Inside this week… more colorful photos and features to make your Carmel Christmas the most memorable ever! BULK RATE GIFTGIFT GUIDEGUIDE U.S. POSTAGE PAID CARMEL, CA Permit No. 149

Volume 93 No. 47 On the Internet: www.carmelpinecone.com November 23-29, 2007

Y OUR S OURCE F OR L OCAL N EWS, ARTS AND O PINION S INCE 1915 redo: Better sound from Big Sur trail plan the stage, less noise from the bathrooms runs into obstacles

By MARY BROWNFIELD ■ Residents feel left out; large landowner PLANS TO make the Forest Theater objects to proposed alignment more user friendly — including provid- ing restrooms that aren’t out of the Stone By CHRIS COUNTS Age — should be submitted for Carmel City Council review within the next few A STATE agency and a group of local residents agree months. that routing the 1,200-mile California Coastal Trail through R.F. McCann & Company Architects, Big Sur would be a good thing. Unfortunately, the two sides Inc., which specializes in renovating appear to be far apart regarding who will decide where the historic theaters, finished the prelimi- trail will go. nary design work and presented the facts Meanwhile, two maps suggesting alignments for the trail to neighbors at an Oct. 30 meeting. have been circulated, leading one of Big Sur’s largest proper- The Forest Theater Foundation, ty owners to say he is seriously opposed to any trail going which formed to raise funds and oversee across his land. the project, hosted the gathering. “We had a lot of good comments,” Locals want more say said Walt deFaria. “Naturally, some did- Last summer, as discussions of the trail through Big Sur n’t like everything presented by our were getting under way, residents expressed concern they architect, but in general, they were sup- were being left out of the planning process. Four months portive that something has to be done.” later, it seems little has changed. Constructed nearly a century ago R.F. MCCANN The dispute started when the California Coastal and overhauled after the city took own- A preliminary drawing shows new bathrooms, expanded space beside the Conservancy — a state agency which says it has spent more ership in the 1930s, the Forest Theater stage and other proposed improvements to the historic Forest Theater. than a half billion dollars to “preserve, protect and restore the is the state’s oldest outdoor theater. No resources of the California coast” — announced it would one wants to change its rustic character or undermine its improved parking, a new ticket booth and landscaping. allocate $175,000 to hire a consultant to develop a Big Sur historical significance, but actors, crews and audience The design also calls for using the space at the front and Coastal Trail Master Plan. Wanting a greater say in the members would all appreciate some improvements, underneath the stage for an orchestra pit and storage, and process, Big Sur residents sought, and apparently received, deFaria pointed out. better buffering of sound around the perimeter of the assurances that they would play a significant role in the plan- McCann’s “master plan program elements” include a grounds. ning of the trail. sound booth and spotlights in back, new restrooms, larger “We love it rustic,” said Stephen Moorer, founder and “This should be our project,” said Jack Ellwanger, whose dressing rooms, ADA-accessible walkways, better access artistic director of Pacific Repertory Theatre, which pre- group has been working on the plan for months. “We live for emergency vehicles and for loading scenery, more here.” comfortable benches with angled backs for 550 patrons, See FOREST page 13A See TRAIL page 8A How many MacDonalds are too many? MPC police academy joins

■ Sculptures, not hamburgers CarrieAnn called a “stunning and beautiful,” 6-foot- forces with three others 10-inch bronze of famed Russian dancer and choreo- By MARY BROWNFIELD DUIs at a revamped police academy By MARY BROWNFIELD grapher Rudolf Nureyev. at College, “This is the most sought-after piece of Richard ADETS WITH their sights according to officials with the col- LANNING COMMISSIONERS do not want the MacDonald’s,” she said. C P set on police jobs in Carmel and lege. job of deciding what qualifies as art and whether it But senior planner Sean Conroy recommended other Peninsula communities will At the advice of president can be installed in public view — a position they reit- denial, since one of MacDonald’s works is already on soon be learning how to gather evi- erated Nov. 14 after Dawson Cole Fine Art sought per- display in town. dence, handcuff suspects and detect mission to install a Richard MacDonald sculpture out- See ACADEMY page 10A side its gallery on San Carlos between Fifth and Sixth. See RULES page 6A The subject is not new to the commis- sion, which in July voted to allow the Veteran theater exec, same gallery to place a bronze, “Trump- eter,” also by producer, director to MacDonald, in a small garden beside head Sunset Center its shop. In September, the By MARY BROWNFIELD gallery changed its mind and Carmel THE OLD saw, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” Plaza asked to install has no place in Peter Lesnik’s life philosophy. the piece instead. “I’m not good with the status quo,” said the The commission man who will head Sunset Center come Jan. 1. OK’d that as well. “I’m a bit of a fixer, even when things aren’t bro- In place of ken.” “Trumpeter,” For the past decade, Lesnik has been executive PHOTOS/TIM MERONEY Dawson Cole Fine director of the modern, 1,100-seat Richard and Art then asked to Cadets at the Monterey Peninsula College police academy practice their install in its garden skills taking down criminals in a parking lot at the former Fort Ord. Beginning ‘Nureyev Heroic’ what spokesperson See DIRECTOR page 11A next month, they will have new teachers. Get your complete Carmel Pine Cone every Friday morning in convenient pdf format as an email attachment. Free subscriptions available at www.carmelpinecone.com. 2A The Carmel Pine Cone November 23, 2007 ‘CHICKS WITH STICKS’ KNIT BEANIES FOR THE BRAVE

By CHRIS COUNTS Chappell, has a son-in-law, Chase Agnew, who is stationed in Not only are women having fun making the beanies, the Iraq. public response has been very favorable. A GROUP of local women have turned their love of “We decided to take one day a week and hang up our rack- “We’ve made more than $800,” she said. “The beanies sell knitting into heartwarming act of support for U.S. troops ets to make beanies to sell so we can pay to send care pack- for $10 each, but many people have been very generous and abroad. ages to Chase and the 29 guys in his Naval squadron,” she given us more.” “We have been friends since our kids were young,” said. Most of the group’s beanies — which are close-fitting knit explained Sue Lamvik. “Now, our kids are growing and we’re The women dubbed the project, “Beanies for the Brave.” caps — are designed to fit newborns and very young chil- becoming empty nesters, so we play a lot of golf and tennis.” The care packages are filled with snacks, books and person- dren. Larger sizes can be ordered. They’re available at Boëtté Hence the name they’ve taken on: “Chicks with Sticks.” al items. Winery in the Valley Hills Shopping Center, the Tee to Green One of the chicks, Carmel Valley resident Kasmin “It kinds of brings us more in touch with what’s going on golf store in the Barnyard Shopping Center and the Hearth in the outside world,” she said. “All of us have kids in their Shop in the Del Monte Shopping Center. For more informa- 20s. If they can take time to serve our country, we can take tion, call Lamvik at (831) 224-6786. time to send them care packages every month.” The colorful beanies are designed to look like flowers, khaki’s . . . fruit and vegetables. For Christmas this year, the members of Agnew’s the best squadron will r