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California Fish Swimming To Extinction

KGO's Wayne Freedman filed this report on the serious situation with California's native salmon and trout, and the efforts of environmental officials to try and stem what they say is a path to extinction.  According to one expert, ninety-five of California streams that once had the Coho salmon, don't have it anymore.  Global warming and man's impact have combined to decimate fish populations and a U.C. Davis study predicts extinction by the end of the century, if not sooner.  Marin has a success story with Lagunitas Creek according to this internet video report filed by Freedman.

Election Day 2008- Muir Beach & Marin City Voters

Muir Beach has the smallest precinct in the County with just 286 registered voters, but 45 had already showed up before 9:00 am to vote at the Muir Beach Community Center.  Inspector Kathy Sward told us she thinks they'll get a 90% turnout!

In Marin City we found several people who were voting for the very first time at the Marin Community Services District Gym.  The inspector there, Cynthia Warren, told us it was the busiest she had ever seen it.  Dudley Morgan of Marin City Fatherhood Program was on hand to give the first time voters support. 

Coyote Danger To Pets In Marin

A number of house cats have disappeared in Woodacre over the past few months and officials suspect coyotes.  Coyotes are a particular problem in West Marin, the Headlands and urban areas in Marin, and even San Francisco.

No More Obama, CA

The sign that welcomed visitors to Obama, CA (aka Olema, CA) has been taken down after the County paid Kelly Emery a visit.  Apparently the sign, which had been up since last Friday, confused some people and so she removed it from the front of her property which is on Sir Francis Drake Blvd.  She says she'll find a new home for it somewhere else. 

Welcome To Obama...I Mean Olema, CA, Population 55

If you were driving over to Point Reyes over the weekend, you might have seen this sign when you drove through Olema.  Or maybe you didn't notice it, because it looks very much like the real sign for the bucolic West Marin town of 55.  Olema resident Kelly Emery, owner of Olema Cottages, created the sign that looks (and sounds) very much like her towns' name.  Emery who posted the pretender sign on Sir Francis Drake Blvd, claims she's heard only positive comments from neighbors and visitors who've seen it.  Naturally, the County has gotten into the act, and says Emery can only post the sign on her property beginning 45 days prior to, and 10 days after any election.  That means she needs to move the sign from the road to her property beginning today. 

Oyster Farm Fight- Aw Shucks...Can't We Just All Get Along?

You'd think being around all those oysters would make Kevin Lunny a lover, not a fighter.  But these days, the Drakes Bay Oyster Company owner is all about the fight.  Lunny, who's oyster career began when he purchased the West Marin business from the Johnson Oyster Company back in 2005, is currently in a pitched battle with the National Park Service in order to remain in business.

Marin Winery Feature- Stubbs Vineyard

What do you get when you mix organic grapes, self-sufficient solar energy and a few gargoyles?  The answer is a 600-acre spread in West Marin that produces some of Marin's finest wine, here in MoreEats.

Marin Winery Feature- West Wind Winery

There are a lot of family-run businesses here in Marin.  There are even a few family-run wineries here.  But there is only one family-run winery that produces wine to help other families.  Meet the folks at West Wind Winery in hills of Nicasio in MoreEats!

Get Ready For Green Crime

You've got green products...now get ready for green crime.  Someone removed 26 solar panels from Star Route Farms in Bolinas sometime over the weekend.  The farm owner, Warren Weber, estimates the loss at around $20,000 and the Marin County sheriff's office suspects this type of crime may become more common as people look at ways to reduce costs in a tight economy.  Still Weber says its not that easy to pry off the panels and since each panel is individually numbered, they could not be sold easily.  Star Route Farm was the very first certified organic farm in California.  Chances are that its the first place in California to experience solar panel rip off.

Swimming With Sharks At Stinson

Shark alert!  Officials have banned swimming at Stinson, after a Great White was spotted on Sunday evening by a surfer.  The surfer, who is a former National Park Lifeguard, reported seeing the shark about 125 yards offshore.  Signs are posted all along the beach warning swimmers not to go in deeper than their knees, and the ban is in place at least until the weekend.  This is the first shark sighting in Marin County in over a year.

Rancho Nicasio- Where Music, Food and Family Come Together

What could be better than tossing back a few beers, while waiting for the chicken, hot links and ribs to come off the grill? 

Maybe nothing, unless you throw live music into the mix.  Add one very extended, laid-back family who put this all together, and you've got the Rancho Nicasio BBQs On The Lawn Music Series, here in MoreCulture.

Bolinas Beating Victim, Ricky Green, Tells His Story Of The Attack

"She’s the first person I remember hitting me. And then after her, it was like two more hits and one of them knocked me out…you know…one of them knocked me out. And I think it was a hit from behind because I remember looking back at the fence (cranes head) and it was a hit from back here that just…I said…everything was like 'guh-guh-guh-guh…"

That's Ricky Green talking, the homeless man who was attacked last month in Bolinas by six (and maybe more) young thugs.  He is finally telling his side of the story.  Freelance writer, Alex Horwath interviewed Ricky and here's his interview with Ricky, featured in the Bolinas2miles.com blog.

(Photo courtesy of Bolinas2miles.com)

Lagunitas Former School Supe Sentenced For Child Porn

Craig Benedict Lee, the former superintendent of the Lagunitas School District, has just been sentenced to six months in jail for possessing child pornography.  The 54 year-old was also ordered to register as a sex offender.  He was arrested after his girlfriend discovered the pornography while cleaning their house.  Lee returned home and she confronted him about it and apparently he pushed or shoved her.  She called police alleging domestic abuse, and then gave the responding police officers the incriminating material.  The judge at today's hearing, said Lee would be able to serve his time through a work-release program. Here's more in SFGate.

The Awful Details In The Bolinas Beating Emerge In Court

The Point Reyes Light, covering the court appearance of the mob defendants who attacked Ricky Green, gives a detailed description of the night he was nearly beaten to death in Bolinas.  Here's a snippet-

"...The group egged the fight on as Manetta kicked, punched and jumped on Green and Elkins hit him with the skateboard. Do joined the melee and Green grabbed his leg, pulling him to the ground. Do allegedly stabbed Ricky two or three times in the leg with a 6-inch folding knife before being lifted up by others in the group."

More gruesome descriptions follow, and then we read this-

"...Elkins, 19, has also pled not guilty. In court on Tuesday morning for a bail hearing, Elkins' wrists were cuffed and he wore a bright red prison uniform. He smiled broadly toward the back of the gallery at eight or so friends as he was brought in by bailiffs. Gloria Green (Ricky's mother) and her fiancée, Gary Hogge, sat in silence at the opposite end.  After speaking for several seconds with attorney Carl Gonser, Elkins, a thin black man with sparse facial hair on his upper lip and chin, appeared to mouth "I love you guys" toward his friends. His shoulders turned toward them as he blew a kiss.  Gloria Green burst into tears..."

You almost can't believe what you are reading.

Two More Arrested In Bolinas Attack

A 21 year-old female and 17 year-old male, both from Bolinas were arrested yesterday and charged in the attempted murder of Ricky Green, a 33 year-old homeless man who nearly died.  Investigators believe they have everyone responsible in custody.  The two join four others who were rounded up in recent days.  The group set upon Green, on the evening of June 23rd, near the beach in Bolinas.  Green has been released after spending two weeks in the hospital.  The IJ has more...

A Homeless Man Is Viciously Attacked, Four Young Men Are Charged And One Town Asks Why

Bolinas has always been the town that wanted to keep a low profile- so much so- that town residents routinely swiped the sign on the road that pointed the way to the seaside hamlet. 

Last week, that low profile was blasted apart, after a homeless man there was set upon by four locals who beat and stabbed him to within an inch of his life.  Three of the men- including one 16 year-old- are Bolinas natives.  The fourth was apprehended just today, and all have been charged with attempted murder.

The town that prides itself on staying under the radar is now very much in the news, and out in the open.  Bolinas has joined the unhappy club of communities rocked by obscene violence from a few of its uncivilized residents.  Perhaps they might just as well keep the sign off the road. 

Stinson Beachgoer Dead After Being Swept Off Rocks

A man who was swept off the rocks at Stinson while fishing yesterday evening, was pronounced dead while in transit to medical care.  Raul Zamora-Castillo, 34, of Richmond was fishing with three friends, when a wave swept him into the ocean.  Zamora-Castillo, who could not swim,  was in the water for about 20 minutes before rescuers could retrieve him. 

"Touching Home" in West Marin

This could be a story about not taking no for an answer. Or it could be a story about saying goodbye a second time. Or it could be a story about redemption.  It's actually a story about all three.