GIFTGIFT GUIDEGUIDE Inside this week…a colorful start to the shopping season featuring ideas to fill stockings and warm hearts! Volume 96 No. 48 On the Internet: www.carmelpinecone.com November 26-December 2, 2010 Y OUR S OURCE F OR L OCAL N EWS, ARTS AND O PINION S INCE 1915 Wall heater suspected Bulldozers make ‘preemptive’ cut in lagoon sandbar in Monterey CO deaths By CHRIS COUNTS THE ROAR of bulldozers competed with the crash- By MARY BROWNFIELD ing of waves at Carmel River State Beach this week as the Monterey County Public Works Department opened a THE BODIES of a husband and wife were found in channel in the sandbar that separates the Carmel River their Lottie Street home Monday morning after one of Lagoon from the ocean. them failed to appear for work and the employer came Unlike other years, the work was done before water in searching, according to Monterey Fire Marshal Dave the lagoon rose to anywhere near flood stage. Brown. Raymond and Ruth Ann Carlson, ages 53 and “Our goal was to let out some of the water gradually 60, respectively, apparently died of carbon monoxide and create an equilibrium between the lagoon and the poisoning, and the Monterey County Coroner’s Office ocean so that the water level in the lagoon doesn’t drop reported a wall-mounted gas heater might be to blame. off too quickly,” public works director Yaz Emrani The person who had come searching for his employ- explained. ee saw one of the residents unresponsive on the couch But this year, the work was done without an emer- and entered the residence. Fearing she was dead, he gency permit. In past years, the county would simply retreated and dialed 911. On the scene, firefighters shut declare an emergency, which would allow it sidestep the off the gas, donned protective gear and breathing appa- bureaucratic requirements of a more conventional permit. ratus, and entered the home, where they found Ruth Ann PHOTO/CHRIS COUNTS While this week’s project was done without a permit, Carlson on the couch in the front room, along with her To get ready for winter rains, a bulldozer moves sand Tuesday to cat, which also died. They located Raymond Carlson on create a channel between the Carmel River Lagoon and the sea. See SANDBAR page 14A the bed in the back bedroom. Carbon monoxide levels in the house were high, and firefighters forcefully ventilated the residence to flush WOMAN STABBED out the gas. P.G. They also summoned PG&E to investigate the cause TO DEATH AT HOME SPCA planning of the leak and handed the investigation over to $17M renovation See DEATHS page 12A By MARY BROWNFIELD By KELLY NIX JUDITH SALAZAR, 46, was murdered in her Pacific Grove home late Sunday night, and her alleged killer was air- THE SPCA for Monterey County will kick off a Long forgotten wires lifted to a San Jose trauma center for treatment of his own knife fundraising campaign in January to finance the mul- wounds, according to police, who offered no explanation for timillion-dollar renovation of its facilities, a massive spark Brinton’s attic fire how he was injured. remodel the organization’s executive director said is Seaside resident Sunny Nguyen, 26, underwent emergency overdue. surgery and remains hospitalized under 24-hour police custody, When it’s completed, the $16.8 million project ■ Damage minor, store reopens quickly according to P.G. Police Chief Darius Engles. His two small will include a complete redo of the nonprofit’s facil- children, who were in the home at the time, have since been ities on Highway 68. By MARY BROWNFIELD reunited with their mother — Nguyen’s ex-girlfriend and the “Basically we are going to remodel the whole daughter of the victim. campus,” SPCA executive director Gary Tiscornia AFTER GOING undetected for years, live wires that Police discovered the horrific scene after a cab driver report- told The Pine Cone Thursday. “The organization has were cut when a neon sign was removed from the front of ed Nguyen went into the house on 17 Mile Drive and did not Brinton’s finally shorted and ignited a fire in the attic See SPCA page 8A Sunday afternoon. Fortunately, it occurred during business See KNIFE page 35A hours, and employees noticed smoke and called the fire department. By the time engines arrived, flames could be seen billowing out of a hole in the eaves at the front of the Major projects to create ‘minor’ delays on Highway 1 store, according to Cal Fire investigator Richard Lopez. “The area damaged by fire was not more than the size of By CHRIS COUNTS See BRINTON’S page 12A MOTORISTS TRAVELING south along the Big Sur coast during the next week can except minor delays at three locations as the California Department of Transportation continues its never-ending task of shoring up Highway 1. The most visible — as well as the most ambitious — project on the coast is construction of a 620-foot- long bridge at Pitkins Curve and a rock shed nearby at Rain Rocks. The project, which began last December and is expected to continue through the winter of 2012-2013, will cost taxpayers about $29.5 million when completed. At Rain Rocks, tons of debris cascade onto the pavement each winter, costing more than $1 million for cleanups and leading to lengthy delays for frus- trated motorists. During the holidays, work at Pitkins Curve and Rain Rocks will continue unabated. A traffic light PHOTO/COURTESY CALTRANS PHOTO/MARY BROWNFIELD controls one-way traffic, and drivers can expect five- Long-forgotten wires from an old neon sign started a fire that At Pitkins Curve in Big Sur, a $29.5 million project will reduce win- filled the store with smoke but caused little damage. See DELAYS page 12A tertime road closures, but is causing congestion during construction. Get your complete Carmel Pine Cone every Thursday evening in convenient pdf format via email. Free subscriptions available at www.carmelpinecone.com. 2A The Carmel Pine Cone November 26, 2010 Sandy Claws By Margot Petit Nichols selected pre-holiday CHACHA CONDRY, 11, was adopted when she was 3 years old from the Monterey County SPCA on her reductions Mom and Dad’s 35th wedding anniversary. Mom Mary and Dad Bob thought Chihua-hua ChaCha new location might understand Spanish, so they tried a few phrases on her, which she understood. Then they tried English commands, and she understood those, too. ChaCha, it turned out, is bilingual. They think she must have been a beloved companion in her first family, because she responded to all the usual requests, then jumped right up on their laps as though accustomed to this comfy seating arrangement. open 7 days a week When she comes to Carmel Beach twice a week, she friday & saturday until 8pm runs with abandon on the hard packed sand, looking like a tiny whirlwind plowing across the beach. She doesn’t venture into the water but leaves that to the big- ger dogs with whom she plays. stranger lurking about the neighbors’ car and gave At home in Carmel-by-the-Sea, she romps with her warning with frenzied barking. She tore downstairs and e showcase the largest collection of neighborhood best friends — Sally Laney, a Brittany out the side door. The would-be thief ran away, fright- W spaniel, and Pal Anderson, a golden retriever. ened by ChaCha’s ferocious barks. Strange as it may seem, little ChaCha once played a Her most unusual claim to fame, and one from which recreated 15th through 18th century major role in foiling a car theft. Her bed is in a cozy loft she draws astounded stares from passersby on her daily at home, and from her window she can keep surveil- walks, is her method of relieving herself: She stands on handcrafted Italian furniture lance of the driveway next door. One night she saw a her front feet, back feet high in the air, and tinkles. in all of northern & central California. Celebrity Sightings! Carmel, Pebble Beach and the entire Monterey Peninsula are always crawling with celebrities — walking on the beach, playing golf, shopping for second homes or hanging out in local shops and restaurants. Do you have an interesting and exclusive celebrity sighting to report? Send an email to [email protected] or call (831) 274-8653. We will pay $25 for each ? sighting we publish. Pictures are welcome, too! OPPLETON’S www.poppletonshome.com ?????????? 299 LIGHTHOUSE, MONTEREY 831 649 3083 Thinking of buying or selling a house in the Monterey Peninsula? Be sure to use a realtor who advertises in The Carmel Pine Cone. They care about the community ... and they care about you! Professional Pet Sitting Your Pet Sitter in the comfort of your own Home Available 7 days a week Holiday to care for your furry friends. 20% discount with the mention of this ad Lauren Dubin FUN (831) 238-2522 anyone? Licensed • Bonded • Insured www.yourpetsitter.com THE NORTH FACE Denali Gift Enjoy the best brands, Certificates & Free selection and service! Gift Boxing $39 CHIMNEY SWEEP Available. Need your carpets & SAFETY INSPECTION or windows cleaned for the holidays? Prevent Check out the House Fires Service Directory on pages Gutter Cleaning 30-31A All available in men’s and women’s styles and sizes. ARC’TERYX Caliber Cardigan Available of this week’s Carmel PATAGONIA Torrentshell (831) 392-8055 Pine Cone 111 The Crossroads in Carmel / 624.4112 / Treadmill.com / Hours: Mon.–Sat. 10 to 6, Sun. 12 to 5 November 26, 2010 The Carmel Pine Cone 3A FINAL FILMING SLATED FOR RESURRECTED ‘CARMEL’ MOVIE T & L Nail Spa Next to the Post Office By MARY BROWNFIELD “Having seen the unfinished movie, I can * Luxury Pedicures * Manicures tell you that it is definitely going to be some- THE STUDIO that took over the belea- thing that the town can once again be proud * OPI Polish* Pink & White * Gels guered “Carmel” film — and paid off all its of,” he said.