The National Weather Service has put northern California, including the Coastside, on a high wind watch from 11pm Monday to 9am Tuesday.

Sustained winds 20 to 35 mph with frequent gusts from 50 to 60 mph…Strongest along the san mateo coast.

* impacts: Strong winds along highway 1 including the golden gate will cause hazardous driving. Strong winds will be especially gusty around tall buildings in the city and any loose objects could topple over. Power outages…Downed trees and limbs will be possible. Precautionary/preparedness actions…

A high wind watch means there is the potential for a hazardous high wind event. Sustained winds of at least 40 mph… Or gusts of 58 mph or stronger may occur. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.

Perhaps this recent dog-walking incident on The Mountain could serve to settle this festering issue for good.

I am appalled at the instantaneous thrust of the “off-leashers” to grab this issue as their own.

San Mateo County’s leash law says “all dogs are to be on leash and under control whenever they are off the owner’s property.  The leash must be no more than 6 feet in length.”

I LOVE dogs! Dogs are doing nothing wrong. It is the haughty, above- the-law-walkers who have virtually closed the mountain to me. Over the years the “dogs must be on leash” signs have been defaced or removed by walkers.

There are off-leash parks. Dogs deserve them. Use them. Leash-up when on Montara.     

Kay Lindquist

Over the last thirteen years vocalist Kenny Washington and saxophonist Michael O’Neill have developed a rare simpatico that characterizes their musical collaboration.  Each performance features a balanced mix of standards and Michael’s compositions, complemented by Kenny’s soulful interpretations, seemingly limitless range, and rapid-fire scatting. There are two major recordings featuring Michael and Kenny which are: The Long and the Short of It by the Michael O’Neill Quintet featuring Kenny Washington, and Still Dancin. They will be presenting a brand new set of arrangements and original vocal tunes - specifically crafted as settings for Kenny’s amazing voice - written by Michael that they have been honing for an upcoming recording. Recent performances of this material at Yoshi’s/Oakland, the Ritz-Carlton/Half Moon Bay and the Second Saturday Salon (house concert) have been received with rave responses.

January 29, 2012, 4:30 to 7:30 pm, $35
at the Douglas Beach House, Half Moon Bay

Travel into the sand dunes while thousands of elephant seals are on shore to rest, give birth, and mate at the spectacular Año Nuevo State Park rookery. On Saturday, January 28, 2012, the San Mateo Coast Natural History Association (SMCNHA), and California State Parks will host Seal Adventure Saturday, a special fundraising event to support educational and interpretive programs at Año Nuevo State Park and other state parks along the San Mateo coast.

For one day only, visitors will have extraordinary access to linger for an entire morning or afternoon to view the elephant seals at the peak of the breeding season. This is a rare opportunity, one that can be enjoyed by everyone—from families to avid wildlife photographers. Participants will begin their adventure with a 1 1/2 mile walk over bluff trails and rolling sand dunes to the elephant seal viewing area. On the way they will be able to enjoy views of the ocean and Año Nuevo Island, observe birds and other wildlife, and hear the guttural sound of the elephant seals in the distance.

Arriving at the viewing area, they will have a memorable experience surveying the beach crowded with hundreds and hundreds of elephant seals—the males sparring among themselves and females giving birth and nursing their newly born pups. Volunteer naturalists and park staff will be available to direct you to the best viewing areas, where you can observe the elephant seals for as long as you like during your viewing time period, as well as answer questions about the seals and the park.

Before and after observing the seals, participants can explore historic ranch buildings dating back to the 19th century, visit the Año Nuevo Bookstore and Marine Education Center, and enjoy free refreshments in an old horse barn that now serves as a classroom and meeting area. Tickets for the Seal Adventure may be purchased on line for $50/person at www.smcnha.org. The cost of the tickets is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law, as a donation to SMCNHA—a 501(c)3 nonprofit that supports the state parks along the San Mateo coast. You may select tickets for either the morning (8:30-12:00) or afternoon (1:00-4:30).

Jean-Michel Pilc, Francois Moutin and Ari Hoenig will perform from their comeback album “Threedom” January 15th at the Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society in Half Moon Bay.  Recorded in a completely improvised stream of single takes in the studio, Threedom brilliantly documents the trio’s singular and completely unpredictable synchronicity.

This is a trio that surrenders their collective musical souls to the harmonious union of one thought. “Chemistry” would be the classic undersell on Threedom as bassist Francois Moutin and drummer Ari Hoenig round out more than a simple piano trio but a formidable musical force of self discovery. The original work “Threedom” may be the prime example of a very simple organic sound that is punctuated by each participant while never bordering on the self indulgent as is often the case.

In the years since Pilc Moutin Hoenig burst onto the scene in 1996, each band member has grown in stature as a leader. Pilc, a major player on the European and Canadian Jazz circuit, has rapidly gained ground in America as one of the most exciting and unpredictable pianists in jazz and Lucid Culture describes Pilc as “A defiant advocate of pure improvisation.” The skilled Ari Hoenig has received numerous accolades himself and Time Out New York listed him as one of The 25 Essential New York City Jazz Icons, citing his playing as “anything but routine.” In addition Francois Moutin’s unmistakable talent was recognized in the 2011 Downbeat Critics Poll, making the short list for best Bass and Rising Star Bass player

January 8, 2012, 4:30 to 8 pm, $35

The Coastside Land Trust Gallery is soliciting submissions for its mid-winter art show, February 12 through May 11, 2012.

Artists’ work must reflect the trust’s mission. All media are invited to be considered, and submissions will be accepted January 23 to 27. Details and applications can be found on the Gallery’s website.

The Half Moon Bay Lions Club will join other California Lions Clubs in sponsoring 75th Annual Lions Student Speakers Contest.

All participants will speak on the same topic: “What Could the America of Yesterday Teach the America of Tomorrow”. Students should be prepared to speak for up to ten minutes on the topic, but no less than five minutes. Students may use notes or even read their speech at the club level contest. The winner of the club contest will move on to the zone level where only on a 3 by 5 index card is permitted for notes.

The Half Moon Bay Lions Club will hold their contest on Wednesday, February 15 at 7:00 p.m. at the Half Moon Bay Fire Station, 1191 Main Street in Half Moon Bay. All contestants who participate and meet the minimum speaking time will receive a check for $25. The winner of the club contest will receive $75. Students competing successfully through the multiple level contests have the opportunity to receive up to $21,000 in scholarship funds.