SLOWCOAST branding irons for gift boxes

SLOWCOAST Organic Handmade Local Gift Boxes

Please support SLOWCOAST community radio KPDO

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

All this week your lovely local KPDO DJs are on the air for our Winter/Holiday Pledge Drive!

At KPDO, we strive to serve, promote, and assist the Coastside community by broadcasting news, public service announcements, and safety information, in addition to our eclectic mix of talk and music programming. Since May of this year we have hosted election debates, interviewed candidates about the issues, and started the Pescadero Youth Radio Project, a program that educates Pescadero High School students in broadcast journalism.

Our goal is to raise $2,000 for general operating funds. With these funds, KPDO will be able to continue serving our listeners! Support community radio now by pledging to become a KPDO member.

We’re giving away great gift packages as part of our pledge drive efforts. Pledge online at: http://www.kpdo.org/support.php, or give us a call at (650) 646-KPDO or (650) 646-5736 to pledge your membership and receive:

$5 – Pick two CDs from KPDO’s mystery music box!

$10 – One KPDO Bumper Sticker and a KPDO Laser-Engraved Keychain.

$25 - One KPDO Bumper Sticker, a KPDO Laser-Engraved Keychain, and a beautiful red Poinsettia from Fogline Nursery.

$35 – Two KPDO Bumper Stickers, a KPDO Laser-Engraved Keychain, and one gift certificate to either Harbor Bay Books, Coastside Books, Peet’s Coffee in Half Moon Bay, Abundance Salon, or a 20% off coupon to Go Figure Plus Size Shop for Women, or a yoga class at Community Church in Pescadero.

$55 – Two KPDO Bumper Stickers, a KPDO Laser-Engraved Keychain, one gift certificate to either Harbor Bay Books, Coastside Books, Peet’s Coffee in Half Moon Bay, Abundance Salon, or a 20% off coupon to Go Figure Plus Size Shop for Women, or a yoga class at Community Church in Pescadero, and two hours of computer troubleshooting by Dave Quick (IT gift is for Coastside communities).

$100 – Two KPDO Bumper Stickers, two KPDO Laser-Engraved Keychains, one gift certificate to either Harbor Bay Books, Coastside Books, Peet’s Coffee in Half Moon Bay, Abundance Salon, or a 20% off coupon to Go Figure Plus Size Shop for Women, and one family history transcribed by Coastside Writer for Hire.

$500 – Four KPDO Bumper Stickers, two KPDO Laser-Engraved Keychains, one gift certificate to either Harbor Bay Books, Coastside Books, Peet’s Coffee in Half Moon Bay, Abundance Salon, or a 20% off coupon to Go Figure Plus Size Shop for Women, and one handmade journal created by local artist Laura McHugh.

$1,000+ – Four KPDO Bumper Stickers, four KPDO Laser-Engraved Keychains, one gift certificate to either Harbor Bay Books, Coastside Books, Peet’s Coffee, Abundance Salon, or a 20% off coupon to Go Figure Plus Size Shop for Women, a goat ranch tour at Dee Harley’s Ranch, an investment review and consultation from Mark Zaifman (valued at $1,000), two hours on the air, and the undying love of the KPDO volunteers!

KPDO thanks our generous donors Courtney Woodrow, Dee Harley, Laura McHugh, Coastside Books, Abundance Salon, Go Figure, Mark Zaifman, Peet’s Coffee in Half Moon Bay, Haig Precision Mfg. Corp., Harbor Bay Books, Dave Quick, Fogline Nursery, and Coastside Writer for Hire

Thank you for your continuing support! You've made KPDO a wonderful community resource!

Sincerely,

Shannon Bowman-Sarkisian
Coastside Writer for Hire
P.O. Box 659
Pescadero, CA 94060
Cell Phone: (650) 339-6040
Email: sbsarkisian@gmail.com
http://coastsidewriterforhire.blogspot.com

Get Your SLOWCOAST Gift Box!

Order your SLOWCOAST Gift Box!

Large SLOWCOAST Gift Box $100

Boony Doon Farm Lavender Honey
Swanton Berry Farm Strawberry Jam
One Pound Alta Organic Coffee
Bottle of Beauregard Vineyards Lost Weekend Wine
SLOWCOAST Organic Cotton T-shirt
Fish Princess Farm Goatmilk Soap
Bonny Doon Farms Salve
Slow Money Book, by Woody Tasch
Five SLOWCOAST Paper Stickers
Original Gift Cards by SLOWCOAST Artists, Mary Jo Koch + Erika Perloff
Sturdy SLOWCOAST Wood Fire-Branded Box


Medium SLOWCOAST Gift Box $75

Boony Doon Farm Lavender Honey
Swanton Berry Farm Strawberry Jam
One Pound Alta Organic Coffee
SLOWCOAST Organic Cotton T-shirt
Fish Princess Farm Goatmilk Soap
Bonny Doon Farms Salve
Five SLOWCOAST Paper Stickers 
Original Gift Cards by SLOWCOAST Artists, Mary Jo Koch + Erika Perloff
Sturdy SLOWCOAST Wood Fire-Branded Box 

Email theslowcoast@gmail.com now to place your order!

La Nostra Costa (Our Coast) Days

La Nostra Costa (Our Coast) Days Revival Sunday, Oct 17 1:00p to 4:00pm at Swanton Berry Farm, Davenport, CA 

Ivano Franco Comelli, author of "La Nostra Costa" ‎(Our Coast) will recreate historical events (thru stories and songs) as they might have happened on the SLOWCOAST (1923-1983). 

Come join us for a fun afternoon of food, music and "tall tales of old" 

Price: Voluntary Donations Only 

Phone: (831) 469-8804 

Age Suitability: All Ages

Open Studios SLOWCOAST Artists

SLOWCOAST artist Erica Perloff
Please join me for the annual Open Studios Art Tour in Santa Cruz. My studio on the west side of Santa Cruz will be open from 10-5 each day on the weekends of October 9-10 and 16-17. For information on the other artists in the tour, please visit www.ccscc.com

Bridgette Henry Open Studios

SLOWCOAST artist Bridget Henry
Woodblock Prints of Bridget Henry If you are interested in coming by I will be in Open Studios Santa Cruz Oct 9, 10, 16 and 17th from 10-5. 5221 Coast Rd Santa Cruz CA, follow the green signs (ignore the yellow bricks this time

Coatanoa Activities

Pumpkin Carving Extravaganza
Saturday October 16th, 11-2pm
Embrace you inner Great Pumpkin and take your best stab at local squash.  Open to all ages.  Bring your own Pumpkin from nearby local farms or pick one from our collection.
Pumpkin Prices: Large: $7, Medium: $5, and Small: $2
Also enjoy Face painting, Apple Bobbing and Donut Land Shark Attack games.


Pumpkin Carving Extravaganza
Saturday October 23rd, 11-2pm
Embrace you inner Great Pumpkin and take your best stab at local squash.  Open to all ages.  Bring your own Pumpkin from nearby local farms or pick one from our collection.
Pumpkin Prices: Large: $7, Medium: $5, and Small: $2
Also enjoy Face painting, Apple Bobbing and Donut Land Shark Attack games.

Live Bat Presentation with Monique Lee
Saturday October 30th, 8pm
Monique Lee of the Bat Conservation Fund will be here to share some of the amazing facts about the lives of Bats. In addition to an informative visual presentation, she will showcase several live specimens.  The presentation will be followed by twilight Bat Hike.

Davenport Gallery Open Studios

Freewheelin Farm Harvest Party

Freewheelin Farm Harvest Party
Sunday October 24th
Noon Till Sunset
Local Art, Live Music, Organic Brew, Dancing, Farm Tours
Fancy Pizza, Ocean Views and Farm Tours
For more info: 831.588.1377
www.freewheelinfarm.com

SLOWCOAST music at Davenport Roadhouse

9/4- Kinsley Hill (Blues, Rock)
9/7- Steve Gray (Jazz)
9/11- Ben Cole (Jazz)
9/14- The Sherry Austin Band (Americana)
9/18- Carolyn Sills (Jazz and Blues)
9/21- Mondo Blue (Blues)
9/25- Blah Blah Woof Woof (Folk)
9/28- The Sherry Austin Band (Americana)

SLOWCOAST music at Davenport Roadhouse

8/24- Sherry Austin Band (Americana)
8/28- Ben Cole (Jazz)
8/31- Patrick Cooper (Rock)

SLOWCOAST events at Costanoa Resort

September

Live Music at the Pine Tent with Geoff and Ed 

Saturday September 4th, 4pm 

Storytelling with Gary Luttringer 
Saturday September 11th, 8pm 
Come get acquainted with Master Story-teller, Gary Luttringer.  Hear stories handed down through the ages by Native American Indians, tall-tales from the American West, plus a few rollicking stories fresh from Gary's own imagination!  It promises to be an hour full of fun for every member of the family - from 3 to 103, there's something for everyone.  Show your children what folks did "in the old days" before T.V., while introducing them to a whole new world of story telling.


Live Music at Cascade Restaurant with William Grabow 
Sunday September 5th, 6pm 


Live Bat Presentation with Monique Lee 
Saturday September 18th, 8pm 
Monique Lee of the Bat Conservation Fund will be here to share some of the amazing facts about the lives of Bats. In addition to an informative visual presentation, she will showcase several live specimens.  The presentation will be followed by twilight Bat Hike.


Bird watching with Scott Smithson 
Sunday September 19th, 8am 
Meet local Ornithologist Scott Smithson for an exploration of nearby Creeks and Foothills. The area surrounding Costanoa is home to over half of the bird species in North America!



J. Oscar Allan
Activities and Health and Wellness Manager
Costanoa Lodge & Camp
2001 Rossi Rd.
Pescadero CA, 94060
650.879.2136 x7312

SLOWCOAST events at Costanoa Resort

August
Naked Eye Stargazing
Saturday August 25th, 9pm
Meet NASA Ames Researcher “Cosmic” Joe Jordan in front of the Ranch House for Full Moon Discussion of everything under the stars. Dress Warm and bring a flashlight.

Live Music at the Pine Tent with Al Frisby
Saturday August 28th, 4pm

Live Bat Presentation with Monique Lee
Saturday August 28th, 8pm
Monique Lee of the Bat Conservation Fund will be here to share some of the amazing facts about the lives of Bats. In addition to an informative visual presentation, she will showcase several live specimens.  The presentation will be followed by twilight Bat Hike.

Joel Magen's Dark Horse Pottery 6th Annual Pottery Sale

6th Annual Mid- Summer's Eve
Pottery Sale

Saturday August 7th and Sunday August 8th

2pm - 8 pm

#1 Third Avenue ( New Town ) Davenport

The SLOWCOAST Store is Open for Business!

The SLOWCOAST Store, housed in a refurbished 1954 Airstream trailer is open for business at The Swanton Berry Farm on highway 1 just north of Davenport.

The store will be open all summer, on weekends, and will have all kinds of local SLOWCOAST goodies, art, things you need and some surprises.  Stop in if you're passing by and say hi.

Practice the art of slow money...every dollar spent at the SLOWCOAST store, stays on the SLOWCOAST, making our community stronger.

Davenport Community News

(thanks to Noel Garin Bock!)


HWY 1 CLOSURE MAY 18TH 1:30 - 3:30 DUE TO AMGEN BIKE RACE

Remember to plan your day around the rolling closures and ensuing traffic delays on Tuesday, May 18th.

CEMEX UPDATE FOR COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:

For an update on some of the questions Supervisor Coonerty asked in his Board letter a few months ago after Cemex closed, please see Item # 17 on the May 18th Board of Supervisor’s Agenda: HERE

If you have any questions regarding Cemex closure issues, please let me know before Tuesday and I will forward them on to Rachel Dann in Neal Coonerty’s office or you can contact his office directly at 454-2200.

WATER RATES FINAL HEARING AT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MAY 25TH:

The preliminary Davenport Sanitation Water and Sewer Rate Hike hearing was on May 5th. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE DAVENPORT COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT will have a public hearing to consider proposed ordinances amending District Code establishing 2010-2011 water and sewer service charges on Tuesday, May 25th at the Governmental Center Building 
701 Ocean Street, Room 525, Santa Cruz.

PACIFIC SCHOOL MAY STUDENT ART SHOW AND FUNDRAISER:

“Come to the Davenport Gallery to be dazzled by our young creative talent from Pacific School and nearby.  We are selling quality reproductions of the kid’s wonderful work for $25 as a fundraiser for our public school here in Davenport. Come meet the artists and join the fun through the month of May.  The artists’ reception is May 22nd from 2-4pm.  Hope to see you there! Gallery hours are Wednesdays through Sundays 11 am to 5 pm.  As always, respect our neighbors and follow the  "gallery parking” signs to designated parking areas. If you are planning a meal at the Roadhouse phone 831-423-8801”

--- Roger Knapp, The Davenport Gallery

COAST PATROLS & JULY 4TH UPDATE:

After meeting with the Sheriff and Rachel Dann from Neal Coonerty’s office, it was decided that the sheriff’s deputies would come to Davenport later and stay later on the 4th of July. Their “Command Post” trailer will be moved to the Volunteer Fire House and there will be law enforcement looking for illegal fireworks etc. all weekend. In addition, the sheriff’s deputies that are assigned to patrol schools, will be reassigned patrol the beach areas after June 9th, when schools close for the summer until the end of August, when schools resume.

Last 7/4, neighbors brought potluck over to the Volunteer Fire House to thank the emergency responders & law enforcement. Does anyone want to organize?

OLD DAVENPORT JAIL GETS A FACELIFT:

“ E Clampus Vitas, a group of men interested in preserving California history, have volunteered their construction skills to repair some of the crumbling walls of the jail.  Residents of Davenport may see these burly red shirted men, also known as "Clampers" around town for the next few weeks continuing their work stabilizing the 100 year old jail.

Museum of Art and History volunteers, Bonny Doon Resident, Bob Piwarzyk and former Davenport Resident, Alverda Orlando, plan to open the jail the first Sunday of each month from June 6th to October 3, 2010.  Other volunteers will be working on repairing and refreshing the history panels.

This tiny Mission Revival style jail was built in 1914 with material donated by the Santa Cruz Portland Cement Company (now Cemex). The walls are eight inches thick and the window bars are half-inch steel.  The jail was never used extensively and one time was sold as a private residence. The property is now owned by the Museum of Art and History in Santa Cruz. The jail building is one of the very few Mission Revival style buildings in the North Coast area. It is significant in the history of Davenport and as one of the best examples of Mission Revival architecture in the Coastal region.For more information call Alverda Orlando 475-0808 or Paul Figurora at the Museum of Art and History 429-1964 ext 18.” ---- Alverda Orlando

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ELECTION - 3RD DISTRICT

On June 8th, remember to vote for in the Supervisor’s race in our district. Candidates are incumbent Supervisor Neal Coonerty and his two challengers, architect Cove Britton and realtor Doug Deitch. Here is their contact information and websites:
Nealcoonertyforsupervisor.com, 427-1883, Votecove.com, 425-0544   http://207.111.238.178/, 476-7662

SLOWCOAST school lunch program is a slow food model

Pacific Elementary School lunch program lands in documentary

By Megha Satyanarayana

Posted: 05/11/2010 01:30:41 AM PDT

Click photo to enlarge

Pacific Elementary students spend time in the school's life lab, where... (Shmuel Thaler/Sentinel)

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DAVENPORT -- A trio of Bay Area journalists documenting the changing food industry is hoping to use a school lunch program in Davenport to examine nutrition and obesity in the nation's youth.

A couple of weeks ago, a film crew from the nascent documentary series Food Forward descended on tiny Pacific Elementary School, where every day teams of fifth- and sixth-graders cook meals from scratch for about 100 students and staff. The Food Lab students wield knives the length of their forearms to slice, dice and chop their way to lunches as varied as scrambled eggs and potatoes to chicken with tzatziki-lemon sauce.

Slow Coast Killer Whales

Carl Safina describes the killer whales along the Slow Coast in his blog entry, The Killers of the Davenport Hills.  HERE

Orlando Zavala farmer on the Slow Coast

Ladybug Farm – I am happy to introduce you to Orlando Zavala, owner of Ladybug Farm and parent with a child attending Pescadero Middle School. 


New to Pescadero, but known along the coast (Santa Cruz), Orlando is farming the rich fields behind Phipps strawberry fields, along Pescadero Creek. 


He grows a variety of vegetables and some fruit, including carrots, swiss chard, spinach, cabbage, peppers, cranberry beans, berries, and tomatoes. Orlando is also a Certified California Organic Farmer (CCOF) and plans to expand his farming to 50 acres off of Highway 84. 


You can find his produce at the Half Moon Bay Farmer’s Market, Pescadero Country Store, Norm’s, and New Leaf Market. 


The School District has signed him up as a supplier of fresh produce for the School Meal Program. 


You can also call him directly for a produce pickup at 650-919-4979.

Blue House Farm Open House May 1st

Bonny Doon Challenge

The Bonny Doon Challenge will include the Swanton Loop and Bonny Doon on the Slow Coast.
For more information click HERE

Greg Brown: Your Town Now

Listen HERE


I used to go out quite a lot,
chase to chase and shot to shot.
I'm all done with that somehow,
and it's your town now.

These days the mighty eagle sings,
of money and material things,
and the almighty Dow,
and it's your town now,
your town now,
it's--

From the mountains to the plains
all the towns are wrapped in chains,
and the little that the law allows,
and it's your town now,
it's your town now,
it's--

Where are the young bands gonna play?
Where're the old beatniks gonna stay,
and not before some corporation bow?
and it's your town now,
it's your town now,
it's--

So be careful everyone,
Cops can get careless with their guns.
And then they slip off somehow,
and it's your town now,
it's your town now,
it's--

You young ones it's up to you
to fight the fight and I hope you do,
Oh I see in your eyes that you know how
and it's your town now
your town now.

Don't let 'em take the whole damn deal,
Don't give up on what you really feel.
Ah, the small and local must survive somehow,
if it's gonna be your town now.
Is it gonna be your town now?
Is it gonna be your town now?
Is it gonna be?

Slow Coast Farmers Market at the Costanoa Ranch House on April 25th

Slow Coast Farmers Market at the Costanoa Ranch House 

Sunday April 25th, 10am 

Enjoy Slow Coast Produce and Treats from Harley Farms, Swanton Berry Farms, Freewheeling Farms, Pie Ranch and the Farm at Costanoa.

Slow Coast wine tasting at Costanoa on April 24th

Biodynamic wine tasting with Bonny Doon Vineyard, Thomas Fogerty and Bliss Winery at Costanoa

Saturday April 24th, 5-7pm 

Join us in Cascade restaurant loft for a fun and informative evening of wine tasting and hear from the source the values of biodynamic wine production. An array of earth friendly appetizers will round out this festive event. 

Tickets are $25.

Live Music with Keith Greeninger and Dayan Kai at Costanoa on April 23rd

Live Music with Keith Greeninger and Dayan Kai at Costanoa

Friday April 23rd, 8pm 

Enjoy the %100 Organic Local Groove of Keith Greeninger and Dayan Kai in Cascade Restaurant.  Keith Greeninger is a seasoned troubadour, award-winning songwriter, and unforgettable performer.  As a solo artist, and with his band, he has toured the national Folk and Americana circuit extensively for the last decade and a half. His masterfully crafted songs and warm distinctive vocals have earned him the top songwriting awards at the Telluride Blue Grass Festival, The Kerrville Folk Festival and The Napa Valley Folk Festival.

Dayan Kai is a true musical force of nature. Born without sight he began playing classical piano at the age of two and has since gone on to play a diverse array of musical instruments. With a harmony voice most angels would trade their wings in for, Kai moves fluidly between strings, k keys, winds and skins creating a rich musical backdrop for Greeninger’s expansive songwriting.

Together these two artist create a rich and soulful sound that has moved audiences all over the country and has made them a favorite at venues and festivals through out the US and Canada

Contact the Costanoa Activities Department at (650) 879-7312 for Reservations.  Tickets are available for purchase by reservation only. Tickets are $20 per person. Doors open at 6pm. 

Acoustic Singer Songwriter Meet and Greet with Keith Greeninger and Dylan Kai in Cascade Loft 

Saturday April 24th, 10am 

Meet the artists for songwriting discussion in before they head back out on the road.  Contact the Costanoa Activities Department at (650) 879-7312 for Reservations.

Doniga Markegard, wildlife tracker

Step into the world of Doniga Markegard, a Slow Coast resident, who relies on her carefully honed listening skills to tune into nature’s subtle clues.

Listen and watch her HERE

capradero | a lot of goats

an open-air installation & performing arts, celebrating rural beauty
Stage Road, Downtown Pescadero
Open hours — Fridays & Saturdays 11:00 to 6:00, Sundays 10:00 to 4:00

Children's activities and family fun.

No food or drinks available for sale; good restaurants and deli within walking distance.

SC Sentinel on Our Slow Coast

In recent months, residents from just above Santa Cruz to just below Half Moon Bay and up to Highway 35 have been hatching a plan to move on after losing Cemex's cement plant, their largest employer. Along with building community and finding ways to support each other in tough times, many also hope to trade on the area's wild beauty.

They've dubbed their enclave the "Slow Coast": a place where harried city dwellers can relax, eat local foods and shop for crafts.

The fledgling group began crafting its plans during two recent potlucks. Members built a Web site and ordered stickers. Slow Coast Cash, like gift certificates to participating local businesses, is tentatively in the works. And that's just the beginning, supporters say.

"This is the greatest place in the world to slow down," said Patti Spooner, owner and roaster of Alta Organic Coffee and Tea Co. in Davenport. Spooner said she barters coffee for eggs, computer repair work and a host of other items from fellow Slow Coasters, some of whom she met at the recent potluck dinners.

Read More HERE

One Month on the Slow Coast

Join fellow SlowCoasters in One Month on the Slow Coast, July 2010.

We will endeavor to meet all of our household needs from our friends and neighbors on the Slow Coast.

Add your ideas, comments and food/drink/goods to the living document HERE or email you additions to theslowcoast@gmail.com

Plan to make some special goodies, from locally grown ingredients during the month of July!

Second SlowCoast Potluck Notes, by June

People.  Family.  Friends.  Children.

Our Coast.  Our Slow Coast.

Together enjoying life.

Slowing down.

Colorful food.

Sunshine.

And rainy days.

"Not quite Santa Cruz" to "not quite Half Moon Bay".

Somewhere in between.  Or far away.

An idea.

A lifestyle of taking it all in...

Second Slow Coast Potluck at Swanton Berry Farm

When: April 1st, 2010 5:30pm
Where: Swanton Berrry Farm, on the SlowCoast, CA
Who: You + your food
What: A Slow Coast Potluck, which means bring some good local(ish) food, and there will be some slow, live music
Why: Because we had so much fun last time and have some Slow Coast ideas to chat about, and some stuff to give you, and because it's spring again

Please RSVP to Dana Nichols at <theslowcoast@gmail.com> or 831.252.0338 and let her know what you can bring and how many folks you are.

If you have a fav plate, cup, napkin, fork please bring it along.

See you soon + take it slow.

Slow Coast Logo

Thanks to Don Faia of MythMaker for working with us on the new Slow Coast design (above).  You'll see it soon in all fine Slow Coast shops on groovy organic cotton t-shirts, recycled cotton bags and recycled paper stickers.  If you want one, drop us a line at theslowcoast@gmail.com

In Slow We Trust

Slow Coast gets slower: Cemex announces it is shutting its Davenport plant

By Kurtis Alexander - Santa Cruz Sentinel

DAVENPORT - One of the county's oldest businesses and a momentous chapter in the region's economic history closed Friday.

Manufacturing giant Cemex announced that its Santa Cruz County cement plant, opened in 1906 to help build a state hungry for growth and responsible for such construction feats as the Golden Gate Bridge and California Aqueduct, would cease operation.

Cemex officials had closed the facility temporarily last year, citing the weak economy, but only on Friday did they completely surrender to it.

"It's a business decision, but it's a tough one," said Cemex spokeswoman Jennifer Borgen. "We've been in this community for over a century. It's a sad day."

The announcement comes just before release of the Mexico-based company's fourth-quarter earnings report, which analysts expect will show disappointing losses for the international heavyweight. Borgen didn't tie Friday's closure to the financial forecast, but acknowledged the company's recent money problems as the driver.

"I don't think it's any secret about the economy and what the industry is going through now," she said.

The Davenport plant, with its tower and stacks defining the North Coast skyline, employed roughly 120 people. Most of those employees had been out of work since the factory suspended operations in March, but many had not expected the closure to become permanent.

"The news was a bombshell," said Manuel Rodriguez, who worked for 10 years at the plant, where he drove a water truck. "I'm wondering what the hell I'm going to do now. I've got a mortgage to pay. I'm 50 years old, going on 51, and there's no jobs out there."

Read more HERE

Very strong storms coming for the Slow Coast, be prepared!

HYDROLOGIC OUTLOOK CAC001-013-041-053-055-069-075-081-085-087-097-162300- HYDROLOGIC OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA CA 305 PM PST FRI JAN 15 2010 ...

EXCESSIVE RAINFALL MAY TRIGGER FLOODING NEXT WEEK... A POWERFUL STORM TRACK IS SETTING UP THE POTENTIAL FOR A SERIES OF HEAVY RAIN AND DAMAGING WIND EVENTS ACROSS CENTRAL CALIFORNIA NEXT WEEK. BY THE END OF THE UPCOMING WEEK SOME COASTAL RANGE LOCATIONS MAY TALLY UPWARDS OF 15 INCHES OF RAIN WITH 4 TO 8 INCHES COMMON ELSEWHERE. AS THE FIRST AND WEAKEST SYSTEM MOVES THROUGH...

ONLY LIGHTER RAIN IS EXPECTED FROM SATURDAY INTO THE MID MORNING HOURS ON SUNDAY WITH RAINFALL TOTALS LIKELY A HALF INCH OR LESS. THE RAIN IS FORECAST TO INTENSIFY DURING THE DAY SUNDAY...INITIALLY ACROSS THE NORTH BAY AND THEN EXTEND SOUTHWARD. BY DAYBREAK ON MONDAY RAINFALL TOTALS ARE EXPECTED IN THE 1 TO 2 INCH RANGE WITH 3 INCHES A POSSIBILITY OVER THE COASTAL RANGES. THROUGH THIS TIME PERIOD THERE ARE NO CRITICAL HYDROLOGICAL CONCERNS OTHER THAN NUISANCE AND LOCALIZED FLOODING ON ROADWAYS AND LOW LYING AREAS. MANY SMALLER STREAMS SHOULD START TO SHOW AN AMPLE RESPONSE TO THE RAINS BUT NO MAJOR FLOODING IS EXPECTED THROUGH MONDAY. 

THE NEXT SYSTEM BRINGS HEAVY RAIN POTENTIAL ON MONDAY AND MONDAY EVENING WITH AN ADDITIONAL 1 TO 3 INCHES OF RAIN FORECAST. OF NOTE BY MONDAY NIGHT...FOR THE MOST PART SOILS SHOULD BE NEAR SATURATION AND ADDITIONAL RAIN COULD RESULT IN RAPID AND SUBSTANTIAL RISES ON LOCAL STREAMS. 

AFTER A BRIEF BREAK MONDAY NIGHT THE RAIN PICKS UP AGAIN ON TUESDAY THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING...THIS TIME A SLIGHTLY STRONGER SYSTEM. AN ADDITIONAL 1 TO 3 INCHES BY TUESDAY EVENING IS EXPECTED WITH 4 INCHES NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION. MOST IMPORTANTLY...

TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY IS WHEN HYDROLOGICAL CONCERNS BECOME THE MOST SERIOUS AND FLASH FLOODING ON MANY SMALLER STREAMS COULD BECOME A REALITY. BY THIS POINT THOUGH...THE MAIN STEM RIVERS SHOULD ALL STILL BE WELL WITHIN THEIR BANKS. AFTER ANOTHER BRIEF BREAK TUESDAY NIGHT THE RAIN PICKS UP AGAIN ON WEDNESDAY WITH THE MOST SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL POTENTIAL STORM OF THE WEEK. THIS LARGER SCALE TROUGH IS FORECAST TO PERSIST OFF THE CALIFORNIA COAST UNTIL WELL INTO FRIDAY BEFORE HEADING INLAND. THIS COULD MEAN SEVERAL WAVES OF MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN ACROSS CENTRAL CALIFORNIA DURING THAT TIME.

 RAINFALL TOTALS FOR WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY COULD EASILY REACH AN ADDITIONAL 3 TO 6 INCHES. THE WORST OF IT WOULD CONTINUE TO BE EXPECTED AROUND THE COASTAL RANGES. THIS HYDROLOGIC OUTLOOK IS INTENDED TO UNDERSCORE A HAZARDOUS FLOOD SCENARIO THAT APPEARS TO BE DEVELOPING. ALTHOUGH NOT COMPLETELY CERTAIN AT THIS TIME WHAT LEVEL OF SEVERITY THIS WEEKS EVENTS WILL REACH...AT A MINIMUM CONFIDENCE IS HIGH THAT IT WILL BE SIGNIFICANT.

 EVERYONE NEEDS TO SERIOUSLY PLAN FOR THEIR WEEK AHEAD. THIS IS THE STRONGEST STORM OF THE WINTER SO FAR AND IF YOU COMBINE THE RAIN POTENTIAL WITH THE VERY STRONG WINDS THAT MAY DEVELOP...CONDITIONS WOULD LIKELY BECOME SEVERE. PEOPLE LIVING NEAR RIVERS AND STREAMS OR OTHER FLOOD PRONE AREAS SHOULD BE ALERT FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF FLOODING...PARTICULARLY OVER THE LAST HALF OF THE WEEK AHEAD. REMEMBER...IT TAKES AS LITTLE AS ONLY 1 FOOT OF MOVING WATER TO SWEEP AWAY A VEHICLE. 

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR FAVORITE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION. CHECK THE NWS WEBSITE AT WEATHER.GOV/SANFRANCISCO. THIS HYDROLOGIC OUTLOOK WILL BE UPDATED BY 3 PM SATURDAY AFTERNOON.  - weather.msn.com/local.aspx?wealocations=wc:USCA1020&q=Santa+Cruz%2c+CA

An Essay by Slow Coast resident Scott Stephens

Scott Stephens sent us this great essay, entitled "Living on the North Coast".  It reflects his love of this place and his interest in its history, as well as his new friendships and deepening set of skills acquired by "just doing it".  Thank you Scott.

Read the essay at the link below:

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

Slow Coast lodging: Pescadero Creekside Barn

Lodging for two in a turn of the century barn loft.   Total privacy "up in the tree tops". What some of their wayfarers have to say! “As we climbed the stairs and opened the doors, we had no idea what to expect… we slept on a cloud all weekend”. “ We are wondering if, and hoping you will be here 10, 20, 30 and 40 years down the line so we can celebrate each wedding anniversary in this place”. “A place of rest and relaxation in a quiet coast side hamlet.  A launch pad for day trips… a nap in the sun, a hot bath (or two or three), a picnic lunch on the patio…”. “Sixty miles on a bike up devil’s slide, fog, misty rain…where to stay?…Thanks for the great bed and wonderful bath…”. “It is a cold summer season and I came here with my daughter on our annual trip.  We played and made dinner and had fun enjoying the barn”. “Thy name is tranquility”.  This is our third visit during the last six months.  This says it all!!! “…Cozy, romantic… my wine tastes better here… and it’s restful”. “The barn door is open… the bird song a symphony, the sun shining through every glass orifice and I and so relaxed”. “If Duarte’s hadn’t been two doors down, we never would have walked out the door our entire stay”. Cotton and Rob Skinner Barnkeepers

Slow pie at the Pie Ranch on the Slow Coast

Apple pie made from wheat and apples grown on the Slow Coast.  It really doesn't get any better!

We even milled the flour at the Pie Ranch barn right before we baked the pie!

Slow Coast Geology talk at RBDA mtg, Jan 12th @ Bonny Doon School

Climbing Through Time

The coastal terraces that march up from the Pacific to Empire Grade tell the story of eons of natural changes that have occurred in Bonny Doon. Geologists consider them a world class research site.

That story will be recounted by geologist Marjorie Schulz, who has been part of a U.S. Geological Survey research team that has been studying the soils on the marine terraces in Wilder Ranch State Park and on nearby private land, at the RBDA Annual meeting January 12. (NOTE: This is a *Tuesday*, not a Wednesday as is usual for our meetings, because of our speaker’s schedule.)

Ms. Schulz and her USGS scientific team use the different ages of the terraces to study mineral weathering on a geologic time scale. Along the way they have discovered remarkable things, says Ms. Schulz, who will talk about the geologic formation of the terraces and what the soils forming on them reveal.

Ms. Schulz, who goes by “Jorie,” has been working at the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park for more than 20 years. She began in the Branch of Marine Geology, where she studied deep sea manganese oxide deposits, then transferred to her current position in Water Resources Discipline and now collaborates with geochemists and soil scientists studying water-rock interaction. This group has been studying the soils of the Santa Cruz area marine terraces for the last 10 years.

Her talk is called “Marine Terraces of the Santa Cruz Area: A Staircase Through Time,” and we feel we are on a very firm foundation when we say that if you have any interest in the natural history of the Slow Coast, you will find it fascinating.