Category: Events

What do Venice, Italy & Big Sur, CA have in common?

Several people over the weekend brought my attention to an article in the Guardian, which I usually read in any event. This article, however, is not about the politics I usually read, it is about how tourism is destroying Venice, Italy.

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Here is the link to that article: Guardian Article

To entice you to read it, here are a few tidbits:

“Earlier this month an estimated 2,000 Venetians marched against a tourism industry they argue has eroded their quality of life, that is damaging the environment and driving residents away: Venice’s population has fallen from about 175,000 in the post-second world war years to 55,000 today.”

Here in Big Sur, the tourist industry and media accounts are still referring to the same “3 million visitors a year” model that they were using in 1985 when I first moved here. No update on the number of visitors Big Sur is expected to entertain has been provided in the 32 years I have lived here, and it has tripled, quadrupled, or more, in my  conservative estimation, during that time. If Nepenthe is serving 1000 meals a day in normal years, as has been claimed in all the recent news articles, then every single one of the  3 million people coming to Big Sur plus a 1/2 million more, are stopping at that establishment each year, and we know that while Nepenthe is an icon, everyone does not stop there. In fact, most do not.

“… Residents were hoping that Unesco would send a strong signal to the authorities by following through with a threat to place the world heritage site on its endangered list. Instead, the organisation recently granted the city another year to come up with measures to protect its monuments and preserve its fragile environment.

‘It feels as if we’re at a point of no return because it’s already out of control,’ said Beltrame. He would like tourist numbers to be limited, while focusing on improving the quality and promoting the city as a hub for scientific and maritime research.”

Here, we already have the Aquarium, the Marine Sanctuary, and maritime research, and more research on the fragility of our environment, the endangered species that call Big Sur home is needed.

Has the degradation of the experience of Big Sur for locals and tourists alike reached the point of no return here, as well? If we were a UNESCO site,  would we be put on their endangered list?

Come to the Big Sur Multi-Agency Advisory Council’s next meeting on August 11th, 2017 and share in the conversation. Details and Agenda will be posted when made available.

Big Sur Pop-up Weekend at the Vineyard in Carmel Valley

From Deetjen’s…

I hope this … finds you well! As you might have heard, Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn is still closed, but our spirits are still active and optimistic!

Our friends from the Big Sur Vineyards will be hosting a “Big Sur Weekend” in their Carmel Valley Tasting Room on July 21-23, 2017.

Between fires, floods, downed bridges, and mud slides, the Big Sur community has had a challenging year. We invite you to come out and support Big Sur businesses, while celebrating Big Sur Vineyard’s 1st year Anniversary in Carmel Valley!

Please join us for PopUp Lunch/Dinner with Domingo will be serving a selection of delectable dishes. No tickets are require and Cash and Check are preferred at our table!

Hope to see you too, and bring your appetite!!

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Big Sur Fashion Show

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Get ready! Set your timers!
Make your list! Be prepared!
Don’t hesitate for a minute!
We will sell out!!!
Tickets go on sale HERE! this Monday, April 24th at high noon (12pm PST)

The BIG EVENT is coming to The Barnyard in Carmel on Friday, May 19th brought to you by Treebones Resort!

It’s YOUR Big Sur Fashion Show “In Your Dreams” ——- bringing this magic of Big Sur to the Peninsula for the first time ever!

Our audience theme this year is “Chasing the Rainbow.” We invite you to wear your favorite color or rainbow attire. Please join in the fun!

Live entertainment at the Reception/Will-Call/Glamour/Music/Bar hang-out from 6:30-7:30PM in the Barnyard Gardens before moving to the plein air main venue for the Main Show starting at 8PM with the Big Sur Fashion Kids Show!

Remember, this is a FUNdraiser with 2/3 of the net proceeds going to the CPOA’s Big Sur Relief Fund of the show and 1/3 going to The Henry Miller Library!

HERE WE GO!!!

See you on Friday, May 19th at The Barnyard.
You won’t want to miss what we’ve dreamed up for you!
(A PG-13-esque show!)

The Big Big Idea Squad of The Big Sur Fashion Show

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES! Sponsorship Click Here

Now entering its ninth year, the Big Sur Fashion Show 2017 theme is
“In Your Dreams”
Please consider joining us this year with a personal or business sponsorship?

Your sponsorship is not only an opportunity to generate focused attention for your business to an ever-growing, devoted fan base, but directly supports, in a one-of-a-kind-way, an event that beautifully delivers a grassroots arts program to all ages, serves as a leadership development platform for community members, and supports a vibrant, joyful arts community in Big Sur and the Monterey Peninsula. (You will also get some great perks with your sponsorship!)
We are happy to announce that Treebones is our title sponsor! THANK YOU!

CPOA Annual Meeting and Election of Officers

Hello Everyone,

The CPOA Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday February 23, 2017, at the Big Sur Grange starting at 5:30PM.

Invitations have been extended to newly elected Congressman Jimmy Panetta; State Senator Bill Monning; newly elected Assembly Member Anna Caballero and District 5 Supervisor Mary Adams; and Los Padres National Forest District Ranger Tim Short .

Updates on current issues including recovery efforts being made after the Soberanes Fire and subsequent rains, California Coastal Trail and the Big Sur Land Use Plan among others will be presented.

Nominations and elections of CPOA Board Directors will also take place at this meeting. All paid Active and Associate members of CPOA present at the meeting will be able to vote in this election.

We look forward to seeing you at the Grange (weather and roads permitting).

Here is the agenda:

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Foragers Festival Tickets on Sale

2017 Big Sur Foragers Festival
Tickets On Sale and Fungus Face Off Participants Announced
Big Sur Health Center announces January 13–15, 2017, as the dates for its annual Big Sur Foragers Festival. This year’s partners include Carmel Valley Ranch, the sister property of longtime host Ventana Big Sur that was just named the No. 1 resort in Northern California in the Conde Nast Traveler 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards. With a resort enhancement project underway at Ventana Big Sur, the Fungus Face-Off and Grand Chef dinner will take place this year at Carmel Valley Ranch, a summer-camp-inspired resort that sprawls across 500 acres and celebrates a deep connection to the land of Carmel Valley.

The event has traditionally served as a fundraiser for the Big Sur Health Center. The community’s non-profit health center will receive the proceeds from the foraging events to help support the continued presence of local healthcare services in the Big Sur area.

New events for 2017 include:
· New Friday Night Dinner Added for January 13th, 2017. Pamper your palette for a great cause with a gourmet meal benefiting the Big Sur Health Center on Friday, Jan. 13, at La Balena Carmel, an authentic Italian restaurant on Junipero Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues. This very special dinner, part of the Big Sur Foragers Festival, will feature a five-course meal, lovingly prepared with wild mushrooms and black and white Italian Alba truffles, that were gathered during a recent three-week trip to Italy by La Balena owners Anna and Emanuele Bartolini. Wines donated by Bernardus Winery and Chappellet Wines will be served with each course.
● A Friday night winemaker dinner series will be held at select restaurants throughout Monterey County. Will’s Fargo Restaurant + Bar in Carmel Valley and Alvarado Street Brewery and Grill in Monterey will each donate 10 percent. The Big Sur River Inn will hold a forager-themed brunch, also donating a percentage of profits to the event.
● A vendor’s market will take place following the Fungus Face Off Saturday, January 14th from 1-4 p.m. Meet the local artisans during the Face Off, then shop at the market from 4-5:30 p.m. Each vendor-partner will donate a portion of their sales to the Big Sur Health Center.
Participants include:
● Carmel Honey Company: Jake Reisdorf’s fifth-grade report on bees developed into a successful business model with a non-profit component. Meet young Jake and his mom Becky as they detail the wonders of honeybees.
● The Quail and Olive: Board-certified cardiologist Dr. Stephen Brabeck long recognized the health benefits of olive oil so he started a successful local business centered around a California olive oil experience.
● Salt Roots Soap Company: Meet Stephanie Wise, who started this unique artisan company with her friend Shani Fridrich. Their soaps are handmade in small batches, which creates unique beauty in the variations of design, texture and color.
● Big Sur Sea Salt: Anna Linden runs this new startup, taking advantage of the natural bounty that comes from pristine seawater along the Big Sur Coast.
● Additional partners inclyd Percy’s Pies, Driftwood art from Duncan and more!
● Join us for a special evening at Hyatt Carmel Highlands. Executive chef Chad Minton and the culinary team will create a three-course meal paired with wines from Bonny Doon Vineyard. The evening will begin with a reception of passed appetizers, wines from Bonny Doon and live music from Dino Vera from 6:30–7 p.m. At 7 p.m. enjoy a three-course dinner in the legendary wine room. Meet the culinary team and representatives from Bonny Doon Vineyard! There are only 24 seats available. Tickets are $175 per person and can be purchased through https://www.eventbrite.com/e/big-sur-foragers-festival-2017-tickets-26923723582

Back by Popular Demand:
● An exclusive Friday night dinner at Sierra Mar restaurant at Post Ranch Inn with a special menu and a unique opportunity to enjoy wines from their award-winning wine cellar. This event is limited to 14 people.
● The “Fungus Face-Off” will take place in a beautiful tented setting on the Pete Dye-designed golf course at Carmel Valley Ranch. This popular event sells out early. There are 250 available tickets, priced at $65 per person.

Fungus Face Off Winery and Brewery Partners Include:
● Holman Ranch
● Mesa Del Sol
● Bernardus
● McIntyre Vineyards
● Chappellet
● Twisted Roots
● Chesebro Wines
● De Tierra Vineyards
● Morgan Winery
● Bonny Doon Vineyards
● Filipponi Ranch Cellars
● Firestone Walker Brewing Company
● Belgian Pacific
● Blair Winery
● Alvarado Street Brewery
● Mad Otter Ale

Fungus Face Off Chef and Restaurant Partners Include:
● Chef Tim Wood, Valley Kitchen, Carmel Valley Ranch
● Chef Matt Glazer, Glazer Food and Beverage
● Chef Chad Minton, Hyatt Carmel Highlands
● Chef Soerke Peters, Basil Seasonal Dining
● Chef Angela Tamura, Peppoli
● Chef Cy Yontz, Rio Grill
● Chef Todd Fisher, Tarpy’s Roadhouse
● Pastry Chef Ben Spungin, Sierra Mar
● The Culinary Team at Alvarado Street Brewery
● Quail and Olive
● Carmel Honey Company
● Big Sur Sea Salt
● Salt Roots Soap Company

· Grand Chef Dinner at Carmel Valley Ranch. An intimate forage-inspired feast paired with incredible wines, the multi-course dinner from Chefs Wood and Worth begins at 6 p.m., and seating is extremely limited. Tickets available for $175 per person.
● Two foraging walks led by Steve Copeland and his expert team from Big Sur Guides. An easy “Wild Mushroom Walk and Talk” at Pfeiffer State Park and a nearby intermediate walk. This year, both hikes will be held on Sunday. There are 30 spaces available per walk. Tickets are $60 per person.

For event details visit http://www.bigsurforagersfestival.org. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/big-sur-foragers-festival-2017-tickets-26923723582

Marci Bracco Cain
Owner | Managing Partner
T 831 747 7455
E marci@chatterboxpublicrelations.com
W chatterboxpr.com

Pacific Valley Annual Winter Show

Original had the incorrect date. This one is right – it *IS* Wednesday, which is the 14th.

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River Inn Pig Roast for Big Sur Locals

Hello Big Sur community! We would like to invite you to a gathering of the locals at the Big Sur River Inn. We hope that you will join us on Tuesday, November 22nd for a pig roast and a chance to come together for some relaxation and recuperation from a challenging summer. This event is an open invitation to our staff and our community-and a wonderful chance for some good ol’ Big Surian camaraderie.

This is a sweet opportunity, and I wish I could go, but I need to be home before sunset to take care of the dogs – and I’d have to leave River Inn about the time this starts to get home – the sun sets so friggin’ early this time of year!! I’ll be there in spirit.

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