GOOD NEWS! THERE IS NO FIRE BURNING ANYWHERE NEAR SEA RANCH OR GUALALA OR EVEN CLOSE TO OUR COASTAL COMMUNITIES! WE ARE ALL SAFE AND ENJOYING LOTS OF FRESH AIR AND ALL THE EXCITEMENT OF THE COMING CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEKEND…READ ON!

The fires in northern California continue to burn. We have received dozens of inquires regarding the safety of coming to our area on the coast, and also wondering about air quality. Here is the latest from CalFire:

http://www.co.mendocino.ca.us/oes/pdf/Fact_Sheet_07_02_08_1900.pdf

Our air quality remains great, as we are blessed with ocean breezes coming fresh off the Pacific. The nearest fire to us is still about 15 miles away and behind a couple ridges. We cannot even see smoke from that fire. We are no danger here, at all.

There are many exciting events planned for this Fourth of July weekend from Sea Ranch to Point Arena, including parades, fireworks, lots of music, farmers market, and many more! Please come join us for a good old-fashioned small town holiday, and enjoy some of the prettiest country in the country!

Gualala Sesquicentennial (150 years) 1858 - 2008

Independence Weekend Celebration

The “town sign” as one crosses the bridge into Mendocino County was designed and built by local residents and has proclaimed “GUALALA established 1858” since the early 70’s.  While visiting Gualala this weekend, please note flag-lined Highway 1 (courtesy of Gualala Festivals Committee) and the buildings festooned in patriotic decorations to celebrate both our Nation’s Birthday and Gualala’s Sesquicentennial.

Ongoing activities throughout the weekend

⋆   Stop at the attractive, informational display overlooking the Gualala River created by the Gualala River Watershed Council with funds donated by the Gualala Festival Committee. Located just south of Oceansong Restaurant, (soon to be the new home of Bones Roadhouse)

⋆   Take a stroll on the Gualala Bluff Top Trail and enjoy the views of the Gualala River, Gualala Point Park beach and Pacific Ocean.  Best access to the Trail is at the north end through the Seacliff Center.  Visit the shops and stop at Trink’s Café for a sandwich to take to the bluff top viewing benches.

⋆   Adventure Rents Canoes & Kayaks in downtown Gualala will be open daily from 10 AM for self-guided paddling adventures in the Gualala River estuary and up into the redwood forest.  All ages, sizes and skill levels are welcome, individuals to large groups.  Dogs are welcome too! 

⋆   The Point Arena Lighthouse & Fog Signal Building are also celebrating its Centennial, but will be closed for renovation beginning July 7, so plan to visit this weekend while you can!  Light station, Gift Shop and Museum Open 10 - 3:30 PM daily until July 7, 2008. 

Friday, July 4: America’s Birthday

Gualala Events:

⋆ 10 AM - 4 PM - Jack’s Gualala Pharmacy is hosting a BBQ with FREE hot dogs, chips and a soda, plus a 50% off Sidewalk sale and a Jump activity for kids.  

⋆ 11 AM - 3 PM - Surf Motel is hosting a Corn-on-the-Cob Speed Eating Contest for Cash Prizes: 1st $75.00, 2nd $50.00, & 3rd $25.00 - Entry forms at Surf Motel. Corn donated by Surf Supermarket.

⋆ 12 Noon - 3 PM - Action Network Family Resource Center will offer children’s activities on the lawn behind the Gualala Hotel and featuring a “Bounce House” for $1 a turn, a Special 4^th of July Crafts for $2 each and Face Painting ($1 per cheek or $3 for a full-face design).

⋆ 12 Noon - 9 PM Ahoy! A band of Pirates will be taking over the South end of Gualala on Friday July 4th for the Second Annual North Coast Pirate Faire, located at the Community Center Meadow at Center St. & Hwy 1. Along with the usual Pirate mayhem will be delectable foods, drink, pirate gear & treasures. A ragtag band of vagabond musicians will be playing throughout the day including the Roadhouse All-Star Blues Band, Johnny Tsunami & the Hurricanes, the Jimi James Blues Band, Max the Sax & DJ Mama plus additional surprises and special guests.
Captain Bones is recruiting all Pirates to dress in ur finest gear and join in the celebration, skullduggery & mayhem. Fun for the entire family crew with plenty o’ activities for the wee Pirates including an air jump! There will also be a Dunk Tank (beats walking the plank!) for dunking local Rowdy Rogues and Wily Wenches and other local “celebrities”. For additional information or vendor booth space for selected foods, crafts and art, call 707 884-1188.  To sign up to be a “dunkee”, please call Adventure Rents at 884-4386.  

Point Arena Events:

Point Arena Centennial (100th)
Independence Day Weekend Celebrations

• 7:00 PM Art Reception with Native American Spoken and Visual Art & Live Jazz at Think Visual Gallery on Main Street
• 7:30 PM on Port Road “Band of Horribles Parade”, a 100-year-old tradition restored! (Political satire, some parental discretion advised). Live music follows at the Odd Fellows Building
• Street Dance following the Band of Horribles Parade

Saturday, July 5^th

Gualala Events:

⋆

⋆  10:30 M - 12:30 PM - Gualala Farmer’s Market - Center St. & Hwy. 1 -

⋆ 12 Noon - 4 PM - RED, WHITE & BLUEGRASS: Cypress Village Family Independence Day Celebration

⋆ 12 - 3 PM - Cooking Demo at Accents by the Sea        
⋆ 12 - 3:30 PM - Kentucky Bluegrass by the Hicktones of Sonoma County 
⋆ 12:45 PM - Golden Retriever Love Brigade (parading throughout the Village)
⋆ 1 - 3 PM - Palm Reading at Henley’s Art & Interiors 
⋆ Ongoing fun for all ages: Roving Juggling Wizard Gordon Smith ⋆ Free Face Painting ⋆ Original Recipe Free  Caramel Popcorn Samples ⋆ Sales, Specials and Goodies at several shops

⋆ 5 - 7 PM - The Dolphin Gallery Opening Reception: Christos Nikopoulos (photography) & Dianne Van De Carr (fused glass); Admission is free.  Located in the Sundstrom Center in downtown Gualala. Exhibit on display through July 30.

Point Arena Events:

• 12 Noon on…Street Fair at Arena Cove - Annual Street Fair before the Fireworks. Parking is limited to provide room for vendors and entertainment and parking is not permitted (without reservations at local dining establishments) after 5PM.
• Music provided by DJ Sister Yasmin starting early afternoon
• Approx. 9:15 PM Point Arena Fireworks - Arena Cove - Show begins at dusk
• Late night music by “Rebelation” at Arena Theater

Sunday, July 6^th

Gualala Events:

2:00 PM - 25^th Annual Acorn Family Picnic at Bower Park on Gualala Ridge, access Old Stage Road from Hwy. 1 or turn right on Pacific Woods Road from Hwy 1 and then turn left on Old Stage Rd.

Point Arena Events:

• 7:00AM - Ecumenical service at City Park
• 10:00AM - Historic District Walking Tours
• 11:00AM - Knights of Columbus 2nd Annual Independence Day BBQ
• 12:00 Noon - Point Arena’s Annual Home Town Parade down Main St.

We thought it would be good to post an update on the status of wildfires, road and travel conditions, and the air quality on our part of the coast. Also included here are some external links for specifics from CalFire and Mendocino fire authorities.

• The nearest fire is in the rugged terrain off Mountain View Road about 9 miles inland from Highway One.
• Gualala and Sea Ranch are in NO immediate danger.
• Gualala and Sea Ranch have good air quality at this time. Haze is aloft, and winds are favorable along the ocean.

For up-to-date official information follow these links:

• http://www.fire.ca.gov/index_incidents.php
• http://www.co.mendocino.ca.us/oes/fires.htm

Or, feel free to call our staff with any concerns you may have.

In addition to the fires in Mendocino County and surrounding areas, Big Sur is a focal point for resources at this time. We understand as of Saturday that evacuations and the overall situation there are affecting tourists with vacation plans. We’ve had calls from folks that are having to relocate at the last minute. We hope to be able to accommodate those that need vacation housing, as well as neighbors who are are trying to get to some fresh air.

Our coastal area is open to serve, and the air is much fresher here than almost anywhere in northern California at this point.

Remember to always check for the latest conditions before beginning a road trip, and always be prepared to take care of yourself; do not become part of the problem. Stay safe!

Let this form a mental picture as you read.  A beach is filling with a small crowd. Some are in strange costumes that look like comic book strongmen or The Incredible Hulk.  A huge rope lies in the sand, marked in the center. The sun is just about to reach it’s zenith. The shrill screech of a fish hawk swirls eerily down to the surf.

The scene is in response to a call that has gone out across the land.  The first annual Point Arena vs. Gualala Tug-O-Rope is about to take place! It’s locals only (no ringers please). So, pick an end and P-U-L-L !  Costumes are encouraged (think “strong!”, the organizers say) as is carpooling.

Not a Local?  Come and watch!! This is going to be so fun! This brings out the very best of what we are as a community, just one of the brilliant facets of Redwood Coast living.

We’ll try to get some photos posted after Gualala wins the Tug!

The Gualala fireworks were shot down by the Coastal Commission. There will be some great fun throughout the weekend, however, and with this year being the Centennial celebration for Point Arena, they will be pulling out all stops!

The holiday schedule has been set. If you are a fan of old-fashioned small-town FUN! then you will certainly find some very satisfying choices:

Saturday July 5th in Point Arena

• The street fair starts at noon
• The most famous and best-ever FIREWORKS off the pier begin at dusk
• The Light Parade follows after the fireworks
• For late-nighters “Rebelution” will be playing live at the Arena Theatre

Sunday July 6th

• The best-ever Centennial Main Street Parade, right down the Highway in Point Arena
• Knights of Columbus bar-b-que
• The Acorn Family Picnic (it’s a Tradition!) at Bower Park in Gualala after the parade

I’m sure there will be more events that weekend, but this should get you up to the edge of your seat!

I love words. I love learning about cool stuff … take trebuchets, for instance. Some of my friends know that like reading the dictionary or curling up with a volume from the Britannica that my folks bought for us girls back in the 60’s. When the Information Superhighway first opened up to regular folk I remember telling someone how fantastic it was going to be to have access to historical records in the Library of Congress! Can you imagine?? I was so stoked! 

Fifteen years or more down that Highway, I still haven’t been able to navigate to the dusty piles of important items from the Founding Fathers. Instead, I seem to be stuck between off-ramps, jammed in the midst of a bottleneck of what is known as a wealth of information.

That’s got me thinking about what is wealth. Does abundance equal prosperity? I remember a silly conversation at an old job where we were discussing affluence, and what made us feel affluent. Each had a different idea, and Jean’s was having a good supply of pecans in her freezer! I think mine was having just finished laundry day with all the newly washed and folded piles still warm and ready to put away.

We are inundated–literally! with rip tides of headlines and sound bites and banners and animated whatevers all ripping and tearing as they rush by. Yes, the sheer volume of it all qualifies as an abundance, but are we wealthier in any way now compared to the pre-Internet Dark Ages of the late 20th century?

When do you know you are prosperous? What makes you feel affluent? When can you finally sit back and say, “Now, I am wealthy.”

Perhaps only on the Redwood Coast would such a beloved tradition spark flare-ups that are being fanned by the Coastal Commission and fueled by local concerns over wildlife preservation. 

This is democracy in action, with a patriotic observance that is sponsored by one citizen group being challenged by other citizens, while each party benefits from the freedoms the fireworks have come to symbolize.

So, at this point we’re not certain whether we’ll have the 3rd annual fireworks display right here in Gualala, BUT! We can be sure of the long-established celebration that takes place just up the road in Point Arena. The fireworks show which is shot off the Pt. Arena pier is spectacular! It’s extensive, creative, exciting, and puts the perfect exclamation point at the end of a day full of festivities.

Stay tuned! The decisions are expected to be handed down within the next couple weeks. Regardless of the outcome, it’s a good thing to live in a place where this kind of disagreement and expression can take place openly and without fear. Now THAT’S something to celebrate!

The Redwood Coast abounds with natural and cultivated produce, and the Gualala Farmers Market offers it all every Saturday morning from 10 to 12:30. You have to be there on time to get the best selection, but there is always something that will make you smile!

A brief list of typical items includes gorgeous floral bouquets; local real seaweed in various forms, from the rocks off-shore; eggs; handmade breads, pastries, jams, cheeses; orchard and farm-fresh fruits and veggies each according to its season; and sometimes even acoustic music.  All items are local, fresh, and of very good quality.

One word of warning: Although the Market site enjoys a gorgeous view of the river and ocean, it can be blustery in this open-air field just above the bluff.  So dress warmly and bring cash…you’re certain to find something you can’t resist!

We received a Comment on our blog wondering how to find reviews from our customers. Here’s my response:

We truly hope the following information will never be necessary. However, it is important to be prepared. We are taking steps to be able to assist you, and our community should the circumstances call for it. It’s very easy to read about the broad impact of a cyclone or massive quake in another part of the world, and yet still feel so protected in our own region. We recognize that if something major does happen it might occur when we are traveling, or are simply away from our home or workplace. The following was developed by our staff for use in our vacation homes and by our full-time tenants.

IN CASE OF LARGE-SCALE EMERGENCY
SUCH AS STRONG EARTHQUAKE, WILD FIRE, SEVERE STORM OR FLOODING

WE EXPECT YOU TO REVIEW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WITH YOUR FAMILY OR PARTY UPON ARRIVAL AT YOUR RENTAL HOME.

If you face IMMEDIATE LIFE-THREATENING DANGER first get to a safe location then call 9-1-1.
After that, please call the rental office at 884-9601.

·       Coasting Home staff knows you are in this rental home. If you are not in immediate danger (see above) please do not call our office. As we work our way through our disaster response plan, we will be contacting you by phone or in person as soon as it is possible to do so.

·       If you are in a The Sea Ranch home, you may be directed by local disaster response personnel. Please comply with any instructions given. Sea Ranch has an extensive plan in place with localized divisions and locations for shelters, etc.

·       Before doing anything else, please gather all members of your family or party in one place. Attend to any first-aid needs. Go over all your provisions to determine what you have and discuss how it should be used or rationed. If water will be in short supply remember alternative sources such as the water heater. If you can, fill some extra containers from the tap. Gather flash lights, blankets, protection you may need from weather, etc. Water from hot tubs can be used to flush toilets.

·       Unless there is clearly an active leak, please do not turn off the valve on the propane tank.

·       To the extent possible, please keep all phone lines clear. You should call one contact out of the area, and ask that person to make other phone calls to family or work associates regarding your location and condition. If you cannot get a call out, there may be local communications assistance available once the scope of the situation has been assessed.

·       Please stay in or at your rental home until we contact you. If you must leave for any reason, please post a notice on the front door or where it can be easily seen telling us where you went and whether you will return.

·       In general, please stay off the roads, to keep them clear for emergency traffic.

·       If you are directed to evacuate by emergency personnel, please follow their instructions carefully.

·       Please post the attached notice in a prominent window so emergency crews can either pass by (“OK”) or provide assistance if needed (“HELP”).

·       If you are a medical professional or a trained responder and can offer assistance, kindly place the blue sign in the window, and/or inform those who may come to check on you.

·       We appreciate your cooperation and patience. We will do our very best to serve you but our region has limited resources and they will be allocated according to prioritized need. Rest assured that there are several groups prepared to respond, including medical professionals, Red Cross trainees, fire departments, amateur radio operators, and neighborhood Certified Emergency Response Teams.

If I was baking cookies, the difference between 330F and 350F might not be too significant. But when you are sitting in your car and the temperature on the road is 80 or 90 (or more!), then 20 degrees cooler starts to sound like a huge difference. A difference you could really go for!

Guess what! The redwood coast region can average 20 degrees cooler than our inland valleys when they really warm up. We call it our air conditioning.  The air here is not only cooler, it’s moister, has a tremendously fresh fragrance (hey, we’re the first ones to breathe it in off the ocean!) and it has a curiously restorative effect.

Keep that in mind when you’re wilting. Or, if you don’t have your “summer legs” yet and would rather not have to rush into wearing shorts in public, just spend a few days at the coast where we can still get away with long pants… and even a sweater sometimes!

We’ve got lots of vacancies and can usually host you on short notice, so give us a call…and chill out!