Month: October 2014

Highway One blocked?

Photo by Sander Koning
Photo by Sander Koning

UPDATE – I drove through sometime between 6:15-6:30 and one lane was open with traffic control. It was actually just across from the Hawthorne Gallery. I tried to get a photograph, but they signaled me through before I could get my camera out. Amazing to see a 37′ fifth wheel laid out on its side like that. Kudos to our BSVFB and LPF who were the ones handling this mess. It had been almost three hours by the time I went through. We are lucky to have such an incredible local response, as I did not see any MCSO or CHP.

AS OF 8:30 pm, both lanes were open, with a mess left for Cal Trans in the morning.

There was another one just north of Lucia, but it did not block the road. What a drive home!

Local word has it, although it is not showing up on CHP, yet, that the road is blocked at HML due to an overturned RV. I AM HEADED TO RI to wait it out.

Okay, found it. Here is the “official word”

Detail Information
4:39 PM 15 [36] PER USA TOW THEY WILL HANDLE ACURA AS WELL
4:37 PM 14 [34] ALSO 1185 F/THE ACURA THE 5TH WHEEL LANDED ON, INQ W/USA TOW
4:33 PM 13 [33] A27-022 REQ’G B SHIFT UNIT WILL BE 10-6 A COUPLE OF HRS
4:21 PM 12 [32] PER USA TOW MED DUTY AND LONG BOY ENRT
4:16 PM 11 [31] 2ND 1185 POSS A MED OR HEAVY DUTY TO TURN THE 5TH WHEEL
4:08 PM 10 [27] A27-022 37FT 5TH WHEEL 1125 SB LN ON TOP OF A PARKED VEH
3:59 PM 9 [25] [Rotation Request Comment] 1039 USA TOW 831 758 2599, USA CPZ ALL DETAILS
3:57 PM 8 [24] FIRE ADVZES 5TH WHEEL HAS BO AXEK
3:55 PM 7 [21] USA INQ IF IT’S JUST TO LIFT THE TRAILER OR TOW AS WELL
3:45 PM 6 [19] [Notification] [CHP]-FIRE 1097 CONFIRMED 1182, FIRE REQ 1185 FOR 25′ TRAILER ON IT’S SIDE, POSS SPECIAL TOW NEEDED
3:44 PM 5 [18] 1185
3:31 PM 4 [14] WHI FORD PK IS THE TOW VEH \
3:30 PM 3 [10] [Notification] [CHP]-Problem changed from 1182-Trfc Collision-No Inj to 1179-Trfc Collision-1141 Enrt by CHP
3:28 PM 2 [6] [Appended, 15:30:17] SB LN 1125 AND PTL NB
3:27 PM 1 [1] RV ON ITS SIDE BLKING SB
Unit Information
3:31 PM 5 Unit Assigned
3:31 PM 4 Unit Enroute

Mal Paso Creek Bridge Repair

I am publishing this EXACTLY as Susana sent it, but I must say that if this is “overnite” work, I’m not sure about the 3 pm time frame. Will correct, if necessary.

CALTRANS
Today’s Date: Friday, October 17, 2014
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
OVERNIGHT REPAIR PROJECT ON HIGHWAY 1 AT MALPASO CREEK BRIDGE SOUTH OF CARMEL IS UNDERWAY

MONTEREY COUNTY– An overnight construction project to repair and protect the concrete of Malpaso Creek Bridge on Highway 1 in Monterey began this week, Caltrans officials have announced.

Overnight roadwork hours are from 6 pm to 3 pm Mondays through Thursdays from midnight to 3 pm Fridays and from 8 pm to midnight on Sundays. Work consists of installing scaffolding for the first two weeks during daytime hours between 6:30 am and 3 pm. Motorists may experience delays of up to 20 minutes during the overnight work. Electronic Message Boards will be activated to alert motorists.

The purpose of this project is to repair the damaged concrete, extract chloride and protect the concrete of Malpaso Creek Bridge. This bridge work is expected to be complete by the end of September 2015, weather permitting.

The contractor for this $994,000 project is Truesdell Corporation of California, Inc.
Caltrans reminds motorists to move over and slow down when driving through highway construction zones.

For more information on this project and for traffic updates on other Caltrans projects in Monterey County, residents can call the District 5 toll free number at 1-831-372-0862 or can visit our website at: http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist05/paffairs/release.htm#mon

Foto Friday, 10/17 – Oops

Sorry, I totally spaced out Foto Friday when I was in town yesterday. I’ll see if I can load a couple photos from home, but it is often problematic, so if I don’t … Tune in next Friday.

Big Sur River Run

Big Sur River Run XXXIV
Saturday, October 25th, 2014

Contact Information:
Race information: The Treadmill Carmel- (831) 624-4112
Press Release Contact Information: Kirk Gafill Co-Race Director- (831) 667-7326

Details:
Saturday, October 25th, 2014
Starting line: Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Race begins at 10am sharp.

Overview:
The Big Sur River Run’s 5k walk and certified 10k courses are flat, black-top loops that follow the Big Sur River through towering redwoods. Founded in 1980 the Big Sur River Run 501(c)3 is a fun, community-oriented fundraiser for the Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade and Big Sur Health Center. Nearly one year after the destruction of the Pfeiffer Fires that claimed 32 homes, the BSVFB and the BSHC are in need of more support than ever. Both organizations rely on the community to help raise funds to continue maintaining the health and safety of Big Sur residents and visitors. Last year $38,000 was distributed to both BSVFB and BSHC (ie: $19,000 each). Over the last 33 years, $833,000 has been distributed to the Big Sur emergency and health services organizations.

Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers of each category. A 10 minute massage will be offered to 10k finishers and local musicians will play at the Start/Finish line of the race. Overall the Big Sur River Run is a great way to experience and support the Big Sur community spirit.

Registration:
Registration is still available online at: http://www.bigsurriverrun.org or in person on the day of the event. Participants requiring day of race registration should arrive no later than 9:00 AM to ensure a prompt start time. The races are limited to the first 1,000 participants. Registration fee includes long sleeve t-shirt with the annual design by local artist, Shell Fisher.

Volunteer & Sponsorship Opportunities:​
Interested volunteers are welcome to contact us to learn how to get involved: volunteer@bigsurriverrun.org
To help sponsor the event, contact Meredith Gafill at sponsorships@bigsurriverrun.org

The BSRR is an all-volunteer operation that has raised $833,000 for the two beneficiaries thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, race participants and volunteers. This year is no exception.

Thank you to our sponsors (list may be incomplete at this time):
Nepenthe: Main Event Sponsor
Big Sur Bakery, Big Sur Builders, Big Sur Deli & Taphouse, Big Sur River Inn, Big Sur Roadhouse, Blaze Engineering, Deetjen’s, Fernwood Resort, Glen Oaks, The Treadmill Carmel, Treebones Resort, Riverside Campgrounds, Rider Construction, Ventana Inn & Spa

Stay Tuned for Updates:
Follow the BSRR on Facebook for more exciting news and up to date information.

Information for Visitors:
Visit http://www.bigsurriverrun.org or http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org for more information about lodging, restaurants and shopping while visiting Big Sur.

Fracking Regs

The California Department of Conservation (DOC) has sent out public notice regarding revisions to the proposed regulations for the use of well stimulation in oil and gas production. This public notice begins a 15-day public comment period which will end at 5pm on October 24, 2014. The regulations, which are to go into effect on July 1, 2015, are designed to protect health, safety and the environment, and supplement existing strong well construction standards. They address a comprehensive list of issues, including testing, monitoring, public notice, and permitting. To ensure the major requirements of SB 4 are addressed in the interim, DOC has had emergency regulations in place since January 1, 2014.

To read the proposed regulations or to learn how to make a comment on the proposed regulations that will go into the official rulemaking record, please visit http://www.conservation.ca.gov/Index/Pages/Index.aspx or http://www.conservation.ca.gov/dog/Pages/Index.aspx.

Jade Festival Photos

What a weekend! I was too busy to get any but a couple of shots, but I have collected a few from others I wish to share. There were several world famous musicians who played.

Here is a phtograph of Danny Weis, one of the founding members of Iron Butterfly … photo by bigsurkate

image

Here is a wonderful close-up of a piece of Jade by Howard Jones. More at

IMG_2221.JPG

I have a few more I will be adding throughout the day, but I must first add a thank you to the core members of the SCCLT who do the vast majority of the work in setting this up: Syd Carr for the incredible music and volunteers; Kirk Brock who brings the diverse array of vendors to us each year; Steve Finch, who was in charge of almost everything else; and Lisa Gehring who controls all the money. The school and PTO had a number of booths, not the least of which was the BBQ booth, led by Gordon Pfiffero and Josh Wilson. It was the best! And for one of the most important, and least recognized jobs of all – trash and recycling, Gail Dinsmore. To all who contributed in all ways great and small – we keep getting better each year due to the hard work you all contribute to this community event.

More photos later.
image
The Jade Lady by Gary Gowdy, one of my favorite pieces, photographed by Kalamakuaikalani D.

Rain Forecast

For the period of Oct 15-19 – looks like a 40% chance of above average precipitation for Big Sur.

IMG_2217.PNG

However, this morning’s forecast brings rain Tuesday night into Wednesday, and then the rest of the week is up for grabs.

” THE MEDIUM RANGE MODELS ARE STILL NOT IN AGREEMENT CONCERNING THE WEATHER BEYOND THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK. THE GFS AND GEM MODELS HAVE GENERALLY FORECAST ADDITIONAL RAINFALL EITHER LATE IN THE WEEK INTO NEXT WEEKEND…BUT THE ECMWF CONTINUES TO BUILD AN UPPER RIDGE OVER CA NEXT WEEKEND AND KEEPS OUR AREA ALMOST ENTIRELY DRY AFTER WEDNESDAY. THUS THE FORECAST BEYOND THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK REMAINS VERY LOW CONFIDENCE.”

So far, Jade Festival weather yesterday was foggy in the am, then clear most of the afternoon before the fog rolled in late in the day. (I watched it from my ridge top all day for you!) now, it is down into the fog for me!

Foto Friday 10/10

AFRICA, as they wouldn’t post last week.still can’t get ones I wanted up, but here are a couple.
image

image

I will be working the festival the next two days, so hopefully will see you there! It has been socked in on the coast all morning. Will let you know if it burns off later today.

Jade Festival #23, 2014

Featuring the Gem of the South Coast – Jade! It starts tomorrow at noon, until 6 pm, Sat. 10-6, Sun 10-5 at a Pacific Valley School, brought to you since 1990 by the South Coast Community Land Trust. (1996 festival was canceled due to The Wild Fire)

This is from the first festival:

IMG_1475.JPG

My, my, how we have grown!