The Californian du lieu suivant : Salinas, California • 29

Californian CENTRAL COAST LIVING Weekend, March 24-25, 2012 5C Marilyn in Salinas Her photo rediscovered A years column soon as ago a I of 1948 mentioned Marilyn photo I'd in a Monroe seen recent in DAVE NORDSTRAND Valley Views Salinas, I got word of what became of that old black-and-white. I'll explain in a minute. Back in 1948, Monroe had shown up in Salinas to sign autographs behind the counter at the former Carlyle's Jewelers, then at 362 Main St. It was part of the store's effort to promote its diamond sale, and Monroe was being billed as the "Diamond Queen of Salinas." She was still more of a diamond in the rough then that glinting, polished presence she later became on the big screen. On that same trip to Salinas, she'd served as Artichoke Queen of the Castroville Artichoke Festival, and it is the festival office, 10700 Merritt St.

in Castroville, which has the photo. It also has the sash Monroe wore for the event. "For 53 years since, the spirit of Marilyn Monroe has presided over the festival," said Michele Tottino Pecci, the event's director. Turns out, Monroe may have made later trips to Salinas, including a stopover at a North Main Street hotel with Joe DiMaggio, one of her husbands. There were other sightings.

In 1954, for example, Elizabeth Roy was a student at Salinas High School. After school, she and a friend pulled into a diner north of Salinas, a popular place for teens. At the fountain counter sat Monroe and DiMaggio, Roy said. It was the couple's wedding day. They'd been married in San Francisco.

"She was in a brown suit, long sleeved and snug fit with (a) fuzzy white collar," CUR QUEEN ABOVE: The original California Artichoke Queen sash worn by Norma Jean, aka Marilyn Monroe, is displayed at the Castroville Artichoke Festival office. TOP: Norma Jean is pictured in a historical photo at the Castroville Artichoke Festival office. PROVIDED PHOTOS Roy said. "She was talking softly, and; in person, she was drop-dead gorgeous." The teens stared open-mouthed, but opted to let the celebrities have their privacy. This year's Castroville Artichoke Festival is May 19-20, with the spirit of Monroe, as usual, in attendance.

Dave Nordstrand is a staff writer for The Salinas Californian. His column appears Wednesday and Saturday in Central Coast Living. Contact him at Norma Jean Norma Jean Marilyn Monroe makes a guest appearance at Carlyle's Jewelry on Main Street in Salinas in 1948. PROVIDED PHOTO.