by Richard Medel, Publisher

For several years my partners – the magazine’s Editorial Director, Don Huntington, the Creative Director, Richard Koscher – and I have been publishing a Bay Area lifestyle magazine – the award winning 110° – Contra Costa Living. (Check out www.110mag.com.)

The October issue of 110° Magazine marks the beginning of our fourth year of publication. We were pleased that during that time we never missed a deadline. Even more noteworthy is the fact that, after publishing what county residents declared to be an astonishingly good first issue, we continued to create issues that every month caused someone to say, “This is the best issue of 110° Magazine yet.”

It seems that every month we also heard a comment from someone, “I read 110° Magazine from cover-to-cover.” A number of them will add, “And it is the only publication that I read cover-to-cover.”

From the beginning we seemed to have the knack of writing stories that residents of Contra Costa County were glad to read.

One of the things that helped us win the approval and admiration of the people we were serving is our practice of “giving local people a voice.” We continue to write articles focusing upon the lives, passions, and visions of the people of the area.

We had a theory that has been validated by experience – people enjoy reading about another person’s passions and interests even when they don’t have a lot of interest about the particular topic themselves.

We’ve had a great time with 110° Magazine and learned many lessons. During all that time we were looking forward to doing something even better down here on the peninsula.

We started 65° – Peninsula Living Magazine with the goal of creating a premier publication focusing on the people and culture of Monterey Bay.

We’ve been delighted with our initial editorial adventures. The people we’ve been meeting and the stories we’ve been encountering have been wonderful – sometimes dazzling! We already have editorial content stretching many months into the future.

This first issue has not disappointed us. In his feature article, “The Old Man and the Sea,” Joe Pennisi provides a compelling description of what it was like to be a Monterey fisherman “back in the day” as well as describing the challenges currently facing and threatening the local fishing industry.

In her article, “The Mouth of the Peninsula,” Barbra Alexander demonstrates why devoted listeners continue dialing in to her syndicated MoneyDots radio talk show. Barbra has intelligent conversations with her guests that usually produce some good laughs and always result in opportunities for actual learning on the part of her listeners.

Dave Stamm is “Up to His Neck in Baseball” and describes his love for local sports and the unique services that he provides for emerging athletes and older players, as well, in developing their skills and participation in local and professional sports.

Barbara Sparhawk is a carefully kept Carmel Valley secret – a local artist of exceptional ability. Odysseus’ journey through ancient Greece and his encounters with whirlpools, giants, Cyclops, and sirens had nothing on the adventures that Barbara has encountered in her own odyssey.

Local residents know about Bahama Billy’s, at least by reputation. But how many know how the restaurant came to have such great food and ambiance? Dan will tell you the story.

Enjoy your reading of this first issue! We’ve got enough variety that we’re bound to please you with something. And then get ready for November because you haven’t seen anything yet!°

Rich Medel
Publisher
rich@65mag.com