This seems like a big deal for West Marin. "Now, the ability to do that through a robust system of air ambulances is being challenged. A primary funding source derived from a $4 fee on traffic tickets is set to expire Dec. 31. And legislation meant to extend it appears hopelessly stalled. "We're very concerned," said Eric Freed, vice president for operations of Santa Rosa-based REACH Air Medical Services, which stands to lose millions of dollars and could close bases. "This affects many people, not just in the rural areas but in urban areas as well." FULL STORY: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/n... (photo Press Democrat)

SFGate, otherwise known as the West Marin Travel Council. These stories must get lots of page views. LINK: http://m.sfgate.com/local/arti...

Someone spotted a boat in the Nicasio Reservoir today. Official business or fisherman? (Thx AR)

"County sheriff's medivac helicopter rescued a young girl with heat issues in the park, and she was transferred to an ambulance in Bear Valley." Sounds like she's ok. Thanks to local rescue crews for their response. Remember to drink fluids and stay cool during this heat wave. (Thx MM)

A hiker is unconscious on the Mt. Wittenberg trail in Point Reyes. Henry 1 rescue helicopter is en route. (thx AN)

Summer Solistice today! Going to be an epic evening (if Karl the Fog doesn't show up). Go find a secret spot to commune with West Marin wilderness. Some fun facts here: https://www.vox.com/science-an...

Monday morning magic. Weekend survived. #sunrise #pointreyes

"Traffic update: Limantour Beach parking lot is full. South & North Beach would be good to visit at this time. Stay hydrated today." From PRNPS. Also heard a rumor that a local eating establishment was so slammed that they ran out of food yesterday...

Being on the front page of SFGate probably isn't helping our traffic issues either.

Parking at Shell Beach has officially maxed out. No more. Don't try. Tempers are flaring. Shelter in place.

We have visitors. "TRAFFIC ADVISORY: 3:15pm w/traffic heading over Mt Tam on Panoramic has been stop & go since Stinson Beach parking lots filled up @ 10:00am"

Nick Whitney, Mike Durkee, Jamaal Tyson and Brad Thurman won the KWMR golf scramble yesterday at San Geronimo.

Go check it out...

If you only see one art show this year, this is the one to see, "Summer of Love Reception for New Exhibitions - Join us at the Bolinas Musuem on Saturday, June 17th for a reception and concert celebrating the 50th Anniversay of the Summer of Love and the opening of the museum's Counter-culture & Creativity program spotlighting the 1960s & 70s. Gallery talks with artists and curators and reception 4-5 PM + Courtyard Concert 5-7 PM Maria Muldaur & Her Redhot Blusiana Band. PLUS local artist Sue Taylor will have her own exhibition of her own, truly exceptional, hand-knotted rugs." MORE INFO: http://www.bolinasmuseum.org/s... AND https://www.ptreyeslight.com/a... (photo by David Mitchell)

Via CHP Marin Twitter feed: "UPDATED (7:55 PM)
At approximately 5:48 PM we received a call of a motorcycle versus a deer in the area of 9059 Marshall Petaluma Road. Callers advised the rider was unresponsive and life saving efforts were underway. Emergency responders from the CHP, Marin County Sheriff's Office, and Marin County Fire responded to the scene. Unfortunately, the rider succomed to his injuries on scene. Personnel are still on scene, conducting their investigation at this time. Any inquiries regarding the identity of the motorcycle rider should be directed to the Marin County Sheriff's Office, Coroner's Division." (thx BE)

From NWS Bay Area: "A Heat Advisory has been issued for inland locations from Sat through Mon. Remember your heat safety."

Via CHP Marin: "FATAL COLLISION:We are currently on scene investigating a fatal traffic collision on Marshal Petaluma Road."

From the New Yorker, "In 2011, Steve Costa and Kate Levinson established what might have been the first C.S.B., at Point Reyes Books, in Marin County, California. Costa and Levinson were members of a C.S.A., and Point Reyes, like Blue Hill, relies on summer tourists"”they started their program to address the same problem that Haskell was facing." FULL STORY: http://www.newyorker.com/books...

Congratulations to Luke Stevens, Jason Horick, Fernando Pelayo and the Blue Jays for winning the Double A West Marin Little League Championships. First West Marin Double A win since 2007.

Alexis and Trevor Traina defend their Moonrise Kingdom project in the Point Reyes Light: "This issue may be academic for some, but it is personal for us. After spending several years working closely with the county to ensure that our project was environmentally sensitive, the county granted its approval last December to replace one of the cabins with a new 3,900-square-foot home and to preserve three existing handmade cabins." FULL STORY: https://www.ptreyeslight.com/a...

Posted on behalf of local residents: "You may have heard that the Inverness Association has appealed Marin County's approval of a Coastal Development Permit for the Moonrise Kingdom project at the top of Vision Road, adjacent to the National Seashore. The approved project totals 10,786 square feet of development, with 15,421 sf of impervious surfaces. Like the controversial Hidden Dragon project on Balboa, this would not be the owners' main residence, but a holiday home.

Our main concern is that this proposed development is way too big for Inverness. It rivals--and in many ways exceeds--the size of the now-withdrawn Hidden Dragon proposal. Marin County's Single-Family Residential Design Guidelines state that "the floor area of the proposed development should not substantially exceed the median home size in the surrounding neighborhood." Hidden Dragon was 4 times the size of the median home in the surrounding neighborhood. Moonrise Kingdom is proposed to be more than 5 times the median size.

The Staff Report ignores the Residential Design Guidelines and merely says "A residence of this size is not out of character with residences located in the surrounding Inverness community, nor is it out of character with the newer homes located throughout Marin County."

The Staff Report also repeatedly asserts, with no evidence, that the existing unpermitted buildings deserve to stay because they are of sentimental value to the community.

The Planning Commission will hear our appeal at 2 PM on Monday, June 12. The Inverness Association will be there to address the issue of size and other problems with the proposal. But without a clear message from the local community that West Marin is concerned about the negative impacts of the increasing number of properties bought as vacation homes, taken out of the rental market, and overdeveloped until no one but millionaires can afford to live here, they will tend to support the staff and the applicants.

Make no mistake, approval of this project without a serious reduction in size will set a precedent for a revived Hidden Dragon and will signal that Inverness is open to other super-sized development proposals.

The main thing is for letters to flood into the PC arguing that Moonrise Kingdom is too big for our community and the neighborhood. Send comments to:

Ana Hilda Mosher, for distribution to the Planning Commissioners (AMosher@marincounty.org), with copies to Marin County Planner Jocelyn Drake (jdrake@marincounty.org) and Supervisor Dennis Rodoni (drodoni@marincounty.org)

If you wish to receive a fact sheet on the size of Moonrise Kingdom and Hidden Dragon and a copy of the Staff Report, please email NancySteinart@gmail.com"

"Repairs of the Drakes Beach Road started this week. The ETO is still mid to late June. Stay tuned for more info." - Point Reyes NPS https://twitter.com/pointreyes...

Pulling donuts in the Second Valley parking lot and destroying the port-a-potty. I guess school is out? (Thx SP)

This year's Western Weekend had a lot of familiar faces and some new surprises. (thx SD)

"The windsurfer who was separated from his gear is ok, but he has lost his equipment in Tomales Bay. Its a red board with a green sail. Last seen north of Cypress Point around 7:00pm, drifting south in the water. There is a reward for the return, contact richard@coastodian.org if you find it. Thanks."

A REACH helicopter just landed in Inverness and it sounds like a windsurfer is in distress on Tomales Bay and a helicopter responding to that. Anyone know what's happening in Inverness?

From NPR Puzzle, "Next week's challenge: This challenge comes from listener David Herbst of Inverness, Calif. Name a well-known U.S. city with two words in its name. The second word sounds like the last name of a famous 20th-century writer. The first word is something found in virtually every work of this author. What is the city, and who is the author?" FULL STORY: http://www.npr.org/2017/06/04/...

CalTrans truck down on PR/Petaluma Road by the McEvoy Ranch. Road will be closed soon while they pull it out. Expect delays. (Thx RJ)

Posted at the Point Reyes post office today. (Thx RJ)

"Hog Island Oyster Co. will acquire neighboring business Tony's Seafood Restaurant, which quietly closed this spring, reopening it in the summer and maintaining it as its own distinct brand." FULL STORY: https://sf.eater.com/2017/5/30...

"As part of the National Moment of Remembrance on Memorial Day, on Monday, May 29, 2017, Point Reyes National Seashore and the U.S. Coast Guard will honor the sacrifice of the surfmen who served to protect America's coast as a part of the United States Life-Ssaving Service. Visitors are invited to join the National Park Service and the United States Coast Guard at 1:30 pm for services at the Historic Life-Saving Service Cemetery located at G Ranch.

Following the ceremony, there is an open house at the Point Reyes Coast Guard Lifeboat Station at Chimney Rock from 3 pm to 5 pm, during which attendees will have an opportunity to see the historic Coast Guard Motorized Lifeboat CG-36542." DETAILS: https://www.nps.gov/pore/plany...

We went for a hike during low tide today on Tomales Bay and found this. So bummed. Who does this? Makes no sense.

Ken Fox plays "Dust in the Wind" as traffic pours into Inverness. Batten down the hatches. Shelter in place. Going to get ugly later.

Car flipped over on Rt 1 a mile south of Olema. Traffic control, be prepared. Hope everyone is ok. (Thx CM)

"A 79-foot blue whale washed up on Agate Beach in Bolinas on Friday morning. The cause of death remains unknown.
Scientists from the Marin Mammal Center and California Academy of Sciences identified the whale as a sub-adult female. The scientists will return Saturday to perform a full necropsy, having taken preliminary skin tissue and blubber samples Friday morning." FULL STORY: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/...

"FAIR WARNING to all my West Marin communities, traffic complaints related to unsafe drivers, riders and cyclists skyrocket over the holiday weekends. With Memorial Day Weekend beginning tomorrow #marinsheriff deputies and #marinchp officers already ramping up directed enforcement efforts that will continue throughout the weekend from Muir Woods all the way north to Tomales. Our goal is to eliminate injury accidents but we can only do it with your help and patience for those seem to not care about the safety for themselves or others.

Let's all have a safe and fun weekend because I think we all deserve one!

Doug Pittman
aka: your local Sheriff"

Because summer doesn't really being until Roberto gets the raft out. (thx BM)

"WESTERN WEEKEND is little over a week away with many special events Saturday June 3 & Sunday June 4 in Sowntown Point Reyes Station. Come join your friends and neighbors as we celebrate the love for our one of a kind community.

Saturday's events include a 4-H Fair, Community Barn Dance, Taco Dinner, Salsa Tasting Contest and announcement of our own Junior Grand Marshall. Sunday's events are kicked off at 12 noon with the Annual Western Weekend Community Parade followed live music, incredible Mexican Food, infamous Farm Bureau Chicken BBQ, homemade desserts, and Annual Chili Cook-Off. A Sunday afternoon highlight is our own one of a kind Halleck Creek Cow Flop, something you must come see to believe yourself!

So please come and join all of us as we celebrate our local history, family, and community.

See you there!
Doug

aka: your local Sheriff"

The Point Reyes Disaster Council has a website that went live last week: https://www.pointreyesdisaster...

"We hope everyone will use it for information, go-to resources and, for residents of the PRDC communities (full- and part-time in Point Reyes Station, Olema, Inverness Park and Marshall), the Household Information* form for your Neighborhood Liaison. These are for your safety, so please download and fill out as much as you possibly can. (*previously called Neighborhood Disaster Registry). We also always hope for more volunteers, especially as backup Neighborhood Liaisons, Area Coordinators, and on our PRS firehouse civilian radio room. ... Also, many thanks to Sequoia Web Design, based in PRS; and to Richard Blair and Dave Mitchell for use of their photos. Thank you, all..." - Lynn Axelrod

I wondered why so many birders out this weekend. "Birders scouring park for rare reported Scissor-tailed Flycatcher!" https://twitter.com/pointreyes...

Vehicle rollover on Lucas Valley Road on top of pass. Should be cleared soon. Sounds like no major injuries. (Thx MM)

Anne R. Dick, Memoirist and Writer's Muse, Is Dead at 90 "She remained in the same house in Point Reyes Station for the rest of her life. In later years, as her jewelry business waned, she used it as a bed-and-breakfast inn. For about $100 a night, people could rent the room where Dick had worked on "High Castle." In truth, though, most visitors were focused on hiking the nearby national seashore." FULL OBITUARY: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/0...

In addition the the (now solved) Chicken Ranch burglaries, there have been some reports of houses being broken into in Point Reyes. Can anyone confirm or have any further info?

Michelle is a local resident who needs any type of assistance you can give. From GoFundMe: "My dear friend and mother of two beautiful children, Michelle Lujan , was just diagnosed with stage 4a ovarian cancer. She has just had major surgery and is at the beginning of a long journey of healing. She is going to start cancer treatment and needs funds to do this. She is not able to work and needs money to support herself and her two kids. Please lend your help!" HOW TO HELP: https://www.gofundme.com/miche...

Great show coming up in June at Ink.Paper.Plate, early bird tickets available now. "For the past ten years, the dynamic music duo known as Amendola vs. Blades have been conjuring various sonic deities of swingin' old-school jazz, funk, and rock, African, improvisational and free-form music to thousands of fans who've steadily shown up for one of their highly spontaneous and lively musical adventures." MORE: http://www.bandsintown.com/eve...

Marin County Sheriff FB page says they arrested the Chicken Ranch Beach thief: "Recently, we had two visitors come to our beautiful county to enjoy the open space of West Marin. Just as our guests were returning to their vehicle, they saw a man break the window of their car to steal their belongings. They confronted the man and he apologized and asked that they not call the police. The suspect got into his car and drove away. The visitors called 911 and gave an outstanding description of the suspect and the getaway car. We found the man in his getaway car, just outside of Pt. Reyes Station." FULL STORY: https://www.facebook.com/Marin...

Good news.

The West Marin Feed made a mistake. We accidentally shared a post from Doug Pittman about speeding that actually happened in 2015. For some reason someone made a comment on it today, and since it was dated in May, I assumed it was new. I know this caused a lot of debate and I apologize to everyone, especially Sheriff Pittman for the error. I've taken the post down.

Another one happened this morning: "Just had car broken into at Chicken Ranch Beach. Police said this is on going problem. Do not leave anything inside car when parking." (Thx ES) Doug Pittman any thoughts?

Shakespeare is back in Inverness and only needs a couple of more dollars to make their goal, please help keep this great local event alive! "The third annual late summer Shakespeare at St. Columba's! Twelfth Night! A feast fools - if music be the food of Love, let's eat!"
https://www.kickstarter.com/pr...

Two teenagers flipped over a sail boat across from Chicken Ranch Beach in Tomales Bay and couldn't get it back over this afternoon. They were in the water for about 30 minutes. Fortunately, thanks to local rescue crews, looks like everyone is going to be ok. Very cold, but ok.

Water rescue happening on Tomales Bay, capsized boat up by Tomales Bay Resort, two victims in the water. Hope everyone is ok.

#Lighthouse stairs just closed due to high winds! Be careful out there, esp. if you go on the water. - via NPRS

The annual May Faire benefit is happening today in Point Reyes behind the Creamery from 11 to 1:30. Stop on by.

"Sir Francis Drake Blvd in Olema has reopened. PG&E in the area working overnight to repair downed power lines. Drive carefully in the area!"

Electric lines down and a grass fire in Jewel by McIssac Ranch. Both lanes of Sir Francis Drake closed.

According to the Point Reyes Light, "Caltrans will install a crosswalk at the south end of Point Reyes and pedestrian signs at both ends of town in the coming months. A request for a three way stop at Levee Road was denied." Isn't there one already at the south end? Or does this mean from the art gallery to the realtor? Also, does this mean those big blinking pedestrian signs?

This cat has been missing for the last 48 hours from a home near The Saltwater Depot in Inverness. His name is Shiloh and he has no chip and kicked his collar off. Have you seen him? If so, leave a comment or call Matt Sykes at 415-506-5051. Thank you.

Traffic control on Shoreline Hwy north of Dogtown due to a large tree down. Proceed with caution.

CRIME ALERT: "A Fairfax woman parked at Chicken Ranch Beach and went for an hour stand-up paddle. When she returned she found her driver's side window smashed, wallet taken and a key removed. Please everyone, keep valuables out of sight, be vigilant. Sherriff is on-site taking report right now." (thx RJ)

A sad weekend on many fronts. Our hearts go out to those who lost family and friends and to those who are fighting sickness.

Tragic. "A 24-year-old man was killed after he drove a pickup truck down an embankment on a West Marin ranch.

The crash occurred Saturday night on the Gallagher Ranch on Point Reyes-Petaluma Road, the California High Patrol reported. The ranch is between Point Reyes Station and the Nicasio Reservoir.

The truck was on a dirt road when Fish attempted to perform a three-point turn, said CHP Officer Patrick Roth. The back wheels slipped off the road and the truck went down a steep slope.

Fish and a passenger were in the cab of the truck and two other passengers were in the bed. Fish was ejected and the truck rolled over him, Roth said."

FULL STORY: http://www.marinij.com/governm...

One lane open on SFD south of Inverness. Photo by Corey Ohama.

Accident on SFD by Drakes View Drive south of Inverness. Car rolled over, sounds like person is ok. Both lanes closed for now. (Thx SP/AN)

Another bad accident on PR/Petaluma Road at Nicasio Valley. A fatality in this one. Tough weekend. (Thx SP/BE)

Point Reyes ties with San Mateo for the biggest gust of the day. (Thx SP)

Via NWS: "STRONG NORTHWESTERLY GALE FORCE WINDS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH TODAY AND TONIGHT. HIGH END GALE FORCE GUSTS ARE EXPECTED WITH ISOLATED LOW END STORM FORCE GUSTS POSSIBLE. SEAS WILL BUILD RAPIDLY. MARINERS SHOULD PAY EXTRA ATTENTION TO FORECASTS AND TAKE ACTION NOW TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY." http://marine.weather.gov/show...

Power currently out to 88 customers in Inverness. According to PG&E, no current ETA for return. https://m.pge.com/?WT.pgeac=Ho...

Both lanes of SFD near Ash Ave in Kentfield closed due to bad pedestrian/bus accident. Use alternate routes. No ETA. (Thx LL)

Here's the answer to that question. "Hollywood came to Bodega today! "Beautiful Boy", the Amazon drug-addiction drama from Brad Pitt's Plan B with Steve Carell." Photo by West County News Feed. MORE PHOTOS: https://www.facebook.com/Westc...

The boatel is cordoned off today with security. There have been rumors of a movie being filmed with A-list stars. Perhaps this is it? Anyone know more? (Thx DW)

"A motorcyclist was killed in a head-on collision with a septic truck just south of Olema along Highway 1 on Tuesday morning, authorities said.

The victim is believed to be a 26-year-old San Rafael man, according to the California Highway Patrol. The coroner's office is working on identification.

The motorcyclist, traveling north, apparently veered over the center line, in front of the southbound truck, said CHP Officer Patrick Roth."

FULL STORY: http://www.marinij.com/general...

Apparently a motorcyclist was killed this morning on Rt. 1 between Stinson and Bolinas. There are no other details available that I've seen. Does anyone else have details? Our hearts go out to the person's family.

TRAFFIC UPDATE: Fast action by Marin County Department of Public Works (DPW) jumping so quickly to fix the sinkhole on Sir Francis Drake Blvd @ Pierce Point Rd just west of Inverness.

I just spoke to the DPW crew at the scene and they feel confidant that they can complete a temporary repair to the roadway today. They will be able to replace the broken drainage pipe below the surface of the roadway but will have to place temporary steel plates on the roadway until sometime next week when they will come back and repave the roadway.

Best news is that the roadway will be completely open for the upcoming weekend and all the anticipated tourists traveling back and forth from our beaches and lighthouse.

Huge words of praise to the DPW crew members teaming up with Ghilotti Construction getting this repair work done before the weekend! 👍👍👍

Lt. Doug Pittman
aka: your local Sheriff

TRAFFIC ALERT - Large sinkhole discovered this morning on Sir Francis Drake Blvd in the park that could impact traffic this weekend. This is right at the turnoff to Pierce Point. Not good. https://twitter.com/MarinSheri...

Via Doug Pittman. "TRAFFIC ALERT - A sinkhole in the roadway was discovered this morning on Sir Francis Drake Blvd @ Pierce Pt. Road just west of Inverness. The hole itself is only 3'x3' in diameter but closer inspection has found the earth below the roadway has been washed out creating an underground cavern that extends beneath both sides of the roadway. Marin DPW has just arrived and is now evaluating what needs to be done to fix the problem. Local residents should expect significant traffic delays until needed repairs are completed. We hope this problem can be at least temporarily repaired knowing we expect heavy tourist traffic this weekend. Lt. Doug Pittman Aka: your local Sheriff"

That escalated quickly. "Besides the tip from West Marin Feed, seemingly no one noticed that the celebrities were in town." Way to go West Marin. FULL STORY: http://www.sfgate.com/entertai...