September 1st, 2010

DRUIDS AUTUMN EQUINOX 2009 by Brianparkin
The Celts, who lived in the British Isles and France, observed Samhain or Summer’s End. They believed Samhain, the Lord of the Dead, came to collect the souls of all who died during the year.
On October 31, after the crops were all harvested and stored for the long winter, the cooking fires in the homes would be extinguished. The Druids, the Celtic priests, would meet on the hilltop in the dark and would light new fires and offer sacrifices of crops and animals. When morning dawned, the Druids would give an ember from their fires to each family who would then take them home to start new cooking fires. These fires would keep the homes warm and free from evil spirits.
The observances go back to Ancient Greece and the cult of Dionysus. The Romans contributed their harvest festival with its apples and nuts, as well as the ancient rites on November 1, Feralia, a day of prayers for the dead, one of the reasons spirits and ghosts are such an intrinsic part of Halloween.
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August 31st, 2010

© Zepherwind | Dreamstime.com
Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and by Mexican Americans living in the United States and Canada. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. The celebration occurs on November 2 in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2). Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts. Due to occurring shortly after Halloween, the Day of the Dead is sometimes thought to be a similar holiday, although the two actually have little in common. The Day of the Dead is a time of celebration, where partying is common.
Scholars trace the origins of the modern holiday to indigenous observances dating back thousands of years and to an Aztec festival dedicated to a goddess called Mictecacihuatl. In Brazil, Dia de Finados is a public holiday that many Brazilians celebrate by visiting cemeteries and churches. In Spain, there are festivals and parades, and, at the end of the day, people gather at cemeteries and pray for their dead loved ones. Similar observances occur elsewhere in Europe and in the Philippines, and similarly themed celebrations appear in many Asian and African cultures.
Source: Wikipedia
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August 30th, 2010
contributed by Shirley Kellicutt

CoastViews Magazine staff photo.
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 cups sugar
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup vegetable oil
1 16-ounce can puréed pumpkin (not pie mix)
Mix dry ingredients together. Add beaten eggs, pumpkin and oil.
Bake in a jellyroll pan at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Cream Cheese Frosting
or buy ready made cream cheese frosting
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
6 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon milk
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August 29th, 2010

© Chuckplace | Dreamstime.com
Surprisingly, the first Jack O’Lanterns were not made from Pumpkins. The spooky faces were carved by the Irish from turnips and potatoes. Their legend is of an Irishman so stingy, he was “kept out of Heaven,” and so mischievous, the Devil wouldn’t admit him to Hell. He was condemned to wander the earth with a lighted lantern until Judgment Day.
It was not until the 1940’s after many Irish immigrants arrived, that Halloween as we know it was celebrated throughout the United States. Our Halloween combines elements from ancient festivals: Druid, Roman and Christian.
Source: The New Pumpkin Book, Mary Bettencourt, Cookbook Chairman 1981, Half Moon Bay Main Street Committee for Beautification 1975, 1981
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August 28th, 2010

Photos courtesy of Mike Wong, Spring Mountain Gallery.
This lighthouse is the shortest lighthouse on the coast, but it’s a valuable tool for navigation along the coast. High on a hill above the sea, Point Montara has been operating since 1875.
Today the fog signal has been replaced by an off shore signal, a white flash every five seconds.The old Fog Signal Annex was converted into a meeting facility. Remodled Victorian buildings serve as a hostel with 36 dorm beds, 5 private rooms and guest kitchens. There is an espresso bar at the reception desk and free Wi-Fi is available.
Hiking and biking trails are accessible and Gray Whales migrate off the coast between December and April. The Point Montara Lighthouse is open from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. It is located at 16th Street and Highway 1 in Montara, CA. (Look for the “Hostel” sign.) Call them directly at 650-728-7177 or on-line at www.norcalhostels.org.
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August 27th, 2010

CoastViews staff photo.
A popular beach with locals and visitors, it is a excellent spot for surf fishing and tide pool exploration. There are hills to the north and south creating a beautiful backdrop.
Nearby is Point Montara, a lighthouse that offers overnight accommodations. It is operated by Hostelling International, a non-profit group.
Montara mountain is also called McNee Ranch and is part of Montara State Beach. The mountain is part of the Santa Cruz Mountains and features the only undisturbed Coastal Mountain Habitat found in over 100 miles of coastline.
The beach is in San Mateo County, approximately 20 miles south of San Francisco and eight miles north of Half Moon Bay on Highway One.
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August 26th, 2010

Robert and Michael Silvia at Muzzi's Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze, San Gregorio. Photo courtesy of Cheryl Gomes.
Half Moon Bay is a festive place to visit during the entire month of October! Popular pumpkin patches with pony rides, train rides, hay rides, petting zoos, and haunted houses are every day until after Halloween. These pumpkin patches are very popular field trips for school-aged children, so call them ahead of time if you’re bringing a large group!
Pumpkin patches:
Arata Pumpkin Farm
www.aratapumpkinfarm.com
Lemos Farm
www.lemosfarm.com
Farmer John’s Pumpkin Farm
www.farmerjohnspumpkins.com
Pastorino Farms
www.pastorinofarms.com
Repetto’s
650-726-6414
4-C’s Pumpkin Patch
650-726-4383
G. Bertha’s Produce
650-712-0661
Tom & Pete’s Produce
650-726-2561
Farmer’s Daughter
650-726-8660
Bob’s Vegetable Stand & Pumpkin Patch
650-712-7740
Little Creek Ranch
650-726-2765
Muzzi’s Ranch Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze
650-726-3994
Andreotti Family Farm
650-726-9151
Phipps Country Store and Farm
www.phippscountry.com
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August 25th, 2010

While they have proven their popularity in pie, bread and even soup and ice cream, pumpkins prove their versatility throughout the year on the Coastside as inspiration for art to wear, admire and absorb.
Own a genuine glass pumpkin instead of settling for a copy of Cinderella’s glass slipper.
“My very first experience was in a workshop with Dale Chihuly [the most famous glass artist living today] and I just loved hot glass,” said Barbara Grauke, who is co-owner of Moonside Bakery.
“After all, we are the self-proclaimed pumpkin capital,” Grauke said, “so I do a blown pumpkin and wine stoppers and solid paperweights. I get to work with a large pallet of colors. One day I’ll do blues and greens, then the next day I’ll do purples and reds. I’m having a good time with it.”
Excerpts from an article written by Mary Knippel in the October 2008 issue of CoastViews Magazine.
Photos by Mary Knippel.

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August 25th, 2010

Photo by Patrick Boury.
Milagra Ridge is part of the 119 square mile Golden Gate National Recreation Area. It includes 239 acres of open space in Pacifica and is a place of diverse resources.
At one time this area was peppered with WWII and Cold War coast defense installations, including a Nike missile site decommissioned in 1974. In 1984, Milagra Ridge became part of the GGNRA.
Milagra Ridge is an island ecosystem area and is sensitive to human disturbance. Non-native, invasive plants and stresses on wildlife have let to the protection of the Mission Blue Butterfly and the San Bruno Elfin Butterfly.
Milagra Ridge can be reached from Highway One or Highway 35, located just off Sharp Park Road at College Drive. Turn north on College Drive and go 1,000 feet to parking that is adjacent to the Milagra Ridge gate. Hiking is mostly level and mostly paved. Dogs are welcome on leash. For information, call the Site Stewardship Program 415-561-3034, ext. 3437.
Tags: GGNRA, hiking, mission blue butterfly, san bruno elfin butterfly
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August 25th, 2010

Photo courtesy of Miramar Events.
Every year, Half Moon Bay is ablaze with orange pumpkins and colorful flowers. The bountiful fall harvest of pumpkins and other agricultural fare abound all throughout the Coastside area.
The Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival brings visitors to the “world pumpkin capital” for a festival on historic Main Street between Miramontes and Spruce Streets. This year’s 40th festival will be held on Oct. 16-17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

Photo courtesy of Miramar Events.
Featured events include a pancake breakfast (both days, 7 a.m.), 5 & 10k pumpkin run (Sunday, 8 a.m.), pumpkin carving for fun — no judging (Sunday, 10 a.m.).
In addition to a display of enormous champion pumpkins, there are three stages of entertainment, the Great Pumpkin Parade, a Haunted House, a food court offered by local non-profit groups, pumpkin carving and pie-eating and costume contests.
Since the beginning of the festival, the committee has contributed nearly two million dollars to civic projects and community service organizations.

Photo courtesy of Miramar Events.
Tags: arts & crafts, food, live music, pumpkin carving
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