"Mystery light streaking across Bay Area skies was a test missile." Who saw it last night? Here is a picture that Alex Porrata took from Marshall around 6:15pm on Saturday night. Heard a couple of reports from people who saw it. Very strange.

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/...

Lots happening in the restaurant world in West Marin. Chef Jon Helquist leaves Osteria Stellina after five months. Ed Vigil just left the Inverness Park Store. The Pine Cone closed down and The Privateer in Inverness has soft opened already. Update your scorecards.

Stellina:
http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.co...

The Privateer:
https://www.facebook.com/ThePr...

This is horrible. "California's crab fiasco is worse for sea lions then humans. An unusually deep layer of warm water in the Pacific has fueled a Pseudo-nitzchia bloom like scientists have never seen. Sea lions eat crabs, in addition to all those little algae-feeders like sardines and anchovies"”all packed with domoic acid because of the monster bloom. And there's no way to warn them of the poison lurking in their meals."

Where is that 'do not like' button?

http://www.wired.com/2015/11/c...

For those who dig beer. "Oysters and beer have long been a perfect pairing, but we wanted to combine the two in a truly local collaboration for a great beer with a great story," Freccia added. Brewed with Hog Island Oyster Company, Marooned on Hog Island oyster stout will be shucked into cans on November 13, making its return for the first time in three years."

http://brewpublic.com/bay-area...

For those keeping score, Measure G passed yesterday. "The Inverness Public Utility District is asking voters to increase its appropriations limit through the 2017-8 fiscal year. Measure G, which is on the Nov. 3 ballot, requires a simple majority to pass. The routine measure, required under the state constitution's so-called Gann amendment, will allow the district to use all of the local tax revenue it collects." Yay.

http://www.marinij.com/article...

There was a structure fire on Miwok in Inverness last night around 3am. We were woken up by the fire trucks and watched the lights from across the valley. Not sure how bad it was, anyone else know the details?

Fiona over at the Point Reyes Farmer's Market shared this Halloween message with us, spot on. Don't forget, only two markets left! And the Haggards will be playing a very special Halloween show at The Western tonight, should be a blast. And if you have good Halloween photos from tonight, share them in the comments! Be safe, have fun!

Whoa, new restaurant in Inverness, when did this happen? Anyone have details? A menu? Sir Francis Drake was a privateer?

UPDATE: @KWMRradio: RV fire extending into the vegetation mile marker 3.60 Shoreline highway at Panoramic south of Muir Beach multiple units responding. Shoreline to be closed at Panoramic. Aircraft requested.

http://m.twitter.com/KWMRradio

The Tomales Bay Watershed council posted their testing results for this week and Chicken Ranch Beach does not meet the 'contact recreation standards'. If you're more interested in what this means, check out their web page then go to their annual meeting on Nov. 3 at the Yacht Club in Inveress at 3pm. (thx RD)

http://www.tomalesbaywatershed...

"Locals beware of the car off to right side of road, just south of Samuel P on Sir Francis Drake, go slow!!!! Blind curve." (thx VLB)

The things that crop up on eBay. "Vintage California Lighthouse at Point Reyes 1870 Blueprint 21" x 23" (255)".

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/2...

"A man who died in a Tomales Bay boating accident was identified as a Roseville resident Tuesday while authorities continued searching for another missing man ahead of the approaching storm. Ananiy Malinovsky, 55, died Monday morning after the 20-foot boat carrying him and two other men capsized near Tomales Point in the Point Reyes National Seashore."

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

"An hours-long search for a missing boater in (Tomales Bay) stopped Monday evening, but rescue crews say they are not giving up hope just yet. Monday evening, the fog made the search very difficult, but they'll be back out again on Tuesday morning.

The man was last seen Monday morning off the waters of Tomales Bay. That's when a distress call went out that all three men on board the small fishing boat were in the water. One of those men is dead and the other survived the ordeal."

http://abc7news.com/news/searc...

"One boater is dead, one is missing and a third was found alive at the mouth of Tomales Bay in Marin County Monday morning, a National Park Service spokesman said." Anyone else have other details?

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.c...

My California Dark Dream in the NYTimes this weekend. "Eyes wide open, here," says Terry Sawyer, co-owner of the nearby Hog Island Oyster Company, where the big issue is excess atmospheric carbon dioxide raising ocean acidity so fast that oyster larvae struggle to build shells. "The California dream of us being wet and making a living and enjoying ourselves may be threatened," he says. "I have kids, and I want that dream intact for them, but it may not be the same dream. I may not be growing the same organism. I am hopeful, but I am extremely concerned."

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10...

Secret graffiti spot of the day. Do you know where this is?

The annual pancake breakfast happening at the Point Reyes Fire Station this morning. Come on down and support your local firefighters!

A cluster of some 20 great white sharks was recently spotted by the U.S. Coast Guard off Pacifica and Ocean Beach, an unusually large gathering that has heightened concerns about the safety of local swimmers, wind surfers and kayakers. "This is the first I'd heard of near-shore aggregating in such an urban area," said Schramm, who could not recall ever seeing so many large sharks in one place.

http://www.sfgate.com/news/art...

From the NWS Bay Area. Wednesday could be our first major 'precipitation' event in quite a while. Prepare accordingly. "SPREADING RAIN ACROSS MUCH OF THE STATE ON WEDNESDAY. MOISTURE IS EXPECTED TO BE INTENSIFIED AS THIS SYSTEM TAPS INTO REMNANT MOISTURE FROM HURRICANE OLAF. WEDNESDAY IS EXPECTED TO BE THE TIMING FOR THE MAIN RAIN EVENT." (thx RB)

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_...

Now is a great time to go check out the elk in the park. Huge, beautiful, pointy antlers.

A biblical level sunrise this morning at Drakes Beach in Point Reyes.

Very sad news. After more then 20 years, the Pine Cone Diner is closed for business. A West Marin institution and Joanie is the best. Leave your best Pine Cone memories in the comments. (Like this if you miss it, especially the pancakes...)

More controlled burning happening today: "The controlled burn started Wednesday on 122 acres of the Historic N Ranch near Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and will resume Thursday, the National Park Service said in a press release. The burns are part of a park service effort to control Scotch broom and maintain open grasslands between large tracts of dense forest on the Bolinas Ridge and Inverness Ridge."

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/n...

Tonight was the Lagunitas Creek Bridge informational meeting at the Dance Palace. Anyone go? Thoughts? (Thx SC)

http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist4/la...

"Marin County Fire reports that they have started ignition on the control burn at Drake's Estero."

https://twitter.com/KWMRradio/...

The annual Orionid meteor shower isn't due to peak until October 21-22, but I was up at 6:00 am this morning and saw a beautiful meteor shoot across the sky right where they say to look (by Orion's Belt). So get out there late or early and let us know if you see one!

Everything you need to know about the Orionid meteor shower:
http://earthsky.org/?p=27937

Not sure where this blog found the Linders, but they are a West Marin treasure. "Mort and Virginia Linder have been married for over 53 years. When I asked them what the their secret is Mort answered," Just be extra nice to each other I don't think I've ever been mad at Ginny for over 10 minutes. We feel like we've been on a magical mystery tour. Ginny said, "I miss him even when he goes to the post office. We've had a happy life and I like that he can fix my car." (thx AP)

http://advancedstyle.blogspot....

Here is a sunset chaser from tonight in Bolinas to help wash away some of the sadness from this week. Nice place to live. (Thx AN)

Things that happen while you sleep. A marine salvage project out at the Great Beach in Point Reyes last night. I hope they had insurance. Did anyone see when they towed the boat parts through town today? (thx IY)

To all my friends and family in West Marin, I can't begin to express my appreciation for all your help and support over the past 48 hours.

I have been involved a number of horrific and unimaginable crime investigations over my past 30+ years but the senseless murder as this one is just baffling to me.

Thank you for all the kind words of support and more importantly I need to thank all of you for your willingness in becoming involved as a community to support one another.

There is no question in my mind that without the support of citizens from across West Marin and throughout the entire county in providing key tips and information that led to a quick and safe apprehension of three heartless individuals, we would still be searching for each of these three individuals. Without your help and support my job would be almost impossible, however as we all witnesses this week, working together in partnership in achieving the same goal can be unbeatable.

Thanks to you my fellow Westmarinites for all you've done in helping to keep our community safe as you have once again proved to me this week. - Doug Pittman

BREAKING: "Three suspects were arrested Wednesday in Portland, Ore., on suspicion of murdering tantric therapist Steve Carter on a Marin County hiking trail, the county sheriff's office said."

"Doug Pittman said detectives were helped by citizens and a trail of evidence, including photographs and videos taken at a convenience store, school and gas station. He showed one photograph taken 30 minutes after the shooting at a gas station in Point Reyes Station. It showed the three suspects with the stolen vehicle."

http://www.sfgate.com/crime/ar...

Here is an update on the Fairfax hiker murder. "The killer fled the scene in the victim's silver 2003 Volkswagen Jetta station wagon with California license plate 6PPG662"

"A man found shot dead on a scenic hiking trail in Marin County with his wounded dog still attached to a leash on his hand was a prominent Tantra teacher, yoga and massage therapist who was staying with friends while he cared for his cancer-stricken wife, authorities and his brother said Tuesday.

The body of Steve Carter, 67, was discovered shortly after 6 p.m. Monday by a hiker in the Loma Alta Open Space Preserve north of Fairfax, off Sir Francis Drake Boulevard."

http://www.sfgate.com/news/art...

For those of you wondering what all the police activity on Sir Francis Drake just before Fairfax was this morning. "The Marin County Sheriff's Office is investigating an apparent homicide on a hiking trail just outside Fairfax. A hiker found the gunshot victim was discovered at about 6 p.m. Monday, said sheriff's Lt. Doug Pittman. The victim was on a trail called the Gunshot Fire Road, which is on the north side of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in the area of the Loma Alta Preserve near Baywood Canyon Road."

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

A cool story about West Marin native and filmmaker, Jenn Nelson, who made a documentary about corporations owning the right to 'Happy Birthday', ended up fighting for the rights, and won.

"But as Nelson began researching her documentary on the song, she came across a research paper that claimed Warner Music, which had collected millions of dollars in fees over the years, may not have ever had the right to charge for it.

On Tuesday, a federal judge in Los Angeles agreed, handing a victory to Nelson and the assorted group of filmmakers and artists who had sued Warner, claiming the song belonged in the public domain."

LA Times story:
http://www.latimes.com/local/l...

Seen originally in the Point Reyes Light:
http://www.ptreyeslight.com/ar...

Has anyone else started having trouble with AM radio reception in West Marin? KNBR 680 is now almost un-listenable along Sir Francis Drake. A couple of other people have reported this. Richard Dillman is looking into it, he says there is a large cloud of 'electric crud' north of Point Reyes.

"The use of life jackets prevented potential tragedies Saturday when high winds on Tomales Bay prompted the Marin County Fire Department to conduct two water rescues.

Shortly after 2 p.m., the fire department was alerted to a 32-foot sailboat in distress near Ten Mile Beach off the Point Reyes National Seashore. A man and a woman had left Bodega Bay and were headed toward Berkeley when the winds caused the mast to break. The occupants boarded a dinghy, which quickly capsized.

At about the same time, a 14-foot Hobie Cat sailboat overturned on Tomales Bay about a mile south of Nicks Cove in Marshall. Two men, also wearing life jackets, were spotted by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter and plucked from the water by MCFD personnel using rescue watercraft. Both men were evaluated by paramedics and did not require transportation to a hospital."

Thank you MCFD!

http://www.marincounty.org/mai...

"Emergency vehicles are on scene at a vehicle crash on a curve at 12250 Point Reyes-Petaluma Road. Traffic control in effect."

https://twitter.com/KWMRinfo/s...

Anyone see all the lightning across the bay in Marin? Strange night, light rain in Inverness right now.

Our hearts go out to the family of Park Ranger Nate Knight who died unexpectedly last week leaving behind a wife and two children. Nate was a constant presence around the park and a friend to many here locally, he will be missed. If you'd like to support his family, you can contribute to the Nate Knight Memorial Fund here: https://life.indiegogo.com/fun...

Power lines down and in road at Portola and Vallejo in Inverness Park, use caution.

The wind is crazy today, gusts up to 45mph in the park, the ocean is a frothy mess. Be safe out there, stay away from the water.

if you commute on Sir Francis Drake, you probably already know, but traffic by Woodacre is a complete mess. Stuck on the hill now, take alternate routes until later. Not sure what day they're done with this, anyone?

Ok, open thread, who took a picture of the sunset tonight? Post it in the comments. Every night has been magic.

"During the late 1950s and early 1960s, Phillip Dick lived in Point Reyes Station with his third wife, Anne. It was there that he wrote The Man in the High Castle, his Hugo Award"“winning masterpiece recently adapted into a TV series by Amazon Studios. In a 2010 New York Times article on Dick's time in West Marin, the writer Jonathan Lethem said in an interview it was Dick's most productive time. Lethem included five novels from Dick's time in Point Reyes Station in the Library of America anthologies that he edited."

Bonus points, where did he live in Point Reyes?

http://www.bohemian.com/northb...

Very sad, we've seen a bunch of sad looking murres at the beaches in Point Reyes recently. "San Rafael wildlife center sees surge of starving murres. The thin-billed, sea-loving birds, which bear a bit of a resemblance to penguins with their black wings and white bellies, seldom show up on the beach when healthy. But this year, WildCare took in 33 in the first two weeks of September, compared with 34 for the entire year of 2014."

http://www.marinij.com/environ...

Does anyone smell a really weird chemical smell in Inverness? We're in Seahaven and can barely go outside right now.

Hopefully its clear! "This coming Sunday night (September 27), observers around the world are set to be in for a treat as two celestial events combine. In a rare occurrence, the Moon will reach its closest point to Earth (known as a supermoon) at the same time as it undergoes an eclipse, the first such alignment since 1982 "“ and the last until 2033.

During the event, when the Sun will be directly behind us in respect to the Moon, the lunar surface will appear a deep red color. Lunar eclipses are fairly common, with 16 occurring this century already, but only five supermoon eclipses have taken place since 1900."

Claire Ptak who owns the Violet Cakes bakery in London was featured on CBS This Morning today. ""Well, my mother's a great baker, my grandmother's a great baker. And where I grew up in Inverness, just north of San Francisco, it's rural, and we had wild blackberries and apple trees. And so there was a lot of emphasis on baking with fruit that was in season," Ptak said."

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/th...

"Pt. Reyes-Petaluma Road near Shoreline Highway is back open now after earlier accident."

"Emergency units are responding to a vehicle roll over reported to be on Pt. Reyes-Petaluma Road near Shoreline Highway. One lane closed." - via KWMRinfo

https://twitter.com/KWMRinfo

A good start to Fall this morning.

"Plans to expand the county health department's West Marin Multi-Service Center will proceed in downtown Point Reyes Station despite opposition from neighbors."

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

The September 2015 equinox happens today! Which means "“ at each equinox "“ the sun rises due east and sets due west. And its also the first day of Fall! We love Fall!

http://earthsky.org/tonight/su...

"Fire units are responding to a possible water rescue people in the water across Tomales Bay from the Inverness Store. People reported clinging to a raft about 200 yards off the east shore of Tomales Bay." - via KWMRinfo

https://mobile.twitter.com/KWM...

Someone sent me this map from Gwyneth Paltrow's (a TWMF favorite!) Goop web site. Apparently Sir and Star has moved to Mill Valley and Stellina to San Rafael. DOH.

Apparently the Coast Guard helicopter is just in the mood to circle around Tomales Bay this evening?

A beautiful weekend says good bye with a dreamy sunset over the Pacific in Point Reyes. (Thx LNFN)

Come on people, don't steal stuff like this. What kind of fish is that anyway?

From The Tomales Bay Oyster Company: "OUR PICNIC AREA WILL CLOSE ON OCTOBER 12th! Because of Marin County restrictions on our 1987 use permit, we can no longer allow recreational activities on our property. There will be no picnics, family gatherings, or parties. Starting on October 12th we will only sell oysters to go, and starting October 16th we will be closed Monday through Thursday. We will be open Friday 12pm to 5pm, and Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm." More info at the link:
http://tomalesbayoysters.com/a...

CHP is posted up at the store formerly known as Perry's giving friendly reminders out to people to slow down.

"Found small computer this morning on a bench at the White House Pool County Park. Has been given to the Sheriff's office 415-479-2311." via Mary Mills

Tomales Bay was absolutely stunning this morning. Blue on Blue. Throw on 'Kind of Blue' for lunch. Or maybe 'Blue Train'. Photo by Shawn Collins.

Highway 1 about a mile north of Nick's Cove is currently closed right now due to a car accident. Emergency crew on the scene.

Via KWMRinfo twitter feed:
https://twitter.com/KWMRinfo/s...

And then, it rained! Drive safe everyone, it's been awhile, roads are going to be slick. (Thx dw)

Traffic control on SFD while PG&E fixes power pole from accident last night.

Wow. Missed all the action last night. Sounds like someone ran into a power pole at White House Pool around 11pm and knocked all the power out for a couple of hours. Power back on in Inverness, everyone else have power? Any more details on the accident? Everyone ok? Thanks for all the reports.

HOPEFULLY THE LAST LUCAS VALLEY UPDATE: @CHPMarin: The clean up of last weeks paint spill on Lucas Valley Rd. is complete! No further closures will be required. #MarinTraffic

TRAFFIC UPDATE: @CHPMarin: Alert- Lucas Valley Rd. will be closed between 11AM-1PM for the final cleanup of last weeks paint spill. Use alternate route to West Marin.

"Stinson Beach fire units are on scene with an overturned pickup truck on Shoreline Highway at mile marker 15.5 between Stinson and Bolinas" - KWMRinfo

https://twitter.com/KWMRinfo/s...

A shark sighting at Stinson Beach yesterday (Sunday), "There were about 10 adults, myself included, who saw it! Just popped up out of nowhere. Fin came up twice then left. We had seen one seal and two porpoises about an hour earlier. It was about half a kid size soccer field from where we were standing, so very close. Only a handful of kids in shallow water and two surfers waiting for waves who scrambled to shore." (thx CP)

Vegetation fire at Seaheaven down by the bay. Under control now. Great response by fire dept.

Yikes. KWMR reporting: "Fire and park units are responding to a report of more than 30 kayakers stranded on Hog Island and Pelican Point. Some hypothermic patients are being brought to Nick's cove, water units heading to Pelican Point."

The Inverness Almanac Volume II release part is tomorrow night at 7pm at The Dance Palace. Local SF band Vetiver will be playing, and for those not familiar, these guys are really, really good. That alone is worth showing up for, a rare opportunity. Danny Vitali and The Gospel Flatters will play as well (they're good too!)

Finally! Lucas Valley Road has reopened.