carmel was settled by artists, poets, actors, and bohemians so they were also well represented.

The Wizard of Oz cast with a young understudy of Dorothy — The Wizard of Oz cast with a young understudy for Dorothy

Shakespeare in the park played by Phyllis Davis and her husband.

Those of us in the parade got a kick out of comparing our costumes.

L-Susan Clark, Cammie Jones, Whiz Lindsey

The parade ended with a lovely lunch at the Sunset Center and then cake (in the shape of our office) at our Alain Pinel Realtors office on Junipero between 5th & 6th.

I hope everyone enjoyed this fun day! If you weren’t able to be there, I hope these photos will give you a little taste.

susan-office — Susan Clark ~ Carmel Realtor from 1916 in front of Alain Pinel Realtors

After being in real estate for many years, I find every client has their own story,. So whether you’re living in 1916 . . . or 2016, let’s find YOUR happy ending!

Susan Clark, Realtor

Category Archives: Community Events

Feast of the Lanterns ~ Pacific Grove, CA

Chris Botti at the Sunset Center ~ Carmel-By-The-Sea 1/29/17

All I Want for Christmas . . is the Smuin Christmas Ballet

Carmel’s Favorite Ex-Mayor Rides Again! ~ Carmel-by-the-Sea Centennial Parade

Susan's Musings by the Sea