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)

If you're heading over the hill, be careful of the CHP hiding out just past the Inkwells in Samuel P.

Woke up this morning to hear traffic on the scanner about a barn fire in Nicasio. Many units responded, just finishing up now. Any details?

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.

The roads are already super slick and there has been several minor accidents all ready. Slow down! (Please)

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...

"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/marinne...

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)

Monday, 9:15am, Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, just north of Balboa Drive
School bus driver decides to shave 30 seconds by passing garbage truck on a narrow section with a double yellow line. The first try was stopped by oncoming traffic, but the bus driver wasn't deterred.

Whew.

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.co...

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

The week of September 22 to 26 - Prescribed fires are planned for Olema Valley on the east side of Highway 1, seven miles south of Olema between Randall Trail and Dogtown. There may be short traffic delays depending on smoke. Drivers travel carefully, watch for firefighters and equipment. The burns will be cancelled if conditions are too wet, dry or windy.

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.nationalmssocie...

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"

Taken this morning in downtown Inverness!

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?

What is that weird wet stuff coming out of the sky?

On Thursday afternoon, at 3:30 in Point Reyes Station's West Marin Elementary School, a presentation on Mindfulness in our local public schools takes place! Spanish translation will be available and everyone is invited!

Then, at 6pm in the same location, the local school board meets in public session to act on the required budget resolution to reduce staffing. Childcare and Spanish translation will be available and everyone is encouraged to attend!

OUR SITUATION IS BECOMING DESPERATE
Please, everyone, we need our community's help. Network and think about the possibilities and contact us with any ideas or leads. We need to be out by Sept. 28th!
Our current abode is going to be fumigated. Our fencing will have to be pulled away from the house, and our sanctuary cats will need safe refuge during the toxic tenting and repairs.
We have a couple irons in the fire, but have not secured a place for the cats yet, and Kathy would love a place to stay where she could keep a couple of her special needs cats with her.
Planned Feralhood must find a place to hold around 30 cats for two to three weeks, give or take a few days, by September 28th. A portion of a barn, perhaps some stalls that could be fenced in would be good. We could kennel the cats individually, and/or let them have the room to roam inside the temporary enclosure. An outbuilding, garage, or fenced area that we could cat escape-proof are other possibilities. We would install, then remove any fencing materials; and do a complete clean up when we move back to our own digs.
Another possibility would be individuals who could take one or more cats. We could set up in kennels if necessary, and could come daily to clean up, feed, and care for them. Some of our cats are very friendly and have good manners. A spare bathroom would be a great place to house our elderly, special care cats.
We could use help moving the cats and their supplies - large vehicles, pickup trucks or jeeps, etc., and manpower to carry everything down then back up 42 steps. Volunteers would be very appreciated.
If anyone can offer us a place, please contact Kathy at (415)663-8497, or plannedferalhood@gmail.com. We also have some special needs cats that would do better in a foster care situation if you can help with that.
Donations can be mailed to Planned Feralhood, PO Box 502, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956

There's a dead deer in the creek beside my parent's house, stinking to high heaven. We've been calling the Marin Humane Society since Sunday to get it removed, with no response. Meanwhile my parents can't open the windows because of the smell, and the yard is unusable (and it's been HOT). Any ideas about how to deal with this nuisance? It's really impacting their quality of life!!! The West Marin Feed, anyone have thoughts on this?

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/marinne...

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/marinne...

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.

Wondering what the *^!+# happened to the trees in front of ye old Point Reyes Station train depot now serving as U.S. Post Office?

They're getting ready to paint the building and the verdant tree branches needed to be pruned back to make room for painting apparatuses. Not to worry, they'll grow back soon.

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/...

Not sure how I feel about local deputy essentially telling someone that he'd have to arrest him (in the future) based on rumors... http://youtu.be/gWFm1CvN4ps

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.

Speed trap at IP

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.co...

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

3' Feet for Safety Act, CA Vehicle Code Section 21760, goes into effect next Tuesday, September 16th.

This new law requires "the driver of a motor vehicle overtaking and passing a bicycle that is proceeding in the same direction on a highway shall pass in compliance with this article applicable to overtaking and passing a vehicle, and shall do so at a safe distance that does not interfere with the safe operation of the overtaking bicycle, having due regard for the size and speed of the motor vehicle and the bicycle, traffic conditions, weather, visibility, and the surface and width of the highway."

In short, a driver of a motor vehicle shall not overtake or pass a bicycle at a distance of less than three feet between any part of the motor vehicle and any part of the bicycle or its operator. Of course what this section does not include is the responsibility of the bicyclist to maintain his/her course of travel along the far right side of the roadway and within a bike lane if provided. Those cyclists who travel several abreast must not assume this new law provides them any added protection themselves if they are already in violation of the California Vehicle Code.

My hope is that common courtesy between all those who Share the Road continues....I wish everyone safe travels!

Doug Pittman
your local Sheriff

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/la...

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?

Please Help Us West Marin Community. We are becoming a little desperate:

Planned Feralhood must find a place to hold around 30 cats for two weeks, give or take a few days, in late September, early October. A portion of a barn, perhaps some stalls that could be fenced in would be good. We could kennel the cats individually, and/or let them have the room to roam inside the temporary enclosure. An outbuilding, garage, or fenced area that we could cat escape-proof are other possibilities. We would install, then remove any fencing materials; and do a complete clean up when we move back to our own digs.

Our current abode is going to be fumigated. Our fencing will have to be pulled away from the house, and the cats will need safe refuge during the toxic tenting and repairs.

We could use help moving the cats and their supplies - large vehicles, pickup trucks or jeeps, etc., and manpower to carry everything down then back up 42 steps. Volunteers would be very appreciated.

If anyone can offer us a place, please contact Kathy at (415)663-8497, or plannedferalhood@gmail.com. We also have some special needs cats that would do better in a foster care situation if you can help with that

Shoreline Unified School District meets for their regular monthly board meeting on Thursday, September 11th at 6pm in Tomales High School. Further conversation & community feedback on proposed budget reductions are on the agenda. Agenda and details available online at http://shorelineunified.org/

Our beloved "Emma" is missing. She's a long haired Siberian, grey striped tabby markings & a big, fluffy tail. She has been missing from upper Drakes View Drive in Inverness Park for two weeks. If you see her, please take her in and call us, or call if you spot her anywhere.

415.602.6659 or 415.309.1957
Johanna and Tom

REWARD!

Cranky homeless man in Point Reyes has been harassing people. He pointed to me Friday telling me "It's all your fault." I was caught off guard and just went to my car and left. Today I came upon him yelling at two tourists who got in their car and drove off then he yelled at me (while I had my baby with me) and I kept walking, said hi to some friends to avoid him and he began yelling at the man. Sheriffs came and sent him on his way. Be aware. Nothing physical but he's threatening and present downtown.

"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/marinne...

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

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.

It's not too late to complete the bilingual online survey of proposed Shoreline Unified School District budget cuts before tonight's 6pm public meeting at Tomales High School. Your survey response, including comments and suggestions in the "Other" answer option, will help guide the school board's decisions.

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/marinne...

Rocking out in downtown Point Reyes this afternoon.