RSVPs not necessary. For those coming from the south, Sand Dollar is 13.59 miles from the SLO/Monterey Co. Line. For those coming from the north, it is *about* 62 miles from Carmel and 7 miles south of Lucia. Meat is being provided, but appetizers and dishes to share encouraged.
Thanks, Dan … And if I would have seen you I would have waved, too, but we shared space and time, and visions, unbeknownst to both of us. Thanks for this beauty!
Wow, what a parade of beautiful cars I was treated to on my way to town today. The shoulders were crowded with cars, onlookers and more photographers than I have ever seen. They clung to hillsides, bridge trussels, laid down next the road way, and were in every possible position to grab that one-of-a-kind shot. I drove one handed and shot blind, which meant very few even depict a car, never mind a good photo of a car. I tried!
Today starts the grand prix at Laguna Seca, and the madness of motorcycles heading north on Highway One. Actually, it started yesterday, we noted. We went south Thursday, and noted the increase in motorcycles on the highway. Some of these riders seem to either have a death wish or a belief in their own immortality.
Be extra careful out there, as there will be crashes and craziness all weekend. Some of the fastest and best riders on a professional course will be at Laguna Seca, but some candidates for the Darwin Award will be on our highways.
ONE NIGHT ONLY! at the BIG SUR GRANGE
SATURDAY, MAY 19TH AT 6:30 P.M.
THE DEATH AND LIFE OF SNEAKY FITCH
A Comedy about the Old West
Performed by the Big Sur Little Theater
20% off your ticket price if you come dressed in western attire
Adults $20 Children $5
The cast includes:
Warren Doyle as the title character, Sneaky, (he even got ‘hissed’ at one point!)
Rackham’ the greatest gun in the West, ( Margret Grahame-Doyle)
Sheriff Ogelsby and Maroon, the enticing Dance Hall girl
(more often known as John and Corrine Handy)
Town Doctor played by our very own town doctor, Bill Benda
Gus Thomasson as Vale, the undertaker; Paolo Gonzalez as the Narrator
Jesse Holden as Cowboy Bill Jackson (what a wonderful voice!)
Sterling Novell as Rev. Blackwell; Duke Krenkel as a Cowboy
David Allen as a Cowboy and stage designer; Candis Lefferts as a saloon girl
Eric Harris, Cowboy (they need lots of Cowboys – Rackham keeps shootin’ ’em!)
Gail Chambers, Susan Perry, Woody the horse, and a special appearance by Sagebrush!!
I have been trying to get these photos of River Inn‘s Birdhouse Benefit up for a week, but it has been a busy news week for the coast. Here they are at long last. Enjoy.
Last night it took two hours to upload two photographs. Today, it took one hour to upload five photos. That is just the way internet works for me with cellular wifi. I am very portable, so during emergencies, if I have to, I go find a better signal.
Speaking of benefits, there is a benefit for Jeffrey “Wildman” Downs Saturday, March 24th, 2012 from 1 to 4 PM at Ripplewood. Jeffrey is the tenant from the Long House who got out with nothing but his dogs and the clothes he was wearing. Also, Jeffrey REALLY needs low-cost housing in Big Sur.
Mark your calendars, and make your reservations now.
Fast approaching is the Big Sur Chantrelle Cook-off, to be held in two locations – Ventana Inn & Spa, and the Big Sur Lodge at the State Park.
Ventana Inn and Spa will host the kickoff party 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Feb. 24 with local wines, mushroom-slanted food and Songs That Hot Box Harry Taught Us coaxing guests from the table to dance. The following day Ventana will host Art and Syrah from 3 to 6 p.m. at the resort gallery, with art, a trunk and runway show and sips of Parsonage Syrah from Carmel Valley.
Following the show is a five-course rewards dinner that Ventana chef Truman Jones is calling “The Fungus Among Us.” Jones has earned a reputation as a creative chef who creates memories among diners. Look for a salad using chanterelles three ways (raw, pickled and cooked), a cream of chanterelle soup with a grilled truffle and brie sandwich, a chanterelle-crusted Alaskan halibut, Angus beef with chanterelle pudding, and a sweet finale featuring chanterelle bombe with maple anglaise, caramel mousse and praline ice cream.
The Lodge at Pfeiffer State Park also hosts two events; A Wild Mushroom Walk and Talk will delight those who want to know more about the botanical aspects of the Chanterelle. This educational event will be followed by The Grand Tasting with Big Sur chefs showcasing their ingenuity with creative Chanterelle concoctions. Guests will taste the offerings while casting “People’s Choice” votes and talking with the official Grand Tasting judges. This year’s illustrious judging panel includes: Margo True, editor of Sunset Magazine and author of The Sunset Cookbook; Marlene Sorosky Gray, freelance contributor at San Francisco Chronicle and cookbook author; Jim Dodge, Director of the Specialty Culinary Programs at Bon Appetit Management Company; and Tami Yu, founder of feteafete.com and San Francisco writer who tracks the latest lifestyle trends, new restaurants, fashion designers, beauty treatments and travel destinations.
Kara Stout of Big Sur’s illustrious Ventana Inn is the host (or one of them?), and has done an incredible job of making sure this event actually happens.
The award dinner at Ventana costs $150. The cook-off at The Lodge is $50. Tickets and information about all the events for the two days, including the costs of other events can be found at bigsurchanterelle.eventbrite.com.
All monies raised will benefit the Big Sur Health Center.
BSMAAC meeting tomorrow, January 20, 2012 at 10:00 am at the Big Sur Lodge Conference Center. On the agenda are two items related to the Brazil Ranch – performing arts center and parking.
Starts tomorrow through Saturday. For the schedule and list of sold-out events, see the link here: Food & Wine Festival Locals discount tickets available at the door.
Monies received from the Big Sur Food & Wine Festival go to support local charities like the Health Center, the Fire Brigade, and other groups.
