Maryannaville™

If you’ve never seen Big Sur’s amazing beauty then watch what you’ve missed in the opening scene of the 1965 film, “The Sandpiper,” starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

“Flames from a huge wildfire burning through a national forest inched toward the scenic tourist town of Big Sur, where firefighters rushed Thursday to protect historic structures and hundreds of homes.”

“As the lightning-sparked blaze crept closer to California’s coastal Highway 1, fire engines stood guard next to rustic buildings as thick smoke and ash drifted over the Pacific Ocean.”

“Firefighters fortified their lines near populated areas but were letting the fire rage nearly unchecked through steep mountain forests as flames torched massive redwoods and sent them toppling.”

“The blaze in the Los Padres National Forest was only 3 percent contained and had burned nearly 42 square miles near the coast about a mile south of Big Sur, officials said. It has destroyed 16 homes since breaking out Saturday.”

“Authorities asked residents to evacuate 75 homes along a ridge threatened by the blaze. About 575 homes were threatened in all.”
Read on

Related:
Smoke from state fires fouls valley air
Big Sur’s History

On May 17, 2007, Bo Diddley was reported to be in intensive care in Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, following a stroke during a concert at Council Bluffs, Iowa on May 13. He had a history of hypertension and diabetes, and tests indicated that the stroke affected the left side of his brain, impairing his speech and speech recognition. A spokeswoman said there were no further details on his condition, or how long he would be in hospital. A later report indicated that Diddley was in “guarded” condition.

While recovering from the massive stroke and heart attack, he returned to his home town of McComb for the unveiling of a plaque, on the National Blues Trail devoted to him. The plaque stated he was “acclaimed as a founder of rock and roll.” He was not supposed to perform but as he listened to the music of local musician Jesse Robinson, who sang a song written for this occasion, Robinson sensed Bo Diddley wanted to perform and handed him a microphone. That was the first time Bo Diddley performed publicly since his stroke and heart attack.

On June 2, 2008, Bo Diddley died at 79 of heart failure at his home in Archer, Florida. Bo Diddley was honored by the Mississipi Blues Commission with a Mississippi Blues Trail historic marker placed in McComb, his birthplace, in recognition of his enormous contribution to the development of the blues in Mississippi.