Tomales Logging
With permission from the county and immediate neighbors, loggers from Planned
Sierra Resources in Amador County this week began cutting down 200 eucalyptus
trees in the county right-of-way along Cerini Road. The logs, which will maybe
fill 75 trucks like this one, will be shipped to Japan and turned into toilet
paper, said the company's Fred Gilson.
Permits for beach fires
As a result of the October 1995, Inverness Ridge fire, Point Reyes National Seashore has begun a beach-fire-permit system.
The no-fee permit, given out with educational information, will be required year-round for all beach fires within Seashore boundaries.
The fire permits will be available at all park visitor centers. A permit is not required for charcoal fires in campground and picnic area grills. Also, permits are not required for contained barbecues, such as portable metal barbecues, on beach areas or in picnic areas.
The permits will not exceed seven days in duration and will be invalid if a Red Flag Alert day is posted.
Turning off TV
West Marin and Inverness students for the second year are participating in UNPLUG! The TV-turnoff program began Sept. 30 with a week of monitoring viewing habits and selective viewing and will end Oct. 13, after a week when the TV, computer games, and videos are given a complete rest.
The turnoff, designed to counteract the TV habit and get the school year off to a good start, is sponsored jointly by the Tomales Bay Library Association and West Marin/Inverness Schools.
UNPLUG! Committee spokeswoman Colleen Jolley says, "Watching television, especially when it's constant, has a profound negative effect on the critical thinking, self-esteem, and productivity of youngsters and adults. Even occasional viewing has been shown by researchers to foster a passive approach to life.
"We found in 1995's first annual turnoff that students and their families actually enjoyed the challenge of discovering creative ways to spend time they were accustomed to spending in front of a screen."
Park proposes two big projects
Point Reyes National Seashore Supt. Don Neubacher announced this week that two environmental assessments for projects within the park are available for public review. The two projects are the removal of utility poles and lines via helicopter within the Muddy Hollow Corridor and a dairy-waste-management and reclamation project at the Historic J Ranch.
The removal of utility poles and lines within the Muddy Hollow Corridor examines and analyzes three alternatives, which will in turn formally designate a portion of "potential wilderness" into full "wilderness" status. The electrical lines will be placed under Limantour Road and will allow formal wilderness designation fulfilling the intent of Public Law 94-544, October 18, 1976, establishing the Point Reyes Wilderness Area.
The poles are to be removed by helicopter to a staging site near the Estero Trailhead where they will then be removed from the park by truck.
The environmental assessment for the Dairy Waste Management and Reclamation Project at the Kehoe Dairy examines and analyzes alternatives for construction of a series of ponds to improve the overall efficiency and viability in dairy-waste management. The project will be funded in part by the Environmental Protection Agency's 319(h) Non-Point Source Grant Program and overall project administration would be provided by the Marin County Resources Conservation District and UC Berkeley.
The public comment period closes Oct. 25 for the removal of utility poles by helicopter. The public comment period for the dairy waste management and reclamation project closes Oct. 30. Comments for both projects can be sent to Superintendent, Point Reyes National Seashore, Point Reyes, 94956.
Giacomini honored
Toby's Feed Barn proprietor Chris Giacomini was presented with the 1996 "Friend of 4-H" Award Sept. 27.
The annual award is presented by the Marin County 4-H Council to an individual, organization, or business firm which has made a contribution beyond the ordinary and affecting more than one 4-H Club or group.
Giacomini has supported Marin 4-H for many years as a sponsor of the West Marin 4-H Fair, donor to the annual auction, and strong supporter of Halleck Creek 4-H Riding Club fundraisers and local Point Reyes-Olema 4-H Club activities.
He is the second member of his family to receive the award. Toby Giacomini Sr. was honored in 1987.
Obituaries
Nina Wynne Furth
A summer resident of Inverness, Nina Wynne Furth of Monarch Beach, Orange county, died Sept. 30 at the age of 75.
She is survived by her husband Gordon, her daughter and son-in-law Wynne Furth and Donald Brenneis of Claremont, her daughter Amy Furth of New York City, her grandchildren Valance Elisabeth Furth Brenneis, Frank Forrester Church V, and Nina Wynne Church.
A graduate of UC Berkeley, member of Prytanean Society, and former member of the boards of directors of the University YWCA and the University Art Museum in Berkeley, she was also a member of the Inverness Ridge Association.
Remembrances may be made to the University YWCA, 2600 Bancroft Way, Berkeley 94704 or to the Inverness Garden Club scholarship fund.
Grace Louise Cunningham
Inverness resident Grace Louise Cunningham died at her home in Inverness Sept. 13 at the age of 86.
As a young woman, Mrs. Cunningham was considered quite daring by her family, daughter Arlene Tinsley of Inverness told The Light this week. In 1935, a young Mrs. Cunningham and husband Lewis Bernard Cunningham, packed up and left their home in St. Louis and headed off to "wild California," settling in Los Angeles.
A St. Louis native and the ninth of 14 children (one boy and 13 girls), she reared two children in Los Angeles where her husband worked as a tool and die maker.
After her husband's death, Mrs. Cunningham worked as a librarian at Occidental College. While in Inverness for seven years, she loved to work in the garden and in the yard. "She loved children and flowers," Ms. Tinsley said.
Besides her daughter Arlene, and grandson Joshua Tinsley of Inverness, Mrs. Cunningham is survived by son Lewis Bernard Cunningham of Ventura and his son; and sisters Dorothy Daman and Leona Daman, both of St. Louis.
Alice Rodgers
Inverness Park resident Alice Rodgers, 54, died of heart-related problems Sept. 25 at her home.
Born in San Francisco, Ms. Rodgers was reared in Marin and graduated from San Rafael High where her interests included 1950s-style dancing, said her mother, Gladys King of San Rafael.
"Whenever the kids would have a party and it was getting dull, [Alice] would get in there and make it lively," Mrs. King said. "She was the life of the party."
Ms. Rodgers worked as a nurse's aide at a convalescent home and as a teacher's aide.
She also was a 23-year companion of retired Point Reyes National Seashore worker Cecil Sanchez, 66.
Ms. Rodgers, who had no children of her own, cared for youngsters at the couple's Inverness Park home. "Now they're all grown up and have children of their own," Sanchez said.
The couple together enjoyed movies, shopping, and the Western Weekend parade, Sanchez said. During the Inverness Ridge fire last year, they were evacuated from the old Pine Crest Dairy ranch where Sanchez still resides as caretaker.
"She was the one who named my horse Cody," he said. "She'd try to ride Cody, but he's a pretty strong horse."
Ms. Rodgers' health declined after open-heart surgery two years ago, noted friend Deborah Osborn of Point Reyes Station. She had trouble getting around but enjoyed watching soap operas on television.
"Out of all her illness and pain, her sense of humor and laughter came through," Ms. Osborn said. "She was a good spirit, always positive."
In addition to Sanchez, Ms. Rodgers is survived by parents Gladys and Warren King of San Rafael; father RJ Rodgers of Georgia; brothers Eddie Rodgers of Fairfax and Jordon Rodgers of Novato; sister Millie Fratti of San Rafael; and seven nieces and nephews.
Friends and family have invited all who knew Ms. Rogers to join in a memorial "celebration of her life" beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at 10 Drake Summit Rd. Guests have been encouraged to bring a dish to share.
County planning
A county zoning administrator will hold a public hearing Thursday, Oct. 10, to consider issuing a coastal permit and approving the design for a 30-square-foot addition to a 48-square-foot tool shed at the Stinson Beach Village Green. The addition would house an existing chemical toilet for people using the park.