Carmel Magazine

T he $5.5 million Carmel Mission Basilica restoration took project-of- the-year honors in a recent competition conducted by Engineering News Record, a magazine covering the construction industry. The award came in the religious/cultural category for the Northern California and Hawaii region. More than 140 projects were submitted for the 2014 contest, which judged entries in areas such as innovative design and construction and safety and craftsmanship, along with design quality and contribution to the community. The Carmel Mission preservation team recognized at a December event includes representatives from Blach Construction, Architectural Resources Group and Donald C. Urfer and Associates. Carmel Mission Foundation President and CEO Vic Grabrian calls the award "a wonderful way to honor the donors who supported the proj- ect," adding that it underscores the quality of the team's work. "The phase one Basilica restoration project was completed safely, ahead of schedule and $1.5 million below budget," he said in a statement. "It is our hope that the award will be helpful in future fundraising, as additional seismic retrofits and much restoration work remain at the Mission." Carmel Mission Basilica preservationists are now developing plans for the next stage of the project, focusing on several other structures with- in the 22-acre complex. In addition to addressing five museums and California's first library, the upcoming work will include restorations to the Orchard House. That building ranks among the oldest residences in the state. The next phase of construction, estimated to cost $20 million, is slat- ed to start as early as 2016. Local author and activist Eric Schlosser part- nered with actress Eva Longoria and director Sanjay Rawal to produce "Food Chains," a new film documenting efforts to improve working con- ditions for farm laborers in the United States. As it explores the state of the country's food system, the film focuses on the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and their efforts to change working conditions for tomato pickers in Florida. The movie also examines the role of supermarkets and the supply chain that brings products to store shelves. "Food Chains," which was released in November, premiered at the 2014 Berlin Film Festival, and was screened at the Tribeca Film Festival and Guadalajara Film Festival. Actor Forest Whitaker, food writer Barry Estabrook and environmental activist and attorney Robert Kennedy, Jr., also take part in the film. Tassajara Zen Mountain Center opens its gates for the 2015 guest season in April, offering access to the property's hot springs, hiking trails and meditation and wellness retreats. Options on this summer's schedule include yoga, wildflowers, visioning, visual arts and spiritual practices, plus poetry, music, culinary arts and other workshops. Guests can join the monastery's residents for daily chanting and meditation classes, as well. BEST OF THE CARMEL POLICE LOG… Bite in cat vs. person: The owner of a cat was bitten while picking up an elderly cat. SHORTCUTS CARMEL CONFIDENTIAL Carmel Mission Restoration Takes Top Prize The iconic Carmel Mission was awarded "Project of the Year" in Northern California by Engineering News Record. The next restoration phase is planned for 2016. 50 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 1 5

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