SLOWCOAST.org

EcoMind Event November 11th, 2011

2011-10-03T13:16:00.000-07:00

Mid- Summer's Eve Pottery Sale

2011-07-23T15:31:00.000-07:00

7th Annual Mid Summer's Eve Pottery Sale
July 30th and July 31st
2pm - 8pm
#1 Third Avenue, Davenport CA 831.425.5686

SLOWCOAST ART

2011-07-07T11:06:00.000-07:00

Davenport Gallery presents Art of Photography Artists reception, This Saturday July 9th from 4-7 pm. Please come meet the artists and learn more about their techniques and inspirations.

Art of Photography includes fantastic work by:

Sandra Frank - large scale prints
James Collum - large format black and white landscapes
Ted Orland - photo collage and hand colored work
M. Sophia Santiago - figures in nature
William Clark - photo-collage
Susan Hillyard - birds in flight
Geoffery Nelson - hand painted photos
Virginia Sajan - retro prints from the early 70's
Nori Dolan - local landscapes
Dean Price - silver gelatin prints
Larry Harden - prints and sequences from the road
Beth Ross - digital mirror and mandala
Margret Murray - texture and color studies
Ed Dickie - moody light and landscapes
Larry Selman - amazing birds

Also, be sure to check out our new historical exhibit that helps tell the story of Davenport and its place in the history of Santa Cruz county. We recommend staying for a meal at The Davenport Roadhouse. Call 831-426-8801 to reserve a table.
The show runs through July 31st. The August show is Cash/Clash/Culture exploring money, value and cultural exchanges. We hope to see you soon,

All of us at The Davenport Gallery www.davenportgallery.org

Screening of " Economics of Happiness" March 18th * Rio Theatre*

2011-03-01T14:27:00.000-08:00

SLOWLOVE Valentine's Gift Box

2011-01-11T20:09:00.000-08:00

SLOWCOAST branding irons for gift boxes

2010-12-12T19:45:00.000-08:00

SLOWCOAST Organic Handmade Local Gift Boxes

2010-12-02T09:26:00.001-08:00

Please support SLOWCOAST community radio KPDO

2010-12-02T08:49:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-11-22T15:25:00.000-08:00

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

2010-10-17T11:32:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-09T14:57:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-09T14:52:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-09T14:34:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-10-09T14:31:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-09T14:12:00.001-07:00

Freewheelin Farm Harvest Party

2010-10-09T14:09:00.001-07:00

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

2010-09-04T11:48:00.001-07:00

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

2010-08-23T14:28:00.000-07:00

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

SLOWCOAST events at Costanoa Resort

2010-08-23T14:16:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-23T14:09:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-01T14:20:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-07-01T00:37:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-16T11:06:00.000-07:00

(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

2010-05-12T08:42:00.000-07:00

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)

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

2010-05-01T21:04:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-28T09:06:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-27T18:11:00.000-07:00

Bonny Doon Challenge

2010-04-26T09:28:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-25T09:33:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-18T22:37:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-18T22:34:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-18T22:32:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-18T22:26:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-13T22:40:00.001-07:00

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

2010-04-11T09:58:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-03T09:53:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-02T18:54:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-21T11:28:00.000-07:00

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

2010-01-23T00:07:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-22T03:01:00.000-08:00

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."

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

2010-01-16T11:09:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-06T22:45:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-04T22:44:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-04T22:24:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-01T12:40:00.000-08:00

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.

Winter Solstice on the Slow Coast

2009-12-20T07:43:00.003-08:00

Winter Solstice 2009 from Wallace J. Nichols on Vimeo.

Annual Winter Solstice Party at the Rowley's on California's SLow Coast, with Jay Salter on bagpipes

In Slow We Trust

2009-12-18T22:45:00.000-08:00

by EZRA KOCH, Good Times Weekly

A walk with Dr. Wallace J. Nichols illuminates the Slow Coast Movement, the ‘long now’ and what's really in a name

We all know the area. That long stretch of Highway 1 that weaves along the cliffs, between hills, forests and farmland beginning just north of Santa Cruz at Wilder Ranch and ending south of Half Moon Bay just past San Gregorio. It's a region of undeniable beauty and tangible calm. A place where time seems to move a little slower, perhaps on an older more natural cycle. A certain Dr. Wallace 'J' Nichols, his partner Dana Nichols and other like-minded people in the area are working on keeping it that way.

"We're lucky here," says Nichols, walking in the crisp morning air along Swanton Road with his black and white Newfoundland, Fisher. "This isn't about rebuilding something, it's about hanging onto it."

A large part of the Slow Coast movement is simply to give a name to an area that people (both residents and passers-through) have come to cherish.

"When you name things, it gives them status and stature in human society," says Wallace. "When you give it a name it's a something. If it goes unnamed it in a way is invisible ... This is a very special stretch of coast and region of the world and its name is not well established, not really clear."

The stretch of coast and surrounding farmlands and preserves is known as the North Coast to Santa Cruzans and as part of the Central Coast to most everyone else. Nichols and others believe the name “the Slow Coast” could serve to define and unite the area geographically as well as ideologically.

"I think the name can [add] more identity to it," says Dana. "Our hope is that we'll put a little light on these beautiful places and have people enjoy, care for, and recognize it the way that we do."

So why the Slow Coast? There is a broader slow movement afoot (perhaps encapsulated best in Carl Honore's book "In Praise of Slowness"), Wallace explains, between pointing out houses along Swanton and telling with endearing pride what the people who live within them do. A certain way of taking one's time, using handcrafted and hand-grown goods and being involved in the local community. "It's not a new idea," he says. "It's the way things are done in lots of places still and the way things were done most places not too long ago."

Wallace was careful to express that the Slow Coast movement isn't an attempt to change or shape the region in any way.

"It's not 'we discovered this slow movement let's become a part of it.' I think this area is sort of the epitome of it, it's not trying to become it, it's just trying to stay it. It's not about slowing things down here," he jokes, gesturing to the tranquil empty road, "as you can see!"

The region the Slow Coast could come to represent is known throughout the state, if not the world, for its organic farming methods and sustainable ranching and forestry practices. It's home to many already revered stops, such as Swanton Berry Farm and the Pie Ranch, known for their uniqueness and character second only to the quality of their goods.

"Well, I think it's great," says Jim Cochran, owner of Swanton Berry Farm of the Slow Coast idea. "It really sort of captures the way a lot of us feel about the coast. Most everybody who lives along here has a real sense of protectiveness about what it is that we have here."

Cochran, who began Swanton Berry Farms as the first organic strawberry producer in the state more than 25 years ago, and Wallace converse in the rustic honor-til system shop, parts of their conversation bespeaking the connectedness of the community perhaps more than their outright statements. ("You know Mike, the fish guy?" "Yeah, from up on?" "Yeah.")

Cochran is optimistic about the future as the Slow Coast. "You have to look around at all it is that we could do,” he says. “Let’s think about how we could do a little more work together."

Indeed, another big part of the Slow Coast movement that could facilitate people working together more is the idea of having a local currency in the area. So far the idea is in its beginning phases but the Nichols have begun talking with friend-of- many-friends Christopher Lindstrom, a local-currencies theorist who has worked on many different local currencies including the successful Ithaca Hour.

"Organic farmers, because of competition, undervalue their products," says Dana. "Part of what alternative currencies really help protect is the value of what people produce. You're not dealing with dollar value, you're sort of thinking about the items and hours it took to make and produce something."

Wallace gives an even more empirical take on the subject: "You can go to Safeway and get a pie for $4.99 and save a lot of money. It's got a whole bunch of calories, tastes pretty good. Not that good but it'll do. So people need to slow down and think 'well why is that one worth $20 and that one worth five?' And I think having that local currency is sort of like an ambassador to that idea in the form of a piece of paper."

Leaving Swanton Berry Farm to continue the trek along the coast, Wallace admits he feels slightly hesitant about being labeled as spokesman for the Slow Coast movement. He does live in the area (though for "eight years, only" in his words) with Dana and their two daughters and did come up with the name for the region quite appropriately on a four day walk up the coast to San Francisco, but remains sensitive to those he regards as his seniors in the area.

"It was interesting to think about how to present this idea to a group of people who are working on the Slow Coast, farming everyday—they are what makes this a special place—and not come across as an outsider,” he says. “It's like 'you guys know way more [about] what you're doing than I do, and here's what I think we can offer to the mix'."

What Wallace modestly offers are undergrad degrees in biology and Spanish, a master's in natural resource economics, and a doctorate degree in evolutionary biology. He travels much of the world as a researcher and keynote speaker on marine biology (among other things) and as an organizer of conservation efforts from Indonesia to Baja. All of this, combined with his easygoing attitude and love of the Slow Coast region and its inhabitants, seems to suggest he's cut from the right cloth for the task at hand.

Dana is no second-fiddle herself (forgive the colloquialism) with training in organic food production and preparation, a keen interest in and understanding of health, and a finger on the creative pulse of the region. "There's so many artists of incredible talent here," she says. "All hidden."

What, I ask, coming to the end of a long walk along the coastal cliffs just north of Santa Cruz, would you say slow thinking is really all about?

"There's an enlightened sort of movement to get people to think in the now and there's this parallel progressive movement that's asking people to think in terms of seven generations, or at least one generation," says Wallace, stepping in uneven steps along the railroads tracks. "It's just interesting that both of those things are happening at the same time. So maybe slow thinking is about combining both of those things at the same time ... the long term now."

This way of life isn't for everybody, Wallace admits, but that's not what the Slow Coast movement is about.

"The world is not gonna slow down. It's just gonna keep getting faster, and the solution to our biggest societal problems is not just telling everybody to slow down—they're not gonna," he says, smiling as he looks up the coast.

"This isn't a 'save the world' idea, it's just a 'take care of here' idea."

Enjoy the Long Now on the Slow Coast

2009-12-13T21:41:00.000-08:00

About Long Now

The Long Now Foundation was established in 01996* to develop the Clock and Library projects, as well as to become the seed of a very long-term cultural institution. The Long Now Foundation hopes to provide counterpoint to today's "faster/cheaper" mind set and promote "slower/better" thinking. Long Now hopes to creatively foster responsibility in the framework of the next 10,000 years.

The term was coined by one of the founding board members, Brian Eno. Upon moving to New York City, Brian found that "here" and "now" meant "this room" and "this five minutes" as opposed to the larger here and longer now that he was used to in England. We have since adopted the term as the title of our foundation as we try to stretch out what people consider as now.

Guidelines for a long-lived, long-valuable institution:

Serve the long view
Foster responsibility
Reward patience
Mind mythic depth
Ally with competition
Take no sides
Leverage longevity

Pie Ranch Barn Dance on the Slow Coast

2009-12-11T07:19:00.000-08:00

Special Holiday Sale, potluck and Barn Dance Dec 19th in the Roadside Barn. Sale @ 1pm w/ live music, potluck 5pm, dance 7-10pm.

slow coast veterinarian

2009-12-06T12:46:00.000-08:00

Hannah Good is a wonderful slowcoast affordable veterinarian and makes house calls to part of the slowcoast region
Veterinary Housecalls (831) 427-2077
http://www.drhmgood.com/

Slow Coast: Kitchen Witches Local & Organic Meals Delivered

2009-12-05T14:25:00.000-08:00

Kitchen Witches is a Slow Coast centered home-cooking wonder.

They deliver yummy food, made from local and organic ingredients to you and your family at a very reasonable price. Beautiful entrees and delicious desserts.

Kitchen Witches certificates also make a great gift.

Call Robyn at 831-332-0879 or email her at robynrhea@hotmail.com for more details and to place your order!

Geocaching on The Slow Coast

2009-12-01T15:06:00.000-08:00

The Slow Coast is chock full of hundreds of geocaches!

Make a day of hiking or biking to them, logging your visit and leaving a bit of something behind.

Then stop in for some great local, organic food at one of the Slow Coast's farms or eating establishments.

Spend the night, and go geocaching the next day!

Happy hunting...

Rancho Siempre Verde Christmas Tree Farm on The Slow Coast

2009-11-29T17:15:00.000-08:00

Welcome. For 45 years family and friends have made Rancho Siempre Verde a lively and beautiful place to enjoy the Christmas season.

We invite you to come swing to your heart's content, picnic overlooking the Pacific Ocean, take a tractor ride, roast marshmallows by the fire, romp in the hay, make a wreath, and stroll leisurely through the fields in search of your perfect tree.

We promise no plastic Santas, no long lines, and no parking-lot-style Christmas trees. Just a relaxed rural farm with a diversity of beautiful trees and lots of very friendly people.

So, please come with family, friends, dogs and good cheer and join us in celebrating this cherished holiday tradition.

NY Times: Back to the Land

2009-11-28T08:30:00.000-08:00

A wonderful illustrated OpEd.

Jim Hightower | Giving Thanks for America's Good Food Movement

2009-11-26T10:20:00.000-08:00

t r u t h o u t | Op-Ed

What better day than Thanksgiving to celebrate our country's food rebels!

I'm talking about the growing movement of small farmers, food artisans, local retailers, co-ops, community organizers, restaurateurs, environmentalists, consumers and others -- perhaps including you.

This movement has spread the rich ideas of sustainability, organic, local control and the Common Good from the fringes of our food economy into the mainstream.

The New York Times Praises The Slow Coast

2009-11-25T09:17:00.000-08:00

Setting aside the park’s 4,000 acres was a start. But it has taken another 50 years to begin to protect the landscape in which Año Nuevo Point is set. What you see there now is a steadily developing patchwork of protections, the remarkable result of private efforts, state and municipal programs, reclamation trade-offs, and the gradual substitution of small organic farms for the old toxic monocultures. The protections are by no means complete. But it’s hard to imagine a more vivid demonstration of the value of coastal protection and the ways in which it can be done.

More on the New York Times

On Food and Connections

2009-11-20T19:45:00.000-08:00

We all want to live sustainably.

We want to live simply and make healthy choices.

The problem is most of us just don't know how.

That's why, for me, when I meet a person who really embodies a that kind of life. I want him/her as a friend. I want a little of that mojo to rub off on me.

Same holds true for things. The other day I brought home a bag of Lays potato chips from Safeway. My wife said, " let's eat them quick. I don't want that 'brand' around the house". I didn't have to ask why ( that's why we're married ).

The Lays emblem doesn't align with who we want to be. I guess, we're more of a Kettle Chips family. That package can live on our shelf and interact with our kids.

Why? Because somehow we've came to think that Kettle represents a different set of values. Ones that are more in line with the kind we want in our friends and the kind we want to instill in our kids. Until now, I wasn't even sure if our perception of Kettle was, in fact, correct. Maybe we were wrong. Maybe Kettle is just another brand that hooked us in with savvy earthy-looking packaging. Not so. I just visited the web site . It has a whole section committed to sustainability with news about building "green plants" and running trucks on biodiesel. It seems like a pretty cool company doing good things.

But really, do I know these guys? In fact, when you get right down it, Ketlle chips are one more highly processed product that comes from a long way away. Not really a friend.So as I sit drinking my imported beer and eating my Kettlecchips, I get to thinking. Wouldn't it be great if we made our own potato chips... from potatoes we grew ourselves... And then used the left over grease to fill up our car.

And this beer? I could even brew up my own beer.

I sip and munch and dream and I draw inspiration from my friends on the Slow Coast.

Can I trade my beer and chips for your cheese and pie?

Dave Bernard
Mythmaker.com

Our Road

2009-11-18T10:19:00.000-08:00

Sometimes we just pull over on the side

to watch birds

or waves.

Here each cow has a name,

like Petey

or Stripey.

We clutch our cups of coffee,

eat strawberries and apples

and talk about puma sightings

in the hills.

And when there’s a baby

or cancer

we cook for each other.

-Wallace J. Nichols

Traversing Swanton Road, by Jim West

2009-11-17T22:44:00.000-08:00

Although synthetic in origin, Swanton Road, like its fluid counterpart Scotts Creek, traverses a substantial part of the watershed and reveals an informative cross-section of the region’s flora. Without leaving the tarmac, one can journey the entire length of “Old Highway One” and observe/study some of Santa Cruz County’s rarest, most horticulturally desirable, and just plain overlooked plant life! The Scotts Creek Watershed is more than an aggregation of 600+ native species representing 282+ genera and 88+ families: it is that rare occurrence, a living window into California’s evolutionary past, still relatively undeveloped by human activity and spared the habitat degradation that has befallen much of the coastal ecology elsewhere in our state.

Read the entire document HERE:

View traversing-swanton-road-updatedfall08-pdf

The Slow Coast*

2009-11-16T23:28:00.000-08:00

slow, adj. def. moving a short space in a relatively long time; not swift; not quick in motion; not rapid; moderate; deliberate; gradual; as, a slow stream; a slow motion; as, the slow growth of arts and sciences.

I've started calling the place I live The Slow Coast.

Some people call it the North Coast, since it's north of Santa Cruz. To some, it's the central coast of California. My town, Davenport, is at the very mid-point of the California coast.

But technically the Central Coast of California spans Santa Cruz Co. south to Santa Barbara/north Ventura. With all due respect, that just doesn't cut it as a name for here.

"The Slow Coast" is a better name.

It’s not just because things are mellower here compared to the supersonic pace of Silicon Valley just over the mountains, the busy coast up north of us in San Francisco or southern California’s “Fast Coast”.

The stretch of coast and mountains from Wilder Ranch to north of San Gregorio is beautiful, quiet, productive and mostly devoid of people and major highways. A bit inland you'll find slow-growing redwoods, meandering creeks, slow-crawling newts and the slowest of all: banana slugs.

Farms and ranches produce luscious organic strawberries, apples, wine, cheese and pie.

Here the fog pushes up between the trees, then gives way to sun. Waves travel slowly across the Pacific to meet the land, at the bottom of a steep trail. Salmon and steelhead push upstream. Grey whales hug the shoreline on their annual migration between Alaska and Baja California.

A few months ago I walked the coast from Santa Cruz up to San Francisco to attend Slow Food Nation, a massive gathering of farmers, growers, ranchers, producers of wine, beer, honey--you name it--people who produce food in traditional, organic ways. It took four days and I took my own sweet time. Few people take long treks up our coast, so I was alone with the sea to my left most of the time.

A slow walk on the Slow Coast.

Come visit The Slow Coast. There are a few wonderful places to lodge, camp or hostel. Take some time to walk the trails and beaches, watch the newts and slugs, the hawks and herons, the bobcats and deer, and pick some berries and apples. And be sure to eat some pie. Lots ofpie!

It’s not just Slow Food and leisure walks, aimlessly exploring back roads, lighthouses and watching wildlife. We have great surf, tough hiking and excellent biking trails. Places called Bear Gulch, Pigeon Point, Gazos Creek, Waddell Beach.

The Slow Coast is an antidote to your fast life. A place that you know will be there, more or less the same. Even when you aren’t.

[Bring along a copy of Carl Honore’s book, In Praise of Slowness: Challenging the Cult of Speed]

Take it easy. Keep it slow.

*The place we call the The Slow Coast encompasses the beaches and coastal range from roughly just north of Santa Cruz to just south of Half Moon Bay, including the communities of Bonny Doon, Davenport, Ano Nuevo, San Gregorio, and Pescadero.

Some of the folks making a living on the Slow Coast and waiting for you to stop by are listed in the links to the right.

By the way, our efforts to highlight our Slow Coast community parallel other Slow Coasts around the world, such as those in the UK and Canada. We hope to visit them, and to enjoy their coast, and to someday return the favor.

-Wallace J. Nichols

Slow Coast Potluck Notes by Katherine June

2009-11-12T19:24:00.000-08:00

Below are the notes I took the other night at the Slow Coast potluck. I organized them into two sections: 1) that of general comments and ideas, and 2) questions/concerns.

I think I was able to jot down the gist of what people were saying, but since I haven't studied economics, I was grappling a bit with some of the ideas as they were being discussed. I hope my interpretation of what was shared is at least close to what was actually meant...let us know if you have any questions if somethings not clear by adding to the comments.

And thanks again for the invite...I'm excited to have the opportunity to take part in the evolution of Slow Coast endeavors!

Sitting fireside daydreaming about some slow apple pie from Pie Ranch!

June

GENERAL COMMENTS/IDEAS:

JIM COCHRAN welcomed us to Swanton Berry Farm.

J. NICHOLS introduced the Slow Coast idea.

-Gravitating towards the clarity of simplicity

-Unique opportunity to NOT market, but TO BE the ideology as a community

-Make it work for us as a community, then watch it ripple outward

-Reduce (as much as possible) the use of US dollars, using Slow Coast Cash as the main currency...and do so by using the least amount of bureaucracy...let it be a community-building commerce; have fun with it!

-Let the Slow Coast Cash be a conversation starter

-A foggy area of inquiry: an hour of service=how much squash, for example?

- One of the farmers said, "To start things off, perhaps we could try inviting a cross-section of the Slow Foods community (farmers, bakers, cheese and wine makers, etc.) to an event and have them bring goods to barter... somehow introducing the Slow Coast Cash into the equation." (HOW though, is the question!)

-PAUL GLOVER is the name of the man who organized the Ithaca Hour alternative currency. Debbie from Freewheelin' Farms said that he makes himself very available to people who are trying to start similar projects and that it could be worth reaching out to him.

-DAVE GARDNER: "Slow Coast currency as a slow step towards succession!"

-PHILLIPE LECONTE (the french man visiting UCSC) who has studied alternative currencies had this to say:

"It is important for alternative currencies to arise. They protect the local economy and defend the well-being of all neighbors. They can be difficult to start, but once they are going, have proven to be quite sustainable. There are 2 critical points that need serious examination within the community: 1) How will the people come to value their time in exchange for goods (what amount of time equals what goods or services) and 2) Are the people ready to be without "speculation", that is, are the producers willing to change the programming of all prior thought about how much food is worth in US dollars, and begin to view the value in a new way, without constantly interpreting the exchange through regular-currency-exchange-colored-glasses."

He also mentioned the question of taxes and that the possibility of alerting the government is important to consider.

Leconte recommended researching the Swiss alternative currency model (that of the WIR vs. the franc).

Finally, he stressed the importance of keeping the currency flowing vs. saving it/trying to have it appreciate... it will not work if people begin to horde it.

-The idea of creating a Slow Coast website in order to organize/network/list activities/trades etc. was mentioned and that it would be helpful to include not only food producers, but those who provide services such as mechanics, healers, artists, etc. so that the wider community can participate. [This blog is simply a placeholder for now]

-JIM COCHRAN: "This requires an open mindedness...it will be a fun challenge to twist my mind into these new ideas of participating in an alternative currency and to let go of all prior conditioning around money and business." He continued, by offering a 10% premium on Swanton Berry goods, using Slow Coast Cash, to get the ball rolling.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

-What about the "gold standard"? What could be the equivalent? Do we need an equivalent? [a Slow Coast organic pie = twenty Slow Coast Cash?]

-Where do we start? How is this established? How do we go about tying alternative values to goods/services? What is equitable when viewed outside the box?

-Would farmers be interested in trading goods for various services (i.e. tutoring for their children, car repair, acupuncture, etc.)?

-What about relying on a small, local bank to create a small scale reserve? Could all participants somehow be part of an account that would create new/different values on goods/services but would still provide/assign actual monetary value on them that felt fair?

-What about migrant workers? How can we get them involved and have their standard of living increased and their other needs met, as well (such as trading for healthcare/ car care/ etc.)?

SLOWCOAST.org

EcoMind Event November 11th, 2011

Mid- Summer's Eve Pottery Sale

SLOWCOAST ART

Screening of " Economics of Happiness" March 18th * Rio Theatre*

SLOWLOVE Valentine's Gift Box

SLOWCOAST branding irons for gift boxes

SLOWCOAST Organic Handmade Local Gift Boxes

Please support SLOWCOAST community radio KPDO

Get Your SLOWCOAST Gift Box!

La Nostra Costa (Our Coast) Days

Open Studios SLOWCOAST Artists

Bridgette Henry Open Studios

Coatanoa Activities

Davenport Gallery Open Studios

Freewheelin Farm Harvest Party

SLOWCOAST music at Davenport Roadhouse

SLOWCOAST music at Davenport Roadhouse

SLOWCOAST events at Costanoa Resort

SLOWCOAST events at Costanoa Resort

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

The SLOWCOAST Store is Open for Business!

Davenport Community News

SLOWCOAST school lunch program is a slow food model

Pacific Elementary School lunch program lands in documentary

Slow Coast Killer Whales

Orlando Zavala farmer on the Slow Coast

Blue House Farm Open House May 1st

Bonny Doon Challenge

Greg Brown: Your Town Now

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

Slow Coast wine tasting at Costanoa on April 24th

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

Doniga Markegard, wildlife tracker

capradero | a lot of goats

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

Children's activities and family fun.

SC Sentinel on Our Slow Coast

One Month on the Slow Coast

Second SlowCoast Potluck Notes, by June

Second Slow Coast Potluck at Swanton Berry Farm

Slow Coast Logo

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

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

An Essay by Slow Coast resident Scott Stephens

Slow Coast lodging: Pescadero Creekside Barn

Slow pie at the Pie Ranch on the Slow Coast

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

Winter Solstice on the Slow Coast

In Slow We Trust

Enjoy the Long Now on the Slow Coast

Pie Ranch Barn Dance on the Slow Coast

slow coast veterinarian

Slow Coast: Kitchen Witches Local & Organic Meals Delivered

Geocaching on The Slow Coast

Rancho Siempre Verde Christmas Tree Farm on The Slow Coast

NY Times: Back to the Land

Jim Hightower | Giving Thanks for America's Good Food Movement

t r u t h o u t | Op-Ed

What better day than Thanksgiving to celebrate our country's food rebels!

The New York Times Praises The Slow Coast

On Food and Connections

Our Road

Traversing Swanton Road, by Jim West

The Slow Coast*

Slow Coast Potluck Notes by Katherine June

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