THE SEA RANCH ASSOCIATION P.O. BOX 16 PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID THE SEA RANCH, CA 95497-0016 MEDFORD, OR PERMIT NO. 125 Address Service Requested

A QUARTERLY NEWSPAPER WRITTEN BY AND FOR THE SEA RANCH ASSOCIATION MEMBERS NUMBER 130 FALL 2016 IN THIS ISSUE: COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARD Where Have All the Restaurants Gone? By Mary Street Alinder weekend getaways - small and mod- PLANTING AT TSR Bones Roadhouse – CLOSED est, built cheaply without insulation, The Gualala Hotel restaurant – CLOSED and affordable to NEW FOREST SUBCOMMITTEE The Sandbar – CLOSED a middle-class in- come. Now, one Cross the bridge to Gualala and we are must be relatively ROBERT HOLMES REMEMBERED greeted by two large shuttered buildings wealthy to buy into framing the road. Driving north on High- The Sea Ranch way One, Bones Roadhouse sits empty dream. And high ‘German South’ THP followed by a succession of for sale signs. housing costs are Just before the speed limit returns to 55, directly reflected on Sea Ranch border the long-closed and still sorely-missed in the values of By Roland Pesch Food Company bids us adieu. commercial build- ings in our area Our new logging-company neighbors, People are asking, “Where have all the – raising them. Gualala Redwoods Timber (GRT) are restaurants gone?” It turns out the answer Restaurants can’t proposing a timber-harvest plan on is much more complex than I first real- afford their rents lands directly across the Sea Ranch ized. But there are some answers: poor and staff can’t af- property line. This article presents a service because of not enough staff and/ ford to live here. condensed description of the plan as or not well-trained staff; punishingly high proposed to CalFire. overhead; owners unaware or unwilling to Some people work the long, long, necessary hours; ab- blame current GRT publicly filed the THP on May sentee owners; mediocre or uneven food; landlords for the 17, 2016; at the June 25th Board menu prices considered unaffordable, es- restaurant closings, meeting, Community Manager Frank pecially by locals; and too many restau- saying they are de- Bell informed the Board of GRT’s rants for the actual year-round population. manding too-high plan in public session during his rents and saddling Community Manager’s report. When First enormous problem is staffing a their tenants with questioned about when he learned of restaurant. One chef/owner said there is no sewer fees and the filing, Bell said he first heard of way to pay staff enough for them to afford other imposed im- Timber Cove Resort great room. Their Coast Kitchen restaurant is open. Photo it on May 19, 2016. The August Bul- local rent. There are simply too few af- provements which by Jim Alinder. letin (published in late July), under fordable rental units in our entire area. Al- can add up to tens of thousands of dollars. Carolyn André, chair of the Coastal Se- “Board Summary and Actions”, car- though at Sea Ranch nearly 400 homes are Most local commercial owners carry large niors board, says that many of their clients ried the following mention: “Com- on vacation rental programs (and that fig- mortgages now, and that means they must cannot afford to eat out because the pric- munity Manager Bell alerted the ure has remained quite steady for the past charge high rents. es are too expensive. Her husband Barry Membership to a recently filed GRT decade), Chris Howard, TSR Director of believes another problem is that local ex- Timber Harvest Plan…….” (http:// Emergency Services, estimates that only Restaurant income here fluctuates wild- pectations are too demanding. Most meals www.tsra.org/mod/secfile/viewed. 10-15 houses are offered for long-term ly by the season. A restaurant must make do not have to be gourmet experiences. php?file_id=3546, page 16) rental, a month at a time or more. This is enough during the summer months to tide Chef Bates states that in our expensive re- with a total of about 1,900 houses built. it through winter. In the past, businesses sort-oriented community there can only be Because the plan is so close to final Service staff cannot afford to commute in Gualala could postpone paying rent in high end and low end; there aren’t enough approval, it is not likely to change from Santa Rosa, so all restaurants share the slow times and pay it off in the sum- people to support restaurants of moderate substantially. However, it is still the same labor pool. The happy exception mer. There is no such forgiveness now. cost. As she says, with restaurant overhead formally possible that it may change is if the restaurant is family-operated; that One local chef/owner takes no pay four or so costly, “You’re not going to have a Pop- prior to final approval, if GRT ne- is a huge plus. five months a year, so that they can keep sicle store here, it’s got to be gelato.” In gotiates further with regulators and their staff paid during the hard months. another experienced chef’s opinion, we neighbors (including the Vegetation In the mid-1960s, The Sea Ranch was As Chef/Caterer Leslie Bates told me, “In have only enough residents to support a fi- Management Subcommittee of the planned by university professors, aided the summer I make money. In the winter I nite number of restaurants, and the closing Association’s Board—see related ar- by their students. Houses were meant as make friends.” A restaurant is kept alive by of the latest three establishments is a sign ticle on page 3). If there are any late year-long local support. of too many of one and not enough of the changes, this summary may be out of other. date by the time Soundings appears in print, due to publication lag times. Not that many years ago, Gualala was a It must be assumed that all owners of property much different town (unincorporated as Where is the proposed logging? within The Sea Ranch by virtue of their pur- it still is). Gualala has been pretty much chase of such property are motivated by the owned by a handful of families for many It’s on a 198-acre parcel on our side character of the natural environment in which years – the Bowers, the Bakers (did you of the Gualala River, starting 1/4 mile know that Millard Sheets designed Baker their property is located, and accept, for and among themselves, the downstream from the Hot Spot, and Town?), the Sundstroms. Up until about continuing along the riverside. Of principle that the development and use of The Sea Ranch must pre- 20 years ago, there was a hitching post in that parcel, 17 acres are “no harvest” serve that character for its present and future enjoyment by other front of the hotel – and it was used. Ida Gi- for one reason or another. owners. anoli Bower’s first husband, George Cia- pucci, owned the hotel. Ida built the little Page 13 From The Sea Ranch Declaration of cottage just south of the hotel – now Upper Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions Page 6 PAGE 2 THE SEA RANCH SOUNDINGS FALL 2016 In The Zone By Barbara Rice surroundings. By buying property at the Sea Ranch, you are buying into Sea Ranch – that’s the place where you this vision. Before you undertake can only use California native plants in landscape planning here, you may your landscape? want to read the Sea Ranch Design Manual, section 9.0 Landscape Ele- Not quite. ments, the Design Rules, sections 3 Sea Ranch – that’s the place where you and 9; and Sea Ranch Rule 2.3 Pol- can only plant native plants from an ap- icy and Procedures for Enforcement proved plant list on your lot? of Governing Documents. Almost. Rules and Restrictions – we have them. But we also have a cohesive Sea Ranch is the place where you can natural landscape that you won’t see only plant native plants from the ap- in many other communities where proved plant list for your vegetation zone the houses and the exotic gardens in any place visible from outside your lot. predominate. We all share and are stewards of an incredibly beautiful Your Sea Ranch lot is in a vegetation place. zone. What does that mean? Why do we have these zones? Different plants occur in different parts of our commons, so we have Example of a vegetation map.. Back in the beginnings of The Sea Ranch, six Vegetation Zones, and every lot landscape architect Larry Halprin envi- is assigned to one of these zones. You zones this year to raise awareness of the for Plantings. Many natives here are low sioned a way for the houses that would be can read about each zone and see the ap- many special ecosystems we enjoy. growing and take moisture from the sum- built here to fit in to their surroundings, proved list for each zone on www.tsra. mer fog. to harmonize with the existing landscape org under Your Property/Plantings/Vege- The Dune Zone occurs in only a few plac- and be part of a whole. From this concept tation Zone Descriptions. You can look es. It is part of the Salt Spray Zone, but Inland from the bluffs, the Lower Ter- emerged our Covenants, Conditions and up your zone on the TSRA website un- the winds may be stronger and the soil is race Zone is comprised of former grazing Restrictions governing what we can plant der Your Property/Plantings/Vegetation mostly sand. Vegetation in this zone is lands divided by the signature Monte- in the places where our private lots are Zone Lookup. For each zone, there is a more limited, and the choices are corre- rey Cypress hedgerows. Meadows vary visible from neighbors, streets and trails. corresponding list of approved plant spe- spondingly fewer. In the past, non-native from grassland to scrub, the latter with The idea is to blend in, not stand out. Ex- cies for landscaping in your zone. Some European Beach Grass was planted to sta- more shrubby vegetation. Many of these otic gardens must not be visible from out- plants, like Douglas Iris, occur on all the bilize the dunes. meadows are wet and contain riparian side your lot. The species planted must lists. Others, like Pacific Yew, can be corridors lined with willows that provide The Salt Spray Zone covers houses along be those which already exist in your sur- found on only one list. important wildlife habitat. Since many roundings – in your vegetation zone. the bluff, subject to the wind and salt of these lots are visible from above, man- At the Native Plant Fair held in spring, spray. Still, there is quite a bit of choice aging tree and shrub growth to maintain The Sea Ranch Concept advocates a more many new members attended. The Na- in the plants available in this zone. If view corridors is an important consider- natural look, no formal gardens, clipped tive Plant Committee found that not many your lot is in the Salt Spray zone, it is ation in plant choice. hedges, lawns, splashy bloom colors in people know which zone they are in, and very visible from the bluff trail and the large areas, exotic plants, anything that don’t know there is a plant list just for meadows above, so you have a special re- The Terrace Break Zone is the transitional sets the private landscaping apart from its that zone. We are focusing on vegetation sponsibility to adhere to the Design Rules Page 7

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Picnic revelers. Photo by Mel Gerst. Diane Hichwa Honored at Volunteer Celebration Picnic By Claire McCarthy a crowd of around 100 convivial folks. ber Rosemarie Hocker, who passed away Hichwa. They came together to share food, drink that year. In leadership roles and in her vol- Parties and awards are always a popular and friendship, to celebrate volunteerism unteer work behind the scenes, Rosemarie, Diane is well known at The Sea Ranch and combination here at The Sea Ranch, and at The Sea Ranch, and to find out who by encouragement and example, exempli- in the broader North Coast community for the annual Volunteer Celebration Picnic would take home this year’s Community fied what is meant by Community Spirit. her passion for the environment and partic- is no exception. Organized by Volunteer Spirit Award. ularly birds. Her efforts include: educating Coordinator Jan Gerst in cooperation with Nominations are solicited from the Mem- Sea Ranchers about the native flora and Director of Administration Janice Bono- First presented in 2011, the award was bership, and the winner is selected by a fauna through articles in the Bulletin and ra and Association staff, the ninth annual developed by the Communication Com- panel of three Members involved in and Soundings, regular bird walks, and assis- gathering took place during Labor Day mittee and established by the Community knowledgeable about community volun- tance with the Christmas Bird Count; in- weekend at One-Eyed Jack’s and drew Manager in honor of former Board mem- teer efforts. This year’s honoree is Diane volvement with the Coastal Stewards Task Force that includes contributing seabird monitoring data to annual surveys; educat- BOD Forms Forest Management Subcommittee ing children about bird life through Action Network; volunteering with the Madrone By Jacquelynn Baas, Nigel Blair- successful attempt by members to pur- the Nonindustrial Timber Management Audubon Society, the Bird Rescue Center, Johns, and David Skibbins chase the 282-acre central parcel before Plan (NTMP), but noted that there are and the Marine Mammal Center; testify- it could be logged, the CTPZ was finally parallel forest management issues in ing at the recent NOAA hearing in Gualala On the 12th of March, in response to acquired by TSRA after being “selec- other areas of TSR besides the CTPZ. on the Expansion of the Cordell Banks and dissatisfaction on the part of a signifi- tively” harvested by Travelers Insurance Farallones National Monuments. cant number of members with the pro- Company. The TSRA Board designat- Greg Giusti, University of California posed Nonindustrial Timber Manage- ed this largest parcel in The Sea Ranch Cooperative Extension and Lake-Men- ment Plan for The Sea Ranch’s Central Commons a “starred” site, intended for docino County Director/Advisor for Timber Production Zone (CTPZ), The recreational use, in 2002. Forests & Wildland Ecology, described Sea Ranch Association Board of Direc- his preference for assessing how a for- tors hosted a member workshop on for- The March 12 workshop was designed est functions, as opposed to the term est management strategies for this area. to address the question, “How Do We “forest health.” He described the struc- Best Manage the CTPZ?” The first of tural components of a forest, including The CTPZ was originally part of The four guest panelists was Joe McBride, spacing, density, and composition, and Sea Ranch’s 5,200-acre Precise Devel- Professor Emeritus of Landscape Ar- stressed that fire and especially time opment Plan. In the 1970s the devel- chitecture & Environmental Planning have important roles to play, as red- oper, Oceanic California, sold it along at UC Berkeley. Professor McBride woods self-thin over time. with the North and South Timber Pro- reviewed the history of vegetation man- ductions Zones (currently owned by agement at The Sea Ranch, including Mark Andre, Director of Environmen- Gualala Redwood Timber) to private his own participation in vegetation stud- tal Services for the City of Arcata, de- John Forenti (L) presented Diane with the award, a framed photo by Mel Gerst. Photo by Claire owners. In 1993, in the wake of an un- ies since the late 1980s. He supported Page 15 McCarthy.

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quinox Care Facility is a twenty-four hour Eresidential care facility for the elderly. We provide assistance with the activities of daily living. Clients have their own private bedroom, allowing them to feel comfortable and at ease. 38281 South Highway 1 Gualala, CA 95445 Phone: (707) 884-4061 Fax (707) 884-9763 Licensed by the State of California LIC #236801775 PAGE 4 THE SEA RANCH SOUNDINGS FALL 2016 Getting to Know the Sea Ranch Connect Construction Team By Kevin Richter I am David Castro also known as “Fiber change. Dave”. I am the project foreman here at As Sea Ranch Connect is fully under way, SRC. I am originally from Guam USA. I I’ve endeavored to bring high quality, we would like to take a moment to high- have been in the construction industry for high speed internet to communities for the light a couple of team members you may 24 years and employed by Cannon Con- past 3 years to connect people to the world see running around the Ranch, or in town. struction for 17 years. I am a resident of around them. Without the roots and con- Parkland, Washington, or wherever the nections that I toiled to make in my life, Dave and Carl are integral parts of the jobs take me. I am originally from a vil- purpose would be elusive. It was through project. Dave has been with the project lage called Santa Rita on the little Island those connections that I’ve been able from the planning and design phase, and of Guam, USA. to enjoy life to a better degree. Surfing, is the Project Manager onsite for the net- painting, learning, coaching, teaching, work. Anything that happens in the proj- I have traveled from the west to east and helping others realize their value are ect, Dave makes it happen. coasts, placing Fiber optics on mostly mil- some of the joys that life gives me. itary installations. I have also placed pow- Another key person is Carl. He will be er, cable TV, water, sewer, and storm drain You may see me around at your house, interfacing with you directly when he vis- systems as well as plat work on occasion. especially if you signed up for a fiber its your house to install the gateway for gateway. My primary job with this install the network. Carl was the main installer I have a very understanding wife and 2 project is as the main gateway installer on another fiber home network and volun- kids that on occasion get to visit these and customer relations. Occasionally you teered to come down to be the main install- projects with me. By far Sea Ranch Con- may see me out splicing the fiber together. er for Sea Ranch Connect. He is a “people nect has been the most memorable. Lucki- me ‘Carl (insert middle name here)’ which Either way, I’ll be seeing you soon to con- person” and a problem solver, therefore a ly my son works on the crew, it helps a lot is honestly music to my ears. nect you to the world around you with re- natural for the gateway installer. having family around. liable and high quality internet and I look A lot of reflection and 6 nomadic years of forward to answering any questions I can Dave Castro You will see me out and about either ahead adventure and school led me to understand about the SRC project. of the crew getting the areas ready for pipe that my family or cable installation, or checking in on is the most im- crews to see how they are doing. You may portant thing to also meet me because occasionally I help me. Now I hale with the ONT appointments. We hope to from my home complete this project strong and if along town of Buck- the way we meet, it will be my pleasure ley, Washington, to help make it as painless and smooth as which resem- possible, or help solve any problems that bles the coast arise. in hospitality, ease of life, and Carl Erickson raw beauty. I obtained 2 bach- My given name is Carl Erickson, most of elors degrees, the time I’m Carl, unless you’re talking worked in my to my nieces and nephews, then I’m ‘The field of study for Funcle’ (short for the fun uncle), or if you about a year and grew up in my house and were at the re- half and decid- ceiving end of my antics you might call Fiber optic cable being laid on The Sea Ranch. Rozann Grunig photo. ed on a career

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What’s Going on at Point Arena High School? Election For New 5th District County By Dibby Tyler session. The crowd remained orderly, Supervisor on November 8th but was clearly frustrated. By Laurie Mueller Hopkins received The Press Democrat Editor’s Note: While Sonoma Coun- endorsement and has also been en- ty youngsters comprise only 15 % of I was disturbed by the meeting and Voters in west Sonoma County will dorsed by the Santa Rosa Chamber of the Point Arena High Schools’ student comments from the students and par- choose between Supervisorial candi- Commerce, the Sonoma County Farm bodies, 56% of property tax revenue ents, and realized that I knew almost dates Noreen Evans and Lynda Hop- Bureau, and the Sonoma County Alli- going to the schools comes from Sono- nothing about the high school and its kins in the upcoming election for the ance, a business advocacy group. ma County. Sea Ranchers pay property governance. To correct this, I decided 5th District of the Sonoma County taxes and vote in bond issue and school to write an article for Soundings based Board of Supervisors. The two candi- Evans received the endorsement of the board elections; we need to be aware of on interviews with school board mem- dates, both Democrats, were virtually Sonoma County Democratic Party and what’s going on so we can vote intelli- bers. These people are the public face tied as the clear front-runners in the has been endorsed by the Sierra Club gently. of the school district with the job of June primary field of five candidates. and by Sonoma County Conservation representing the community, approving Current 5th District Supervisor Efren Action, the county’s largest environ- Last June I walked into a Point Arena the school budgets and appointing the Carrillo did not run for re-election. mental advocacy organization. School Board meeting and found a hor- school superintendent who oversees op- net’s nest of angry students, parents and erations. Noreen Evans, 61, Hopkins has drawn more financial teachers in an uproar over the “firing” of an attorney living support from business and real estate an art teacher three days before the end There are 7 members of the school in Sebastopol, is owners, winegrowers and farm inter- of school. What was going on here? board—3 women and 4 men. They are a political veteran ests, while Evans has received more elected for four-year terms with either 3 who served eight financial support from environmental Like a majority of Sea Ranchers, I do not or 4 up for election every other Novem- years on the Santa advocates and labor groups, including have kids or even grandkids in a school ber. In recent years, it has been hard to Rosa City Council an independent ad campaign by SEIU, system anymore. I vote on bond issues find people willing to run for the board. before serving three the large union of county employees. and for school board members with little In November 2015, three were re-elect- terms in the State Current Sonoma County Supervisors real knowledge of the issues or the peo- ed without opposition—a sign either of Assembly and one Zane and Gorin have endorsed Evans ple seeking board seats. Part-time Sea public satisfaction or apathy. All the term as a State Senator. She is perhaps while Supervisors Gore and Carrillo Ranchers who aren’t registered to vote current board members are Caucasian— best known on the coast for her efforts have endorsed Hopkins. here don’t even have that connection to amazing in a district with so many Lati- to keep State Parks open during state the district, but we all pay taxes to two no and Native American students. budget cuts. school districts. This election will be the first time that the 5th District will be represented by Below are the questions asked in the in- Lynda Hopkins, a woman and will also be the first time As of this fall, the high schools (Point terviews and summaries of the respons- 33, is an organ- that a majority of the Board of Super- Arena HS and Pacific Coast Charter es. ic farmer from visors will be women. HS) had 186 students; only 28 (or 15 Forestville who percent) lived in Sonoma County. Yet What motivated you to run for the is seeking of- of the over $3 million in property tax school board? 5th District Supervisor important fice for the first to The Sea Ranch revenue going to the high schools, 56 time. She is the percent comes from Sonoma County. Leslie Bates (Gualala): Wanted to give back to the community. Had employed former Execu- The Supervisor for the Fifth District After that June school board meeting, students at the Smokehouse and became tive Director of represents the nearly 100,000 Sonoma I began asking questions. I learned involved in events at the high school. the Farm Trails County residents living in the western that the board had contracted with a Susan Sandoval talked me into running. organization and has a bachelor’s de- part of the county, including the en- non-profit educational firm in Napa to gree in Coastal Land Use and master’s tire Sonoma County coast, Sebasto- provide software and teacher training for Cindy Cione (Gualala): Bob Shimon degree in Land Use Policy from Stan- pol, Forestville, Guerneville, Monte a project-based learning system called asked me to run. Long involved with ford University. Page 19 Site Council and school activities. New Tech Network (NTN). The cost is Both candidates have high—somewhere around $250,000 to Jim DeWilder (The Sea Ranch): Had listed protecting the get up and running. son in school system and been on Hor- coast, providing afford- The teacher whose contract was abruptly icon Board. Warren Galletti asked me able housing, investing terminated had been recommended for to run for the high school board. in quality education, tenure in March but had become a vocal and improving roads as Bob Gardiner (Annapolis): My five kids critic of the NTN. Two other long-time among their priorities. went through Horicon and Point Arena teachers in science and math, also criti- On the campaign trail, High—all doing well; it was pay-back cal of the program, resigned in the wake Noreen Evans empha- time. Jim DeWilder encouraged me to of the controversy. The science teacher sizes her experience and run. had been placed under a “gag order” track record and Lynda by the administration to keep him from Hopkins presents herself Ron Miles (Gualala): Worked at IBM as a fresh voice who can complaining to the students and other and other places on use of computer teachers about NTN. offer new approaches to technology in education. I was appoint- solving long-standing ed to board six years ago. The day after the art teacher was let problems. go, a majority of the students staged a Vikki Robinson (Point Arena): Worked Both candidates have peaceful protest. Students, parents and for the district for 30 years in various teachers jammed the school board meet- received endorsements capacities, negotiated for union and was from a wide range of ing the next day, but Superintendent challenged to sit on the other side. Brent Cushenbery stated that no ques- community organizations tions would be answered because of and public officials. the Brown Act provision that mandates Page 14 handling personnel matters in closed

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Restaurants…from Page 1 lery in Gualala in 1990, John and Ida, who thing we need here. Restaurants are also gether, they share many of the same values Crust Pizza - she called it The Doghouse. were in their 80s, came to every opening responsible for payroll taxes, social secu- and experiences. The biggest commonali- Here was where she made George Ciapuc- they could. It was their very kind way of rity, permits and fees charged by Alcohol ty is a highly disciplined work ethic and a ci go when he had too much to drink. She showing their very influential support. Beverage Control, Health Department, passion for what they do. While we should inherited it at his early death. Ida worked Their son, John, continues his parents’ Environmental Health, State Board of take caution from the failures, perhaps we at the hotel for years and met her second community-minded practices: fair rents Equalization, county business license, can learn more from those who are pros- husband, John Bower, when he was a cus- and no surprise extra charges. But he is a and a liquor license with the going rate of pering. tomer at the hotel bar. John did not touch rarity. $50,000, plus water, sewer, electricity, gas, alcohol. Ida told wonderful stories. She ad- kitchen equipment, outfitting the dining Trinks Café is a lovely success story. Trink vised us that old timers never sat at a table Restaurants in Gualala have razor thin room, and dishes, wine glasses - it goes on. Fredrickson opened her namesake café in the front room of the hotel’s restaurant profit margins. If one thing goes wrong it These costs must be paid before food is put with scrumptious homemade baked goods, because it used to be the town mortuary can prove impossible to climb back out of on the table. One Chef/Owner suggested, an active espresso machine, and eggs from where bodies were laid out. They were debt. For most of its existence the Guala- “When you walk into a restaurant, count a farm just down the road. Trink built a lo- great, human characters. They were also la Hotel rented out rooms that brought in the number of people standing [meaning cal landmark, like the TV program Cheers, exemplary citizens. extra income, but the rooms have not been the workers] and multiply by $100. That where she made everyone feel welcome. available for some years, the same number is the cost of the workers per shift.” If you Now Trinks is owned by her son and his John and Ida Bower made Gualala what of years that it has repeatedly failed and re- see 10 people standing, including kitchen wife, Ross and Dio Woodward, and niece, it is today. They wanted Gualala to thrive opened, only to fail again. Chef Bates says staff, it is costing the restaurant $1,000 for Suzanne Fredrickson. Both Ross and Dio so they donated the land for our medical a restaurant makes money on the bar and the people to cook, serve, and clean that graduated from the California Culinary clinic, Redwood Coast Medical Center, plans to break even on the food. The lat- evening’s dinner. Academy: they are educated professionals. for the South Coast Fire Department, the est folks to lease the hotel opened without It has been a privilege over these past few CLSD (Coast Life Support District) build- a liquor license for the first three months. It is difficult to find out much about The years to witness Chef Woodward’s growth; ing, Mary Star of the Sea Church, and up Simultaneously, the same partnership Sandbar’s closing. It was leased and op- his food, sparked by his local connections on Old Stage Road, they gave the ridge- took over the Stewarts Point Store, which erated by a family known for their hard and focused creativity, just gets better and top acres for Bower Park and the proposed closed before the hotel, quickly and igno- work. Now there is litigation and litigants better. Before Labor Day they expanded, rec center. According to the Bowers’ old miniously. They began with three financial are under advisement not to talk. The adding more tables and enlarging their friend, Chef Naomi Schwartz, “They made strikes against them. building’s owner has placed The Sandbar, kitchen by 2-1/2 times with state-of-the- sure that Gualala had a butcher, a baker, which is a handsome design on its ocean- art equipment. Still serving breakfast and and a candlestick maker.” Translation – Living costs, and that includes restaurant front site, and the adjacent Breakers Inn, lunch, they also are open for dinner on they brought in Ron’s Barber Shoppe, the food costs, are higher here on the coast for sale. Asking price: 4.2 million dollars. Wednesdays and Fridays. Village Cobblery, and kept rents reason- than on the mainland, and if you think able so that small businesses could earn a about it, we are as isolated as an island. Let’s change our perspective. We do have Trinks is not a secret. All summer long, decent living. When we opened our gal- It costs a lot to transport almost every- some restaurants that are thriving. To- crowds of people have happily waited for a table, sitting or standing with wine glass in hand, chatting with everyone nearby. I NEW MEMBERS MEETING asked Chef Woodward, “How do you do it?” His answers: Saturday, October 8, 2016 Del Mar Center Hall 1. Local restaurants cannot afford to hire managers. Owners must work - cooking, Registration, wine and cheese at 2:30 p.m. serving, wiping tables - whatever it takes  Meeting from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  to provide the best food and service. If you are a new member or even a not-so-new member, plan on attending this year’s NEW MEMBERS 2. Trinks is never open unless one of the MEETING, sponsored by The Sea Ranch Association and the Communication Committee. three of them is present. This will be an excellent opportunity to hear about many of the services, activities and community resources available to you and to meet and greet some new neighbors. We also invite you to bring your questions 3. Trinks is known for excellent servers. about our Sea Ranch Association operations for an informal Question and Answer session with our Board Every person who begins work at Trinks members and staff. starts at the bottom, as a dishwasher. As different tasks are mastered, raises are If you plan to attend, we would like to know by Friday, September 23rd. New Members will be receiving an awarded. Trinks doesn’t want anyone that invitation letter in the mail in early September. For additional information, please call Member Services works for them to think they are doomed to (707-785-2444) or email ([email protected]). forever earning the minimum wage. Incen- Hope to see you there! tives are key to their training. A big step is when the person can cook a hamburger — — Communication Committee perfectly. So everyone that works at Trinks Page 8

What’s Inside ... ACTION NETWORK BULLETIN © Website posting date: 8/19/2016 FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS Printed issue date: 8/29/2016 The purpose of The Sea Ranch Association BULLETIN is to provide information to Members about the official business and operations of The Mark your Calendar! Sea Ranch Association.

Published Monthly for Members by THE SEA RANCH ASSOCIATION Post Office Box 16 • The Sea Ranch, California 95497 Tel: 707-785-2444 • Fax: 707-785-3555 • E-Mail: [email protected]

CEditor:ustom Frank Hom Belles ­ Assistant Editors: Janice Bonora, Darrell Paige Interior Design Design/Layout/Typesetter: Darrell Paige Remodels Printed on recycled paper with 30% post-consumer fiber. No part of this publication may beB reproducedob Ha inr tanyst formoc kor by any means without the prior, written permission of theDe sEditor,igner excepting brief quotes used in connection with reviews written specifically for inclusion in a newspaper or magazine. All materials for the BULLETIN should be submitted electronically to the Assistant Editor, who 7can07 -also785 provide-2036 submission deadlines. [email protected] Saturday October 15th 2016 bobhartstock.com THE SEA RANCH ASSOCIATION OFFICE Telecommuting? Computer Lab WiFi & Fax WILL BE CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF Summer Programs: THE FOLLOWING HOLIDAYS  Youth Lego Robotics  Coastal Connections—Environmental November 11 Friday Veterans Day Adventures every Thursday afternoon  Playgroups 05 w/ Adult November 24 Thursday Thanksgiving Day  Dropoff care—18 mos to 5 yr December 24 Saturday Christmas Day  Tutoring & Mentoring Read the Bulletin online at www.tsra.org! Volunteer Opportunities Abound The Sea Ranch Association Bulletin, October 2016 —— 2 www.ActionNetwork.info on FB ActionNetwork Call 8845413 for information FALL 2016 THE SEA RANCH SOUNDINGS PAGE 7

Native plants…from Page 2 bers see what various native species look for your zone. There are also nurseries era. The Himalayan Blackberry bushes like when they are full grown – to help and various kinds of ivy have taken over zone on both sides of Highway 1, often which specialize in native plants. Usually visualize what that one gallon Toyon some of our streams and decreased the with steeper topology, stream channels, the big box stores do not carry the plants will become in a few years’ time. This diversity of species there. The succulent and masses of shrubs, with interspersed on our lists. DCEM has a plant source list is a young garden, and although we are Iceplant which was originally intended grasslands. Drainage is an important con- available. adding new plantings each year, we do as erosion control is now known to pull sideration in planning a landscape here. not have all the plants on the approved There are many species native to Cal- down bluff edges due to its weight. Oth- The Upper Terrace Zone has less ocean list represented yet. The location of the ifornia which are not native to The Sea er horticultural plants have escaped from wind and spray, and it is generally warm- garden makes it difficult to demonstrate Ranch. All of the beautiful native sages gardens and caused problems – notify the er with more trees and fewer meadows. plants that only grow in the Dune Zone and penstemons are not native here, so Association staff about Pampas Grass, Creek channels are deeper and more or the Upland Forest Zone. Since many they may only be planted in your court- Broom, and Gorse that you see sprouting wooded, and the forest often overlaps into of the plants are found in more than one yard or other location not visible from in the commons, and they will remove it. this zone. zone, look in the garden Salt Spray zone outside your property. Some species, Capeweed, Ivy, Foxglove, Oxeye Daisy for some Dune plants and Terrace Break/ like Yarrow, come in a rainbow of colors, and others are also invasive and contrary The Uplands Forest Zone covers the Upper Terrace area for Uplands Forest but the color native to TSR is white, so to Sea Ranch Design Rules, even in a ridge and the lands east of the ridge slop- species. that is a consideration. non-visible screened area. ing down to the river. Some homes have views and are visible from lower eleva- Since last October, when the Design The lovely Del Mar Garden and the Ohl- If plants are not invasive, you can of tions. The topography is varied with Committee approved around 100 new son Ranch House Garden are “legacy” course plant what you want in a screened open areas and areas of deep forest, and plant species for the lists, we have many gardens, mostly composed of non-native area, but don’t let the vegetation grow to a deep stream channels. new additions to be added to the garden plants that arrived with the ranchers be- height where it becomes visible from off over the next couple of years. Individual fore the days of The Sea Ranch. All those your lot. For our private lot, in the areas There are other “zones” which intersect description pages for about half the ap- Calla Lilies, Naked Lady Amaryllis, and not visible from the street, I plant Califor- the six defined zones. There are riparian proved plant species will be going back Watsonia that you see in meadows are nia natives. I do this because I consider zones where year-round and winter creeks up on our website soon, and we will be garden escapees, and may not be planted this area part of the larger ecosystem. We cross our landscape, and there are marshy working on providing description pages in your visible landscape. know very little about the relationships areas where water stands in wet meadows for the newly approved plants. between plant species and wildlife in or sag ponds influence the nearby vegeta- There are a lot of other non-natives that our ecosystem. This is a recovering land- tion. These wetlands are important wild- A good way to start the landscaping pro- have naturalized in our meadows and ri- scape, after decades of overgrazing. The life habitat. The willows along creeks are cess is to look around your lot and see parian areas – why can’t we plant them species diversity here has increased over used by many nesting birds, and provide a what plants are growing in your vicinity. if they are part of the natural landscape? the life of The Sea Ranch. I would like to wildlife corridor or passageway from east How can your plan blend into the existing When do they become natives? ‘Native’ see it continue to increase. For me, plant- to west. There is also a cypress hedgerow vegetation in a way that makes it part of refers more to a point in time than the sta- ing daffodils or geraniums would be like zone - for those who live next to or in- a larger whole? What is visible on your tus of a species. Plants which were here putting a McDonald’s next door! side a hedgerow, there are limits to what lot must be part of the larger landscape before European settlers came in the mid will grow under cypress. There are areas picture, with no noticeable boundary be- 1700’s are considered ‘native’. Plants If you would like to know more about of steep hills where fire prevention con- tween your lot and commons. which arrived afterwards with the set- your zone and the plants which do well siderations may influence how plants are tlers, loggers, ships, ranchers, developers there, attend the Native Plant Committee If you are the do it yourself type, after chosen and placed. and exotic gardens are ‘naturalized’. Fall Workshop, Saturday October 29th your landscape plan is approved, you at 10 am, at the Ohlson Ranch House. So now you know your zone, what’s next? may wonder where you will find these Many of the non-natives which have nat- DCEM staff and our Committee members If you are planning on doing ANY land- native species. There are usually some uralized here are considered weedy in- will have a slide show of native plants scaping on your lot that will be visible native plants at any nursery you visit – it’s vasives by the State of California. The and blooms that you are sure to enjoy, and from off your lot, you must submit a plan a good idea to take the list with you when grasses you see in the meadows are most- more information that you will find help- to DCEM (Department of Compliance you go. If you are using a landscape pro- ly non-native – they were brought here for ful during the fall planting season. I hope and Environmental Management) and fessional, be sure to give them the list pasture and forage in the early ranching to see you there – bring your questions! get approval before you proceed. If you are a do it yourself person, or if you are working with a landscaper, start with the Wedding Photography approved plant list for your zone, http:// CNA Metalworks,inc. www.tsra.org/news.php?viewSto ry=171. Sea Ranch Destination Weddings Sheet metal services, flashing, seamless rain gutter, custom fabrication. Not many people arrive at The Sea Ranch Galvanized, stainless steel, with an understanding or knowledge of www.DavidYagerPhotography.com aluminum, copper & exotic metals. native plants. The Native Plant Demon- Inshop welding services, heating units, stration Garden south of Ohlson Ranch 530.518.2122 House was created in 2006 to help mem- duct work, & light machining. If you are not already Secretarial Services Flyers & Posters familar with our services Building Plans Signage please drop by and say hello. Business Cards Office Supplies We would love to get acquainted! Postcards Tech Accessories 35550 Verdant View, The Sea Ranch 39150 Ocean Drive, Suite 2, Gualala Open M•T•Th•F 10am-5pm p 707.884.9640 • f 707.885.0191 www.cnametalworks.com [email protected] CLOSED Wednesdays & Weekends facebook.com/cnametalworks (707) 785-2366

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Restaurants…from Page 6 place. The rooms are also sparked by the Juengling. A small, well-curated list of lo- knows most aspects of the entire business. superb technique and surprising content of cal wines is offered by the glass or bottle, paintings by Heidi Endemann. along with a few appetizers, each spar- 4. Ross credits his landlord, John Bower, kling with an Indian flare. You must be Jr., for being very supportive of their busi- Twofish Baking Co., located a block off of twenty-one years of age to enter. ness. Annapolis Road in TSR, has become our town square. Twofish is where Sea Ranch- Timber Cove Resort began in the early 5. The Trinks family are locally born and ers meet up, sitting at tables or counters, in- 1960s, just before The Sea Ranch. Fol- raised. Locals support them and cheer their side and out, savoring the world’s greatest lowing a huge and beautiful remodel, the success. Nearby family makes all the dif- sticky buns, and crusty sandwiches made public is again invited to enjoy the grand, ference when you have two little boys. If from their excellent baguettes and whole main room, with its soaring, beamed ceil- The closed sign at The Sandbar Restaurant, which he and Dio need to dash into town, Aunt grain breads. Their coffees are thought by ings, rugged stone fireplace, and stag-horn is involved in litigation and is for sale. Photo by Jim Alinder. Amanda is quick to take care of their many locals to be the best ever, ever! Chef chandeliers. The bar resides on one side of young sons. Margaret Smith and manager Hilla Ah- the room; opposite is an expanse of new years at The Sea Ranch Lodge and he en- venainen, partners in business and in life, windows that overlook large terraces with ticed them to Timber Cove. 6. They purchase as much of their food- work harder than humanly imaginable. a fire pit, porch swings, rocking chairs, If casual, often cutting-edge cooking is stuffs locally as they can, and that supports Chef Smith begins work at 4 A.M. – the ping pong and pool tables, and the white what you hanker for, drive to Point Arena. other local businesses. life of a baker. marble nude sculpture saved from the for- merly dried- up reflecting pond. I have been a fan of the food of Chef Rob 7. They search for ways to make extra in- And now they have added a second Hunter, whose current restaurant is Une- come. Trinks has an active catering pro- Twofish, leasing the 19th century land- The restaurant, Coast Kitchen, with its da Eat just south of the Arena Theater, for gram. Employees are kept busy during mark, Stewarts Point General Store. Stew- oceanfront wall of windows, captures the nearly 20 years. He makes properly unc- the slow months by making the jams and arts Point is a treat. Twofish opened up gorgeous views. The chef was former- tuous and earthy charcuterie and most ev- jellies they sell all year long, and they also the shelving, and scrubbed the old plank ly at TSR Lodge for three years, Philip erything on the menu is locally-sourced – prepare the meatloaves, soups, and cakes floors. They sell all the necessary basics - Kaufman, and the food is well-prepared, from fish to rabbit to salad greens to wine. that stock their “Food to Go” freezer. And, milk, eggs from a local ranch, butter, their with delicious salads and precisely cooked Chef Aaron Peters, formerly sous-chef who doesn’t want a Trinks sweat shirt or bakery breads, pastries, cookies – and seafood and steaks. Service in the restau- to Hunter, has his own small restaurant a baseball cap? fixins’ for yummy picnics. In the back is rant and bar is excellent – Chef Kaufman few doors south of Uneda Eat. Bird Café their deli with Hilla brewing coffee and the knew some of the best servers from his and Supper Club is garnering raves from Rosemary Campiformio, Chef/Co-Own- small kitchen making calzones and sand- many of my friends. Life has prevented er of St. Orres Inn and Restaurant for 40 wiches. A few tables provide a place to sip me (but not for long) from enjoying what years, believes that it is impossible for a tea and read the morning paper. The great I hear is terrific food. Franny’s Cup and restaurant to make it without other sourc- landscape architect of TSR, Larry Halprin, Saucer is great fun. Come to buy delicious es of income. The money from the cot- used to always greet each new day seated savory or sweet freshly baked delights in tages and inn rooms at St. Orres sustains on the front porch bench, red bandana tied an old-fashioned frilly, girly setting – think the restaurant through winter-time. Re- around his throat, old khaki hat pulled onto lacy doilies and pink, pink, pink. And, cently, Chef Campiformio made import- his head, and a steaming cup of coffee in there is always The Pier Chowder House ant changes. They now have a full bar, hand. and Tap Room, a reliable place for a beer which strengthens the bottom line. A bar and fish and chips to accompany the roll- menu is offered, complete with big juicy A comfortable wine and coffee bar has ing Pacific surf before you. cheeseburgers and fries, in addition to appeared over Labor Day weekend in the their signature $50 three course menu. Her middle of Gualala – Mendo Viné. With This article has been about change, but food is delectably elegant. St. Orres’ Rus- sofas and café tables, this is the realized a shout out is due some well-established restaurants such as Thai Kitchen in Anchor sian-styled, copper domed, hand-crafted dream of wine lovers, Ron and Rukmini Hilla Ahvenainen and Margaret Smith have built a wooden building is a landmark, with its Das. The greeting is warm, led by their successful restaurant business in a tough market. Page 9 lively bar and a crackling fire in the fire- manager, long-time Gualalan, Robert Photo courtesy Twofish Baking Company.

Reopening nearly a decade later

1000 Annapolis Road Historic Sea Ranch commercial building

Updated interiors - space still available

Leasing information 415-500-1326 FALL 2016 THE SEA RANCH SOUNDINGS PAGE 9

Restaurants…from Page 8 WHAT’S OPEN? DVD premiere of ‘The Sea Ranch Songs: Bay, another example of a flourishing fam- • ANTONIO’S TACOS ily owned-and-operated business. Based A Free Community Event’ on lots of fresh vegetables, their curries • BIRD CAFÉ AND SUPPER CLUB About The Sea Ranch Songs, com- and stir fries are bright and full-flavored. • BLACK POINT GRILL AT THE By Andrea Lunsford I can also personally recommend the fami- SEA RANCH LODGE poser Vrebalov and David Harrington, ly-run Antonio’s Tacos, Mariachis, Taque- Meet the composer Aleksandra Vreba- founder of the Kronos Quartet, have ria del Sol, and Upper Crust Pizza. • COAST KITCHEN AT TIMBER lov and the Videographer Andrew Lyn- written, COVE RESORT don on Friday, September 30, 2016, The dining room of The Sea Ranch 7 p.m. Gualala Arts Coleman Hall There are very few places in the whole Lodge’s Black Point Grill offers sweeping • COVE AZUL BAR AND GRILL world where an entire community is Were you one of the lucky 900? That views of a panorama of sea, sky, and coast- • FRANNY’S CUP AND SAUCER dedicated to live, build, and interact al bluffs. As the only full restaurant at The is how many members of our commu- with its surroundings in harmonious Sea Ranch, this summer saw lines out the • GARCIA RIVER CASINO’S nity heard the Kronos Quartet perform ways…We celebrate the nature, peo- door and across the porch. Fillmore Hos- RIVER GRILL The Sea Ranch Songs in three concerts ple and architecture of this magical at the White Barn as the grand fina- place by creating a piece with original pitality, a corporation based in Ohio, is the • GUALALA PIZZA AND BAKERY owner. No attempt is made to court locals. le of a year of events celebrating The music, documented sounds, and visual There seems to be a policy of no commu- • MARIACHI’S Sea Ranch’s 50th birthday. Created samples of different aspects of life and nity involvement. The Black Point Grill by internationally acclaimed compos- creativity in this rare landscape where has become notorious for too-few servers • MENDO VINÉ er Aleksandra Vrebalov, with videog- people and nature are intertwined in a raphy by Andrew Lyndon, noted Pro- and long waits for food and drink. There • OCEAN COVE LODGE AND BAR healthy union. This idea on a global are still a few of the exemplary servers AND GRILL fessor of Animation at the California scale may be utopian, but through mu- who have not gone elsewhere, but they can College of the Arts, the Songs earned sic we will praise its beauty and affirm be trumped by the number of demanding • PIZZA AND CREAM standing ovations, rave reviews, and its urgent relevance in our wounded many demands for a recording of world so much in need of healing. diners, slow kitchen, and poorly trained • PIER CHOWDER HOUSE AND newbies. The food remains pretty good them. TAP ROOM While admission is free, reservations and garnished by the view, sometimes it Thanks to very generous local donors, must be made at Brown Paper Tickets. can be great. • ROLLERVILLE JUNCTION that call has now been answered: A Go to: www.brownpapertickets. The loss of the three restaurants which • ST. ORRES DVD is about to be released by Canta- com (or phone 800-838-3006). Enter loupe Music. The premiere screening “The Sea Ranch Songs DVD Screen- began this investigation is sad for us and • TAQUERIA DEL SOL tragic for their intrepid chefs, investors, of the DVD will take place on Fri- ing Party.” The request form is sim- and owners. But as we have learned, there • THAI KITCHEN day, September 30, 2016, at 7:00 PM ple and short. You will not receive are huge roadblocks and higher penalties in Gualala Arts’ Coleman Hall. Free a printed ticket, however, to gain ad- when operating a local restaurant. Now • TRINKS CAFÉ and open to the entire community, this mission to the premiere, your name event provides an opportunity to ex- is the time to recognize that a number of • TWOFISH BAKING COMPANY, will be on the reservation list that will worthy restaurants are open. Friends, let’s THE SEA RANCH perience the magnificent songs and be checked outside the front door of go out to eat! evocative film again, followed by a Gualala Arts. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. • TWOFISH COMPANY AT STEW- discussion with Vrebalov and Lyn- and the screening will begin at 7 p.m. This article is based on a number of in- ARTS POINT don. A DVD signing by both artists will conclude the evening. All profits Please join us for this special evening. terviews and the advice of Chef Naomi • UNEDA EAT Schwartz. from sales of the $20 DVD will bene- Seating in Coleman Hall is limited, so • UPPER CRUST PIZZA fit Gualala Arts. sign up soon! • 215 MAIN STREET

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Mark is our go-to-guy for Mark Dutka ‘‘ maximizing the potential Interior Designer of our Sea Ranch home. He has consistently come 707.785.1928 through for us!” inhousesf.com PAGE 10 THE SEA RANCH SOUNDINGS FALL 2016 “Fortunate, Fortunate……..” By Claire McCarthy and Thayer Walker Gowan Batist The coastal town of Caspar, unassum- About two and a half years ago, the fam- ing, easy to miss, and known mainly for ily started Fortunate Farm, their 27-acre a couple of state parks and a lighthouse, organic farm on the fertile coastal prai- could be Mendocino County’s equivalent rie of Caspar. We had the opportunity to of a “fly-over” settlement. spend several hours at Fortunate Farm re- cently, and to talk with Gowan, Ellen and That was Caspar? Really? Jef about the farm, their new lifestyle, and what has become a passion for the A few clicks between Mendocino’s tour- whole family, for its local contributions ist Mecca, and the growing boutique-y and global significance. mercantile center of Fort Bragg slumbers Caspar, the town you don’t notice. It’s Tucked just off the east side of Highway the one without a gas station or store. Not 1 and along a country lane, evergreen even close to passing traffic and poten- windbreaks open to reveal geometric tial business, Caspar shuns Highway 1, fields of kale and carrots. This summer many of its humble wood buildings near- Fortunate Farm is producing an abun- ly a mile west of the rumble and whoosh, dance of locally grown crops. decaying slowly on a seaside bluff. Although they all work together, Ellen Not to say Caspar is obscure, but if Butch and Jef make it clear that Gowan is in Fortunate Farm produce at Surf Market. Photo by Claire McCarthy. and Sundance had hidden there, no one charge—she’s the boss. “I’m learning ever would have found them. so much from my kid!” says Ellen, prais- back-to-the-60’s moment, except for all lease of carbon dioxide. ing Gowan’s commitment to sustainable the talk about science and technology. For all those reasons and more, Caspar is food production and innovative farming Crops are planted directly into the mulch a great place to grow food. methods. Passion and knowledge run high—Ellen and waste beer is spread on the fields as and Gowan finish each other’s sentences fertilizer in a process they call “beeriga- Today, exciting agriculture is blooming Ellen and Jef explain that since it is locat- as they hold forth on the importance of tion.” In addition to being sold at local in Caspar—family farming with a Sea ed at the bottom of the watershed on top sustainable agriculture, how valuable it is Farmers Markets and food stores, much Ranch connection. Environmental busi- of an underground river, water is abun- to the local economy and to the health of of the produce ends up on the menu at the ness folks doing commerce up and down dant there. The land has a long history the planet. Brewing Company’s Taproom Restau- our coast are noticing. of family farming activity that includ- rant on Main Street in Fort Bragg. We found many surprises hidden in their The fresh, delicious product sits on our ed dairy and vegetable farming and cut family’s tale, a rocky, lurching saga to Gowan’s dream had always been to be front doorstep, courtesy of TSR’s Ellen flower production. production, but none bigger than this: a farmer on her own land. She grew Buechner and her remarkable family…. The soil also grows buildings. Through Fortunate Farm owes its existence to a up on a five-acre intergenerational farm except it’s not a courtesy, it’s a new life the years several buildings have sprout- local craft beer. surrounded by family, big gardens, live- passion and career. Nearly every person ed on the property: a cozy cabin where stock, orchards, bees. “I’ve never want- working today for TSRA came through Gowan makes her home, a slightly larg- The farm operates in partnership with ed to live any other way,” she says. Ellen as the Association’s Human Re- er structure (a repurposed art studio) North Coast Brewing Company in Fort sources Director. Probably every invoice for Ellen and Jef, a big “ag barn” used Bragg. Gowan is employed by the brew- Her philosophy is not based on ideology or bill submitted to TSRA over the last for events like farm-to-table dinners, ery as their Sustainability Manager, and she is willing to consider using “ev- three decades has been noted, budgeted a chicken house, a sheep shed. All are which means she ensures that sustain- ery tool in the toolbox” where appropri- and paid through a system she designed rustic, appealing examples of the vernac- ability is built into all their practices. ate. She is clear about the outcomes she and supervises as Chief Financial Officer. ular architecture so familiar to travelers wants to see—mainly that the land will And here is where beer and organic farm- along the North Coast, echoed in more be worked in such a way that it will be She continues to devote 40 hours a week ing marry. there for her grandkids. to TSRA, yet after 35 years as The As- sophisticated iterations in homes on The sociation’s corporate memory, Ellen is Sea Ranch. All of the spent grain, hops and yeast However, the road to success is seldom still looking to grow a new life as “farm slurry from the brewing process are de- Over herbal ginger tea and homemade straight, and Gowan took a long detour wife” by growing organic produce. She livered daily to the farm. They are aerat- blueberry scones, we sit down with earning a degree in Fine Arts. She was in bunks with her sister in Gualala during ed, fortified with additional organic ma- Gowan in her rustic cabin as Ellen social- Portland working on a large organic farm the week, then returns to her “farm wife” terial like wood chips and urchin shell, izes kittens from a recent litter and sister there and building a career as a jewelry life in Caspar on weekends. There she and turned into neat rows of fluffy mulch. Oryx, visiting from Washington, knits a designer and metalsmith when her break joins husband Jef Schultz and daughter Tilling is avoided, which protects soil bi- cape from yarn spun from the wool of a came. She was offered the opportunity to ology and prevents erosion and the re- Fortunate Farm ewe. This would be a run a farm-to-table school food program,

sk design Interior Architecture & Design

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p.o. box 67 • the sea ranch • ca 95497 coastal design since 1979 FALL 2016 THE SEA RANCH SOUNDINGS PAGE 11 the Noyo Food Forest, which provides in Mendocino and Fort Bragg, and other fresh produce for school lunches. Anderson Valley stores beyond. Whale Watching at The Sea Ranch By Scott Mercer Hello, Fort Bragg. As we gather notebooks, cameras, and voice recorders to return south, Gowan Editor’s Note: In winter of 2015-16, marine Through a program called “Eat Mendoci- pats a friendly ewe and tells us: “Van- biologist Scott Mercer and his wife Tree con- no” she ate only Mendocino products for dana Shiva at the Paris Climate Accord ducted their third consecutive census of mi- one year. She became part of a local net- cited small farms as our biggest hope for grating Eastern Pacific Gray Whales off the work of folks passionate about sustain- turning global warming around.” Sonoma and Mendocino Coasts. Network- able food production. But the economic ing with eight other scientific and education- reality of pricey coastal property put the Standing beside her, Ellen nodded. al projects researching various aspects of dream of farming her own land out of cetacean (whale) biology on the West Coast, reach. “The processes local small farmers are they have presented their data at major con- using are entirely scalable and could be ferences. Here, Scott shares how his visits Enter Ellen, Jef and North Coast Brew- done on much larger farms, even big mo- to The Sea Ranch have inspired his local ing Company. no-crop grain farms. You could do this whale-watching adventures. on 10,000 acres; Coors could carpet Col- “In a way, Gowan’s career path became orado with the waste from their brewing I first visited The Sea Ranch in the early our retirement plan,” says Ellen. “We process.” 1980s, despite having lived just south in had the resources at the end of our ca- Mill Valley in the 1970s. In winter 2008, my reers to help with the purchase of the “This isn’t a dream.” wife Tree, son Tyler and I rented at The Sea land. Gowan had made a connection with Ranch for a week. We repeated the visit, Mark Ruedrich, President and Co-found- Gowan shares her enthusiasm for tech- nology— “respecting traditional farm in the same home up on Green Vale Close, er of the Brewery through the Mendo Scott and friend scan the horizon at Bob’s Bluff. values is not the same as being anti-tech,” in late summer. We saw whales in both Lake Food Hub.” The family and the the winter and late summer trips. Seeing Photo courtesy Scott Mercer brewery created a partnership that works she says, and describes an app on her phone that can measure the topography breaching whales offshore as we hiked the perches from which to count marine mam- on many levels to everyone’s benefit and bluff was exhilarating. In the evenings, mals during our autumn, winter, and spring Gowan was able to realize her dream. of a field she’s standing in, using a satel- lite in outer space. “My grandpa would from our deck, watching whale after whale studies. Counting almost daily, we have now (undoubtedly humpbacks) moving south, Most every Monday, Jef (Farm Curmud- have loved to have that,” she says. Ellen gathered three field seasons of data from their round blows backlit by the sun, sealed geon) loads the farm truck with fresh smiles. these counts, and will be returning in No- the deal for Tree and me—we would return greens and vegetables—lettuce, zucchi- vember 2016 for our fourth season. With- whenever possible, for longer stretches of ni, cucumbers, carrots, beets, tomatoes, So why Fortunate Farm? Aside from in TSR we have some favorite secret spots time. several varieties of kale, plus dahlias for the obvious—opportunity finding fertile and, from my surfing days, we have given ground in careful preparation—that, too them names like “Christmas”, “Lodge”, Natasha from a large flower garden— That “whenever possible” occurred in win- and makes deliveries up and down the is part of this inspiring story. “Cypress Arch”, “Bob’s Bluff”, “Pelican”, ter 2014, after Tree retired from 35 years of and “Bench”, to name a few. coast and to inland stores where ‘shop One of Gowan’s mentors was her teaching biology, and coaching three sports. local’ means what it says. Produce for grandfather, Tom Christensen. Tom I had been studying marine mammals since One glorious spring afternoon at “Lodge”, Surf Market in Gualala, Harvest Market had a house at Sea Ranch near the Posh 1974, beginning in Monterey Bay, and had with strings of pelicans traveling in the air Squash; he was the Sea Ranch- recently left commercial whale watching currents offshore and Aleutian geese heading er of the Year in 1973, and was after 23 seasons. With my now college-age home, we were expecting to see a few strag- described as “a young ‘old-tim- son Tyler, we had published two books: gling southbound juvenile gray whales. In- er’ with a fresh viewpoint, (who) Whalehead Nation, Creating and Keeping stead, we observed a steady stream of north- fervently believes that ‘The Sea an Environmental Ethic in Children, and bound grays, all within a few hundred yards. Ranch is the best thing that could Tribes, A Collection of Poems. I was anx- Their rainbow blows—“rainblows”— were have happened to the land’” ious to get back into the field, and we both created by the afternoon sun shining through (TSR Bulletin, February 1973). knew the Mendonoma Coast was exactly the moisture in their exhales, and looked like He was a gardener and an arbor- where to launch a new project. handfuls of sparkles tossed into the air. By ist who “taught me just about ev- dusk, later than we had planned to stay, we erything I know that is useful,” Curious about the whales we had watched had counted more than 40 whales. says Gowan. each evening back in summer 2008, I ques- tioned scientists from places like Oregon One clear January afternoon in 2014, at The name of the farm is a trib- State University, and later, residents of the “Bench”, an interesting member of the ute to Tom. As he passed away, Gualala area, about what kinds of whales toothed group of whales, the northern right his last words were “…..fortu- they might be. I also began a crash course whale dolphin (a species I had never seen nate….fortunate.” in the whales likely to be seen from the local before), suddenly appeared before us in re- coast; specifically, the travels of the Pacific markable numbers. Small at about eight feet gray whale. and quite slender, they came from the south, Gowan & Friend. Photo by Thayer Walker. perhaps 200 yards offshore and moving The Sea Ranch offers some wonderful Page 13

Photo by Diane Wilson & Joan O’Connell

Sharon Burningham Rosie Iversen Marianne Harder Moriah Mitchell Joan O’Connell Diane Wilson Owner/Realtor Owner/Broker/Realtor Sales Associate/Realtor Sales Associate/Realtor Broker Associate/Realtor Sales Associate/Realtor 707•884•4300 39351 South Highway One, Gualala, CA 95445 Cal BRE# 01424141 www.cbcoastal.com ©2014 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. PAGE 12 THE SEA RANCH SOUNDINGS FALL 2016 New Sea Ranch Designs By George Calys of homes with a small footprint. Sited on the bluff at Soundings, the seaward The Sea Ranch approach to design façade is nearly all floor to ceiling glass, Acclaimed for over 50 years as a devel- an evolution of the large “picture win- opment that rested “lightly on the land”, dows” seen in earlier Sea Ranch bluff The Sea Ranch launched an architectural homes. In a departure from traditional movement that came to be known as the Sea Ranch materials, the roof is corrugat- Third Bay Area Tradition. Character- ed metal. Metal roofs, while costlier than ized by the use of vernacular forms and shingles, are superior in terms of durabili- materials, the architecture of Sea Ranch ty in marine environments. While the first influenced a generation of architects and generation of Sea Ranch buildings were designers across the United States. More shingled roofs, the TSR Association does than a mere style of architecture, the homes permit the use of metal roofs. Bowman’s of Sea Ranch were a carefully considered addition of photovoltaic (PV) roof pan- response to the climate, topography, and els enhances the energy sustainability of history of the Sonoma coast. The design the home. Inside, the floor plan is sim- ple; one contiguous volume parallel to the work of the first generation of Sea Ranch Ramirez Residence by architects Norman Millar and Judith Sheine. Photo by Mark Mahaney. architects, such as Moore, Turnbull, Es- glass façade with kitchen, dining, living, herick, Lyndon, Whitaker, Bowman and and bedroom arranged in linear fashion. focused views from both living and sleep- in its design. On a particularly rugged others, is as vibrant and satisfying today ing areas back into the forest canopy. The Madrone Meadows Home coastal site, the house has been carefully as when it was first conceived. Danish architect, Todd Verwers, who de- nestled into the surrounding landscape; a Taking its cues from the surrounding signed the home for the Danish Consul, large existing juniper tree very close to New homes have continued to be de- Turnbull-designed homes adjacent to the clearly found a compatibility between Sea the house was preserved and other sur- signed and built at The Sea Ranch. Are redwood and fir forest, this house demon- Ranch and his native Nordic approach. rounding vegetation was left untouched. these new designs as true to the original strates a highly sensitive relationship to That approach continues in the cabin in- Concrete was used extensively in walls, principles of the first homes? More im- its context. The use of shingles as the sid- terior which displays the Scandinavian the fireplace, and as outdoor seating. portantly, has new work here evolved ing material and a roof slope that mimics affinity for simple, unadorned materials. Corten steel (a type of that forms a per- to reflect the changing lifestyles of Sea the hillside, point to a respect for the Sea manent protective rust) and ipe wood (a Ranchers in the 21st century? Here are Cabin in the Redwoods Ranch “aesthetic”. The primary living ar- sustainably produced wood) complete the four residences built since 2000 that affir- eas of the house are oriented toward the exterior material palette. Inside, as in the matively answer those questions. Halfway up the ridge, nestled in the red- ocean view. The view is maximized with woods, this Donlyn Lyndon/Richard cabin above, every surface is wood with Residence on Soundings the use of a structural clear span which Whitaker-designed cabin both borrows nary a bit of drywall. While clearly re- minimizes the thickness and number of from the Sea Ranch past while exploring spectful of Sea Ranch design principles, This gem by architect Obie Bowman window mullions. Other large windows new design elements. The footprint of the this home explores new ideas, particularly hews closely to the Sea Ranch principle along the side and rear façade walls create cabin is larger than most of the original materiality, more forcefully than any built 1970s era cabins, creating generous inte- in the last 15 years. rior spaces better suited to today’s living. Looking Forward The open vertical living space, two stories tall, possesses a nearly full glass façade Maintaining the spirit of The Sea Ranch, that creates an indoor/outdoor experience. these four homes clearly demonstrate that Two minimally crafted exterior patios fur- the design principles delineated over 50 ther connect the home to the surrounding years ago are still relevant. Each home, forest. The exterior, sheathed in vertical however, plays with new expressions of redwood boards, and the interior, com- those principles, notably in the use of pletely finished in fir (no drywall here!), greater amounts of glass and with the use maintain the materialistic connection to of nontraditional materials. Each house, the Sea Ranch tradition. in its own way, “belongs” to Sea Ranch and the Sonoma coast. What might fu- Ramirez Residence ture residents and architects develop in In one of the more striking evolutions of the next 15 years? If these projects are Sea Ranch design, the Ramirez residence, any indication, the answer to that question designed by Norman Millar and Judith must surely be “something wonderful”. Sheine, utilizes both wood and concrete Residence on Soundings by architect Obie Bowman. Photo by George Calys. s

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Scott Mercer…from Page 11 German South…from Page 1 the THP maps as directly across the north. With them (and confusing the count), Party planned for What kind of logging is planned? Sea Ranch boundary, next to the sag were some California sea lions also “por- pond between Sorcerer Wood and poising” along and vanishing toward the those born in 1946 The plan calls for: East Ridge Road. Gualala River. To our surprise, the dolphins You and your friends and family are invited reappeared shortly, and headed in the op- to the Gualala Arts Center for a shared 70th Light single-tree selective logging The original plan submitted to Cal- posite direction, returning south. In the low Birthday Celebration Dinner on Sunday, within the Gualala River floodplain; Fire called for logging right up to October 30 at 5 p.m. Gualala Arts contin- the Sea Ranch boundary line, but the winter sun, their hundreds of wispy breaths Progressively heavier logging as dis- ues this annual event by offering dinner free Vegetation Management Subcommit- as they sliced along the glassy sea were a tance from the channel increases;85 of charge to any person born in 1946. In ad- tee of the Association’s Board has truly lovely sight. acres of clearcuts higher up on the dition to friends and family, this celebration convinced GRT to honor the earlier ridge One windy February day while hiking the is also open to any community guests that agreement with GRI (Gualala Red- woods Inc., the previous owner) pro- bluff with friends from the east, counting would like join in the festivities. The selective logging is to leave 50% viding for a 75-foot buffer to screen whales in the blustery swells and whitecaps canopy cover in the areas farthest Celebrants are request to bring a few items the operation from our Commons. as we went, we were treated to a trio of gray from the river, 80% closer to the river for the Memory Table. A 2 x 3 space will be whales breaching in sequence, twice going (of which only 25% will be conifers reserved for each celebrant to exhibit pho- The 29-acre clearcut (“unit 3”) is well airborne as a group. This display, (or acro- such as redwoods or Douglas fir). tos, memorabilia and items of interest from separated from the Sea Ranch bound- batic behavior— “energetics”), continued The thirteen largest trees in each acre their lives. Each celebrant will be offered a ary, but comes within approximately for 8-10 minutes, and then ceased as instant- are to be spared in both cases. The few minutes during the program to share 200 feet of the Gualala River, at the ly as it began. Such is the way of whales. oldest trees in the area are estimated about themselves. closest point (perhaps less; the maps One lovely mid-day in early spring we to be between 90 and 100 years old. in the THP are rather poor quality). Early reservations for celebrants, their watched from our perch at “Cypress Arch” In a way, this THP continues the friends and family and community guests The clearcuts are to be replanted as, at low water, gray whales arriving from practices of both of the “Apple” and are requested by October 24th along with if necessary to ensure at least 300 the south approached a barrier of rocks. “Dogwood” THPs, currently being $30 advance admission for non-celebrants. “stocking points” per acre remain. There was not enough water for the whales litigated by a coalition of environ- After October 24th admission for non-cel- Stocking points are calculated differ- to pass over the rocks. They would have to mental groups. change course, head west, go around Guala- ebrants will be $40 and day of attendance ently depending on the size of trees; for example, sprouts more than one la Island, and continue on. Each whale, or will be based on meal and space availabil- Where are the clearcuts, and how foot high and trees less than four pair of juveniles, upon nearing the shallow ity. big are they? rocks, turned outward and did just that. inches in diameter are one “point” Contact Susan at 707-884-1138 or drop by There are four proposed clearcut ar- each, while young trees between 4 We wondered how they knew. It could the Arts Center to make your reservations eas; in diminishing order of size, and 12 inches in diameter count as 3 be that the sound of water ahead flowing by October 24th. And to others who are these are 29 acres, 26 acres, 18 acres, points. around and over the rocks informed them not celebrants but would like to volunteer and 12 acres. The first two of these What are the impacts on wild of the need to alter course. Or perhaps, us- as hosts, waiters or chefs, we would love to are “oversize.” Oversize means that animals? ing the characteristic clicking they produce have you. Please contact: they exceed the regulations in the Cal- within their sinuses, they employed a varia- ifornia Forest Practice Rules (which Mary Hunter at 785-1150 or dardmary@ For the most part, wild animals, in- tion of echolocation as the clicking returned limit tractor-harvested clearcuts to 20 wildblue.net; or Ben Klagenberg at 785- cluding endangered species, are to an echo loaded with information, an audio acres), and therefore require special 3530 or [email protected]. be protected primarily by asking the “picture” of what lay ahead. Most likely it permission (from CalFire) to exempt loggers to be alert for wildlife sight- was a combination of both. them from the size limit. GRT argues fascinating, was that after the whales ings and suspend operations while that they need the oversize clearcuts the situation is evaluated. There may However it was accomplished, we nev- cleared Gualala Island, they swung back because otherwise it would be “hard er observed a whale make an error. What inshore. When they regained their distance to manage” these areas. The 12-acre Page 16 we found most endearing, if not just plain from land, they then continued north! clearcut (called “unit 4”) is shown in PAGE 14 THE SEA RANCH SOUNDINGS FALL 2016

School Board…from Page 5 A majority of the board members Thespians Add Three New Board Members Robert Shimon (Gualala): Taught at did not see how they could have done things differently. However, Arena Elementary for 34 years then 7 By Rae Radtkey more part time. When I retired, friends all seemed uneasy or really negative urged me to run. about the timing of the art teacher’s The Sea Ranch Thespians termination. In hindsight, they would met in mid-June and wel- What has been the most important have waited until after school closed comed three new Board decision the Board has made since for the summer. members. you’ve been a member? Cindy Cione noted that no teachers or Lynne Atkins, Don Krieg- All the board members cited funding parents came to talk with her about er and Rae Radtkey joined the NTN as the most important deci- NTN. “We had board meetings, existing Board members sion. Much time was spent researching site council meetings on NTN. One Molly Buckley, President; the system including several trips to teacher came to early meetings to Carol Emory, Vice Pres- talk about the expense. It wasn’t un- both Napa and Geyserville to observe ident; Dick Soule, Chief Thespians Board of Directors. L-R, Lynne Atkins, Carol Emory, Mol- the program in action and talk to teach- til the meeting (where) the board was Financial Officer; and ly Buckley. Dick Soule, Rae Radtkey, Kathye Hitt, Don Krieger. ers, students and parents about how it scheduled to approve the contract Kathye Hitt, Secretary. is working there. Point Arena teachers with NTN that the Teachers Union Wingate Foundation. were encouraged to attend these visits opposed it because they wanted more This fall the Thespians will time.” and a majority of them did so. bring their 38th production to the com- Reservations are required as seating is munity when they present “A Question limited. To reserve tickets visit: www. Before deciding to bring in a private Ron Miles said that the teachers op- of Words,” written by San Francisco au- searanchthespians.com or call 707-785- organization, the Board attempted to posed would not participate in any re- thor Richard Manley and directed by Sea 2548. initiate changes in-house. The board search or go on trips to Geyserville or Rancher Jeri Taylor. The opening perfor- Napa. “We did everything we could gave grants to several teachers to mod- mance is September 22nd with additional Volunteering is fun! If you wish to get in- to get the teachers involved. The tim- ify their curricula and nothing came of shows on September 23, 24, 25, 29, 30 volved in community theater, help with ing of dismissing the art teacher was the effort. In the meantime, the school’s and October 1, 2. All performances are at the tasks that happen behind the scenes, or bad, but I don’t know if it was by de- students continued to score very low on 4:00 p.m. offer your support through a tax deduct- sign or accident.” state tests even when compared to oth- ible donation to the Sea Ranch Thespians, er schools with similar demographics. The performances are free - a gift to the Vikki Robinson thinks the board had contact Carol Emory 707-785-2548 or PO On a scale of 1 to 10, Point Arena High community from Carol Emory and The Box 149, The Sea Ranch, CA 95497. scored 1 or 2. All the board members a collaborative approach, but not felt something had to be done. enough. It was hard to get people involved at site council meetings or Leslie Bates: We need to make it clear Cindy Cione: I will go the staff meet- Jim DeWilder and Ron Miles also men- staff meetings. We heard very little to the administration that they need to ings and report back to the board. We tioned instituting a drug testing program negative talk about NTN. No one turn it around. They need to improve used to have round table discussions as a condition for students wishing to seemed to have serious objections their relationship with faculty and with staff, parents and teachers. Maybe participate in sports and other extra- until the board was about to vote on should apologize to the faculty, students that should happen again. curricular activities. Leslie Bates cited the contract. and parents for notifying the art teacher hiring the superintendent as a critical that her contract would not be renewed Page 17 decision. Given some lingering hard feel- ings over the events of June, do you during exam week, three days before the end of school. I personally will spend Do you think the Board and administra- think there is anything the board more time at school so I can see how tion handled opposition to the program could be doing to help rebuild trust NTN is doing. appropriately? Could they have mod- between the administration and eled a more collaborative approach? teachers?

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Forest management…from Page 3 In setting out to develop the charter, The task force will consist of three Familiarity with The Sea Ranch, its his- we quickly concluded that our forested Board members, a minimum of four tory, and governance. scribed efforts over the past 35 years commons are too diverse to be addressed TSRA members at large recommended in the Arcata Community Forest: a by a single policy. As planned, the For- by the Forest Management Subcommit- Knowledge of applicable California and demonstration forest that is managed est Task Force (FTF) will divide our for- tee and appointed by the Board, liaisons Sonoma County laws and regulations. economically as well as ecologically for ested commons into zones, or “project from the Planning Committee and CLC, Planning and/or CEQA experience. recreational uses. Finally, Matt Greene, areas,” in consultation with forestry and and one or more TSRA staff members a Registered Professional Forester and other experts, and with the advice of the to provide support and information. Experience facilitating meetings. TSRA Consultant for the development Commons Landscape Committee. The members at large will be selected of the NTMP, noted the goals and com- by the Forest Management Subcom- Budgetary expertise. ponents of the proposed NTMP, and re- The FTF is an ad hoc task force charged mittee from a pool of qualified appli- viewed strategies for mitigating its im- with working in an open and transparent cants solicited through open invitation. Writing ability pacts. way to develop proposed forest man- (Applicants may be requested to attend The Chair of the Forest Task Force will agement objectives for managing TS- an interview.) In the event the pool of Brief comments and questions to the be appointed by the Board from among RA’s forested commons, and to provide applicants is too small or insufficiently panel from the Board followed the pre- the members at large. At its first meet- the Board with a range of forest man- balanced in terms of skills, expertise, sentations, followed in turn by exten- ing the FTF will select a vice-chair and agement alternatives and costs for each or open-mindedness, the Forest Man- sive comments and questions from the a secretary and establish its meeting project area. Meetings of the task force agement Subcommittee may solicit task membership. At the conclusion of the schedule. As already mentioned, FTF will be posted and open to members for force members from outside the pool of Workshop BOD Chair Jim Nybakken meetings will be noticed and open to their observation and comment. applicants. The selection criteria that thanked the panelists and the members the membership except for any meet- will be used to screen applicants in- who spoke, and said that the Board Objectives and alternatives will be de- ings dealing with matters such as ar- clude: would be meeting the following day in veloped for each project area and sub- chaeological resources that by law re- Special Executive Session to receive mitted to the Board of Directors for its REQUIRED main confidential. Agenda packets advice from Association Counsel. The consideration. Once the Board has ap- and minutes will be kept and published next day, the Board decided to suspend proved the objectives and preferred al- Willingness to listen to and consider di- to the Association web site, the Board activities related to the proposed Non- ternatives for the project areas, the FTF vergent opinions and information with- of Directors, and members of the Task industrial Timber Management Plan for in consultation with staff and appropri- out predetermined personal positions, Force. In addition, the FTF will host the CTPZ in order “to begin conceptu- ate experts will finalize details of the agendas, or demands; member meetings and focus groups to alizing possible options for a revised management plan, including permitting, gather member input. The plan is that planning approach for the CTPZ.” implementation, and long-term mon- Ability to work collaboratively and pro- the FTF will complete its work within itoring. The FTF will assess and rank ductively within a group context; approximately 18 months from the time This past June, Jim Nybakken appoint- the urgency of approved alternatives; its members are appointed by the Board Willingness to objectively analyze a ed the three of us to a new Forest Man- recommend to the Board a prioritized this coming December. reasonable range of alternatives for each agement Subcommittee of the Board schedule of work for project areas; de- Project Area; and of Directors. We were asked to devel- velop a proposed budget sufficient to An open invitation to apply for FTF op the charter for a Forest Task Force membership will be posted in the Oc- implement the alternatives, including all Consistent in-person availability for to address forest management planning tober TSRA Bulletin and via InfoAlert. requirements and costs for carrying out FTF meetings. across the entirety of TSRA commons, the management and monitoring work Be on the lookout! We encourage mem- and to submit our recommended charter over time; and recommend operational DESIRABLE bers who are interested in the future of to the Board at its regular meeting on and communication policies designed to (one or more of the following) our forests to offer their services for this August 27. Following comments and a assure member awareness and provide important task. few questions from the membership and opportunities for members to comment Background in forestry, landscape man- the Board, the Forest Task Force Charter on work to be done in each project area. agement, and/or natural ecosystems. was unanimously approved.

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German South…from Page 13 ers. This is projected to be primarily road next to the Sea Ranch North Fire Heavy-equipment operation within be some conflicts of interest in that to kill off tanbark oaks, but perhaps Station is posted for this timber har- the floodplain. This waiver is re- approach, for loggers whose income also “huckleberry, grasses, manza- vest. At the August 27 Board meet- quested on the basis of GRT’s claims depends on the timber harvest. nita, blue blossom, thistle and pam- ing, Director Gardener reported that that there is no practical alternative, pas.” They would “most likely” use conversations with GRT indicate they and on the basis that they will take The only species considered with the hack-and-squirt technique, in are hoping not to use this route for protective measures to minimize the more care are two endangered spe- which the herbicide is introduced di- logging trucks, but have posted it to impact. cies: Northern Spotted Owls and rectly into a wound in the trees to be reserve that option. Red-Legged Frogs. For the owls, the killed. (Hack-and-squirt was recent- The two oversized tractor clearcuts; legally-required survey is promised, ly outlawed as creating fire hazards What is the impact on the river? waiver requested on the basis that it but is not to be completed before THP in Mendocino County, but there is no would not be practical to leave small- GRT intends to drive heavy equip- er remnants uncut. approval. such ordinance in Sonoma County.) ment on short stretches of road on the The THP promises to leave behind floodplain itself, and extensive skid Water drafting in the floodplain. The Protections for red-legged frogs cover “up to” 4 of the largest hardwoods per only the wetlands where they breed, trails are also shown in the flood- claim is that there is no alternative, acre as food sources for wildlife and plain. At least one temporary bridge but the THP mentions purchases of not the overall forest floor where they as potential habitat. range for food. is proposed (the THP describes two, water supplies from others as a pos- How noisy will this be? but reportedly GRT only intends to sible source of water. In some ways the THP is sensitive build one). They plan to draw water to habitat needs for wild animals: it According to “ear-witness” testimony for dust control from pits in the river Some skid-trail segments (very short proposes to leave in place all snags recently quoted in Soundings (Spring gravel; they plan to drive water trucks ones) are proposed on slopes of over (dead trees) and “live culls” (dying 2016, p4), it will be very noisy. The to those gravel pits to pump the wa- 65%, which is normally not allowed trees) that are usually the most desir- THP proposal claims only a half-doz- ter. There is no discussion of whether because of erosion hazard. this water drafting may be concurrent able places for dens. It also claims en Sea Ranch houses are within 500 Is there a way to object to this with drafting for other logging oper- GRT will make efforts to mark for to 1000 feet, implying (though not THP? preservation any other trees that are explicitly promising) that residents ations. In connection with access to currently in use by wild animals. with houses further away will not the river, the plan calls for destroying If the THP has not yet been approved be able to hear the noise. The THP approximately 100 small riverside by the time you read this, you can What are the impacts on wild does acknowledge the Hot Spot will willows (described as a “temporary” comment to the regulatory agen- plants? be affected by noise. The THP also impact).GRT cites their ongoing work cy charged with enforcing Califor- asserts that the area reached by noise for improving river quality and ero- The THP discusses only plants that nia environmental-quality and for- will only be affected for “a couple of sion control (continuing the practices est-practice laws for logging plans, may be present based on earlier stud- weeks.” of their predecessor GRI) in order to ies of the general area. On the affect- CalFire. Comments should identi- argue that there will be no negative fy the proposed THP by its official ed land itself, the THP proposes that It is not clear how difficult it might impacts on the river. the results of surveys for endangered number, 1–16–047 SON, and should be to halt logging operations if these be addressed (by email) to santaro- plants be submitted only after the Is GRT following the Forest Prac- claims about noise impact should [email protected] or plan is approved by CalFire, and spe- prove false. tice Rules? cifically says the regulatory agencies (by post) to: CalFire Forest Practice, would receive the survey results only Aside from the noise of timber-har- Naturally, they argue that they are 135 Ridgway Avenue, Santa Rosa, 10 days before logging operations be- vest machinery itself, the THP will in- (since otherwise the plan could not be CA 95401. approved). This argument depends gin. crease logging-truck traffic on High- Copies of the full 310-page THP and on Calfire waiving best-practice re- way 1 and on Annapolis Road. The associated documents can be down- The THP states that herbicides may quirements in a number of areas. THP text itself does not specifically loaded from: ftp://thp.fire.ca.gov/ be applied in the clearcut areas, at This THP appears to request waivers mention how logging trucks will ac- THPlibrary/North_Coast_Region/ the discretion of GRT’s staff forest- for at least the following: cess Highway 1, but the GRT logging THPs/THPs2016/1-16-047SON/

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Would you like to trade houses? Do you need a house/pet sitter? Are you available to "sit" a Sea Ranch house? Do you have something you want to sell? Or buy? Or rent? Use the Classified Ad section to match your needs with someone's wants. Classified advertising Classified ads rates: 30 cents a word, $5.00 minimum. Email your ad, clearly written to romingers@ sbcglobal.net.. Make check payable to TSRA.

Display advertising space is also available on a first come basis, limited to camera-ready NEXT EDITORIAL DEADLINE: ANABEL'S BOUTIQUE ads in PDF’s in 9 sizes, starting with business card size ad 3 3/8” W x 2” H. Costs begin November 20, 2016 at $39.00 per issue for the business card size. If interested in placing a display ad, please Rediscovered Clothing for Women and request space and ad size availability. SOUNDINGS welcomes all submissions of Children articles by TSRA members. The articles should Located in the Cypress Village Gualala, CA Advertising deadlines are: Spring issue Jan 31st, Summer Issue April 30th, Fall issue July be 500 to 750 words or less, signed by the 30th, Winter issue Oct 31st. author, and submitted electronically, preferably Open Thurs-Sun 11am-6pm as a Word document or may be typewritten, 707-412-0245 TOO MUCH FAMILY AND NOT MARY-GO-ROUND double spaced. ENOUGH HOUSE? -- House Cleaning - In-Home Services - The SOUNDINGS Editor will determine Ask Rams Head Realty about off- Home Security whether the articles are suitable and relevant Reliable with Local References 30+ FINE YARN, FABRIC, CRAFTS, season specials. Call 707-884-1427 Year Resident to Sea Ranch membership, and whether there or 1-800-785-3455 for conditions and is space for their publication. Because of space ART SUPPLIES, AND HANDMADE Mary Thomas 707 785-2659 Cell 321- limitations and when necessary, articles will be GIFTS AT THE LOFT in the Sundstrom reservations. 4263 subject to editing. Mall, Gualala.707-884-4424. Open ALL ARTICLES ARE WELCOME, subject to the Daily. GOLDEN WEST ASSOCIATES above conditions. If you have questions, please Property Management & Maintenance CIVIL ENGINEERS & LAND call SOUNDINGS Editor Claire McCarthy. (She HIGH TIDES Collective Reliable with Local References 40+ SURVEYORS. is delighted when people volunteer!) Year Resident Dimensions 4 Engineering, Inc. Compassionate Cannabis Care. Fully Michael Thomas 707 785-2659 Cell THE SEA RANCH SOUNDINGS Stocked + Daily Veteran & Senior Dis- 321-9647 cdl 458460 707-785-2293. Appointments available A quarterly publication for TSRA members Tuesdays at The Sea Ranch or in Santa counts. Virtual Computer Physicians Rosa at 2952 Mendocino Avenue M-F Published in Recommendations. Additional Parking 8 am -5 pm Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter WINDOW CLEANING Let CLEAR & Private Rear Entrance. Topographic Maps, Grading and Open 7 Days M - S 11:30 - 6:00 INTENTIONS Window Cleaning Ser- vice improve your view today! Local, Drainage Plans, Perc Tests, and Septic Sunday 12:00 - 6:00 insured. 707-888-3832 System Plans. Editor: Claire McCarthy 38520 S Hwy One Gualala, CA Reporters/Contributors: 707 884-1882 Mary Street Alinder, Jackie Baas, Tempra Board, George Calys, David Castro, Carol ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: Emory, Carl Erickson, Claire McCarthy, call 707-884-1401 for location, day and Scott Mercer, Laurie Mueller, Jim Nybakken, time of Sea Ranch meeting. Roland Pesch, Rae Radkey, Barbara Rice, School Board…from Page 14 Dibby Tyler, David Skibbins, Thayer Walker Jim De Wilder: Board members could Photography Contributions: have a more visible presence at school. Jim Alinder, Bronze Plus, George Calys, Mel Work on person to person relationships. Gerst, Rozann Grunig, Mark Mahaney, Scott Mercer, Claire McCarthy, Thayer Walker, Twofish Baking Company. Bob Gardiner: I will be watching the early steps in implementing NTN. Graphics/Layout: Rozann Grunig Ron Miles: Maybe an apology over Advertising: Connie Rominger the timing of letting the art teacher go [email protected] would help. present 925-516-3901 x 101 Vikki Robinson: Every day is a new Address Correspondence to: day. We are all trying to learn and grow The Sea Ranch SOUNDINGS Post Office Box 16 with experience. The Sea Ranch, CA 95497 or [email protected] Robert Shimon: Show them that this is not a top down process, that the teach- Telephone Calls to: ers’ input is valuable as we move for- By Richard Manley Claire McCarthy 884-3444 ward. Jeri Taylor Director Contact by e-mail: The new school year is underway. I Carol Emory and The Wingate Foundation, Sponsors [email protected] urge Sea Ranchers to stay informed and Knipp - Stengel Barn (Mile marker 53.76) Published by get involved, not just because we pro- vide financial support to the district, September 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30 & October 1, 2 THE SEA RANCH but because excellent education is a 4pm ASSOCIATION good that benefits us all. I have start- Post Office Box 16 ed attending school board meetings (the FREE ADMISSION The Sea Ranch, California 95497-0016 2nd Wednesday of every month at 4:30 PARKING CARDS PROVIDED AT ENTRANCE Copyright © 2016 in the Point Arena High School library) Reservations are necessary (140 seats) THE SEA RANCH SOUNDINGS and hope to see some of you there! FOR RESERVATIONS: All Rights Reserved www.searanchthespians.com No part of this publication may be reproduced in Or call Carol Emory at 785-2548 any form or by any means without the prior, written Picnic in the barn after the performance except on October 2 permission of the editor, excepting the brief quotes used in connection with reviews written specifically for inclusion in a newspaper or magazine.

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A Gardener’s View think of our commons stewardship as a gar- leads to the aerial ecosystems characteristic Sounding dening project: “stewardship” is an elastic of old-growth forests. Thickets and debris Listening to many of the Sea Ranchers in enough term to cover both gardening, and on the forest floor provide cover and shelter Off favor of aggressive intervention in the for- preservation of nature. But if the gardening for both predators and prey. If a particular est, the following concepts come up. The perspective is applied to the forest, then the density of vegetation is not sustainable, the forest is messy. It’s cluttered. There are viewpoint of aggressive intervention makes forest does not sustain it; human guesswork Gardener or Naturalist— segments of trails through it that feel like a sense. A garden is not necessarily rigid and and intervention are not required. If wind tunnel. It would be better to open it up so geometrical, but it is nevertheless carefully knocks down a branch or a trunk, that pro- Who Best to Care for the you can see into it more. There are too many planned, sometimes by a group of people. vides opportunities for variety and regenera- Forest? trees, which is not sustainable; they must be Gardens are orderly, with nicely spaced tion. The fallen debris remains in the forest, “thinned.” “Damaged” or “diseased” trees plantings and well thought out sightlines. providing habitat at first and nutrients later. by Roland Pesch should be removed. The composition of Specimen plants are often features of great Neighboring trees scarred by the fall may the forest should be changed to reduce or interest and appeal. Uninvited plants are develop just the sort of cavities that are ideal An intriguing aspect of our recent commu- eliminate tanbarks and Douglas firs. Letting weeds, to be removed. Thinning of over- habitat for animals. nity debate about the Central Forest was that in more light could lead to bigger redwood grown beds is routine. Diseases such as fun- both sides, with a fair amount of passion, trees, faster. Even with logging, certain trees gus infestations are anathema, and are ruth- To prejudge the density, to preselect which insisted they wanted the best for the forest. could be designated as “specimen trees,” to lessly eliminated. Broken plants are culled. types of vegetation or which stems of red- be preserved. Coupled with these objections wood ought to be removed, to eliminate for- And yet the two sides had drastically differ- to the forest as it is, there’s a vision of the Temporary upheaval is often acceptable in a est-floor debris, to select individual “speci- ent visions of what to do. desired alternative: well-spaced trunks with garden, in pursuit of the gardener’s vision of men trees” to be preserved: all of these are little undergrowth. an improved end result. contrary to a naturalist’s view of the forest. One side seemed to believe the forest is do- A naturalist is also aware that a forest is a ing pretty well recovering from past logging I was baffled by this way of thinking about Gardens are beautiful things, and they are never-ending cascade of change. The natu- on its own, and any human intervention forests. But at a meeting recently, one of among the most admirable manifestations of ralist appreciates the forest not as raw mate- should be minimal. the proponents of greater intervention in the human artifice. But are they the only model rial for human artistry, but for what it is, and forest said something that finally helped me for every part of our Sea Ranch landscape? The other side seemed to believe the forest for what it becomes on its own. make sense of this point of view: “Our Sea suffers from so many problems [1] that mas- Ranch commons are a gigantic, 10-mile- A Naturalist’s View Our major source of wonder and inspiration sive intervention is called for, including log- is observing this system rebound over time, long gardening project.” Many of us take joy in the forest as a re- ging a large fraction of the redwoods and firs a process in which accident and individual silient, self-organizing system made up of in order to encourage eventual development Although hearing this remark was enlight- imperfection benefit the forest as a whole. of “old-growth characteristics.” ening for me, it is not actually a novel way much more than big trees. The fact that it is of seeing the management of the Sea Ranch not “untouched wilderness” is all the more Is This Ranch Big Enough for Both of Us? I’ve been wondering: how can the same landscape. I’ve recently come across this inspiring, as this presents an opportunity to goal—wanting the best for the forest—have account by Charles Moore of his initial en- watch as nature rebounds from past abuse. How can we accommodate both of these led to such different plans of action? It counter with Larry Halprin’s vision for this views in one community? would be more understandable if the issue The naturalist’s focus is on interaction and place: was money. But members were assured that process more than on individual plants, or Our Commons Landscape Committee the logging proponents are not motivated by ...what was most impressive to me was the a particular state of affairs. Fungi growing (CLC) has recognized the widely varying revenue. (In contrast, the Arcata Commu- way that the inevitable intervention in the in a dying tree are not a problem. Not only characteristics of our commons. A fre- nity Forest, sometimes mentioned as an in- magnificent (but already intervened-in) are they beautiful and interesting in their quent CLC description of the forest is as a spiration for the logging project here, openly landscape was seen as an action over time ... own right, but they also recycle nutrients backdrop, or edge. For example, one of the cites “providing revenue for the City” as a the way a good gardener develops a garden and help to form niches for other organisms CLC’s “Landscape Principles” is: major benefit. [2] ) across the years. [3] to live and grow. A redwood tree that splits or loses its top is not a damaged plant to be Recognize that our landscape is defined by What, then, led to our divergence of views? It had not previously occurred to me to removed; it is a prime candidate for trunk the ocean, by hedgerows and open meadows reiteration, which eventually Page 19

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[4] ders quoted above: Rio and other communities in the Rus- erosion along sections of the public sian River area, and the area of Santa access trail, and the formation of The This description reflects a fundamental aes- ...when [borders] reflect territorial claims Rosa on the west side of Highway 101. North Sonoma Coast Fire Protection thetic principle: we perceive through con- that are ultimately negotiable, when they Supervisors are elected for four-year District which gives the local commu- trast. Light and dark define one another. take their place in the midst of human trans- terms to represent each of the county’s nity more control over local tax dol- We are used to admiring art as it is set off by actions, they should generally be layered five supervisorial districts. lars. a frame, a contrasting context. That frame, and interwoven, thick with opportunities for the context, is an important part of how we reconsideration. [5] As the County’s governing agency, Long-standing coordination between experience art. The Sonoma County Board of Su- Sea Ranch staff on security, law en- The major focus of Sea Ranch routine land- pervisors determines county land use forcement, emergency services, sani- If the Sea Ranch is indeed a huge garden, scape maintenance work, over the first fifty policies and is responsible for policies tation and other public services have it is a garden bounded by the wild—to the years, has been outside the forest. This was and regulations concerning county also benefited Sea Ranch members. west, the wild ocean—and to the east, the fortunate in that it accommodated both the parks and open space, development wild forest. Sadly, some of our forest border gardener’s and the naturalist’s perspectives. permits, justice and law enforcement, A “Meet the Candidates” Forum was (towards our northern and southern bound- But it may also have been unfortunate in education, fire protection, water and scheduled on September 17th to intro- aries) is not under our control. But I am con- that it made it easy for each to remain bliss- air quality, sanitation, and many other duce local residents to the two candi- vinced that we can best enhance the entirety fully unaware of the other’s point of view. government functions that affect The dates. The candidates have also been of our commons—meadow, hillside, and Now that efforts are underway to make the Sea Ranch Association and its mem- offered a tour to acquaint them with forest—by allowing the forested commons principles of our commons landscape man- bers. The Sea Ranch facilities and opera- to continue developing as wild forest (with- agement explicit, it is essential to attempt to tions. out neglecting any matters of safety that understand that we have more than one per- The Sea Ranch, Annapolis and Stew- may prove essential). The contrast high- spective on stewardship—and in particular, art’s Point communities in the north- For further information about the can- lights the beauty of both kinds of commons. how these complement one another. west corner of the county are a small didates see: http://www.lyndaforsu It is not solely a visual matter; it goes deeper. percentage of the approximately pervisor.com and http://www.nor As Donlyn Lyndon wrote, [1] Two of the perceived problems were fire dan- 100,000 residents living in the west eenforsupervisor.com ger and the threat of falling trees or limbs. To county. The 5th District Supervisor Borders can be thrillingly abrupt when they what extent these are actually problematic should often plays a key role in bringing at- strike the edges of grand differences: the city become clear through the work of our new For- tention to and helping resolve issues and the sea, the protected and the wild, the est Task Force (see related article, page 3). of concern to The Sea Ranch and other sacred and the profane. [5] local communities. [2] Susie Van Kirk, “A History of the Arcata Com- Here at The Sea Ranch we live in a garden munity Forest, prepared for the City of Arcata”, p1. The Sea Ranch As- framed by the wild forest and the wild sea. http://www.cityofarcata.org/DocumentCen sociation has a long Naturalist and gardener alike can thrill to the ter/View/266 history of working BRODIE ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN wonders of this place. The naturalist can with the 5th District [3] Charles Moore, “Still Pools and Crashing Steve Brodie, Architect AIA better savor the transition to the wild by re- Supervisor and oth- Linda Brodie, Designer specting the forest as boundary rather than Waves”, in Lawrence Halprin: Changing Places, er county officials SFMoMA 1986, p30. advocating that it be allowed to encroach on to address both Sea located at the Sea Watch building the managed landscape. The gardener ben- Ranch and regional [4] Commons Landscape Committee, The Sea 39150 Ocean Drive #5 efits from the definition that a wild border issues. Recent ex- Ranch Landscape (Summary of Commons Gualala, California brings to the managed commons, rather than amples include the Landscape Planning 2010–2016), July 2016, p8. (707) 884-9021 trying to garden the forest as well. This mu- lengthy negotiations tual recognition that each point of view can to reach a resolution [5] Donlyn Lyndon and Charles Moore, Cham- Serving the Sonoma / Mendocino coast since 1982 benefit by giving room to the other may be bers for a Memory Palace, MIT Press 1994, p96. PAGE 20 THE SEA RANCH SOUNDINGS FALL 2016

Remembering Robert Holmes

By Tempra Board their own way,” he explained in a 2005 interview. Robert “Bob” Holmes, internationally known sculptor and Sea Ranch resident “He was hard to work with at first,” of nearly 35 years, passed away in March remembers Jim Pollare, owner of the of this year, at the age of 89. Holmes and Bronze Plus foundry in Sebastopol, his wife, Edith, who passed way just two which Bob founded. “Many techni- years earlier, first discovered the Sea cians who have been successful in other Ranch area in 1968, driving back down trades—especially the building trades— to the Bay Area after a family vacation find out that the bronze art process is a to Canada. very involved one.” Over the 20 years they worked together, however, Jim and Bob knew he wanted to live here one Bob’s business and personal relationship day. grew. Bob completely trusted Jim to help bring his massive sculptures to life, And after a successful career design- many of which must be cast separately ing and building contemporary cus- and welded together. tom homes and commercial buildings in the San Francisco area and Phoenix, Over time, with Edith as business agent Bob made good on this desire. He and and life partner (they were married Edith sold everything and followed their for 62 years), and his talented team at The Game by Robert Holmes. Photo courtesy Bronze Plus. dream, moving to the Ranch in 1981. Bronze Plus, Bob’s sculpture gained Bob and Edith had three children, Jana Bob’s work, and within this form one prominence, showing at high-end gal- It was then that Bob turned to sculpture Jerman, Sue Miller (deceased) and Pat can see his sense of humanity and play- leries from California to New York. He full time. Though formally educated Church, as well as four grandchildren fulness, especially in popular pieces created massive installations for indi- and trained in civil engineering, he “al- and two great grandchildren. Daughter such as The Game, of two massive fig- viduals, corporations, and public spaces ways had art on his mind,” according to Jana remembers her father’s sense of hu- ures engaged in an intense chess match. around the world. mor and one-liners, which her cousin af- his daughter Jana Jerman. From an ear- Keys to Bob’s success can be found not ly age, he was always making things, fectionately called “Bobisms.” Jana also In 2003 Robert Holmes won the presti- remembers her father’s daily ritual—a just in his artistic abilities and commit- working with clay, carving animals and gious Premio del Presidente/Città di Fi- ment to process, but in his fairness in shapes. 20-minute nap on the floor directly un- renze and the Premio Lorenzo il Magnif- der the six-sided skylight of his hillside business, evident in one of Jim’s favorite ico medals for lifetime achievement out It seems that Bob was one of those art- home on the Sea Ranch, during which sayings of Bob’s: “Never make it a bad of 800 artists represented at the Interna- ists unsullied by the pretentiousness that ideas would take shape in his mind. deal for the other guy.” tional Biennial of Contemporary Art in sometimes goes with formal art school- “Then he would get up and start sketch- Florence, Italy—one of the highlights of For Jana, her father’s legacy is found not ing: the need to deconstruct, to analyze, ing.” his life. just in his art, but in his inspiration to his to explain. Perhaps that’s why his work “He had sketches everywhere, on nap- children to not be afraid to “step outside is not always easy to categorize, which Bob incorporated art into every home he the box and follow your calling.” was fine by him. kins, you name it,” she recalls. “Art was built. A beautiful example can be found his passion…. It flowed out of him. He in Casa Tortuga in Santa Rosa, a custom Robert Holmes’ work can be seen at The “My work is my statement. I don’t be- didn’t know where it came from.” home Bob designed in 2008 that was Sea Ranch Lodge and the Gualala Arts lieve that words go very far in describ- named best property in California by the Center, as well as online at http://www. ing sculpture. I would rather let people The human form dominates much of International Property Awards. robertholmessculptor.com. see my work itself and interact with it in

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