Caltrans will close Highway 1 in both directions near Devils Slide this coming Wednesday, March 24.

The highway will be closed from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm, between the intersection of Linda Mar Boulevard in Pacifica and Montara.

Recent rockslides along the highway near the new Devils Slide Tunnel bridges created a need to close the highway while Caltrans stabilizes the hillside. Caltrans will take advantage of the closure to perform a number of tasks, including drain clearing, weed abatement, litter removal, and more.

Seemed like an ordinary thing last Monday-22nd, another group of 5 bicyclists pedaling North on Hwy 1. But this group of 5 were riding on 1 bicycle built for 5.

On top of that, the riders were 1 family,with Mom+Dad and the 3 kids, the oldest of the 3 kids was 7 yrs.

And on top of even that…..They started their ride in Kentucky. Their trip is planned to take them a total of 4,000 miles, through 13 states, and eventually to Alaska.

Bill, Amarins, Cheyenne, Jasmine & Robin Harrison will stay on hwy 1 all the way up to Port Angeles Wa, where they will take a ferry up the Inside Passage to eventually complete their trip to Fairbanks, AK. Follow the Pedouins (a name they coined themselves) at: http://www.pedouins.org

During its 15 years together, the Tierney Sutton Band has received 2 Grammy Nominations for Best Vocal Jazz Album, a JazzWeek Award for Vocalist of the Year, consecutive nominations for Jazz Journalist Association Awards, recorded several CDs that made the #1 spot on jazz radio playlists, including /Dancing in the Dark/, "inspired by the music of Frank Sinatra, debuted in the Billboard Top 10 Jazz Albums and remained on the charts for over 15 weeks.

Kevin Axt – bass, Trey Henry – bass, Christian Jacob – piano, Ray Brinker – drums, Tierney Sutton – vocals

March 28, 2010 – 4:30, $35

Douglas Beach House on Miramar Beach
307 Mirada Road, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
650 726-4143, www.bachddsoc.org

By Roy Earnest

Ask any local surfer and they will tell you that this winter has been one for the record books as far as surfing goes.  For example: Maverick’s, the nearby world-class big wave surf spot a few miles south of Pacifica has seen more ridable days this season than in the past ten.  When the subject of surfing there comes up, however, most envision in their minds-eye male surfers careening down massive walls of water.  But in recent years, a small cadre of female surfers has begun to take their rightful place at Mav’s and have been turning heads with their amazing surfing skills.  They – and their male counterparts – all point to Sarah Gerhardt as the first woman to paddle out at Maverick’s and take the drop. 

The Pacifica Beach Coalition (PBC) in association with Recology of the Coast invite you to the 3rd annual benefit surf movie screening on Friday, March 26th at the Mildred Owen (formerly known as “Sanchez”) Concert Hall, 1220 Linda Mar Blvd. in Pacifica to see “One Winter Story”, a film by Sally Lundburg and Pacifican Elizabeth Pepin that documents Sarah Gerhardt’s inspiring journey that led up to the first of many sessions at Maverick’s.  Doors will open at 6:00 PM with two screenings at 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM.  Sarah Gerhardt and Co-Producer/Director Elizabeth Pepin will be on hand after each screening to discuss the film with the audience.

“One Winter Story” is an unprecedented glimpse into the world of big-wave surfing from an unusual and seldom seen perspective - a woman’s.  This hour-long film is a personal documentary that follows Sarah as she surfs Maverick’s but it also shows that Sarah’s path to this legendary surf spot was anything but easy. Surfing became her escape from the hardships of home while faith became the guiding force in her life. Sarah is a genuine big-wave pioneer, the first woman to surf what is one of the largest waves in the world.  In the years she has been surfing the wave, Sarah has discovered that although she has many limitations, Maverick’s allows her to live as though she doesn’t have any, bringing her peace as she finds her place in the lineup, and in the world. Also featured in the film are big wave surfers Mike Gerhardt, Ken Bradshaw, and Jenny Useldinger.  “One Winter Story” will be of interest to both surfers and non-surfers alike because it has elements that everyone can relate to their own lives.  (i.e.  It’s not just a “surf movie.”)

On Saturday March 27, The Visionary Edge will present a sneak preview screening of Blessings: The Tsoknyi Nangchen Nuns of Tibet. In the summer of 2005, renowned Buddhist teacher, Tsoknyi Rinpoche III, accompanied by a handful of western students, traveled to the Nangchen region in Eastern Tibet. The purpose of the trip was to document the lives and assess the needs of the Tsoknyi Nangchen Nuns - 3000 remarkable women who live and practice an ancient yogic tradition in nunneries and hermitages scattered across this remote, mountainous region.

BLESSINGS: The Tsoknyi Nangchen Nuns of Tibet tells the story of this extraordinary journey. Narrated by Richard Gere, the film explores the unique world of the nuns who study under Tsoknyi Rinpoche’s guidance. Their lives are seen through the eyes of the western women who accompanied Tsoknyi Rinpoche to Nangchen and are attempting to make their own link with the often strange, but hauntingly familiar, world of Tibetan Buddhism. In Nangchen, an isolated corner of Tibet, more than 3000 nuns in 53 nunneries are practicing an ancient yogic tradition, carrying on a thousand year old unbroken chain of spiritual transmission.  Some have practiced in retreat for more than 50 years.  Many have mastered practices of the most adept spiritual teachers of Tibet.  When meeting these remarkable women, one is touched by their love and compassion which is the heart of all Buddhist practice.

Babysitting will be provided for $5 per child for the evening with a 24 hour advance reservation. Call 650-207-3440. Saturday, March 27th. Doors will open at 7:00pm, event begins at 7:30. Community United Methodist Church, 777 Miramontes Street (at Johnston), HMB. Suggested donation $10 advance, $15 door. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Call 650-207-3440 for information and reservations.

It’s spring, and harbor seal pups are being born on Bay Area beaches and sand bars. Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary advises beachgoers against interacting with seal pups they may find. Newborn seal pups could suffer permanent harm if they’re mistaken for orphans and accidentally separated from their mothers. Mother harbor seals will sometimes leave their pups on the beach while they forage at sea, and will return to reclaim and nurse their pups if left alone.

Each year healthy seal pups are separated from their mothers by people who mistake them for orphans. The Farallones sanctuary advises beachgoers to report suspected orphaned pups to a park ranger, or to call The Marine Mammal Center, 415-289-SEAL (7325). Seals are also federally protected animals under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and to interfere with one could incur penalties. For information contact [email protected].

Coastside emergency personnel were dispatched at 2:30pm this afternoon to respond to a small aircraft "crash" at Half Moon Bay Airport.

The San Mateo County Sheriff’s office reports that the accident was caused by a landing gear failure and that no one was injured.

The Half Moon Bay Review is reporting that the aircraft, "a Yak 3 Russian fighter—could be scene on the side of the runway. Airport workers who declined to be identified said the pilot was a Coastsider."

In Pacifica, as elsewhere along the 1,100 mile coast of California, cliffs crumble and beaches wash away and return.  Almost every year we are reminded that here along the San Mateo coastal erosion averages two feet a year.  But the process is not orderly, and dramatic events often occur during El Nino years like the one we have experienced this winter.  Again, we watched with horror and fascination, sympathy and disbelief the efforts to safeguard properties along Esplanade.

On Saturday, March 27, Pacificans and all Coastside residents are invited to THE FORUM at 2:00 PM at the Hilton library. This FORUM is about Coastal Erosion, the first in an educational series free to the public on various topics.

Opening the forum, USGS emeritus geologist Monty Hampton will present images of the coast documented in Pacifica and other local communities.  A coast resident and specialist in environmental marine geology, Hampton surveyed local coastal cliff retreat for many years as chief scientist for the United States Geological Survey.  He was also involved in preparedness workshops with other scientists and the San Mateo County Office of Emergency Services prior to the 1998 El Nino.

The second part of the forum will highlight recent studies undertaken by Philip Williams and Associates, Ltd for the Pacific Institute. As an environmental hydrologist and civil engineer, Pacifican Bob Battalio will consider how our beaches and cliffs may be affected in the future by the same physical processes operating today.

Charles Lester, Coastal Commission Deputy Director, will also be on hand if other responsibilities permit.  The afternoon will close with questions and discussion moderated by BCDC’s Brenda Goeden.

Many coastal residents chose to live beside the ocean in order to regularly experience and admire its beauty and power.  That power has shaped and will continue to shape all our communities along the coast in varying ways.  Understanding and appreciating the forces that create the coast can better inform all of us about our future next to the beautiful Pacific Ocean.

THE FORUM is the creation of Sue Digre, Experienced, Credentialed California State Licensed Teacher, K through 9 and Adult Education.

2:00 PM, Saturday, March 27
Pacifica Library, 104 Hilton Way, downstairs room
Parking on the street during library hours