Month: January 2014

Fire Weather, 2014

As we head into the three day MLK Birthday weekend …

Some fresh Red Flags hoisted for Monterey and San Benito counties including the Monterey Ranger District of the Los Padres.
Big Sur RAWS was 84 degrees with 6% RH this afternoon…drier than during the Pfeiffer Fire.

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_foreca…=mtr&version=0

PLEASE be careful, all our weekend guests. If you see any campfires outside the developed campgrounds of Plaskett, Kirk, Pfeiffer State Park, Riverside Campgrounds, Big Sur Campgrounds, or Fernwood. Please report it!

Phoenix Fire Benefit Gathering

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This photo Kodiak Greenwood took of the metal sculpture that Dave and John created last week at Treebones metal shop, to be auctioned this Saturday at the Benefit , all proceeds (thru CPOA) to Fire victims.

A natural disaster calls for a natural blast.

Here is the link to purchase tickets: tammyfirefly

In the wake of the Pfeiffer Fire in Big Sur that gripped the community with smoke and trepidation—and claimed more than 30 structures along one of the most scenic coastal ridges anywhere—a range of local groups have rallied to provide relief.
RiseBigSur and Luvlab Productions now join that push as they’re orchestrating a blockbuster event at a location TBA to ticket buyers—they promise an epic Big Sur setting—Saturday, Jan. 18.

Another rumor-summoning mystery surrounding the soiree? The possibility of a certain world-famous rock band with local ties making an appearance.

In the mean time, here’s what we know: Tickets are available for $50 at the Tammy Firefly site (proof of purchase and identification will need to be shown to get on the shuttle). A few days before the event, ticket holders will be given more details about the location.
So far, the entertainment offerings include music from SLO electronic-psych outfit Tropo Musik and ethereal singer-songwriter Marya Stark.

Several DJs (Kevin Dayspring, Joey Grajeda, Bryan Scott, Ardalan) will help keep the dancers dancing as well.
In addition to all the ear candy, there will be plenty of other-worldly performance art, Big Sur style, to stimulate the eyes.
The extensive list includes multi-talented contortionist Tammy Firefly herself, mermaid/snake charmer Adelaide Marcus, mystical Big Sur favorite RosaliaWebster and aerialists Lei Lei de Kirby and Paige Wyatt. San Luis Obispo aerial school Suspended Motion will put on a show that’ll blow some minds.

As for libations: Cayucos Beach Ale, specialty cocktails prepared by the DrinkMistress Vanessa Share and Shamanic Tea Service from RonJon Terlane will be offered for a donation. A silent auction with plenty of donated items to choose from will be available, including a metal sculpture of a Phoenix bird rising from the fire, made from reclaimed metal pieces from burnt homes on Pfieffer Ridge.

A couple more details: The Phoenix Benefit is a 21 and over gathering and it goes until 2am.

Ribbon Cutting at Rock Shed

What fun this was this afternoon. Dave Potter, County Supervisors, Tim Gibbons, Cal Trans District Director, and Kirk Gafill all gave speeches. Cal Trans gave Ken Wright, Harry Harris, and myself a framed certificate for being the local representatives on the Design and Aesthetics committee. Here are just a few photos I got of the place and event.

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All those loose rocks were placed to make it more natural. It is still pretty shiny, but that will fade. It is anti-graffiti protection.

Thanks to Charlie Hench who made sure to accommodate my handicap. Thanks Charlie!

Drought

There is an interesting article in today’s Herald about California’s drought. It has broken scores of 160-year-old records. You can find the whole article here: ridiculously resilient ridge

Here are just a few quotes.

“…meteorologists have fixed their attention on the scientific phenomenon they say is to blame for the emerging drought: a vast zone of high pressure in the atmosphere off the West Coast, nearly four miles high and 2,000 miles long, so stubborn that one researcher has dubbed it the ‘Ridiculously Resilient Ridge.'”

“The current high-pressure ridge is even stronger and more persistent than a similar ridge that parked over the Pacific Ocean during the 1976-77 drought, one of the driest in the 20th century.”

“Last year was the driest calendar year in recorded history in California in most cities, with records going back 160 years. The first snowpack reading in the Sierra Nevada earlier this month found a snowpack of just 20 percent of normal.”

The Herald article took me to a California weather blog that is full of interesting information, weather blog including this graphic of the high pressure ridge that parked itself over the Pacific Ocean last year and the first month of this year.

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Don’t get me wrong, this weather is better than summer – no bugs! BUT … and this is a big BUT … I am a native Californian, and I reach SS age this year. I’ve seen a lot of California weather. Nothing like this. I have foregone planting new bare root fruit trees and roses. I am debating a vegetable garden this year. My spring is still producing well, but if all the aquifers that must feed it are at 20% of normal, how can my spring be far behind?

Critical Fire Weather

NWS has issued red flag watches and warnings for much of California due to record high temperatures, low RH recovery, and high winds. Be cautious.

Fire Restrictions Take Effect in Los Padres National Forest

GOLETA, CA, January 10, 2014…Due to extremely dry vegetation and an increasing fire danger, Los Padres National Forest officials today announced that Level III fire restrictions will go into effect beginning tomorrow, January 11, 2014. The following restrictions will be rigorously enforced until this Forest Order expires:

Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited in all areas of Los Padres National Forest except for designated Campfire Use sites; however persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are allowed to use portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel outside of designated Campfire Use Sites. California Campfire Permits are available for free download from the Los Padres National Forest website (http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf). You must clear all flammable material for a distance of 10 feet in all directions from your camp stove, have a shovel available, and ensure that a responsible person attends the stove at all times when it is in use.

A quiet Sunday

It is a quiet Sunday morning, quite chilly. Would love to have a fire … Keep waiting for the rains. I am enjoying the peace and quiet of my particular spot on this planet. Each and every day I am astounded at my fortune in being able to sur-vive and thrive up here alone with my dogs and the rest of Mother Nature. It is not an easy life, but it is a blessed one!

One of my friends asked me yesterday why I wasn’t blogging about all the little fund-raisers going on for the victims of the Pfeiffer Fire. I had to think about it and ask myself if I was doing this, and if so, why? What I decided is that the fire took a lot out of all of us, including me. I was so very overwhelmed that I have been taking a bit of a break. I have been asked to promote this thing, or that, to notify sur-vivors of this meeting, this agency’s assistance, and what-not. The bigger this blog gets, the more people contact me with requests. So much, almost too much, after all. I rarely just post what I am asked to. I like to research it. Have I or someone I trust gone to this meeting, participated in this organization, etc. Who is this person, agency, organization that is making this request? Why are they wanting me to promote/post/support them, their agency, their organization? Will the majority of my readers be interested, or is this targeted for a very narrow sub-audience? There is a lot that goes on with some posts before they are made public.

The work that goes on behind the blog, so-to-speak, is usually not visible, but it does take time. It is what I need to do to make sure the information I post is accurate, truthful, helpful, and worthy of our time – mine and yours. Fortunately I retired in 2012, so have more time to devote to this entity we created. Some posts, like my Photo Fridays, I am able to arrange before hand, and the only work it requires is getting my Internet to cooperate enough to get the photos up loaded. Sometimes, even with all that time, there are other things I want or need to do. This morning it is coffee in bed in the quiet of my morning, cuddled up under my down comforter with one or more dogs by my side.

Have a great week! If you are attending the Fungus Face-off this coming Saturday at Ventana for the annual Foragers Festival to benefit our Health Center, look for me. I’ll be in my trademark hat!

Rain Rocks Rock Shed and Pitkins Curve Bridge

That Rock Shed is absolutely gorgeous! Nice job, everyone.

Charlie Hench, Resident Engineer for Cal-Trans sent these photos, taken, Tuesday Jan. 7th by Wayne Walker, Charlie’s structural representative.

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Unlicensed contractors

Hi Kate,

Here is the update I posted to your FB yesterday.

The County of Monterey has received notice that unlicensed and unscrupulous contractors are descending on Big Sur to acquire work during the rebuilding effort following the Pfeiffer Fire. Contracting without a license in the State of California is a misdemeanor and if the area is declared a disaster area it would then become a felony.

Only hire licensed contractors to perform work. In Monterey County the list is long, no need to hire out of the area unlicensed contractors to save a few dollars; in the long run it could cost you!

Check to see if your contractor is licensed at:
https://www2.cslb.ca.gov/OnlineServices/CheckLicenseII/CheckLicense.aspx

Thanks!

Bryan Flores
Assistant to Supervisor Dave Potter
Fifth District, County of Monterey
831.647.7755

I, BSK, would add that there are probably others looking to take advantage of fire Sur-vivors as well, so deal with people and companies that you trust, or that come recommended by friends you trust.