Morone Saxatilis: The Striped Bass

Around 2006 invasive Striped Bass took over and colonized the Carmel River Lagoon.  Not only do the striped bass prey on juvenile Steelhead, but outcompete them for food. Besides the threat striped bass pose to steelhead, they also negatively impact red-legged frogs, which are listed as a threatened species.

From: The Carmel Pine Cone
Picture From: http://www.connecticutsaltwaterfishing.com/2011/11/protecting-striped-bass.html

A more permanent management policy for the Carmel Lagoon is within reach.

"Monterey County has worked with dozens of federal, state and local agencies to explore plans that would protect homes around the Carmel Lagoon and give Steelhead Trout some breathing room. Early next year, county officials will release a draft environmental impact review for public comment." December, 2014.

From Monterey Herald

The Carmel River has just begun flowing

The Carmel River has just begun flowing after the recent rains. The entire river has been diverted into a man-made river bed flowing through a giant raw notch cut out of a mountain.
The channeling of the Carmel last week into a carefully engineered river bed was designed to bypass the tons of sludge behind the 106-foot-tall San Clemente Dam, which has blocked the river for 94 years.
The 3-year-project, which began last year, required workers with the Granite Construction Company to dynamite a mountain and dig out a million cubic yards of dirt.

From: San Francisco Chronicle 
Picture from: San Clemente Rancho

Carmel River State Beach

Carmel River State Beach on December 12, 1024.
Photo by Vern Fisher - Monterey Herald

The Carmel River will have to breach itself

Mouth of the Carmel River on 12/12/14
Photo by Vern Fisher

Coastal Ohlone groups often traded with inland peoples

"The Indians living in California numbered 340,000 in the late 1700’s, but only 100,000 remained after roughly 70 years of Spanish missionization.

Coastal Ohlone groups often traded shells, dried shellfish, and obsidian to inland peoples. In exchange the Ohlone received arrowheads, pinon nuts, stone and bone beads and chert for tools.

Everyone prized cinnabar from the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains for its use as a red body paint important in ceremonial activities."

From: Missions of the Monterey Bay Area By Emily Abbink, 1996.

Save The Village Corner

"In 1976, born of frustration and nurtured by anger, a grassroots movement sprang up in Carmel with the avowed intent of halting deterioration of the village.  The group Old Carmel was conceived and gained notoriety through its efforts to save the Village Corner, long a favored stopping place of local residents. 

When threatened with a loss of lease and possible conversion to some other purpose, the Village Corner became a rallying point for residents concerned with the proliferation of tourism as Carmel's chief source of business. 

Old Carmel counts the saving of the Village Corner as their first victory. "Ben Lyon, Randy Reinstedt, George Faul, Mindy Faia and several others banded together to help then owner George Rockwood to keep the popular restaurant on the northeast corner of Dolores Street and Sixth Avenue.  The group initially named itself The Old Carmel Foundation which eventually evolved into Carmel Tomorrow."

From: Carmel By The Sea

San Clemente Dam October 2014

San Clemente Dam October 2014

From: http://www.sanclementedamremoval.org/?page_id=1283

Coastal Commission upheld the Cal Am water company's appeal

In November the Coastal Commission upheld the Cal Am water company's appeal to proceed with its two-year test well using "experimental technology" The private water company has experienced a string of failures, from the dam to the regional desal project, that has cost ratepayers millions of dollars.
From: The Hearald

Franciscan Friar Father Junipero Serra

"With undaunted faith in divine Providence, he undertook the task to bring the Gospel into unknown regions. Neither adversity nor Indian attacks cooled his burning zeal and robust hope.
The conversion of infidels was his life, his obsession, and to that effect he had erected 9 missions in the areas of Upper California.
The Servant of God sought to shed his blood for the divine cause and asked forgiveness in advance for future murderers, worried that military retaliation would harm evangelization. "

From: Franciscan Friars
Picture from: The Richard III Society

Arbutus menziesii: Madrone

When Spanish missionary monk Father Juan Crespi saw strawberry trees on the Pacific coast of North America, he recognized them imediately as relatives of the Spanish madrono. Crespi was part of an expedition to find the legendary Bay of Monterey and establish Jesuit settlements there. 

After traveling for months the expedition successfully planted a cross at Monterey and set up a mission in the Carmel Valley.  In his diary Crespi noted that he saw “Many madronos, though with smaller fruit than the Spanish trees.” That’s where our name, madrone, originated.

From Lives of the Trees by Diana Wells, 2010.

The Altar at Mission San Carlos Borromeo

"Soon after founding San Carlos Borromeo, Father Serra moved the mission south to the Carmel River.  This spot was closer to the Rumsien village of Ashista.

Father Serra wrote guidelines explaining what methods the missionaries should use to convince Native Americans to join the missions. Through letters, he recruited Franciscans from Spain."

From: The Missions of the Monterey Bay Area by Emily Abbink, 1996.

Picture from: What I Do

The Mudejar Star window

Founded in 1770, Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, the headquarters of the father-presidents, was the second mission of the chain.  The old mission features the Mudejar Star window, an example of an architectural style once popular in Spain. Mudejares were Muslims who lived in Spain after the 1200’s.

From: The Missions of the Monterey Bay Area by Emily Abbink, 1996

Picture from: What I Do