Monterey County Weekly Photo Blog

New Blog Location

2011-01-16T16:07:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone.

The Monterey County Weekly changed up their website and it now incorporates blogs directly into the website!

The MCW Photo Blog is live once again.

This blog will be live as an archive, but everything new will be posted above.

Also check out the other new and cool blogs and features of the new website.

Funeral for Army Pfc. Conrado Javier

2011-01-06T15:55:00.000-08:00

Today, Army Pfc. Conrado D. Javier, a 19-year-old soldier from Marina, CA was laid to rest in Monterey this afternoon.

Javier died on Dec. 19 in the Kandahar province of Afghanistan when enemy forces attacked his vehicle.

Photos by staff photographer Nic Coury.

2010 Portraits of the Year

2010-12-29T14:39:00.000-08:00

Local painter Andrew Jackson bought a home in Castroville and started raising chickens.

There are a lot of people in photos every issue of the Weekly. With a range of emotions and subject matters, these portraits helped define the character of Monterey County in 2010.

Photos by staff photographer Nic Coury.

2010 MC Weekly Portraits of the Year - Images by Nic Coury

Winter Brawl: MMA in Salinas

2010-12-19T15:37:00.000-08:00

Marco Orozco swings at Benji Silva during the main fight on Friday.

Photos by Nic Coury

Despite the rain, the Fox Theater Salinas was full of heavy-hitting mixed-martial arts action during the Winter Brawl hosted by Central Coast Throwdown.

Local fighters Jonathon Gaxiola and Adrien Olivas both won their bouts and Benji Silva defeated Marco Orozco during the main event.

Silva takes a pounding to the face.

Silva with his game face on, goes for a heavy punch.

A bloodied Orozco after the final round.

Silva celebrates his win.

A fan in the front row cheers on Benji Silva.

Salinas fighter Jonathon Gaxiola takes a minute before his bout.

Gaxiola kicks high at his opponent Jose Antonio-Batacan.

Gaxiola celebrates after winning his first bout.

Rickey Jackson pummels Rojelio Reyes as he would go on to win over Reyes.

Reyes lets out a scream as Jackson gets the upper hand.

Salinas fighter Adrien Olivas steps into the ring.

Olivas gets on top of his opponent Elisar Alvarez. He ended up winning the match.

Fatai Bailala (left) takes a punch from Steven Dickey as he attempts to fight back.

Bailala makes an maneuver to get on top of Dickey.

Blood spots cover the ring following the Dickey-Bailala match.

One of Bailala's trainers wipes sweat and blood from the fighter's face.

Ashlee Evans-Smith gets the advantage over her opponent Samantha Mosqueda.

Mosqueda takes a break between rounds.

Evans-Smith celebrates her win with her trainer.

The Candy Cane Lane Nutcracker

2010-12-09T12:14:00.001-08:00

The Rise of the Candy Cane Lane Nutcracker
shot and produced by Nic Coury.

Nearly 50 years ago, Howard Cowen hand-built the infamous, giant nutcracker that stands tall over Candy Cane Lane in Pacific Grove.

In the video below, Cowen gets help from his two sons, Ron and Ken, his grandson Kris and a neighbor to help erect the big soldier for the holiday season.

Sunday at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

2010-12-05T22:25:00.000-08:00

Sea Nettle jellyfish tank.

Photos by staff photographer Nic Coury.

A flamingo takes a peak underneath.

Jellies.

A view of the Aquarium's outside observation decks.

Melissa Hornstien (front) and Andrew McCallum from Salinas take advantage of free admission for locals on Sunday.

A sea turtle pokes its fin out of the water.

Chen Sagiv while on vacation from his home in Isreal takes a picture of the fish.

The Sea Pens in their tank.

A young fish fan feels the slippery kelp in a touch tank.

A visitor takes a photo of jellyfish.

A school of Northern Anchovies swim fast in their circular tank.

Aquarium visitors view the bat rays from the aviary.

Ohlone Basket Weaver Linda Yamane

2010-11-24T14:47:00.000-08:00

Linda Yamane sits in a field in Fort Ord where she digs up sedges for basket materials.

Linda Yamane is an Ohlone basket weaver who lives in Seaside.

Photos and video by Nic Coury.

Below, Yamane explains the tedious and detailed work of producing her baskets.

Yamane holds up an example of a good sedge root.

Yamane splits the sedge in two.

Yamane uses a whale bone awl to help weave the sedge into the basket.

Yamane stands next to her fence in Seaside where she painted a basket above her yard where she grows sedge and willow.

The Moss Landing Art and Music Scene

2010-11-21T10:53:00.000-08:00

In the middle of a thunderstorm and heavy rain, surf-inspired painter Andrew Dolan showed his work during The Good Sams CD release party at Dolan's Surf Hound Studios in Moss Landing.

Video produced by Nic Coury.

2010 Big Sur Food & Wine

2010-11-07T18:54:00.000-08:00

The second annual Big Sur Food & Wine has come and gone, but it was a great weekend of fantastic wines and savory bites of the finest food around.

Photos and video by staff photographer Nic Coury.

Recent Musings: Food and Wine and Passionate People

2010-11-05T10:11:00.000-07:00

A Passionfish dish. Photos by Nic Coury.

Food. Wine. Chefs. These things have been in front of the Weekly's camera recently for a really neat Wine & Dine guide where local chefs and winemakers submitted their signature dishes and the Weekly's editorial staff compiled them into one massive, awesome glossy book.

It's available free within the current copy of the Weekly. Some of my favorite photos are below.

Passionfish's Ted Walters holds onto some grabby friends.

Cal Stamenov of Marinus in Carmel Valley checks out his (super fresh) Monterey Spot Prawns dish.

Below are a few shots of Santa Lucia winemaker and all-around passionate guy Gary Pisoni, who was featured is this week's cover story by Mark C. Anderson.

Side note: He will be blogging about Big Sur Food & Wine all weekend at the Special Edible blog.

It's a bit of an understatement, but Gary makes some really good wine.

For the camera nerds out there, this photo was taken at ISO 8000 inside of Gary's dark wine cellar. It is lit entirely by those candles.

Gary had this really neat trick of breaking off the top of champagne bottles with a butcher knife...

The Haute Enchilada in Moss Landing served up a colorful Peruvian Causa with prawns as their signature dish.

Parker-Lusseau's Cannele.

Ahi Tuna with Sesame Seed Wasabi and Wopanese Sauce at Salinas Valley Fish House.

Below, young painter Lucas Lamar paints some of Carmel's most popular spots in a series of oil-on-linen where he has found a new appreciation for the local area.

Oh yeah, and the San Fransisco Giants won their first World Series as celebrated by Mikes Bates (below) at Knuckles sports bar in Monterey with Edgar Renteria hit the game-winning three-run homer last Monday.

Monterey Zombie Walk

2010-11-01T11:40:00.000-07:00

The undead overtook Alvorado street last Tuesday during the annual Monterey Zombie Walk.

Photos by Nic Coury.

Halloween 2010

2010-10-31T23:05:00.000-07:00

Photos by staff photographer Nic Coury.

Global Tuner Grand Prix

2010-10-24T16:58:00.001-07:00

Global Tuner Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Photos by Weekly staff photographer Nic Coury.

Al Jardine Plays Big Sur

2010-10-09T15:44:00.000-07:00

Al Jardine on stage at Henry Miller Library. Photos by Nic Coury.

After last week's post about a visit to Beach Boy's founding member Al Jardine's Red Barn Studios in Big Sur, his performance at the Henry Miller Library was ready.

Carmel Art & Film Festival: Opening Night

2010-10-07T22:54:00.001-07:00

Clint Eastwood. Photos by Nic Coury.

All the at for the festival was created by street artist Mr. Brainwash.

Mr. Brainwash.

Mr. Brainwash stands next to one of his pieces.

A giant black dog with pink paint.

Director Tarek Sursock (left) of "The Shoes Maketh the Man" and his location scout, Edmond Laurent.

Art and film fans at the opening gala.

Clint Eastwood being interviewed by a local television station.

Audiences react to the short film The Butterfly Circus, which received the Clint Eastwood Director's Award.

The Butterfly Circus director Josh Weigel and his wife, Rebekah—who was the co-writer and co-producer of the film—stand in the Sunset Center lobby next to a Mr. Brainwash art piece of Clint Eastwood.

Al Jardine.

2010-10-06T23:21:00.000-07:00

Al Jardine playing acoustic guitar on his Big Sur property.

Photos by Weekly staff photographer Nic Coury.

A few weeks ago, my cameras got a unique opportunity to visit the home and studio of Al Jardine, one of the original members of the Beach Boys.

Read Stuart Thornton's story on Jardine's new record.

He lives on a great, 80-acre property in Big Sur where he has Red Barn Studios and records various artists. He is also preparing for one of his only public Big Sur shows this Friday to release his new record, A Postcard From California.

Read Adam Joseph's piece on the Red Barn Studio.

Below, Jardine messes around on guitar as he prepares for the show at Henry Miller Library.

Jardine jamming.

The main room inside Red Barn Studios.

Strummin'.

Jardine taking a moment to reflect.

Red Barn Studio from the outside.

2010 California Airshow Salinas

2010-10-03T22:34:00.001-07:00

The F-15 Strike Eagle in a vapor cloud.

The Horsemen fly dual P-51 planes.

Sunday at the 30th annual California International Airshow in Salinas.

Photos by Nic Coury.

A young fan enjoys the fast-flying planes.

Famed stunt pilot Michael Goulian heads into the sky.

An older fan cheers on Goulian...

As Goulian careens down towards the tarmac in a spiral.

Vintage fighter planes were on display.

A young pilot gears up.

The USAF Thunderbirds break formation during a stunt.

Flight fans watch from the open back of one of the many military cargo planes open for viewing.

Fans could view planes up close on the tarmac.

A boy watches the airshow from his father's plane on display.

A skydivers soars towards Earth.

Conor Oberst and Felice Brothers in Big Sur.

2010-10-02T13:17:00.000-07:00

Conor Oberst playing in the camp ground at Fernwood in Big Sur.

Photos by staff photographer Nic Coury.

Punk Revival: Agent Orange in Monterey

2010-09-26T14:06:00.000-07:00

Agent Orange.

Daikaiju.

Psychos in Love.

Recent Portraits.

2010-09-23T10:44:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, Herm Edwards made an appearance in front of my camera and made it onto the cover of the paper today.

Here's the story Mark Anderson wrote on Herm returning the Monterey Peninsula where he went to high school.

Herm at Monterey High School with the football field in the background.

Another neat story this week was a look at a few of the delivery drivers who bring the Weekly who bring the paper around the county every Wednesday.

Below, Chuck Foss on his route.

2010 Monterey Jazz Festival: Sunday

2010-09-19T23:14:00.000-07:00

Kim Nalley on the Garden Stage. Photos by Nic Coury.

Dianne Reeves (center) with classical guitarists Russell Malone (right) and Romero Lubambo in Dizzy's Den.

Fred Hersch Trio in the Coffee House Lounge.

Ahmad Jamal closes out the main stage on Sunday evening.

2010 Monterey Jazz Festival: Saturday Night

2010-09-19T11:54:00.000-07:00

Saturday night at the 2010 Monterey Jazz Festival. Photos by Nic Coury.

Jake Shimabukuro on the Garden Stage.

Kyle Eastwood Band in the Nightclub.

Dianne Reeves on the main stage.

Chris Potter Underground on the Garden Stage.

2010 Monterey Jazz Festival: Trombone Shorty

2010-09-18T18:20:00.001-07:00

Nicknamed "Satcho of the Ghetto," Trombone Shorty plays his trumpet hard.

Photos by staff photographer Nic Coury

Trombone Shorty blowing hard.

Fonzia Khan from Fountain Valley, Calif. dances to Trombone Shorty and his band.

The bands watches their leader for the next cue.

Trombone Shorts takes on a serious look.

"Freaky" Peter Murano plays along with intensity.

A jazz fan feels the band's funky grooves.

Trombone Shorty's horn section.

Michael "Bass" Ballard goes a bit crazy...

Trombone Shorty walks off stage.

2010 Monterey Jazz Festival: Friday

2010-09-18T11:48:00.001-07:00

Friday night at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Photos by staff photographer Nic Coury.

Les Nubians on the Main Stage.

Jazz Mafia’s Brass, Bows and Beats

2010 Triathlon at Pacific Grove

2010-09-12T12:04:00.001-07:00

Three triathletes take a moment during the national anthem.

Photos by staff photographer Nic Coury.

The first group during the sprint triathlon—age 13 to 29 mens—start their morning.

Swimmers in the men's 30-39 category enter the water.

Swimmers making a lap at Lovers Point in Pacific Grove.

Two triathletes exit the frigid water and head towards their bicycles.

A tired athlete finishes the swim.

Volunteers hand out water.

The bike course heads along the ocean for two laps.

A cyclist starts his ride.

A triathlete takes a spill near the start of the bike portion.

Fans watch for their friends and family.

A cyclist nods back to his fans cheering him on.

An athlete transitions from bike to the running course.

Fans in costume cheer on triathletes.

An athlete prepares to ditch his bike in trade for some running shoes.

A runner starts the last portion of the triathlon.

Runner's cruise along the recreational trail near Lover's Point.

Triathletes near the end.

A runner near the finish line.

Triathletes finish off a long morning.

2010 First Tee Open: Sunday

2010-09-05T16:56:00.001-07:00

Pro Tom Kite whacks his fifth tee shot at Pebble Beach on Sunday.

Pro golfers and their junior partners were treated to a sunny Sunday as Ted Schulz won his first PGA championship since 1991.

Photos by Nic Coury.

Pro Ted Schulz celebrates after knocking in a birdie on the 17th hole on Sunday afternoon.

Pro Mark Calcavecchia hits a shot back onto the fairway on the third hole.

Fans watch the golf action on the 15th green.

Pro Tom Pernice Jr. walks along the fourth fairway on Sunday.

Tournament winner Ted Schulz tees off from the second hole on Sunday.

Junior Kirsten Keyser discusses her putt on the second green.

Junior Jason Park slams his tee shot on the eighth hole while his pro partner Tom Pernice Jr. watches on.

Pro Mark Calcavecchia hits a shot from the sand near the second green.

Pro Tom Kite reacts after his tee shot on the 18th hole.

2010 First Tee Open: Saturday at Pebble Beach

2010-09-04T15:30:00.001-07:00

Junior Logan Buertalan chips a shot from the sand near the second green at Pebble Beach.

Pros, amateurs and juniors played Pebble Beach Golf Links under a foggy sky on Saturday afternoon during the second round of the 2010 First Tee Open.

Actor Clint Eastwood gets back onto the third fairway.

Pro golfer Tom Watson tees off from number two.

Tom Watson's junior partner MarTavious Adams puts on the first green at Pebble Beach while spectators watch from a house overlooking the green.

Actor Clint Eastwood checks out his tee shot on the third hole.

Pro Fred Couples whacks his third tee shot.

Fans watch from around the second green.

Junior Logan Buertalan lines up her put on the second green.

Junior MarTavious Adams hits an iron out of the canyon on the second fairway.

Pro Tom Watson smiles after sinking a putt on the first hole.

Pro Jeff Sluman slams his second tee shot at Pebble Beach.

Actor Clint Eastwood tees off on the fourth hole.

A Fair Friday Night

2010-09-04T00:57:00.000-07:00

The later Fall months in Monterey mean it is time for the Fairgrounds to open up for their namesake event.

Families and friends gather to ride riders, eat cotton candy and view interesting crafts.

Photos by Nic Coury.

Recent Portraits

2010-09-02T10:33:00.000-07:00

Harriet Shannere is a 92-year-old woman from Carmel who stands on her head every morning to reverse her circulation.

She also put together a book—Little, Green Book—of her favorite words of wisdom and inspiration quotes over the years.

Paul Hain (below) is the great-grandson of Schuyler Hain who owned land near the Pinnacles around the 1900s and will have the land become a wildlife area soon and named after his family.

Hain is also a chicken farmer in Tres Pinos.

Marathon Swim from Santa Cruz to Monterey

2010-08-25T11:59:00.000-07:00

Bruckner Chase walks out of Monterey Bay after completing the swim.

Yesterday afternoon, Bruckner Chase became only the second-known person to swim the 25-mile trek from Santa Cruz to Monterey across the bay.

Chase, originally from Santa Cruz started out just after 4 am and finish 14 hours later at San Carlos Beach in Monterey to about 300 spectators, including news stations and family and friends.

"I am intimately aware of Moon Jellies now," commented Chase, in regards to many run-ins he had with the sea creatures, but his message was still positive.

"I want people to get in the water more."

Photos by Nic Coury.

People watch the press conference from the beach.

A kayaker paddles through the bay.

Spectators cheer on Chase's arrival to the beach.

Chase makes the last few strokes in Monterey Bay.

Chase embraces his wife Michelle on the beach.

Chase answers questions.

Chase talks to news stations while his jellyfish tattoo peeks out above his wetsuit.

Spectators watch from the pier.

Fort Ord's Abandoned Buildings

2010-08-20T14:31:00.000-07:00

Photos by Nic Coury.

Car Week 2010: Monterey Motorsports Reunion

2010-08-15T22:58:00.000-07:00

Jim Froula drives his 1967 Datsun Bluebird around turn 4 on Sunday afternoon.

Photos by Nic Coury.

GT Cars over 2500cc from 1963-1966 cruise out of turn 8—the corkscrew.

Dan Gurney's 1966 Eagle Indy car on display in the paddock.

Melani Walton takes on turn 3 in her 1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ.

Lorne Leibel gives a wave to fans on the slow down lap in his 1964 Cobra 289.

Herb Wetanson hits the apex of turn 1 in his 1961 Lotus 7.

Cars in the group of 1961-1966 GT cars under 2500cc cruise around turn 3.

Ron Walton soars down the corkscrew in his 1965 Cobra Daytona.

A classic car careens into turn 4 in front of watching fans.

Car Week 2010: Concours d'LeMons

2010-08-14T23:51:00.000-07:00

A chopped Volkswagen Bus does wheelies in the Toro Park parking lot.

While Maseratis, Bugattis, Porsches and other fine cars cruised the Peninsula, Toro County Park hosted the second annual Concours d'LeMons and plenty of classically bad cars filled the lawn.

Photos by Nic Coury.

Tom Dailey's 1975 Lincoln Town Coupe is a homage to his favorite highway food eatery.

Joanne Quinn Owens 1996 Mazda B3000 is decked out for a luxurious overnight stay.

The LeMons changes up their signs to best reflect their choice vehicles.

William Hall's 1962 VW Bug has seen better days.

A line of Ford Pintos and AMC classics.

The Ford Pinto logo.

Larry Vera, a Salinas resident, has only put 3, 250 miles on his 1982 Deloren.

The Corvair logo.

Kevin Wood's 1978 Mercury Grand Marquis in classic purple and yellow.

Car Week 2010: the Quail

2010-08-13T23:58:00.001-07:00

The body of a Ford GT 500.

The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering had some nice cars for show to say the least.

Classics from Bugatti, Bentley and Rolls Royce were parked on the lawn for watchful eyes and Shelbys, GTs and pre-war racers were also in attendance.

Photos by Nic Coury.

The steering wheel of a 1934 Packard.

The hood of a 1962 Shelby Cobra 260.

Scott Emsley makes sure all the proper tools are in order for his 1953 Porsche 356 pre-A 1500 Super.

The Alfa-Romeo logo peeks out from 1930 6-C 1750 Gran Sport.

A young car fanatic takes a break.

2010 Bronco League World Series

2010-08-11T11:57:00.000-07:00

Last night, I shot Blossom Valley's 7-6 victory over Salinas Valley during the Bronco League World Series at Jack's Park.

Photos by Nic Coury.

Small Scenes

2010-07-29T11:22:00.000-07:00

A bar scene.

Diane Birnberg has a tiny hobby that affects her in a large way.

She runs a dollhouse museum located in the Carmel Barnyard where she builds all the minute details for Old English scenes.

A seamstress shop.

Birnberg says she is never fully finished with a building and is always adding details to it.

A 3-story building, opened up.

Materials Birnberg uses to create her tiny towns.

A farm scene in window of the museum's Barnyard location.

2010 Red Bull U.S. Moto GP: Race Day

2010-07-25T18:29:00.000-07:00

Dani Pedrosa leads the pack of riders out of the hairpin on turn 2.

With race leader Dani Pedrosa—who is second in points in the World Championship—crashed early on in the race, the door was fully open for Jorge Lorenzo to take first place after being fastest all weekend.

Photos by Nic Coury.

Race winner Jorge Lorenzo cruises into turn 9.

Andrea Dovisioso careens around turn 9—Rainey Curve.

A pre-race aerial of the Laguna Seca circuit.

Dani Pedros leads Jorge Lorenzo through the corkscrew early on in the race.

Marco Simoncelli heads up a group of riders as they turn into the corkscrew.

Race fans swarm the hill overlooking turn 10.

Valentino Rossi exits the corkscrew.

Colin Edwards waves to his home fans on the slow down lap.

Second and third place finishers, Casey Stoner (left) and Valentino Rossi (right) spray champagne on winner Jorge Lorenzo.

Rossi during post-race interviews.

Lorenzo smiles during the post-race press conference after winning his first Grand Prix at Laguna Seca.

2010 Red Bull U.S. Moto GP: Saturday

2010-07-24T18:06:00.001-07:00

Hector Barbera leads Valentino Rossi over hill into turn 8.

A sunny Saturday afternoon provided a clear day to watch the qualifying practice session for the MotoGP riders.

Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo took his fifth consecutive pole position in a fierce battle with Australian Casey Stoner. Italian Andrea Dovisioso took the third fastest spot for tomorrow's race.

Barbera dips into the steep turn 8.

Marco Simoncelli follows the lean of a background sign as he turns into the corkscrew—turn 8.

Valentino Rossi leads Andrea Dovisioso into the corkscrew.

Nicky Hayden signs autographs for fans following the qualifying practice session.

Casey Stoner zips through the corkscrew.

Alvaro Bautista's bright blue Suzuki shimmers in the sunlight.

Roger Lee Hayden turns into the corkscrew.

A Nicky Hayden number sticker.

Fan-favorite Nicky Hayden tears off his kneepad to give to a fan.

Colin Edwards soars around turn 9—Rainey Curve.

Colin Edwards leads Valentino Rossi around Rainey Curve.

2010 Red Bull U.S. Moto GP: Friday

2010-07-23T16:27:00.001-07:00

Valentino Rossi soaring through turn 9—Rainey Curve.

Moto GP is back at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for the annual loud and fast premier class of motorcycle racing.

Friday afternoon marked the first practice with Ducati's Casey Stoner taking the lead for fastest laps so far. Stoner won at Laguna Seca and the World Championship in 2007.

Photos by staff photographer Nic Coury.

Nicky Hayden enters turn 9.

Colin Edwards careens around turn 4.

Dani Pedrosa leads World Championship leader Jorge Lorenzo through turn 4.

Loris Capirossi dips into Rainey Curve.

Moto fans watch riders dive into the corkscrew.

World Championship leader Jorge Lorenzo shoots t-shirts at fans following practice.

Colin Edwards signs autographs for fans outside of the paddock.

Hip Hop in Monterey.

2010-07-20T19:51:00.000-07:00

Beating the rap at Blue Fin on Cannery Row.

This week's cover story is on the surprisingly large hip hop culture in Monterey County.

Here are a few images and some video that I made:

Break dancing at Blue Fin.

Chiefa, a local hip hop MC and producer.

Posted by staff photographer Nic Coury.

Video: Sunday at the Rodeo

2010-07-19T16:15:00.001-07:00

Cowboy.

Video shot and produced by staff photographer Nic Coury.

2010 California Rodeo Salinas: Rodeo Life.

2010-07-19T12:34:00.000-07:00

Hats are a big part of any cowboys lifestyle.

Some of these cowboys travel all year long to different rodeos around the country.

Their lives are in trucks and on the backs of animals. But despite always being on the road, they laugh and smile, joking around in the chutes and watch out for each other in the arena.

Photos by Nic Coury.

Cowboys hang out in the chutes and talk before the action.

Boots and spurs.

Twisty, a junior rodeo clown, watches the action.

John Payne, the "One-armed Bandit" performs his wild west show in the arena on Sunday afternoon.

Cowboys pray prior to the bull riding on Sunday afternoon.

Cowboys in the chutes.

A rodeo official herds sheep following the mutton busting event.

2010 California Rodeo Salinas: Final Day of Action.

2010-07-19T11:36:00.000-07:00

A cowboy goes for a wild ride during the bareback bronc riding on Sunday afternoon during the final day of the California Rodeo Salinas' 100th year.

Another year of rodeo is done and it has been fun.

My (uncomfortable) cowboy boots are back in the closet and the western shirts hung back up until next July.

Photos by staff photographer Nic Coury.

Cowboys watch from the chutes as Ty Hamaker from Centennial, Wyoming gets thrown during bullriding on Sunday.

Steven Dent of Mullen, Nebraka gets tossed off of Assault in the bareback bronc event.

Chris Harris of Itasca, Texas finds the hard way off of Big Easy during the bareback bronc riding on Sunday afternoon.

Mutton busting champion Lacy Ruegg hits the ground.

Jacob O'Mara of Prarieville, LA gets thrown from Mortachi during Sunday's bull riding.

A cowboy clutches his ribcage after being tossed into a metal fence from a bucking bull.

Freestyle bullfighter Tony Inman gets a horn.

A judge writes down his score during the freestyle bullfights on Sunday.

Blair Burk of Durant, Oklahoma successfully ties down a steer.

Rodeo clown Slim Gardner waves to the crown.

Bonner Blue Bolton from Gardendale, Texas prepares to mount Road Hazard prior to the bull riding event on Sunday.

Team roping.

A steer wrestler gets down and dirty on Sunday.

Freestyle bullfighter Evan Allard.

"Hollywood" Don Yates makes his entrance on Sunday prior to the freestyle bullfights.

Bullfighter Evan Allard (right) checks with Casey Craigen after he was hurt in his freestyle bullfighting.

2010 California Rodeo Salinas: An Intern's View.

2010-07-17T19:26:00.000-07:00

What I learned at my first rodeo.
Words and photos by Weekly intern Ellen Huet

A first-timer at the California Rodeo Salinas has a lot to learn—and not a lot of time to learn it. For anyone not familiar with the deep Americana of the Salinas Rodeo, here's a quick way to pretend you know your way around.

1. It's "ro-DAY-o."

2. Even Miss California Rodeo's horse has to take a shit sometime.

3. Wrangler butts may drive girls nuts, but close up, a real cowboy is often missing teeth.

4. If you want people to treat you with respect, get yourself a (proper) hat.

5. Boots are for a purpose—there's a lot of stuff on the ground.

2010 California Rodeo Salinas: No Easy Ride

2010-07-17T12:32:00.000-07:00

Bareback bronc riding on Friday evening.

Though it might be obvious, but there is no easy way off of a bucking bull or horse.

Photos by staff photographer Nic Coury.

Cowboys watch from the chutes as Howdy Cloud of Lountze, Texas rides a bull.

A cowboy gets his foot caught in the ropes after getting tossed by a bull.

Logan Knibbe of Rockdale, Texas bull riding on Friday night.

R.C. Landington of Pendleton, Oregon scored no points after his short ride in bareback bronc.

Salinas-native Steven Peebles rides in bareback bronc.

A horse tears out of the chutes with a cowboy on his back during bareback bronc.

Up close and personal during saddle bronc.

A bull rider gets the raw end of a the animal after being thrown off.

Ryan Montroy of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, flies high in the saddle bronc at the Salinas Sports Complex.

Off-Framing: Monterey Coast Guard Pier

2010-07-16T13:06:00.000-07:00

Posted by staff photographer Nic Coury.

2010 Professional Bull Riding

2010-07-15T11:40:00.001-07:00

Last night, I trekked over to Salinas—cowboy boots uncomfortably on—and shot one of my favorite events all year: the Professional Bull Riding tour, which kicks off the action at the 100th California Rodeo Salinas.

The intensity and forces thrown upon the riders as they're thrown from the bulls is wild. It is really clean, close-up action.

A rider in the chute prepares for a wild ride.

Cowboys watch the action from the chutes.

A record crowd showed up for the 10th annual PBR circuit stop in Salinas.

Posted by staff photographer Nic Coury.

Bang for the Buck

2010-07-05T15:46:00.000-07:00

Last week, I went down street to a fireworks stand and handed the guy a $20.

"Give me the coolest stuff I can get for this."

I left with a big bag of explosives and last night, I lit them off at a friend's pool party.

Posted by staff photographer Nic Coury.

Dog Blog

2010-07-01T10:48:00.000-07:00

The ruff photos from Dawg Gone It, a higher society boarding kennel in Monterey.

Monterey Bay Blues Festival 2010. - Sunday.

2010-06-27T20:53:00.001-07:00

Candye Kane belts out deep, angst-filled vocals.

Read about Candye Kane in the Monterey County Weekly.

Candye Kane on the main stage.

Tommy Castro Band on the main stage.

Posted by staff photographer Nic Coury,