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Things are looking up in Monterey County

Decal — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 18:46:12 -0800

Well, what is going on in Monterey County?
Whatever it is, it’s BIG.
It’s Bigger than BIG, it’s the paradigm shift we’ve been waiting for….
It’s the move to a more sustainable (viable into the future) mind-set and it has infiltrated this entire Monterey Bay region.

Let’s go down the list of leaders, shall we?
We’ve got Sustainable Monterey County, promoting energy-independent communities.
We’ve got Sustainable Pacific Grove, and newly elected Mayor Dan Cort, who recently signed the Urban Environmental Accords and the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, leading the way as a demonstration city for sustainability.
We’ve got Big Sur Power Down, with a Biodiesel co-op, and regular workshops on re-ruralization.
We’ve got sustainability meetings in Carmel Valley, discussing issues such as Power of Community.
There’s KRXA 540 AM’s weekly show, “Tomorrow Matters”, addressing global climate disruptions and Peak Oil, and there’s Access TV’s “Inklings” program airing local environmental lectures and demonstrations.
We’ve got MIIS, and CSUMB environmental committees, with many teachers and students embracing new green building and sustainable living programs.
MIIS hosts Earth day in April and CSUMB has an alternative building project in Salinas, next to Dorothy’s kitchen with organic gardening and straw bale structures, and they have an amazing Farm to School Program through the Watershed Institute.
We’ve got Laura Strohm and the Sustainability Academy bringing green consciousness to businesses and teaching about the “triple” bottom line: Profit, People and Planet.
We’ve got LandWatch, League of Women Voters: Natural Resources Committee, AMBAG, U.S. Green Builders, Fort Ord Environmental Justice Network, Sustainable Base Reuse Institute, The Monterey Bay Aquarium, Sea Studios, The Sierra Club, Save Our Waterfront, HOPE, ALBA, Liquid Books, The Last Chance Mercantile, Jane Parker, Leon Panetta, John Laird, and Sam Farr, all working to make this region more livable tomorrow than it is today. We’ve got teachers like Connie St. Amour at Santa Catalina teaching middle school kids how to be Global Warriors, and Roland Saher at Anzar High School in San Juan Bautista teaching climate change policy.
And we’ve got students like Arwyn Sherman, head of the Environmental Committee at York, creating on-campus workshops on Environmental and Corporate Accountability.
We’ve got Laughing Onion and other Community Supported Agriculture farms, we’ve got Farmers Markets, we’ve got wind credits at Whole Foods, we’ve got restaurants like Passion Fish and Montrio supporting sustainable fishing practices and fast food chains like Chipotle in Del Monte Shopping Center which do not use Styrofoam containers and reject factory farming.
We’ve got authors such as Pierre Chomat, “Oil Addiction and the World in Peril,” speaking locally on the global energy crisis,… and if we include every single person who has changed a light bulb to compact fluorescent, ridden a bike to work, or has reduced their consumptive ways by 3% each year to match the global predicted oil decline rate … then we can add tens of thousands of efforts and actions to the list of what’s going on in the Monterey County.
This is the true look of the new millennium. This is us doing what needs to be done to leave a rich legacy for future generations; this is us becoming stewards of the Earth. This is what’s really going on in Monterey County! There’s no gap to be filled, only wagons to jump on. So jump, my friends, ‘cause this is where it’s at!

Sincerely,

Deborah Lindsay

Big Sur Powerdown

This Website!

Nik — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 11:39:38 -0700

Hi folks.
As this site improves, it'll become easier to use and navigate. Nevertheless, it is functional and you are encouraged ~ please ~ to use it in the spirit of community. Take a moment to register yourself if you haven't already (in the sidebar menu at right or here), and explore the menu items. Once logged in, share your Events; thoughts, rants, jokes in the Blog section; share your knowledge by posting in the Pages section; and post questions, comments and responses in the Forum section (you're in it actually). Whatever you feel inspired to share or contribute to your community at large!

If you have any questions about the site itself, you can ask here by clicking the "Add new comment" link below. If that's not there, hit the "login" / "register" link 1st.

Big Sur Powerdown

In The Garden

Nik — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 13:24:05 -0700

Any body know what causes tomatoes to be deformed, misshapen plus wilting and dying off leaves on a couple of heirloom plants. A particular soil deficiency? Cherokee Purple, is vigorous and bountiful though, which the rats are most happy about. Old faithful Earlygirl is the other vigorous healthy plant I have.
The rats and rabbits have decimated my eggplant and bush beans (I'm training Kitty Kali to venture down to the raised beds.)

Sugar snap peas died off early too. Is that normal for those guys?

Anybody?

Big Sur Powerdown

Organizational Discussion

Nik — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 20:41:11 -0700

After looking at the livability project examples of community resources, (at the Aug 15th meeting)
we discussed setting up this forum to explore further ideas for pooling our resources:

Big Sur Powerdown

The Basin Fire June 26 2008

Linda Parker — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:21:23 -0700

If you want to know about the fire go to the following websites:
http://xasauantoday.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/big-surventana-wilderness-f...
Information@bigsurcalifornia.org
http://www.surfire2008.org/

Big Sur Powerdown is a group of just a few Big Sur residences who have all been extremely impacted by the Basin Fire. We apologize for the lack of any information on our website concerning the fire. We are not trained in emergencies, but some of us have experienced many local emergencies in the past few decades. My heart goes out to all of you who have lost your homes. I know there are many folks who are out with chain saws, rakes, shovels, garden hoses etc. lending a helping hand to their neighbors. or just showing up with a thermos of coffee and a bag of muffins. What ever we are all doing to assist our friends at this time is exactly what is needed. We all have our stories, so please use this forum to share info or what ever you see or feel the need to express during or after this tremendous natural tragedy.
Linda Parker

Big Sur Powerdown

Basin Fire

Linda Parker — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 10:15:24 -0700

Just an up-date on the Basin Fire:
7:00AM June 28 Update: Fire Actively Burning in Little Sur Watershed

Overnight thermal imaging shows vigorous fire activity along broad fronts in both the north and south. In the north, the fire appears to have spilled over the ridge into the Little Sur Watershed in a line stretching from the Window all the way to the headwaters of the South Fork Little Sur. The active burning continues from this area, back through Ventana Creek and across the main stem of the Big Sur River just above Ventana Camp. In the south, an active fire front appears to extend from low in Anderson Canyon, past Burns and Buck creeks and through the upper headwaters of Hot Springs Canyon - while on the other side of the Coast Ridge the fire appears to be descending rapidly toward Lost Valley. The satellite also found continued heat in the upper Tassajara Creek watershed and in McWay Canyon.

Willits Economic Localization (CA)

Tonight's meeting

Linda Parker — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 21:27:22 -0700

Tonight's community meeting revealed more firefighting progress. On the north end, the fireline on the east side of the mid valley will be completed tomorrow. It's on the old Tosch road about a mile from the road.
On the South end, the fire is being let to burn slowly burning down canyons - except where structures would be threatened. In the latter case, the crews will defend. The fire is in Higgins Creek now. Winds have been favorable. Still, today was "not so good. But we've had only one injury so far. That's good." Crews will be fighting throughout the night.

Sam Farr was there. He praised the extraordinary spirit of Big Sur's community, and pledged help with all he could. He said for everyone to speak up with their needs and requests. His office will co-ordinate with Dave Potter's and the County Office of Emergency Services. He said he will be home here in Big Sur all next week, so let him know how you would like him to help. He said his first priority "is to get the road back open."

Frank inspected Partington Ridge, and around the Stone House today. And the old Wangoe home - which "is clean. 98% is untouched. Grape vines are growing on the roof."

Tomorrow you can see a jell demonstration - call 667 2317.
Also, Leona said she will conduct camp tours tomorrow for all who are interested. The first will be at 12:30 pm. The tour will take about 45 minutes. Call her at 667 231i7 to be scheduled.

Sustainable Monterey County (CA)

Up-date for basin Fire from June 29-2008

Linda Parker — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:45:05 -0700

This evening we have an update on the Basin Complex fire and the Indians fire with an updated map showing their relative locations.
KSBW has footage of the Pico Blanco fire that many of you may have seen today from Big Sur. The flames were dancing 100 feet in the air and fire was working its way into the Gorge, easily visible from the Ranger Station.
I wasn't at the Community Meeting tonight but others have been posting their impressions of the meetings on http://www.surfire2008.org

In my previous email regarding the last sentence of the Evacuation Definitions was truncated so I'll post the whole post again here. It bears repeating.

EVACUATION DEFINITIONS

The current fire situation is requiring public safety personnel to issue evacuation information. It's critical that residents who live near the fire areas know how to react to this information. What do these evacuation notices mean?

Evacuation Advisory: This is a precautionary notice designed to give residents time to prepare for a possible evacuation. If you have special needs you might want to leave the area until the threat is passed. If you have livestock that needs transporting, you should move them.
Voluntary Evacuation: You are strongly urged to leave the area. If you choose to remain, you should be prepared to take action immediately if the danger approaches.
Mandatory Evacuation: You are in jeopardy and should leave the area immediately. If you choose to remain, you may be on your own as emergency personnel likely will not be able to help you.

-------------------------
earlier report by jack:
The Community Meeting tonight was attended by more than 150 people. The Incident Commander and BSVFB Chief Frank Pinney said the fire is staying on the east side Mt. Manuel, moving north toward Pico Blanco and south toward Dolan's ridge. The firelines are nearly in place completely. The major break is along the ridge of Mt. Manuel.
An inspection team will go into the Gorge this evening to see what activity there is.
Mary Ann Vasconcellos' house seems to have been lost, as is Rona and Michael's studio.
The pass system for entering the closed road area is working well. More than 400 have been issued. If you need one, call 667 2317
Because of all the fuel load from sudden oak death and drought, Palo Colorado is in danger. The evacuation advisory has been placed on Palo Colorado - all the canyon from Highway One to the Boy Scout Camp - includes Garrapatos Road, Redwood Estates, Green Ridge, Rocky Creek Ranch, Long Ridge, Rocky Creek Road and Ray Ridge Road and everything else.
The fire has made runs toward Pico Blanco Boy Scout Camp and Palo Colorado. Dozer linesare being constructed west and north of the fire to protect Palo Colorado.
The fire on the south is moving mostly southeast into the Wilderness.

There are now 1,236 fire fighting personnel in 37 crews here. Also: 84 engines, 7 helicopters, 7 air tankers and 18 dozers.
------------------------------------------

another report on Toby and Linda Rowland-Jones. They're more than OK. He's fighting the fire and she's at Redwood Grill (Fernwood) blogging with her spotted spaniel, Kipling. The pot bellied pig was rescued.
http://www.survision-bigsur.blogspot.com/
------------------------------------------------

Our friend, Mike Gilson, who lost his home on Partington Ridge, needs help with heavy-duty brush clearing at South Coast property.
Looking for one or more persons to do weedwacking and brush clearing on a South Coast property later today - Sunday - or tomorrow - Monday. I will provide transport, all tools, etc...and can pay hourly if someone needs income.

Mike Gilson
Phone: 667-0737 or 831-915-
Email: mikegilson@yahoo.com
-------------------------------------------------
Posted by Margie, 4 pm, 6/29

http://thecalifornian.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080629/NEWS01/806...

June 29, 2008

UPDATE: Red Cross prepared to open new fire evacuation center if needed
The Red Cross has announced it's prepared to open an evacuation center at Carmel Valley Middle School, 4380 Carmel Valley Road, if further evacuation advisories or orders be given for the Big Sur area.
National Forest Service officials this morning issued a fire evacuation advisory for the Palo Colorado Canyon from Highway 1 to the Pico Blanco Boy Scout Camp. This includes: Garrapatos Road, Redwood Estates, Green Ridge, Rocky Creek Ranch, Long Ridge, Rocky Creek Road, Ray Ridge Road and others in the canyon.

Evacuations remain in place in the Partington Ridge area.

An evacuation advisory is still in effect for residents along both sides of the Highway 1 corridor from Nacimiento-Fergusson Road north to Nepenthe turnout.

As of this morning, the Basin Complex fire in the Big Sur area had burned nearly 32,500 acres — consuming nearly 2,500 acres in 12 hours, the Forest Service said. So far 16 structures have been destroyed. The blaze remains only 3 percent con-tained and has made some runs on the northwest flank toward Pico Blanco Boy Scout Camp and Palo Colorado areas.

Efforts to combat the southern portion of the fire will concentrate near Nacimiento-Fergusson Road.

Public meetings are held daily at 7 p.m. at the Big Sur Visitor Center/Multi-Agency Facility.

Major concerns in the Pico Blanco and Palo Colorado areas include structures, heavy fuel loads due to sudden oak death, threats to the communities of Big Sur and Palo Colorado and the Carmel watershed.

Active fire behavior on the southern end is limiting opportunities for containment actions. The fire moved south of Dolan Ridge where crews were putting in a dozer line. Crews will continue to hold the fire near Dolan Ridge, but are also construct-ing line along Nacimiento-Fergusson Road.

Firefighters have nearly completed hazard reduction around structures in the Tassajara area.

Dozer line construction will continue from Laurel Springs northwest to Los Padres Dam along Chews Ridge and from the MIRA Observatory east along the ridge north of Piney Creek following existing dozer lines where possible.

Highway 1 will remain closed from Nepenthe to Lucia. Closures are subject to change at any time based on fire conditions. Residents can obtain a pass from the Big Sur Visitor Center to allow for access through the closure.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is closed. All national forest lands north of Nacimiento-Fergusson Road are closed to public access.

Meanwhile, progress continues to be made in containing the Indians Fire west of King City, with full containment ex-pected by Thursday, July 3.

Arroyo Seco Road is closed to the public from the junction of Arroyo Seco Road and Carmel Road to the west.

All national forest lands north of the Nacimiento-Fergusson Road are closed to public access.

Arroyo Seco-Indians and Cone Peak Roads are closed.

Memorial Campground, Escondido Campground, and Arroyo Seco Campground and Day Use Area are closed.

Nacimiento-Fergusson Road is open, as well as coastal campgrounds and day use areas south of this road.

Closures are subject to change at any time based on fire conditions.

The Monterey-San Benito Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross' Evacuation Site at Greenfield Elementary School at 490 El Camino Real in Greenfield closed at 8 p.m. Friday. Individuals or families requiring disaster-related assistance due to the Indians Fire are asked to call 831-809-5861.

Sustainable Monterey County (CA)