For those who live in Inverness.

"HOLIDAY WEEKEND CRITICAL WATER ALERT
Holiday Weekend Critical Water Alert

The Water System is already feeling the strain of the holiday weekend's increased demand.

We must maintain adequate reserves for the essentials "“ fire protection, sanitation, basic domestic use, not drying up the streams.

All customers are being asked to DEFER ALL OUTDOOR WATERING until next week. Please: No outdoor watering at this time.

So we don't get hit with a crippling tsunami of demand all at once next week, please water outdoors on the following schedule.

July 2-6 (Friday-Tuesday): No outdoor watering. All customers.

July 7 & 9 (Wednesday & Friday): Limited outdoor watering OK for households with an even-numbered street address.

July 8 & 10 (Thursday & Saturday): Limited outdoor watering OK for households with an odd-numbered street address.

Thank you for your cooperation!

-- From your Inverness Water System staff"

LINK: https://www.invernesspud.org/h...

Via PRNS "Starting today, Coast Trail north from its intersection with Bear Valley Trail to Coast Camp is closed due to salvage operations from a vessel that ran aground at Kelham Beach. Vehicle traffic will be on Bear Valley Trail over the next few days.

There were no injuries. No estimate yet on when the closed area associated with the grounded vessel will re-open but multiple agencies are assisting. Thanks for your patience."

LINK: https://twitter.com/pointreyes...

A local WMF supporter who owns an empty lot received this letter and was wondering if other people had received them as well and if anyone knew anything about it. Are people selling their property to Gray Duck? Or just spam.

via FireSAFE Marin: "Chipper crews will be in your neighborhood! Hit the link below to use our Interactive map to find out when. Register for FREE vegetation removal at http://ow.ly/na1150FiElp. Funded by the @MarinWildfire Prevention Authority. View map here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/..."

Inverness: 7/10/21 and 10/11/21
Point Reyes Station: 7/5/21 and 10/4/21

Point Reyes on the cover of the MarinIJ today.

"Coast Miwok descendants in Marin County are urging U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the nation's first Native American cabinet secretary, to reject a controversial plan at Point Reyes National Seashore that it says prioritizes commercial cattle ranching over protecting archaeological sites and the environment."

FULL STORY: https://www.marinij.com/2021/0...

1977 Marin Municipal Water District conservation guide and refrigerator magnet.

LINK: https://www.facebook.com/Marin...*F

For those wondering about the crane off Limantour Beach: "Of course, the crane will first have to fit under the Golden Gate and Bay bridges. To make that happen, the ZPMC ship will anchor about 30 miles from the bay off Point Reyes for a few days, while workers make necessary adjustments."

FULL STORY: https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal....

Another major heat wave forecasted for this weekend. Be prepared. "A warming & drying trend is forecast to occur late this week and into the upcoming weekend. Resulting in interior locations reaching the 90s to potentially low 100s which may enhance risk for heat related illnesses. Hot & dry conditions may lead to elevated fire weather concerns."

LINK: https://twitter.com/smfdinfo/s...

"A federal lawsuit filed Tuesday is alleging the Point Reyes National Seashore was negligent in its wildlife management and violated federal law after more than 150 tule elk died in a park preserve last year.

The complaint filed by Harvard Law School's Animal Law and Policy Clinic in the U.S. District Court of Northern California seeks a court order requiring the National Park Service and U.S. Interior Department to enact plans to ensure the remaining 300 elk in the enclosed Tomales Point Preserve have access to adequate food and water."

FULL STORY: https://www.marinij.com/2021/0...

Photo: WMF/Ollie Zink

"My name is Jeff McBeth and I work for the Inverness Public Utility District. Yesterday, June 19th, at approximately 11:00 am, a Professional Chef knife roll/case was found and turned into the Inverness Fire Department. I would very much like to get these knives back to their owner as they likely need and miss them."

"Happy #SummerSolstice ☀The Summer Solstice will occur today at 8:31 PM PDT and mark the start of astronomical summer. The length of daylight is the longest of the year with just under 15 hours between sunrise and sunset."

Here is one of the WMF secret spots in Point Reyes.

LINK: https://twitter.com/nwsbayarea...

The bear saga continues. From a local: "Good morning! We just hit the road for a trip to Washington state, and about a half mile south of the Olema Cemetery, we had to slam on our brakes so we didn't hit a black bear! Kind of neat to see, not so good for pets 😬 We wanted to let you know!" (Thx KS)

"It's the most wonderful time of the year"¦Market season in Point Reyes!! Join us tomorrow, June 19 from 9am -2pm for opening day of the 25th Annual Point Reyes Farmers Market! 🥳☀️🌱✨"

More info: https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ...

Summer is officially here! The Haggards are playing The Western in Point Reyes Station tonight (Saturday). Get your party on. And if you're vaccinated, you don't need a mask...

A car hit a power pole on the PR/Petaluma Rd near the vegetable stand. Everyone is ok. Traffic will be closed both ways until they are able to clean up the power lines. Plan accordingly. (Thx DP)

On Via de La Vista in Inverness last night, a number of trash cans and trash can containers were damaged in a manner that looks like it was a a bear looking for food.

The straps were ripped off the cans leaving claw marks, and large wooden structures were knocked over to access the cans.

(Thx CP)

There's a car accident by Pierce Point in Point Reyes requiring helicopter support. And some kind of transformer blew on SFD in Inverness causing power to go on and off in Seahaven.

Last night at 9:20pm on Woodhaven Rd. in Inverness, Jonathan Hajdu, who was visiting from Oakland, said he was approached by a mountain lion who was loud and aggressive. Jonathan said he stood his ground and made a lot of noise, but the mountain lion continued to approach him for 100 yards before running off.

This is an unconfirmed third party report, so make of it what you will. Jonathan contacted the park and let them know (although it wasn't on park property).

I have heard two other reports in the last two weeks of possible mountain lion sightings. One was in Seahaven in Inverness by Camino del Mar and Via de La Vista crossing someone's property. The other was from some hikers near Coast Camp in Point Reyes that reportedly saw a mountain lion on the trail.

None of these sightings have been verified, but there was this video shot in Inverness a few months ago, so they are definitely around:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CL...

Take care when hiking, bring your whistle and follow these rules:
https://www.nps.gov/.../plan.....

"The gas station in Pt Reyes Station is looking for a new Manager. Pay is commensurate with experience and includes a potential bonus, health and dental, 401k with matching, paid holidays and more!

The position only supervises 3-4 long term employees, can be part time or full time, and hours are flexible. Please visit or call the station for more information.

11401 State Route 1, Pt Reyes Station.
415-663-8654"

"California OFFICIALLY reopens for "business as usual" on June 15!Are you feeling ready?

Here are a few of the BIG CHANGES you should be aware of to help you feel prepared going into Tuesday.

- No masks required for most indoor/outdoor settings
- Green circle No capacity limitations for businesses
- Green circle No restrictions on social distancing
- Yellow circle Vaccine verification or negative test required for large, indoor events"

MORE INFO: https://twitter.com/KQEDnews/s...

"Unprecedented drought prompts Point Reyes National Seashore to provide supplemental water for tule elk at Tomales Point.

Learn more go.nps.gov/pore/TPwater"

LINK: https://twitter.com/pointreyes...

"Fire on H Ranch (Woodacre). 2-3 acres. Marin County, Novato and Cal Fire units with aircraft on scene. Smoke visible in Novato."

LINK: https://twitter.com/SonomaScan...

CAMERA: http://www.alertwildfire.org/n...

Via The Point Reyes Light: "A Santa Rosa man returning from Coast Camp (in Point Reyes) by bike on the evening of May 27 came around a turn and saw this black bear, which paused for the picture, on Coast Trail, near the hostel." Photo by Dennis Olson.

An hour ago: "Olema - Heads UP - Hwy 1 is temporarily CLOSED near Sir Francis Drake. Vehicle hit a power pole. Highway 1 is closed, south of Point Reyes to Bear Valley."

Anyone know if the road is open now?

"It was a raucous 90 minutes in Marin County when a congressional town hall in the Bay Area Tuesday night was stormed and disrupted by anti-vaccine and pro-Donald Trump protesters. Rep. Jared Huffman struggled to carry on his first in-person town hall in a year amid the disruptions.

Congressional town halls are generally tame, even dry with discussion over policy, but that was before COVID and the polarizing 2020 presidential election.

At one point the woman with the ferret sign stuck her tongue in a man's face and tried to rip off his mask. She defended her actions saying, "Civil disobedience is not going to look pretty all the time," said Kegan Stedwell of Point Reyes. "The idea is that you're disrupting the flow of the day-to-day."

"To see it on my doorstep, yeah, they're entitled to their opinions, but do it in a civil approach," said Jim Davis, who was the man confronted by Steadwelll when she tried to take his mask.""

FULL STORY AND VIDEO: https://www.ktvu.com/news/prot...

Fire. Drought. And ticks. "Colorado State University tick researcher Daniel Salkeld has been studying ticks for the better part of 15 years. On a research trip to Northern California in late May, he found numerous western black-legged ticks "” the ones that carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease "” at collection points in Marin, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, he says, and they were particularly abundant in the Marin Headlands.

In the vegetation near Stinson Beach, he collected ticks in all stages of development "” larvae, nymphs, and adults. "I had never found that before," he says."

SFGate: https://www.sfgate.com/califor...

LATimes: https://www.latimes.com/califo...

Stunning post sunset sky in Point Reyes tonight. Lots of whale spouts too but I couldn't get them in the frame.

"The superintendent of the Shoreline Unified School District was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of child molestation. Robert Patrick Raines, 67, was booked into Marin County Jail on a count of lewd and lascivious acts against a child younger than 14."

FULL STORY: https://www.marinij.com/2021/0...

Local rancher Mike Giammona talks to KPIX about having to sell off his cattle because of the drought. I passed another truckload of cattle coming out of the park yesterday. The price of meat expected to rise by 30%.

VIDEO: https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal....

Nice article in the Point Reyes Light about the return of the bald eagle: "A growing number of bald eagles are soaring the skies of West Marin, proof that fierce protection can save a species that once perched on the brink of extinction. Long endangered, eagles have established at least three huge nests in the region"”on the Inverness Ridge, at Kent Lake and perhaps at Walker Creek, according to Jules Evens, author of "The Natural History of the Point Reyes Peninsula." Several youngsters that haven't yet settled down have also been spotted.

According to Mr. Evens, they likely all descended from a single pair that settled at Kent Lake in 2008. Kent Lake isn't traditional eagle territory; the reservoir was created in 1958 by drowning forests in a valley south of Lagunitas. But the nest marked the return of eagles to Marin County after more than a century.

Eagles' population expansion is impacting other bird populations.

"Bald eagles are scavengers and thieves, stealing food from other birds," said Nils Warnock, the interim executive director of Audubon Canyon Ranch.

Osprey populations have plummeted at Kent Lake. Once home to 40 to 50 nests, it now has only about 10."

Ospreys also seem to be declining along Inverness Ridge. "The bald eagles come in and they'll just snatch the osprey chicks right out of the nest," Dave Press, a wildlife ecologist in the Point Reyes National Seashore, said."

Story by Lisa Krieger
Photo by WMF

Buy the paper to read the full story:
https://www.ptreyeslight.com/a...

"With less than a year's supply of water stored and conservation efforts lacking, the Marin Municipal Water District might impose more severe water use restrictions, with fines up to hundreds of dollars.

One month after the district imposed a 40% conservation mandate, its 191,000 customers in central and southern Marin have fallen far short of the goal. Conservation only reached a peak of 8.9% in late May.

"I think where we are with supply and not seeing the conservation signal that we're asking for and we need, we may need to move to actions that do feel a bit more restrictive and even controlling," Ben Horenstein, the general manager, told the district board on Tuesday.

In response, the district intends to take a gradual approach and will consider tightening restrictions in the coming weeks, including limiting outdoor sprinkler use from two days per week to just one day on an assigned day. If the late fall does not bring more rain, the district will consider limiting households and businesses to a daily water allotment similar to the 1976-77 drought or set individual conservation targets that could be enforced by fines."

FULL STORY: https://www.marinij.com/2021/0...

"Accident Novato Blvd and Pt Reyes Petaluma road. Limited traffic going through." (Thx LP)

Medical emergency in Point Reyes Station tonight requiring helicopter support.

We're officially yellow tier. "Meanwhile, a move to the yellow tier will mean that many Marin businesses will be able to increase the number of customers they will be able to serve indoors.

Bars that do not serve food will be permitted to operate at 25% capacity indoors serving up to 100 people, or 37.5% capacity if patrons show proof of vaccination or a negative test.

Restaurants will be allowed to operate indoors at 50% capacity, or 75% if patrons show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. Their indoor operations will no longer be capped at 200 customers.

Wineries, breweries and distilleries will be permitted to operate at 50% capacity indoors but will still be limited to serving no more than 200 customers at a time. They will be allowed to increase to 75% capacity if all patrons show proof of full vaccination or a negative test.

Gyms and fitness studios will be allowed to operate at 50% capacity indoors, or 75% if all patrons show proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. They will also be permitted to reopen saunas, spas, and steam rooms."

PRESS RELEASE: https://www.marincounty.org/ma...

MARINIJ: https://www.marinij.com/2021/0...

How long has this sign been at Chicken Ranch Beach in Inverness? I don't see many people following the "avoid contact with bay water" part. (Thx IW)

Via the Point Reyes Light: "The doors of the Point Reyes post office will be locked at night, thanks to persistent problems with people sleeping, defecating and smoking in the lobby. Postmaster Lanhua Zhou said the final straw came last week when she found poop on the walls and a smoldering fire in the wood chips outside. The change is posted as temporary, but Ms. Zhou says she is only waiting for authorization to make it permanent. Boxes will be inaccessible from 5:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekdays and from 5:30 p.m. on Saturday until Monday morning.

Video of that car fire on SFD on Olema Hill. Fortunately no injuries. (Thx MP)

Via KMWR "SFD closed in both directions on Olema Hill due to vehicle fire"

Marin Human Rights Commission's First Community Forum on AB 1185 : Civilian Oversight Of Marin County Sheriff's Office

Signed by Governor Newsom last year, this new law authorizes the Board of Supervisors or Marin County voters to institute civilian oversight of the Sheriff's office, by establishing an independent commission or an Inspector General's office. The purpose of the forum is to provide information on this new law, and to hear community input.

REGISTER NOW: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/c...

Was wondering about that bridge: "Starting May 26, 2021, construction crews will begin road patching and pavement preservation activities along secondary roads off Sir Frances Drake Boulevard in Point Reyes National Seashore. Delays are expected to be short in duration.

And as early as Tuesday, June 1, 2021, work will begin on the Schooner Bay Bridge on Sir Frances Drake Boulevard. Traffic control lights will be installed on either side of the bridge for safety. Work on this section of the road is expected to continue through August 31, 2021.

Construction crews continue to make progress on the Drakes Beach parking lot reconfiguration and wetlands restoration project. Drakes Beach will reopen to the public no later than August 31st."

Via the Point Reyes Light, buy the paper for the whole story: "Overstocking and a failure to maintain a healthy pasture led the National Park Service to end the grazing lease held by third-generation rancher Dan Genazzi, superintendent Craig Kenkel wrote in a letter last month.

Mr. Genazzi, whose grandfather immigrated from Switzerland to Tomales at the turn of the last century, leased around 300 acres just east of Point Reyes Station. The land is part of the northern district of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is managed by the Point Reyes National Seashore.

In annual letters extending his lease, superintendents said that Mr. Genazzi was nearly twice over his grazing limit of 60 animal units. He failed to maintain fences, and cattle escaped onto neighboring properties and into creek areas. His pasture was barren of plant material and suffering from an expansion of invasive weeds.

"We have directed you repeatedly to pursue specific actions to cure these concerns. Your failure to remedy these lease/permit violations has led to our determination to not renew your lease/permit," Mr. Kenkel wrote.

Mr. Genazzi, who lives and grazes cows on the neighboring 60-acre private property, declined an interview this week. He said he and the park service mutually agreed to end the lease, and there were no violations. "That stuff was blown out of proportion," he said."

Ranch #20 is the Genazzi Ranch.

Written by Braden Cartwright

Power is off in parts of Seahaven in Inverness this morning for repairs. Estimated restoration time is officially 4pm. The crew noticed this cracked support in front of our house while doing other stuff.

LINK: https://pgealerts.alerts.pge.c...

"Tomales High School Leadership students have been working so hard to pull off a fundraising event this semester. THS has teamed up with The William Tell for a Dine and Donate event! Hog Island has also donated oysters in support of our students! We hope to see everyone at The William Tell on the 27th (right before a four day weekend!)"

WMF did not get up early enough to see the lunar eclipse this morning. Here is a photo from Marin by Scott Budman. Did any one see it and/or get a photo?

LINK: https://twitter.com/scottbudma...

Pray for clear skies tonight. "On May 26, 2021, the full moon will sweep through the Earth's dark umbral shadow, creating a total eclipse of the moon. This May full moon is 2021's closest (and therefore biggest and brightest) full moon of the year: a supermoon.

The eclipse will take place in the early morning hours, before sunrise, for those in western North America and at other times for people elsewhere on the globe.

This particular eclipse is also special because the totality, or total phase, is so short-lived, lasting less than 15 minutes.

Pacific Daylight Time (May 26, 2021)
- Partial umbral eclipse begins: 2:45 a.m. PDT
- Total eclipse begins: 4:11 a.m. PDT
- Greatest eclipse: 4:19 a.m. PDT
- Total eclipse ends: 4:26 a.m. PDT
- Partial umbral eclipse ends: 5:52 a.m. PDT

LINK: https://earthsky.org/tonight/t...

Via MarinIJ: "The Marin County Planning Commission voted on Monday to reject an environmental group's petition to block a West Marin water supply project over potential impacts to Lagunitas Creek flows and endangered wildlife.

The decision allows the North Marin Water District to build a new well that it says is necessary to ensure its West Marin customers have adequate water supply in the face of the worsening saltwater contamination at some of its existing wells.

"On behalf of our West Marin customers, I want to thank the commission for approving the project to allow us to move forward with constructing the well that will provide additional low-saline water available to our customers in a time of need and during this drought period," Drew McIntyre, the district's general manager, said after the commission's meeting. "This will be a big help."

The district's 1,800 customers in Point Reyes Station, Olema Valley, Inverness Park and Paradise Ranch are served by three wells. Two wells on a former Coast Guard property in Point Reyes Station are at a lower elevation and prone to saltwater contamination."

FULL STORY: https://www.marinij.com/2021/0...

Written by Will Houstoll Hou

This crazy UFO cloud was spotted over Point Reyes Station this afternoon by Whitman and Huck Shenk. 👽🛸👾

After postponing this event in February we are thrilled to announce that we have a new date! If you registered for the previous event, you do not need to register again.

Join members of the Coast Miwok Tribal Council of Marin for a panel discussion around their heritage, history, and current projects!

"The tribal council consists of documented descendants of the Coast Miwok people of Marin County, with roots in Marin that extend back thousands of years.

In addition to advocacy efforts, the council is dedicated to sharing their culture and history, and presents with organizations across the county.

Later on in the program, audience members are welcome to ask questions and engage in dialogue with the council.

Recently, members of the council visited the Lagunitas School District (over Zoom) for a presentation for students from all grades. This Sunday's event is geared towards adults, but open to people of all ages.

Narrated by Owen Clapp: Community Center Board Member, San Geronimo Valley Affordable Housing Association staff, Founder of San Geronimo Valley Historical Society, Lagunitas School District employee, writer, musician and all around great SGV neighbor."

EVENT LINK: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/r...

IG: https://www.instagram.com/sgvh...

Don't forget it's toxic away day in Point Reyes Station until 1:00. Get all that eWaste out of the house.

That was a commercial for "Indeed" they were shooting today in Point Reyes Station. (Thx LW)

"The Dungeness crab season is ending early in Northern California.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has ordered crabbers to pull their last pots on June 1, six weeks earlier than anticipated.

The order came because whales get tangled in crabbers lines, so when more whales return to the California coast, crabbing has to shut down.

"So the department does a semi-monthly flyover. If they see too many whales, then they have the discretion to be able to close the season down to be able to protect the whales," explained Andy at Fish Emeryville.

"The whales seem to be back earlier this year. Whether there's more of them or they're just back early remains to be seen, but they're definitely more prolific than they usually are.""

FULL STORY: https://www.audacy.com/kcbsrad...

Photo by PRNPS.

An important write up in the Point Reyes Light this week about the severe drought we're in right now. Go buy a copy today to read the full story.

"Wade Holland, the district's first general manager, said water operators have an informal rule of thumb that if the creeks are flowing at 700 gallons per minute by the end of February, the supply will be more than enough that year. Less than that doesn't necessarily mean trouble, but this year, creeks were flowing at 110 gallons per minute.

On Wednesday, the creeks flowed at 50 gallons per minute. While individual usage is relatively low, the population of Inverness has increased during the pandemic and strained the system.

In Point Reyes Station, Olema and Inverness Park, the North Marin Water District is trying to reduce consumption by 25 percent this summer. Like Marin Water, customers will be prohibited from watering activities that are deemed nonessential from Jul. 1 to Nov. 1, after the board voted on Tuesday to enter a second stage of restrictions with stricter rules. Those who use more than 200 gallons per day, mostly businesses, will see a $2.50 surcharge for every 1,000 gallons they use."

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

Drought Tweet: https://twitter.com/kentphotos...

Point Reyes Light story by Braden Cartwright

That was a wild night. From NWS Bay Area: "Widespread gusty west to northwest winds such as (yesterday's) winds periodically occur mid to late spring. The winds become enhanced when the mid-latitude flow combines with peak afternoon (cold) ocean to (warm) land surface heating contrasts, resultant pressure gradients & winds."

Any damage reports?

Here are peak winds from 7pm last night.

LINK: https://twitter.com/NWSBayArea...

Power outage this morning in parts of Inverness. PG&E estimates 4:00pm restoration time. Check https://pgealerts.alerts.pge.c... for more details and updates.

Via MarinIJ: "Already bracing for its worst drought on record, Marin County will have even less water this summer after a major supplier announced plans to cut back on water imports by 20% beginning in July.

Sonoma Water, which provides about 25% of central and southern Marin's water supply and 75% of Novato's, will be reducing its Russian River diversions from July 1 through Oct. 31 in response to record-low supplies in its two main reservoirs: Lake Sonoma and Lake Mendocino.

"That is an unprecedented action and one that we don't take lightly but we're going to need to do it this time," Grant Davis, general manager of Sonoma Water, told the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors earlier this month.

Marin water officials expect that conservation by ratepayers will allow them to weather the 20% supply reduction during those four months. However, they said mandatory water restrictions could be tightened if needed, especially if water imports are curtailed further.

"It's not catastrophic," Marin Municipal Water District director Larry Russell said about the cuts, "but it's not insignificant."

The decision comes as the Marin County Board of Supervisors is expected to declare a local drought emergency on Tuesday following two dismal rainy seasons in a row."

Worth reading the whole article:
https://www.marinij.com/2021/0...

Nicasio Reservoir Photo by Alan Dep
Written by Will Houston

Free vaccines tomorrow (Tuesday, May 18) at the Coastal Health Alliance in Point Reyes Station, CA. 9:30am - 2:30pm. Look for a van with a 'Marin County Mobile Vaccination Unit' sign.

Via the Point Reyes Light: "Bob McClure is closing his dairy operation in the Point Reyes National Seashore, putting an end to the largest and oldest dairy in the park and leaving the eight families who live on the land without housing or work.

The McClures have lived on the peninsula for four generations, longer than any ranching family on the point. But a number of factors"”with drought at the top of the list"”have pushed Mr. McClure to sell his herd of 650 cows and lay off his staff.

"I'm a dairy man to the core, but there's another life out there"”and I want to see it before I'm six feet under," he told the Light this week."

The full article goes into the economics of ranching in the park and the displacement of his employees who live on the ranch. Buy a copy of the Point Reyes Light to read more.

LINK: https://www.ptreyeslight.com/a...

Story by Braden Cartwright. Photo by David Briggs

Via Barbara Heenan: "I found an iPhone in a green casing at the Inverness School this morning. It looked as if it had been dropped in the Handicapped Parking slot. I set it next to the office door."

Via Marin County Sheriff's Office: "A resident on Mesa Road in Point Reyes had the catalytic converter stolen from his Toyota Prius sometime overnight between May 13th and May 14th.

There is no description of the suspect.

Catalytic converter thefts have become extremely common in Marin County, although they usually occur in areas closer to Highway 101. They are generally committed at night and can be accomplished very quickly. Catalytic converter thieves sometimes work in pairs or groups and they usually use vehicles to get around due to the size of the catalytic converters and the tools needed to remove them.

If you see a suspicious vehicle driving slowly through your neighborhood in the middle of the night, please call the Sheriff's Office and let us know.

Thanks,

Deputy Michael Thompson"

Sounds like a possible water rescue happening on Tomales Bay. Anyone have any details?

Yesterday around 7:15pm there was a "daylight fireball" event that could be seen around California. I was at a baseball game in Woodacre and saw it clear as day. A big silver ball going across the sky, anyone else see it?

This screen capture of a fire camera video shows it in the upper right corner.

"A fireball is another term for a very bright meteor, generally brighter than magnitude -4, which is about the same magnitude of the planet Venus in the morning or evening sky. A bolide is a special type of fireball which explodes in a bright terminal flash at its end, often with visible fragmentation."

Link to camera shot:
https://twitter.com/925mlbfan/...

Meteor report:
https://twitter.com/amsmeteors...

Not local, but we've had some bears in the recent past and I wonder if this dude was making his way out here: "San Anselmo: A black bear is in a tree on Tamaulipas Ave. just a few blocks from the Hub. Police are working with wildlife response teams to get the animal out of the residential area. Photos from Dave Allen-Hughes, head of Ross Preschool who reported it to @centralmarinpa

San Anselmo Bear Update: Police waiting on @CaliforniaDFW to arrive and provide assistance getting 200 to 300 lb, male bear down from 40 ft up a tree. Fish & Game ETA 30 mins, per @centralmarinpa spokesperson Margo Rohrbacher. Officers making noise to keep bear from coming down."

Link: https://twitter.com/enzomorott...

If you want to check out the new record store (Loose Joints Records) in Point Reyes Station, this is happening: "Hey Yo! We will be opening the shop this week on Thursday (May 13) from 5-8 or 9 pm. Local folks... come down and hang. We will have some beer, wine and cheese, and of course records."

UPDATE: Sounds like a truck is stuck and they're turning people around. Plan accordingly -- Accident on Lucas Valley Rd. near big rock. Does anyone have any details?

For those living in Point Reyes and Inverness ""Starting this week, Ghilotti Construction will be removing a lot of excess material from the Pt. Reyes Seashore FLAP project (around 12,000 CY). The contractor is continually reminding the truck drivers to follow local traffic laws, including speed limits." (via MarinDPW)

Also, the red flag warning has been extended to Tuesday night at 6pm then cooler weather for the rest of the week.

Someone hit a power pole on Lucas Valley Rd. on the east side of Big Rock. Traffic control in place, definitely one lane closed, maybe two. Expect delays, plan accordingly. (thx AP/LP)

Was at a baseball game in Nicasio tonight when SpaceX's Starlink satellites passed by. Anyone else see them?

"The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the North Bay mountains above 2,000 feet from 11 p.m. Friday, May 7th, to 6 a.m. Monday, May 10th.

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are expected during this time frame for strong wind gusts and dry conditions. The affected area includes higher terrain areas of Marin, Napa, Sonoma, and East Bay counties.

The concerns with this weather system are that wildfires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Erratic gusty winds may result in dangerous and unpredictable fire behavior. Residents are advised to exercise extreme caution during the Red Flag Warning because a simple spark could cause a major wildfire, including the use of equipment and machinery as well as smoking.

All National Park Service beaches in Marin will remain open, but the following land-use restrictions will be in effect for the Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD), Mount Tamalpais State Park, and Marin County Open Space District preserves during the Red Flag conditions.

· MMWD closures at Sky Oaks, Natalie Coffin Green Park (Ross), Leo Cronin Parking Lot,

· Closure of Fairfax Bolinas Road

· All open burning and burn permits are suspended on public lands

· Closures of Mount Tamalpais State Park; roads north of Panoramic Highway are closed to motor vehicle traffic on Pantoll Road and Ridgecrest Boulevard.

· Mt. Vision Road in the Seashore will be closed.

· Pedestrian and cyclist access to Mount Tamalpias will remain open.

· All park use permits north of Panoramic Highway are suspended, including filming.

Helpful phone numbers:

· Mount Tamalpais State Park, (415) 388-2070

· Marin Municipal Water District, (415) 945-1195

· Marin County Fire Information Hotline, (415) 473-7191

Defensible space is essential to improve a home's chance of surviving a wildfire.

To register for emergency alerts, visit www.alertmarin.org. For current emergency status, visit https://emergency.marincounty..... To learn more about preparing for wildfire, visit www.firesafemarin.org."

Big changes coming to the Point Reyes Farmers' Market. Via the Point Reyes Light. Buy a copy today to read the whole story:

"The market's management is transferring to the Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM), a nonprofit that runs eight farmers markets in Marin, San Francisco and the East Bay.

That includes an increase in vendors; this year, there will be 35. That's up from 21 in 2019 and 17 last year.

So far, AIM has not finalized a list of vendors, though many will be returning. But the expansion gives AIM an opportunity to implement an initiative it started last year: a focus on racial equity. "People who are Black, Indigenous and other people of color are often under-represented at farmers markets," Mr. Naja-Riese (chief executive officer of AIM) said. "We'll be working on bringing in more diversity" in terms of producers, though there's no specific quota or benchmark.

Another big change: AIM will accept E.B.T., or electronic food stamps.

The market's hours are being extended in response to feedback from some vendors, so it will now run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Luke Regalbuto, co-chair of the steering committee and co-owner of Wild West Ferments, acknowledged that the change is significant. "The Point Reyes Farmers' Market has such a special place in my heart, and I know a lot in the community feel that way, too. I think that's largely due to the truly grassroots community effort that birthed it. There's really a lot of cool history behind the market. I know a lot of it started with those farmers," he said.

He added, "This is a new chapter. There will be a little bit of a transition to something slightly different."

LINK: https://www.ptreyeslight.com/a...

Vegetation fire by on Rt 1 by the Bolinas lagoon. Sounds like they have it under control. (thx MM)

Sabrina Pelayo found this purse in the middle of the road in Inverness Park yesterday. Maybe it fell off someone's roof as they drove away? If it's yours, let me know and we'll get it back to you.

From the Point Reyes Light: "The number of people living in their vehicles in Marin nearly doubled in the past two years, reflecting a chronic issue that is complex and expensive to address.

The latest toll of the crisis is 58-year-old Billy Spangler, who was found dead in his vehicle on Saturday with no signs of foul play, the coroner said. Mr. Spangler had five cars that he lived in between Bolinas and Point Reyes Station.

Andrew Loose, the owner of Five Brooks Ranch where Mr. Spangler worked off and on for the past 15 years, said Mr. Spangler was a good soul with a troubled past. He had a strong connection with the horses, but every now and then he would seem like he was in a different world, and Mr. Loose would have him take a break from work. Last Thursday, he brought Mr. Spangler a meal, and he looked pale and his voice was rough. Mr. Loose asked him if he was seeing a doctor, and Mr. Spangler said, "No, I'm a doctor."

"He was very special in his own way," Mr. Loose said."

Full story (or buy the paper): https://www.ptreyeslight.com/a...

Fire season is here. Get prepared.

Wildfire Preparedness Community Workshop today at 5pm.

A series of virtual community workshops will cover a variety of topics including wildfire science, defensible space, home hardening basics, community preparedness, and personal preparedness and evacuations. All workshops will include discussion, Q&A, and the same topics, but each will also feature a guest speaker that can answer questions specific to each geographic service area of Marin County. These workshops will teach actionable skills that residents can use right away.

Join on Facebook live stream or via zoom here:
https://firesafemarin.zoom.us/...

Event Date: Wed, May 05, 2021 5:00 pm
Event End Date: Wed, May 05, 2021 7:30 pm
Speaker: Jordan Reeser, Marin County Fire Department Captain

More info:
https://www.firesafemarin.org/...

WMF had a quiet moment with Drakes Beach in Point Reyes this morning. It will be closed starting tomorrow until Aug 31 for restoration. 🙌

When you look out the window at the corner you drive every day and the water deer are on the move in Inverness Park.