I just returned from a fabulous long weekend in Big Sur, where I visited my friends Toby Rowland-Jones and Linda Sonrisa, who were hosting the first ever Big Sur Food & Wine Festival. The festival was Toby's brainchild, intended as a way to stimulate Big Sur's economy after last year's fires took a bite out of tourist traffic. Not only did the festival raise over $30,000 in funds to support the community, it also sold out hotels and filled local restaurants to the brim. Even more importantly, it cemented the sometimes fragmented community, as they rallied to rebuild, linking arm in arm with local winemakers, chefs, friends, and neighbors from far and wide. More on the festival soon, but first, a few thoughts about new growth...