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Monday, July 6, 2026

Q3 (Quarter 3) Sales Drivers for Salinas, California by Ruth Paget

 July 

*World Cup Viewing Parties  

-sandwiches, chips, and beverages - many supermarkets have deli sections where you can get sandwiches catered like Costco and Nob Hill in Salinas

*Wimbledon Viewing Parties

-strawberries and cream are the teaditional dish at Wimbledon

*Farmers’ Markets 

-see my blog below about farmers’ markets in Salinas and surrounding areas (there are six farmers’ markets in Salinas alone)

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2026/03/farmers-markets-agritourism-in-salinas.html?m=1

August

*Buy spa products for an August cool down at home (CVS in Salinas is open 24/7)


By Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

-developer of Novgorod and Bento War Games and Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley history Zmuseum

-creator French Travel and Culture Games

Premium Steak Markets and Restaurants in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget

Premium Steak Markets and Restaurants in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget 

Premium Steak Markets in Salinas, California include: 

*Zio Brands Meats and Sausages 

For premium, wet-aged beef cuts like ribeye and filet mignon and house-made sausages. 

*Star Market 

Well-known for New York strip steaks. 

*La Plazita Market 

Well-known for prime ribeye steaks and tender skirt steak. 

*Salinas Meats 

Offers everything from prime rib to beef tenderloin and ribeyes. 

*Magana’s Meat Market 

Well-known for reasonable prices on ribeyes. 

*Steakhouses 

*Smalley’s Round-Up on South Main Street 

*Pub’s (Grower’s Pub) – the oldest bar in Salinas

Happy Feasting! 

By Ruth Paget 

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France 

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games and Classical Western Civilization War Games 

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games 

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Museum 

-creator of French Travel and Culture Games

Candle Making at Harrison Memorial Library in Carmel, California reposted by Ruth Paget https://www.montereycountynow.com/events/#/details/candle-making/18094525/2026-07-09T16

Candle making can be both a lifestyle hobby and a job skill. 

 Learn how to make candles at the Harrison Memorial Library in Carmel, California at a workshop on July 9, 2026 in Carmel, California.

Details about this workshop from the Monterey County Weekly’s Online Community Calendar follow:

https://www.montereycountynow.com/events/#/details/candle-making/18094525/2026-07-09T16

I have purchased organic candles in the past that I bought for burning without putting pollutants in the air.

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author EatingSoup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games and Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Museum

-creator of French Travel and Culture Games


Organic Lavender Harvest Walk at Earthbound Farms reposted by Ruth Paget

The Monterey County Weekly’s Online Community Calendar lists an upcoming Organic Lavender Harvest Walk at Earthbound Farms in July 11, 2026 in Carmel Valley, California.

During the harvest walk you can pick and purchase lavender to take home.

Details about the organic lavendar harvest walk from the Monterey County Weekly’s Calendar follow:

https://www.montereycountynow.com/events/#/details/organic-lavender-harvests/19267438/2026-07-11T10

My great-aunt Winnie told me that lavender helps make you sleepy.  You can tie up a bundle of lavender and place it in a cloth bag to go inside a pillow as a homeopathic sleep aid.

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games and Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage war games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Museum

-creator of French Travel and Culture Games

SlowFiber Sewing Machine Project Consulting Coming Up reposted by Ruth Paget

SlowFiber of Monterey, California is a hosting a sewing machine workshop with “garment guru” Claire de Lucchi on July 8, 2026 in Monterey, California.

The cost for this drop-in consulting session is $20.

Details about how SlowFiber can help with your sewing project follow from the Monterey County Weekly’s Community Calendar:

https://www.montereycountynow.com/events/#/details/sewing-machine-project-help-at-slowfiber/19252943/2026-07-08T14

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games and Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Museum

-French Travel and Culture Games

Sunday, July 5, 2026

Curry Plants Seen at Pebble Beach, California by Ruth Paget

Yellow Curry Plants Seen Along the Coast in Pebble Beach, California by Ruth Paget 

While out bird watching at Pebble Beach (California), I saw clustered yellow flowers along the walking path in the pull-out after China Rock going toward the direction of Bird Rock along 17-mile Drive which follows the Pacific Coast. 

Three yellow clustered flowers like the ones I saw are called curry plants for their turmeric-colored yellow flowers according to the Google lens app. 

I used Google lens to identify the plant by photographing it and then asking for its characteristics. It is drought resistant, which is important in our region. The curry plant is not used for cooking. It gets its name from its color. 

Pests do not like the curry plant and neither do deer. Curry plants are useful to homeowners for this reason. 

The curry plant’s country of origin is Turkey, which indicates that the plant does well in climates similar to that of the Mediterranean. (Pebble Beach has a mild to cool Mediterranean climate.) 

An image of a curry plant follows: 

https://www.gardenia.net/plant/helichrysum-italicum-curry-plant

Nursery information about the curry plant follows: 

https://crimsonsage.com/product/curry-plant/

Happy Coastal Strolling!


By Ruth Paget 

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France 

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games and Classical Western Civilization War Games 

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games 

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Museum 

-creator French Travel and Culture Games

Highly Nutritious Chicken - Corn Soup at Golden Star Restaurant in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget

Highly Nutritious Chicken – Corn Soup at Golden Star Restaurant in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget 

The title chicken – corn soup on the menu at Golden Star Restaurant in Salinas, California contains much more than you would think when you look at how it is described. 

Chicken – corn soup is almost a secret menu item for all the protein and vitamins in this delicious dish at a reasonable price. 

The flavor base for the chicken – corn soup at Gold Star is hot oil and chopped green onions. Previously steamed chicken breast tenders are added and stir-fried with sliced mushrooms and cabbage squares. 

Chicken broth is added to the stir-fried chicken along with soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and maybe some oyster sauce. Sweet corn kernals, peas, and carrots are added to the chicken broth. Everything is then brought to a boil. 

Once the soup boils,  you gently swirl the soup and add in beaten eggs as if you were making egg flower soup. The eggs should flower out. 

At this point, you can add in a cornstarch slurry to thicken the soup. 

To finish the soup, you sprinkle chopped green onions on top and serve. 

I like this savory soup with bites of sweetness from the corn, because it is packed with vitamins like the following: 

-cabbage – Vitamin C 

-carrots – Vitamin A and Vitamin C 

-peas – Vitamin C 

-mushrooms – B Vitamins 

-chicken – selenium to support thyroid health 

-eggs and chicken – protein 

For flavor and nutrition, the chicken and corn soup at Golden Star Restaurant in Salinas, California is a great value for the price for people without any allergies to the ingredients or dietary preferences. 


By Ruth Paget 

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France 

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games and Classical Western Civilization Games 

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games 

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Museum 

-creator of French Travel and Culture Games

Swooping Red-Tailed Hawks Seen at Pebble Beach, California by Ruth Paget

Swooping Red-Tailed Hawks Seen at Pebble Beach, California by Ruth Paget 

The usual birds you see flying along the coast at Pebble Beach (California) are seagulls, brown pelicans, and black, long-necked cormorants. 

As you drive through the Del Monte Forest though, you can see many hawks swooping down from tree tops and power lines after small prey and sometimes carrion (dead animals). 

Red-tailed hawks exist throughout the US in a variety of landscapes. They are considered useful and have an economic value for property owners thanks to eating small- to medium-size animals like snakes, mice, and rats. 

Red-tailed hawks are famous for their song, which you can hear on the Audobon link below: 

https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/red-tailed-hawk

Happy Birding in Pebble Beach, California! 

By Ruth Paget 

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France 

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games and Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games 

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Museum 

-creator of French Travel and Culture Games

Fresh Herb Markets in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget

Markets Selling Fresh Herbs in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget 

A quick Google Search listed the following outlets as selling fresh herbs in Salinas, California: 

*Gold Leaf Spice and Teas 

*Del’s Farmers Produce 

*Windmill Market  

*The Farm in Salinas 

(located on Highway 68, which becomes Main Street in town) 

*Bokay Nursery 

*Rocket Farms 

Happy Herb Market Marketing! 

By Ruth Paget 

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France 

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games and of the Classical Western Civilization War Games 

-developer food and beverage knowledge games 

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Museum 

-creator of French Travel and Culture Games

MBARI Open House about Marine Research on July 11, 2026 reposted by Ruth Paget

MBARI will host an open about marine research in the Monterey Bay Area on July 11, 2026 in Moss Landing, California.

Details about the open house follow:

https://www.mbari.org/about/events/open-house/

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games and Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Museum

-creator French Travel and Culture Games

Artisan Cheese Shopping in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget

Artisan Cheese Shopping in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget 


The following stores sell artisan cheese in Salinas, California or close to it: 


*Nob Hill Supermarkets, part of the Raley’s Chain along with Bel Air Supermarkets 

-very good for Brie and goat cheese 


*Star Market 

-sells Californian cheese like those from Point Reyes and French cheese


*Schoch Dairy and Creamery 

-sells artisan Swiss cheeses made on site

-owned by the Grossen family. 

-carried in local markets and online 


*Costco 

-for Swiss Gruyère and Gouda 


*The Cheese Shop in Carmel, California

-located about 20 minutes away from Salinas by car using Highway 68 

-sells over 200 cheeses from around the world 


*The Cheese Fairy’s Charcuterie 

-online corporate and special orders including boards 

-located in Salinas, California 


*Trader Joe's

-located about 10 minutes away from Salinas in Marina using Blanco to Imjin Roads


Happy Marketing! 


By Ruth Paget 


-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France 

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games and Classical Western Civilization War Games 

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games 

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Museum 

-creator of French Travel and Culture Games

Saturday, July 4, 2026

Walking Groups in Salinas, California - A Blue Zones Project reposted by Ruth Paget

I found some interesting information about walking groups in Salinas, California organized by our local Blue Zones Community.

These walking groups are called walking moai, named for an Okinawan social organization groups.  The Blue Zones website has more information about moai.

More information about walking moai in Salinas, California follows:

https://montereycounty.bluezonesproject.com/move-naturally/

Happy walking!

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games and Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and Carmel Valley History Museum

-creator of French Travel and Culture Games


Extra Hamburger Bun Use by Ruth Paget

I buy artisanal hamburger buns to make cheeeeburgers on the 4th of July for a family of 3.  I have extra buns.

To make use of these delicious buns, I will make grilled cheese panini sandwiches on the 5th to go with organic lettuce salad and Kettle ruffled potato chips and soda.

No food waste is my American value for the 21st century.  I can’t always do it, but I think I can swing this in 2026.

I am using a counter top Cuisinart Griddler Grill on its griddle side for pancakes to do the grilled cheese sandwiches and pressing down with the lid for panini.

You can cut these grilled cheese sandwiches into fourths and stick them with a toothpick as a warm hors d’oeuvres to go with drinks or with tomato soup for a light lunch as well.

Brioche buns also are good as French toast.

Happy 4th!

Note: July 4th Menu

-cheeseburgers made with Omaha Steak Burgers

-Kettle potato chips

-homemade margaritas made with Patron tequila

—condiments - organic salad, Vlasic sliced dill pickles, Best mayonnaise, and Trader Joe’s Dijon Mustard

By Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games and Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and Carmel Valley History Museum

-creator of French Travel and Culture Games

-

Thursday, July 2, 2026

2027 UChicago Alumni Travel reposted by Ruth Paget

For my University of Chicago alumni readers - these 2027 trips from the University of Chicago are surely transformative trips of a lifetime:

Details about destinations follow:

https://mail.google.com/mail/mu/mp/465/#cv/priority/%5Esmartlabel_promo/19f1f7d65cd6b965

All aboard!

Reposted by Ruth Paget:

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games and classical Western civilization war games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and Carmel Valley History Museum

-creator French Travel and Culture Games


Paint and Draw at Monterey Public Library on July 6, 2026 reposted by Ruth Paget

The Monterey County Weekly Online Community Calendar notes there will be a Paint and Draw Prigram at the Monterey Public library on July 6, 2027.

More information about this program is available in the Monterey County Weekly Online Calendar below:

https://www.montereycountynow.com/events/#/details/paint-and-draw-at-the-library/19042068/2026-07-06T16

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

-creator of online exhibits aboutSan Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and Carmel Valley History Museum

-creator French Travel and Culture Games


Chicago River Boat Architecture Tours reposted by Ruth Paget

One of the my favorite Orientation Week activities at the University of Chicago was going on an architectural history bus tour downtown.  The Chicago Architectural Center organizes bus tours for tourists now:

https://www.architecture.org/city-tours/Architectural-highlights-by-bus

When I graduated and began to work at EY, I went on the pricier architectural boat tour below and saw another perspective of Chicago’s towering skyscrapers:

https://architecturetourchicago.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22896119030&gbraid=0AAAAA9f0N8_UGtdg-Q85_HUkF4g4upI3i

I think being a tour guide for these two organizations would be fun weekend and summer gig work for art history majors.

Note: There is a direct flight now between Monterey, California and Chicago, Illinois on United Airlines.

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento war games and classical Western civilization war games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits on San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making and Carmel Valley History Museum

-creator French Travel and Culture Games

Solvang - Denmark in California Destination reposted by Ruth Paget

Danish settlers built Solvang, California, which has become a tourist hot spot with families for the Viking Museum and Hans Christian Andersen Museum.  

This Central Coast California town also offers wine tastings, the Amber Museum, and Danish meals at restaurants like the Red Viking for young couples.

Their recent tourism newsletter follows:

https://mail.google.com/mail/mu/mp/465/#cv/priority/%5Esmartlabel_promo/19f1f3e2bd9e1da3

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento war games and classical Western civilization war games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making and Carmel Valley History Museum

-creator French Travel and Culture Games

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

All-Good Egg Flower Soup at Golden Star Chinese Restaurant in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget

All-Good Egg Flower Soup at Golden Star Chinese Restaurant in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget 

If you have no allergies to eggs or dietary preferences against mixing eggs with chicken broth, then Chinese egg-flower soup at Golden Star Restaurant in Salinas, California is a great value for nutrition and staying within a budget. 

The ingredients in this tasty soup are easy according to the Woks of Life website, which I consulted. They are: 

-chicken stock 

-sesame oil 

-salt 

-white pepper 

-turmeric 

-2 or 3 beaten eggs 

-1 chopped scallion 

The technique is everything for making delicious egg-flower soup. 

Once the stock boils, use a cooking spoon to gently swirl the broth as if you were swirling polenta corn meal into the boiling stock. Pour the beaten eggs into the swirling whirlpool of stock so that they feather out. 

Once the eggs are in the soup, add the chopped green onions. (If you use a cornstarch slurry to thicken the soup, you can stir that in before the green onions.) 

Golden Star provides Sichuan pepper red chili sauce that is house made to go with the soup. I stir this into the egg-flower soup for a boost of Vitamins A and C. 

To not be hungry in two hours, I often eat this with some rice or dip day-old artisanal bread into the soup. 

We order pick-up usually at Golden Star, our neighborhood Chinese Restaurant, in Salinas, California and love having a nutritious, delicious, and low-budget dinner item available nearby. 

By Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games, 

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits on San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making and California crepe making.

-creator of French Travel and Culture Games

Tuesday, June 30, 2026

UChicago Press is selling Talking Classics reposted by Ruth Paget

The University of Chicago is selling Talking Classics by Mary Beard.  People playing the games I created about Classical Western civilization might enjoy this book.

Purchase information about Talking Classics by Mary Beard follows:

https://cdcshoppingcart.uchicago.edu/Cart2/ChicagoBook?ISBN=9780226834245&PRESS=CHICAGO&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=BUY%20THIS%20BOOK&utm_campaign=Reader%27s%20Picks%20June%202026&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

UChicago Research into the Benefits of Breastmilk reposted by Ruth Paget

This following article covering the research into the possible benefits of breast milk in fighting infection by the University of Chicago is interesting for both women and children:

https://news.uchicago.edu/story/nutrient-breast-milk-helps-boosts-immune-system-development-mice?utm_medium=06.30email&utm_source=UChicagoNews

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games