Category: Events

Watershed Council Meeting

Next Big Sur River Watershed Planning Meeting is March 28th!

The next meeting to discuss the Big Sur Watershed Management Plan is set for Thursday March 28th from 3 to 5 pm at the Big Sur Station MAF conference room. The group has been meeting every other month since last September to discuss the preparation of a plan that will look at the health of the watershed. If you live in and/or work in the Big Sur River watershed, or use water from the Big Sur River, your participation is extremely valuable. The focus of this meeting will be to discuss factors, which may be limiting the steelhead population; we will also start to gather historical knowledge about how the Big Sur River has changed over time. If you have family stories or pictures that show the river or activities on the river, please let us know or bring them along.

Development of the plan is being coordinated by the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County with assistance from the Garrapata Watershed Council. For more information, please call Ken Ekelund at (831) 625-9621.

Coastal Trail Meeting

IMPORTANT MEETING – SAVE THE DATE – MARCH 16TH

California Coastal Trail meeting for those who reside and/or own land near the coast, from the Carmel River in Monterey County to San Carpóforo Creek in San Luis Obispo County.

WILL BIG SUR HAVE A VOICE IN DETERMINING THE TRAIL CREATION PROCESS?

A diverse group of coastal residents have worked since 2007 to develop a local, community-based process as a way to enable our community to participate in the planning of the Big Sur segment of the government mandated California Coastal Trail. It is this process that community members would like to share for consideration as the preferred planning process. Download and read the process document here – Coastal Trail Process

CPOA will host a discussion on this Community-based Trail Planning Process with State Senator Bill Monning, participants of the working group and all our neighbors.

Saturday, March 16th, 10 AM to noon
Big Sur Lodge Conference Room in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.

This meeting marks the beginning of our community approval process. Come and share your thoughts on March 16th.

If you would like to receive updates by email – send a request to info@CPOABigSur.org

Foragers Festival

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This next weekend would be a great weekend to plan a trip to Big Sur, spend a few nights, check out the locals event on Thursday, January 10th, Oceans Fronteirs by B-SAGE, and stay on for the Foragers Festival events on Friday and Saturday, January 11-12! Join us for some wonderful winter events!

FORAGERS FESTIVAL*
January 11 – 12, 2013

Enjoy A Culinary Exploration into the World of Wild Foods

A celebration of the amazing array of wild foods will be the centerpiece for a Big Sur weekend of gourmet food, world-class wine and beer, entertainment, expert-led foraging hikes, a chef competition and a very special dinner with Kory Stewart, a chef who Forages! All events are for the benefit of the Big Sur Health Center.

Friday night will feature dinners at local restaurants. The Big Sur Bakery will host “Forage with Friends” dinner. The River Inn will partner with Firestone Brewery for a “Foragers Beer Dinner” And many exciting dinners/specials venues.

Saturday morning kicks off with Wild Mushroom Walks and Talks led by expert foragers. These will be informative and entertaining strolls through Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.

The Restaurant at Ventana will host two events on Saturday beginning with a chef competition featuring wild mushrooms. Titled “Fungus Face-Off”, the event will put participating chefs in friendly competition for “best” in numerous categories by noted judges, culminating in “People’s Choice”. The food and wine tastings also features a silent auction with many unique offerings. The Fungus Face-Off takes place from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Saturday evening, Truman Jones, executive chef at the Restaurant at Ventana and Kory Stewart, executive chef at Americano Restaurant located in San Francisco’s Hotel Vitale, will prepare the grand dinner beginning at 6:00 pm at the Restaurant at Ventana. The multi-course dinner, destined to be a memorable feast, will be paired with incredible wine selections.

Please visit our site: Big Sur Foragers Festival for more information including schedule, prices and ticket sales.
*The Chanterelle Festival has been discontinued.
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Ocean Frontiers presented by B-SAGE

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Award Winning Ocean Film
Makes Big Sur Debut

You are invited to a free showing of Ocean Frontiers on Thursday, January 10 at the Big Sur Grange. Come for soup, salad and bread at 6. Bring your own place setting. Or come just for the show at 6:30. We plan to be prompt.

Ocean Frontiers” will take you on an inspiring 60‐minute voyage to seaports and watersheds across the country; from the busy shipping lanes and whale corridors of Boston Harbor to the small fishing community of Port Orford, Oregon; from the nation’s premier seafood nursery in the Mississippi Delta to the cornfields of Iowa.

Hear the voices of unlikely allies working together: industrial shippers teaming up with whale biologists, pig farmers with wetland ecologists, and many more, all of them embarking on a new course of cooperation.

The panel discussion immediately following the film showing will be moderated by retired Fire Chief, Frank Pinney. On the panel will be Laura Kasa, Executive Director of Save Our Shores, Biologists David Moen and Joe Burnett from Ventana Wildlife Society, Marcus Foster – surfer, Jess Mason – deep sea diver and Kirk Gafill, President of the Big Sur Chamber of Commerce. Dr. George Somero, Hopkins Marine Station will be present if his schedule allows. The panel will discuss the film and take questions and comments from the audience.

Ocean Frontiers is an independent film from Green Fire Productions, founded by Oregon residents Karen and Ralf Meyer. To make the documentary, the couple crisscrossed the country, meeting and filming people they call “ocean pioneers.” Along the way they discovered some unlikely allies at the forefront of implementing promising new approaches to ocean and coastal management.

The HuffPost internet newspaper notes: “Ocean Frontiers is a film that can help
turn the tide in protecting our oceans, and one which every member of Congress―and
every American―should see. It has been premiering to rave reviews all across the
country and internationally as well, and it delivers a message we all need to heed.

Ocean Frontiers” is an Official Selection of the 2012 Wild and Scenic Film Festival in Nevada City, Calif., as well as a jury nomination for Best Science Communication and Official Selection for the 2012 Reel Earth Environmental Film Festival in Palmerston, New Zealand.

More information about “Ocean Frontiers” can be found at http://www.ocean‐frontiers.org.

Thursday, January 10, 2013 at the Big Sur Grange. *

Come for soup, salad and bread at 6. Bring your own place setting. Or, come just for the show at 6:30. Donations are gratefully accepted We welcome help with set up at 5:15

*Big Sur Grange Hall, Hwy 1 & Juan Higuera Creek

January Events – save these dates!

This would be a great weekend to plan a trip to Big Sur, spend a few nights, check out the locals event on Thursday, January 10th, and stay on for the Foragers Festival events on Friday and Saturday, January 11-12! Join us for some wonderful winter events!

FORAGERS FESTIVAL*
January 11 – 12, 2013

Enjoy A Culinary Exploration into the World of Wild Foods

A celebration of the amazing array of wild foods will be the centerpiece for a Big Sur weekend of gourmet food, world-class wine and beer, entertainment, expert-led foraging hikes, a chef competition and a very special dinner with Kory Stewart, a chef who Forages! All events are for the benefit of the Big Sur Health Center.

Friday night will feature dinners at local restaurants. The Big Sur Bakery will host “Forage with Friends” dinner. The River Inn will partner with Firestone Brewery for a “Foragers Beer Dinner”. More exciting dinners/specials will soon be announced.

Saturday morning kicks off with Wild Mushroom Walks and Talks led by expert foragers. These will be informative and entertaining strolls through Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.

The Restaurant at Ventana will host two events on Saturday beginning with a chef competition featuring wild mushrooms. Titled “Fungus Face-Off”, the event will put participating chefs in friendly competition for “best” in numerous categories by noted judges, culminating in “People’s Choice”. The food and wine tastings also features a silent auction with many unique offerings. The Fungus Face-Off takes place from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Saturday evening, Truman Jones, executive chef at the Restaurant at Ventana and Kory Stewart, executive chef at Americano Restaurant located in San Francisco’s Hotel Vitale, will prepare the grand dinner beginning at 6:00 pm at the Restaurant at Ventana. The multi-course dinner, destined to be a memorable feast, will be paired with incredible wine selections.

Please visit our site: Big Sur Foragers Festvalfor the more information including schedule, prices and ticket sales.
*The Chanterelle Festival has been discontinued.
******************************************************************

Award Winning Ocean Film Makes Big Sur Debut

Well known locals and others on a panel to discuss this film with the audience.

What would Big Sur be without the ocean and it’s creatures? From the stories of those who lived off the land and sea in years gone by to the present day when people from all over the world come to Big Sur for many reasons, especially it’s unique beauty, the ocean has played a huge role in who we are.

And now, we are very fortunate to be able to show the film “Ocean Frontiers” at our next B-SAGE/Grange event Thursday, January 10. This film, which premiered at the Blue Ocean Film Festival in Monterey a few months ago, is an inspiring voyage to seaports and watersheds across the country where we meet industrial shippers and whale biologists, farmers and wetland ecologists, commercial and sport fishermen, and reef snorkelers—all of them embarking on a new course of cooperation to sustain our oceans and the economies that rely on them. It highlights four cases where vastly different stakeholders came to the table and cooperatively made good decisions for the environment.

According to one participant, “Ocean Frontiers is a great film to share with the community because it is optimistic and positive, and shows successful approaches to the ocean stewardship issues we face today.” We are excited to bring this film to Big Sur.

The panel discussion immediately following the film showing will be moderated by the de facto mayor of Big Sur, retired Fire Chief, Frank Pinney. On the panel will be Laura Kasa, Executive Director of Save Our Shores, Biologist David Moen from Ventana Wildlife Society, Marcus Foster – surfer, Jess Mason – deep sea diver and Kirk Gafill, President of the Big Sur Chamber of Commerce. The panel will discuss the film and take questions and comments from the audience.

Thursday, January 10, 2013 at the Big Sur Grange.
Come for soup, salad and bread at 6.
Bring your own place setting.
Or, come just for the show at 6:30.
We plan to be prompt.

Santa and Caroling in Big Sur

Hello Big Sur!

To ring in the holidays Lisa Goettel brings us the traditional Christmas caroling throughout Big Sur and the Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade will be bringing special treats for all of the children of Big Sur. Read details below.

The Big Sur Fire Brigade has volunteered to escort Santa on his visit to Big Sur!

    This is on December 20th.

    This year Santa is bringing special treats for all of the children of Big Sur!!

    If you would like Santa to deliver a personal gift he would be honored to do so!!
    Here are the Instructions-
    · Wrap a gift for your child and label with name, pick up location and phone number
    · Deliver the gift to the Big Sur Library no later than December 19 during normal open hours.
    · Meet Santa at River Inn (5:45), Fernwood (6:10) Post Ranch Housing ( 6:30) or Nepenthe (6:50) and he will deliver your gift personally!!!
    · Questions? Call Meredith 667-2156

    Big Sur Caroling

    All are welcome to join us on Wednesday, Dec. 19th in Big Sur as we get in the spirit of the holidays and carol through the local restaurants.
    Supported by a core group of Big Sur singers who have been singing with Lisa every week – some for several years – we will share our voices through Big Sur. No experience or practice is required! If you would like to learn some of our special harmonies and practice some of the lesser-known carols, we encourage you to join us at some or all of the free Wednesday evening classes at the Big Sur Charter School in December, from 5:30-7pm http://thebirdsings.com/classes.html
    This year we are inviting kids to join us for caroling at the River Inn. Kids are invited to meet at 4:30pm at the River Inn on the 19th to practice, then sing with us there at 5:30.

    Schedule:
    4:30pm – Kids meet for practice at the Big Sur River Inn.
    5:00pm – Adults meet promptly at 5pm at the Big Sur River Inn. We will warm up in the administrative offices.
    5:30pm – River Inn – with kids caroling!
    6:15pm – Fernwood Resort
    6:45pm – Big Sur Bakery
    7:15pm – Nepenthe
    7:45pm – Deetjens Big Sur Inn (core group of regular Big Sur Singers only)

    If you are going to join the caroling you can print your own holiday songbook here:
    http://thebirdsings.com/caroling.html

    Spread the joy and have a safe and happy holiday!
    From the Big Sur Fire Brigade and the Big Sur Chamber of Commerce

    The Big Sur Singers on Wednesday December 19th at 5:30 pm as they carol for us building the Christmas spirit. This year the children of the Big Sur Charter School will also be joining the caroling.

    Then return to welcome the Big Sur Fire Brigade and Santa Claus on Thursday December 20th at 5:45 pm as the children of Big Sur receive a special holiday gift from Santa. Milk and cookies will be offered next to a roaring fire.

Strategic Community Fuel Break Improvement Project

Dear All-

The USFS will be conducting a scoping meeting to gather public input on proposed actions in the Monterey District of the Los Padres National Forest. The proposed action, known as the “Strategic Community Fuel Break Improvement Project” is entering the first phase of the NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) process towards implementation. Although there are some specifics as to the geographical area to be treated and some basic ideas of how the proposed work may be executed, this meeting will allow interested parties the opportunity to weigh in with their support or concern and to offer up specific recommendations to USFS representatives in context with this project.

The Strategic Community Fuel Break Improvement Project is the product of a collaborative process that invited stakeholders from the environmental / wilderness community, biologists, fire science professionals, Native Americans, Agency land managers and resident Property Owners in an effort to protect and enhance the natural, precious world we live in while at the same time, engaging in sensible, wildfire pre-suppression treatments using an “all lands” approach. This process was sponsored by the USFS and facilitated by the Nature Conservancy utilizing the Open Standards for Conservation guide. This guide stresses the importance of a results oriented, adaptive strategy for managing lands on a “landscape wide level”.

Please make some time to drop by the Big Sur Multi Agency Facility conference room from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM on Thursday, December 6th and express your opinion on the proposed actions.

Click on Scoping Document and Project Vicinity Map to download these documents that you should read prior to the meeting.

Sincerely,
Butch

Butch Kronlund
CPOA

Arts & Crafts Fair and Small Business Saturday

Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday! Support your local community and shop small, preferably here in Big Sur!

So many wonderful ways to support the local Big Sur economy, small businesses, artisans., and non-profits by shopping locally, stopping by the Annual Arts & Crafts Fair at The Grange for one-of-a-kind items and if down on the South Coast, stop by The Hermitage and shop at their lovely gift shop. Our community is teeming with great small businesses that offer wonderful opportunities to start your Holiday shopping adventures.

The History of Small Business in America

(From the U.S. Department of State)

“Americans have always believed they live in a land of opportunity, where anybody who has a good idea, determination, and a willingness to work hard can start a business and prosper. In practice, this belief in entrepreneurship has taken many forms, from the self-employed individual to the global conglomerate.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the public extolled the pioneer who overcame great hardships to carve a home and a way of life out of the wilderness. In 19th-century America, as small agricultural enterprises rapidly spread across the vast expanse of the American frontier, the homesteading farmer embodied many of the ideals of the economic individualist. But as the nation’s population grew and cities assumed increased economic importance, the dream of being in business for oneself evolved to include small merchants, independent craftsmen, and self-reliant professionals.

Today, the American economy boasts a wide array of enterprises, ranging from one-person sole proprietorships to some of the world’s largest corporations. In 1995, there were 16.4 million non-farm, sole proprietorships, 1.6 million partnerships, and 4.5 million corporations in the United States — a total of 22.5 million independent enterprises.”