Redwood Needles
Volume 48 Number 1
Is Your City Cool?
BY MARGARET PENNINGTON AND JAY HALCOMB
“Everyone talks about the weather but no one does
anything about it.” –Mark Twain
Want to work on global warming? Let’s “cool”
our cities. Please read below and then read the
important message which follows from Club President Lisa
Renstrom encouraging you to join with Sierra Clubbers
in the Redwood Chapter to build an effective local Cool
Cities campaign.
We have a head start “cooling” the cities within the
Redwood Chapter thanks to the extremely effective efforts
of the Sonoma County Climate Protection Campaign
(SCCPC). All Sonoma County cities (all 9 of them!!) are
already signed on to the Cool Cities pledge. Sonoma Group’s
Climate Protection Committee is in close communication
with SCCPC and working on step 4 of the Cool Cities
campaign: implementing smart energy solutions. Contact
Sonoma Group’s Nabeel Al Shamma to get involved in
Sonoma County. For more information about Sonoma
Message from S.C. President Lisa Renstrom on the Cool Cities Mobilization:
Dear Sierra Club leaders,
It’s 2007! I love new years.
This one is especially sweet because we are seeing
unions, business, faith leaders, and neighbors one never
would have expected, go green. Thomas Friedman’s motto
“Green is the new red, white and blue” is gaining sway.
In a rapidly awakening society I expect we will do a lot
more guiding, cheerleading, and vision setting. Visions that
include protected wildlife and wild places, safe and healthy
communities and a carbon free economy.
2007 will be a year of building power, partnerships and
chalking up successes at the state and local levels. These
wins will enable 2008 election debates to argue about who
is greener so that in 2009 we can pass the kind of federal
Diluted Timber Ordinance
Amendment Passes
BY JAY HALCOMB
On Tuesday, Dec. 5, the Sonoma County Board of
Supervisors passed an Amendment to the County’s recently
adopted Timberland Ordinance. The initial Timberland
Ordinance was adopted by the Supervisors on March
14, 2006. It allowed that forest may be removed and the
land converted to other uses if (among other findings) as a
public benefit, for each acre of forest removed, two acres
of forest are preserved under a conservation easement. The
new Amendment, following a suggestion by Supervisor
Reilly, the Sierra Club, and Sonoma County Conservation
Action (S.C.C.A.), and with the recommendations of the
Permits and Resource Management Department and the
Planning Commission, requires that the land which is to
be credited for preservation should be on slopes no greater
than 50%. The Ordinance (and the subsequent Amendment)
are new steps by a California county into regulation of
forest conversions.
The Sierra Club, S.C.C.A., and other environmental
Newsletter of the Redwood Chapter of the Sierra Club
County, contact Nabeel Al-Shamma, nabeel@alshamma.
com , (707) 433-1013.
By rough count there are 23 other incorporated cities
in the Redwood Chapter. Arcata in Humboldt County is
signed on as a “Cool City” already. That leaves 22 cities
to go. That means there are lots of great opportunities for
YOU to jump on board with this historic Club effort.
To begin with we’d like to find 3 or so people from
each of our groups to form local Cool Cities campaign
teams. Ideally, we’ll eventually involve 3 or so people to
head up each city campaign. That means we need you.
The great part about this campaign is that Sierra Club
is providing so much hands on help for volunteers. You
don’t have to be an experienced activist to make a
difference here. You’ve probably seen Al Gore’s movie,
read the stories about melting ice caps, diminishing
Polar Bear populations, rising temperatures and you’re
concerned. You’re likely doing what you can on your
own to limit your carbon footprint. Here’s your chance
to do even more.
legislation needed to cause greenhouse gasses to peak
and begin their decline before 2015. One of the key ways
to do it is with our Cool Cities campaign.
Cool Cities
Cool Cities began as a small campaign focusing on
encouraging mayors to sign onto Seattle’s Mayor Nichol’s
Mayors Climate Change Agreement. It is a locally led
campaign to develop partnerships, gain more volunteers
for our groups and chapters, green the places we live,
and build power for national impact.
If you personally are not yet involved I want to ask
you become involved. This campaign is turning into
an unprecedented nationwide effort– nearly 350 cities
“Cool Cities” continued on page 3
groups had previously asked the Supervisors for a
complete prohibition of the conversion of forest to high-
intensity agriculture, but the less restrictive Ordinance
was adopted. At the December 5th hearing the Sierra Club
and S.C.C.A. asked that the County’s adopted Timberland
Ordinance be further strengthened, to provide additional
protections by adopting the following additional ‘like-
kind’ requirements:
• The land which is permitted to be converted should
not itself be on steep slopes since forests are best for
stabilizing soils and preventing erosion.
• The slope requirements should be a ‘like kinds’
requirement. That is, the 2:1 acreage also be of “equal
or less slope than the conversion” to assure that the
preservation sites are “like kind” or better than timberland
lost to conversion.
• The slope requirements should be, in both cases
“Timber Amendment” continued on page 5
Feb. 2007/March 2007
Pick a city you’d like to get “cool”; you don’t have to live within
the city limits to get involved. For more information: www.coolcities.
us/getinvolved; www.sierraclub.org/globalwarming; www.redwood.
sierraclub.org/sonoma/ClimateProtection/index.html
Contact Jay Halcomb (869-3302, Halcomb@sonic.net) or
Margaret Pennington (479-6682, penningt@sonic.net ) to get started,
or contact the leads in your Group, listed below.
Napa Group: Contact Elizabeth Frater, efrater@1stcounsel.com
, (707) 258-1030 ; Cities: American Canyon, Calistoga, City of
Napa, St. Helena, Yountville
Mendocino Group: Contact Linda Perkins, lperkins@mcn.org ,
(707) 937-0903 ; Cities: Ukiah, Fort Bragg, Willits, Pt. Arena
Lake Group: Contact Victoria Brandon, vbrandon@lakelive.org ,
(707) 994-1931 ; Cities: Lakeport, Clearlake
Solano Group: Contact Jane Bogner, jabogner@juno.com , (707)
644-9183 ; Cities: Vallejo, Fairfield, Suisun City, Rio Vista,
Vacaville, Dixon, Benicia
North Group: Contact Gregg Gold, greggjgold@netscape.net ,
(707) 826-3740; Cities: Humboldt County: Arcata (already “cool”),
Ferndale, Fortuna, Eureka; Del Norte County: Crescent City
Sonoma Groupʼs February Environmental Forum
“An Inconvenient Truth”
& Think Globally - Act
Locally!!
Featuring Al Gore
(in the movie only)
and a group discussion with participation from local
Climate Protection activists and scientists!
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Environmental Center
55A Ridgway Ave.
(off Cleveland Ave., North of College Ave.,
South of Coddingtown)
Approximate times: 5–6 p.m., discussion; 6–8 p.m.,
the movie; 8–9 p.m., discussion.
You and your guests are welcome to participate in any or all
parts of the program. If you cannot make it for the whole time
we understand and appreciate the time you can participate.
Come find out about Global Warming, Climate
Protection, and the environment. We will be showing
the movie “An Inconvenient Truth” and discussing what
is already being done and planned to address Climate
Protection locally and what you can do to help! We will
also be sharing new ideas and possibilities and asking
for feedback and input on YOUR priorities! We will
have light snacks like usual, and maybe more. If you
want to bring a potluck item that would be welcome,
but not required.
Contact Veronica Jacobi 544-7651 or vjacobi@sonic.net for more
information or to volunteer to help with Forums. All Sierra Club
members and the general public are invited to this free forum.
 Redwood Chapter Sierra Club Directory
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 466, Santa Rosa, CA 95402, Phone 544-7651, Fax 544-9861
Office Address: Environmental Center, 55A Ridgway Avenue, Santa Rosa (West off of Cleveland Ave., to the west of Hwy 101)
Lake County Group Chapter Delegate Alternate Sonoma County Group
Redwood Chapter P.O. Box 1011 994-1931
Marc Pandone * 966-1902
Box 466, SR 95402 544-7651
mpandone@attwb.net
Kelseyville 95451
The Redwood Chapter is governed by an executive committee, with 55A Ridgway Ave., Santa Rosa
Chair•Newsletter Editor
one (1) member delegated by each of six (6) regional groups and six
Victoria Brandon* 994-1931
North Group Executive Committee Members*
(6) members elected at large. Each group elects its own executive vbrandon@lakelive.org
Box 238, Arcata 95518 Anne Hudgins*, Chair 665-9102
annehdgins@aol.com
committee. Vice Chair • Webmaster (Del Norte, Humboldt, W. Siskiyou, and
Veronica (Roni) Jacobi* 575-5594
Lars Crail* 279-4949 parts of Trinity County)
vjacobi@sonic.net
Chair • At Large • Political Compliance • Training • Energy • Global Warming/CAFE larscrail@mchsi.com Chair • Membership Co-Chair • Chapter
Jay Halcomb* 869-3302
• Environmental Education Delegate
Treasurer rrraul@sonic.net
Margaret Pennington* 829-2294 penningt@sonic.net Gregg Gold* 826-3740
Debra Sally* 995-2125 Nabeel Al Shamma* 433-1013
Vice-Chair • Lake Group Delegate to Chapter greggjgold@netscape.net
debsal@hotmail.com nabeel@alshamma.com
Paul Marchand* 277-7670 paulmarchand@gotsky.com Vice Chair • Political Co-Chair
Outings Chair•Wilderness/Wild Lands Chair Philip Tymon* 869-8270
Secretary • Solano Delegate to Chapter Ned Forsyth* 826-2417
Steve Devoto* 279-8308 phltymon@sonic.net
Patricia Gatz* 644-2943 pgatz@scronline.com eaf7@humboldt.edu
sdevoto@mchsi.com Margaret Pennington* 829-2294
At Large • Political • General Plans ExCom • Conservation Co-Chair
Membership Chair penningt@sonic.net
Victoria Brandon* 994-1931 vbrandon@lakelive.org Diane Beck* 445-2690
Kenneth Roberts* 928-4735 Leonard L. Holt* 527-7516
dfbeck@northcoast.com
At Large kennethmroberts@earthlink.com leonard.l.holt@mwhglobal.com
ExCom • Wetlands • Fisheries
Jay Halcomb* 869-3302 rrraul@sonic.net Secretary • Conservation Chair • Chapter Conservation Chair
Melvin McKinney* 443-9538
Treasurer Delegate Alt Suzanne Doyle
mmckinney@humboldt1.com
Tom Davis 226-9554 tom@napavalleycpas.com Cheri Holden* 262-1730 carsort@sbcglobal.net
ExCom • Wilderness • Conservation Co-Chair
At Large • Legal • RCC Delegate • Council of Club Leaders Delegate cherileeglenn@gmail.com Office Coordinator•ExCom Secretary
Lynn Ryan* 822-0323
Keith Kaulum* 538-5569 kkaulum@sonic.net Chapter Delegate• Political Chair lynn-r@sbcglobal.net Tom Devlin 544-7651
At Large • Conservation • RCC Alternate • Federal Forests Paul Marchand* 277-7670 tdevlin@sonic.net
Secretary-Treasurer • Membership Co-
Diane Beck* 445-2690 dfbeck@northcoast.com paulmarchand@gotsky.com Chair • Publicity • Newsletter Outings • Parks & Trails • Backpacking
At Large • Water Quality/Habitats • Population Sue Leskiw Carol Vellutini 546-6308
Chris Malan* 255-7434 cmalan@starband.net Mendocino County Group sueleskiw@suddenlink.net 442-5444
carolvsr@sonic.net
Lake Group Delegate Alternate Political Chair
P.O. Box 522 937-0903 ExCom
Cheri Holden 262-1730 cherileeglenn@gmail.com Anne Hudgins* 665-9102
Mendocino 95460 Emeila Berol* 530-629-3495
annehdgins@aol.com
Mendocino Group Delegate to Chapter Chair • Conservation Chair emelia@trailofwater.com
Sierra Singles Coordinator
Daniel Myers* 895-3887 dmeyers@pacific.net Linda Perkins* 937-0903 ExCom • Political Co-Chair • Newsletter
Mike Stiffler 539-5362
Mendocino Group Delegate Alternate lperkins@mcn.org Jack McCurdy* 840-0440
Membership Chair
Lorrie Lagasse 964-3011 lorrielas@yahoo.com Vice Chair • Agriculture • Grazing • State Forests jackmccurdy@cox.net
Chuck Stanley 539-1696
Napa Group Delegate to Chapter Bill Heil* 937-0903 Education Chair
phylstan@sonic.net
Nancy Tamarisk* 257-3121 ntamarisk@earthlink.net billheil@mcn.org Marianne de Sobrino 442-4791
Sierra Student Coalition
Napa Group Delegate Alternate Treasurer mads2@northcoast.com
Chair position open
Marc Pandone* 966-1902 mpandone@attwb.net Mary Walsh* 937-0572 Outings Chair
bella@mcn.org Treasurer
RCC Delegate Al Muelhofer 482-0520
Environmental Education • Endangered akm@myyellowstone.net Jana Selph 829-5356
John Stephens 251-0106 johnithin@aol.com
Species/Wildlife Land Use Planning jselph@sonic.net
Wilderness • North Group Delegate to Chapter
Lorrie Lagasse* 9 6 4 - 3 0 11 Diane Ryerson 839-0159 Webmaster
Gregg Gold* 826-3740 greggjgold@netscape.net
lorrielas@yahoo.com dar4@humboldt.edu Melanie Matway 765-6829
North Group Delegate Alternate • Wilderness/Wildlands • Parks/Refuges ad_astra7@hotmail.com
Corp. Accountability • Energy • Toxics Chair Emeritus • Coastal Issues •
Lynn Ryan 822-0323 lynn-r@sbcglobal.net Volunteer Coordinator
Bernie Macdonald* 937-4352 Transportation
Sonoma Group Delegate to Chapter omni@mcn.org Diana Nasser 823-4293
Lucille Vinyard 677-3497
Anne Hudgins* 665-9102 annehdgins@aol.com Coast Trails diananas@sonic.net
Sonoma Group Delegate Alternate Rixanne Wehren 937-2709 Solano Group Events Group Co-Chair
Lenoard L. Holt 527-7516 leonard.l.holt@mwhglobal.com rixanne@mcn.org Box 7313, Vallejo 94590 553-1653 Barbara McWilliams 775-4087
Endangered Species/Wildlife • Private and State Forests/Lands Political • Water Quality/Habitats • Chapter skip2mylu2@juno.com
solanobreeze@yahoo.com
Linda Perkins 937-0903 lperkins@mcn.org Delegate Water Committee Chair
Administrative Staff • Publication Rep • Volunteer Coordinator Daniel Myers* 895-3887 Chair • Wild Lands • Genetic Engineering
Leonard L. Holt* 527-7516
Tom Devlin 544-7651 tdevlin@sonic.net dmyers@pacific.net Jim Dekloe 864-3123 leonard.l.holt@mwhglobal.com
History Chair Membership JIMDEKLOE@aol.comVice Chair • Outings Forum Chair
Lorraine Buranson* 937-3799 • Wetlands
Lucille Vinyard 677-3497 Veronica (Roni) Jacobi* 575-5594
lorraine@mcn.org Kenn Browne* 553-1653 vjacobi@sonic.net
Membership Chair
kbhike@mindspring.com
Linda Price 573-9394 forestlvr@sbcglobal.net
Napa County Group Co-Membership Sequoia Paddlers
Outings Chair •Outings Leadership Training
Kitty Powell* 642-3477
Carol Vellutini 546-6308 carolvsr@sonic.net Box 644, Napa 94559 Box 1164, Windsor 95492 887-0303
kitmom@pacbell.net
Redwood Needles Editor Chair•Trails Chair• Website Chair & Editor ExCom Chair
Mary Davison 874-3704 odavison@prodigy.net Elisabeth Frater * 258-1030 Ray Anderson* 745-6951 Tom Meldau 887-7416
Chapter Webmaster • Information Technology Committee Chair efrater@gravettlaw.com assured@sbcglobal.net Vice Chair/Trip Leader Coordinator
Melanie Matway 765-6829 ad_astra7@hotmail.com Vice Chair • Political Chair Treasurer • Fundraising • Recycling • Brad Smith
Wetlands Chair Tyler York* 942-6507 Newsletter vptrips@sequoiapc.org
Marianne deSobrino* 442-4791 mads2@northcoast.com secgreen@aol.com Jane Bogner 644-9183 Secretary/Webmaster
Treasurer jabogner@juno.com Carl Inglin 538-8271
TomDavis* 265-7539 Co-Membership chinglin@sonic.net
summer.82@comcast.com Phillip McCullough* 554-4412 Treasurer
Redwood Needles Membership Chair • Web Master philnot@pacbell.net Jan Warner 528-3252
Positions Open Secretary • Chapter Delegate • Agriculture jwarnerca@yahoo.com
Newsletter of the Redwood Chapter, Sierra Club of California Conservation Chair • Secretary • Chapter • Urban Sprawl Newsletter/Education/Safety
Delegate Patricia Gatz* 644-2943
Editorial Board: Non-member Subscriptions: Suki Waters
Nancy Tamarisk* 257-3121 pgatz@scronline.com
Mary Walsh, Margaret Pennington, $6.00 per year. Send requests to: ed safety@sequoiapc.org
ntamarisk@earthlink.net Political • Corporate Accountability
Becky Frank, Linda Perkins Redwood Needles Subscriptions, P.O. Conservation
Napa Group Outings Chair Katy Miessner* 642-2100
Box 466, Santa Rosa, CA 95402 katym@mindspring.com
Don McEnhill
Editor: Penny Proteau 944-2058
don@russianriverkeeper.org
Mary Davison (707) 874-3704 The Redwood Needles is published six pennyp@pineridgewine.com
odavison@prodigy.net times a year on recycled paper. Newsletter Publisher
Circulation: 9,050 Wendy Wallin
Advertising Manager: wawall@attwb.net
Maureen Strain (707) 544- Printing: Healdsburg Printing, Inc.
7651 Submit articles by deadline via fax,
mail or e-mail to:
Classifieds: $3/10 words. Send check
and ad copy by the 8th of the month. Redwood Needles Redwood Chapter & Sonoma Group Office
P.O. Box 466, Santa Rosa, CA Located in the Environmental Center, 55A Ridgway Avenue, Santa Rosa
Outings Chair: 95401
Carol Vellutini (707) 546-6308 Ph 707-544-7651 The Office is staffed most weekday afternoons. Call ahead to confirm, 544-7651. The
carolvsr@sonic.net Fax 707-544-9861 Office is also open during evening meetings (see listings on page 12) and at other times
Meetings Coordinator: e-mail: odavison@prodigy.net when volunteers are present.
Carl Inglin (707) 538-8271
chinglin@sonic.net Redwood Needles Deadlines
Redwood Chapter Online
Production Manager: Becky Frank Issue Deadline
Dec./Jan. Nov. 4
Redwood Chapter Website: http://www.redwood.sierraclub.org
Address Corrections: Feb./March Jan. 8 for Group Websites, add: /napa, /north, /sonoma, /lake, /mendocino, or /solano
address.changes@sfsierra.sierraclub.org
Sierra Club, P.O. Box 52968, Boulder,
April/May March 8 Sequoia Paddlers: www.sequoiapc.org
CO 80322-2968 (415) 977-5653 Redwood-Sonoma-Alerts Listserve: Instructions at Sonoma Group Website

Page 2–Redwood Needles – February 1, 2007

 Chapter Chair Report
Here we are in the New Year: hard to believe it’s already 7 years into the new millennium. This
year begins with some very serious local, regional, national and global challenges staring us
in the face. Some, but not all of these challenges directly involve the environment. As I’m
writing this I (and probably you) feel somewhat overwhelmed by the sea of concerns we
find ourselves swimming in these days. Concerns such as: a deeply troubling war, a growing
health care crisis, global climate change nearing a tipping point.
I think of the New Year as time of resolve; a time to newly devote and commit one’s
energies to the challenges at hand. I’ve been recently reading a new book by Peter Barnes
titled Capitalism 3.0: A Guide to Reclaiming the Commons . Barnes outlines some very
big picture ideas for dealing with some of these big problems. In a nutshell he advocates
for protecting the commons (“those creations of nature and society we inherit together and
must preserve for our children”) through development of the commons trust, a market-based
legal entity with the power to limit use of scarce commons, charge rent, and pay dividends
to everyone . (The book is highly recommended by Carl Pope, George Lakoff, Robert F.
Kennedy Jr., and others. Check it out at: www.onthecommons.org . Scroll to publications.
You can even download the entire book.)
Barnes closes Capitalism 3.0 with a chapter titled: ”What You Can Do”.
He writes: “Can you - can we - leave the gifts of a strong community, a vibrant culture, a
healthy planet, to our children? Yes, we can - if we join with others. There are many ways
to join. We can do it face-to-face or online with like-minded strangers. We can do it through
organizations and elections. We can do it in our churches, synagogues, and mosques.”
Barnes continues: “No one can single-handedly change a community, or America or the
world. But we can join with others to do so. Who, how and what you join is entirely up to
you. That you do it, and do it this year, is my request.”
I second Barnes’ request and offer up a specific opportunity to join with others. No surprise
here, I earnestly invite you join with the Sierra Club and other Sierra Club members to find
ways to leave the gift of a healthy planet to our children. To get involved, please check out the
Volunteer Ads in the Needles or call your local Group Chair, Membership Chair, Committee
Chairs, or me (contact information is on page 2 of each Needles .) You can start out small or
large: there’s no telling where your involvement may take you. My first volunteer activity
with the local Sierra Club was addressing and stuffing envelopes for Redwood Chapter’s
annual fund appeal, probably back in 1992 or 93. You’ll see in the Volunteer Ads that the
stuffing party this year will happen in early March. We’d love to see you there.
Redwood Chapter’s 2007 conservation program will be focusing on 1) building our
campaign to ensure that Redwood Empire rivers have permanent and sufficient flow, quality,
and riparian habitat; 2) addressing global warming through involvement with Sierra Club’s
“Cool Cities”program, and 3) continuing to work to protect our forests from permanent loss
due to conversion to vineyards and other development.
Our conservation agenda, not surprisingly, is all about leaving the gift of a healthy planet to
our children. We’d love to have you join us . Additionally, our 2007 plans include increasing
our efforts to engage our members in local Club activities and conservation campaigns. Please
give your local group membership chair or chapter membership chair, Linda Price, a call if
you’d like to get involved with this. (See directory page 2 of Needles .) I hope you’ll also
find some time this New Year to join in a Sierra Club outing, or two, or three and continue
the grand tradition of Explore, Enjoy, and Protect.
–MARGARET PENNINGTON, REDWOOD CHAPTER CHAIR

“Cool Cities” continued from page 1

have now signed.
We all need to be a part of it.
Mobilization
To help local activists a team of dedicated
Club volunteers has launched the Cool Cities
Mobilization. The Mobilization is Sierra
Club’s first-ever initiative to engage and
support focused volunteer conservation action
in every group and chapter with a network of
experienced Club volunteers and staff. The
team will support you, step-by-step, in making
your local campaign successful.
One chapter mobilizer said recently, “this
is the most exciting campaign I’ve worked
on in my years in the Sierra Club. The
resources available to the mobilizers and city
team leaders make it easy to get started. And
people are so concerned about global warming
that volunteers are just jumping out of the
woodwork. It’s great to be able to give people
something to do and get them involved.”
This is the largest coordinated effort of this
kind in the history of the Sierra Club.
Resources for You
The Sierra Club has prepared the resources,
trainings and the one-on-one support system
to help volunteers in every aspect of the
campaign, from getting your mayor to
sign the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection
Agreement, participating with community
partners to design your city’s climate action
plan, to celebrating the implementation of
clean energy solutions in your town and
move it to green.
By putting into place energy efficiency,
cleaner cars, and clean renewable power
in hundreds of cities across America and
channeling these successes into progress on
the state and federal levels, our Cool Cities
campaign will catalyze the national debate
and break the current political impasse on
global warming.
Working together, we can solve global
warming one city at a time.
Sincerely yours,
Lisa Renstrom, President, Sierra Club

Cool Cities Milestones:

1. ESTABLISH COOL CITIES CAMPAIGN
2. ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY
3. CITY SIGNS THE U.S. MAYORS CLIMATE PROTECTION AGREEMENT
4. IMPLEMENTING SMART ENERGY SOLUTIONS

Page 3–Redwood Needles– February 1, 2007

 Redwood Needles Building a Positive Culture of Food
April Issue This morning I cooked the last apples from our summer harvest.
Yellowed and a bit withered, these old maids were dubious candidates,
Deadline: but the taste of the warm sauce filled my mouth with sweetness and
my heart with gratitude. The apple tree stands outside my window,
Due March 8 now bare and fruitless, but already I can see small buds forming along
the branches. Next week I will prune her carefully in anticipation
Outings/Meetings/ of another summer of bounty. She is a young tree, not yet strong or
Ads/Articles/Reports vigorous, but with a generous spirit. I value our relationship. I like
Submit via fax, mail, or e- knowing where my apples come from.
My grandmother, who raised six children on a small dairy farm in
mail to: Redwood Needles
Potter Valley, was my teacher. “It was hard,” she said, “but we always
P.O. Box 466, Santa Rosa, had enough to eat.” Except for sacks of flour, salt and sugar, the farm
CA 95401 provided: oats, bacon, chickens, eggs, milk, cheese, butter, apples,
Ph 707-544-7651 pears and myriad vegetables fresh and home canned. By World War II,
she had sold the farm and moved into town. Her Victory Garden and
Fax (707) 544-9861 or: chicken yard filled a city lot. I climbed the Gravenstein tree, picked
odavison@prodigy.net plums, pulled fat carrots out of their beds, gathered eggs, and watched
in horrified fascination as she beheaded and plucked chickens for
Sunday dinner. (Decapitated chickens do tend to run about aimlessly
before dropping.) My grandmother knew where her food came from.
She didn’t trust supermarkets much and in the winter boiled Del Monte
canned vegetables for at least twenty minutes before serving.
My mother, on the other hand, cheerfully and unquestioningly
embraced the supermarket world. Wonder Bread, Nucoa, Velveeta
cheese, Skippy’s hydrogenated peanut butter and Swanson’s Chicken
Pot Pies were her emancipation from weeding, hoeing and endlessly
gathering, preserving and cooking from scratch. Her new freedom,
however, was purchased with many costs not tallied by the cash register.
Relinquishing knowledge of where her food came from and control
over how it was processed and prepared, she entrusted the health and
safety of her family to the food scientists of large corporations and to
government oversight.
And there the health and safety of most American families remain.
In spite of the natural foods counter revolution of the sixties and
seventies and recent rapid growth of organic agriculture, health
costs spiral, driven upward by rampant morbid obesity and a growth
curve for diabetes that is rising almost as steeply as our emissions of
greenhouse gasses. What to do when so many people are literally eating
themselves to death at the trough of a politically supported corporate
industrial agricultural system that is degrading the environment as
well as poisoning our bodies? We know now that the environmental
costs are enormous - from overuse and contamination of water, from
intensive unicrop farming practices that account for 20 percent of our
oil consumption and rapid depletion of our topsoil, from a bottom line
‘fence-post to fence post’ mentality that would sacrifice natural genetic
diversity on the altar of Roundup-ready seeds to the destruction of
family farms like the one my grandparents owned.
We must take action now. As Michael Pollan suggests in “The
Omnivore’s Dilemma” we can begin at home by becoming more
conscious in our relationship to the food we eat and the choices we
make, collective actions which will in turn influence the market and
public policy. We can recognize the true cost of a convenient fast
food meal or an out of season vegetable shipped from Chile. We can
buy locally grown organic foods at our locally owned markets. We
can grow a garden.
Sitting down with my three generation family to share a meal,
gathered from our garden, is a blessing that makes all the extra effort and
time worthwhile. My grandchildren, who browse regularly through the
strawberry and raspberry patches, eat their vegetables with enthusiasm.
Driving to a local farm to pick blackberries or to the farmer’s market
is a family outing which binds us to our neighbors. We are richly
compensated by a growing sense of community and by being able to
pass on to the children a stronger connection and appreciation for the
bountiful earth that surrounds us. We are committed to recreating a
‘culture of food’ that is positive and builds the health of our family,
our community and the ecosystem that supports us all.
(For information on buying local see www.OrganicConsumers.org,
www.localharvest.org; gardenkids.net;)
–ANNE CUMMINGS, SONOMA CLIMATE PROTECTION GROUP

Sierra Club Volunteer/Activist

Opportunities
“Knowledge of what is possible is the beginning of happiness.”
–George Santayana
Volunteer Activists Needed:
Solar Energy Promoter: Are you interested in promoting solar energy and have some time to assist in making solar
permits more affordable in your area? We are teaming up with Loma Prieta Chapter to help expand their successful solar
permit fee campaign state wide. We are looking for a few volunteers from throughout the Redwood Chapter to help with
this effort. The campaign is set up to train people and provides lots of support and assistance. If you are interested please
contact Jay: rrraul@sonic.net or Margaret: penningt@sonic.net
Chapter Membership Engagement Campaigners: We’re looking for volunteers to help with outreach efforts to members
in all our groups. Work with Chapter and Group membership chairs and committees to plan activities to involve members.
If you’re a “people person” who loves the environment, this is a job for you. Contact: Margaret: penningt@sonic.net
Chapter Volunteer Coordinator: We are looking for a volunteer who will work with Chapter and Group leaders to identify
and recruit potential volunteers and match volunteers to their areas of interest and increase volunteer participation. Are you a
natural “match-maker” – or always aspired to be one? If so, we need you! Please contact: Margaret at penningt@sonic.net
Plan Social Events and Fundraising Activities: Join a group of people who plan parties, fundraisers and other events for
environmentalists and the public. Be active, make new friends and support a worthwhile cause. Diana 823-4293.
North Group Hike Leaders: North Group is desperately seeking hike leaders. Please contact Al Muelhofer, the outings
chair, at akm@myyellowstone.net; 707-482-0520.
Sonoma Group Environmental Forum Committee: Vice-chair and Committee members needed. Help plan the monthly
meetings for the Sierra Club. Design speakers and programs. Create newsletter write ups and meet exciting environmental
advocates throughout our community. 1-6 hours per month (except August and December). Contact Veronica Jacobi -
vjacobi@sonic.net
Climate Protection Committee, Sonoma Group: Join us in working on two projects: drafting an element for the Sonoma
County General Plan update, and investigating how Community Choice Aggregation can help Sonoma County reduce its
greenhouse gas emissions. Contact Nabeel at nabeel@alshamma.com or 707-433-1013.
Sonoma Group Water Committee needs help. Do you love the Russian River and our creeks and streams? Help protect
the quality of oour water for people, wildlife, fish and other aquatic life. Volunteer to help the Water Committee with river,
stream and groundwater recharge area protections. Promote water conservation and intelligent reuse. Contact Len Holt at
707-527-7316 or at leonard.l.holt@us.mwhglobal.com
Stuffing Party. Volunteers needed to help address and mail Redwood Chapter annual fund appeal letter. Please help out with
a couple of hours of your time– snacks provided. Sat., March 3, tentatively. Contact Jana: jselph@sonic.net, 829-5356.

Page 4–Redwood Needles – February 1, 2007

 “Timber Amendment” continued from page 1
(preserved and converted land), strengthened to 35%, rather
than remain at 50% (as intensive agriculture should not be
practiced on steep slopes).
Unfortunately, these additional proposals, although
supported by Supervisor Reilly, were rejected by the Board.
The Ordinance itself removed 2/3 of Sonoma County
forested acreage from consideration for conversion. The
new Amendment additionally requires that the two preserved
acres should be on land with slopes no greater than 50% (as
mitigation credit should not be given for preserving forest
which is in no danger of conversion). The addition of the new
Amendment by the Supervisors provides some additional
protection of forestland over what has previously been the
case, as the Amendment’s restriction removes another 29%
of Sonoma forest from conversion consideration.
However– and this is a very large ‘however’– such
percentages, though they may seem large, are also quite
misleading, as protection from forest conversion is most
urgently needed for forest which is in danger of conversion
in the first place. Currently, our forests are endangered by a
pressure to convert forested ridge tops to premium vineyards.
Segments of the wine industry have been targeting forestland
in Western Sonoma County to convert forested land to wine
production. Last year more timber conversion applications
were filed with the California Department of Forestry than
in the past ten years altogether. Speculators are now buying
depleted forestlands rather than waiting until natural forest
regrowth occurs– they wish to convert over-logged lands
to what they hope will be more profitable use. One proposal
already on the books, the misleadingly named “Preservation
Ranch”, calls for permanent loss of trees on up to 1,900 acres
for conversion to vineyards. However, Sonoma County
already has a goodly number of vineyards and plenty of
other suitable, non-forested agricultural land available on
which to develop more.
So, even as amended, the County’s Timberland Conversion
Ordinance is flawed. These flaws include:
• The ordinance still permits a net loss of some of
Sonoma County’s forest through conversion to high intensity
agricultural uses, via what is essentially a mitigation banking
scheme.
• There may be inadequate scientific review in the
permitting process, and inadequate monitoring of conditions
on the ground. In particular, under the Ordinance, there
may be inadequate assessment of the cumulative impacts
of multiple vineyard conversions, including the impacts of
habitat fragmentation on threatened and endangered species
Cumulative impact assessments which require large scale
scientific review and surveys and monitoring on the ground,
are unlikely even to be done for small projects. They must
be considered essential for larger projects - perhaps jointly
with county oversight or via direct funding.
In evidence of the seriousness of our concern we mention
that “a forest landowner in Mendocino County was recently
assessed a fine of $105,600 dollars by the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine
Fisheries Service for harming and killing federally protected
steelhead trout, despite being in compliance with state
regulations. The landowner was converting 130 acres of
timberland into vineyards in accordance with California’s
Forest Practice Rules under a 1999 Timber Harvest Plan
(THP) and Timber Conversion Permit approved by the
California Department of Forestry (CDF). [Emphasis
added.]
The land conversion involved cutting trees and permanently
removing mature redwood and Douglas fir forest stands,
mechanically removing tree roots, soil ripping, road and
drainage construction and extensive land grading. These
activities resulted in widespread erosion on the property that
deposited significant volumes of hillside soil into nearby
steelhead trout streams, killing the steelhead trout in violation
of federal law.” (NOAA Press Release, Jan.3, 2007, www.
rrraul.org/NR.AlderRanch.Final.pdf )
The Sierra Club supports preservation of natural
ecosystems. Wild lands must be kept wild and forestlands
kept intact to protect the ecological values of our region. If
new vineyards are established, they should be restricted to the
existing agricultural areas with low slopes and habitat value.
We support adoption of local ordinances and General Plan
amendments which protect natural vegetation from conversion
to intensive agriculture.
The problem of deforestation is a worldwide one and
deforestation is the second leading contributor to human
induced global warming. The Sierra Club encourages
sustainable forestry. Agricultural conversions such as
replacing forests with vineyards bring with them many serious
environmental consequences for wildlife, fish and rivers.
For further information, please contact Jay Halcomb at
707-869-3302 or halcomb@sonic.net

The Sonoma County Conservation Council and The Sierra Club, Sonoma Group
present the
2006 Redwood Chapter
31st Annual Environmental Awards Dinner and Fundraiser Election Results
Green Business is Good Business Redwood Chapter ExCom (190 total ballots)
Chris Malan: 130 votes (elected)
Saturday, March 24, 2007 Jay Halcomb: 157 votes (elected)
5:30 - 9:00 pm Diane Fairchild Beck: 152 votes (elected)

Sebastopol Veterans Memorial Hall Lake Group ExCom (19 total ballots)
282 So. High St., Sebastopol Lars Crail: 19 votes (elected)
Ken Roberts: 18 votes (elected)
Keynote address by
Debra Sally: 19 votes (elected)
Kenneth Smokoska
Executive Director of the California Alternative Energies Corp.
Mendocino Group ExCom (13 total ballots)
Director of Clean Energy Initiatives, Sierra Club of California Linda Perkins: 13 votes (elected)
”Communities at the Crossroads” Bill Heil: 13 votes (elected)
“How can we ensure that the revolution in green building and green energy brings Napa Group ExCom (79 total ballots)
health and prosperity to all – including our most disadvantaged communities? What can
Paula Fields: 54 votes (elected)
we do to champion “green collar” jobs and emerging clean technologies in our pursuit of
a truly equitable, sustainable California?” Carol Kunze: 57 votes (elected)
Learn about efforts to: Nancy Tamarisk: 59 votes (elected)
� Unite industry, labor, schools, communities of faith, social services, investors, and Tyler York: 57 votes (elected)
the public sector in the next phase of the sustainable movement. Chris Malan: 26 votes (not elected)
� Link global warming prevention with job training.
John Stephens: 28 votes (not elected)
� Build truly healthy, livable communities and a clean energy sector.
North Group ExCom (17 total ballots)
Jazz Classics by
Diane Fairchild Beck: 17 votes (elected)
Generations Melvin McKinney: 14 votes (elected)
Gourmet Dinner by Lynn Ryan: 17 votes (elected)
A La Heart Catering (Please Note: One slot is open due to a resignation.
No-Host Wine And Beer Bar Interested parties should contact Gregg (826-3740) or
Ned (826-2417).)
Silent Auction, Exhibits & Awards
Solano Group ExCom (12 total ballots)
Advance Tickets: $35 (RSVP by 3/16) Lannee Jelletich: 11 votes (elected)
PO Box 4346, Santa Rosa, 95402 or 707-578-0595
Katy Miessner: 12 votes (elected)
After 3/16: $45
RSVPs help us to plan the dinner and not waste food!!
Kitty Powell: 11 votes (elected)
Students with ID - $20/30 Katherine Torres: 11 votes (elected)
Sonoma Group ExCom (50 total ballots)
Volunteers needed; please call: 707 823-4293
Nabeel Al-Shama: 49 votes (elected)
Benefits the Environmental Center of Sonoma County: www.envirocentersoco.org Jana Selph: 49 votes (elected)
Page 5–Redwood Needles– February 1, 2007
 O u t i n g s
Meetings are on Page 12 native plants for future restoration Sun. Feb 11, Sonoma Group. Pt. Sat-Sun, Feb 24-25 - Southern 2nd, call Carol 546-6308 or email
efforts. Sunday will be a longer hike Reyes Hike. Desert Clean-up and hike. carolvsr@sonic.net Meeting is 7pm
to find and inventory five small game The hike starts at the Bear Valley Immediately south of the Coyote at 610 Willrush St. Santa Rosa.
Sequoia Paddlers Pool Practice. guzzlers for the BLM office, data they visitor center. We go up Mt. Wittenberg Mountains Wilderness Area in Fri., March 9 - Sonoma
Thursdays, 7-8:45 PM. $7/paddler need for wilderness management trail, down Sky Trail, Woodward Imperial County lies an unbelievable Group, Armstrong Redwoods.
($3 for SPC members). Ridgway and cooperation with the California Valley, to Coast trail and have lunch pile of trash. We, together with Loop up and down the East Ridge
Swim Center on Ridgway Avenue Dept of Fish and Game. Saturday at Sculptured Beach. Return is back representatives from the Border Trail, returning to the sound of a
near Mendocino in Santa Rosa. Co- evening will be a pot-luck, a campfire, up Woodward Valley trail, down Patrol, will assist the Bureau of Land waterfall and then walking through
sponsored by SPC and Santa Rosa and stories about our desert. Old Pine Trail, to Bear Valley trail Management in cleaning up the site, ancient redwoods. Usually not
Parks and Recreation Department. Contact leader: Craig Deutsche, and back to trailhead. Bring lunch, placing signs, and restricting access. too muddy. Good one for families!
Instruction is NOT provided. Clean deutsche@earthlink.net, (310-477- liquids, hiking shoes. Rain cancels. Saturday evening will be a potluck, Snacks, water, boots recommended.
boats required. Showers available. 6670). CNRCC Desert Com M12B Carpools meet: Santa Rosa a campfire, and stories about our Class M-4-A. To get to Armstrong
Information: 292-4947 or e-mail Sun., Feb. 4 - Sonoma Group Pt. at Park & Ride by fairgrounds under desert. Sunday is reserved for a Redwoods Reserve, turn right
sigj@sonic.net Reyes Social Hike. Highway 12 at: 8:30am(leaderless), recreational hike in the southern part onto Armstrong Woods Road in
Feb 2-4 Sea Ranch Weekend. This hike starts at the Bear Valley trail Napa Blockbusters Video, Bel of the nearby Anza Borrego State Guerneville. Go about 2 miles and
head. We will walk the main trail out to Aire Shopping Center at: 8:00am Park. Contact leader Craig Deutsche, turn right into the parking lot just
Spend the full moon weekend up at
the beach and back. The pace will be (leaderless), Petaluma, in front of deutsche@earthlink.net, (310-477- before the fee booth. Info center,
Sonoma Countyʼs fabulous coast. I
suitable for socializing. Bring lunch, the Macdonalds(Albertsons parking 6670) CNRCC Desert Com bathrooms. Meet at 9am. Leader:
have rented two houses, Grey Whale
liquids, and hiking shoes. Heavy lot, Hwy 116 exit) at 8:45am, or Sun., Feb. 25, Lake Group - Randi Farkas 824-0804. Hard rain
and Cypress Meadow. Both are full
rain cancels. Class M-8-A. Carpools meet at Bear Valley Visitor Center Rodman Nature Preserve. cancels.
however if enough interest I could
(both leaderless): Santa Rosa at about: 10:00am. A brief stop at Join us for an easy, two hour Fri., Mar. 9 - Sonoma Group,
rent another house. Reservations
Park & Ride by fairgrounds under Bovine Bakery. Leader: Steve Allen nature walk in the Rodman Nature Singles Potluck.
a must. Do not mail check until
Hwy 12 @ 8:30 am, Petaluma 328-8466. Preserve. Bring water, snacks,
confirmed. $100 refundable deposit Join us at Deneseʼs house (Sierra
on each bedroom. Cost is $253.18 Park N Ride leave @ 9:15 am Sat., Feb 17 - Sonoma Group binoculars and camera. Bird Singles Coordinator) for our March
per bedroom for weekend. Sat or meet at the trail head at about Singles Potluck. watching included. Class E-2- potluck. Bring a non-disposable
potluck, Friday night eat out, 10:00 am. Advance reservations Join us at Richʼs house for a lively A. Meet: 9:00 a.m. Rodman House place setting, beverage, a dish to
other meals are up to you. Hiking, required. Leader: Doug Condrotte evening of food and conversation, just to the east of the intersection share, and $1 for the club fund.
swimming, rec room are all options. 795-5540. followed by musical entertainment. of Hwy 29 and the Nice Lucerne Social hour starts at 6 pm, with dinner
See www.oceanviewprop.com Sun., Feb. 11 - Lake Group. Table The band Blue Sky (formerly the (Rodman) cutoff about 4 miles at 7. From 101, take Hwy 12 West
Reservations 707-546-6308 or Rock on Mt. St. Helena. Sierra Singles House Band) will north of Lakeport. Call the leader, to the Stony Point exit. Turn right
carolvsr@sonic.net This is moderate hike to Table round off the evening by playing Pete McGee, 942-1373 to reserve (north) on Stony Point; right (east)
Sat-Sun, Feb 3-4 - Service and Rock from Robert Louis Stevenson some music to listen or sing along a spot. at the light at West Third, then right
Hiking - North Algodones Dunes Park. Enjoy spectacular views to to. Bring a non-disposable place Sun., Feb. 25 – Sonoma Group, (south) on Surrey. Turn left on Shay;
Wilderness Area. the north and, from Table Rock, setting, beverage, a dish to share, Half-a-Canoe Loop at Lake when the road turns to the right, #516
of the Napa Valley wine country. and $1 for the club fund. Social Sonoma. Shay Ave is the light blue house on
We will have two outstanding projects
Class M-5-A. Meet: Perryʼs Deli hour starts at 5 pm, with dinner at 6. See Lake Sonoma before the jetskis the left. For more info, call Denese
in this Imperial County wilderness
in south Middletown 9 a.m. or in From 101 take Hwy 12 West, then come out of hibernation (I hope). . at 575-3229 or Mike at 539-5362.
area. On Saturday we will assist
the east parking lot of RLS Park turn North on Stony Point. Turn left approximately 5 mile, elevation gain Sat., March 10 - North Group,
Erin Dreyfuss, natural resources
9:30 a.m. Leader Steve Devoto (west) on Guerneville Rd, then right a little over 1000 ft. Trail is steep in High Dome, Smith River National
specialist in the El Centro BLM
279-8308 or sdevoto@mchsi.com. (north) at the light on Peterson; go places. Bring good hiking boots, Recreation Area hike.
office, perhaps doing a census of
Advanced reservation required. thru 2 stop signs and then to 1846 layered clothing, lunch, water. Class
the (famous, or infamous) Piersonʼs Snow is a remote possibility but the
Rain cancels. Peterson Lane (on the right). For M-5-B Carpool: Park and Ride under
Milkvetch, or else sifting seeds of view is fantastic of both 7,000 foot
more info, call Denese at 575-3229 Hwy 12 in front of the fairgrounds snow covered Siskyous or the surf
or Mike at 539-5362. Santa Rosa 9 am. Alternate meeting
Instructions to hikers line of the Pacific. Wild dogwoods
Sat-Mon. Feb., 17-19 - Ludlow Hut at Fulton Park and Ride on River are often in bloom as well. We will
Outings start not later than 15 minutes after scheduled meeting time All Winter Backpack Trip. Road. Call/email if you want to be get a chance to see if the sanctioned
participants on Sierra Club outings are required to sign a standard liability waiver. (Intermediate–Adv. Intermediate) met there at 9:25. Leader: Carl logging killed the fern meadow. The
If you would like to read the liability waiver before you chose to participate on Snowshoe/Ski 6.5 miles (1200ʼ) to Inglin 538-8271 or chinglin@sonic. elevation increase on this hike is
an outing, please go to: http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms/, or Ludlow Hut for Presidents weekend net. rain cancels. 3000 feet. Bring lunch, water, and
contact the Outings Department at (415) 977-5528 for a printed version. Saturday/Sunday overnight and back Sun., March.4 - Sonoma Group, expect to cross a creek at beginning
The leader is in charge of the trip and is responsible for your welfare and out on Monday midday.$32 ($34 Pt. Reyes Fun Walk. and end. Class M-8-C. We will
the good name of the Club. He/she must have your cooperation to make the Non Sierra Club members) by Feb We will carpool from the Bear carpool from Crescent City to the
trip safe, pleasant and rewarding. Do not get behind rear leader: if you need 13th to Jim Gannon; PO Box 1038, Valley Visitor Center parking lot trailhead. For more information on
help, the rear leader will remain to assist you. Do not leave the group without Rohnert Park, CA 94927. Non- to the trail head at the AYH off the hike and to register call Jim
the leader’s permission. refundable reservations. Please Limantour Rd. This is an easy stroll at707-954-0519. Hike is weather
Be adequately equipped and prepared. Please bring a daypack, lunch, include email address/phone#. to Santa Maria Beach on flat, wide dependent.
liquids and personal 1st aid kit. Wear comfortable hiking boots or adequate Optional stay at Clair Tappaan lodge
shoes for the outing. terrain. Once at the beach, itʼs time Sat-Sun, Mar. 10-11 Service in
Fri 16th. Make reservations early for lunch, building sand castles, and the Santa Rosa Wilderness - San
Guard against fire. Do not smoke on trails in fire season. Build fires only to avoid disappointment. Lodge
in established fire rings with leader’s permission. Extinguish them completely. playing New Games if the group Jacinto National Monument.
reservations 530-426-3632 indicate wishes. Bring lunch, liquids, and
Guns, pets, or radios are not to be brought on hikes. We will assist the BLM in removing
you are with Ludlow trip-Redwood hiking shoes. Rain cancels. Class
The Sierra Club does not have insurance for carpooling arrangements and tamarisk from a canyon in the
Chapter. Central commissary is E-4-A. Carpools (both leaderless):
assumes no liability for them. Participants assume the risks associated with Santa Rosa Wilderness Area. This
planned. Meeting time/locations Santa Rosa Park & Ride by
travel. Redwood Chapter suggests that a 20 cents per car per mile compensation wilderness area is within the
provided with trip sign up. Contact fairgrounds under Hwy 12 @ 8:30
be paid to the driver you ride with. Carpools are not part of the outing, but a recently created San Jacinto
leader Jim Gannon (707)-525-1052 am, Petaluma Park N Ride leave
means of conserving natural resources. National Monument, near Palm
jgannon99@sbcglobal.net co leader @ 9:15 am or meet leader at the front Springs. Arrive Saturday morning
Visitors are welcome Paul Bozzo. of the Visitor Center @ about !0:00 or campout Friday night. Work
All Sierra Club trips are open to the public unless otherwise announced. You Sun-Mon, Feb 18-19 Amargosa am to pool to the trailhead. Advance Saturday with Justin Seastrand,
are free to bring all members of your family and guests. Children are usually Wild and Scenic River reservation required. Leader: Doug Wilderness Coordinator for the
welcome, but please call the leader to make sure it is an appropriate hike. exploration. Condrotte 795-5540. Palm Springs BLM. Pot luck and
Weʼll set up camp Saturday night Tues., March 6 - Sonoma Group happy hour Saturday evening and
DIFFICULTY MILEAGE ELEVATION GAIN
near Tecopa and spend two days New Outing Leader Training. then a hike on Sunday. Contact
E - Easy Actual A - Les than 1,000
hiking along the stretches of the Please come to this meeting if you Leader: Kate Allen (661-944-4056),
M - Moderate Mileage B - 1,000 to 2,000
Amargosa River proposed for are interested in leading Sierra Club kjallen@qnet.com. CNRCC Desert
H - Hard C - 2,000 to 3,000
wild and scenic status under outings. One other meeting is also Com/Antelope Valley Group.
S - Strenuous D - over 3,000
Congressman Buck McKeonʼs required. Outings are a fun way to Sat., March 10 – North Group, Bull
V - Very Strenuous
“Eastern Sierra Rural Heritage and meet others who care about the Creek Flats, Humboldt Redwoods
The actual mileage will be listed for each trip. Elevation gain will reflect Economic Enhancement Act”. One wilderness. Outings can inform the State Park.
the gain from the start of the hike to the highest point. If you need to know the day will be an easy one-way hike public about important environmental Hike round trip from Grasshopper
cumulative gain, please contact the leader. (with shuttle) along the “scenic” part, issues in our community. Outings are Road alongside Bull Creek. See the
the other part a more strenuous
To submit outings write-ups out-and-back hike on the “wild” part.
excellent exercise. You will learn the amazing Flatiron Tree and the Giant
leader requirements, how to plan Tree - standing at 363 ft. the tallest in
Send all outings write-ups to: Carol Vellutini, Outings Chair, (carolvsr@sonic. For more information or to reserve
net) by the 8th of the month. All leaders must coordinate their outings with an outing, policies and guidelines, the park - while meandering through
a spot contact John Wilkinson, goal of the club, and much more.
their Group Outings Chair. the immense virgin redwoods and
johnfw1@mac.com, (408) 947- Cost is $5.50 for training packet. lush vegetation of the Humboldt
0858. CNCRR Desert Com Registration is necessary by March
Page 6–Redwood Needles – February 1, 2007

Redwoods State Park. Bring food
and water; weʼll stop for lunch about
halfway. Trail could be wet in areas,
so bring appropriate footwear and
clothing for cool weather and/or
light rain. Class E-6-A. Carpools:
Meet 8:45 a.m. Arcata Safeway
parking lot. Trailhead: leave Hwy
101 at Southfork/Honeydew exit.
Go 5.4 miles west on Mattole Rd.
to Grasshopper Rd. Go left on
Grasshopper Rd.; trailhead is 250 ft.
from the intersection of Mattole and
Grasshopper Roads. Hike starts at
10:30 am. Please register in advance
by calling Susan at 707-840-9084.
Heavy rain cancels.
Sun. Mar. 11-Sonoma Group,
Steep Ravine Hike.
The hike starts from Mt. Home on
Mt. Tam. Weʼll hike along trails
that parallel Panoramic Highway,
over to Pantoll Ranger Station,
go over to the Dipsea Trail, down
to Steep Ravine, up to Pantoll,
and return to Mt. Home. Bring
lunch, liquids, hiking boots. Class:
S-14-B. Carpools: Santa Rosa
Park & Ride by fairgrounds under
Hwy 12, 8:00am(leaderless),
Napa Blockbusters Video,
Bel Aire Shopping Center
8:00am(leaderless), Petaluma, in
front of MacDonaldʼs(Albertsons
parking lot, Hwy 116 exit) 8:15am,
or meet at the trailhead across from
Mt.Home Inn, at about 9:30am. Brief
coffee stop at ʻThe Depotʼ in Mill
Valley. Leader: Steve Allen 328-
8466. Rain cancels.
Thurs.- Sun., Mar. 15–18 - Napa
Group, Hutchinson Lodge Snow
Trips.
Spend a winter weekend enjoying
the snow scene on Donner Summit. A
groomed cross-country trail passes
right outside the door of Hutchinson
Lodge. Cross country ski lessons
and both ski and show shoe rentals
are available at Clair Tappaan Lodge.
For downhill ski enthusiasts, take the
free shuttle to Sugar Bowl, Donner
Ski Ranch, and Soda Springs.
The lodge has a large living/dining
room, kitchen, two group sleeping
lofts with mattresses, two bathrooms,
a double shower. Hearty homestyle
breakfasts and dinners are provided,
while lunches are on your own. In
the Sierra Club tradition, you are
expected to help with chores.
Hutchinson Lodge will open about
noon on Thursday and close mid-
afternoon on Sunday. Advance
reservations and prepayment are
required to cover lodging and
meals. Refunds only for extenuating
circumstances. The cost is $35 per
person per night for SC members
and $40 per person per night for
non-members. Leader: Penny
Proteau, 1971 Yountville Crossroad,
Yountville, Ca. 94599, (707) 944-
2058, pennyp@napanet.net
Sat., March 17- North Group, Hope
Creek/Ten Taypo, Prairie Creek
Redwoods State Park.
Class M4B. These two trails make
a 4 mile loop through tall redwoods.
Both trails are fairly steep as you
climb to the top of a ridge and loop
down. Highlight is walking through
the middle of a redwood tree but
throughout hike there is time to soak
in the majestic big trees. Carpools:
from the south, Meet: 10 am Arcata
O u t i n g s
Outings Chair
Report
Hope that 2007 is a great year for Sierra Club
outings. We are training more leaders and will offer a
wide variety of outdoor activities.
Susan Whiteside is the North Group’s new leader.
Susan has been a member of the Sierra Club for just
over three years, but has been hiking in different parts
of the country for about 30. Susan loves to hike and
loves the outdoors. She also knows that hiking alone
is not a good idea. She knew there must be others
like herself, so Susan decided to become an Outings
Leader so that she and others would have a chance to
see and experience the beauty that her area has to offer.
Most of Susan’s hikes will be in the 5-6 mile range,
but occasionally she will be leading longer hikes for
the more avid hikers and shorter walks for those who
Peter Grubb Hut Winter Backpack trip.
can’t walk far distances but still want to be able to Leader Don Anderson, Co-leader Jim Gannon
enjoy the outdoors.
Former North Group chair Allison and husband Bob had a baby girl on November
Sonoma Group welcomes new leader Randi Farkis.
16 and named her Darby Belle. Congratulations. North Group Chair Al and wife Annie
Randi was inspired by Mrs. Terwilliger many years
are making plans to travel more in 2007. They have completed their End of Rainbow
ago to become a docent for Fairfield Osborne, where
cottage and it will serve as an art/guest studio. They are very creative people.
she led fifth-graders on hikes and did nature activities.
On a sad note, long time Sonoma Group member, hiker, lover of flowers, Ramona
She often hikes alone, but over the years has enjoyed
Mooney, passed away on December 6th after two long years of struggle with cancer.
Sierra Club hikes for the opportunity to explore new
Many of us who knew her lit a candle on Jan. 1st, saying words of prayer for her. See
areas, meet new people, and get that extra push to
the article on a memorial bench for Ramona.
do more than she would on her own. Her interest in
Avid hiker and trail worker Howard Moes had open heart surgery and suffered a
becoming an Outings Leader is two-fold: to give back
stroke. He is on a steady, but slow road to recovery. We all wish the best for Howard
to the group, and to offer hikes which will enable folks
and hope to see him back home.
recovering from surgery or illness to be out in nature
All of our parks need your help with trail maintenance. Please volunteer your time.
for a good chunk of the day moving at a moderate
California Trial Days has now merged with National Trail Days but the Sonoma Group
pace with several stops. She covered many miles on
will still do the Nattkemper Trail in April.
crutches while recovering from hip surgery, but didn’t
break any speed records. –CAROL VELLUTINI, REDWOOD CHAPTER OUTINGS CHAIR
Safeway parking lot (7th & F St.); Sat-Sun, Mar 17-18 Ghost Town provided with trip sign up. Contact Island out to Pier 35 for views of
from the north meet at 11 am at Extravaganza. leader Jim Gannon (707)-525-1052 San Pablo Bay, Mare Island and
Klamath Post Office parking lot. Call Come with us to this spectacular jgannon99@sbcglobal.net co leader Carquinez Strait. Weʼll pass through
Annie 707-482-0520 for information. desert landscape near Death TBD. historic areas of Mare Island Naval
Heavy rain cancels. Valley to explore the ruins of Sun., Mar. 18 – Sonoma Group, Shipyard in an area proposed for a
Sat. Mar., 17-Sonoma Group, Californiaʼs colorful past. Camp at Johnstone Trail at Tomales Bay Regional Park. This is a level 4 mile
Bon Tempe & Lagunitas Lake the historic ghost town of Ballarat State Park. r/t walk on paved and dirt roads in an
Loop walk. (flush toilets & hot showers). On area not yet opened to public access
A trail I donʼt do very often. It winds
Sat, do a challenging hike to ghost taking around 3 hours Class E-4-A
Located in the Mt Tamalpais through a very old forest of Bishop
town Lookout City with expert Hal Meet at the gate at the south end of
watershed on the northwest side of pines with views of Tomales Bay.
Fowler who will regale us with tales Railroad Avenue.9:30 From Marin
the mountain, two of the five lakes M6B, about six miles with repeated
located there are Lagunitas and Bon of this Wild West town. Later weʼll ups and downs. March has some and Sonoma take Hwy 37 west to
Tempe.Early spring is one of the return to camp for Happy Hour, of the best weather on the coast Mare Island exit. From Napa connect
prime seasons when the reservoirs a special St. Pattyʼs Day potluck (between storm, that is). Weʼll to Hwy 37 from Hwy 29 and from
are filled to the brim and you can walk and campfire. On Sun, a quick start at Shell Beach trailhead and Vallejo connect to Hwy 37 from I-80.
around both lakes perimeters while visit to the infamous Riley town stop for lunch near Hearts Desire Take Hwy 37 east to Mare Island.
taking in their beauty in just a couple site before heading home. Group Beach, then return. Carpool meets Once on Mare Island take Railroad
of hours under the unmistakable size strictly limited. Send $8 per at the park and ride under Hwy 12, or Walnut Avenues south and follow
profile of Mt Tamalpias.For those person (Sierra Club), 2 sase, H&W in front of the fairgrounds in Santa the detour signs towards the Golf
birdwatching oenophiles, in addition phones, email, rideshare info Rosa at 9 am. Alternate stops at Course. At Touro Univ. turn left on
to the common cormorants,egrets,d to Ldr: Lygeia Gerard, P.O. Box the park and rides at Rohnert Park Nereus Ave. which curves around
ucks,coots as well as larger raptors 294726, Phelan, CA 92329, (310) Expressway and Hwy 116 and Touro and becomes Railroad Ave.
frequent the two lakes as well as 594-6789. Co-Ldr: Don Peterson Lakeville in Petaluma ONLY if you Meet at the end of Railroad Ave. at
the black- tailed deer who populate (760) 375-8599. CNRCC/Owens call and arrange to be met there. the South Gate. Leader: Kenn (707)
the area.We will walk through the Peak Group. Rain cancels. Leader: Carl Inglin 319-1846.
peaceful shady trails of dense Sat-Mon - March 17-18 - Benson 538-8271 or chinglin@sonic.net Sat-Sun, March 24-25 Pronghorn
mixed forest of oaks,madrone,firs Hut Winter Backpack Trip. Sun., March 18 - Lake Group Oat Antelope Protection in the Carrizo
and redwoods punctuated only by (Adv Intermediate - Hill Mine Road-East End. Plain.
the sound of water lapping against Advanced)Snowshoe/Ski 6.5 miles Antelope Protection Carcamp
This is an easy hike of four miles
the shore. A lunch stop will be at (1700ʼ) to Benson Hut for a Saturday (Nature Study/Work Party). With
round trip to visit the mercury mine
a mid point. Walk will be done at a overnight.$20 ($22 Non Sierra Club little rainfall and few water sources,
sites at the East (Lake County) end
very leisurely pace to accommodate members) by Mar 13th to Jim Gannon; the species that live here are both
of the Oat Hill Mine Road. Bring
all. Bring a smile, your lunch, good PO Box 1038, Rohnert Park, CA lunch and water. Class E-4-A. hardy and endangered. Particularly
walking boots and plenty of water 94927. Checks are non-refundable in Meet: Perryʼs Deli at the west end of beautiful are the pronghorn antelope,
and join us.Class: E-3-A Car pool: case of weather cancellation. Please Middletown at 9 a.m. for a car pool which evolved in these wild, open
Meet 8 am Santa Rosa Longs include email address/phone#. to the start of the hike Call or email spaces. Then cattle ranching left
Drugs/I-Hop parking lot Farmers Optional stay at Clair Tappaan lodge the leader in advance to reserve a a legacy of endless fences - which
lane and 4th st near the 4th st. Fri 16th. Make reservations early spot, Steve Devoto 279-8308 or are deadly to the pronghorn. Join us
entrance, trail head: gravel parking to avoid disappointment. Lodge sdevoto@mchsi.com. for a weekend in this remote area
lot next to the gated fire road at reservations 530-426-3632 indicate removing fencing for their benefit.
Sat., March 23- Mare Island
Bon Tempe Dam between 9:15am you are with Benson trip-Redwood Southshore Hike, Solano
& 9:30am.Leader:Tim Bartice
707-578-1325,cell 707-342-0471
Chapter. Central commissary is Group. “Outings”
planned. Meeting time/locations continuesd on page 8
gatogrande0013@hotmail.com Walk along the South Shore of Mare
Page 7–Redwood Needles– February 1, 2007
 O u t i n g s
“Outings” cont. from page 7
Work hard on Saturday; take some time Sunday to
enjoy the monument. Camp at Selby campground,
bring food, water, heavy leather work-gloves,
and camping gear for the weekend. Potluck Sat
night. Alternate date in case of rain. Resource
specialist: Alice Koch. For more info: Leaders: Cal
and Letty French, 14140 Chimney Rock Road,
Paso Robles, CA 93446, (805-239-7338). Prefer
e-mail: ccfrench@tcsn.net
Sun., Mar. 25 - Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
Waterfall.
Experience the wonders of winter in a moss
covered oak/fir woodland in the deep of winter.
While some inhabitants are sleeping we will be
observing the beauty of the rushing creek and a
25 foot waterfall. Starting out at 1,200 feet, going
down to about 800 feet, hike is about 4 miles with
some steep areas. Bring lunch, liquids, something
to sit on if its wet, daypack, water-resistant boots
(trail could be slick). We will traverse Stern, Pony
Gate and Canyon Trails.Meet 11 am at parking lot
to Bald Mountain. We leave at 11:15. The park is
located northeast of Kenwood in the Mayacamas
Mountains between the Sonoma and Napa
Valleys. From Highway 101 turn on Hwy. 12 east
to Sonoma. Turn on Adobe Canyon Road. Road
is narrow and winding, about 4 miles, so allow
ample time. Carpools: Santa Rosa Park and Ride
10:15; Napa Blockbuster Video in Bel Air shopping
Center (leaderless) 9:45 am. Questions?? Leader
Carol Vellutini 707-546-6308 carolvsr@sonic.
net Canceled if raining hard, bring umbrella or
raingear if sprinkling or showers.
Sun-Wed, April 1-4 – Backcountry Ski Trip to
Ostrander Hut.
Yosemite is beautiful in the snow, and the Ostrander
hut, run by the Park Service, is a destination with
several wonderful day trips possible out the front
door. Although the terrain is forgiving, this is a
serious snow trip because of the 10 mile distance.
Skis are strongly recommended as this is too far
for all but the most fit snowshoers. There will be
a pre-trip meeting scheduled once participants
are approved. The hut has a permanent ranger,
and the cost reflects this. Space will be reserved
upon receipt of the $80 fee. Early reservation is
essential. There will be a central commissary
for interested participants. Rain cancels. Rated
H/10/B. Detailed itinerary will be available to
approved participants. Leaders: Don Anderson
(donsluck@excite.com) and Jim Gannon.
Ratings for Outings
probably, and take time to enjoy the birds
and scenic attractions. Weʼll car camp at Diaz
Leaders
Lake just south of Lone Pine where birds
congregate. Then watch the migratory birds on How fast or slow do you go?
the re-watered part of the Owens Lake. Can also Wonder if an outing leader walks fast or slow? Keep in mind that the leader’s
visit the new Lone Pine Film History Museum speed is but one part of hiking. How high up a mountain the hike starts, the total
and Manzanar N.M. mileage and elevation gain (up hill) and loss (down hill) greatly affect the difficulty
Bring camping essentials (though motels are of a hike, regardless of how fast or slow you walk. If you have any doubts about
close), food, water, work clothes and gloves. being able to do a hike or have other questions, please call the leader to discuss
Resource specialist: Mike Prather. For more your concerns. These ratings only serve as a guide and are not a substitute for you
information and to sign up for trip contact
being in appropriate physical condition before participating in an outing. Leaders
leaders: Cal and Letty French, 14140 Chimney
are grouped according to how fast they normally hike.
Rock Road, Paso Robles, CA 93446. Prefer
e-mail: ccfrench@tcsn.net CNRCC/Santa Fast-pace with few or no stops:
Lucia Chap Steve Allen Jim Gannon Paul Bozzo Lars Crail
Sun. Apr 15 - Sonoma Group, Mt. Tam. Moderate-pace with few stops:
The hike starts from Bon Tempe Dam; we Carl Inglin Penny Proteau Don Anderson Steve Devoto Chip Bouril
hike over to Cataract Creek, up to High Linda Marie
Marsh trail, over to Kent trail, and back to
Moderate-pace with more frequent stops:
Bon Tempe. Bring lunch, liquids, hiking boots.
Class: S-12-B. Carpools: meet Santa Rosa Bill Arenander Ken Roberts Pete McGee Nanette DeDonato
at Park & Ride by fairgrounds under Highway Al Muelhoefer Tim Bartice Jim Barrett Suzanne Spillner Carol
12 8:00am(leaderless), Napa Blockbusters Vellutini Pete McGee Isabelle Saint-Guily Annie Drager David
Video, Bel Aire Shopping Center at 8:00am Henry Doug Condrotte Kenn Browne Susan Whiteside Randi
(leaderless), Petaluma Park & Ride 8:15am or Farkis
meet at Bon Tempe Dam about 9:30am. There Slower-pace: Gina Hitchcock Allison Bronkall Bob Bronkall
is an entrance fee to get in. Leader: Steve Allen
328-8466.
Sun., April 15 - Sonoma Group, Tolay Lake
East Ridge.
Now is your chance to hike on the regional
parkʼs newest and most exciting park: Tolay
Lake Park in the Petaluma area. Tolay Lake
Park (formerly the Cordoza Ranch) is 1737
acres, mostly grasslands, with an east and
west ridge that boast incredible views of San
Francisco bay region, including Mt. Diablo, Mt.
Tamalpais, and Mt. St. Helena. Tolay Lake is a
shallow seasonal lake of historical significance.
We will begin the hike at the ranch compound,
hike across the lake bed on farm roads, pass
the vineyards to the east ridge, where the view
of San Francisco Bay Area is outstanding. We
will have lunch on the east ridge. Look for many
raptures, including golden eagles. Anticipate a
wide variety of wild flowers. From the view point
we will go cross-country with uneven footing and
star thistles. We will stop by two different farm
ponds in route back to ranch compound.
Bring water, lunch, layered clothing and good Ramona Mooney on right at Pt. Reyes with Sierra Club
hiking boots. Class: M-7-A Carpool: meet Santa
Rosa Park and Ride, Highway 12 East of 101,

Contributions Needed for

Sat. April 7- Lake Group, Pallisades Trail.
This hike starts from the east parking lot on
the shoulder of Mt. St. Helena at Robert Lewis
under the overpass, between Santa Rosa Vets
and Fairgrounds 9:20 a.m. Petaluma Park and
Ride at 101 and 116 East 10:00 a.m, or meet

Stevenson State Park between Middletown and
Calistoga on Route 29. The hike follows the
dramatic Palisade formation to the south east
and eventually connects with the old Oat Hill Mine
Road. We will have lunch at that junction and
go down to Silverado Road where we will have
left cars to shuttle us back to the start. This is a
strenuous hike of 10 miles and provides breath-
taking views of Lake County to the north, the upper
Napa Valley to the south, and with gorgeous wild
flowers along the way. Bring lunch, water and
camera. Class S-10-A. Meet: RLS parking lot
8:00 AM but call Chuck Sturges at 279-1188 to
reserve a place.
Sat., April 14 – Sonoma Group, Mt. Burdell.
Loop through oak grassland, wildflowers, vernal
pool, views—possibly the chestnuts/buckeyes in
bloom. Bring lunch and water. We will travel at
a medium pace with several breaks. Class M-
5-B. Carpools: Meet at Petaluma Park & Ride
9:30am or at trailhead for Open Space on San
Andreas Drive (off San Marin Dr.) in Novato at
10am. Leader: Randi Farkas 824-0804. Hard
rain cancels.
Sat-Sun, April 14-15 Birds and Beat the
Tamarisk.
Help remove the invasive salt cedar on the
wetlands along the shore of Owens Lake at
the base of the spectacular eastern Sierra
Nevada scarp. Work several hours each day,
Page 8–Redwood Needles – February 1, 2007
at the park 10:30 a.m. Leader Bill Arenander
539-6396.
Sat-Mon, April 28-30 Birds, Flowers, and
Fences in the Carrizo.
An opportunity to both visit and serve an
outstanding and relatively unknown national
monument. On Saturday we will assist in the
removal of fence wires to allow pronghorn
antelope freer access to the range. Sunday is
reserved for sightseeing. The views from the
Caliente Mountains are spectacular; and the
monument is known for the number and variety
of raptors present. Those who can stay through
Monday will continue fence work with the
monument staff. Contact leader Craig Deutsche,
310-477-6670, or deutsche@earthlink.net.
Sat-Sun, Apr. 28-29 Places Weʼve Saved
Navigation Noodle-Mojave National
Preserve.
Join us for our third annual journey through this
jewel of the Mojave now preserved, under the
California Desert Protection Act, as a result of the
efforts of Sierra Club activists and others. An
intermediate cross-country navigation day-hike
workshop will be conducted out of a car camp
in the pinyon and juniper forests of the Mid
Hills. Potluck and social on Saturday, and also for
those arriving early on Friday. Send sase or email
to ldr: Virgil Shields. Asst: Harry Freimanis LTC,
WTC, DPS, Desert Com
Memorial Bench
After a courageous two year battle with cancer, long time Sierra Club member
Ramona Mooney died on December 6, 2006. Ramona loved nature, the outdoors,
plants, flowers, hiking and being with people who cared for the environment. She
was very alternative in her lifestyle. She rode her bike everywhere. Those of us who
knew her, lit a candle on New Year’s Day and observed a moment of silence and
prayer. New Year is symbolically a new beginning and her brother Eric suggested
this type of memorial. I am coordinating buying a bench for Ramona in a Sonoma
County Regional Park. Ramona went on many hikes in our Regional Parks. She
loved spring, when the flowers were blooming. She knew the names of most of the
wildflowers. She could be counted on to identify them on Sierra Club walks. She
sometimes wandered off to look at flowers when the rest of the group was on their
way and usually the leader needed to go back looking for her. So it is fitting that a
bench for Ramona be by flowers. The benches are $500 or $1,100 depending on if
one is existing or proposed. I will be looking at existing ones at Foothill. Shiloh,
Sonoma Valley and Ragle would have to be proposed. Please consider helping us
raise the money by sending in a check to Diana Nasser, 1236 Jean Dr., Sebastopol,
95472. I will send out a notice in the Needles and to my email list when the bench
is in place and we will do a short dedication. On New Year’s Day I picked up a rock
from the candle lighting location and will place the rock by the bench (Ramona loved
rocks). I will also light the candle again. Thank you for helping out. I have a Sierra
Club member who has a band and is willing to play for a fund raiser if we had a free
indoor location big enough for dancing. Anyone know of a location?
–CAROL VELLUTINI, 546-6308
 Non-Sierra Club
Outings
The following activities are not sponsored nor administered by the Sierra
Club. The Sierra Club has no information about the planning of these
activities and makes no representations or warranties about the quality,
safety, supervision or management of such activities. They are published
because they may be of interest to the readers of this publication.
Saturday Saunters for Santa Rosa
Area.
Every Saturday. Meets 9 a.m. and usually ends
around 11:30. For info call 707/539-6300. These
walks are moderate. Fun way to exercise with
friends.
Cotati Creek Critters.
Plant native trees and shrubs along the
Laguna de Santa Rosa in Cotati! Community
planting days on second Saturdays,
February 10 and March 10, 9 a.m.-noon;
and last Sundays, February 25 and March
25, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Also Inside/Outside
Nature Education series: “Is There Any
Such Thing as Wastewater?” presentation
by Denise Cadman, on Monday, February
5; “Local Native American Relationships
with the Land” with the Federated Indians
of Graton Rancheria on Monday, March 5, 7
p.m. at Cotati Community Center. Seewww.
CotatiCreekCritters.infofor Planting Day
information, directions, and details or
contactjenny@creeks.cotati.infoor 792
4422.
Hood Mountain Work Days TBA 9am
- 1pm
Directions: Given with RSVP All of our
workdays have staff on hand to supervise
and in case of emergencies. Please wear
long pants and dress in layers. Good sturdy
shoes are recommended. We also provide
gloves, water, gatorade, and a wide variety of
snacks. Most of these upcoming projects will
involve either touch up work after the heavy
equipment has gone through (removing
berms, laying back slopes, scattering other
debris) or actually cutting in new sections
of trail. Having 8 to 10 folks show up is a
great number and we can accomplish a
lot.Contact John Ryan JRYAN1@sonoma-
county.org or Dave Chalk
Have you been considering becoming a
Laguna Docent?
Please come to the docent training
orientation evening on Monday, February 12,
7 - 9 pm at the Santa Rosa Library Downtown
Branch, at the corner of 3rd and E Streets.
We are offering a lively evening of activities
from the program, open to the public. This is
a great chance to learn all the details of the
training, becoming a docent, and volunteer
committment. Training begins Monday,
March 12. Applications, available by mail
or on the Laguna Foundation website www.
lagunafoundation.org are due by March
1. For further information, or to request a
brochure, please contact Mary Abbott, 527-
9277 x2 or mary@lagunafoundation.org.
Sudden Oak Death Disease Update
I wish I had better news to report regarding
the status of sudden oak death (SOD) disease
in Mendocino County. Unfortunately, the
summer aerial and ground surveillance
programs indicate that all of the known
disease sites have expanded and new sites
have been discovered.
The disease has been known to occur
along the Hwy 128 corridor for several years
on private lands and in the Malliard Redwood
Reserve. In 2005 the disease, Phytophthora
ramorum, was discovered on bay trees in
Hendy Woods State Park. During the 2006
surveillance the disease was confirmed from
properties along the Ukiah – Boonville
Road and along Inman Creek within the
Garcia River watershed. Furthermore, the
known outbreak east of The Sea Ranch in
northwestern Sonoma County has greatly
increased in both acreage and virulence.
The disease, believed to be an exotic
introduction from unknown origins, was first
discovered in Marin County in 1995. Since
then outbreaks have been verified in the north
coast counties of Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino,
Humboldt and Curry (Oregon). The Genera,
Phytophthora, is a plant pathogen of world-
wide distribution notoriously known for
causing the Irish potato famine and the
demise of Port Orford cedar tree populations
in Oregon.
Though the name implies that all oaks
may be affected the number of species that
are lethally impacted is relatively low. To
date, only Coast Live Oak, California Black
Oak and Tanoak are the species considered
most sensitive and most likely to be killed by
the disease. However, over 100 wildland and
horticultural species are known to be affected in
differing degrees. The species considered most
responsible for sustaining high populations
of Phytophthora spores in the environment
is California Bay Laurel, a plant whose only
symptoms are irregularly shaped blotches on
the margins of the leaves.
Massive amounts of resources are being
devoted to better understanding the disease
biology and ecology to try and design
management strategies that might slow or
limit its spread. Unfortunately, history has
demonstrated that forest tree diseases are very
difficult to effectively manage.
The best source of timely information can
be found at the Sudden Oak Death website
www.suddenoakdeath.org . There you will
find pathogen hosts lists, regulated nursery
plant lists, an interactive map site, monthly
newsletters, information about on-going
research and a number of other topics.
For the time being, if you should visit a
public park or any other site that is posted as
being infected with SOD the prudent thing
to do is not remove any plant material or dirt
or mud from the site. That means washing
mountain bike tires, cleaning horse hooves,
and removing soil from the bottom of hiking
boots on site.
–GREG GIUSTI, UC FOREST ADVISOR
Greg Giusti is the UC Forest Advisor
for Mendocino County, a member of the
UCIntegrate Hardwood Range Management
Program and a Registered Professional
Forester. gagiusti@ucdavis.edu
Page 9–Redwood Needles– February 1, 2007
 Mendocino Group
Report
A New Model for Forest Ownership
We hope that you all have had a restful and joyful holiday,
and are ready to join us in the work of the New Year!
Luckily, we can combine work and play on at least one
project as we continue to celebrate the recent 16,000-acre
acquisition of industrial timberland on Big River and Salmon
Creek by The Conservation Fund, a national land trust. This
is in addition to the 24,000 acres that Conservation Fund
acquired on the Garcia River in 2004.
The latest purchase – finalized at the close of 2006 – was
funded largely by a loan from the State Water Resources
Control Board’s Revolving Loan Fund. This fund is
comprised of federal monies available to states through the
Clean Water Act for the purposes of protecting and enhancing
water quality.
To qualify for the loan, Conservation Fund signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Water
Board (and other funding agencies) agreeing, first and
most importantly, to keep the land intact. There will be
no subdivision, development, mining, water diversion, or
conversion to non-forest uses! The Fund will continue to log
timber on the properties but, reassuringly, part of the MOU
includes commitments to “protect, restore and enhance water
quality and salmonid habitat, to improve forest structure and
increase natural diversity, to provide a sustainable harvest
of forest products, and, where appropriate, provide public
access.”
Our group wrote letters of endorsement to the State
Water Board and to the other funding entities – the Wildlife
Conservation Board and the Coastal Conservancy – stating
our support both for this particular acquisition, and for the
model of forestry that it represents. We believe that this model
can be used across the redwood region to keep our forests un-
fragmented, their associated wildlife and water quality values
viable, and our local economies stable. Some of us have met
and will continue to meet with Conservation Fund to bring
local interests and concerns about our forests and streams to
their attention. Their beginning dialogue with the community
has impressed us with its openness and transparency; we
look forward to a continued collaboration.
Happy as we are with our new neighbor, we recognize that
this will not be a pain-free undertaking. Loans must be repaid
and continued logging of cutover forests will support much
of that re-payment. The Conservation Fund’s appraisers and
foresters believe that goals for wildlife and stream protection
can be fulfilled while still meeting financial obligations.
Meanwhile, our forestry committee will continue watching
timber harvest plans on these lands, but with the expectation
that both harvest levels and our monitoring efforts can be
greatly reduced under this new type of ownership.
(Here are the funding facts for the 16,000 acre Big
River/Salmon Creek lands: Purchase Price: $48,500,000;
State Water Board loan: $25,000,000 (20 year, 2.3% annual
payment = $1, 573,537); State Coastal Conservancy and
Wildlife Conservation Board: gave grants of $7,250,000
each; other loans, $9,000,000.)
–LINDA PERKINS, MENDOCINO GROUP CHAIR
Lake Group Report
Lake Group concerns about dubious development
proposals have recently been aimed in a new direction: the
City of Lakeport. Last year, while public attention focussed
on the massive proposed Cristallago subdivision north of the
city, its developers were quietly negotiating for city-owned
land to the south, in order to construct another golf-oriented
residential development of potentially equal proportions.
This land, which now houses the city’s sewage treatment
facilities, also lies outside municipal borders in the
unincorporated portion of the county, so annexation would
probably be necessary in order to bring the project to fruition.
A few obvious environmental questions: How many golf
courses can or should the area support? What potential
hazards does residential and recreational development of
land used for wastewater treatment pose to public health
and safety? Does a dense residential neighborhood belong
outside the urban growth boundaries specified by the
county’s General Plan? What would be the consequences of
constructing such a subdivision directly under the flight path
of Lake County’s only airport, and next to a road leading to
a major gravel quarry? Concerns of this sort are of course
subject to detailed investigation specified by the California
Environmental Quality Act, which recommends that an
Initial Study be commenced as early in the development
process as possible – but despite ongoing conversations
between the developers and city fathers over the course of
many months, no Initial Study has been begun and not even
the most preliminary answers are available.
Simultaneously, precisely the same development group
is negotiating with the city about yet another piece of city-
owned land, the lakeshore Dutch Harbor property near
downtown, and has been granted a free renewable option on
the property even though many people think a park makes
more sense than a multi-million dollar hotel/resort complex
on this choice site. Nonetheless, the ink might have dried
on the contract by now if the property were large enough
for the intended use. Since it is not, the city is exploring
the possibility of acquiring an adjacent parcel owned by the
school district and in active use as a high school campus
– possibly even through the exercise of eminent domain
powers. Justification for this action might require a finding
of “blight” requiring “redevelopment,” which is a difficult
argument to make about a school and one likely to provoke
strenuous public objection.
While the Sierra Club keeps a very close watch on these
unfolding events we’re also actively participating in the
final stages of our long-delayed General Plan update. The
November 2006 draft Goals and Policy statement has gone
out for review (visit redwood.sierraclub.org/lake for a link
to both the Plan and our commentary), and completion
of the Environmental Impact Report is expected early in
2007. Although in many respects the new Plan seems to be
a sound document incorporating environmentally sensitive
attitudes and Smart Growth principles, there is always room
for improvement, so we encourage all our members to read
it for themselves, and to submit their own suggestions and
recommendations.
–VICTORIA BRANDON, LAKE GROUP CHAIR
North Group Report
Save the World While Saving Money: Learn
How at Sierra Club General Meeting
On Thursday, March 1 from 6-8:30 pm, the North Group
will hold a meeting for members, prospective members, and
those simply interested in exploring, enjoying, and protecting
the planet. Come learn about your local Sierra Club, discover
ways save money and the world by fighting global warming,
and meet lots of environmentally conscious people. The
meeting will feature fascinating speakers, interesting displays,
tasty hors d’oeuvres, and acoustic jazz. It promises to be an
exciting, informative, and memorable evening. The meeting is
free and no reservations are required. Why not bring a friend
and ride share? We hope to see you March 1 at the Humboldt
Area Foundation, located on the Indianola Cutoff between
Highway 101 and Old Arcata Road (between Eureka and
Arcata). For more info, call Gregg at 826-3740.
Donations Sought for Rummage Sale
The North Group is seeking donations for the “Everything
Under the Sun Sale” to be held Saturday, March 31, at the
Bayside Grange. Here is the perfect opportunity to “regift”
those “not-what-you-really-wanted” holiday goodies! We
are looking for good-quality item– gently used books, CDs,
outdoor gear, household items, knickknacks, art objects,
etc.– to raise funds for local Sierra Club operations. (Sorry, we
cannot accept clothes, computers, or other large electronics.)
If you have items to donate, call Ned at 826-2417 to arrange
drop-off in Arcata. And mark your calendars for March 31
between 9 am and 3 pm, to come peruse items being offered
for sale by 10 or so nonprofit environmental organizations.
Hooray for Wilderness!
The North Group co-sponsored the 12/8 Wilderness
Celebration Party at the NEC during Arts Arcata! Supervisor
John Woolley spoke about the grassroots effort and effective
education that made the Northern California Coastal Wild
Heritage Wilderness Bill a success. The letter-writing station
was busy, as partygoers wrote thank-you messages to our
champions, congratulating Rep. Thompson, Sen. Boxer and
Sen. Feinstein for their legislative efforts. Potluck food delights
kept arriving as we enjoyed music by Vinca Trio, including
Jesse Alm on piano, Rose Armin-Hoiland vocals, and Nate
Zwerdling on bass. Young wilderness supporters mingled
with more-experienced advocates as we honored each other
for adding 280,000 acres to North Coast wilderness areas. A
slide show of 110 images from all of new wilderness areas
and additions played. Joe Gillespie from Friends of Del
Norte narrated an East Fork Blue Creek slide show featuring
the majesty of new Siskiyou Wilderness Additions. If you
missed the party, or never visit any of these places, know
they exist for you, for all creatures, and will continue to be
wild forever.
- Lynn Ryan, North Group Wilderness Chair
Join North Group List Serve
If you would like to join this moderated list serve to keep
abreast of fast-moving conservation issues (we promise to
use it only occasionally and not share it with anyone), send a
message to sueleskiw@suddenlink.net. Also, be sure to check
our Group website at www.redwood.sierraclub.org/north.

Non-Sierra Club Events

The following activities are not sponsored nor administered by the Sierra Club. The Sierra Club has no
information about the planning of these activities and makes no representations or warranties about the
quality, safety, supervision or management of such activities. They are published because they may be
of interest to the readers of this publication.

Join Sonoma County

Sheriffʼs Search & Rescue
Volunteer members of the SAR team respond to calls from our Sheriff Deputy coordinator to look for
people lost in our local wilderness areas, surrounding urban areas, and the suburban boundary areas that
back up to open rural space that is so prevalent in Sonoma County. Skills learned during team training
include tracking, land navigation, low angle rope rescue systems, search strategies and organization.
The Sonoma SAR enjoys support from the Sheriff helicopter unit and a mobile command center which
use state-of-the-art search equipment. The SAR team is good public service, good outdoor training, and
good friendship. For further info and an application: www.sonomasar.org
Page 10–Redwood Needles – February 1, 2007
Help Needed - Get Involved Locally
Solano Group has teamed up with several local movements
to preserve and protect areas from development. Call 707
553-1653 or email solanobreeze@yahoo.com to volunteer
Current Issues that we are watching:
Vallejo: proposed Wal-Mart super store
Fairfield: Rockville Hills Park, Allen Witt Park, Rockville
Trails Estates, Wal-Mart Super store, Potrero Hills Landfill
expansion
Suisun: Wal-Mart Super store
Vacaville: Lagoon Valley
Rio Vista: The Esperson Development by Lewis Homes
(adding 10,000 more people to the town)
CRV Update.
Starting on January 1, 2007, the California Refund Value
(CRV) for all bottles and cans increased from 4 cents to 5
cents (containers 24 ounces or greater are worth 10 cents).
The interesting thing about this change is that when you
buy sodas, beer, water, and other drinks (except milk, wine
or distilled spirits), you continue to pay 4 cents as a deposit.
For your 4 cent investment, you will receive 5 cents when
you turn in your CRV cans and bottles. That’s a cool and
immediate 25 percent increase on your investment. No bank
Solano Breeze Corner
Covering Benicia, Fairfield, Rio Vista, Suisun,
Vacaville and Vallejo
solanobreeze@yahoo.com 553-1653
or stock or mutual fund can match that.
If you bring your cans to VALCORE and go through the
Buy Back line, you can donate them to Sierra Club and Solano
Group will get a higher price than is paid to the public. Please
also bring plastic and glass bottles.
VALCORE Community Recycling
www.VALCORErecycling.org and www.recycle-guide.
com for Solano county recycling info.
VALCORE Recycling
38 Sheridan St. Vallejo
Monday through Saturday
Donation: 9am - 5pm, CRV Buy Back: 10am - 5pm
Closed for Lunch 1pm - 2pm
VALCORE is now accepting household batteries, cell
phone, ink jet cartridges, lap tops and PDAs for recycling.
Drop them off the next time you are in town.
VALCORE Recycling WORKDAYS: 2007 schedule:
January 20 for Adopt a Street, April 28, May 19, July 14
@ Vallejo’s Farmers Market, Sept 8 @ Vallejo’s Farmers
Market and Dec. 1. We work from 9 am to Noon. $50
is offered to volunteer supervisors for their favorite
classroom or environmental project. Call 644-9183 or email
jabogner@juno.com
Thanks for Jane Bogner, Rollye Wiskerson, Al Molnar
and Christine Franklin for helping with our adopt a street
cleanup on Curtola Parkway. Thanks to Nancy McCoy who
brought lunch for all of us.
VALCORE Board Replacement. Solano Group has been
a member of VALCORE Recycling since 1985. Jane Bogner
has been our representative off and on since 1988. Guess what,
she needs a break. Obligations for a board member include
attending the monthly board meeting on the 4th Monday of
each month at 6:30 in Vallejo and arranging volunteers for
the 6 Saturday workdays at the recycling site. It’s an exciting
board and a great way to ‘act locally’ on a global issue.
–JANE BOGNER, SOLANO GROUP

Sonoma Group Report

Sonoma Group welcomed a new Executive Committee member
and installed new officers on Monday, January 8th. Jana Selph
is our new Chair and will continue to be our treasurer. Len Holt,
creatures who share this planet with us? We will! And we
need your help. It’s not all fun, it’s also hard work, but
the rewards are manifold. Come visit our beautiful new
Support
Jay Halcomb and Nabeel alShamma were reinstated. We still
need a secretary, although our Office Coordinator Tom Devlin
has been filling that role admirably. And after two years as Chair,
Environmental Center and find out how you can participate.
Call 544-7651.
Happy New Year Everyone!
Your Local
Sierra Club
I will now be Vice-Chair. Our new ExCom is ready to continue –ANNE HUDGINS, SONOMA GROUP VICE-CHAIR
tackling new and old challenges with vigor and optimism.
Those challenges include ongoing attempts to strengthen the
Forest Protection Ordinance through meetings with the Sonoma
County Board of Supervisors (see editorial in this issue). Once a year Redwood Chapter
We are proud to announce that our Water Committee Chair, asks its members to contribute
Len Holt, has been nominated to the Board of Public Utilities to its local programs.
by ExCom member Veronica Jacobi who was recently elected
to the Santa Rosa City Council. Water remains the number one By supporting our Chapter, you
issue in Sonoma County and in our Club, and we are stepping support Sierra Club’s work in
up our efforts to put regulations in place to protect the Russian your own backyard. This makes
River, provide waste-water options, encourage ground-water
management plans and promote conservation. you an important part of our
Marsha Taylor, former Conservation Committee Chair, who work to protect wilderness and
is still recovering from a severely broken ankle during a camping
trip in September, has heroically volunteered to be Redwood
wildlife, to improve the quality of
Chapter Secretary, and is also serving as Sonoma Group’s rep life in our cities, and to promote
to the Conservation Council. This is the nature of dedicated the enjoyment of nature.
volunteers -- there’s no stopping us!
The California Tiger Salamander issue is in the hands of the
Please give generously.
Implementation Committee and the local jurisdictions are debating
options for establishing a conservation plan. We are watching Mail Your Contribution To:
this closely and lobbying elected officials. Sierra Club Redwood Chapter
Our Conservation Committee has lost Don Sanders as our
Transportation Lead as he takes on an important new role in P.O. Box 466
his community. I am happy to step up and be his replacement Santa Rosa, CA 95402
on the Citizens’ Advisory Committee to the Sonoma County
Transportation Authority. Don has served in this capacity for Make your check out to:
many years and will be missed, but will continue with us as our Sierra Club Redwood Chapter
Solid Waste Lead.
Who will speak for the trees, the rivers and streams, the other Contributions and gifts to the Sierra Club are not
tax-deductible; they support our effective, citizen-
based advocacy and lobbying efforts.

Napa Group Report

Last month Napa celebrated the swearing in of the
directors of the recently formed Parks & Open Space
District. The attendees reflected a wide breadth of the
support in our community including elected county and
city officials, environmentalists, and representatives
from agricultural groups and the wine industry. Looking
toward our future, work continues on the General Plan
update process which is in its second year. For the third
year in a row we are participating in the San Francisco
Bay Flyway Festival, a weekend where families and
individuals can learn about and experience the wetland
and wildlife resources in our bays, rivers, creeks,
wetlands and adjacent natural areas of this region.
Finally, the elected executive committee members
Tyler York, Nancy Tamarisk, Carol Kunze and
Paula Fields join members Marc Pandone and
chair Elisabeth Frater in a retreat this month to
chart out the next year’s agenda which includes
the annual Earl Thollander Dinner, Measure J,
the Napa River Program EIR, and a new look to
our website.
– ELISABETH FRATER, NAPA GROUP
Page 11–Redwood Needles– February 1, 2007
 M e e t i n g s
Send all Meeting events by the 8th of the month to Carl Inglin: chinglin@sonic.net Sierra Club meetings are open
to all members. You are welcome to participate or observe as often as you wish. Meetings are located in Sonoma County
unless otherwise noted. Visitors should call the committee chair to verify time and place. The new Sonoma County
Environmental Center is located at 55A Ridgway Avenue in Santa Rosa (West of the 101 Freeway, two blocks North
of College and 1 1/2 blocks West off of Cleveland Ave, South of Coddingtown).
Sun., Feb. 4 - Redwood Chapter meeting from 6:30-7:30 pm. Meet Tues., Mar. 5 - Napa Group
ExCom. at Adorni Center on the Eureka ExCom.
Location: Willits. Conservation Waterfront. Info: Gregg, 826- 7 PM. at Friends of the Napa River
Committee meets at 10 a.m., ExCom 3740. office, 68-B Coombs Street, Napa.
meets 1 - 5 p.m. Info: Margaret, 479- Thurs., Feb. 22 - Climate Protection (Use driveway opposite the A-1
6682, penningt@sonic.net Subcommittee. convenience store.)
Tues., Feb. 5 - Sonoma Group 5 to 7 pm at the Environmental Wed., Mar. 7 - Sonoma Group
Conservation Committee. Center. For more info, contact Nabeel Water Committee
5:00 PM at the Environmental Al-Shamma, nabeel@alshamma. 7 PM at the Environmental Center
Center. Info. Suzanne Doyle com, 433-1013. (55 Ridgeway, two blocks North
carsort@sbcglobal.net or Veronica Wed Feb. 28 - Solano Group of College and 1 1/2 blocks West
Jacobi 575-5594. ExCom. of Cleveland.).Len Holt leonard.
Tues., Feb. 5 - Napa Group Meet at 7 p.m. at the Fetterly Art l.holt@us.mwhglobal.com , 707-
ExCom. Gallery located in the Vallejo Plaza 527-7516
7 PM. at Friends of the Napa River at 3467 Sonoma Blvd. Info 644- Mon., Mar. 12 - Sonoma Group
office, 68-B Coombs Street, Napa. 9183 or solanobreeze@yahoo. ExCom.
(Use driveway opposite the A-1 com. 5:00 pm at the Environmental
convenience store.) Thurs., Mar. 1 – North Group Center. Info: Anne Hudgins 576-
Wed., Feb. 7 - Sonoma Group Informational Meeting. 1002
Water Committee. Sierra Club members and the Tues., Mar. 13 - North Group Sierra
7 PM at the Environmental Center general public are welcome; Club ExCom.
(55 Ridgeway, two blocks North information provided on money- See Feb. 13 for details.
of College and 1 1/2 blocks West saving actions to combat global Thurs., Mar. 22 - Climate Protection
of Cleveland.).Len Holt leonard. warming.6-8:30 PM, Humboldt Subcommittee.
l.holt@us.mwhglobal.com , 707- Area Foundation, on Indianola
5 to 7 pm at the Environmental
527-7516 Cutoff between Highway 101 and
Center. For more information,
Mon., Feb. 12 - Sonoma Group Old Arcata Rd. Info: Gregg, 826-
contact Nabeel Al-Shamma,
ExCom. 3740.
nabeel@alshamma.com, 433-
5:00 pm at the Environmental Tues., Mar. 5 -Sonoma Group 1013
Center. Info: Anne Hudgins 576- Conservation Committee.
Wed., Mar. 28 - Solano Group
1002 5:00 PM at the Environmental ExCom.
Tues., Feb. 13 - North Group Sierra Center. Info. Suzanne Doyle
Meet at 7 p.m. at the Fetterly Art
Club Executive Committee. carsort@sbcglobal.net or Veronica
Gallery located in the Vallejo Plaza
Jacobi 575-5594.
Join us for a discussion of local at 3467 Sonoma Blvd. Info 644-
conservation issues between 7:30 9183 or solanobreeze@yahoo.
and 9 pm, following the business com.

Sonoma Groupʼs March Environmental Forum

The Siskiyou Field Institute:

An Interesting Area to the North
Sunday, March 11, 2007
2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
(Please Note: Not the usual 3rd Wednesday, to accomodate tour schedule.)
Environmental Center
55A Ridgway Ave.
(off Cleveland Ave., North of College Ave.,
South of Coddingtown)
Guest Speaker:
Donna Chickering
The Siskiyou Field Institute (SFI) is a non-profit organization that provides engaging field-
science programs (open to the public) about the Klamath-Siskiyou bioregion of southern
Oregon and northern California . In the Klamath-Siskiyous very unusual natural features –such
as metal-rich serpentine and peridotite rocks, a confluence of multiple climactic influences, and
mixed and jumbled geology– create a complex mosaic of habitats with fascinating plant and
animal species. The Klamath-Siskiyous are home to a diversity of bird species, and 280 of the
more than 3100 plant species are endemic to the area. SFI and Southern Oregon University
have partnered to cooperatively own a stunning 850-acre property near Selma , OR . With fire-
affected canopied forest, serpentine outcrops, oak woodlands, and miles of stream frontage, the
property showcases the regionʼs spectacular diversity.
SFI offers a wide array of programs and a Naturalist Certificate, as well as field programs
about the areaʼs landscape, and flora and fauna.
Contact Veronica Jacobi 544-7651 or vjacobi@sonic.net for more information or to volunteer to
help with Forums. All Sierra Club members and the general public are invited to this free forum.

Page 12–Redwood Needles – February 1, 2007