Trail starts with a steep descent....
At base of "steps".....
Very first stretch of trail (viewed from base of "steps")....
Further along (where a hatchet had to be used to clear fallen tree from path)...
Still on the western wall of a complex series of steeper canyons, further ahead on the trail....
And, the End of the Trail! (About 60 yards, to burned out redwood tree stump and an overlook of a very steep area).
Identifying access to the trail....
Point Arena, California
President Obama was very eager to dismiss legalizing marijuana as a strategy in stimulating job growth. As he campaigned on such things as encouraging an increased focus on math and science in educating our young, he clearly wants our nation to have a prepared workforce for an economy that is global and reflecting 21st Century realities. I may be going out on a limb here, way out there where the best flowering buds are, but President Obama probably isn’t too likely to have as his job creation strategy a program encouraging the development of vocational training focused on planting, harvesting, and processing (i.e. “trimming”) skills associated with producing marijuana. After all, I’m sure he had this picture in mind, a picture showing the realities of an economy based basicly on marijuana “production”:
a quiet Point Arena morning, not a soul in sight
Anyway, it’s not news to anyone that marijuana is the number one cash crop in Mendocino County (and in California, with the number in 2006 at $14 billion). What Obama cleverly avoided answering was the specific rationale for calls to legalize this herb, such as the one fleshed out in California Assemblyman Tony Ammiano’s introduction of a bill in February to legalize and TAX marijuana. Everyone in this region is basicly extremely pleased, on the other hand, with the Obama Administration policy— announced by the Attorney General—of the federal government NOT interfering with the use, growth, and distribution of marijuana when any of the above doesn’t violate BOTH state and federal laws. So, the feds are now supposed to not impede or stop people from taking advantage of state medical marijuana laws.
Now, the last Point Arena City Council meeting did address a question of a Medical Marijuana Dispensary opening up in town. This agenda item, according to the most recent Independent Coast Observer, “was prompted by an anonymous inquiry to City Clerk Claudia Hillary. Hillary was unsure how to respond to the would-be applicant and was seeking guidance from Council on how to classify the particular business.”
I can understand Claudia’s predicament. How can something like this, which is so pervasively an intimate part of the people and culture (in this locale, of course), be abstracted, dissected, and “classified”? Just doesn’t make sense. In fact, there’s that old injunction: “if it aint broken, don’t fix it”. Near as I can tell, people here don’t have problems accessing their ganja medicine (after obtaining the Sheriff’s card). I agree with Deputy Greg Stefani that such a store “would inspire a previously unseen crime-related activity in Point Arena” (ICO report). Stefani (one of two assigned deputies for this area of the coast), reports the ICO, noted that now “most transactions are privately conducted rather than on the side of the highway or out of a storefront.” So, in this town (population 456), a natural (and peaceful, compared to the violence going on over pot in other parts of Mendocino County) economic process related to marijuana has developed on this part of the coast and no store dispensing marijuana seems necessary here. (Note: the ICO reported that Deputy Stefani was offering his personal opinion and not reflecting Sheriff Department policies on medical marijuana, which btw are okay.)
~Point Arena, California
Point Arena Mayor Lauren Sinnott welcomes visiting Supervisors and opens up their meeting.
Before the meeting, the Mayor and one of the Supervisors.
speaking after leading in the pledge of allegiance
meeting about to begin
30 minutes after meeting starts, parking lot has filled up
my "notes" for the other side of the parking lot
view from behind Point Arena City Hall
more notes describing view from behind city hall
from notes before the start of the meeting, I recognize City Councilman Brian Riehl, but not the other two people.
5th district Supervisor David Colfax (right, sitting down after pledge of allegiance) represents Point Arena on the Board
audience listens to public comments on non-agenda items and issues
Mayor Sinnott listens to public comments addressed to Supervisors (on non-agenda items)
Gualala resident comments on Gualala-based issue, which turns out to be on the agenda after all.
Man uses beautiful photographs when addressing Supervisors.
Emma discusses "green buidling industry development" and urges adoption of green building codes to spur economic development (and ecotourism)
Gualala business and property owner John Bowers, frequently noted in ICO news articles as active at these types of meetings, talks about a Gualala related matter.
the extent of my notes taken on the agenda for the meeting
illustrating Point Arena's zoning regions and general plan
sharing some final notes on the Mayor (for a very inquisitive and highly demanding readership)
~Point Arena, California
The rainfall total now for the 12 acre property on the “ridge”, since my arrival on the evening of Saturday, February 28th, is now 5.2 inches. This past Saturday and Sunday had added on 9/10th of an inch, mostly in the form of healthy looking pebbles of hail (and a brief flurry which included some snow yesterday early afternoon).
intense burst of hail, Sunday, March 22nd
This past weekend resulted in this much rainfall, here on these 12 acres:
a bright sunny, but still cold, morning after storm
The property here is on the “other” or unseen side of this ridge in the background of the photo (a few miles east of Point Arena):
view from Eureka Hill Rd, a half mile east of Main St or Calif Hiway 1
valley below is pathway of Garcia River and the San Andreas Fault
~Point Arena, California
The San Andreas Fault finally goes out to sea, same place as the Garcia River does: just south of Manchester, California or a couple of miles north of Point Arena, California. Just a few hundred yards south of this mouth is the Point Arena Lighthouse, the one standing now a reincarnation manifesting in 1907 after the 1906 massive quake along the San Andreas destroyed all but the steely spine of the Lighthouse built in the 1870s. (See my recent article on Lighthouse tour for photos, etc.)
The San Andreas fault pretty much runs parallel, and right next to, the ridge that I am on at the moment. It runs along the same pathway as the Garcia River:
from California 1, looking north
I plan to soon check the Garcia River and its condition at various spots. Nearby here (on the ridge, a few miles inland), there’s a familiar spot off Eureka Hill Rd. that I’ve been going to for 30 plus years!
It has rained 4.3 inches since I arrived on the evening of February 28th. The river should presumably look pretty good when I’m able to check it out in the warm weather predicted in a few days. There’s some old history nearby along the river, originating from a now “empty” spot where a town used to be (at the bottom of the renamed Garcia River Rd). Also, there was some sort of hot springs resort nearby that was centered over still existing hot spring pools.
Third Eye remains “cloud hidden, whereabouts unknown” and is even largely out of touch with Facebook!
This past Monday night, I was part of a gathering who ate dinner down at the wharf business, The Arena Cove Bar and Grill.
Arena Cove Bar and Grille occupied top floor, view from pier
This popular and long time business at the wharf was popular with some non-humans who were devoted, regular patrons.
patio deck (and entrance), popular spot for viewing out to sea
The deck in front, where you did have to go if you were dining or drinking and needed to step out for a smoke, was a great spot to view what was going on out on the pier, the beach, or on the surf:
photo of surfer taken from deck of bar and grille just days before deck gets locked up
But, now I have learned that they closed a few days after our dinner gathering had an enjoyable evening there…….and, now a locked gate to this upstairs business tells the whole story:
stairs to entrance and deck of Arena Cove Bar and Grille
Still, Point Arena residents have gathering places still in place down at the wharf, Pizzas & Cream and Cove Coffee and Tackle:
right now, while 2 coffehouses prepare to open on Main St.., this is THE place to gather early morning: Cove Coffee and Tackle
Pizza & Creme patio/entrance
I haven’t “confirmed” the why of Arena Cove Bar and Grill closing. What I’ve heard is that the lease was too high for the business owner/operator. And, remaining open was no longer viable for them.
~Come By Chance Ranch
~Point Arena, California
My arrival to the coast, on the evening of February 28th….a Saturday, was on the eve of a series of storms that lasted about a week and brought 2 and 1/4 inches to the property up here on the ridge. An artic air mass, the wind, and the rain kept conditions somewhat uncomfortable for awhile.
During this time, a lot of photos (nearly 20 pages worth at this moment), were posted at my flickr account:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28424275@N06
On that page (as of this moment), there are photos of this past two weeks organized into three photo sets…..which you can see linked on the right side of the page. Click on the photos to access the large, full screen images (see “all sizes” after initialing clicking on photo).
There are already two brief reports posted here that are based on things happening here: The new Mayor of Point Arena and a look at the Point Arena Lighthouse.
Over time, I hear of things happening….some of which is reported on in detail in either the Independent Coast Observer or the Lighthouse Peddler. One thing I have heard is that recent citizen complaints about heavy CHP citation writing resulted in the current CHP contigent for this area pulled and not yet replaced. So….stepping into the breach to help out is a former resident of the Come By Chance Ranch (and who was relocated to Bower Park on Old Stage Road when the surviving compainion there was killed off by some predator):
preparing to stop the next speeder, going over 40
Note the fearless method utilized in restoring safe conditions to the residents along Old Stage Road, Gualala California:
incredible bravery by Bower Park Traffic Cop!
The list of upcoming stories from the coast, identified in a recent posting here, remains current. Had to break the Bower Park Traffic Cop story now…..which I have neither read about in the papers here or heard about via word of mouth. Hopefully, this dispatch will go out onto the wires so the world will recognize the true bravery on exhibit by a humble resident of Bower Park (where the speed limit for a couple of miles or so goes down to 40 miles an hour!!!!!).
from 1 level just below the top of the Lighthouse, looking north
Lighthouse keeper (and tour guide); Point Arena city council member; Utility Commissioner of Point Arena; Universal Life minister: Brian Riehl
The tour began at the museum where a woman gave a detailed history on the Point Arena Lighthouse and described very graphically the workings of the light, foghorn and more. And, then I was taken up the steel steps (the original spine of the first Lighthouse, otherwise destroyed in the 1906 quake) by a tour guide, Brian. Brian did a great job in fleshing out the history and the features of the lighthouse. (He clearly loves his subject.) Ongoing renovations have now allowed the guides to take people outside on the deck rim just below the glass encased top of the Lighthouse. Before, the infrastructure was weak and dangerous.
For a lot more information, go to:
http://www.pointarenalighthouse.com
Take the tour!
And, see photos of my tour in the “Point Arena, California” photo set:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28424275@N06/sets/72157614653725255/
The front page of the monthly Point Arena based newspaper, Lighthouse Peddler, in its March 2009 edition (or #89!) reports that on January 27, 2009 the newly seated Point Arena city council chose the Vice Mayor, and eight year city council member, Lauren Sinnott as the new Mayor of Point Arena.
The Peddler article reveals that Lauren Sinnott settled in Point Arena years ago (how many not specified in article), when traveling west with her two sons and a companion. She established herself here as “an accomplished and unique artist who goes by the name Art Goddess”. The Peddler further reports that the “name was originally suggested somewhat humorously as a vanity alias for the Internet, but the name has become synonymous with Point Arena’s new chief executive.”
The article (continuing onto page 14, Lighthouse Peddler, March 2009) describes her Main Street home as “something of a roadside attraction in town”.
Lauren has constructed and painted four large plywood angels that adorn her house. The first three are drawn from her extensive knowledge of art history. They represent Vision, Strength, and Compassion and are inspired by Victorian, Minoan, and Flapper style concepts.
No one should have any difficulty finding her house as it is marked by the presence of a very fancifully painted art car. Some ten years ago Lauren was traveling thru the Canadian tundra and saw numerous brightly painted trucks with advertisements. She thought that if they can do it, so can I. The car is entirely covered with landscapes and symbolic depictions.
(The Lighthouse Peddler notes that a few months ago someone stole the “Goddess” vanity plate from her car.)
How Mayor Sinnott became involved in politics, from the Lighthouse Peddler report:
Ms. Sinnott became interested in politics out of her constant drive to know how things work. As politics influences and affects so much of our lives, she naturally felt the desire to find out how that works. She specifically got involved in Point Arena politics while renting a house from the former mayor, Leslie Dahlhoff. It was Leslie who convinced Lauren to run for a council seat.
During the eight years she has already served Lauren has been focusing her effort on planning issues, learning how government operates, and trying to figure out how to bring people together.
Future reports will reveal some of the matters being addressed by Point Arena’s people and government.
See photos from the coastal area, as they’re being posted:
