A number of things have to be addressed by our community, and I’ve been asked to disseminate the information.

First, AT&T sent this:

To the Big Sur Community:

As you may already know, AT&T has been working diligently to upgrade its network in Big Sur. One of the critical elements in the network upgrade was the replacement of the microwave reflector on Manual Peak. We are happy to report this work is near completion and is ready to go online. This involves switching over from the old system to the new. During this phase of the switchover, there are some critical dates and times we would like to bring to your attention:

AT&T will be switching over to the new microwave reflector the week of May 8th. The reflector will be flown up and constructed May 8th and 9th, and switched over and aligned on May 10th or 11th between the hours of 10am and 2pm. As the week progresses, the exact day of alignment may change, so we will provide a second email notification prior to the switchover taking place. During this process, there is a minimal possibility of a short service interruption as we align the equipment. While this is not likely, we will be prepared with proper personnel and equipment, and we are taking necessary precautions to ensure emergency communications continue, including coordinating with first responders.

We will provide another update closer to the date of the actual switchover. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Bettye J. Saxon Ed.D.

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Joe Burnett, Condor biologist sent this to CPOA:

Hi CPOA,
We received a report two days ago that two nesting condors and other wildlife were observed at the Vista Point temporary dumpster site picking at a pile of trash at the dumpster. Multiple Condor pairs are currently incubating eggs and will begin feeding their chicks soon. A serious health threat to condor chicks is the ingestion of man-made trash. Chicks are unable to regurgitate these foreign items and can become impacted, resulting in death or injury. To have a large point source of trash at Vista Pt, in the heart of the Big Sur condor range, is very concerning to us.

We understand the community need for a trash dumpster but could you find a more discreet location. A suggestion….could the dumpster be moved to pull out near Essalen under the cover of trees (just north of hot springs bridge). See suggested location on attached map.

From WM:

Good afternoon,
The 40 yard dumpster at Vista Point will be emptied tomorrow, Friday, April 29. I appreciate your help letting us know the dumpster needed to be serviced. Please do not hesitate to give me a call if you have any questions.

Thanks!
Kristin Skromme
Public Sector Manager
Public Sector Solutions
kskromme@wm.com

Waste Management
11240 Commercial Parkway
Castroville, CA 95012
Tel 831.796.2220

From CPOA:
Hello everyone south of Pfeiffer Canyon-

The dumpster located at the Vista Point at MM 37.05 is placed there for our mindful use during this period of limited access from the south.

Please do not over fill or worse yet, leave trash outside of the bin. Endangered Condors are nesting and our mess seriously threatens their existence.

If you use the bin and it is approaching capacity, please call Kristin at Waste Management 831-796-2220 and let her know it needs to be “switched out”.

Thanks !

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Don’t forget the Big Sur International Marathon on Sunday! (The first year I was here in Big Sur was the year of the first marathon. Nepenthe was “born” almost one month before me, and we are both Taurians.)

For those of you who have not seen this, Wendy was waiting for the go-ahead to get through, apparently, when she videoed the active slide taking out the newly opened highway, again. It is amazing video. It starts slow, with a few pebbles, as all active slides do, and then – all hell breaks loose

Slide Video here

So, when you are going through a slide area, and you see those guys standing around seemingly doing “nothing” remember they are spotting for you, the other workers, and each other. Bless Cal Trans, and this could have been a LOT worse. If you are tempted to go through an area that is closed, remember this video. You could so easily be buried alive.

Penstemon centranthifolius — scarlet bugler

Collinsia heterophylla — purple Chinese houses (This version is more pale than usual, almost pink and white)

Dendromecon rigida — bush or tree poppy

scarlet pimpernel (these are very small, less than 1/2″)

Scientific Name —
Anagallis arvensis L.

 

 

April 24, 2017

New additional access times for Paul’s slide, FOR LOCALS & DELIVERIES ONLY!!

Starting this Wednesday April 26th there will now be a noon time opening for traffic.

12:00PM Monday / Wednesday / Friday A single caravan south and a single caravan north, you must be in line by noon! There may be up to 45 minute delay to clear the road before the opening.

Delivery vehicles (30’ max. length, 50,000# max. weight) can now use all access windows 7 days a week.

Access times for the morning and evening are still the same except for Friday:

5:30AM to 6:00AM and 7:00PM to 7:30PM – Sat-Thurs.

Friday’s hours will be shortened to:

5:30AM – 8:00AM and 6:00PM to 7:30PM
​.
The noon opening will be for Paul’s slide only, (not Mud Ck.) you will need to use Nacimiento road to exit the coast.