Page 39 - Greet HWY 68 Loop Magazine September 2025

RESIDENT MUSINGS

Artists in

The Loop

BY EMILY HULL PARSONS, LAURELES GRADE

It’s time to showcase the artistic talent in
our neighbors! In upcoming issues, I will be
introducing you to local artists and their work.
As an artist myself, I will begin by telling you bit
about myself.
I consider myself lucky to have lived in Monterey County
for nearly 50 years. I raised two great children here and had
a successful career consulting with regional nonprofits and
foundations. Several years ago, when I decided to retire, it was
time to make use of my art degree.
I come from an artistic family. My father was a portrait The greatest challenge for me in my role as an artist is
photographer, my uncle was a writer and artist, and my finding the delicate balance between fear of judgement and
mother was a talented, but insecure artist. Once she confessed taking risks in putting my work out there. I always say my fear Hospital. At its peak, Acme employed over 30 plumbers,
to me that she was afraid to be criticized as “not good enough”. is that I will be at a show, and someone will be looking at one CELEBRATING 30 YEARS apprentices, and service techs, operating around the
For years we gave her art supplies. When she passed, we found of my pieces shaking their head and saying, “What was she clock in three shifts, seven days a week. But in 2002, Ed
most of them unopened. That was the day I swore I would not thinking!” However, the rewards far outweigh the challenges. made the decision to scale back and refocus the
to be afraid. I would paint! With 30 years of living ahead, I had The pleasure of losing myself for hours creating something that OF EXCELLENCE - THE company to spend more time with his young family and
plenty of time to improve. pleases me is so relaxing and satisfying… even if no one else leave union work behind.
If you have seen my work, you know I love the California ever sees it. It’s the process more than the product.
hills. I have a passion for natural beauty and love to transform My bit of advice comes from Vincent van Gogh, “If you hear ACME PLUMBING STORY Today, Acme Plumbing is a tight-knit team of 12 skilled
recognizable views into my own bold, colorful interpretations. a voice within you say you cannot paint, then by all means professionals, specializing in residential and commercial
Recently I have been intrigued with abstract and semi-abstract paint and that voice will be silenced.” Acme Plumbing began with a dream, determination, and service and repair. With decades of experience, the
company now focuses on high-impact work such as
styles. It is exciting to find new ways to translate my love of deep passion for the trade. In 1975, fresh out of high underground plumbing, gas line upgrades, water and
color, shadow and shape. Send us your stories, poems, historic anecdotes of the area, photographs, etc. This section celebrates school, Ed Mendoza landed his first job as a shop helper sewer infrastructure, and emergency restoration. Known
Loop residents’ creativity and passion! Email Laurie.Martin@n2co.com or phone 272-4620.
at Sawyer McCarty Plumbing in Salinas. Eager to learn, for his dedication and problem-solving mindset, Ed is
Ed jumped at every opportunity - from assisting master especially respected for helping restaurants and
plumbers to delivering sodas to job sites - just to be part businesses stay open during critical repairs - even
of the action and absorb the craft. His dedication soon
took him beyond Salinas. In the early 1980s, Ed joined a working overnight to complete underground jobs with
minimal disruption.
high-rise project in Phoenix, working under master
plumber Ray Cruz, a seasoned pro with experience on Now, in 2025 Acme Plumbing has come full circle. The
New York's iconic Twin Towers. Ed spent years in Phoe- company has leased the historic building at 26 Summer
nix, gaining invaluable hands-on knowledge in
large-scale commercial plumbing. Street - the very same location where Ed got his start
50 years ago. It's a symbolic return and a celebration of
three decades of hard work, growth, and service to the
A short stint in Texas followed, where he honed his skills Central Coast.
in service and repair before returning home in 1985. For
the next decade, he worked as a trusted technician
across the Central Coast. But Ed had bigger goals. In Whether you need a quick repair or a complex under-
ground system overhaul, Acme Plumbing delivers
1995, Ed founded Acme Plumbing to fulfill his dream of dependable expertise with a personal touch. Experience
running his own business. Word quickly spread about the di—erence that 30 years of passion, integrity, and
Acme's quality, reliability, and commitment.
craftsmanship can make.
By 1998, Acme had grown into the largest commercial
plumbing company on the Central Coast. Between 1998
and 2002, the company remodeled over 20 grocery (831) 649-2312
stores from the Bay Area to Monterey County, handled goacmeplumbing.com
major new construction projects, and delivered top-tier Locally Owned & Operated
plumbing for institutions like Salinas Valley Memorial

38 September 2025 Greet HWY 68 Loop 39