"West Marin's Day of the Dead! This beloved annual event has become the largest latino community celebration in West Marin. This unique multicultural and multigenerational community event honors our loved ones past, with a ceremony, pageantry, music, food,and celebration. Community members construct a large community altar for people to place photos and mementos of our loved ones. We are funded fully by private donations. Everyone that works on this event volunteers their time so we are able to keep the cost of the event low. Day of the Dead is free community event, all ages welcome, and some activities include face painting, a procession, a local chorus, children chorus, a heart warmingl ceremony, and a bowl of posole for ALL!" LINK: https://www.gofundme.com/f/day...

"Marin supes authorize final purchase of Coast Guard facility." via https://twitter.com/HalsteadRi...

This was posted on a local community forum in Point Reyes this week. "Has anyone lost their raccoon and pigeon? The pigeon is quite large, plump and very well preened. And is wearing a blue leg band. Seems quite tame.
The raccoon is silver and black, very tame and appears to be travelling with the pigeon. And no...I haven't been smoking anything funny."

ROAD WORK UPDATE & REMINDER: The safety improvement project on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard at White's Hill area will continue.

Please see the image for details regarding the newly scheduled NIGHT WORK for this project. The night work on Sir Francis Drake near White's Hill will begin TONIGHT at 8:00PM, and continue on the nights of September 17, 18, 19 and 22.

The stretch of roadway will operate with single-lane closures with alternating traffic control in place between the hours of 8:00PM and 5:00AM each night.

Both travel lanes on Sir Francis Drake will remain open until 8:00PM each evening and both lanes will be opened no later than 5:00AM each morning.

We are sorry for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and patience during this important roadway safety improvement project.

Marin County Sheriff's Office Marin County Government"

Accident on SFD just past Lagunitas. Expect delays.

There was a bug in the system which prevented this site from posting updates. Should be fixed now, I will repost the updates that did not make it to the web site. Thank you. (thx AN)

A spectacular heat wave moonrise over Point Reyes tonight.

Turned around and got the sunset twilight shot of hay bale shuffling by the reservoir.

Nice shout out to a local volunteer in the MarinIJ this week. "Volunteer of the week: West Marin Senior Services' Dave Osborn - Dave is a volunteer we count on," says Amena Hajjar, nutrition and communications coordinator. "He is generous with his time in two of our older adult programs. Dave arrives weekly at the community lunch to set up and then sticks around to clean up, always with a careful eye for details. Dave also volunteers to drive clients from Point Reyes to San Rafael to doctor appointments. He is generous and thoughtful. Thanks, Dave, for your ongoing support to West Marin older adults." - Agency: West Marin Senior Services' mission is to help seniors live safely and with dignity in our community. LINK: https://www.marinij.com/2019/0...

Via the Point Reyes Light: "West Marin natives Terra Livingston and Sierra Swenson opened up their new shop, The Little Store, in Point Reyes Station last Friday. They will sell vintage clothing jewelry and handmade items from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays." Photo by Dave Briggs. LINK: https://www.ptreyeslight.com/a...

Please help find a local lost cat. "Qusco has been missing since last night from Hwy 1 north of Point Reyes between Campolindo and Mesa Rd. He has an adorable smudge on the side of his nose. Toni 663-1313"

"Hit and run at 2:40 p.m. on Tuesday in Pt. Reyes Station at stop sign in front of Wells Fargo heading North on Hwy One. Large Grey Dodge Ram Pick Up Truck with two yellow kayaks on top hit a Silver Tesla Model S. Pickup drove away recklessly north on highway one for at least 15 miles through Marshall. Please call Chris at 415-250-7371 or the California Highway patrol with information including the driver's name or license number. Thanks!"

"New at Miller Boat Launch in Marshall, CA: Free life jacket loaning station. This safety project is a collaboration between Marin County Parks and the state Department of Boating and Waterways: @Boat_California"

"ªMotorcycle down on HWY1 north of Nicks near Marshall, CA in the eucalyptus- one lane closed- sheriff directing traffic (Thx AZ)"¬

Cheers to the cast and crew of the play "As You Like It" that just ended it's run at @stcolumbasinverness. Well done!

I heard rumors there was a high speed chase in West Marin possibly Point Reyes today? Around 11:40pm? There was a helicopter flying around low and all sorts of sirens? Suspect possibly hit a tree? Clearly I did not get the full story. Does anyone else know what happened?

Sounds like someone was climbing rocks by Slide Ranch in Stinson Beach and was injured by falling rocks. Helicopter assistance was required to transport them out. (thx WS)

Just drove to Point Reyes from Inverness. Based on the weather, the inbound traffic and the vibe in town, WMF advises to quickly get your supplies and coffee (if you haven't already) and shelter in place. Unless you're going to see the play!

The fantastic production of "As You Like It" at St. Columba's Church in Inverness featuring a stellar local cast still has tickets available! You can buy tickets online or just show up at the door (tickets are $25). There are THREE shows left this weekend. Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 4:00pm. WMF cannot recommend this show enough! MORE INFO: https://asyoulikeitinverness.b...

Feels like a good day to shelter in place if you live here. Inbound traffic is solid. Be prepared for late in the day traffic exodus.

"ªA huge thank you to local fire crews and first responders who kept a potentially major fire in check with minimal damage up at Spring Coyote Ranch north of Point Reyes. (Photo by Spring Coyote Ranch)

UPDATE: Crews making good progress on containment. Forward progress - "MCFD resources are responding to #Marconifire , a 2 acre fire , Shoreline Highway near Marconi Conference Center, Marshal. No evacuation orders at this time. @CalFireNews assisting with response, including air resources and hand-crews." Photo via WMF

Dolores Huerta Coming to West Marin School, Point Reyes School

Friday, August 30th, 2019
5 pm to 8:30 pm
❖ Food and Mariachis - 5 to 6:30
❖ Main Event - Doors Open 6:30pm (Childcare Provided)

"WEST MARIN, ¡Sí se puede! - Yes, We Can!"

Come & share an evening with civil rights leader Dolores Huerta, President and Founder of the Dolores Huerta Foundation. "Sí se puede" (Yes We Can) is the motto she coined for the United Farm Workers which she co-founded with Cesar Chavez. In 2012, President Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Through the Dolores Huerta Foundation, Ms. Huerta inspires and organizes communities to build volunteer organizations empowered to pursue social justice. Visit them at http://doloreshuerta.org

"Voters in Bolinas-Stinson Union School District and Inverness passed two ballot measures for special taxes in an all-mail election Tuesday.

The vote for Measure B, a renewal of the special parcel tax to support programs in the Bolinas-Stinson Union School District, was 361 yes and 136 no. A two-thirds majority was required for passage.

The vote for Measure C, a special parcel tax to pay for road work in Inverness, was 18 yes and 1 no. Measure C also needed two-thirds majority to pass.

Measure B aimed to renew and increase the school district parcel tax of $300 per year by $18 for five years. The current parcel tax expires on June 30.

The tax was billed as a way to "continue funding quality educational programs." The measure includes a senior citizen exemption option.

Measure C for Inverness Permanent Road Division No. 2 called for a special tax of $1,417 per improved parcel and $708 per unimproved parcel per year for 10 years."

FULL STORY: https://www.marinij.com/2019/0...

"Marin County sheriff's deputies arrested a suspected arsonist Tuesday in connection with a wildfire near Woodacre. Authorities said a Marin County Fire battalion chief was flagged down by the suspect near Spirit Rock, and claimed to have started the fire. The suspect admitted to setting personal effects on fire while on the ridge, but the fire grew out of control and he was unable to put the fire out." FULL STORY: https://www.marinij.com/2019/0...

Via Marin County Fire: "#SpiritFire holding at 16 acres, 60% containment with forward progress stopped. Crews will remain on scene overnight with continued mop-up tomorrow. Expect full containment late tomorrow. This will be our last update for the night." (Thx Lavetta/Jojo)

Sir Francis Drake Blvd is open. Via KTVU "#SpiritFire in Marin Co. has slightly spread to 10 acres (up from 5). 30% contained. Fwd rate of spread slowed per @marincountyfire. Ross Valley Fire and Cal Fire are assisting with the response. Air attack crews and tankers are involved."

UPDATE "Half way up ridge behind Spirit Rock-Approx 5 acres - Evac warning for E. Rancho Santa Margarita" - Via KWMR "Fire units are responding to a vegetation in the vicinity of Spirit Rock. Reported to be 2-3 acres." Fire is growing. Heavy machinery and air support have been deployed, use caution in the area. (Thx LP)

Reminder from PRNPS: Join us this week for public meetings on the General Management Plan Amendment!

Tues, Aug 27, 5-7p
West Marin School Gym
Point Reyes Station, CA

Wed, Aug 28, 5-7p
Bay Model Visitor Center
Sausalito, CA

To formally comment: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/po...

Some sandcastles from the contest at Drakes Beach in Point Reyes today.

Via PRNPS: "A rare beaked whale was found on Drakes Beach by @GFNMS Beach Watch volunteers. Biologists think it might be a Hubb's beaked whale, but genetic testing is needed to confirm the species. Staff from the park & @calacademy recovered the carcass for further testing.📸G. Bennett."

"Marin County is poised to purchase the former U.S. Coast Guard property in Point Reyes Station for $4.3 million, clearing the way for the property's use for affordable housing "“ a scarce commodity in West Marin.

"We currently have a signed offer to purchase from the U.S. Coast Guard to sell the property to the county," Eric Lueder, chief property agent in the county's Public Works Department, told supervisors this week. At Lueder's direction, the supervisors Tuesday approved a resolution issuing a notice of intent to purchase the property."

FULL STORY: https://www.marinij.com/2019/0...

Bodhi!

There is someone with some serious injuries in the park. Emergency crews on the scene.

A local resident sent in this very sad picture from North Beach in Point Reyes yesterday. A dead porpoise washed up with very gnarly gash on its left eye (most likely the start of scavenging). As Sue Pemberton points out in the comments, "when you find dead marine mammals: fresh dead cetaceans like this should be called into the Marine Mammal Center’s rescue line at 415-289-7325, and/or the dispatch office at PRNS." (thx KO)

"A new show featuring legendary local wildlife photographer Carlos Porrata, local wood artist Ido Yoshimoto and photographer Rich Clark is opening at Toby's in Point Reyes this weekend. Please come join them this Saturday, August 17 from 2 to 4 PM for an artists' reception."

WMF was at Chicken Ranch Beach last night (Thursday) at 6:00pm when a local resident's mini-van had their rear window smashed. There was also another reported window smash at the same spot on Wednesday which makes it three now. So something is definitely going on. The Marin County Sheriff has been notified, but if you are going to the beach there, do not leave valuables in your car. And let's all keep our eyes open and see if we can spot whoever is doing this. Someone driving by? Hiding in the bushes? It's very odd.

WMF went to bed earlier and missed the massive power outage. Thanks to everyone who reported it. Sounds like this might happen more in the future, so prepare accordingly. "Power was restored early Friday after a massive overnight outage turned out the lights to approximately 54,000 residents across Marin County, according to Pacific Gas & Electric Co.

The outage hit around 10 p.m. with reports of outages in Sausalito, Mill Valley, Belvedere, Tiburon, Corte Madera, San Rafael, Novato and across to West Marin.

"I think we were definitely overwhelmed but we had the staffing to deal with it," Marin County Sheriff Brenton Schneider said. "Overall, I think it's a good lesson as this is going to happen more often with the planned shutoffs."

FULL STORY: https://www.marinij.com/2019/0...

An amazing orange moon tonight over Point Reyes. Anyone else get a good picture of it?

Update on the accident from yesterday. "Teamwork had all hands on deck yesterday. Vehicle accident over the edge near Steep Ravine with poor 911 connection. CHP H30 located accident. Three transported to various hospitals. CHPMarin investigating."

I missed this earlier. Fortunately was contained. "Car Fire on Nicasio Valley Road appears to have spread to surrounding foliage. Single helicopter and multiple local agencies responding including Woodacre FD." (thx ALO)

Sounds like a car went off the cliff on Rt 1 by Stinson Beach and there is a major rescue operation underway. (Thx JM)

I believe this means the Green Bridge in Point Reyes is closed on Tuesday from 10am to noon. Plan accordingly.

Get out there! "Active between July 17 and Aug. 26, the show peaks around Monday night into Tuesday morning, or Aug. 12-13. The Perseids light up the night sky when Earth runs into pieces of cosmic debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle. The dirty snowball is 17 miles wide and takes about 133 years to orbit the sun. Its last go-round was in 1992. Usually between 160 and 200 meteors dazzle in Earth's atmosphere every hour during the display's peak. They zoom through the atmosphere at around 133,000 miles per hour and burst about 60 miles overhead." (Thx SH)

MORE INFO: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/0...

The many moods of Elephant Mtn in Point Reyes. Going to be a nice one today.

Couldn't get a great shot, but there is a pod of humpback whales feeding off Point Reyes right now, some quite close to shore. #whales

"ªSpotted this owlet in Point Reyes today."¬ (Thx SK)

Local favorites, The Haggards are playing tonight in Bolinas at Smileys. Show starts at 9:00pm. http://smileyssaloon.com/event...

"A San Rafael man was arrested after allegedly robbing a West Marin grocery store and assaulting a cashier, authorities said.

The Marin County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call just before 5 p.m. Tuesday about a robbery at the Palace Market in Point Reyes Station.

The caller reported seeing a man stealing items, assaulting a cashier and being chased out of the store by another employee, sheriff's Sgt. Brenton Schneider said. The attacker did not display a weapon."

FULL STORY: https://www.marinij.com/2019/0...

Public comment on Park Service's plan:

The public review and comment period is open until Sept. 23. The National Park Service will host two public meetings to share information and gather public feedback.

5 to 7 p.m.,Tuesday, Aug. 27, at the West Marin School, 11550 Shoreline Highway, Point Reyes Station.

5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28
Bay Model Visitor Center, 2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito.

For more information and to comment:

Go to: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/d...

Or write to:

GMP Amendment, c/o Superintendent
Point Reyes National Seashore
1 Bear Valley Road
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956

RANCH PLAN DETAILS: https://www.sfchronicle.com/en...

Point Reyes leading the local news today. https://www.sfchronicle.com/en...

"The annual Inverness Fair will take place on the Firehouse Green in Inverness on Saturday, August 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a pancake breakfast set for 8 a.m. The Fair, produced by the Inverness Association, is a free community celebration with music, food, drinks, cake raffles, interactive activities, and legendary book and plant sales all benefitting local non-profits.

This year's Fair starts with a pancake breakfast prepared and organized by the teens of the Tomales Bay Youth Center at 8 a.m. The Fair formally opens at 10 a.m. when the road closes on Inverness Way. The entertainment lineup includes a scene from the local Shakespeare summer performance of As You Like It, fiddle playing by Just Us and on-the-spot poems written by Silvi Alvicar. There will be three cake raffles with the best of the local baker's cakes and pies as prizes, a postcard booth with local vintage postcards, a photo booth, button-making, and the Inverness passport game and raffle. Fair organizer Mike Parkinson has produced a passport just for the Fair that participants can travel around with, collecting passport stamps from all the presenters. Holders of full passports will be entered in a raffle.

The food, always a highlight, includes tostadas benefitting the Waterdogs swim program, hot dogs from the Inverness Yacht Club, local oysters by Saltwater, ice cream, pie and sweets by West Marin Senior Services & CLAM. Beer, wine, lemonade, and hot cocoa are also to be found among the various booths.

The Inverness Garden Club holds a vast rummage sale along with their hugely popular plant sale, and the book lovers of Inverness produce a used book sale that captures a large audience and moves hundreds of books out into the world."

In Point Reyes tonight! "Did you know that Tuesday, August 6, is National Night Out? One the first Tuesday in August everyone is invited to get out and join local law enforcement and public safety personnel and other first responders for block parties where you can learn about safety and crime prevention, and meet your neighbors." Point Reyes Substation, 101 4th Street, Point Reyes Station 94956: 4"“8 pm

Reported by a local resident: "A couple (tourists), parked their car at Chicken Ranch beach this morning at 9:30am to take photos. When they returned to car 10 minutes later, their window were smashed and backpacks stolen. Sounds like a weird lying in wait type thing." Anyone see this or hear about it? A lot of robberies in San Geronimo too. Keep your eyes open. (Thx BM/SM)

Please join Congressman Jared Huffman for a town hall in Point Reyes, CA on Monday, August 5, 2019. Rep. Huffman will give an update from Washington D.C., talk about his priorities for California's North Coast, and respond to your questions.
When: Monday, August 5, 2019
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Where: Dance Palace, 503 B St, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956.
MORE INFO: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/r...

Not sure why this was just published, but glad the whale is ok. "The Marine Mammal Center, NOAA Large Whale Entanglement Response Team and the U.S. Coast Guard joined forces with the Research Collective to free the whale about 40 miles off Point Reyes on July 10." (thx JS) FULL STORY: https://www.ksby.com/news/whal...

"ªAnd here we are. I'm surprised it took this long."¬

Farmers market in Point Reyes, big concert at Love Field and a major bicycle ride happening around West Marin today. Lots of traffic, prepare accordingly. And this guy walking his pig. Seemed appropriate.

Andy's credit card was last used at the Point Reyes gas station. "Andy Nakashima has been missing since Sunday evening (July 21st). His phone has been off since and no one has seen or heard from him. I've known him over 10 years and I'm deeply concerned as well as his other friends, family, and clients. He has been known for going "off grid" before but in the past has always let someone know. This time is different. He just up and left. Please let one of us know if you've seen or heard from him. We're all worried sick.
His license plate number for the 1996 Silver 4 Runner is 5UFY027.
Alyssa: 415.320.4948
Fedor: 707.291.0513
Travis: 415.261.7374
His dad, David: 415.278.1088"

"For our longtime customers and friends of Brickmaiden, we are excited to announce our soft retail opening Thursday, August 1 & Friday, August 2, 8am - 4pm at 40 4th St., Point Reyes Station"

A local resident said they had a 'Ride the Trump Train' sticker put on their car while they were parked in the vicinity of Point Reyes. Anyone else have this happen? A new campaign strategy emerging? Or just a one time inspired act of passion? As you can see from the photo, it was serious hassle to remove.

KWMR is turning 20 years old! Help support this important local resource at www.kwmr.org.

"Investigators are still trying to determine why a gasoline truck that was too long to be driving on a popular Marin County road overturned this past weekend west of San Rafael, spilling 2,100 gallons of fuel and shutting down the road for nearly 24 hours. Cleanup of the spill is expected to take up to a week, during which motorists will be restricted to alternating one-way controlled traffic at the crash site on Lucas Valley Road west of Westgate Drive." FULL STORY: https://www.sfchronicle.com/ba...

"With the deadline fast approaching, now is the time to register to vote in the August 27 election for those living in the Bolinas-Stinson Union School District and the Inverness Permanent Road Division No. 2. Both ballot measures pertain to parcel tax assessments and require a two-thirds majority to pass." MORE INFO: https://www.marincounty.org/ma...

Bad accident on SFD by Blue Water Kayaks. Hopefully everyone is ok. Traffic control. Use caution.

Thank you Marin County Sheriff and Marin Public Works for working through the night to clean up this mess. - "TRAFFIC UPDATE: Crews worked diligently throughout the night and Lucas Valley Road is now open to one way traffic in both directions. The tanker truck has been removed, but one lane will remain closed for an unknown amount of time to facilitate cleaning and repair of the roadway surrounding the collision. Please drive slow as work crews will still be in the area." - via Marin County Sheriff

The Point Reyes Gas station is still closed because they're "out of gas". See earlier posts about the tanker truck for full explanation. Plan accordingly and be sure to fill up over the hill.

For those commuting tomorrow according to SFGate: ""Lucas Valley Road from Big Rock to Westgate Drive just northwest of San Rafael is now expected to be closed well into Monday morning continues after a tanker truck overturned Sunday morning, the Marin County Sheriff's Office said late Sunday afternoon." https://www.sfgate.com/news/ba...

"ªVia @MarinSheriff - "Expect road closure on Lucas Valley Rd the remainder of today and throughout tonight from Big Rock to Westgate Dr. Multiple allied agencies are working on logistics to off-load the fuel safely before the wreckage can be removed and the road can be re-opened.""¬

Just heard a report that the gas station in Point Reyes is out of fuel and temporarily closed (see early posts about fuel truck tipping over). No word on when it will re-open, plan accordingly. If anyone has updates, please let me know.

Just drove from Point Reyes to Inverness and it is safe to say today is a day to shelter in place if you can. Watched someone almost drive off the road, someone have road rage at whale of a deli and this car inexplicably parked hanging off the shoulder with its hazards on causing traffic jam. Also, I heard a rumor that the fuel truck that tipped over was for the Point Reyes gas station and there is a possibility that the gas station may run out of fuel today. So plan accordingly. Always fill up before coming home, just in case.

"ªLucas Valley Rd update via @MarinSheriff "surrounding areas may smell odor of fuel due to prevailing wind. Approximately 6,700 gallons contained in vessel and approximately 200 gallons contained by Fire Personnel. Expect road closure remainder of the day.""¬

Is there some sort of motorcycle rally going on today? The Sunday ride? Maybe the bay is just extra calm and the sound from Route 1 is traveling well? It sounds like the MotoGP is in our backyard in Inverness.

#BREAKING @MarinSheriff Lucas Valley road closed to all traffic, including bicycles and pedestrians due to overturned tanker near Big Rock. The closure is between Big Rock and Bridgegate with no ETA to open. Photo by @nbcbayarea

TRAFFIC ALERT: A fuel truck has tipped over on Lucas Valley Rd in the turns spilling fuel. The road is closed and no word when it will re-open. Plan accordingly and take alternative routes. (Thx MP and EW)

Intense fog bank behind Chimney Rock in Point Reyes today. #fog

All the sirens earlier: "There was a vehicle fire that turned into a veg fire on Limantour Rd. Under control 👍🏼" (Thx RB and everyone else who posted)

Via the Point Reyes Light. Photo by Serena Jve. "Odysseus, homeward bound, told his men to seal their ears with beeswax so they wouldn't be lured to their deaths as they passed the island of sirens. Yet he bound himself to the mast of his ship so he could hear the irresistible song of half-women, half-birds.

Residents of West Marin have an opportunity to reenact his story with an artist who sees the Greek legend as fodder for a radical experience of self-care.

In August, an immersive design artist from the East Bay plans to bring a two-story raft into Tomales Bay that she tours around in the summertime and calls "Siren Island." The free weekend event will feature exfoliations, massage and treatments with olive oil and mud.

Visitors, who either have to swim or boat to the island, can expect a good time: spa treatments will include do-it-yourself offerings, and light refreshments will be served. There may also be a musical or theatrical performance, but participants will be free to do what they want. The events are only advertised through her website, where subscribers pay a $10 fee to know the next location."

FULL STORY: https://www.ptreyeslight.com/a...