All posts by Susan Clark
SUMMER DAZE IN CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
CAR WEEK IS HERE!!
We’re in the “heat of the summer”, but here on the Monterey Peninsula luckily we’re not melting or sweltering like some people are not that far from here. So if you need to get cool, c’mon down to Carmel or Pacific Grove and feel the cool ocean breezes and comfortable temperatures. AND see lots of amazing cars like this fabulous red Ferrari that was exhibited last year in the ‘Prancing Ponies” event.
Last year among the many car events Prancing Ponies Car Show was complete with Breakfast at Tiffany’s, a fashion show and an array of Ferrari’s and other beautiful cars owned by Women – all to benefit the Prancing Ponies non-profit to raise money to support the education of low income women. Put August 17th on your calendar to attend this year. You can purchase a VIP ticket to support the charity or come for free and enjoy the cars and fashion show. Go to www.prancingpoinies.org to register.
For information about car shows all week, go to www.whatsupmonterey.com
Have fun!!
Surfer Girl ~ 841 Rides Again!
Think Beach Boys in Surfin’ USA on the shores of Santa Cruz. An otter with dreams of being a surf champion surprised and shocked Santa Cruz beach goers when he swam right up to a group of surfers, picked out a board and went for a ride.
Can you imagine if you were out surfing and a Surfin’ Sea Otter climbed aboard your surfboard and left you “in the dust” or perhaps a better term would be leaving you “in the surf” – and without your board!
Surfer Girl is known as “841”, a 5-year old female, who has been taking bites out of surf boards recently with the surfer still on it. A bit intimidating for a surfer to say the least. We love our sea otters, but they have very big, sharp teeth to crunch on the sea urchins and abalone they love so much – so take care out there.
Surfer Girl 841 was born in captivity. Her mother had been removed from the wild because of her aggressive behavior toward people as a result of being fed by the public. An absolute No, No. When it turned out the otter was pregnant, 841 was born. She was raised at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and then tagged and released after being deemed ready to go back to the wild. Whoops!
There is a team of trained experts trying to catch Surfer Girl, and then she will be returned to the Monterey Bay Aquarium who will find a home for her. Unfortunately, once that happens, her surfing days will be over. However, so far she has alluded capture. One sharp cookie she is!
As a guide at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, I get some inside scoop about their sea otter program. I’m sure many of you have seen our sea otters at the Aquarium who have names and personally interact with humans. These sea otters are considered non-releasable, so they are allowed human contact. When sea otters are rescued, the hope is always to return them to the wild and the care givers wear “hazmat suits of sort” (think like an astronaut outfit) so the otter won’t identify with a human. They also are given numbers and not names, to further keep them at arms length.
The story isn’t over . . . can’t wait for the next installment on this saga.
Wait, is she laughing at us?
FROM RUINS TO RENAISSANCE: REVIVING FLANDERS MANSION IN CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
If you’ve been living on the Monterey Peninsula or even visiting the Monterey Peninsula and the Carmel area for some time, you’ve undoubtably heard about the Flanders Mansion. This is a historic home located in Hatton Fields in Carmel that is owned by the City of Carmel. The problem has been that the City can’t decide what to do with it. There have been ideas and attempts to find a way to restore this incredible home back to its former glory, but so far nothing has worked.
Enter Mike Buffo who has submitted a proposal to the City to become its curator and has great plans to guide the renovation and create an educational and artistic center to benefit our community. Mike, a videographer/producer and owner of House of 8 Media, has a well thought out plan that I would like to share with you.
In the short video below, my interview with Mike will explain the plan and also give you inside glimpses of this wonderful treasure, the Flanders Mansion. Enjoy!
To show your support of Mike Buffo’s plan to conduct a feasibility study at no cost to the City and to become the curator of Flanders Mansion, sign the petition here.
Call me for all of your real estate needs. I’d love to talk with you about your goals, dreams, and desires.