12:51pm - CHP doing their thing at White House Pool. Drive safely. Be mindful. Drive safe. Mahalo.

Two fun events today. Apple cider pressing in the Commons in Point Reyes from 3:30 to 6:00. And a printmaking open house for musicians at Ink.Paper.Plate with Sirima. Get out there! Info below...

More apple info:
http://www.westmarincommons.org/event/community-apple-pressing

More printing info:
https://www.facebook.com/events/559183024207669/

Secret spot of the day! Do you know where this is? #pointreyes #mrtoad (thx IW)

6:39pm - On Sir Francis Drake just east of Samuel Taylor Park a station wagon has hit a large tree which fell over onto the car and on the road. 911 has been called and emergency vehicles on the way. Proceed with caution, hopefully everyone is ok. (thx MM)

Rain came last night, roads are super slick, already lots of accidents reported on the road ways. Drive safe.

Standing room only at the Inverness Association meeting tonight as they talked about the future of the 'Launch For Hire' boathouse.

Full rainbow over Tomales Bay! Thx DW. #gold #rainbow #unicorns

Jared Huffman gets roasted by Steven Colbert on his 'Better Know A District' series. "What's your position on Han Solo shooting first?" Funny stuff in that horribly awkward sort of way.

http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos/ybvlae/better-know-a-district---california-s-2nd---jared-huffman

"We should see some rain Wednesday and into the night, and showers the next day," said National Weather Service forecaster Steve Anderson. "There may even be a possible thunderstorm."

http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_26584989/marin-forecast-rain-possible-thunderstorm-at-midweek?source=rss

1:12pm - Just got a report that a 'bomb squad' truck went through Inverness Park with their lights on. Anyone else see that or hear about it? (thx EL)

Someone posted this 'secret spot' in Point Reyes on Twitter this morning. Anyone know where it is?

7:49am - CHP has set up shop at Perry's this morning. Be slow. Be safe. Be mindful. Embrace the inner child. Namaste. (thx DW and AP)

Missed this one yesterday: "The Coast Guard rescued three individuals from the water in Tomales Bay, Sunday morning. At approximately 8:30 a.m., Coast Guard Sector San Francisco Command Center personnel received notification that three individuals went into the water just off Lawson's Landing when their raft deflated.The individuals were not wearing personal flotation devices, nor were they properly prepared for exposure to the elements."

Nice sketch of the Point Reyes Lighthouse by http://neriticzone.blogspot.com/

An SUP water skiing behind sailboat. Not something you see everyday. #pointreyes #redbull #radical

Bike-a-palooza in Point Reyes this afternoon. Plan accordingly.

Traffic Alert: The MS 'Waves to Wine' bike ride is happening today, coming over Mt. Tam, up Rt. 1, taking a right at Olema and then heading out towards Petaluma. Plan Accordingly.

http://bikecan.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer/?s_AffiliateSecCatId=1&pw_id=10781&pagename=BIKE_CAN_EventDetails&fr_id=22900

From CHPMarin at 2:19pm: "#Ragnar relay is in full swing in west Marin on Pt. Reyes-Petaluma Road. Expect traffic delays/watch for runners in the area #marintraffic"

They're finally removing those pipes from Lucas Valley Road! Expect delays. (Thx DW & FN)

I'm out of town but I heard a rumor it's, raining?

A 380-foot cargo steamship involved in a deadly collision in the fog off Point Reyes more than 100 years ago has been located by high-tech gear 200 feet on the floor of the Pacific Ocean, part of a recent effort to look at area shipwrecks. (But where exactly??)

http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_26547329/decades-old-shipwreck-off-point-reyes-identified-by?source=rss

Oh, dear. Yesterday we were biking down to Limantour from the youth hostel when a woman stopped us and said she had been chased by a buck on the trail and to be careful because it was 'the rut'. Sure enough, we got down the trail and there was a buck and a doe right in the trail not backing down from us. Eventually they didn't think we were worth it and they went up into the hills and let us pass, but it was a little sketchy. It's that time of the year, so take care when hiking...

A solid south swell moving into the area tonight, be safe. PRNPS: "The National Weather Service has issued a beach hazard for strong rip currents through this evening. Please be cautious in/around the ocean."

More on the new bike laws. "Under the law, drivers can't cross double-yellow lines when they're trying to give a wide berth to bicyclists. Bicyclists also are entitled to use the whole lane if they flow with the speed of traffic, but must ride as close to the shoulder as practical. Bicyclists are also required to pull over if five or more cars stack up behind them."

http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_26533413/three-foot-separation-rule-protect-cyclists-goes-into?source=rss

More from Mexican Independence Day.

Mexican Independence celebration right now in Point Reyes. Amazing food and music. If you're not here, you should be.

Photograph of fossil diatoms collected in Pt. Reyes National Seashore in Marin County, California, and arranged on a microscope slide in 1968 by A.L. Brigger.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/casgeology/8981509235/in/photostream/

2:06pm - CHP is very active on SFD in and around Inverness today. I was followed closely all the way from Perry's to Chicken, wondering what I did wrong and how much it was going to cost me. Instead he went into the park to have lunch I presume. Phew.

Nice article about the history of mountain biking in West Marin with a hand drawn map of the famous 'Repack' course by Dewey Livingston. But why no mention of Steve Potts?

http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/the-hippie-daredevils-who-were-just-crazy-enough-to-invent-mountain-biking/

Caught this huge red ant in the house today. Could it be a Queen Carpenter Ant? Has anyone soon one before?

Don't forget the Shoreline School Board meeting is today at 6:00pm at the Tomales High School.

Your Thursday fuzzy wuzzy. Looks like a pretty nice place when you dress it up like that. This photo is by Attilio Ruffo, more of his work can be found here: http://www.attilioruffo.com/landscapes/thumbs/

The Sheriff went blazing by me at 6am this morning heading out to Pierce Point Road. Heard that might have been an accident out there, does anyone have any details?

"A federal court judge rejected an injunction request Tuesday that would have helped keep the Drakes Bay Oyster Co. open. In a tone that was sometimes harsh, U.S District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers rejected the argument, saying the plaintiffs had no standing to bring a request for the injunction "given the lack of merit."

Rejecting virtually all of the coalition’s arguments, Rogers told their attorney, Stuart Gross of San Francisco, that she had considered issuing sanctions for bringing a frivolous lawsuit based on the “complete lack of merit” in the case.

http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_26500324/injunction-keep-drakes-bay-open-rejected-by-judge?source=rss

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/2732113-181/judge-rejects-firms-bid-to

Hay truck flipped over on Ottinger's Hill in Point Reyes this morning. I wondered if that ever happened (thx David).

Apparently there was an animated meeting last night about the budget reductions and the Shoreline School District. The scheduled school board meeting is this Thursday at 6:00pm at the Tomales High School. School Superintendent Tom Stubbs will be interviewed on KWMR at 5:00pm today to discuss the details.

The annual trans bay swim took place this morning off of Shell Beach. Sounds like there was quite a crowd getting wet.

Gene Fisher was looking sharp in this shirt yesterday. Anyone have a good story about that place?

Point Reyes dairy farmer John Taylor has cut the size of his herd by a third since the California drought started, and unless sufficient rainfall arrives by December, he will have to sell more of his 400 cows and calves. "On December 1, we're going to evaluate the rainfall and based on that we may have to make some more tough decisions," said Taylor, a six-generation dairy farmer.

http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_26483662/marin-farmers-and-ranchers-deal-water-shortage-rising?source=rss

Rocking out in downtown Point Reyes this afternoon.

4:22pm - Wow, who saw those two fighter jets just scream over PR? Looked almost like a dogfight. It's not Fleetweek yet...

A follow up on yesterday's post, the CHP have been very active in the Point Reyes and Inverness for some reason. Someone reported getting a $300 ticket for doing a "California" stop on B Street yesterday. So be mindful, be safe and keep your money in your pocket.

The PRNSA is looking for volunteers for its upcoming 'Dinner on the Pacific Plate' fundraiser on September 20th at Bear Vallery. If you're interested in supporting this important event, there is more info here: http://bit.ly/1pEZ6rG

"Shoreline Unified school officials are hustling to cut $1.5 million — about 11 percent — in operating expenses, in hopes of avoiding bankruptcy and a possible takeover by the county Office of Education."

http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_26469687/west-marins-shoreline-school-district-facing-major-budget

Accident on SFD in Inverness. Black Saab eaten by ditch. Hopefully everyone is ok.

3:01pm - "Two car injury crash reported SFD at Vision Road, Inverness" - reported by Richard Dillman on the West Marin Citizen FB page.

1:11pm - Lots of people reporting CHP is at Perry's handing out tickets. Drive safe, as you always do.

"The search for a 21-year-old Sacramento area man who vanished while swimming at Drakes Estero was scaled back Wednesday but national park rangers continued to patrol beaches for any sign of the man."

http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_26460948/search-scaled-back-swimmer-who-vanished-at-drakes?source=rss

Two stingrays chilling at Chicken. (Thx dw).

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