THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF A SPECIAL CONFERENCE IS BEING MARKED THIS WEEK IN MONTEREY. THE TECHNOLOGY ENTERTAINMENT AND DESIGN CONFERENCE BRINGS TOGETHER SUCH DIVERSE PEOPLE AS NOBEL PRIZE WINNER (FOR CO-DISCOVERING THE STRUCTURE OF D.N.A.) JAMES WATSON, GENOME MAPPER CRAIG VENTER, PLAYWRIGHT-ACTOR ANNA DEAVERE SMITH, AND FORMER GRATEFUL DEAD DRUMMER MICKEY HART, FOR 4 DAYS OF BRAINSTORMING. THE INVITATION-ONLY EVENT IS EXPECTED TO BE ATTENDED BY ABOUT 900 PEOPLE WHO WILL CONVERGE ON THE MONTEREY CONFERENCE CENTER TOMORROW THROUGH SATURDAY.

ACCORDING TO THE COAST GUARD A FISHING BOAT NAMED THE ANNE M, WILL MOST LIKELY REMAIN ON THE OCEAN FLOOR. THE CREW WAS SAFELY RESCUED BEFORE THE MOSS LANDING-BASED VESSEL SANK. BUT WHY THE FISHING VESSEL TOOK ON WATER SATURDAY, REMAINS A MYSTERY. THE BOAT IS RESTING OFF POINT PINOS ABOUT 200 FEET UNDER THE OCEAN SURFACE. ACCORDING TO EXPERTS THAT DEPTH MAKES A SALVAGE OPERATION VERY UNLIKELY.

DUE TO STORM-RELATED PROBLEMS, CALTRANS REPORTS THAT HWY. 1 NEAR LIMEKILN STATE PARK, SOUTH OF LUCIA IN MONTEREY COUNTY IS CLOSED DUE TO A MUDSLIDE. THERE IS NO ESTIMATED TIME OF REOPENING.

A LOCAL DEVELOPER HAS UNTIL WEDNESDAY TO CONVINCE A SANTA CRUZ DOWNTOWN LANDOWNER TO SELL. BUT DEVELOPER BOLTON HILL SAYS IT ISN'T ENOUGH TIME AND IS ASKING CITY OFFICIALS FOR A THREE-MONTH EXTENSION. THE RELUCTANT PROPERTY OWNER IS RON LAU WHO OWNS A VACANT LOT ON PACIFIC AVENUE. HILL PROPOSED A PROJECT WHICH WOULD INCLUDE CONDOS, RETAIL STORES, A PARKING GARAGE AND RESTAURANT THAT REACHES FROM PACIFIC AVENUE TO CEDAR STREET THE CITY COUNCIL WILL MAKE A DECISION ON WHETHER TO EXTEND THE WEDNESDAY DEADLINE AT THEIR MEETING TODAY. IF AN AGREEMENT WITH LAU CAN NOT BE NEGOTIATED, THE USE OF EMINENT DOMAIN, COULD BE USED TO AQUIRE THE PROPERTY.