From the Point Reyes Light: "Hoping to boost business at his Tomales Bay Resort, owner Jeff Harriman has ended Blue Waters Kayaking's lease at its launch of 20 years, leaving the company without a shoreside rental location as of December. Mr. Harriman has since embarked on a joint venture with Tomales Bay Expeditions, a start-up run by former Blue Waters employees Cooper Jolley and Brett Miller. The pair will have a smaller presence on the beach, where Blue Waters had served about 5,000 customers a year for the past four years. "At this stage, less volume of rentals is a better fit for the resort," Mr. Harriman told the Light in an email." FULL STORY: https://www.ptreyeslight.com/a...

Power out on Balboa Ave in Inverness Park. Car hit a power pole. No estimated time of repair.

Is this cute kitty yours?

The Haggard's Decade Ender
Saturday Night, December 28th
Old Western Saloon
Point Reyes, America

"Let's bust out the vintage Fenders
Time to throw the Decade Ender"
- Glen 'Tinder Baker' Haggard

Nature can be rough. The alpha male elephant seals are at Drakes Beach now and there is some serious fighting going on. There was a huge male on the beach on Sunday when another male came out of the water and decided it was his beach. A vicious brawl ensued. The new male sustained a major injury to its nose and there was blood everywhere. Eventually the new male drove the other male off and then lay on the beach in its injured state. It was intense for all the holiday visitors who witnessed it. If you do go to the beach, stay a very safe distance away from these animals and be prepared for some serious nature happening. (Thx IW, NB, JG)

ROAD CLOSURE - "Early this morning a power pole fell across the roadway in the area of the 5000 block of Lucas Valley Rd., in Nicassio. Due to this Lucas Valley Rd., in this area will be closed, in both directions, for approximately 12 hours. PG&E and other crews are on scene working to get the road open again for traffic." Via Marin County Sheriff

Just heard a report the Lucas Valley Rd is closed due to a power line down this morning. Can anyone else confirm? Marin County Sheriff's Office? (Thx JR)

"Clear skies and light winds tonight will result in very cool temps. Overnight lows are forecast to be in the low to mid 40s near the ocean, and in the 30s elsewhere, except upper 20s in the coldest inland valleys. Many areas away from the coast will see frost early on Fri." - Bay Area NWS

"A hiker was killed by falling debris caused by a toppled tree Tuesday on a trail in Muir Woods, the Marin County Fire Department said. The victim, a 29-year-old man, was found dead at the scene by emergency crews. A second person suffered minor injuries, and was taken to MarinHealth Medical Center. The identity of the hikers was not released. The incident occurred at 4:30 p.m. when a tree fell into other trees in the Hillside Trail area, causing debris to strike the hikers. The trail was closed for safety reasons at the time." LINK: https://www.marinij.com/2019/1...

That was an intense Christmas Eve. Rolling thunder!

Happy Holidays from the West Marin Feed. May you have a good one. Drakes Beach in Point Reyes this morning. #grateful

Happy Winter Solstice! May all your days filled with sunlight get gradually longer.

Tree blocking one lane just south of Inverness on SFD. Proceed with caution. It's wet out here, drive safe everyone.

Those things that washed up on Drake's Beach in Point Reyes made it all the way to Saturday Night Live this weekend. So proud of all of us. (thx SD) @nbcsnl https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

Things got a little awkward at the holiday party in Point Reyes this afternoon.

The big guys are back. And, three older women at the beach asked me where the penis fish were. I'm actually surprised there aren't more people out there trying to find them. (Spoiler, they're gone).

"ªBig elections in Britain today. But Drakes Beach in Point Reyes with strangely shaped animals washed up on shore is the most shared story."¬ 🤔 (Thx CC)

I think I solved the mystery of why there were so many seagulls at Drakes Beach in Point Reyes the other day. Not exactly what I was expecting. Sorry I missed out on the thousands of stranded, pulsing penis fish. Anyone else see them? https://baynature.org/2019/12/...

Via The Station House in Point Reyes: "The inimitable Ms. Patricia Healy, may she rest in peace. Pat was a force to reckon with: Independent, ambitious, energetic, athletic and creative. She rolled into town after her jazzing-around days in Los Angeles, found her way and her place, and started a little restaurant called "The Station House Cafe" in 1974. They were big shoes to fill but we've done our best. Grateful to Pat for the vision and the opportunity. We're dedicating this week to her legacy. Please join us for a drink in her honor on Monday, December 16 for Happy Hour."

Apparently there was a car on fire on SFD on the top of the Olema hill this morning. Did anyone else see what happened? (thx MsA)

Every seagull in Northern California seemed to be at Drakes Beach in Point Reyes today snacking on something in the surf. Anyone know what they were eating?

Point Reyes Gas Station is having a drawing for a huge holiday stocking. Stop by the station to enter, winner is chosen on Sunday, Dec. 20.

The Dance Palace Artisan Craft and Holiday Market is happening this weekend in Point Reyes. There are also holiday craft fairs happening in Bolinas, Muir Beach and San Geronimo this weekend as well. Weather should be nicer tomorrow for driving. Buy local. Buy sustainable.

If you build the helipad, he will come.

So tonight was supposed to be the Path of Lights in Point Reyes, but I think the weather has cancelled a number of the events including posole (rescheduled to Tuesday?) and light the candles at Wells Fargo. Are people still gathering at Tobys and other shops?

"A Wind Advisory has been issued for the Greater Bay Area, Central Coast, and San Benito County from 10 AM Friday until 7 AM Saturday. Note that there may be areas that are sheltered from advisory winds." - via NWS Bay Area

"The rain has finally arrived and adult salmon have returned to the Lagunitas Creek watershed. After an unusually dry start to the season over five inches of rain fell during the last week. Stream flows are now high enough to allow salmon to migrate through Lagunitas Creek and into tributaries such as San Geronimo Creek and Devil's Gulch. This is a good time to look for Coho Salmon jumping at the Inkwells, where San Geronimo Creek flows into Lagunitas Creek." LINK: http://marinwater.org/Blog.asp...

Via PRNPS. Sort of fitting in a way for the windiest spot on the West Coast. "Lighthouse and lighthouse stairs closed due to winds over 40mph! Due to inclement weather, we are sorry to say that tomorrow's lighthouse 149th anniversary celebrations are cancelled. Save yourself a drive and please stay safe!"

Local legends El Radio Fantastique will play tonight (Black Friday 11/29) at Western Saloon in Point Reyes at 9pm. Going to be a good one, last party before the "atmospheric river" hits. INFO: https://facebook.com/events/s/...

Be prepared. Have supplies. Drive safe. "Strong winds are expected to develop with the next storm system this weekend. A High Wind Watch has been issued for our entire forecast area from Sonoma and Napa Counties south through Monterey and San Benito Counties. An atmospheric river will take aim on the Bay Area this weekend through early next week. Heavy rain at times and gusty winds are expected, with potential for localized flooding, mud slides, downed trees, and power outages."

Update from Horizon Cable about their outage in West Marin:: "We are currently experiencing an Internet outage in all of Point Reyes, Inverness & Olema. No ETA for restoration at this point.Awaiting replacement equipment. Still hoping for late morning restoration of service"

Sounds like Horizon Cable is down which means many of the stores in West Marin are only accepting cash right now. I just ordered a breakfast taco at Inverness Park Market and had to pay cash.

Be prepared for some weather today. Drive safe. "Forecast precipitation intensity from Noon Tuesday through late Tuesday night. Rainfall will impact the evening commute. Heaviest rainfall will occur as the cold front moves through between about 5 pm and 10 pm."

More details about the SFD accident: "The California Highway Patrol said one person died in a crash on westbound Sir Francis Drake Boulevard just west of Samuel P. Taylor State Park in the Olema area of west Marin County Monday afternoon. The crash was reported around 2:30 p.m. and the coroner's office was summoned at 3:30 p.m., according to the CHP.

The victim's vehicle went down an embankment and hit a tree, CHP Officer Andrew Barclay said. The Marin County Fire Department responded and found the solo occupant of the vehicle dead, Barclay said. Sir Francis Drake Boulevard is expected to be closed until at least 5:30 or 6:30 p.m., Barclay said." (Thx LF) LINK: https://patch.com/california/m...

From a local, have not heard from official channels: "I was just turned around leaving San Geronimo towards point Reyes, there was a fatal accident and SFD is closed ~next two hours."

"The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has officially delayed the start of the commercial Dungeness crab season south of the Mendocino-Sonoma county line to Dec. 15, which means there will be no Dungeness crab for sale before Thanksgiving. The season had been set to begin last week, but the state moved it at the request of local crab fleets concerned about potential whale entanglements in their fishing gear.

In 2017, Oakland's Center for Biological Diversity sued the state, alleging that Fish and Wildlife was not doing enough to prevent entanglement of endangered humpbacks and other whales in fishing gear. The case was settled in 2018, resulting in that year's crab season ending three months early.

Crab fleets recommended the current delay because the settlement spelled out severe ramifications for entanglements "” just one can result in harvest restrictions, or even prompt an entire season shut down."

FULL STORY: https://www.sfchronicle.com/re...

Fariba Bogzaran discusses her new book "Gordon Onslow Ford: A Man on a Green Island." 4 p.m. today (Nov. 24) at the Dance Palace in Point Reyes Station.

Boat rescue on Tomales Bay tonight. Helicopter and jet skis. Boat had mechanical issues, everyone safe.

Caught this cat out of the corner of my eye while driving around Inverness and realized it was not your average cat.

What is going on in Point Reyes school parking lot right now? Full "incident report" command center being set up? For wind and possible fires?

Its hard to keep up with the weather. NWS Bay Area: "Hot off the press from @NWSCPC: the latest 8-14 day precipitation outlook gives northern California slightly favored odds of experiencing above normal precipitation in the November 27-December 3 period." LINK: https://twitter.com/NWSBayArea...

"Marin County NOT to be affected by Public Safety Power Shutoff. On November 19th, around 1:30 PM, PG&E notified the Office of Emergency Services that Marin County is no longer going to be affected by a Power Shutoff. This information is subject to change if weather conditions change, but as of now Marin County will not be affected. We will continue to monitor the situation and update residents if this changes. We want to remind residents that critical fire weather and a red flag warning remain in effect until Thursday." LINK: http://nixle.us/BFKHB

"Per @PGE4Me : Bolinas, Fairfax, Forest Knolls, Inverness, Lagunitas, Marshall, Mill Valley, Muir Beach, Nicasio, Novato, Olema, Point Reyes Station, San Anselmo, San Geronimo, San Rafael, Stinson Beach, Woodacre will be affected by Shutoff." - via Marin County Sheriff

BREAKING: PG&E has just notified people in Point Reyes and Inverness the power may go out in the next 36 to 48 hours. If this happens, this means the gas station will also stop working in Point Reyes. Be prepared. Get gas, food, water, candles, etc.

TRAFFIC ALERT: "Sir Francis Drake Blvd at Baywood Canyon east of Whites Hill currently blocked in both directions by a rollover vehicle accident. Use caution in the area, take an alternate route if you can." Via Marin County Fire

Question from a local, "folks--who would you call to remove a large decaying deer, wedge in a bit, but near our road (SFD)??" (Thx WS)

As wolves will do.

Dry weather and offshore winds coming which could possibly result in more power outages. "Complex and honestly pretty bizarre weather pattern shaping up for California over next 10+ days. First, widespread record heat possible this weekend/early next week. Temperatures into 80s and even 90s in some spots." MORE: https://twitter.com/weather_we...

Twilight in West Marin today was pretty nice in spite of a foggy start.

"For all the astronomy enthusiasts out there: the Leonid Meteor Shower will peak overnight Sunday and into Monday morning. Although moonlight may obscure views of the meteors, skies should remain mostly clear." LINK: https://twitter.com/NWSBayArea...

"Fire management staff at Point Reyes National Seashore, in collaboration with Marin County Fire Department, Bolinas Fire Protection District, and numerous local fire agencies are scheduled the burning between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. November 13-15 but may reschedule depending on weather conditions. The area to be burned is in four property units that make up a total of 205 acres on the east side of Highway 1 approximately seven miles south of Olema and four miles north of Bolinas." LINK: http://nixle.us/BF7NC

#MarinCensus2020 will be in #PointReyesStation Thursday for an informational workshop on census jobs. We and @uscensusbureau are encouraging locals to apply. Positions are flexible and positions start at $25 per hour. #WestMarin #MarinCensus #MarinJobs

"Multi-model agreement that extremely dry pattern will continue across CA for next 7-10+ days (outside of poss. sprinkles in north). Ensembles suggesting about ~ 1 in 3 chance that Westerlies could break through ridge last week in Nov, bringing more widespread rain.#CAwx" LINK: https://twitter.com/weather_we...

The Reach helicopter landed on Saturday and Sunday this weekend in Inverness. Neither incident appeared to be life threatening, but I'm sure people wondered what was going on. Also something happened in the park on Saturday near Five Brooks that required an emergency response. I never received any details.

Looks pretty spiffy. Wonder if there will be a rush out to see it this weekend. Anyone notice traffic today? "It took 13 months and $5.7 million to restore the Point Reyes Lighthouse to the shining beacon it once was nearly a century and a half ago. On Friday, the Point Reyes National Seashore in Marin County reopened its visitor center and gave tours of the refurbished lighthouse."

If you might be able to help this person out in Healdsberg: "I am in need of CATTLE people with experience and equipment. Two elderly pet bovines (a huge steer and a smaller heifer, both arthritic) who are not halter broke and have never hauled need to move from the Kincade burn zone off Chalk Hill Road to their new permanent home at a farm animal sanctuary also located in Sonoma County." READ FULL POST: https://www.facebook.com/group...

A visitor in Point Reyes reported that their car had been broken into while parked at Muddy Hollow trail this morning. Lock your car and hide your valuables. Also, unrelated, was there a burglary of a laptop and jewelry at a residence on Camino del Mar in Inverness on Monday?

Getting reports of very heavy traffic on Sir Francis Drake Blvd heading into Fairfax and backing way up towards West Marin, so plan accordingly. (thx MM)

"From all of us at the Point Reyes Gas Station...

We would like to thank the community of Point Reyes and the surrounding area for the patience and restraint shown by everyone as we all prepare for, lived through and reopened for business during the recent power outage.

hope halloween found you all well.

happy holidays ❣️

Point Reyes
Station Manager
& Crew"

In times of emergencies when the cell towers go down, mobile devices stop working and local info is scarce, our local radio station is there to help keep everyone up to date. But generators, staff and equipment cost money. Please support their fall pledge drive to keep this important local resource up and running:
"Our goal is to raise $60,000 in 10 days.
With YOUR help, we can DO IT.
🍰 Pledge online at http://kwmr.org
🍰 Call (415) 663-9050
🍰 Come by KWMR!"

"At long last, we are thrilled to announce that the Point Reyes Lighthouse will reopen to the public Friday November 8 after a major renovation and facelift!" - PRNPS

"Recreational Dungeness crab season begins today in the waters off Northern California, commercial crab season has been pushed back to Nov 23 due to concerns that marine life may become entangled in crab nets."

Cliffhanger. If anyone knows what happened, feel free to chime in. I'm not even sure who I'm rooting for here.

From Bay Area NWS: "Models continue to trend warm and dry through the long term forecast. It's becoming unlikely that we'll see any substantial rain until at least the middle of November."

"Another Freeze Warning has been issued for overnight tonight due to several hours of subfreezing temperatures. Sensitive vegetation may be damaged or killed. Ensure all animals have warm shelter." - via NWS

Via Marin County Sheriff: "As of 4:30PM, 96% of #MarinCounty has regained power. Outages still affecting parts of Dillion Beach, Fairfax, Kentfield, Marshall, Mill Valley, Muir Beach, San Anselmo, San Geronimo, Sausalito, Stinson Beach, and Tomales. PG&E crews continuing inspections."

So WMF was last to know, but Hilary Clinton was in Bolinas last week? Anyone see her?

Power may go off again, so if you need gas, go now. "Point Reyes Station gas wanted to say that they will stay open as late as 10 PM tonight as long as the power stays on. Also, for cash transactions they request exact change as they do not have the necessary change to make."

"ªSounds like power just came back on in Point Reyes and Inverness. But for how long?"¬ anyone else have power?

There is gas and power in Larkspur at 101. At least for the morning.

"Much of west county has been downgraded to an evacuation warning. This includes Sebastapol, Bodega Bay, Forestville, Guerneville, Cazadero and Rio Nido. Here's the latest evacuation map."

Power still off in Point Reyes and Inverness. It sounds like there is power on in parts of Petaluma for those needing supplies and gas. Prepare for more wind tomorrow. "🚩 RED FLAG WARNING 🚩 Issued from Tuesday through Wednesday. Another round of gusty offshore winds will combine with very low humidity to create critical fire weather conditions."

Shoreline Schools are cancelled today.

From Marin Sheriff: "Morning briefing in our Emergency Operations Center. We've received word from @PGE4Me that they are inspecting lines and working toward power restoration in Marin. No estimated time for restoration or if it will happen prior to next PSPS."

Ominous sunset in Point Reyes tonight as smoke from Sonoma hangs in the air. PG&E is indicating power restart may happen tomorrow but there is another wind event coming on Tuesday.

Something shifted with wind and now parts of Point Reyes and Inverness are buried in thick smoke. Stay indoors. Be safe.

This happened yesterday: "A fire that started in the lobby fireplace at the popular Olema House hotel near Point Reyes late Friday damaged the lobby, attic and four guest rooms but caused no injuries, the Marin County Fire Department reported. Heavy smoke was pouring from the roof of the three-story hotel on Highway 1 when firefighters arrived shortly after 11 p.m.. Forty firefighters controlled the fire about two hours later." LINK: https://www.sfchronicle.com/ba...