Southeast Monterey County is a world away from Monterey, Carmel, and the vineyards on the coastal hillsides. The Monterey County Weekly took a trip to some of the towns that have been left behind by Highway 101 and coastal development. Towns that are vestiges of the days when El Camino was a principal artery from one end of the state to the other. It’s a little far afield from the San Mateo County coastside, but worth reading.

The Kings Mountain Art Fair is not another schlocky collection of vendors on a sweltering main street. Located in the redwoods, the KAMF is one of the most selectively juried events of its kind in the Bay Area.  Because of the tranquil outdoor setting and non-commercial purpose of the fair, Kings Mountain attracts a number of artists who appear nowhere else.

Hiking trails surround the site. “There are no sound stages or wine tastings like at other art fairs. There is just the restful sound of the breeze in the trees and extraordinary art. You’ll feel renewed as if you took a trip to Tahoe, but without the drive,” says Sybil Plank, KMAF Chairman.

Full breakfast under the redwoods with the artists starts at 8AM with lunch, wine, beer and beverages served from 11:30AM. Supervised children’s activities and games take place all day in “Kiddie Hollow.” Staffed by high school age (and up) volunteers, kids enjoy spin art, glitter, games, reading or tree climbing allowing parents of older kids the freedom to browse the fair while their kids play. There is a nominal charge of less than $2 per child per hour. Younger children are also welcome and parents can supervise from afar in a special parents’ rest area.

The Fair will take place at Kings Mountain Community Center on Highway 35, 6 miles south of Highway 92 [map & directions]. Started in 1963, KAMF benefits the Kings Mountain Volunteer Fire Brigade and other community charities. Call (650) 851-2710 or see [url=http://www.kingsmountainartfair.org]http://www.kingsmountainartfair.org[/url] for information.

In July, the Coastside Film Society’s local premiere of Greendale sold out. Half the audience was turned away. But Greendale is returning on Friday, September 10.

Greendale is a film shot on the coast by Neil Young, using locals as the cast and crew. According to the Film Society:

Everybody who came to see the film at least one of the locations used in the film, if only because the Methodist Sanctuary in which the Film Society screenings are held was used as a backdrop in the film. How often do you get the chance to see a movie that features the place you are sitting in at the time? In the QA period after the July screening, Young confirmed his love for area and confirmed that in his mind at least “Greendale is Half Moon Bay”.

They’re not saying how many members of the cast and crew will attend, but assure us that some of them will be there to talk to the audience. For more information, see our earlier story on Greendale.

Aloha in the Redwoods, featuring the music and food of Hawaii, comes to La Honda Sunday, August 29. All proceeds benefit the La Honda Educational Foundation. The Foundation is dedicated to raising funds for teacher salaries, classroom aides, educational enrichment, and the music program at La Honda Elementary School.

The event features slack key guitar and ukelele masters in concert including “Ki Ho ‘Alu” Slack Key Guitar Master Dennis Kamakahi and hula dancers beneath the redwoods. Kalua pig plate lunch will be sold by Ono Hawaiian Grill.

Aloha in the Redwoods will be Sunday August 29, 2004 3:00 ~ 6:00 PM, La Honda Gardens, 8865 La Honda Road (Hwy 84), La Honda [map].

Sponsorships are still available at the Web site, or by emailing or calling 650-747-9633.

Tiny little flower—Epilobium cilatum ssp. watsonii(?) blooms next to the marsh across from the big beach, Montara, CA, Saturday, June 15, 2002, 10:45am. See Onagraceae (Evening Primrose Family) for reference.

Hooker’s Evening Primrose Closeup, Montara, CA. Saturday, June 15, 2002, 10:40am. One of the last to bloom every year —- Oenothera elata ssp. hookerii(?) blooms on the bluffs overlooking Montara Beach.  See Onagraceae (Evening Primrose Family) for reference, see also fading

Demand for seafood now far exceeds the ocean’s ability to keep pace and the crisis is deepening. Farming the Seas, sequel to the landmark documentary Empty Oceans Empty Nets, explores the growing pains of a global aquaculture industry that already produces a third of the world’s seafood.
Some types of fish farming contribute to the further loss of ocean fish and pose a serious risk to our health. Farming the Seas journeys around the world to explore the promise and perils of the new industry.

Local filmmaker, Steve Cowan and his crew have captured footage of farming operations in every part of the globe. Steve will be on hand to discuss his experiences.

Farming the Seas will be shown August 13 at 8:00 PM in the Community United Methodist Church Sanctuary, 777 Miramontes (corner of Johnston), Half Moon Bay.

Wight’s Paintbrush, Castilleja wightii (or is it the Indian Paintbrush, C. affinis?), blooms in huge clumps on the bluffs overlooking the big beach, Montara, CA, Saturday, June 15, 2002, 10:35am. Reference:  Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

Chris Church has been running a daily digital photo on his weblog for two years now.  I’ve especially enjoyed his pictures of local wildflowers. I’ve gotten his permission to run occasional pictures from his site. —Barry Parr

Classics by the Sea Car Show is coming to the Ritz on Sunday, August 8, 11am to 4pm. “Travel in Style” will be the theme.  The show will include 50’s and 60’s American classics with special award categories for Best Rolls Royce, Best of Show, Best Cadillac, and People’s Choice. There will be a special Mercedes Benz Trunk Show. The funds raised at this event will benefit the Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber’s Scholarship Fund, Coastside Education and Senior programs.  Admission will be $15 to the public.

The Peninsula Open Space Trust has acquired 151 acres of a half-mile west of Skyline Boulevard at the Western boundary of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s Russian Ridge Preserve. POST President Audrey Rust said, “The property has tremendous recreation potential as an extension of the preserve. The existing ridgeline trails offer stunning views of the coastal hills, mixed forest and grassland. Ultimately, when POST transfers this land to a public agency, it will form a wonderful, scenic loop trail system to Russian Ridge.”

The property overlooks Mindego Hill, San Mateo County’s only extinct volcano [picture]. Does anyone else think it’s cool that there’s an extinct volcano in San Mateo County?

Click the “Read more” link for the press release.