Despite my best efforts, educating myself, and picking up nipples, bottles, and kitten formula, my kitten died early this morning. I watched her fade all day yesterday, and knew she would not survive. I held her and stroked her until the end, around 2 am this morning. When she never had a chance to suckle her mom, her chances were slim, to begin with. I already miss the sound of her meowing.
On another front, it looks like there is a movement underway, at least on the North Coast, to formulate a Community Wildlife Protection Plan. Pelican Network sent out an announcement yesterday. This is what Jack said, for those not on his email list:
“With Don McQueen, owner of Big Sur Campground and Cabins, we [Pelican Network] will propose a process for developing a community-based fire management plan for Big Sur. Our direction will involve species protection (redwoods, for example) and fire ecology. The U.S. Forest Service Los Padres Ranger District now appropriates fifty per cent of its annual budget for “fire suppression.” But none for fire prevention. It has become, largely, a fire fighting agency. We will try to direct the process to prevention.”
As this takes shape, I will keep you notified.
Also a reminder about the Neighbor helping Neighbor Big Sur Gala fund-raising event next Saturday.
Saturday August 9th, 6:00 p.m.
The Monterey Conference Center
With Special Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor
Scot McKay & CVAC
Live Entertainment from Big Sur’s Finest – Coordinated by Jayson Fann
A Delectable Multi-Course Dinner from Big Sur’s Best Chefs – Deetjens, Cielo, Sierra Mar, Nepenthe, The Big Sur Bakery, Esalen, Highlands Inn, River Inn
A Special Salute to the Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade and Mid-Coast Fire Brigade
Silent Auction – Featuring Big Sur Arts Initiative Artist Originals, Kodiak Greenwood Photography, Vacation Getaways, and more
Live Auction Including:
• A Bentley Continental GT Coupe for a Weekend
• Tickets to Pebble Beach Food & Wine
• $2500 Gift Certificate to Pacific Tweed
Your Hosts:
Supervisor Dave Potter, David Bernahl, Tom Fichera, Robert Weakley
Tickets available online. The link is posted at surfire2008.org
Sounds like a great time for a good cause!
Final thought, I did go to the Gallery opening last night, and it was nice to see my photos displayed. I will post photographs of some of the exhibit at a later time. Some really phenomenal shots by the pros. One can certainly tell the pros from the amateurs. 😉
SO sad!!! That was a noble effort Kate– thats a hard thing.
I’m so sorry Kate. We know you did the best for your kitten. May she play in heaven with my old girl Sierra and Tigger, Tinlers and Leo. }}}HUG{{{
First…condolences on the passing of your kitten. I know how hard it is. I am glad though that it came to you at the time it did to give you a worthy focus and ‘helping’ opportunity.
Second, I have to take exception to this phrase: “It has become, largely, a fire fighting agency.” in the light of the tactics the FS used in the Basin fire. It was, overall, a “wait for the fire to come to us” stance, rather than a ‘fight fire’ stance…SO different from their behavior in fires I have experienced in the Ventana before. This stance was in place from the beginning of the Fed take-over of the fire. This is exampled by the Arnie visiting Molera, and signing a bill for reducing fees for replacing lost papers when someone’s home burned…literally WHILE the fire was burning intensely behind him. Rather I would have seen him and them getting more equipoment and men at that point…much could have been saved. But the ‘stance’ was already in place. There’s a pic somewhere of Arnie, Deitrich, and Pinney standing announcing the ‘bill’ with LOTS OF SMOKE in the background. To Pinney’s credit, he came out some about the ‘waiting’ later on. I know this doesn’t apply to the subject of the current activity in the direction of prevention, but I had to get it off my chest wHEn I read that. I believe there is much to be considered in the over-all view of this experience,and I feel we musn’t forget what was WRONG with the situation…because it will happen again, I am sure.
Thanks for letting me vent.
I agree about the way this fire was “fought.” There are many lessons to be learned from our experiences in this one. Hopefully, some of that will come out in Monday’s BSMAAC meeting. (Big Sur Multi-Agency Advisory Council)
On a similar note, someone who listened to the scanner of the Telegraph fire notified me that at least one resident who stayed behind during the “mandatory” evacuation sought and was GRANTED permission to be escorted out — AND back in — for a supply run. Here, of course, we know that the leadership of the Basin fire would not allow such a thing. Has to make one wonder why we were treated differently than the residents in the Telegraph fire, yes?