Page 44 - Sonoma County Gazette March 2018.indd

The long-awaited parking lot at the Jenner Headlands Preserve is almost ready for its grand opening. Located 1.5 miles north of Jenner on Coast Highway One, volunteers are busy planting landscaping plants, while work crews put the finishing touches on the infra-structure.
March is a green month and full of surprises!
The parking lot for the 5,630 acre preserve will have spaces to hold 30 cars and 2 school buses. It will also have a 400 foot view-trail for persons with disabilities and restroom facilities. It will be open (very soon) from dawn to dusk 7 days a week.
Weather is unpredictable, garden work is a guess, and events held outside are tricky. I heard a few people earlier in the month talk about drought and warm weather and ‘should we plant the garden’. And now we have snow! My memory is that we get rain through April for sure and sometimes into May. We get
This incredible preserve connects to the 238 acre Pole Mountain Preserve (acquired in 2014), with hiking trails up the 2,204 foot Pole Mountain the highest vantage point on the North Coast. Together there will be 15 miles of improved trails for the public to enjoy.
cold snaps in February and March. So hold on! Keep your coats and umbrellas out, start your seeds indoors now and put them out at the end of April. Have a backup plan for outside events. With all the unexpected surprises I still
love March. The sun and warmth are around the corner. We see our first wild flowers in more abundance, we have longer days and shorter nights (daylight savings starts March 11), and it starts to get really green. I love green as most of you know. I wore the green park uniform for 27 years. And we all love the green outdoors.
One thing I would hope for:
An emergency telephone in
the new parking lot. With the
911 call boxes currently being
decommissioned along Highway 1, and cell signals for private phones spotty at best, it would make sense (and could save lives) to have a Call Box available in the parking lot.
That’s right! You can not or should not discriminate against anything. March 3rd is ‘World Wildlife Day’ so a trip to the B.Bryan Preserve which is actively committed to preserving the breeding of wild African hoof animals in a free range environment is in order. Join them at 9:30am or 4:00pm for an up close view of each species. Reserve online atbbryanpreserve.com/ or call them at (707) 882-2297 for more details. March 8th is ‘International Women’s Day’. Give a warm hello to the women in your life – we are all international. And of course March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day, offers a reason to celebrate everything green. Spring begins March 20th. On March 21st create a poem for your loved one as it is ‘World Poetry Day’. And since it is a Wednesday you could share your poem with your favorite person at the Timber Cove Locals Night where all menu and drinks are 20% off. Visit Timber Cove at timbercoveresort.com.
With the hills still green from the sparse winter rains, and orange California Poppies contrasted by purple Douglas Iris covering Coastal meadows and rocky outcroppings, it is the perfect time for a hike! We are fortunate indeed, to have these coastal ranches preserved for future generations; truly something to be proud of.
Gualala Arts Center ~ There are two student shows supported by Art in the Schools, which has been around for a very long time inspiring our coastal youth. The ‘Truth Project’ is curated by artist Larain Matheson and ‘Young Creative Minds’ is curated by Sigrid Hillsan. Opening reception for both shows is Saturday, March 9, 2018, 5 to 7 pm. Exhibit runs thru April 1, 2018.
The Dogwood timber harvest plan has been delayed for the 6th time! Cal Fire has once again told the Gualala Redwood Timber Company to hold off on their plans to log in the wild and scenic Gualala River Floodplain. The delay is only until mid-march.
A wonderful variety of talent and artistic thought will be on display in this pre-school through high school art show with over 600 students from Fort Ross, Kashia, Horicon, Arena, Point Arena High School, home study, Pacific Community Charter, and Manchester schools represented. Also music events, classes on fabric and paper creations are taking place at GAC. Please visit the Gualala Art Center events page at gualalaarts.org/category/events/ for more information. Visit the Lighthouse of Point Arena for their upcoming tours. March 1st and March 31st they host a Full Moon Tour and March 17th at
On July 1, 2016, CAL FIRE approved the five mile long, 400+ acre “Dogwood” timber harvest plan (THP; logging permit) that lies entirely within the floodplain of the designated Wild and Scenic Gualala River.
Under current California forestry regulations, the floodplain (riparian) redwood forest is supposed to be protected against all logging disturbances like skid trails and haul roads used to move logs out, but CAL FIRE waived those protective rules when asked to grant a massive “exception” to the rules.
4:00 PM a lecture will be offered by Sara Bogard on ‘From Captivity to Open Ocean”. Visit them atpointarenalighthouse.com/visit/calendar-2/. Also on March 17th live music at the Point Arena Theater by the T Sisters – Sassy Sister Folk Group will be offered. Erika, Rachel and Chloe have been singing and writing music together since childhood. You can go to the lecture at 4:00 at the Lighthouse, have a local dinner out, then attend the music at the theater. What a fun evening. www.arenatheater.org
Unless the approval is challenged and stopped, Gualala Redwoods Timber will proceed to cut 90-100 year old redwoods and build roads through floodplain wetlands and rare plants and in over five miles of floodplains – sensitive habitats and resources that were not even been surveyed in advance of the approval.
This sixth ‘stay of execution’ is still only temporary. Please support
the Friends of the Gualala River, our local Environmental Heroes! friendsofgualalariver@gmail.com, www.gualalariver.orgPlease help preserve this embattled river valley from the short-sighted persistent efforts of those trading our children’s futures for a quick buck.
Here is a little green poem:
Between the watershed resources at the headwaters being diverted for grape irrigation and the sensitive floodplains being actively approved for logging, this embattled coastal river habitat is under assault. The truth is that the eco- system balance is hanging by a thread. We would be well advised to perhaps just back off and allow it to heal.
Today is the day fer the wearin’ o’ the green.
Today is the day when the little people are seen....
Ya’ put yer hand up in the air, the other hand on your hip.
Ya’ tap yer toe, ya’ tap yer heel, ya’ bounce yer knee a wee bit. Ya’ prance ‘n dance around the room, n’ circle one two three. The saints be praised, I must admit, ya’ all look Irish ta’ me. ‘No author was mentioned’.
Wishing you all everything green.
I think the new ‘speed indicator’ signs in Jenner are making a difference in the safety and well-being of all who enjoy this little coastal town. A long time coming.
March 10 ~ Russian House presents The Historic ‘California Collection’ from Russia with speaker Robin Joy Wellman (that’s me_ at 7 PM
Please shop locally at one of the great shops here in West County. The newly redone Jenner Wine and Gift shop now has a great deck over the river to enjoy a glass of wine. Not to be missed. Of course Café Aquatica next door is well known for its riverside lounging areas. So close, but a world away.
Please join us for dinner and conversation. I recently retired after 27 years at Fort Ross State Historic Park where I worked with natural and cultural history interpretation. I will highlight stories of the two trips I lead to Russia with
local tribal members from Kashaya, Coast Miwok, Dry Creek Pomo, southern Pomo, and Sahka (Siberia) in collaboration with curators from the Museum of Anthropology, the Kunstkamera, which houses an amazing collection of pieces from local tribes collected by Russians long ago.
44 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 3/18
Did you know that March 1 is ‘Zero Discrimination Day”?