A BI-MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE KERN-KAWEAH CHAPTER OF SIERRA CLUB

JAN./FEBRUARY, 2011

The Roadrunner
CHAPTER OPPOSES OPENING REFUGES TO HUNTING
Endangered species are at risk if government authorizes hunting in California
California Department of Fish and Game opportunities to the detriment of not only deer, but of
1416 Ninth Street mountain lions, bear, and other
P.O. Box 944209 species. RED
Sacramento, CA 94244-2090 Hunters DO NOT FOXES:
pay for California’s Animals
Dear Department of Fish and Game Staff: wildlife. The major- like these
This letter is written on behalf of the Kern-Kaweah ity of CDFG’s re- fox pups
Chapter, Sierra Club, to express strong opposition to venue comes from need
the California Department of Fish and Game taxes paid by all game
(CDFG) proposal to close California State Game Californians. Based refuges to
Refuges and “open” them to deer hunting. on CDFG’s figures, survive.
We have learned that the CDFG requested the sale of deer- Photo/
permission from the State legislature to “close” the hunting tags and Mike
State Game Refuges and allow “additional licenses could only Baird
recreational” for deer hunters, and allow firearms have generated between $6.5 to $9 million in direct
and hunting. In 2008, AB 1166 directed the CDFG to revenues for CDFG in 2009. The Department’s 2011
study the situation and solicit public input. The budget calls for more than $418 million in
CDFG will report to the State Legislature by Jan. 1, expenditures.
2011. Land management practices on a State Game
The Kern-Kaweah Chapter, Sierra Club, opposes Refuge do not have to be consistent with adjacent
this proposal to open any or all of the California properties. If hunting is permitted adjacent to a
State Game Refuges for deer hunting for the Game Refuge, that does not require the Game
following reasons: Refuge to comply with the same management
This proposal is a thinly-veiled ploy to placate a practices.
very small interest group of Californians: the Today, our California State Game Refuges have
deer hunters of California. In 2001, only one even more value as a wildlife haven than they did
percent of California’s 36 million residents classified 100 years ago. Increased human-related pressures
themselves as deer hunters. Why should this very from development, causing habitat fragmentation
small interest group have such a large impact on the and loss, have resulted in wildlife population
wildlife that belongs to all Californians? Deer declines, particularly the black-tailed deer. As more
hunters have sought expansion of their recreational Please turn to page 2

“CALIFORNIA PERSPECTIVES” EVENT FEB. 11 TO SHOWCASE YOUNG ARTISTS

Students from over 25 Kern County high
schools are being invited to participate in an
art competition co-sponsored by the Arts
Council of Kern and the Kern-Kaweah
Chapter of Sierra Club. The event has been
designed to encourage student thought about
and appreciation of California’s unique
physical environment, both natural and urban.
The Arts Council will be involved in the
judging of student work for exhibit. Nicole
St. John of the Arts Council will also help to
hang the exhibit, which will open in the
Younger Gallery at 1440 Truxtun Ave. (in the
Bank of America building).
The deadline for submitting student work is
Monday, Feb. 7. The reception and awards
night, which will include refreshments and
will be open to the public, will be Friday, Feb.
11 from 5 to 7 p.m. Work will remain on
display in the Younger Gallery from Feb. 11
through April 1. Work will include a variety of
media, including painting, photography,
drawing, collage, printmaking, and mixed
media.
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011

GAME REFUGES: Chapter opposes hunting in game refuges

Continued from page 1
of wild California succumbs to both urban and rural
growth, as well as development of renewable energy
facilities, which occupy large tracts of open space,
California wildlife populations will suffer increased
displacement . Our State Refuges offer not only
protection from hunters, but serve as migration
corridors for all forms of wildlife.
Mountain lions and other large mammals require
large tracts of land for a sustainable and healthy
existence. Today, these Game Refuges serve as
havens from increased human impact.
We believe the CDFG must evaluate not only the
effect hunting will have on the native vegetation and
wildlife in a particular refuge, but also the cum-
ulative effects hunting will have on all refuges.
This evaluation must include an objective, scientific
consideration of all impacts on target species,
migratory birds, sensitive resources, and threatened
and endangered state/federal species.
California State Game Refuges serve an
increasingly valuable role as safe havens for wildlife,
as well as visitors who engage in passive forms of
recreation such as hiking, picnicking, and bird
watching without having to dodge bullets during
hunting season.
In conclusion, the Kern-Kaweah Chapter, Sierra
Club strongly opposes the CDFG proposal to open
any or all of the California State Game Refuges to
deer hunting or other hunting, without full disclosure
of all impacts for each refuge.
We appreciate this opportunity to comment on this
important issue, and look forward to an acceptable
and timely resolution.
Sincerely,
Georgette Theotig, Chair
Kern-Kaweah Chapter, Sierra Club

BIKE BAKERSFIELD: Organization works IN BRIEFS

locally to promote healthy life choices Annual Chapter banquet
Bike Bakersfield is Criterium, Bike Art An article that should Mark your calendars for
working towards Show, and more. In be of interest to you also Saturday, March 26. Our
creating a culture of addition, you will be can be found at: speaker will be Bob Schildgen,
who writes the "Hey, Mr. Green"
bicycling as everyday supporting important http:// column in Sierra magazine. His
transportation in programs such as the www.bakersfield.com/ topic is "Green Living" so we
Bakersfield. Bicycle Friendly news/local/x35841689/ should learn lots from his
Bakersfield can Workplace, Recycle-a- Embracing-this- presentation. He is asking us to
become a town with a Bicycle, Safe Routes, planning-ideal-nails- be specific about what we would
vibrant cycling culture. The Bike Kitchen, and two-goals like to know about, so send your
And best of all, by more. questions to Chapter Chair
joining Bike Bakersfield Membership does —Zachary A Griffin Georgette Theotig. He wrote a
you'll be doing your part matter! More members Bike Bakersfield book, Hey, Mr. Green which is
to put more people on means more power to published by Sierra Club Books.
bikes in Bakersfield advance our pro-bike NOTE: Zac Griffin,
which makes a happy, agenda and build the who is one of three Blue light special
Our brand new 2011 Sierra Club
healthier community for bike network. paid bike advocates calendars are now being offered
us all! Print out a through Bike for a special price! Both the
That means that you membership form here Bakersfield, is a Wilderness and Engagement
are supporting an and mail it to: Bike Bakersfield native. He calendars are now being sold for
organization that is Bakersfield, 1708 spoke to members of half price, just $5! To get your
providing cycling Chester Ave., the Buena Vista group copy, contact one of the
education to our Bakersfield, CA, 93301, at their December following: For Bakersfield,
community through a Our membership breakfast meeting at El Isabel Stierle (661.246.6195); for
variety of events and donation form is at this Camino Real Porterville, Pam Clark
programs. address: restaurant. Zac is a (559.784.4643) for Tehachapi,
Georgette Theotig
You will be supporting http:// frequent speaker at (661.822.4371): and for
the community wide www.bikebakersfield.org local schools and an Ridgecrest, Dennis Burge
May events such as Bike /membershippayment.pdf advocate for bike lanes ( (760.375.7967).
to Work Day, Downtown throughout the county.
THE ROADRUNNER
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011

Kern River Valley residents oppose two solar farms

Residents of Weldon, above Lake
Isabella, are planning to fight the
proposed 300-acre solar farm
adjacent to the Kern River Preserve.
Renewable Resources Group (RRG)
bought the 68,000-acre Onyx Ranch
in 2008.
Hundreds of residents have joined
forces, meeting regularly to oppose
the project, but may also have to
contend with a second solar farm
development.
PKRV (Preserve the Kern River
Valley) has now reported that the
Nicolis solar project, by Foresight
Renewables LLC, was just given a
contract by Southern California
Edison for the purchase of energy.
(See more at: edison.com/pressroom/
pr.asp?bu=&year=0&id=7502. ) It
is to be located near the Weldon
Solar Project by RRG
However, Foresight has approached
their proposal differently by getting
their contract with Edison before
approaching the County of Kern.
Thus far no CEQA process is active.
In fact, Foresight has not yet
purchased the property, having an
option on 150 to 220 acres.
Foresight told PKRV that they are
concerned about community
opposition, and that since they
believe the Edison contract can be
transferred to a different location, RURAL VISTA: The Weldon area is
they are considering their options. rural and scenic. Residents are
This means only that if we waver, we concerned about potential changes.
lose.
This proposal supports PKRV's windmills to outsource energy for the
concern that if ONE big solar power big population centers. Note that this
plant is allowed in the Kern River site is also very close to schools and
Valley, it will be followed by more, neighborhoods.
perhaps many more. One wonders where all those
Although this second site is not in people go for rest and relaxation if
a flood zone and is farther from the the beautiful places are all covered in
riparian area, PKRV opposes the windmills and solar panels.
concept of paving the Kern River —Jody Steel
Valley with solar panels and/or Kern Valley Resident

Chair thanks members REMEMBERING NORMAN CLYDE

for dedication, effort Historian to discuss

Another 12 months
have come to an end, and
New Year will arrive with
its set of challenges, but mountaineering legend
we are facing the New also offers life-changing In a CSUB lecture on Jan. 28 at 3:30 p.m. in the Albertson
Year, 2011. Before we opportunities. I urge all Room at the Dore Theatre on the CSUB campus, biographer
look forward, Sierra Club members to Robert C. Pavlik will be discussing one of the most notable
I would like to express renew your commitment personalities of the mountain climbing world as he reconstructs
gratitude to all outgoing to environmental the life of legendary mountaineer Norman Clyde (1885-1972).
officers and executive activism. We thrive on Clyde made his mark on climbing history with more than 130
committee members for clean air, clean water, and first ascents throughout western North America and was
your contributions this natural open spaces. Our especially knowledgeable about the High Sierra.
past year. The Chapter much-appreciated Chapter Part of his mystique comes from participating in high-profile
ExCom wishes to thank activists are working hard mountain rescues and recoveries, in which he is credited with
Donnel Lester for his four to protect these quality- saving a number of lives. Those who had the good fortune to
years of service on the of-life issues. meet him—often with a ninety-pound pack on his back that
board. We also welcome What will you do to included an anvil for boot repair, fishing rods, cooking pots,
Stephen Montgomery, make a difference in the and books in Greek and Latin--never forgot the experience.
who begins his new term New Year? I’ll leave with Pavlik uses Clyde's own words, along with recollections from
in January. Last, many these words from his family, friends, fellow climbers, and acquaintances, to
thanks to our Election Mahatma Gandhi: “BE capture the experiences of a remarkable man and a bygone time
Committee of Bugs THE CHANGE THAT "between the pioneers and the rock climbers."
Fontaine and Peter Clum YOU WANT TO SEE IN Copies of Pavlik's book, Norman Clyde: Legendary
for their efforts. THE WORLD.” Mountaineer of California's Sierra Nevada (Berkeley: Heyday
January symbolizes a —Georgette Theotig Books, 2008) will be available for purchase at the talk. For
beginning and a fresh Chapter Chair details, see: http://www.heydaybooks.com/history/norman-
start in our lives. The clyde-legendary-mountai.html
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011

KERN KAWEAH ROUNDUP

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY IF YOU PLAN TO PARTICIPATE IN SIERRA CLUB HIKES:
Everyone is welcome, Sierra Club members and non-members, to join in any of the outdoor activities. Requirements: You
must be in condition for the type of hike, equipped appropriately for the activity and prepared to sign a Sierra Club release
for liability. You must be willing to follow the leader’s directions. Be sure to bring any personal medicines you might need.
Customary appropriate equipment includes good hiking shoes, plenty of water, snack, sunglasses, suntan lotion, and layered
clothing. The following might be helpful but definitely is not required: compass, whistle, matches or lighter, and a good first
aid kit. Long pants are recommended. Unprepared for the prospective hike? It will be a no-go for you. Participation must
be leader approved. Please let the leader know ahead of time that you are intending to participate. Check individual group
listings for the desired means of communication.

Since unexpected change of plans may be necessary, it is recommended that YOU contact the hike leader the night before to
be assured that the hike is still going to happen.

New California legislation designed to protect the consumer requires us to publish this notice: CST 2087755-40. Registration as a seller of
travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. This legislation is designed to protect the user of outdoor activities that
require cash payments of more than $50 for participation.

BUENA VISTA GROUP (Bakersfield area)

More info? Call Donnel Lester at 661.831.6784 or e-mail donnelc3bvg@earthlink.net or Isabel at
661.246.6195.
Tuesday conditioning hikes of 4 or 5 miles at 7 p.m., meet at corner of Highways 178 and 184. Contact Gordon at: (gnipp@bak.rr.com) or
Larry (661.873.8107) for more information.

Saturday, Jan. 8— Brunch and Get-Together. Meet at 10 a.m. to discuss environmental issues. Camino Real Restaurant,
3500 Truxtun Ave.at Westwind just west of Oak Street. Optional brunch is served for $7.60/ person+tip. Info: 661.619.8027.

Saturday, Jan. 15, 9—Adopt-A-Highway cleanup. Meet at Old River Road and Hwy 119 (Taft Hwy). Park at the Monte
Carlo lot. at 9 a.m We will bring equipment. We recommend that you bring a hat, good hiking shoes/boots, and water to
drink. Inclement weather cancels this event. Call to confirm your attendance: 661.246.6195.

Planting trees: Details still need to be worked out.

Saturday, Feb 5—Brunch and Get-Together. Meet at Camino Real Restaurant, 3500 Truxtun Ave.at Westwind just west of
Oak Street. Optional brunch is served for $7.60/ person+tip. Info: 661,619.8027.

Friday, Feb. 11—"California Perspectives” Art Exhibit and Reception. Drop in at 5 p.m. for refreshments and live
music at the Younger Gallery, 1440 Truxtun (in the Bank of America building) for an exhibit of high school student art co-
sponsored by the Arts Council of Kern and the Buena Vista Group. Awards for students beginning at 6 p.m..

Saturday, Feb. 19— Adopt-A-Highway cleanup. Meet at Old River Road and Hwy 119 (Taft Hwy). Park at the Monte
Carlo lot at 9 a.m. We will bring equipment. We recommend that you bring a hat, good hiking shoes/boots, and water to
drink. Inclement weather cancels this event. Call to confirm your attendance: 661.246.6195.

Meeting Notices—If you would like to receive Buena Vista Group meeting and activity notices by email, please contact Donnel Lester, at
donnelc3bvg@earthlink.net, with Add me to the email list. You can opt out of the email notices at any time. We try to limit this to once-a-
month emails.

CONDOR GROUP (Frazier Park area) More info? Mary Ann Lockhart (661.242.0432).
Hikes? Dale Chitwood (661.242.1076)
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011

Saturday, Feb. 5—Russ Orell Photography Program. Russ Orell, local aviator and photographer, will present a selection
of photos taken within the local area, a majority of which will be shots from the air. 7 p.m in the Pool Pavilion Room, Pine
Mountain Clubhouse.

Saturday, April 2—Liz Buchroeder Photography Program. Liz Buchroeder, winner of many awards for her photos, will
present a selection of these photos featuring everything from visits to national parks to close-ups of local individual natural
features, wild things, plants and animals, 7 p.m in the Pool Pavilion Room, Pine Mountain Clubhouse.
\
We recommend calling the Mt. Pinos Ranger District, 662.245.3794 for information on trails and features of which there are
many that you can visit on your own and that will be open for visitors. Snow does affect openings of areas.

KAWEAH GROUP (Porterville)

More info? Call Pam Clark (559.784.4643) or Diane Jetter (559.781.8897).

OWENS PEAK GROUP (Ridgecrest)

More info? Chair Dennis Burge (760.375.7967) or e-mail dennis93555@yahoo.com. Jim Nichols,
hikes (760.375.8161) or e-mail jnichols@ridgecrest.ca.us.
Saturday, Jan. 22—Red Ridge of Owens Valley Outing. Meet 7:30 a.m. at the Ridgecrest Cinema parking lot. ) Red
Ridge (off Hwy 190 SE of Owens Lake, 4842 ft max, 1000 ft gain, 5.6mi RT) is the "grandstand" for Owens Lake.
Spectacular views of Owens Lake and the snowy winter Sierra Nevada challenge the photographer. This hike has everything
for a January hike: not much distance and not much altitude gain, roadhead reached by an only seasonally moisture-
hardened stream bed, dry waterfalls, materializing and vanishing roads to locate, abandoned mines to pry into, historical
artifacts to find, and a "peak" to climb. Easy/moderate hike due to distance. Call Dennis Burge at 760.375.7967 or Jim
Nichols at 760.375.8161 for more info.

Saturday, Feb. 19—El Paso Peak/Quail Preserve Loop Hike. From the two-wheel-drive saddle west of Laurel Mtn (S of
Ridgecrest, 4600 ft max, 1200 ft gain, 5.0 mi RT) in the El Paso Range, we ascend El Paso Peak, descend to the quail
preserve, then triangulate back to the start. This otherwise easy hike rates moderate due to some cross country terrain and a
few steep, loose spots. From the start/finish spot, an optional second loop hike takes us an additional two miles and 500 ft
gain to the top of Laurel Mtn. And an optional 4WD route back to the junction of China Lake Blvd/395 offers excellent
vistas and exciting terrain. Meet Saturday at 7:30 a.m. at the Ridgecrest Cinema parking lot. Call Nick Panzer at
760.446.0822 or Jim Nichols at 760.375.8161 for more info.

MINERAL KING GROUP (Visalia: Tulare & Kings counties)

More info? Please also visit mineralking.sierraclub.org for more info.

Monday, Jan. 3—Mineral King Executive Committee Meeting,. Meet 6 p,m, at Colima's Restaurant, 500 S Linwood
Street, Visalia. Call Beverly at 559.624.0199 for reservations. All members are welcome to attend.

Friday, Jan. 14—MKG/Kaweah Group Film Series. The first film in our series will be "Fresh" a movie about modern
food production and supply, the problems associated with it, the ramifications of industrial agriculture, and what we need to
do to fix those problems. Meet at 7 p.m. Location: Cafe 210, 210 West Center Avenue, Visalia. For more information,
contact John Kamansky at 559.686.6418. No reservations necessary.

Saturday, Jan. 15—Bravo Lake Hike. We will hike/walk around Bravo Lake in nearby Woodlake. This is about a three
mile family friendly hike with some great views of the Sierras. Call David or Joanne at 559.733.2078 for more information.

Saturday, Jan. 22—Exploring Kaweah Lake. We will start at Slick Rock and hike back towards the dam. The round trip
is about five miles. This is an easy hike and, hopefully, above the fog too. Contact Dave Keller at COACHK24@AOL.COM
or 559.688.4813.

Friday, Feb. 11—Informal ‘No Host’ Dinner. Meet at 6 p.m. at Café 210, 210 West Center St., Visalia. Join us for a social
just before the monthly film series. No reservations necessary.
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011
Friday, Feb, 11— MKG/Kaweah Group Film Series. The second film in our series will be "Dirt! The Movie." This film
explores the story of Earth's most valuable and under appreciated source of fertility, from its miraculous beginning to its
crippling degradation." Meet at 7 p.m. Location: Cafe 210, 210 West Center Avenue, Visalia. For more information,
contact John Kamansky at 559.686.6418.

Find the Mineral King Group on Facebook! Visit our page for up-to-date information on outings, social events, and our
conservation efforts in Tulare and Kings Counties.

California/Nevada Regional Conservation Committee

Desert Committee Outings
For questions about, or to sign up for a particular outing, please contact the leader listed in the write-up. For questions about Desert
Committee outings in general, or to receive the outings list by e-mail, please contact Kate Allen at kj.allen@wildblue.net or 661.944.4056.

Tuesday-Sunday, Dec. 28, 2010-Jan. 2, 2011--Holiday Service in Carrizo Plain. Celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of
the next in one of our new national monuments. The Carrizo Plain, west of Bakersfield, is a vast grassland, home to pronghorn antelope,
tule elk, kit fox, and a wide variety of birds. A welcome hike Dec. 28, three and a half days of service modifying barbed wire fencing, and
a full day for hiking and exploring are planned. Use of accommodations at Goodwin Ranch included. Limited to 14 participants, $30
covers five dinners. For more information, contact leader: Craig Deutsche, craig.deutsche@gmail.com, 310.477.6670, or co-leader leader
Melinda Goodwater, mgoodwater@sbcglobal.net, 408.774.1257 CNRCC Desert Committee

Friday-Sunday, Jan. 7-9--Death Valley Wilderness Restoration. Come help with wilderness restoration in this beautiful and remote
National Park. Meet early Friday afternoon and work on erasing vehicle tracks in Gower Gulch in Death Valley. Saturday we will work
in the Amargosa Valley on the park’s east side, installing park boundary signs and wilderness restoration signs, and removing trash.
Sunday work is TBD. Camp Friday and Saturday nights at Texas Springs campground. Appetizer/dessert potluck Saturday evening.
Bring, camping gear, food for the weekend, and work gloves. Leader: Kate Allen, kj.allen@wildblue.net, 661-944-4056.

Saturday-Sunday, February 5-6--Winter Escape in the Carrizo Plain. This outing combines a day of assistance to the Carrizo
National Monument with a day of sightseeing and/or hiking. Weather can be cold, gray, and rainy, or it can be warm and bright - we take
our chances. The service will be in removing or modifying fences to give pronghorn greater mobility on the Plain; and the recreation will
be determined by the wishes of the group. This is an opportunity to combine carcamping, day-hiking, exploring, and service in a relatively
unknown wilderness. Leader: Craig Deutsche, craig.deutsche@gmail.com, 310.477.6670

Saturday-Sunday, February 26-27--Death Valley Exploration. Sample the wonders offered in this national park. Meet 8 am Sat. in
Shoshone. The day’s tour will include stops at Badwater, Natural Bridge, and Golden Canyon with a short hike at each. Camp at Texas
Springs. Sunday’s activities start with an early morning drive to Zabriskie Point, followed by a stop at the Furnace Creek Visitors Center
and museum, a visit to Salt Creek, home to the rare Salt Creek Pupfish, and a hike in the sand dunes. Possibility for more camping and
hiking for those who wish to arrive early Friday afternoon and/or stay over Sunday night. Contact leader for reservations or more details.
Leader: Carol Wiley at desertlily1@verizon.net or 760.245.8734
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011

MIDGEBUZZINGS
There is a current advantage to being old, and that is in the perception, true or not, of having been fortunate
enough to have lived in better days. Certainly where the health of the earth is concerned, the notion is primarily
valid. The impression among numbers of profoundly knowledgeable scientists, especially biologists, is that life
on earth is now moving into the sixth comprehensive extinction in the history of the planet, owing to
human overpopulation. But it is generally believed that this will take time, occurring, as the poet T.S. Elliot
predicted, “not with a bang, but a whimper.”
Needless to say, this is theory, and very much opposed by those of us who hold religious views of human
preciousness as objects of divine concern, or political belief in liberal exaggerations, or opposing scientific
conclusions. In the meantime, we go on enjoying life as thinking and sentient beings endowed with the capacities
for appreciation, gratitude and love.
A fine experience of this fullness occurred for Maria Polite and me only a few days ago when we set out in an
ample rain on a drive to the home of the renowned valley artist, Paul Buxman, where his paintings were being
exhibited. The Buxmans live in the farming community of Dinuba, on a quiet country road so far from the
crowded bustle of urban life as to be other-worldly. Inside their old two-story house we found ourselves in large
and comfortable spaces just right for the showing of the paintings which were on the walls of both floors, and
lining the stairway. Local jams and pastries and other delicacies were abundantly available there as well, and
people were coming in numbers, with and without umbrellas, to partake in these pleasures.
Throughout the time there I had a growing sense of déjà vu: of experiencing the valley as I knew it in my
childhood and even through the '80s. What came increasingly to mind were Midgebuzzings pieces
I had written for the Roadrunner and published in a little book in 1985. Especially poignant and conducive to
memory were the artist’s paintings of sycamore trees, small agricultural canals like those I swam in when I was
very young, and scenes of the Sierra in the clear distance.
At Maria’s suggestion, and with directions from the Buxman family,
we returned to Bakersfield by way of Visalia and Exeter, with the
continuing sense, in the rain and the growing darkness, of being in the
valley as it was.
The next day I opened a copy of the little book, Midgebuzzings, and
re-read several pieces that seemed closest to the experience of the
previous day: one on winter fog, another on sycamore trees, and a
third on autumn as I once knew it. It was an experience both of
pleasure in remembering and of sadness in the knowledge that
those conditions, as I had described them, are now altered and
primarily gone from my immediate world. But both Maria and
I felt that they still live in Buxman’s part of the valley. I think
it may be that autumn there, largely as I once described it,
continues to be experienced in the farming community of Dinuba,
and around the lovely old neighborhood we visited.
Certainly memories of that day will continue to be a comfort
even as aesthetic and environmental losses in the southern San
Joaquin and Kern River valleys continue to be invasive realities. SYCAMORE IN AUTUMN
Photo/Marjorie Bell
—Ann Williams

Executive Committee of the Kern-Kaweah Chapter

Chair: Georgette Theotig (Tehachapi), 661.822.4371. Vice-chair: Gordon Nipp (Bksf), 661.872.2432. Secretary:
Ara Marderosian (Kernville), 760.378.4574. Treasurer: Lorraine Unger (Bksf), 661.323.5569. Stephen
Montgomery (Bksf), 661.324.3522. Richard Garcia (Min King), 559.624.0199. Ann Williams (Bksf),
661.324.1055. ArthurUnger (Bksf), 661.323.5569. Peter Clum (Min King), 559.561.4661. Chapter ExCom
Meetings: All Sierra Club members are always welcome to attend these meetings. Call 661.822.4371 to confirm
all meeting dates as well
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011

POSTSCRIPTS
Condor Group raises issues
The Roadrunner Non-Profit Org.
The Condor Group in Frazier Park wants to 2815 La Cresta Dr. U.S. POSTAGE
voice several concerns. First: A 550-dwelling Bakersfield, CA 93305-1718 PAID
housing development, Frazier Park Estates, has
been proposed for an area just off of I-5, which is
Permit No. 498
the at the bottom of the Cuddy Valley. Bakersfield, CA
Inadequate water supply, air pollution, traffic and
disturbance of a natural area are the points in
contention. The plan was approved by the Kern
Board of Supervisors. We are supporters of a suit
against this decision.
Second, the Forest Service is preparing a
vegetation plan that would cover over 2000
acres of land in the Frazier Mountain area. We
have submitted comments in the first step of
development of this plan and will be continuing
to use every opportunity available to influence
positively proposed steps.
Third, some action has been taken with our
request to the Forest Service in regards to target
shooting. The USFS is developing one specified
location in which this will be allowed. For further
information, feel free to call 661.242.9432.

Order newsletter PDFversion

E-mail Lorraine Unger at
lorraineunger@attn.net and ask to be taken off
the hard copy list. Log on to the KERN-NEWS
list at http://kernkaweah.sierraclub.org/
email.html.