Coastways Ranch Fundraiser

Coastways Ranch (right across from Año Nuevo, known for berries, kiwis, artichokes, and pumpkins) is in trouble. We suffered extensive damage from the CZU lightning complex fires last August, though thanks to the heroic efforts of a wide network of family and friends, as well as ranch residents and official firefighters, all homes were saved. Even before that, though, we were hit with a whopping and totally unexpected property tax bill to the tune of about a *million* dollars, and we've been really scrambling ever since. We are trying to keep from having to sell the ranch, which has been in our family for more than 100 years. About 75 acres of our land are farmed; the remaining 400 acres are mainly forested, go right down to the mean high tide line, and include habitat for countless native species, some found almost nowhere else. We would hate to see the ranch go to a commercial developer, and we are fighting tooth and nail to prevent that.

As part of our fundraising efforts, we are putting on an Art & Music Auction at the ranch on Saturday, July 31st, from 4:30 to 8:00 PM. Most of our auction items are, in fact, art and music related, but we are also including items that spotlight local farms and businesses, as well as our native flora and fauna. To give you a taste, a few of the highlights of the live auction include the following:

Public Figures, by Darryl Ferrucci. A chance to own a piece of local history. Darryl has donated three of the larger-than-life portraits he created of dancers from the Moving & Storage/Crash, Burn, & Die Dance Company that used to grace the side of Lulu Carpenter's in downtown Santa Cruz. After many years out in the weather, they were taken down due to normal wear and tear; however, that only adds to their visual interest. A unique set of works for the local historian or lover of modern dance. See Darryl's documentation of the original installation here: Public Figures
Three of the original six Figures are available for bidding: Caitlin, Jeffrey, and Alex.

Two phenomenal art quilts by internationally recognized quilter, Laura Fogg: Coastways Bounty and Overgrown. Laura states: “Coastways Ranch is one of the many beautiful Northern California settings that has inspired me to create art quilts over the past couple of decades. I love the place deeply, and am especially drawn to the picturesque combination of untamed ocean climate and futile attempts by human beings to “improve” the land. Nature always wins out over clearings, buildings, fences and roadways… resulting in endless inspiration for my artist’s eye.” Website: https://laura-fogg.squarespace.com/


Private after-hours elephant seal tour at Año Nuevo State Park, led by experienced and knowledgeable Point Ranger and Coastways resident family member Andy Wilson. This sunset tour is at the height of breeding season and takes advantage of the cooler evening hours when the park is closed to the public and seals are most active. You can expect to see thousands of adults and pups on the beaches, including nursing pups, and territorial fighting. There is also a chance of witnessing a birth or mating.

For all of our auction links, please visit us at: https://paybee.io/@coastways

For additional information, including our whole story, please visit our website: https://www.coastwaysranch.com