From Sheriff Doug Pittman: "Has anyone seen a newer model red dodge charger seemingly parked or abandoned out here in West Marin. Car is believed to have new dealer paper license plates or even possibly an out of state license plate. Can't give specific details but I have a great interest in finding this car. Trust me, it doesn't belong out here... Thanks, Doug (your local Sheriff)"

Search crews are back out at the Estero looking for the missing swimmer this morning. Our hearts go out to the family and friends.

http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_26448952/swimmer-goes-missing-drakes-estero-near-inverness?source=rss

On a more happy note, Mr. River Otter heading out to Drakes to grab a bite to eat. #otter #pointreyes #sneaky

4:55pm - Emergency rescue happening out at the Limantour Spit right now. Four young men were swimming across the Estero, one is missing. Local surfers assisted them. Helicopters and jet skis combing the area.

Traffic is gridlocked at the Levee Road in Point Reyes. Do not leave your house unless you have to!

Winner of the sand castle contest at Drakes Beach in Point Reyes.

Complete madness at Drakes Beach today. Hard to believe. #fauxsocal

A birder counted 15 Mola Molas out at the Point Reyes Lighthouse on Friday. Very cool. (via @PointReyesNPS)

Point Reyes Wild is an exhibition and sale of landscape paintings of Point Reyes National Seashore by the BayWood Artists.
The show celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act passed by Congress in 1964 and is a fundraiser for Point Reyes National Seashore Association's mission

It is the result of a year-long effort by these accomplished plein air artists to depict some of the park’s best-known landmarks and species, as well as special remote locations. The show opens with an artist reception and light refreshments at noon on Saturday, August 30 at the Red Barn Classroom and Art Galley at Point Reyes National Seashore. Admission is free.

Also as a part of this event, at the Yellow Commons house this weekend they are selling some of Carlos Porata's photographs.

http://www.ptreyes.org/events/point-reyes-wild-baywood-artists

I had no idea someone was missing. "No clues have surfaced in a months-long search for a prominent Inverness physician whose BMW was found in a parking lot in the Point Reyes National Seashore, officials said."

http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_26433129/no-clues-found-search-missing-inverness-physician

Twitter thinks this image is 'sensitive'. After staring at it for a long time, I guess it could be seen that way. I mean, if you really want to go there. Geez. #algorithmsgonebad

http://www.buzzfeed.com/expresident/15-things-that-look-dirty-but-arent

"A series five aftershocks, one registering a preliminary magnitude 3.9, rattled Napa in between 5:30 and 7 a.m. Tuesday." Heard that some folks in Inverness felt them, anyone else? I didn't.

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/08/26/3-aftershocks-hit-napa-largest-quake-since-sundays-6-0-earthquake/

Construction delays in PR/Petaluma rd and CHP being very sneaky in Lucas Valley Rd early. Drive safe.

Food foraging fan Suzanne Taylor of Inverness has the chance to share her farm-to-fork philosophy with the world Wednesday when she makes her television debut on the Cooking Channel's "My Grandmother's Ravioli" show.

http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_26404493/inverness-woman-featured-cooking-channel-show?source=rss

The South Napa Earthquake was a reminder to make sure your preparedness plans are up to date. Here are some good resources to look into:

http://www.sf72.org/

http://www.marinsheriff.org/about.aspx?gi_id=60

If anyone has any others, feel free to post them. And remember to tune into KWMR when disaster strikes, that's why they're there.

TRAFFIC WATCH: I'm pretty sure the 'pipeline project' starts tomorrow morning around 8am on the Point Reyes/Petaluma Road just outside of Point Reyes. Not sure how long the delays will be, but plan your commute accordingly. Anyone else have better details?

12:42pm - BREAKING NEWS: CHP Marin - Hit and run- vehicle into building. Suspect: Silver SUV, Minnesota plate #562MDE, heading towards PT Reyes from the 10k block Shoreline. (Be safe, call the police if you see the car)

Cal OES official says since the 6.0 Napa quake was so shallow its impact was more like 7.0-- was felt farther away.

The USGS said the probability of a strong and possibly damaging aftershock in the next seven days is 54 percent.

The last significant quake to shake Marin was a 5.0-magnitude temblor recorded in Bolinas on Aug. 17, 1999 along the San Andreas fault. It was the same segment that moved so powerfully in 1906.

http://www.marinij.com/ci_26397018/reported-6-0-quake-shakes-marin-awake-at?source=rss

Wow. Who felt that? @earthquakesSF 3m
A 6.1 magnitude earthquake occurred 3.73mi WSW of American Canyon, California. Details: http://eqbot.com/aTF Map: http://eqbot.com/aTr

Mr. Wilder's Magic Farm Stand in Point Reyes. Check it out next time you're in town. Honor system veggies.

A strange sky the other night in #pointreyes #sunburst

CHP is active in Inverness Park this afternoon. Be safe. Be slow. Be mindful. Be the ball, Danny. (thx DM)

The Black Mountain Circle Film Series screens their second film, "The Genius of Marian" tonight at 7:30pm at the Point Reyes Presbyterian Church. Tickets are $10. More info at: http://www.ptreyesbooks.com/events/black-mountain-circle-film-series-%E2%80%9C-genius-marian%E2%80%9D

Secret spot of the day. If you've been here, you've earned it. #pointreyes #mysteryrocks

A word of caution to my fellow West Marinites...Today marks the first day of school out here in West Marin, that said, I given direction to my deputies to provide a strong presence around our schools in the coming weeks. If you want to avoid a potential $600+ ticket all you have to do is drive 25MPH through our school zones.

Just remember, by the time you see a deputy and his/her radar gun pointed at you, its too late. I strongly suggest that if you have a desire to donate $600 to the government, give it directly to the schools where it is needed most.

Be Wise, Be Safe!
Doug (your local Sheriff)

Trader Joe's recalled some of their Almond Butter because of a possible salmonella contamination. If you know anyone who eats such things, you might pass along to them.

http://www.traderjoes.com/about/customer-updates-responses.asp?i=110

More info here: http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/national/peanut-almond-butter-recalled-salmonella-risk/ng5f7/

Graffiti, Marin style, at the Farm House Restaurant at Point Reyes Seashore Lodge. Xerxes Whitney Motivational Speaker, Teacher & Coach is that you?

http://instagram.com/p/ryC4cbpLH0/

Secret Spot Of The Day: Woodshop! #pointreyes #wood #saw #ssotd

The trail cameras of mountain lions never get old.

Here's the truck that got stuck and closed Lucas Valley Road today for six hours. As one commenter noted, seems like they should warn drivers about size limits on the road. #toomuch #toobig

7:39pm - @CHPMarin: Lucas Valley Road has reopened!

5:00pm - @CHPMarin: Recovery of big rig off side of Lucas Vly Road continues. ETO extended to approximately 6 PM. Use alt routes.

1:24pm - Lucas Valley Road closed for an hour east of Big Rock due to single non-injury accident. (Thanks Doug Pittman)

I think they should have used 'Nicasio' as the example, not 'Point Reyes'. (cc Matt Gallagher). And RIP Robin Williams. Ugh.

http://blog.sfgate.com/stew/2014/08/11/youre-saying-it-wrong-how-to-pronounce-bay-area-streets-towns-and-landmarks/

Meteors are flying in the skies tonight and tomorrow night. The bad news is that the bright supermoon is interfering with this year’s 2014 Perseid display, washing out all but the brighter Perseid meteors on the peak nights of August 11-12 and August 12-13 (we give the nod to the night of August 12-13). The good news is that, according to NASA, the Perseids have more fireballs – or bright meteors – than any other annual meteor shower.

http://earthsky.org/tonight/perseid-shower-best-between-midnight-and-dawn

Incredible photo by Richard James of the woman trapped in her car this morning. More photos at: http://t.co/ApaiTFjpGp

@NWSBayArea: #supermoon tonight - moonrise at 801 PM PDT. Inland/High Elevation areas best visibility.

10:19am - Its a solo non-injury accident. Flipped car. Traffic backed up. (Thx yp)

10:01am - Bad accident on Sir Francis Drake before Inverness. Traffic control in place.

Huge show tonight in Point Reyes. Local musical hero Jesse DeNatale performs with very special guests Jonathan Richman and Tommy Larkin. Music starts at 7 p.m. at Toby’s Feed Barn, in Point Reyes Station. Tickets are available for a $20 donation at the door and in advance at slimspresents.com or by calling Toby’s at (415) 663.1223. A raffle and silent auction will be held during the evening; doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Here is a video of Jonathan Richman and his band, The Modern Lovers, which recorded the legendary 'Roadrunner' in 1972. And I don't say legendary lightly. Don't miss it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy88-5pc7c8

"Deputies Arrest Suspect for Threatening Customers
at Whale of a Deli with 26” Machete". Yikes. Full story at the Citizen: https://www.facebook.com/westmarincitizen/posts/817199744964892?ref=notif¬if_t=notify_me

12:15pm - If you're headed over the hill, SFD having problems. "@CHPMarin: One-Way traffic control on Sir Francis Drake Blvd in #SanGeronimo #Marin due to earlier crash into power pole."

Two big events tomorrow: The Inverness Fair by the Inverness library from 9am to 3pm. Music, food, books and all sorts of great stuff. Later, The Lucid Art Foundation presents “Night of Rhythm and Poetry: From Formless to Form,” featuring poetry and recitations by Fariba Bogzaran and Kim Rosen alongside Middle Eastern, Persian and classical Indian music, at 7:30 p.m. at the Dance Palace.

Photos from last year's fair: http://www.sparselysageandtimely.com/blog/?p=20502

1:32pm - CHP is staked out at IP this afternoon. Keep your Friday cool, calm and safe.

A letter released today shows that twelve ranchers resigned on July 25th from the Point Reyes Ranchers Association. If anyone has any further details on the story, please let me know. Here is the letter.

Well. I was trying avoid DBOC talk this week but signs are getting spray painted, emotions are running high and there is quite a brouhaha breaking out over at the Point Reyes Light FB page. Apparently half the Point Reyes Ranchers Association resigned recently in response to the handling of a letter to Cicely Muldoon.
The resignation letter is posted there along with a full explanation (see the comments on the post). Would love to hear what else people know about this because it probably won't be published in either of the local papers (or at least it hasn't yet from what I can tell).
Here is the link:
https://www.facebook.com/pointreyes.light/posts/812648178780243

"National parks in Marin County brought $496 million in spending to the area and helped employ 5,505 people in 2013, according to the study. In 2012 the figure was $469 million.
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Point Reyes National Seashore and Muir Woods National Monument generated about one-third of the overall $1.5 billion visitors spent in association with national parks in California in 2013."
http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_26269492/marin-national-parks-rake-money-despite-last-years

"On August 5, 1973, Park Ranger Kenneth Patrick was shot and killed while making a traffic stop at Point Reyes National Seashore, California. The vehicle that he stopped contained several members of a militant group, known as the Black Panthers. One of the men opened fire on Ranger Patrick with a 9 mm handgun as he approached the car, wounding him. Ranger Patrick was wearing a winter coat and was unable to draw his weapon.
Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/10420-park-ranger-kenneth-carmel-patrick#ixzz39aA8JsY1

4:28pm - Another accident north of Inverness Park. Traffic control in place. Weird traffic day on SFD.

11:02am - Injury accident just north of Inverness Park, hopefully not too bad. (Thx AP)

Yet another secret spot of the day. This is a beauty. (Thx Alex) #pointreyes #ssotd #treemunched

@marinij - A chance of rain with a possibility of thunderstorms is forecast overnight Monday, with a wet commute possible Tuesday. ow.ly/2Ld4pI

Secret spot of the day. Well worth the hike. #ssotd #pointreyes #guanoisland

VLBR (very large bike ride) in West Marin today. Use caution, have patience, share the road. Thanks!
- Marin Fire

Secret spot of the day. Name the beach. (Thx @kneelo)

CHP staked out at Perry's. Drive safe. As you always do.

Via Richard Dillman, "More Point Reyes Potties - Marin County ranger installs screening behind which lurks a row of porta-potties along the south wall of the Grandi Building. Rejoice, ye visitors with full bladders!" I've noticed these things springing up around town...

On the sports front, former Inverness resident (and former Boston Red Sox) Jonny Gomes was trading to the Oakland A's this morning. He must be stoked to be back in the Bay Area. Oh yeah, and Cespedes was traded too.
Trade:http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/11290302/jon-lester-traded-oakland-athletics-yoenis-cespedes-boston-red-sox
Gomes From Inverness story: http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_13020471

Via Phoebe Bryan, "Hello. My families dog went missing today From my dad's shop blue slide art tile. We think he might have gotten picked up by someone because he didn't have a collar. Here is his picture."

For all of you not participating in the 'healing advocates' group hug, there is a farewell ceremony tomorrow at 11am at the Drake's Bay Oyster Company out in the park. It will last about an hour and parking is limited, so plan accordingly. More info here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Drakes-Bay-Oyster-Farm/111934439492

Lots of great photos of old school Marin and some of West Marin in a new Facebook page called 'Lost Marin'. We should start something like this for out here. Hmmmmm. (thx Marc).
https://www.facebook.com/groups/lostmarin/

Quote of the Week: "All “healing advocates” should gather somewhere and have a nice hug fest."
http://westmarincitizen.com/news/heal/

From a local salmon fishing report yesterday: "We saw a great white kill and eat a small porpoise off McClures." Wow. I thought they didn't come back until September. (artist rendition of the shark)

Someone scored a pretty sweet ride. #oldschool #boat

This isn't a very fun article to read, but if you were hoping (like I was) that El Nino was going to rescue us from the drought, I would update your expectations.
http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2014/07/difference-engine-2

From the police reports this week. Wild baby pig? Lost baby pig? Dangerous baby pig? Reminds me of rabbit sketch from Monty Python's The Holy Grail:
Sir Robin: What's he do? Nibble your bum?
Tim: He's got huge, sharp... er... He can leap about. Look at the bones!
King Arthur: Go on, Bors. Chop his head off!
Sir Bors: Right! Silly little bleeder. One rabbit stew comin' right up!

Levee road in #pointreyes is backed up to whitehouse pool. Plan accordingly.

The Far West Fest in #pointreyes in full effect. The Crux rock the main stage.

Car commercial time on Lucas Valley Road at the reservoir. Expect delays. #hollywood

It's going to get wild today! We've got the Farmer's Market in the morning, then Far West Fest in the afternoon and an after party at the Old Western Saloon. Plan your travels around town accordingly and we'll see you out at Love Field! More information here: http://farwestfest.org/

"Allies of Drakes Bay Oyster Co. announced Friday they had secured an agreement with the National Park Service to give the embattled Marin County oyster farm 30 days’ notice before ordering it to shut down operations in the Point Reyes National Seashore.
The agreement “ensures the status quo,” enabling oysterman Kevin Lunny’s company to continue harvesting oysters until a competitor, Tomales Bay Oyster Co., can get its case before a federal judge, possibly in September, said Stuart Gross, a San Francisco attorney representing Tomales Bay."
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/2435732-181/drakes-bay-oyster-companys-allies

Car commercial time on Lucas Valley Road at the reservoir. Expect delays. #hollywood

Update on the warm water situation: "Wondering why our local ocean temps are so warm? Hint: not #elnino! Lack of upwelling the reason." Water temps are dropping fast right now. - via NWSBayArea
https://twitter.com/NWSBayArea/status/492313399385001986

Marin County authorities are warning hikers to beware of a man claiming to be a park ranger who in the past month has kicked dogs, taken photos of women with a cell phone and given out false information about dog rules. (thanks Sharron)
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Warning-to-Marin-County-hikers-Beware-of-fake-5639951.php

Local legend Banana Levinger is playing at the Station House tonight from 5pm to 8pm.