Julie Masterson’s “Lost Horizons” isn’t just another display of beautiful photos. These images have captured cultural and physical beauty in places where their very existence is being threatened. If you missed Julie’s opening reception, you’ll want to drop by the gallery on Thursday, September 20, between 10-2:00, where Julie will retell her “behind the scenes” stories. Edgewater Gallery is located at 356 N. Main St, just south of Laurel, in Ft. Bragg.
This year, twenty-five north coast beaches will be targteted for the California Coastal Cleanup Day, “the premier volunteer event focused on the marine environment in the country.” On Saturday, September 15, from 9 am to noon, over 700 cleanup sites statewide, with an estimated 50,000 volunteers, join together to care for our fragile marine environment, and to learn about its impacts and prevention of marine debris. Volunteers should show up at one of the following beaches, and a beach captain will direct you (VanDamme, Big River, Caspar, Judhandle, Noyo Harbor, Hare Creek, Ward Avenue, Virgin Creek, and MacKerricher). The Mendocino Land Trust will once again coordinate the area’s volunteers. For more information contact Holly at 963-0470 or hnewberger@mendocinolandtrust.org. A hosted BBQ for all volunteers will take place at Big River Beach directly after the cleanup.
In a surprising development, Chevron has withdrawn its application for a wave energy prototype off the shores of Mendocino. Apparently, the lengthier approval process in California led Chevron to drop this proposal in favor of a proposed project in Alaska. Chevron has even scheduled a community meeting in October to discuss the project – the first such meeting since the application was filed.
This episode was very instructive, since it demonstrated that local input is not necessary in order for a large corporation to stake a claim on the ocean. In the picture above, taken from the Mendocino Headlands, the proposed wave energy plant would quite possibly have been visible. The huge floating sections could have been located as close as a half-mile from shore, well within visual range. Now that people are awakened to the situation, I hope that people will be galvanized to ensure that the local population can have a say in what happens locally (a radical concept, I know).
We obviously need green energy sources, but there are enough questions here that it seems like caution is in order. Why can’t a wave energy plant be located offshore, away from people and viewsheds and whale migrations? The Mendocino Coast has waves in abundance (although not particularly good for surfing), but it also has wind and sun in abundance. Where are the wind farms and solar panels?
There are many questions to be answered, but at least a little time has been bought with which to find some answers.
“LOST HORIZONS,” Expedition photography by Julie Masterson will launch this weekend, Friday, September 7, at Edgewater Gallery, 356 N. Main, Fort Bragg. Julie’s passion for photography has taken her literally around the world. Her special interest is capturing images of places threatened by cultural and physical changes in the environment—the “Lost Horizons” of our planet. To view Julie’s photography is to witness natural beauty as an historical phenomenon. Come to meet the artist, and enjoy wines by Goldeneye, music by Michael Brown, and catering by gallery artists. If you really have to miss this opening night, you can still view Julie’s work at the Gallery through October 4.
Paul Bunyan Days is a celebration of Fort Bragg’s logging history and much more. Of course, there was axe throwing, pole climbing and sawing competitions for the adults. For the kids, there was wall climbing and pillow fights.
My wife, Gerry and I caught the craft fair and lined up at the Presbyterian Church for pie. Oh, so many pies. And who can forget Fort Bragg Rotary Club’s annual Blue Ox Beer tasting?
The events were full. The beaches were full. All around, a perfect Labor Day Weekend … with more to come Monday, including the big Paul Bunyan Day parade. Of course, while others were sizzling in 100+ degree heat over the hill, the coast was enjoying mid-sixties and low seventies. All the better for a great weekend.
Mendocino Outdoors, the premier guidebook for outdoor fun and adventure on the Mendocino Coast, has been completely expanded and revised for the 3rd Edition.
