Month: June 2012

Unique dog cliff rescue at Lucia

News Release
Release Date: June 13, 2012
Contact: Beth Brookhouser 831-760-0426

SPCA Rescues Dog from Cliff on Highway 1

The SPCA for Monterey County performed a cliff rescue in Lucia south of Big Sur today and is now looking for information on the rescued dog.

The dog, a one and a half year old unneutered shepherd mix, was found about 15 feet down the side of a cliff in Lucia on Highway 1. The reporting party first spotted him last night but due to evidence on the scene SPCA rescuers believe he was there at least a few days.

SPCA staff rescued the dog by lowering a skilled staff member down the side of the cliff and helping her return safely with the dog.

The rescued dog, dubbed Billy by SPCA rescuers, was immediately seen by SPCA veterinarian Dr. Carol Iida. Billy is very thin, covered in ticks, and suffering from diarrhea. In addition, the pads on his paws are severely red and worn, likely from trying to scramble up the side of the cliff.

When found, Billy was wearing a black leather collar and a red harness.

If you recognize Billy or have any information, please contact the SPCA at 831-373-2631. All calls are confidential.

Beth Brookhouser, CAWA
Director of Community Outreach
The SPCA for Monterey County
P.O. Box 3058
Monterey, CA 93942
Main: (831) 373-2631 or 422-4721
Direct: (831) 264-5469
Fax: (831) 373-8613
http://www.SPCAmc.org

Here are photos of the Cliff, the rescue, and the dog.

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Smoke drift

3:20 pm – got confirmation that FHL is doing a controlled burn in Stoney Valley. Let us hope it doesn’t get away.

3:00 pm – can find nothing out. One source says he can see the drift to the east of him in Paso, but nothing is being reported anywhere that I have found. I’ll keep trying.

2:15 pm – The first thing one notices up here with a fire, is the change in the light. I noticed that this morning, so I was keeping an eye out … Then Boogie showed up, then Rock Knocker showed up, then Bill and Jane showed up. A whole week of visitors in just one day. Now that all are gone, I am seeing a lot of drift. WildCAD, LPNF is showing nothing, either is CHP. I am checking in with my sources, and will update when I have additional. It is definitely east, but can’t see any plumes. Will go to top of ridge in back for a better view if I can’t get anything and will update this post shortly.

Highway One roadwork

(See attached file: Hwy.1 Striping 6.12.12.doc)

Today’s Date: Tuesday, June 12, 2012
District: 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito
and Santa
Cruz Counties
Contact: Susana Z Cruz (bilingual) or Colin Jones
Phone: (805) 549-3138 or 549-3189
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HIGHWAY 1 STRIPING/MARKING FROM SAN LUIS OBISPO/MONTEREY COUNTY LINE TO
SOUTH OF BIG SUR IS UNDERWAY

MONTEREY COUNTY – A project to restripe a 42-mile section of the centerline
and edge lines as well as place new pavement markers from the SLO/Mon.
County line to just south of Big Sur near Coast Gallery is underway,
Caltrans officials have announced.

Work hours are from 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Thursday and until 12 pm on
Friday. One-way traffic control by flagging and pilot car will be
implemented at all times during this roadwork. Up to 15-minute delays are
anticipated. Electronic message signs will be used to alert motorists of
the work/delay ahead. Work is expected to be completed by June 22.

The project will improve safety by increasing roadway delineation and
visibility. The contractor for this $332,000 project is Central Striping
Service of Rancho Cordova.

Caltrans reminds motorists to move over and slow down when driving
through
Caltrans work zones.

For traffic updates on other state highways in Monterey County, motorists
can call Caltrans District 5 Public Affairs at (805) 549-3318 or visit the
District 5 website at: http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist05/road_information.htm

Susana Z. Cruz
Public Information Officer /
Portavoz de Relaciones Públicas
(805) 549-3138
(805) 549-3326–Fax

Remembering Terrydactyl

This from James McFarland:

Terry left instructions that in the event of his death that he was to be cremated. He requested that his long time friend and fellow paraglider pilot, Honza Rejmanek, scatter his ashes. Honza has a very busy schedule, but he is available to come to Big Sur the weekend of JULY 14th-15th. So that’s that.

The distribution of Terry’s ashes will be timed depending on the weather. Saturday afternoon [the 15th] has been penciled in. A memorial is scheduled for Saturday evening just after dark, with a possible group dinner held just before. The timing is to allow for folks who live out of the area to arrive and depart on the same day.

Plan on a potluck and B.Y.O.x. (bring your own whatever) scenario, with the possibility of a group area set up for a shared meal.

A memorial blog has been created in Terry’s name for those wishing to post stories and/or photos:
remembering Terrydactyl

thank you!
james macfarlane

For locals, we will start the party at Sand Dollar, the usual time (big sur time) – organic, spontaneous, bring what you can, come when you can, and we will share food, drumming, laughter and song and bid goodbye to Terry, as well as Jeffe, whom we haven’t sent off, yet. Both of them would want us to P-A-R-T-Y in their honor, and some of us old farts want to be home before dark! (Me and Rock Knocker and several other locals, I know of.)

Fire Season, 2012

Yesterday, there were two fires in SLO County. The largest, a couple hundred acres, was on Camp Roberts. The second started on the center divider of 101 and spread to the north bound lanes, near Welsona. CAL FIRE picked this one up. There was also a smoke check by LPNF for the west fork of Limekiln. The biggest fire, so far, was Wednesday and Thursday at training area 8 on Fort Hunter Leggitt. That one I and a neighbor smelled a strong smell of smoke Thursday night all the way up here.

A gentle reminder that fire season is here and we need to be cautious and aware.

Fire Clearance

I have had two wonderful guys here for the last two days (weed-wacking, brush clearing, and tree trimming) and what a difference! I had a bunch of weed-wacking done last month, also. We have one more day left, Thursday, and we will be done, except for the CDCR guys on the steep north side that Cal-Fire promised me under the South Coast Fire Mitigation grant. I will also do some heavy equipment work with the burn piles, and access, but now I can see what it needs! Thank you, John Handy, Lara, and Jon! I will easily meet my matching funds target, and I couldn’t be more pleased.

I can actually begin to see how this all can be managed, and made almost park-like, but still wild, without the grass. I can see where an orchard can go next winter, and paths I can meander. Such a joy – not to mention making my place SOOOO much safer for me and for firefighters. 2000 was the last time a fire came through here, and finally, I am prepared. Firefighters will find it a joy to come through or to here, now. Still the wild and untamed South Coast of Big Sur, but with the gentle hand of bigsurkate caressing her cheek.

(BTW, first, since i posted about my fire clearance today, I figured, even though it rained a bit yesterday, and it is still early in June, it is time to switch over from winter weather, to summer fire links. Also, I’ll be copying this to the Big Sur Fire Mitigation Grant, South Coast Version page soon, and adding before and after photos, as well as a final report upon completion. Any participants are invited to do the same!)

Photos by Dan

Dan knows I have been struggling for a couple weeks with some abscessed teeth, so when the Internet doesn’t cooperate, it is easy to just give up. Big Sur Kate’s favorite photographer, Dan Danbom, sent me a couple of great shots from Pheiffer Beach to share. When life and the persnickety Internet cooperates, I have some stories and/or photos to share. In the meantime, while the antibiotics kick in, again, enjoy these two.

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BTW, I’ve finally learned how to edit AND post photos from my iPad. 😉