Sky Mountain Institute Burned in fires!

I wasn't sure which forum to post this in, but I was very saddened to hear that Sky Mountain (Where the World Domination DVD was filmed), their house burned down in the San Diego Fires.

Everyone got out and they are safe. Please send prayers, good energy, good thoughts to them!

Sheri

Thanks for passing this along Sheri! My prayers are with them.

I am going to add a little more to the title.

That's terrible news. Thoughts and prayers going out to Alden and Ann.

Perhaps they should set up a gofundme.com account to help rebuild?

My understanding is that it was Alden Hough's mother's house that burned. Such a horrible tragedy.

Note that the rest that follows is a day or two old at this point.

According to Sky Mountain's FaceBook page, the swales they built at the earthworks worked as a firebreak and this pic is a firefighter watering the food forest to help save it.



I can't link the video, but here is the description from the FB page:

Our dear friend and neighbor, Derek, shot these short videos of the fire that took out Lali's home and most of Harmony Grove Spiritualist Association yesterday. Even these amazing videos cannot describe the horror of being there. We literally ran for our lives. I cannot thank the fire fighters and first responders enough for their amazing work over the last few days. They are my heros...

Our hearts go out to Alden, Ann and Lali and everyone in the neighborhood. We met such wonderful people there and are holding them all in our thoughts.

Yes, Jocelyn, it was Lali's house that burnt down. She is an old friend of our family and a very special woman. I am heartbroken for them.
Jennifer, that's a great idea. I will pass it along.

A couple updates. Picture from Sky Mountain Institute's FB page:

Dear friends, a strange thing happened today. I made the mistake of leaving the barn garage door open and a group of people turned up in SUVs while I was elsewhere on the property and filled the barn studio with donations of children's toys, furniture and mattresses. Note to self, remember to close barn door! The Red Cross are arranging to distribute these items to people who need them. We have had so many enquiries about donations that Alden has decided to start a garden restoration fund. Only one garden tool, a pitchfork, survived the blaze and many trees and plants were destroyed. If you would like to donate to this fund then checks to Sky Mountain Institute can be sent to 2844 Country Club Drive, Escondido 92029. If you are interested in lending a hand, then Alden will be arranging volunteer days as early as this weekend. I will post more details about these soon. Alden, Lali and I want you all to know how much your support and kind wishes mean to us at this difficult time. We feel surrounded by love.

Here is a Meetup, if you're in the area, for a work party this Saturday, May 24.

Another update, via Sky Mountain's e-mail list.

Which included the picture above and the one below.

Wildfire Damage Update

Dear friends, most of you will have heard by now that Sky Mountain was badly hit by the Cocos wildfire last Thursday, May 15th. The fire caused extensive damage in Harmony Grove: 25 homes were lost at the Harmony Grove Spiritualist Association including the church. On the Sky Mountain land, Lali Mitchell's house was burnt down, the little house that Alden and Ann live in narrowly escaped as the fire came within 15 feet and the barn was also very narrowly missed by the tornadoes of fire that whipped across the area in a matter of minutes. The gardens took a heavy hit with many trees and plants destroyed, the greenhouse shattered and our large rainwater tank melted in the intense heat. Alden lost all his tools with the exception of one pitchfork. We have been overwhelmed by people contacting us with messages of support and offers of help. Despite the devastation we feel surrounded by love.

Fortunately all humans and animals survived, including our chickens, and are staying with friends. The chicken lounge is intact and the earthbag dome is unscathed.

The Escondido Garden Club will be meeting at Sky Mountain, 2855, Cordrey Drive on Thursday, May 22, from 6 - 8 p.m. to tour the property and talk about how it can be rehabilitated.

Our first volunteer clean up day will be on Saturday, May 30th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you plan on attending either of these events, we advise you to wear old shoes as the ground is covered in ash. Please bring gloves if you plan to volunteer and a shovel if you have one.

Many people have asked how they can make donations. If you feel moved to do so you can send a check to Sky Mountain Institute at 2844, Country Club Drive, Escondido 92029 or donate on-line through skymountain.org.