A BI-MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE KERN-KAWEAH CHAPTER OF SIERRA CLUB JAN./FEBRUARY, 2011 CHAPTER OPPOSES OPENING REFUGES TO HUNTING Endangered species are at risk if government authorizes hunting in California “CALIFORNIA PERSPECTIVES” EVENT FEB. 11 TO SHOWCASE YOUNG ARTISTS California Department of Fish and Game 1416 Ninth Street P.O. Box 944209 Sacramento, CA 94244-2090 Dear Department of Fish and Game Staff: This letter is written on behalf of the Kern-Kaweah Chapter, Sierra Club, to express strong opposition to the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) proposal to close California State Game Refuges and “open” them to deer hunting. We have learned that the CDFG requested permission from the State legislature to “close” the State Game Refuges and allow “additional recreational” for deer hunters, and allow firearms and hunting. In 2008, AB 1166 directed the CDFG to study the situation and solicit public input. The CDFG will report to the State Legislature by Jan. 1, 2011. The Kern-Kaweah Chapter, Sierra Club, opposes this proposal to open any or all of the California State Game Refuges for deer hunting for the following reasons: This proposal is a thinly-veiled ploy to placate a very small interest group of Californians: the deer hunters of California. In 2001, only one percent of California’s 36 million residents classified themselves as deer hunters. Why should this very small interest group have such a large impact on the wildlife that belongs to all Californians? Deer hunters have sought expansion of their recreational opportunities to the detriment of not only deer, but of mountain lions, bear, and other species. Hunters DO NOT pay for California’s wildlife. The major- ity of CDFG’s re- venue comes from taxes paid by all Californians. Based on CDFG’s figures, the sale of deer- hunting tags and licenses could only have generated between $6.5 to $9 million in direct revenues for CDFG in 2009. The Department’s 2011 budget calls for more than $418 million in expenditures. Land management practices on a State Game Refuge do not have to be consistent with adjacent properties. If hunting is permitted adjacent to a Game Refuge, that does not require the Game Refuge to comply with the same management practices. Today, our California State Game Refuges have even more value as a wildlife haven than they did 100 years ago. Increased human-related pressures from development, causing habitat fragmentation and loss, have resulted in wildlife population declines, particularly the black-tailed deer. As more Please turn to page 2 Students from over 25 Kern County high schools are being invited to participate in an art competition co-sponsored by the Arts Council of Kern and the Kern-Kaweah Chapter of Sierra Club. The event has been designed to encourage student thought about and appreciation of California’s unique physical environment, both natural and urban. The Arts Council will be involved in the judging of student work for exhibit. Nicole St. John of the Arts Council will also help to hang the exhibit, which will open in the Younger Gallery at 1440 Truxtun Ave. (in the Bank of America building). The deadline for submitting student work is Monday, Feb. 7. The reception and awards night, which will include refreshments and will be open to the public, will be Friday, Feb. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. Work will remain on display in the Younger Gallery from Feb. 11 through April 1. Work will include a variety of media, including painting, photography, drawing, collage, printmaking, and mixed media. The Roadrunner RED FOXES: Animals like these fox pups need game refuges to survive. Photo/ Mike Baird
Transcript
A BI-MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE KERN-KAWEAH CHAPTER OF SIERRA CLUB JAN./FEBRUARY, 2011
CHAPTER OPPOSES OPENING REFUGES TO HUNTING Endangered species are at risk if government authorizes hunting in California
“CALIFORNIA PERSPECTIVES” EVENT FEB. 11 TO SHOWCASE YOUNG ARTISTS
California Department of Fish and Game1416 Ninth StreetP.O. Box 944209Sacramento, CA 94244-2090
Dear Department of Fish and Game Staff: This letter is written on behalf of the Kern-Kaweah Chapter, Sierra Club, to express strong opposition to the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) proposal to close California State Game Refuges and “open” them to deer hunting. We have learned that the CDFG requested permission from the State legislature to “close” the State Game Refuges and allow “additional recreational” for deer hunters, and allow firearms and hunting. In 2008, AB 1166 directed the CDFG to study the situation and solicit public input. The CDFG will report to the State Legislature by Jan. 1, 2011. The Kern-Kaweah Chapter, Sierra Club, opposes this proposal to open any or all of the California State Game Refuges for deer hunting for the following reasons: This proposal is a thinly-veiled ploy to placate a very small interest group of Californians: the deer hunters of California. In 2001, only one percent of California’s 36 million residents classified themselves as deer hunters. Why should this very small interest group have such a large impact on the wildlife that belongs to all Californians? Deer hunters have sought expansion of their recreational
opportunities to the detriment of not only deer, but of mountain lions, bear, and other species. Hunters DO NOT pay for California’s wildlife. The major-ity of CDFG’s re-venue comes from taxes paid by all Californians. Basedon CDFG’s figures, the sale of deer-hunting tags and licenses could only have generated between $6.5 to $9 million in direct revenues for CDFG in 2009. The Department’s 2011 budget calls for more than $418 million in expenditures. Land management practices on a State Game Refuge do not have to be consistent with adjacent properties. If hunting is permitted adjacent to a Game Refuge, that does not require the Game Refuge to comply with the same management practices. Today, our California State Game Refuges have even more value as a wildlife haven than they did 100 years ago. Increased human-related pressuresfrom development, causing habitat fragmentation and loss, have resulted in wildlife population declines, particularly the black-tailed deer. As more
Please turn to page 2
Students from over 25 Kern County high schools are being invited to participate in an art competition co-sponsored by the Arts Council of Kern and the Kern-Kaweah Chapter of Sierra Club. The event has been designed to encourage student thought about and appreciation of California’s unique physical environment, both natural and urban. The Arts Council will be involved in the judging of student work for exhibit. Nicole St. John of the Arts Council will also help to hang the exhibit, which will open in the
Younger Gallery at 1440 Truxtun Ave. (in the Bank of America building). The deadline for submitting student work is Monday, Feb. 7. The reception and awards night, which will include refreshments and will be open to the public, will be Friday, Feb. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. Work will remain on display in the Younger Gallery from Feb. 11 through April 1. Work will include a variety of media, including painting, photography, drawing, collage, printmaking, and mixed media.
The Roadrunner
RED FOXES:Animals like these fox pups need game refuges to survive.
Photo/Mike Baird
THE ROADRUNNER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011
GAME REFUGES: Chapter opposes hunting in game refugesof wild California succumbs to both urban and ruralgrowth, as well as development of renewable energy facilities, which occupy large tracts of open space, California wildlife populations will suffer increased displacement . Our State Refuges offer not only protection from hunters, but serve as migration corridors for all forms of wildlife. Mountain lions and other large mammals require large tracts of land for a sustainable and healthy existence. Today, these Game Refuges serve as havens from increased human impact. We believe the CDFG must evaluate not only the effect hunting will have on the native vegetation and wildlife in a particular refuge, but also the cum-ulative effects hunting will have on all refuges. This evaluation must include an objective, scientific consideration of all impacts on target species, migratory birds, sensitive resources, and threatened and endangered state/federal species.
California State Game Refuges serve an increasingly valuable role as safe havens for wildlife, as well as visitors who engage in passive forms of recreation such as hiking, picnicking, and bird watching without having to dodge bullets during hunting season. In conclusion, the Kern-Kaweah Chapter, Sierra Club strongly opposes the CDFG proposal to open any or all of the California State Game Refuges to deer hunting or other hunting, without full disclosure of all impacts for each refuge. We appreciate this opportunity to comment on this important issue, and look forward to an acceptable and timely resolution. Sincerely, Georgette Theotig, Chair Kern-Kaweah Chapter, Sierra Club
Continued from page 1
Bike Bakersfield is working towards creating a culture of bicycling as everyday transportation in Bakersfield. Bakersfield can become a town with a vibrant cycling culture. And best of all, by joining Bike Bakersfield you'll be doing your part to put more people on bikes in Bakersfield which makes a happy, healthier community for us all! That means that you are supporting an organization that is providing cycling education to our community through a variety of events and programs. You will be supporting the community wide May events such as Bike to Work Day, Downtown
Criterium, Bike Art Show, and more. In addition, you will be supporting important programs such as the Bicycle Friendly Workplace, Recycle-a-Bicycle, Safe Routes, The Bike Kitchen, and more. Membership does matter! More members means more power to advance our pro-bike agenda and build the bike network. Print out a membership form here and mail it to: Bike Bakersfield, 1708 Chester Ave., Bakersfield, CA, 93301, Our membership donation form is at this address: http://www.bikebakersfield.org/membershippayment.pdf
An article that should be of interest to you also can be found at: http://www.bakersfield.com/news/local/x35841689/Embracing-this-planning-ideal-nails-two-goals —Zachary A Griffin Bike Bakersfield NOTE: Zac Griffin, who is one of three paid bike advocates through Bike Bakersfield, is a Bakersfield native. He spoke to members of the Buena Vista group at their December breakfast meeting at El Camino Real restaurant. Zac is a frequent speaker at local schools and an advocate for bike lanes throughout the county.
IN BRIEFS
Annual Chapter banquet Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 26. Our speaker will be Bob Schildgen, who writes the "Hey, Mr. Green" column in Sierra magazine. His topic is "Green Living" so we should learn lots from his presentation. He is asking us to be specific about what we would like to know about, so send your questions to Chapter Chair Georgette Theotig. He wrote a book, Hey, Mr. Green which is published by Sierra Club Books.
Blue light specialOur brand new 2011 Sierra Club calendars are now being offered for a special price! Both the Wilderness and Engagement calendars are now being sold for half price, just $5! To get your copy, contact one of the following: For Bakersfield, Isabel Stierle (661.246.6195); for Porterville, Pam Clark (559.784.4643) for Tehachapi, Georgette Theotig (661.822.4371): and for Ridgecrest, Dennis Burge( (760.375.7967).
BIKE BAKERSFIELD: Organization works locally to promote healthy life choices
Another 12 months have come to an end, and we are facing the New Year, 2011. Before we look forward, I would like to express gratitude to all outgoing officers and executive committee members for your contributions this past year. The Chapter ExCom wishes to thank Donnel Lester for his four years of service on the board. We also welcome Stephen Montgomery, who begins his new term in January. Last, many thanks to our Election Committee of Bugs Fontaine and Peter Clum for their efforts. January symbolizes a beginning and a fresh start in our lives. The
New Year will arrive with its set of challenges, but also offers life-changing opportunities. I urge all Sierra Club members to renew your commitment to environmental activism. We thrive on clean air, clean water, and natural open spaces. Our much-appreciated Chapter activists are working hard to protect these quality-of-life issues. What will you do to make a difference in the New Year? I’ll leave with these words from Mahatma Gandhi: “BE THE CHANGE THAT YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD.” —Georgette Theotig Chapter Chair
Kern River Valley residents oppose two solar farms Residents of Weldon, above Lake Isabella, are planning to fight the proposed 300-acre solar farm adjacent to the Kern River Preserve. Renewable Resources Group (RRG) bought the 68,000-acre Onyx Ranch in 2008. Hundreds of residents have joined forces, meeting regularly to oppose the project, but may also have to contend with a second solar farm development. PKRV (Preserve the Kern River Valley) has now reported that the Nicolis solar project, by Foresight Renewables LLC, was just given a contract by Southern California Edison for the purchase of energy. (See more at: edison.com/pressroom/pr.asp?bu=&year=0&id=7502. ) It is to be located near the Weldon Solar Project by RRG However, Foresight has approached their proposal differently by getting
their contract with Edison before approaching the County of Kern. Thus far no CEQA process is active. In fact, Foresight has not yet purchased the property, having an option on 150 to 220 acres. Foresight told PKRV that they are concerned about community opposition, and that since they believe the Edison contract can be transferred to a different location, they are considering their options. This means only that if we waver, we lose. This proposal supports PKRV's concern that if ONE big solar power plant is allowed in the Kern River Valley, it will be followed by more, perhaps many more. Although this second site is not in a flood zone and is farther from the riparian area, PKRV opposes the concept of paving the Kern River Valley with solar panels and/or
windmills to outsource energy for the big population centers. Note that this site is also very close to schools and neighborhoods. One wonders where all those people go for rest and relaxation if the beautiful places are all covered in windmills and solar panels. —Jody Steel Kern Valley Resident
RURAL VISTA: The Weldon area is rural and scenic. Residents are concerned about potential changes.
REMEMBERING NORMAN CLYDE
Historian to discuss mountaineering legend In a CSUB lecture on Jan. 28 at 3:30 p.m. in the Albertson Room at the Dore Theatre on the CSUB campus, biographer Robert C. Pavlik will be discussing one of the most notable personalities of the mountain climbing world as he reconstructs the life of legendary mountaineer Norman Clyde (1885-1972). Clyde made his mark on climbing history with more than 130 first ascents throughout western North America and was especially knowledgeable about the High Sierra. Part of his mystique comes from participating in high-profile mountain rescues and recoveries, in which he is credited with saving a number of lives. Those who had the good fortune to meet him—often with a ninety-pound pack on his back that included an anvil for boot repair, fishing rods, cooking pots, and books in Greek and Latin--never forgot the experience. Pavlik uses Clyde's own words, along with recollections from his family, friends, fellow climbers, and acquaintances, to capture the experiences of a remarkable man and a bygone time "between the pioneers and the rock climbers." Copies of Pavlik's book, Norman Clyde: Legendary Mountaineer of California's Sierra Nevada (Berkeley: Heyday Books, 2008) will be available for purchase at the talk. For details, see: http://www.heydaybooks.com/history/norman-clyde-legendary-mountai.html
KERN KAWEAH ROUNDUPPLEASE READ CAREFULLY IF YOU PLAN TO PARTICIPATE IN SIERRA CLUB HIKES:Everyone is welcome, Sierra Club members and non-members, to join in any of the outdoor activities. Requirements: You must be in condition for the type of hike, equipped appropriately for the activity and prepared to sign a Sierra Club release for liability. You must be willing to follow the leader’s directions. Be sure to bring any personal medicines you might need. Customary appropriate equipment includes good hiking shoes, plenty of water, snack, sunglasses, suntan lotion, and layered clothing. The following might be helpful but definitely is not required: compass, whistle, matches or lighter, and a good first aid kit. Long pants are recommended. Unprepared for the prospective hike? It will be a no-go for you. Participation must be leader approved. Please let the leader know ahead of time that you are intending to participate. Check individual group listings for the desired means of communication.
Since unexpected change of plans may be necessary, it is recommended that YOU contact the hike leader the night before to be assured that the hike is still going to happen.
New California legislation designed to protect the consumer requires us to publish this notice: CST 2087755-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. This legislation is designed to protect the user of outdoor activities that require cash payments of more than $50 for participation.
BUENA VISTA GROUP (Bakersfield area)More info? Call Donnel Lester at 661.831.6784 or e-mail [email protected] or Isabel at 661.246.6195.Tuesday conditioning hikes of 4 or 5 miles at 7 p.m., meet at corner of Highways 178 and 184. Contact Gordon at: ([email protected]) or Larry (661.873.8107) for more information.
Saturday, Jan. 8— Brunch and Get-Together. Meet at 10 a.m. to discuss environmental issues. Camino Real Restaurant, 3500 Truxtun Ave.at Westwind just west of Oak Street. Optional brunch is served for $7.60/ person+tip. Info: 661.619.8027.
Saturday, Jan. 15, 9—Adopt-A-Highway cleanup. Meet at Old River Road and Hwy 119 (Taft Hwy). Park at the Monte Carlo lot. at 9 a.m We will bring equipment. We recommend that you bring a hat, good hiking shoes/boots, and water to drink. Inclement weather cancels this event. Call to confirm your attendance: 661.246.6195.
Planting trees: Details still need to be worked out.
Saturday, Feb 5—Brunch and Get-Together. Meet at Camino Real Restaurant, 3500 Truxtun Ave.at Westwind just west of Oak Street. Optional brunch is served for $7.60/ person+tip. Info: 661,619.8027.
Friday, Feb. 11—"California Perspectives” Art Exhibit and Reception. Drop in at 5 p.m. for refreshments and live music at the Younger Gallery, 1440 Truxtun (in the Bank of America building) for an exhibit of high school student art co-sponsored by the Arts Council of Kern and the Buena Vista Group. Awards for students beginning at 6 p.m..
Saturday, Feb. 19— Adopt-A-Highway cleanup. Meet at Old River Road and Hwy 119 (Taft Hwy). Park at the Monte Carlo lot at 9 a.m. We will bring equipment. We recommend that you bring a hat, good hiking shoes/boots, and water to drink. Inclement weather cancels this event. Call to confirm your attendance: 661.246.6195.
Meeting Notices—If you would like to receive Buena Vista Group meeting and activity notices by email, please contact Donnel Lester, at [email protected], with Add me to the email list. You can opt out of the email notices at any time. We try to limit this to once-a-month emails.
CONDOR GROUP (Frazier Park area) More info? Mary Ann Lockhart (661.242.0432). Hikes? Dale Chitwood (661.242.1076)
Saturday, Feb. 5—Russ Orell Photography Program. Russ Orell, local aviator and photographer, will present a selection of photos taken within the local area, a majority of which will be shots from the air. 7 p.m in the Pool Pavilion Room, Pine Mountain Clubhouse.
Saturday, April 2—Liz Buchroeder Photography Program. Liz Buchroeder, winner of many awards for her photos, will present a selection of these photos featuring everything from visits to national parks to close-ups of local individual natural features, wild things, plants and animals, 7 p.m in the Pool Pavilion Room, Pine Mountain Clubhouse.\We recommend calling the Mt. Pinos Ranger District, 662.245.3794 for information on trails and features of which there are many that you can visit on your own and that will be open for visitors. Snow does affect openings of areas.
KAWEAH GROUP (Porterville)More info? Call Pam Clark (559.784.4643) or Diane Jetter (559.781.8897).
OWENS PEAK GROUP (Ridgecrest)More info? Chair Dennis Burge (760.375.7967) or e-mail [email protected]. Jim Nichols, hikes (760.375.8161) or e-mail [email protected]. Saturday, Jan. 22—Red Ridge of Owens Valley Outing. Meet 7:30 a.m. at the Ridgecrest Cinema parking lot. ) Red Ridge (off Hwy 190 SE of Owens Lake, 4842 ft max, 1000 ft gain, 5.6mi RT) is the "grandstand" for Owens Lake. Spectacular views of Owens Lake and the snowy winter Sierra Nevada challenge the photographer. This hike has everything for a January hike: not much distance and not much altitude gain, roadhead reached by an only seasonally moisture-hardened stream bed, dry waterfalls, materializing and vanishing roads to locate, abandoned mines to pry into, historical artifacts to find, and a "peak" to climb. Easy/moderate hike due to distance. Call Dennis Burge at 760.375.7967 or Jim Nichols at 760.375.8161 for more info.
Saturday, Feb. 19—El Paso Peak/Quail Preserve Loop Hike. From the two-wheel-drive saddle west of Laurel Mtn (S of Ridgecrest, 4600 ft max, 1200 ft gain, 5.0 mi RT) in the El Paso Range, we ascend El Paso Peak, descend to the quail preserve, then triangulate back to the start. This otherwise easy hike rates moderate due to some cross country terrain and a few steep, loose spots. From the start/finish spot, an optional second loop hike takes us an additional two miles and 500 ft gain to the top of Laurel Mtn. And an optional 4WD route back to the junction of China Lake Blvd/395 offers excellent vistas and exciting terrain. Meet Saturday at 7:30 a.m. at the Ridgecrest Cinema parking lot. Call Nick Panzer at 760.446.0822 or Jim Nichols at 760.375.8161 for more info.
MINERAL KING GROUP (Visalia: Tulare & Kings counties)More info? Please also visit mineralking.sierraclub.org for more info.
Monday, Jan. 3—Mineral King Executive Committee Meeting,. Meet 6 p,m, at Colima's Restaurant, 500 S Linwood Street, Visalia. Call Beverly at 559.624.0199 for reservations. All members are welcome to attend.
Friday, Jan. 14—MKG/Kaweah Group Film Series. The first film in our series will be "Fresh" a movie about modern food production and supply, the problems associated with it, the ramifications of industrial agriculture, and what we need to do to fix those problems. Meet at 7 p.m. Location: Cafe 210, 210 West Center Avenue, Visalia. For more information, contact John Kamansky at 559.686.6418. No reservations necessary.
Saturday, Jan. 15—Bravo Lake Hike. We will hike/walk around Bravo Lake in nearby Woodlake. This is about a three mile family friendly hike with some great views of the Sierras. Call David or Joanne at 559.733.2078 for more information.
Saturday, Jan. 22—Exploring Kaweah Lake. We will start at Slick Rock and hike back towards the dam. The round trip is about five miles. This is an easy hike and, hopefully, above the fog too. Contact Dave Keller at [email protected] or 559.688.4813.
Friday, Feb. 11—Informal ‘No Host’ Dinner. Meet at 6 p.m. at Café 210, 210 West Center St., Visalia. Join us for a social just before the monthly film series. No reservations necessary.
Friday, Feb, 11— MKG/Kaweah Group Film Series. The second film in our series will be "Dirt! The Movie." This film explores the story of Earth's most valuable and under appreciated source of fertility, from its miraculous beginning to its crippling degradation." Meet at 7 p.m. Location: Cafe 210, 210 West Center Avenue, Visalia. For more information, contact John Kamansky at 559.686.6418.
Find the Mineral King Group on Facebook! Visit our page for up-to-date information on outings, social events, and ourconservation efforts in Tulare and Kings Counties.
For questions about, or to sign up for a particular outing, please contact the leader listed in the write-up. For questions about Desert Committee outings in general, or to receive the outings list by e-mail, please contact Kate Allen at [email protected] or 661.944.4056.
Tuesday-Sunday, Dec. 28, 2010-Jan. 2, 2011--Holiday Service in Carrizo Plain. Celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of the next in one of our new national monuments. The Carrizo Plain, west of Bakersfield, is a vast grassland, home to pronghorn antelope, tule elk, kit fox, and a wide variety of birds. A welcome hike Dec. 28, three and a half days of service modifying barbed wire fencing, and a full day for hiking and exploring are planned. Use of accommodations at Goodwin Ranch included. Limited to 14 participants, $30 covers five dinners. For more information, contact leader: Craig Deutsche, [email protected], 310.477.6670, or co-leader leader Melinda Goodwater, [email protected], 408.774.1257 CNRCC Desert Committee
Friday-Sunday, Jan. 7-9--Death Valley Wilderness Restoration. Come help with wilderness restoration in this beautiful and remote National Park. Meet early Friday afternoon and work on erasing vehicle tracks in Gower Gulch in Death Valley. Saturday we will work in the Amargosa Valley on the park’s east side, installing park boundary signs and wilderness restoration signs, and removing trash. Sunday work is TBD. Camp Friday and Saturday nights at Texas Springs campground. Appetizer/dessert potluck Saturday evening. Bring, camping gear, food for the weekend, and work gloves. Leader: Kate Allen, [email protected], 661-944-4056. Saturday-Sunday, February 5-6--Winter Escape in the Carrizo Plain. This outing combines a day of assistance to the Carrizo National Monument with a day of sightseeing and/or hiking. Weather can be cold, gray, and rainy, or it can be warm and bright - we take our chances. The service will be in removing or modifying fences to give pronghorn greater mobility on the Plain; and the recreation will be determined by the wishes of the group. This is an opportunity to combine carcamping, day-hiking, exploring, and service in a relatively unknown wilderness. Leader: Craig Deutsche, [email protected], 310.477.6670 Saturday-Sunday, February 26-27--Death Valley Exploration. Sample the wonders offered in this national park. Meet 8 am Sat. in Shoshone. The day’s tour will include stops at Badwater, Natural Bridge, and Golden Canyon with a short hike at each. Camp at Texas Springs. Sunday’s activities start with an early morning drive to Zabriskie Point, followed by a stop at the Furnace Creek Visitors Center and museum, a visit to Salt Creek, home to the rare Salt Creek Pupfish, and a hike in the sand dunes. Possibility for more camping and hiking for those who wish to arrive early Friday afternoon and/or stay over Sunday night. Contact leader for reservations or more details. Leader: Carol Wiley at [email protected] or 760.245.8734
There is a current advantage to being old, and that is in the perception, true or not, of having been fortunate enough to have lived in better days. Certainly where the health of the earth is concerned, the notion is primarilyvalid. The impression among numbers of profoundly knowledgeable scientists, especially biologists, is that lifeon earth is now moving into the sixth comprehensive extinction in the history of the planet, owing tohuman overpopulation. But it is generally believed that this will take time, occurring, as the poet T.S. Elliot predicted, “not with a bang, but a whimper.” Needless to say, this is theory, and very much opposed by those of us who hold religious views of human preciousness as objects of divine concern, or political belief in liberal exaggerations, or opposing scientificconclusions. In the meantime, we go on enjoying life as thinking and sentient beings endowed with the capacities for appreciation, gratitude and love. A fine experience of this fullness occurred for Maria Polite and me only a few days ago when we set out in an ample rain on a drive to the home of the renowned valley artist, Paul Buxman, where his paintings were being exhibited. The Buxmans live in the farming community of Dinuba, on a quiet country road so far from the crowded bustle of urban life as to be other-worldly. Inside their old two-story house we found ourselves in large and comfortable spaces just right for the showing of the paintings which were on the walls of both floors, and lining the stairway. Local jams and pastries and other delicacies were abundantly available there as well, and people were coming in numbers, with and without umbrellas, to partake in these pleasures. Throughout the time there I had a growing sense of déjà vu: of experiencing the valley as I knew it in my childhood and even through the '80s. What came increasingly to mind were Midgebuzzings piecesI had written for the Roadrunner and published in a little book in 1985. Especially poignant and conducive to memory were the artist’s paintings of sycamore trees, small agricultural canals like those I swam in when I was very young, and scenes of the Sierra in the clear distance. At Maria’s suggestion, and with directions from the Buxman family, we returned to Bakersfield by way of Visalia and Exeter, with the continuing sense, in the rain and the growing darkness, of being in thevalley as it was. The next day I opened a copy of the little book, Midgebuzzings, and re-read several pieces that seemed closest to the experience of the previous day: one on winter fog, another on sycamore trees, and athird on autumn as I once knew it. It was an experience both of pleasure in remembering and of sadness in the knowledge that those conditions, as I had described them, are now altered and primarily gone from my immediate world. But both Maria and I felt that they still live in Buxman’s part of the valley. I think it may be that autumn there, largely as I once described it, continues to be experienced in the farming community of Dinuba,and around the lovely old neighborhood we visited. Certainly memories of that day will continue to be a comfort even as aesthetic and environmental losses in the southern San Joaquin and Kern River valleys continue to be invasive realities.
—Ann Williams
MIDGEBUZZINGS
Executive Committee of the Kern-Kaweah ChapterChair: Georgette Theotig (Tehachapi), 661.822.4371. Vice-chair: Gordon Nipp (Bksf), 661.872.2432. Secretary:Ara Marderosian (Kernville), 760.378.4574. Treasurer: Lorraine Unger (Bksf), 661.323.5569. Stephen Montgomery (Bksf), 661.324.3522. Richard Garcia (Min King), 559.624.0199. Ann Williams (Bksf), 661.324.1055. ArthurUnger (Bksf), 661.323.5569. Peter Clum (Min King), 559.561.4661. Chapter ExCom Meetings: All Sierra Club members are always welcome to attend these meetings. Call 661.822.4371 to confirm all meeting dates as well
SYCAMORE IN AUTUMN Photo/Marjorie Bell
THE ROADRUNNER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011
A
Non-Profit Org.U.S. POSTAGE
PAIDPermit No. 498Bakersfield, CA
The Roadrunner2815 La Cresta Dr.
Bakersfield, CA 93305-1718
POSTSCRIPTSCondor Group raises issues The Condor Group in Frazier Park wants to voice several concerns. First: A 550-dwelling housing development, Frazier Park Estates, has been proposed for an area just off of I-5, which is the at the bottom of the Cuddy Valley. Inadequate water supply, air pollution, traffic and disturbance of a natural area are the points in contention. The plan was approved by the Kern Board of Supervisors. We are supporters of a suit against this decision. Second, the Forest Service is preparing a vegetation plan that would cover over 2000 acres of land in the Frazier Mountain area. We have submitted comments in the first step of development of this plan and will be continuing to use every opportunity available to influence positively proposed steps. Third, some action has been taken with our request to the Forest Service in regards to target shooting. The USFS is developing one specified location in which this will be allowed. For further information, feel free to call 661.242.9432.
Order newsletter PDFversionE-mail Lorraine Unger at [email protected] and ask to be taken off the hard copy list. Log on to the KERN-NEWS list at http://kernkaweah.sierraclub.org/email.html.
