4:41pm - "There's an accident blocking traffic on Sir Francis Drake headed west just past Papermill Creek Saloon and before you head into Lagunitas. Emergency vehicles on scene. No traffic is currently being let through." (Thx FK)

Slate.com shows the love: "The Point Reyes Light publishes a few dozen such items each week as part of its Sheriff’s Calls column. The column, which is written by the paper’s editor-in-chief, Tess Elliott, chronicles the worries, fears, misfortunes, and mischief that prompt the residents of West Marin to alert the authorities. It is the best police blotter in America, or at least the best one I’ve ever read."

http://www.slate.com/articles/

"A dead whale washed up on a Point Reyes National Seashore beach today is the latest of many reported in Northern California this spring, but experts said Wednesday that the influx is probably caused more by strong winds and a large whale population in the area than by any increase in mortality."

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.c

"Last night Wharf Rd. was ‘tagged’ with some incredibly toxic and disturbing graffiti on both private and public property including folks' cars, fences, signage, etc. We understand that this has been happening throughout our community for some time, and not a first for Wharf Rd. residents. But last night the ‘taggers’ hit hard. And clearly from the messages they left behind, these are local town folks attacking their own. It’s time to react collectively as a Bolinas community, to reflect, to communicate, to identify the perpetrators, to make them stop this criminal behavior, pay for the damage, and perhaps perform some community work that services Bolinas." - from Bolinas Wharf Rd. Residents.

If you have any info about who might be doing this, please let the Marin County Sheriff know.

This only happens once a year: "The Vedanta Retreat hosts its annual Memorial Day retreat from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with music, meditation, guest speakers Reverend Gwynn Guibord and Swami Atmavidyananda in the morning and a question-and-answer session with Swami Tattwamayanda, the minister of the Vedanta Society of Northern California, in the afternoon. The bookstore will also be open. All are welcome; leave pets at home. For information, visit sfvedanta.org"

tile sale at blue slide art tile sat and sunday 9-4! come one come all

Panoramic Hwy on Mt Tam closed in both directions near Pan Toll due to an accident.

A reminder that it is Memorial Day Weekend, so put on your best attitude and stock up supplies so you can avoid driving as much as possible. Its also Open Studios (art by Tom Killion) which is a great opportunity not just to see great art, but to meet local artists and check out their amazing spaces. More info at: http://www.pointreyesart.com/

Who felt the earthquake? We did here in Inverness.

Terrible. "Around $5,000 was stolen from the Marshall Store over the weekend, a burglary law enforcement has described as “unusual.” Just after 8 a.m. on Saturday morning, an employee arrived at the store to find the bolt cut off the front door and, once inside, discovered that both the point of sales system and a cash register—which contained several hundred dollars—were missing. The employee later saw that a safe hidden in the store’s office was also gone, and with it thousands of dollars." - via the Point Reyes Light: http://www.ptreyeslight.com/ar

"Legislation allowing Marin County to acquire surplus Coast Guard quarters in Point Reyes Station for affordable housing was approved by the House of Representatives this week

Huffman said the legislation should have a “smooth path” in the Senate, where senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein have introduced a companion measure. Huffman said there is no way of telling when the Senate might act because it “has its own schedule and rhythms,” but noted there is nothing controversial about the proposal. “I hope we can swiftly move this legislation to the president’s desk,” he added.

http://www.marinij.com/general

An absolutely stunning shot of a Great Horned Owl and her fledglings by Carlos Porrata. Talk about some mouths to feed.

A nice story in Local Edition about Alexandra Hart who created the legendary book, Funk and Flash with some local faces you know in it. "In 1973, she teamed up with photographer Jerry Wainwright to make a book that chronicled interesting fashions and styles. Together, they interviewed and photographed people who were "making the most interesting, embroidered expressions on ordinary items," coining the term "funk and flash" to describe the innovative, sometimes outrageous, idiosyncratic style of personal decor."
http://www.editionlocal.com/al

"As the great nephew of Czar Nicholas II, the last of Russia’s emperors, Andrew Romanoff was fourth in line to the throne, and now, at the ripe age of 92, the oldest living kin." Nice article on Andrew Romanoff in the Chronicle today. An incredible story all the way around.
http://www.sfchronicle.com/hom

"The Community Land Trust Association of West Marin holds its annual meeting from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Dance Palace Community Center, discussing, among other things, the potential Coast Guard property acquisition and amendments to the bylaws. Includes a light supper and music."

The kids found this today on Chicken Ranch. Any thoughts? Angel shark? Had quite a mouthful of teeth.

7:55pm - Power has been out in Inverness since 6:00pm. 900 customers affected. Estimated time back on is 10:00pm. Anyone else have any info? (Thx dw)

Power is out in Seahaven. PG&E reports that 900 customers are affected. They are estimating that power will be restored at around 10:00 p.m.

This evening's sunset in Point Reyes. Two whales swam by right after this photo was taken. Its pretty nice out there.

"The body of the fourth missing boater from a doomed fishing party was found on the Marin County shoreline, ending a search effort of nearly a month." This is related to earlier post about the helicopter at Tomales Point which has been now taken down.
http://www.marinij.com/general

I think the 'we need less crowds' people around here must have hired a PR firm: "Four Reasons to Skip Point Reyes and Head to Jenner"
http://www.modernluxury.com/sa

What should I say? As I left the Public Safety Building in Pt. Reyes the other morning, I watch a woman run a stop sign right in front of the station and then proceed at a high rate of speed NB on Shoreline past West Marin School...while a bunch if young elementary school children were walking home from their day at school!

I stopped the woman (local resident of Inverness) who seemed surprised that I had stopped her. After mentioning her failing to stop at the stop sign and driving over 50MPH past the school kids she quickly pointed out to me that it was OK for her to drive so unsafely explaining to me "But I live here, I didn't think the rules applied to me?"

Finding myself at a loss for words, I explained that there really aren't any "local exemptions in the California Driver's Handbook" I let her go on a warning.

Hi WMF, we have a last minute job opening on our staff for this summer at Point Reyes Summer Camp and I'm wondering if you'd be willing to share it? The position is for an Assistant Cook who would be involved in all aspects of running our kitchen with our Chef and another Assistant. We make homemade, delicious food sourced from the best possible local and sustainable ingredients and are a really fun staff! The job announcement and application can be found at http://www.ptreyes.org/summer-

8:13am - There is a motorcycle CHP nestled deep in the bowels of Lucas Valley Road this morning reminding people to drive safe. So please, drive safe.

The TWMF does cover Bolinas: "i am wondering if WMF includes news of bolinas. we had a big fire threat last night 5/10/15, @ 3:00am and on into the later morning hours. it was a fire at jack's creek (i heard, unconfirmed) and many fire trucks from many different sources arrived. it is a very difficult location to fight a fire and a very big threat. so, does WMF include info and news of bolinas?" Thanks Jeffery.

Nice article about local legendary artist Clayton Lewis in our only remaining newspaper today. That's going to be a great show when it comes to SF.
http://www.ptreyeslight.com/ar

It's been a very busy day in the parks today. There was a helicopter airlift for someone at Walker Creek earlier, then a helicopter airlift for someone extremely dehydrated on the Inverness Ridge Trail and now another person needing assistance at Heart's Desire Beach.

Yesterday I found my free ranging chicken dead and partially eaten, I think it happened between 9 and 11 AM. I put her body in the compost bin with a lot of weeds. This morning I found that critter(s) had removed her from the compost bin and eaten/taken her body away. The compost bin was closed and upright. I found an area near the bin with feathers but no body parts. I did some research and it seems that raccoons don’t eat the whole chicken. I’m wondering if it was a bobcat. Any ideas?

9:30am - CHP reminding people to drive safely at White House Pool this morning. (thx LM)

CHP at White House Pool - drive safely.

Can someone please explain what is going on here? "Shoreline Unified School District’s superintendent is resigning a year after he was let go by the school board and then reinstated by popular demand. Tom Stubbs, 61, said he tendered his resignation April 22 after the school board refused to give him a two-year deal because “I needed to know that I have at least two years to accomplish what’s needed for the district.” His last day will be June 30."

http://www.marinij.com/social-

"Legislation giving Marin County the first crack at acquiring surplus Coast Guard quarters in Point Reyes Station for affordable housing was approved by a congressional committee this week and shifts to the full House for consideration."

http://www.marinij.com/general

Rocking the deck chairs on Tomales Bay today. #style

Jay Soladay, owner of the Point Reyes Surf Shop and Jayli Imports was in Nepal when the earthquake struck. From his Facebook page, "Fears, tears, rubble. Crushed cars, bodies and spirits. Survival and death. Haves and nots. Violent earth with persistent human assault. Staying safe, moving little, knowing what's above in a brick city. 48 hour pounding heart that never sleeps and is always hurting. Huge 6.8 today and a gnarly 5am wake up call. Shacked up now with seven friends glued together while trapped. 3 Nepali, one Danish, Palestinian, Spain and American. We jump and run together supporting all the time. Wish I could have done more!!!!!"
Pictures here:
https://www.facebook.com/jay.s
You can make donations here:
http://www.gofundme.com/t9nptk

"Does anyone know why there is so much glass on the beach at Millerton Point? Was there a dump here at some point? I have been picking up glass every time I walk my puppy and today was my biggest haul... 78 pieces at low tide!" - Ciara Cox

"Instagram has also unveiled three new filters called Lark, Reyes and Juno. Reyes was inspired by the coast of Point Reyes, California and adds a 'dusty, vintage feel' to photos." REALLY?

Related: that picture has become one of the more popular pictures on the Interwebs and that spot now draws hundreds of photographers to the park. Amazing.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sci

A milk truck tipped over on Route One north of Nick's Cove this afternoon and ended up spilling 6000 gallons of milk and 100 gallons of diesel fuel. That is a proper mess. The driver was ok.

http://www.marinij.com/general

Via KWMR: "Swerving Kirven tore it up and now Paul Flowerman with Gregory DeMascio are playing some funky jazz. We still have a $100 challenge grant to meet! 425-663-9050! Give a call!" Paul is one of the best, be sure to tune in and help them out...

There is an overturned milk truck south of Nick's Cove. Driver injured. Emergency vehicles are on the way.

11:55am - There is an overturned milk truck south of Nick's Cove. Driver injured. Emergency vehicles are on the way. Truck is off the road but they've closed both lanes on Route 1 for now. (thx TT)

From this afternoon: "H1 rescues one person in the waters in Tomales Bay after her Kayak" - via Henry1. Remember, always check the weather and marine forecasts before heading out into the water.

11:46am - Kayakers in distress off of hog island. Rescue crews on it, hopefully it works out.

The giant bird nerd festival thing is happening this weekend. Lots of great events for big and small people. It will also increase traffic, so take that into consideration when going to get snacks in town.

http://www.pointreyesbirdingfe

via NWS: "We could see rain Saturday! MT @NWSBayArea: First look at potential rainfall totals for Saturday."

"Current Superintendent Tom Stubbs announced his resignation from Shoreline Unified School District late Wednesday afternoon, ending months of speculation over whether or not the district would renew his contract."
http://www.ptreyeslight.com/ar

8:50am - CHP is reminding people to drive the speed limit today at the Nicasio Reservior today and have been this week. Question, do people find this type of information useful?

3:25pm - RUMOR ALERT: Apparently Gwyneth Paltrow was just spotted coming out of the Cowgirl Creamery with her new hunky boyfriend. Like for real this time. Did you see her today?

"An April meteor shower known for uncommon surges of up 100 shooting stars per hour is on tap for the next few days. This series of shooting stars known as the Lyrid meteor shower lasts from about April 16 to 25, according to Around 10-20 meteors per hour can be expected, and about one quarter of those meteors will leave bright ionized gas trails that glow for a few seconds after the meteor has passed."

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.c

Missed this story by a day, the orgins of 420: "One day in the fall of 1971 -- harvest time -- the Waldos got word of a Coast Guard service member, Bill McNulty, who could no longer tend his plot of marijuana plants near the Point Reyes Peninsula Coast Guard station. A treasure map in hand, the Waldos decided to pluck some of the free bud. The Waldos, who were all athletes, agreed to meet at the statue of Louis Pasteur outside the school at 4:20 p.m., after practice, to begin the hunt."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

And there it goes. Do you know what's happening here? (Thx DW)

Recycle Circus today at The Dance Palace starting at 10am.

A Coast Guard helicopter had a computer malfunction yesterday and had to land in the North Beach parking lot. Someone spotted it being towed out of the park last night. Not something you see every day... (thx SP)

I know there's a story here, anyone know what it is? #freeadvice

"The bodies of two people believed to be part of a missing fishing party from Bodega Harbor were recovered Saturday from the waters off Tomales Point in the Point Reyes National Seashore, Coast Guard officials said. Authorities continued to search for two others that had been aboard the 21-foot boat, nearly 15 hours into the search in the waters from Bodega Bay to Tomales Point."

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/h

Photo via Friends of Henry 1 Instagram

11:13am - A water rescue/recovery operation happening out by Bird Rock in Point Reyes with boats and helicopters. Doesn't sound like a good scene, waiting for more details. Anyone know what's up?