December 2012

It was a busy and high profile year for More Mesa.  As is our custom, below are the highlights for the year 2012.

  • Development Proposal for More Mesa Note: As far as MMPC is aware, the sale of More Mesa to a Saudi developer in late 2012 seems to have marked an end to the attempts of the Hawk team to develop More Mesa.  Therefore all material related to this potential development has been removed from the MMPC web site.
  • Oak Group Exhibition
    A much heralded Oak Group exhibit was held at the Faulkner Gallery during the month of October. At the opening reception, on October 5th, almost 200 guests, both lovers of art, and lovers of More Mesa, came together to enjoy the ninety-two paintings on exhibit.  We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the artists who participated, as well as to those volunteers who helped to make the opening reception a stellar event.
  • Winter Birds
    Our winter bird visitors have arrived.  This year, we already have at least one male Northern Harrier, one female Harrier, and two juveniles as well.  And, not seen since 2007, we have an extremely visible and active Short-eared Owl!

As always … thank you all for your wonderful support, and for loving this very special place. Our warmest holiday wishes.

November 2012

Development on More Mesa
As we reported earlier, a development plan for More Mesa  has been proposed and was being circulated in our community.  Although MMPC has been requesting information critical to any formal decisions we might make with respect to this development, that information has not been forthcoming.

Note: As far as MMPC is aware, the sale of More Mesa to a Saudi developer in late 2012 seems to have marked an end to the attempts of the Hawk team to develop More Mesa.  Therefore all material related to this potential development has been removed from the MMPC web site.

Our mission remains to preserve all of More Mesa … in its entirety … for all future generations.  We intend to continue working toward achieving that critically important mission.

Moonrise

October 2012

Oak Group Exhibit
The much heralded Oak Group exhibit at the Faulkner Gallery opened with a gala reception on October 5th. Almost 200 guests, both lovers of art, and lovers of More Mesa, came together to enjoy the ninety-two paintings on exhibit.  Many of these are scenes of our beautiful More Mesa and surrounding areas.  Works by nearly all of the 23 artists in the Oak Group, as well as four guest artists are being exhibited. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the painters who participated, as well as to those volunteers who helped to make the opening reception a stellar event.  We also would like to gratefully acknowledge wine donations from Arnoldi’s Café, the Buttonwood Winery, the Gainey Winery and Kim and Tammy Hughes.  As well, our thanks go out to the Chocolate Gallery, Costco, Lazy Acres, Ralphs, Trader Joe’s, Vons and Whole Foods for food donations.

We encourage all who were unable to attend the opening, to visit the Faulkner any time during the month of October. We hope you will also consider acquiring one of these lovely works to remind you of the wonderful open spaces in our beautiful Santa Barbara area. Further, and most especially, we trust these images will remind you of More Mesa, and the need to preserve all of it forever!  And, on a more pragmatic note, remember that half of the purchase price of any art will be donated to the More Mesa Preservation Coalition.

Art Show Wine

Art Show - 1

September 2012

Our mission remains, as always, to preserve More Mesa, in its entirety.  Toward this end we have been extremely busy, in several areas, during the past month.

Supporter Base: First, we have been actively engaged in expanding our base of supporters.  For example, we mailed more than 10,000 postcards to communities surrounding More Mesa.  The purpose of these mailings was twofold: to let our neighbors know of the existence, and work, of the More Mesa Preservation Coalition, and to raise awareness of the potential for development on More Mesa.  Response was very gratifying.

Fund Raising: Second, we have gone into an active fund raising mode. This decision represents a significant change for MMPC. During the past twelve years we have functioned with minimal funds, all from unsolicited donations. However, we now believe there may be much more interest in selling the property than there has been in the past. Therefore, we need financial resources for many additional activities: to support our legal team (Environmental Defense Center), for mailings, and to participate in any acquisition fund raising. To accelerate fund raising we have implemented a “Donate” button on the web site and are actively soliciting funds as well.

Oak Group:  Also in the area of fund raising, and as reported in our February and April News, the month-long October exhibition of Oak Group paintings of More Mesa is fast approaching.  It will be held at the Faulkner Gallery of the Main Library. The opening, on Friday night, October 5th (5:30-7:30 PM), features a gala reception to be hosted by the More Mesa Preservation Coalition.  All those on our supporter list will be receiving an invitation, by mail, in the next few weeks.  Even if you cannot make the opening on the 5th, stop by any day in October to view the paintings.  Part of the proceeds of this exhibition will go to benefit MMPC.

We will need help setting up for the reception on the afternoon of the 5th, and at the reception itself.  Please let us know if you can give us an hour or more of your time. It will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks so much!

Current Development Proposal: Note: As far as MMPC is aware, the sale of More Mesa to a Saudi developer in late 2012 seems to have marked an end to the attempts of the Hawk team to develop More Mesa.  Therefore all material related to this potential development has been removed from the MMPC web site.

art show

August 2012

More Changes on Our MMPC Web Site
Note: As far as MMPC is aware, the sale of More Mesa to a Saudi developer in late 2012 seems to have marked an end to the attempts of the Hawk team to develop More Mesa.  Therefore all material related to this potential development has been removed from the MMPC web site.

Sunset