Volume 49, Number 6, 2010 www.ventana.sierraclub.org

DEC, JAN, FEB OUTINGS Ventana staff Ventana

Explore, enjoy, and protect the planet hile it is the intent of Th e Ventana to print articles that refl ect the position of C HAPTER C HAIR the Ventana Chapter, ideas expressed Win Th e Ventana are those of the authors and do Planning decisions ture, and biological resources through the new method of monitoring traffi c that not necessarily refl ect the position of the Sierra year 2030. will allow a huge increase before measures Club. Articles, graphics, and photographs are will affect County’s future copyrighted by the authors and artists and may Th is month the Board of Supervisors will to lessen the impacts could be enforced. be reprinted only with their permission. he Ventana Chapter has been in- also be considering an interim ordinance Th e Open Monterey Project’s (TOMP) volved in the General Plan process DEADLINES FOR SUBMISSIONS designed to allow new development to pro- lawsuit is described in an article on page 8. in Monterey County for over 11 ceed under the new growth policies before a TOMP has fi led a legal challenge covering All materials for publication must be received by years.T On October 26, the Board of Super- the deadlines listed below. No exceptions. long list of ordinances have been created to three of the most important interrelated visors approved the plan, now known as enact the polices into law. Th is “urgency” or- policy failures of the GPU: steep slope SUBMISSIONS FORMAT GPU 2010, despite objections from the en- dinance would take eff ect immediately and conversion which would spread vineyard Please limit articles to 800 words; letters to 300. vironmental community over several issues last for 45 days. It could be extended twice cultivation and development into nearly All submissions may be edited for clarity and related to biological resources, traffi c, and for up to two years after public hearings. half a million acres of wildlife and sensi- length. Email to [email protected]. Mail hard water supplies. Based on projections by the copy to editor, address below. At least two organizations have fi led law- tive species habitat, inadequate protection Association of Monterey Bay Area Govern- suits to protect the County’s environment. for wildlife corridors, and lack of proof of PHOTOS ments (AMBAG) the GPU provides guide- Th e Carmel Valley Association’s suit is a adequate water supplies for growth. Photos submitted to Th e Ventana must meet the lines for adding up to about 10,000 new complaint that the County has adopted a —Rita Dalessio following requirements: No laser copies or inkjet housing units, as well as new commercial outputs. Electronic photos should be no smaller than 1200 x 1100 pixels or 300 dpi. Cover photos and other development. It predicts the im- must be 3000 x 2000 pixels. Film photos, slides, pacts of that growth on the County’s traffi c, or negatives are fi ne. Please call the editor if you water, open space, public services, agricul- have any questions. F ROM THE E DITOR WHERE TO SEND SUBMISSIONS Send submissions to Debbie Bulger, Editor, Reusing can be fun You see, the birdbath was constructed 1603 King Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, very morning I watch the goldfi nch- by my very talented husband from, well, [email protected]. es and sparrows splash around in my junk. One day a few years ago, as Richard CHANGE OF ADDRESS birdbath. Besides the delight of see- and I were walking along King Street in Santa Cruz, we spotted an old metal table Do not call editor! Send address changes to: ingE these colorful creatures drink and tidy [email protected] or use the mail-in up, I have the added joy of knowing that lamp base, about three feet high, which coupon in each issue. our family has put some discarded metal someone had put out with the trash. It was POSTAL NOTICE pieces to a very good use. ornate, decorated with garlands and leaf motifs. I had been wanting a bird Th e Ventana (015057) is published 6 times a year, (Feb., Apr., Jun., Aug., Oct., Dec.) paid by bath for some time, and this base subscription included in membership fee, by Th e was perfect. Ventana Chapter of the Sierra Club, 511 River We lugged the heavy piece Street, Santa Cruz, 95060. Periodical postage home. It sat in the garage for over paid Santa Cruz, CA and at additional mailing a year until we found the bowl— offi ces. Postmaster: Send address changes to Sierra Club, another lamp base. Th is time the Th e Ventana, P.O. Box 604, Santa Cruz, CA base was from a fl oor lamp. We 95061-0604. purchased it along with several Editor: other lamp bases and some brass Debbie Bulger, [email protected], pieces at a close-out sale for a store Production: that was going out of business. Debbie Bulger, Vivian Larkins, Dale Nutley Turned upside-down, the brass Writers: Rita Dalessio, Debbie Bulger, Jodi Frediani, fl oor lamp base was just the right Don Hoernschemeyer, Kevin Collins depth and diameter for a birdbath. Photographers: When attached to the table lamp Peter Selig, Erica Crawford, Alex Dalessio, base, voilà. Th e fi nest bird acces- Constantine, Jane Walton, Ventana staff sory money can’t buy. Proofreaders: Virginia Draper, Jeff Alford, Have you found a creative re- Charles Koester, Robin Drury use for something? Let us know. Distribution: Email your description and pho- Keith Wood, Esperanza Hernandez, tos to [email protected]. Per- Beth Lilienthal, Debbie Bulger haps we can feature your creation Advertising Sales: Debbie Bulger in a future Ventana. Carpentry & Software: —Debbie Bulger Anonymous staff Ventana Chapter website: Birdbath constructed by Richard Stover. http://ventana.sierraclub.org

2011 Ventana Publication Schedule Issue Deadline Mailing Date #1 Jan 31 Feb. 16 Santa Cruz Chamber Players #2 Apr 4 Apr 20 Winter Concerts #3 Jun 6 Jun 22 #4 Jul 25 Aug 10 January 15: 8 pm & January 16: 3 pm #5 Sept 26 Oct 12 Music for the Sol: the Couperins, Lully, Clérambault, and d’Anglebert #6 Nov 28 Dec 14 February 5: 8 pM & February 6: 3 pm Articles received after deadline Winds on the Wild Side: Milhaud, Hindemith, Tailleferre & others may not be published. Christ Lutheran Church, 10707 Soquel Drive, Aptos www.scchamberplayers.org Bring This Ad For A Free Cookie

2 Th e Sierra Club 1 Ventana Chapter, Volume 49, Number 6, 2010 Printed on recycled paper L ETTERS Diane Cornell Th eVentana welcomes letters to lead trip to Sicily Send to: in March LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Th e Ventana, 1603 King Street, ired of hiking the same trails? Are Santa Cruz, CA 95060 you looking for adventure? Do you email: [email protected] enjoy traveling in other countries? Please include a phone number WhyT not accompany one of our local lead- with your letter. Anonymous letters are not ers on a trip to Sicily? accepted. Letters may be edited for length. On March 26 local hike leader Diane Moving Beyond Oil! Cornell will lead a Sierra Club Interna- As Governor-Elect Jerry Brown prepares tional trip to Sicily, Italy. If you would to take offi ce, we need to urge him to put like to walk along beautiful seacoasts, view increased transportation and mobility op- Greek temples, tour archeological parks, tions, air quality, and Californian’s quality cruise out to the island of Lepari, and walk of life at the top of his priorities. around a volcano on the island of Vulcano, We need your help; write a letter to Gov- this may be the trip for you. Th e trip is for ernor Elect Jerry Brown and ask him to be 12 days in small hotels and countryside a leader on these important issues. villas with delicious food. For more infor- A recent statistic stated that transporta- mation contact Diane Cornell, 423-5925, tion is responsible for 30% of greenhouse Jane Walton took this photo of a local jogger running past a 5th century BCE Greek temple in Selinunte on [email protected]. gas pollution in the United States. As we Diane Cornell’s trip last January. Selinunte, located on the southwest coast of Sicily, contains one of the most move forward, we need to make sure that impressive archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. we reduce this source of pollution through creating livable communities, making pub- lic transportation options more accessible, and building a 21st century transportation Pogonip hearing delayed system in California. City Council hearing regarding a Critics of the proposal have urged the posed new trail through the Pogonip, all of Having livable communities where peo- proposed new multi-use (equestri- City to consider an alternative route by which will require the further expertise of ple do not need to rely on driving will re- ans, bicyclists, hikers) trail in the the rail line which parallels the Pogonip as scientifi c consultants to (possibly) mitigate. duce pollution and household expenditures APogonip will be delayed until February or a more eff ective route for discouraging il- Th e Sierra Club opposes the new trail as and move us away from our dependence later, according to Dannettee Shoemaker, legal activities such as drug dealing within currently proposed. To learn more, see the on oil. All Californians will benefi t with alternative transportation choices and the Director of Parks and Recreation for the the southeastern edge of the Pogonip. Th e MND at www.cityofsantacruz.com/index. option to not spend 20% of their income City of Santa Cruz. Th e City had previ- rail alternative, which would also provide aspx?page=1543. ously announced that the hearing would be a more direct bicycle connection to the U- each year on transportation. Key contacts: Transportation consumes more than held in late November. Con trail from Highway 9 and the river le- Patricia Matejcek (Sierra Club): 70% of the 19 million barrels of oil used As reported in the August issue of Th e vee, was not thoroughly investigated in the [email protected] daily in the U.S.—that’s roughly 557 mil- Ventana, the proposed trail would extend MND. Some have also called for a hikers- Dannettee Shoemaker: lion gallons of oil used for transportation from Golf Club Drive north to the U-Con only trail as an alternative. [email protected] each day. trail. Th e new trail would require amend- Th e MND also has revealed many seri- Urge Governor-Elect Jerry Brown to put City Council members: ment of the Pogonip Master Plan which ous environmental impacts from the pro- [email protected]. transportation reform and livable, walkable was adopted in 1998 after extensive debate and bikable communities on top of his list regarding mixing bicyclists, equestrians of things to accomplish. C ONTACT Y O u R R EPRESENTATIVES —Annie Pham, Sierra Club California and hikers on Pogonip trails. Currently the Sacramento U-Con and Rincon Connector (leading President Barack Obama U.S. Representative Anna Eshoo to Henry Cowell State Park) Trails are the Th e White House 698 Emerson Street only trails where bikes are allowed in the 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Palo Alto, CA 94301 Sempervirens Fund Washington, D.C. 20500 408-245-2339; FAX: 650-323-3498 park. Comment Line: 202-456-1111 go to website to email saves more redwoods Th e postponement of action regarding the proposed multi-use trail provides an Vice President Joe Biden State Senator Sam Blakeslee 202-456-1414 1104 Palm Street he Sempervirens Fund is celebrat- opportunity for the community to encour- San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 ing two new land acquisitions in age the City Parks Department and the Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger 805-549-3381 the Santa Cruz Mountains. Th e City Council to give a more in-depth con- State Capitol Building go to website to email fiT rst, a 33-acre parcel surrounded on three Sacramento, CA 95814 sideration of the proposal, which was fast- 916-445-2841 State Senator Joe Simitian sides by Castle Rock State Park, eventually tracked by the City in two weeks at the end FAX: 916-445-4633 State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814 will become the new entrance to the park. of July. http://gov.ca.gov 916-651-4011; FAX: 916-323-4529 [email protected] Planned are better access to the park, bath- Th e Mitigated Negative Declaration Senator Dianne Feinstein rooms, campgrounds, and a visitor center. (MND) prepared by the City on the trail 331 Hart Offi ce Building State Senator Jeff Denham In September Sempervirens closed es- project is considered by many critics to be Washington, D.C. 20510 369 Main Street, #208 202-224-3841; 415-393-0707 Salinas, CA 93901 crow on the 35-acre Lagomarsino property an inadequate environmental review. Al- 1 Post Street, Suite 2450 831-769-8040 in San Mateo County. Th ere are over 60 though the offi cial window for comment San Francisco, CA 94104 [email protected] old growth redwoods and over 2000 red- on the document closed on November 5, go to website to email Assembly Rep. Anna Caballero woods and Douglas fi rs on the property. the City has announced that recommenda- Senator Barbara Boxer State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 94249-0028 Th e Midpeninsula Open Space District has tions may still be made to the City Parks 112 Hart Offi ce Building 916-319-2028; FAX: 916-319-2128 expressed interest in ultimately acquiring Department and City Council (see below). Washington, D.C. 20510 100 West Alisal St., Suite 134 202-224-3553; 415-403-0100 (voice) Salinas, CA 93901 the land. 1700 Montgomery Street Phone: 831-759-8676; FAX: 831-759-2961 San Francisco, CA 94111 [email protected] To change address by email: go to website to email Assembly Representative Bill Monning [email protected] U. S. Representative Sam Farr 701 Ocean Street, Room 318-B Membership inquiries: 100 W. Alisal Street, Salinas, CA 93901 Santa Cruz, CA 95060; 831-425-1503 831-429-1976 (Santa Cruz) 99 Pacifi c Street, Suite 555D [email protected] 831-424-2229 (Salinas) Monterey, CA 93940 202-225-6791 (FAX, Washington, DC) 831-649-2832; FAX: 831-649-2935 [email protected] [email protected] Please recycle this paper again Th e Sierra Club 1 Ventana Chapter, Volume 49, Number 6, 2010 3 N EWSCLIPS

Trail blocked Better building standards A December 3, 2010, article in the Wall property. Visit www.coastal-watershed.org Street Journal discusses the “deeply fl awed and click under Community Stewardship Th e long-awaited trail and wildlife cor- Th e International Code Council, a group inspection program” for off shore drilling. for the toolkit. ridor from Nisene Marks State Park to Ca- of American state, county, and city building Th e Center for Biological diversity has ini- brillo has hit a snag. Proponents thought and fi re code offi cials, voted in November tiated seven lawsuits to hold the govern- Legislative report card an easement had been worked out by the on a series of proposals to increase energy ment and BP accountable. County with the present owners, but now effi ciency standards for newly constructed Of the 10 high-priority bills for Sierra the trail is blocked off . Negotiations are homes and businesses. Th e approved pro- Watershed toolkit online Club California, 6 passed the Legislature. continuing. Th e organization Nisene2Sea posals achieve a model code that is at least Governor Schwarzenegger signed three of is working with Santa Cruz County Super- 30% more energy effi cient than the 2006 Th e Coastal Watershed Council has up- those bills: AB 1947 (Solar Energy), AB visor Ellen Pirie to get the developers to live version of the code. Changes will take ef- dated its website and its Watershed Stew- 2289 (Reducing Smog), and SB 51 (Salton up to what they agreed to when their build- fect in the 2012 model building code and ardship Toolkit. Take a look to learn ways Sea Restoration) and vetoed three: AB ing permit was issued. should result in lower utility bills for new you can protect local watersheds. Th ere 1405 (Global Warming/Environmental homeowners. Forty-seven states base their are pictures and instructions on ways to Justice), SB 1157 (Less Toxic Schools/Pes- Solar returns building codes on these national model manage stormwater runoff from your ticides), and SB 1207 (Fire-Safe Planning). At last, solar panels are going back on the standards. White House. Th e solar panels installed by Jimmy Carter and then abandoned by Creek watch Staying a Healthy Hiker Ronald Reagan will be reinstalled on the A new free phone app by Don Hoernschemeyer, Ph.D. White House. Well, not the original ones— can help you report trash ierra Club people keep physically fi t updated ones. Th ey won’t save the planet in California waterways. and take care of their health because all by themselves, but they are a powerful An iPhone application it’s part of their ethos, and because symbol. Now it’s time to put them on all called Creek Watch, de- Sthey want to continue to enjoy hiking and federal buildings. veloped by the State Wa- camping in nature. ter Resources Control Each of us knows the recipe for main- Parsons Slough update Board and IBM, will allow you to take a taining good health—it’s in the news all photo and report the amount of water, fl ow Work is in progress on the Parsons Slough the time. Eat a balanced diet, and limit rate, and amount of trash in a stream. Project reported on in the October 2009 your calories. Get enough exercise, of any Ventana. Th e project consists of the con- Gulf spill scorecard form. Keep your stress level down—one of struction of an underwater sill, a structure the hardest things to do. Have an aff ection- that acts like a submerged speed bump to Seven months after the disastrous oil spill ate and supportive marriage or partnership. slow the outgoing tide. Th e sill is designed in the Gulf of Mexico the government has Have friends whom you see regularly and to reduce erosion in the Elkhorn Slough yet to deal with the signifi cant risks off - have fun with. Take time out for relaxation and conserve wetlands and protect wildlife. shore drilling poses to wildlife and the en- and simple pleasures. But it is often frus- Marine mammals, fi sh, and other wildlife vironment. Th e animal death toll is high. tratingly diffi cult to consistently do what will be able to pass through the sill safely. More than 6,100 birds, 605 sea turtles, we know we should do. and nearly 100 mammals have died. It is Would attention to all these common- Construction is expected to last through estimated the spill killed 20% of juvenile mid-February. sense and well known actions keep us Atlantic bluefi n tuna in the area. healthy? No! Th ey are necessary but not continued above suffi cient for our long-term health. Th ere is one more important ingredi- ent needed in order to have a Jobs Created for Each Billion Dollars Invested vital, healthy life, free of disease well into later years. Our bod- ies must be kept free of toxic chemicals. Most Sierra Club 6,750 people are aware of high profi le environmental toxics, for exam- ple, Polychlorinated biphenyls, being free of diseases that result from ubiq- Bisphenol-A, and Phthalates. uitous, invisible toxic chemicals in the en- But there are more, for example, vironment. All that is required is knowing Polybrominated diphenylethers how we are normally exposed to these tox- ics, and keeping them out of our bodies. It 3,347 (PBDPE), Polyaromatic hydro- carbons (PAH), Perfl uoroocta- is possible; it merely requires knowledge and noic acid (PFOA), Perchlorates, intention and good habits. 2,274 and new pesticides that are al- A few examples of what you can do right 1,481 ways being produced. Where now to keep toxics out of your body: • Buy produce that, according to pub- 878 are these toxics found? PBDPE fl ame retardants are in house- lished lists, has the least residue of pesticides. hold dust and foam cushioning, • See the report by Th e Environmen- pillows, and mattresses; PAH is tal Working Group, www.foodnews.org/ reportcard. Coal Wind coated on microscopic particles of soot; PFOA is on the packag- • Use organic cooking oils (avoid non- Solar-Thermal ing of microwave popcorn and organic cottonseed and soybean oils). Solar-Photovoltaic Building Retrofit Source: Earth Policy Institute on carpeting (therefore also on • Vacuum carpeting frequently. household dust); Perchlorates For further information visit the author’s If we invest in green energy or energy conservation instead of continuing to rely on fossil fuels such as coal, would we are in some leafy produce and blog site, http://toxicfreehealth.net. decrease jobs in the United States? Not at all. Retrofi tting buildings creates more than seven and a half times more jobs some drinking water in the West. Santa Cruz Sierra Club member Don Ho- than the coal industry. Wind power employs almost four times as many people as the coal industry. Each of us can raise the odds of ernschemeyer is a retired research chemist. 4 Th e Sierra Club 1 Ventana Chapter, Volume 49, Number 6, 2010 Printed on recycled paper Planning Department proposes Docent training begins zoning changes with in January for Watsonville Wetlands Watch no environmental review he Watsonville Wetlands Watch 2011 Docent Training Program will begin on January 26. Local experts by Kevin Collins be granted. Th is is a very signifi cant change code was developed to prevent new prob- willT provide an inside look at the wetlands A series of changes has been proposed by from current regulations. Th e proposed new lems from arising. It is not in the public of Watsonville, including the ecology, his- the Santa Cruz County Planning Depart- exceptions have no avenue of appeal except interest to develop new problematic house tory, and restoration of the wetlands. Th is ment that could change the zoning code in back to the Planning Department which sites on lots that should never have been 7-week program includes Wednesday eve- unpredictable ways. Th e Sierra Club op- granted them initially, and no possibility of subdivided to begin with. ning presentations and Saturday morning higher level appeal. posed parts of these changes in 2007-08. How to help fi eld trips. Th e new set of important changes to the Zoning code, like subdivision law, is fun- • Contact Kevin Collins for more in- New docents will be prepared to lead zoning code is being presented as minor; damental to all other land use regulations. formation, 234-7306. walks and assist with fi eld trips. Docents we disagree. Th ey are not minor changes. In many ways zoning is the most impor- • Come to the January 25 meeting of also have the opportunity to help with com- Zoning rules interconnect in complex tant class of regulations that determine the the County Board of Supervisors where munity events, participate in wetlands res- ways to impact not only water resources future physical nature of the County. Such this issue will be discussed. toration, work in the library or greenhouse and wildlife but virtually all environmental decisions need to be made only after con- at the Fitz Wetlands Education Resource considerations. siderable deliberation and certainly should Center, and work on special projects. County Planning is also claiming that not be left to staff with no public review or Th e Watsonville Wetlands Watch is a these zoning changes are exempt from clear right of appeal. nonprofi t community-based organization CEQA environmental review. Sierra Club Historic reasons for dedicated to the protection, restoration, disagrees with this position as well. Th e en- and appreciation of the wetlands of Pajaro tire reasoning behind the California Envi- planning complexity Valley. For more information, visit www. Th ere are many reasons why the Santa ronmental Quality Act is based upon the watsonvillewetlandswatch.org. Cruz County planning and building codes need for policy makers and the public to Contact the Volunteer Coordinator, are complex. Santa Cruz Mountain prop- understand the potential environmental Kathy Fieberling, 345-1226 or kathyfi eb@ erties are earthquake and landslide prone. impacts of projects, including “projects” yahoo.com for details and to enroll. Th ere is a crucial need to protect surface that change land use code. If Planning water supplies from septic leaks and silt ac- wants to change the code, it needs to study cumulation in creek beds caused by land- the consequences of the changes and not slides and building. simply claim that they are “minor” and ex- No building permits were required until empt from review. Also, it would be pos- the 1950s. Many, if not most, of the real sible for an applicant to ask for several mi- problems people face with building permits nor exceptions, which when taken together, have to do with the fact that Santa Cruz could amount to a very big exception. County was largely subdivided before there Th e changes themselves involve what are were any standards for the creation of resi- called “site standards” and include building “Peace begins dential lots. Originally the County accept- height, lot coverage, setbacks from property ed virtually all subdivision proposals with- lines, and fl oor area ratio, which is a stan- Well Within” out review. Th is foolish lack of foresight dard that limits the volume of a building created thousands of lots that do not meet relative to its lot. Th ese proposed changes logical standards for setbacks from adjoin- also would aff ect solar access, accessory ing buildings or roads, for septic systems, structures, structural encroachments, and and for emergency access or parking. buildings constructed without permits. By the early 1970s it became clear that Public hearings unbridled development in the county could P RIVATE SPAS & S AUNASOVERLOOKING would be eliminated result in urbanization similar to what hap- Variances from current codes require a pened in Fresno and the Santa Clara Valley. A J APANESEGARDEN public hearing. In order to grant a variance, Several reforms have occurred at the a hearing is currently required wherein the Planning Department since the 1980s. reviewing body must make a set of fi nd- Th ere are numerous stories about the dif- ings. Typically, variances are only granted fi culties of the permit process, but many of based upon special circumstances of the these stories are distortions of fact. Th e real u Massage Therapy site’s geometry. problems with the planning codes should Planning is now proposing a new catego- be addressed by careful analysis and revi- u Skin & Body Care ry of “minor exceptions” to these codes to sion of specifi c provisions, not by a general be processed by Planning Department staff weakening of zoning standards that protect with no public hearing and notifi cation only residents and neighborhoods. u All Natural Skin Care to adjacent houses or those directly across a Although there may be room to allow for street. Th is lack of wider public notifi cation some “minor exceptions” when remodeling Products cuts deeply into our democratic traditions on lots legally built to prior code, such as and is insuffi cient to protect the environ- allowing a pre-existing four-foot setback to ment and wider neighborhood. Moreover, a lot line when the code has since changed the “fi ndings” necessary for staff to approve to fi ve feet, the situations covered by the these “minor exceptions” to existing code proposed code changes have no such limi- appear subjective and open-ended creat- tations. Expanding the opportunities to 417 Cedar St., Santa Cruz 831-458-WELL. ing the possibility that under the proposal build upon formerly unbuildable lots is not virtually every “exception” requested could in the public interest. Th e existing County Visit our web site at www.wellwithinspa.com Please recycle this paper again Th e Sierra Club 1 Ventana Chapter, Volume 49, Number 6, 2010 5 C H A P T E R E L E C T I O N S

Ventana Chapter Candidates stitute of California State University Mon- terey Bay. In the past five years, we have Ballot on page 15 built the first ever community garden in Salinas, the Chinatown Community Gar- Vote for up to three candidates. den to assist with the renewal efforts of Sa- linas Chinatown http://service.csumb.edu/ site/x19104.xml. Currently, we are gearing up under a USDA grant to start two more gardens in Marina in 2011 and a compost- ing enterprise. I have a personal interest in the Sierra Club because I was born and spent the first 10 years of my life in Tahoe City, located in the Sierras. I value the forest with my heart and soul. Going hiking in the forests of the Monterey Peninsula, I find harmony and inspiration I can’t find anywhere else. Tom Moore I hope to learn more about the Ventana s a Sierra Club member since 1978, Chapter and do my part to assist in the my primary concerns have been re- Chapter’s efforts. lated to the preservation of wilder- Aness and parklands, the maintenance of biodiversity on the planet, and the conse- quences of population growth, particularly Joel Weinstein rapid population growth. I’m an advocate y concern about the environ- of thinking globally and acting locally. In ment first arose in my childhood the latter regard, I’ve served three years with the permanent closure of a on the Marina City Planning Commis- Mnearby beach. Love of the Monterey area’s sion, three years on the MCWD Water Barbara Bass Evans natural environment drew me here. I’m Conservation Commission, 17 years on strongly motivated to protect our beautiful the MCWD Board of Directors and two am honored to be asked to run for area. years on the Monterey County LAFCO. Executive Committee of the Ventana My engineering studies and career gave I’ve also participated in a number of Sierra Chapter of the Sierra Club. Since re- me the opportunity to pioneer in pol- Club trail maintenance outings and hikes tirementI from education, I have been dedi- lution control in the electroplating and over the years. If elected to the Executive cated to preserving and expanding public foundry industry. We demonstrated that Committee, I’d bring to the table knowl- access to our unique and exceptional Mon- clean practices were both profitable and ef- edge of local planning, water and wastewa- terey coastline. I have served as co-chair of fective, leading other plants to emulate our ter issues. Save Our Waterfront Monterey Commit- example. tee (SOWMC) since 1994. (http://www. As Ventana Chapter board member and evansmonterey.org/) treasurer, I have enjoyed working to achieve Natalie Zayes I bring to the Sierra Club connections the Sierra Club goals. As treasurer I have and communication with Organization used the knowledge gained from an MBA am honored to be asked to run for of Coastal Advocates (ORCA), an envi- in Finance and Accounting and in numer- Executive Committee of the Ventana ronmental lobbying group for the Coastal ous Sierra Club workshops to keep our Chapter of the Sierra Club. As an Commission; the Natural Resources Com- Ieducator, I have been devoted to teaching chapter finances in good order. I have put mittee of the League of Women Voters; our accounting system on Quick Books to about the environment and facilitating Surfrider; CA Desal Response Group; and make it compatible with Sierra Club Na- workshops for early childhood through my work with Save Our Waterfront Com- tional’s accounting and have increased the secondary educators using environmental mittee Monterey. I hope to enhance the Si- return on our assets 5-fold. education curriculum. I volunteer with the erra Club’s opportunities to align with like Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctu- minded groups as we work towards achiev- ary involving students in the water quality ing common goals. programs such as First Flush and Snapshot Day. I bring to the Sierra Club connections with California State University, Monterey Bay and Citizens for Sustainable Marina. My passion not only lies in environmental Iris Peppard and science education but specifically in am the Executive Director and co- water issues, and water quality monitoring founder of Everyone’s Harvest, an non- & solutions to water problems locally and profit organization. We manage four globally. I have conducted water quality ICertified Farmers’ Markets in Monterey studies in Mexico and locally and have my County, www.everyonesharvest.org. The students involved in monitoring and learn- organization was started by five Marina ing about the issues of the Peninsula. women. We all believed that everyone de- I look forward to working with the Sierra serves the right to access local, fresh, organ- Club toward goals of educating the public ic produce. In addition, I am the Garden and working toward a better environment Coordinator for the Service Learning In- for the future. 6 The ierraS Club 1 Ventana Chapter, Volume 49, Number 6, 2010 Printed on recycled paper C H A P T E R E L E C T I O N S Santa Cruz Group Candidates

Ballot on page 15 Vote for up to three candidates.

edge their role in our environmental re- sponsibilities. As an Executive Committee member I hope to connect our members with their representatives so that we may fully represent the desires of our group. My interests are varied but transporta- tion and membership would be my focus. New membership and outreach is key to accomplishing the future goals of the Sierra Club. I hope to help us embrace the digital Keresha Durham age of environmental activism. ’ve been a bilingual educator for 23 years; environmental education is my passion and central to my curriculum. IAs a fifth generation Californian, I inher- ited a fierce sense of preserving our wild, natural beauty. I joined the Sierra Club in high school in the 1970s, and I continue Patricia Matejcek David Casterson to make profound life choices to protect the natural environment—choosing not to graduated from UCSC cum laude in ask for your vote so I may continue have children and to sell my car. Environmental Studies, my thesis: to serve on the Santa Cruz Group Ex- I have demonstrated leadership skills, “The Effect of Clear Cut Logging on ecutive Committee. I believe the ex- being appointed to serve on The Environ- Ithe Redwood Ecosystem.” A high school Iperience I’ve gained while serving on the mental Council, Chair of Santa Cruz City biology and nature photography teacher of Executive Committee, as the Group Con- Transportation Commission, Vice Chair of 34 years, I have served as a member of the servation Chair, as a current member of the the Monterey Bay chapter of Population Santa Cruz County RTC’s Transportation Pajaro River Watershed Committee, as past Connection and others. Task Force and its Bicycle Committee. Political Committee member, as delegate to Locally, the impact of unchecked growth My family has lived on a small apple farm the CNRCC and annual Convention, as a is negatively affecting our quality of life. in the Aptos Hills for the past 25 years. We member of the CA Coastal Committee and How do we live within our habitat’s carry- have installed solar hot water and photo- the CA ExCom Nominating Committee, ing capacity? voltaic systems on our home. I connect and the national Marine Action Team will One answer is to create an efficient Deirdre Des Jardins deeply with Santa Cruz County through continue to be useful to Club members in multi-modal transportation network of a variety of activities including hiking, cy- addressing the numerous and increasingly moved to Santa Cruz in 1987 and have bike, pedestrian, bus and rail facilities. cling, kayaking, writing, photography and complex resource issues facing our county. lived in the Santa Cruz mountains for Fossil-fuel vehicles cause climate change, teaching. People who have a strong bond There are also several administrative tasks the last 12 years. I have learned to love health problems, permanently pave over I’d like to complete, so I would appreciate Ithe mountains in all their seasons and the with the earth are much more likely to take habitat and divide our communities with actions to defend it. your vote. many unique and beautiful plants and ani- noise and pollution. I support water con- Our local Sierra Club needs to give people mals on the Central Coast. Although much servation, not an energy-intensive desalini- a reason to join us, through our activities, has been done to preserve this heritage, I zation plant. our fundraising, and media exposure. Now, have also seen the slow degradation of habi- My vision for our chapter is to encour- more than ever, we need a more powerful, tat from land clearing, logging, road build- age participation: have regular general more diverse and positive voice for the en- ing, and development. membership meetings and public events vironment. Sierra Club members should In California, we’re facing continuing so we are recognized by youth and our vote for me because of the enthusiasm, challenges from population increase and community as its voice for environmental openness and experience I demonstrate in development and the resulting impacts on stewardship. both land and water. In the next decade, welcoming others to share our commit- we’ll also begin to see impacts from global ment to protect and improve the natural warming. It’s a critical time for many spe- environment of Santa Cruz County. cies and their habitats, including Central Coast Coho salmon and steelhead trout, red-legged frogs, and tiger and long-toed Certifi ed Green Building Professional salamanders. I am a long-time progressive activist and have become deeply involved in advocat- ing for sustainable water use in California, working with Sierra Club California and John Howerton other environmental groups around the One-Day Room Re-Design s a lifelong outdoorsman, I have state. I was honored to be asked to run for enRepurpose and restyle what you already own for a look that’s easy on the checkbook and the environment always felt the need to connect to the local Executive Committee and would nature. From my first backpack as a work for protection and restoration of bio- eltoResidential Design Services ABoy Scout to being a mentor as a Big Broth- logically important areas in Santa Cruz, For your remodel, addition, kitchen or bath er and now as a Sierra Club hike leader, I including creeks, wetlands, estuaries, and www.sheltondesign.com 831.479.0796 have helped others connect and acknowl- riparian corridors. Please recycle this paper again The Sierra Club 1 Ventana Chapter, Volume 49, Number 6, 2010 7 Alex Dalessio Alex

Hills such as these in Carmel Valley are vulnerable to steep slope development and negative impacts to wildlife corridors in Monterey County under the recently approved General Plan. General Plan assaults habitat and species or nearly 12 years your Chapter rep- diversity. However, extensive habitat loss severely compromised streams and rivers; important wildlife movement corridors will resentatives have fought to defend and fragmentation and loss of critical wild- air and water quality (from heavy equip- cause serious environmental harm to habi- Monterey County’s incredible plant life corridors will result if key Plan policies ment and chemical use); and the destruc- tats, species, and wildlife corridors. andF animal ecology through the General are not successfully challenged. We are fo- tion of the natural viewshed. Water supply Plan Update (GPU) process. Unfortunate- cused on three of the most important, in- Wildlife corridors Critically, the EIR also fails to include ly, the Plan recently approved by the Coun- terrelated policy failures of the GPU which Animals require movement linkages for a thorough and legally-adequate factual ty Supervisors severely weakens existing must be addressed: dispersing, foraging, and breeding, and yet analysis and mitigation of the general plan's regulations that have for decades protected Steep slope conversion these linkages have not been protected in impacts on the County's limited water sup- much of this county’s natural landscape, Under the new plan, development regu- the GPU. In addition, the County occupies plies. Incredibly, in light of Monterey’s described by Th e Nature Conservancy as “a lations have been eviscerated that have long a critical location relative to regional wildlife long-standing water crises, the County also globally-important hot-spot of biological protected steep hillsides movements failed to bite the bullet and provide criteria diversity.” and their fabric of life. between ma- for a defi nition of a long-term sustainable What is at stake? Th e new regulations Extensive habitat loss and jor coastal water supply, by which to analyze proposed Over 2000 species of plants, 37 of which would allow the con- fragmentation and loss of and interior new development—leaving that very essen- are found nowhere else on earth, at least version of hundreds of m o u n t a i n tial task undone. It is highly irresponsible 178 species of birds, and myriad other thousands of acres of critical wildlife corridors will ranges. Lo- for the County to force the residents them- species call Monterey County home. Th e unspoiled steep hill- result if key Plan policies are cally- and selves to repeatedly defend their dwindling County provides core habitat for many de- sides for vineyards and not successfully challenged. regionally- water supply each time another subdivision clining and threatened species. It is one of other intensive uses, significant is promoted. just fi ve Mediterranean-type regions on the which would displace wildlife cor- What’s next? planet, which cover just 2% of the earth’s wildlife as well as its habitat. Other harm- ridors are already threatened by develop- Th e Open Monterey Project (TOMP) surface, yet harbor over 20% of the species ful impacts of this change include those to ment, roadways, and agricultural intensi- has just fi led a legal challenge against the water supplies (from new water demand), fi cation. Th e Plan’s Environmental Impact County, based on these and other key is- erosion, and sedimentation of our already Report (EIR) failed to adequately iden- sues. TOMP is an unincorporated associa- tify and address the harm that its policies tion of residents established in 2002 to pro- would cause to these essential linkage corri- mote open and accountable government dors. In addition, the Plan’s “Winery Corri- To change address by email: and sound environmental decision-making dors” would allow signifi cant development throughout Monterey County. Th e Chap- [email protected] of vineyards, fencing, restaurants, lodgings, Membership inquiries: ter Executive Committee has voted to en- wine tasting facilities, and large scale win- dorse this litigation. Stay tuned for future [email protected] eries. Th e direct overlap of these proposed updates! Winery Corridors and identifi ed regionally-

8 Th e Sierra Club 1 Ventana Chapter, Volume 49, Number 6, 2010 Printed on recycled paper Best wishes for a happy holiday season Ventana staff Ventana

Yosemite Valley from Dewey Point. State of the air alifornia cities lead the list for most polluted air in the American Lung Big decisions coming for the Pajaro River watershed State of the Air Association’s report, he Club’s Pajaro River Watershed erra Club supported) a project that would Th e Zone 7 Board got very much the 2010C. Th e report, examines ozone and par- Committee is working double address the critical public safety concerns same presentation that the multi-county ticle pollution across the U.S. for the years time on issues aff ecting this critical in Watsonville and in the unincorporated group received the week before, but this 2006, 2007, and 2008. A previous report coastalT watershed. Committee members community of Pajaro, located in Monterey time without the Army Corps of Engineers covered the years 2005, 2006, and 2007. and environmental attorney Gary Patton County. Unfortunately for those residents present. At the Zone 7 meeting, speak- Although results showed improvement attended a November 12th meeting of the facing very real fl ooding dangers, local gov- ing for the Committee, Patton noted that over previous air quality levels, much re- Pajaro River Watershed Flood Prevention ernments have all rejected this “basic” fl ood there was a fundamental unfairness in ask- mains to be done. Not unexpected, a fi nd- Authority (a four-county local government control plan, and have demanded a much ing lower-income urban residents in Wat- ing was that people living in poverty face consortium charged with the responsibility more extensive (and much more costly) sonville and Pajaro to help subsidize fl ood higher risks of harm from air pollution. for dealing with the substantial fl ood dan- plan that would protect agricultural lands protection for farmland owners. He also Most polluted cities in U.S. by ozone gers along the Pajaro). as well as the urban areas. Th ere is nothing emphasized the continuing theme of the LA/Long Beach/Riverside At this November 12th meeting, held in automatically wrong about protecting our Committee: the solution to the fl ooding Bakersfi eld Watsonville, local offi cials joined Congress- commercially productive agricultural lands problems along the lower Pajaro River de- Visalia/Porterville member Sam Farr in complaining to the from fl ooding, but since the national pro- mands a “watershed scale” eff ort. Fresno/Madera Army Corps of Engineers that the Corps gram puts a priority on public safety, not Th e Committee will be taking a leader- Sacramento area has not moved fast enough to address fl ood supporting agricultural land owners, the ship role in the New Year, ensuring that a Hanford, CA/Corcoran dangers. Th e problem, however, hasn’t re- process for approval has been signifi cantly watershed approach is taken seriously. Un- Houston area ally been mainly at the federal level. Several delayed. less it is, all the problems in the watershed, San Diego/Carlsbad/San Marcos years ago, the Corps proposed (and the Si- On November 16th, with attorney Pat- including fl ood dangers, will just get worse. San Luis Obispo/Paso Robles ton again in tow, the Committee appeared Looking to the bright side, the watershed Charlotte area North Carolina at a meeting of the “Zone 7” Board of Di- scale solutions that the Committee sup- Particle pollution, year round Antibacterial soap affects rectors, held in conjunction with a regular ports have the promise of addressing not Phoenix fi sh reproductive behavior meeting of the Santa Cruz County Board only fl ood dangers, but also water supply Bakersfi eld of Supervisors. Th ough all members of the and groundwater overdraft problems, too. LA area re you using antibacterial soap? You might change your mind after Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Committee Chair Lois Robin says, “stay Visalia/Porterville are also members of the Zone 7 Board, tuned!” Next year will be important for the Pittsburgh, PA area learning what scientists reported in ANovember at the meeting of the Society of Zone 7 is a separate government agency, future of the Pajaro River watershed. Fresno area which has both fl ood control and conser- Birmingham area Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry in Portland, Oregon. vation responsibilities within Santa Cruz Hanford area County. Cincinnati area Chemist Melissa Schultz studied the ef- St Louis area fects of low concentrations of triclosan and Short term (24 hr.) particle pollution triclocarban on minnows in laboratory Bakersfi eld aquariums. Th e concentrations studied are Fresno levels found in the environment. Schultz Pittsburgh, PA found that even low levels of these chemi- LA cals aff ected the behavior of male minnows Birmingham who normally defend their nests from ri- Sacramento vals. Exposed males were less interested Salt Lake City than non exposed controls. Visalia “Even at the low concentrations found Modesto in the wild, these chemicals can alter repro- Hanford ductive behavior,” noted Heiko Schoen- Merced fuss, and aquatic toxicologist. To view the entire report visit, Next time you go to the store, you might www.stateoftheair.org/2010. want to read the label on the soap container. Please recycle this paper again Th e Sierra Club 1 Ventana Chapter, Volume 49, Number 6, 2010 9 Non–Sierra Club FDA ponders genetically engineered salmon Events of Interest by Jodi Frediani from farmed fish are infecting the natives, cancers in humans—, have the lowest ome- The following activities are not sponsored or ad- ministered by the Sierra Club. The Club makes no s California’s native salmon teeter concentrated waste litters the ocean floor ga-3 to omega-6 ratio of any salmon, and representations or warranties about the safety, su- on the brink of extinction, ocean- beneath pens where fish are stuffed like may change the bacteria in our intestines. pervision, or management of such activities. They based salmon farms attempt to keep sardines in a can, and escapees are cross- The GE fish themselves show an in- are published only as a reader service. Asalmon on the menu. While doing noth- breeding with native strains weakening creased frequency of skeletal malformations their genetic suitability for survival. Farmed such as “humpback” spinal compression ing to further the survival of native fish, the Saturday & Sunday, January 29-30 farms are guilty of the exact opposite. Lice salmon are fed dye to give them the rosy and jaw “erosion.” In comparative photos, pink color we expect, pesticides to rid them they look like salmon on steroids, and, like Wilderness First Aid of lice, and antibiotics to keep them alive.* all farmed fish, they eat lots of fish-meal This 16-hour certified course is hosted by Their adverse impacts on the environment from the oceans which further depletes UCSC Recreation and the Wilderness Medicine and human health are believed to be con- ocean fish stocks. Institute of NOLS. It is from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 siderable. Claims that these fish will save wild salm- p.m. each day at Stevenson College, UCSC. But a potentially larger threat to native on by reducing pressure on wild fish simply Register online at www.ucscrecreation.com. salmon and human health looms on the ho- don’t hold up, as loss of habitat is the great- Friday, January 7 rizon: genetically engineered (or modified) est threat to native salmon. Farmed fish, salmon. Frankenfish, if you will. The U.S. whether GMO or not, simply allow us to Tree planting meeting Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is continue ignoring the huge problem of hab- Join Santa Cruz Climate Action Grove to poised to approve a plan by AquaBounty itat destruction and loss. Dams, water use, discuss future tree planting sites in Santa Cruz. Technologies to produce genetically engi- sediment, logging, urbanization of stream 7-8:30 p.m. Contact Greg Cotten, contact@ neered salmon that grow twice as fast as na- channels and riparian corridors all contrib- santacruztreetrust.org for more info. tive salmon, so they can “feed the world.” ute to degraded freshwater habitat. Climate Friday & Saturday, February 25 & 26 These fish start as Atlantic Chinook with change is altering the oceans in ways we genes of Pacific Chinook and “ocean pout” have yet to understand. Salmon need both Banff Mountain Film spliced into their DNA. streams and the ocean. These iconic fish are Festival As we are reminded, Monsanto and other born in coastal fresh water streams and riv- Explore the world’s last great wild places. bio-tech corporations did not start creat- ers, and migrate into the oceans for a sig- Tickets $12 to $15. Purchase online at www. ing genetically-modified seeds to “save the nificant portion of their lives. They then ucscrecreation.com or in person at UCSC Recreation or at Pacific Edge. Benefits the world,” but to privatize genetic informa- return to the stream of their birth to spawn UCSC Wilderness Orientation Scholarship tion. In other words, their goal was to cor- and begin the cycle anew. Fund. 7:00 p.m. at the Rio Theatre, Santa Cruz. ner the market and make fistfuls of money. While GMO salmon would initially be If the FDA approves the sale of GE salm- raised in inland ponds, escape is still a pos- Monterey CNPS on for human consumption, this will be a sibility, as eggs would get distributed world- first for genetically-modified food animals wide. The effects of cross breeding between Habitat restoration and will open the floodwaters for other ex- these engineered fish and their wild breth- Volunteer to restore native habitat in State Parks in Monterey Co. Wear layered work clothes. perimental creatures on our dinner plates. ren are completely unknown. Will we take Bring water & snacks. Tools & gloves provided. Little research on health effects to humans the risk? According to Gregory Moyer, Re- Carpools meet at Rio Rd. Park and Ride. Rain has been conducted, and the FDA may not gional Geneticist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife or shine. Contact Jan Shriner, 236-0905, even require labeling of these genetically al- Service, “The environmental impact of es- [email protected]. Website: tered (GMO) fish so consumers can decide caped GE salmon is of great concern.” “I www.montereybaycnps.org. for themselves. do think the chance of escapement is huge,” The FDA is in receipt of studies con- says Deborah Burger, Manager, Chatta- Santa Cruz CNPS ducted by AquaBounty, the company that hoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery, Habitat restoration wants to feed you GE salmon, which show U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Volunteer to restore native habitat in State Parks the following: GMO salmon have higher The FDA veterinary advisory commit- in Santa Cruz Co. Wear layered work clothes. allergenic potencies, they are more carci- tee, rather than the food advisory commit- Bring water & gloves. Tools provided. 10:00 nogenic—producing 40% more of a hor- tee, will be making the final decision. In a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We work rain or shine, but mone linked to prostate, breast, and colon November, Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) if things get particularly unpleasant, we call introduced legislation that would ban ge- it a day. Contact Linda Brodman, 462-4041, netically engineered salmon if approved by redwdrn@pac bell.net. Please the FDA. But the biotech industry has a lot Website: www.cruzcnps.org Patronize our advertisers riding on FDA approval and has lobbied Dec. 18, Quail Hollow Ranch Conty Park long and hard, pouring lots of money into Tell them you saw their ad in Jan. 15, Quail Hollow Ranch Conty Park the midterm elections. Jan. 29, Quail Hollow Ranch Conty Park The Ventana *www.foodandwaterwatch.org/fish/seafood Watsonville Fourth Saturday Habitat restoration - Watsonville Sponsored by Watsonville Wetlands Watch. 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Meet at the Fitz Wetlands Educ. Resource Center at Pajaro Valley HS. Gloves, tools, and snack provided. Call Jonathan Pilch, 728-4106, for more info. No experience necessary. Saturdays Garland Ranch Hikes The Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District docents lead hikes at Garland Ranch every Saturday. An updated list of all hikes may be found on their website: www.mprpd.org.

10 The ierraS Club 1 Ventana Chapter, Volume 49, Number 6, 2010 Printed on recycled paper O u tin g s Saturday, December 25 In the interest of facilitating the logistics of some outings, it is customary that participants Holiday Hike: Garzas Creek O u tin g s R atin g s make carpooling arrangements. The Sierra Club does not have insurance for carpooling arrangements and assumes no liability for them. Carpooling, ridesharing, or anything Peaceful beautiful Garzas Creek is a relaxing way to General information: similar is strictly a private arrangement among the participants. Participants assume the spend a holiday. 4½-mile loop with 800' elevation gain. Bring water & lunch or snack. Arrive early; we All outings begin and end at the trailhead. risks associated with this travel. depart at 10:00 a.m. sharp from Rio Road Park & Carpooling to and from the trailhead is CST 2087766-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State Ride. We should return around 2:00 p.m. Call for strictly a private arrangement between the a reservation. Leader: Lynn Bomberger, 375-7777. driver and the riders. Carpool drivers are of California. not agents or employees of the Sierra Club. Participants will be required to sign a liability waiver. To read it before choosing to Tuesday, December 28 - January 2 participate on an outing go to www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms. HOLIDAY SERVICE IN CARRIZO PLAIN Explanation of ratings: Celebrate New Year,s in one of our newer national The outings described vary in difficulty Tuesday, December 21 monuments. The Carrizo Plain, northeast of San from leisurely walks to strenuous hikes. The D ecem b er Hike: Point Lobos Luis Obispo, is a vast grassland, home to pronghorn following explanation is a general guideline. antelope, tule elk, kit fox, and a wide variety of birds. (For more information about the difficulty Our 6-mile loop with minimal elevation gain takes A welcome hike Dec. 28, three and a half days of Thursday, December 16 us along tree-clad headland trails with magnificent of a particular outing, call the leader). Hike: Pebble Beach service modifying barbed wire fencing, and a full day views. We’ll probably see a variety of wildlife and for hiking and exploring are planned. Use of accom- Walk: Between 2-5 miles, leisurely pace. We’ll zig & zag through serene pine forests of Pebble maybe some wildflowers. Bring water & lunch. modations at Goodwin Ranch included. Limited Easy: No more than 5 miles; slight eleva- Beach hoping to find beautiful Fly Agaric mush- Meet at the Rio Road Park & Ride near the Bank of to 14 participants, $30 covers 5 dinners. For more tion gain; easy pace. rooms. If we’re really lucky, we might see an elf or America before 9:30 a.m. We leave on time. Leader: information, contact leader, Craig Deutsche, craig. Moderate: 5-10 miles; up to 2000' gain; two under them. Bring water. Lunch gives us the op- Gisela Nobinger. Please let me know if you are com- [email protected], 310-477-6670, or co-leader, ing: [email protected] or 333-1759. boots; better than average fitness required. tion of purchasing a Poppy Hills sandwich. 5-miles, Melinda Goodwater, [email protected], Strenuous: May involve off-trail hiking; 750' elevation gain with flora & fauna stops. Arrive 408-774-1257. early; we depart at 9:30 a.m. sharp from the “Haul Wednesday, December 22 demanding pace; for experienced hikers in Road” Gates on Hwy. 68 in Pebble Beach. Call for Hike: Pogonip good condition only. Wednesday, December 29 a reservation. Leader: Lynn Bomberger, 375-7777. Stop at old spring boxes, lime kilns, and old club- Hike: Henry Cowell Redwoods house. Hike through meadows, redwoods, and a few Cowell has some very old redwoods and some rare, Friday, December 17 creeks. 6½ miles, 600' elevation gain. Bring water M eetin g P laces Hike: Bluff Camp for this area, Ponderosa pines. 7½ miles, along the and lunch. Meet before 9:30 a.m. at Sears 41st Ave. San Lorenzo River with 800' elevation gain. Nice Let’s see if there’s any water in Los Padres reservoir! Leader: Tom Davey, 331-8430. Directions: view of Santa Cruz. Bring water and lunch. Meet Meet at Rio Rd Park & Ride at 8.30 a.m. to carpool before 9:30 a.m. at Sears 41st Ave. Call for a reserva- Rio Road Park & Ride: This parking lot to Princes Camp in Cachagua. Our 8-mile walk takes tion. Leader: Tom Davey, 331-8430. is on Rio Road in Carmel. us across the dam and along the edge of the reservoir Save-Mart /Bagel Bakery: (formerly Alb- to our lunch spot at Bluff Camp on the upper Car- ertson’s) South of Monterey on Hwy. 1. One mel River. Scenic and moderately strenuous terrain at mile past Ocean Ave., turn L on Carmel Val- a leisurely pace. Bring lunch and water. Rain cancels. ley Rd. Almost immediately, turn R at the Leaders: Cath Farrant and Mary Dainton, 372 7427. light. Save-Mart / Bagel Bakery on the R. Saturday, December 18 Santa Cruz County Government Center: Hike: Wilder Ranch The large grey building at the corner of Ocean Our hike takes us through open meadows and several & Water in Santa Cruz. We meet at the corner beautiful forested areas. Lunch at the top of the Eu- of the parking lot nearest to the intersection. calyptus Loop where we will enjoy a sweeping ocean Felton Faire: The shopping center at the view. 10-mile loop, 900' elevation gain. Meet at the junction of Graham Hill and Mt. Hermon Santa Cruz County Government Center parking lot Rds. in Felton. We meet at the edge of the at 9:30 a.m. Bring water, lunch and carpool $. Heavy Safeway parking lot nearest Graham Hill Rd. rain cancels. Leader: Pamela Burnham, 428-2796. Built by Sierra Club members in 1934, this rustic, hostel- 41st Avenue / Sears: From Hwy. 1 in style lodge stands atop historic Donner Pass, just an Saturday, December 18 Capitola take the 41st Ave. exit. Go to- hour and a half from Sacramento. ward the ocean on 41st Ave. Pass the main Hike: Pinnacles, “behind the Mall entrance and turn right into the next monuments” entrance near Sears. We meet behind the For a different perspective of the Pinnacles National The Lodge grooms its own cross country ski and bank located at 41st and Capitola Road. Monument, we’ll utilize climber access trails to go snowshoe trails, rents equipment for these activities MPC parking lot: Monterey Peninsula among the pinnacle rocks and “behind” monuments normally viewed only from their sheer “front” side and offers cross country ski lessons. The unbeatable College Parking Lot. From Hwy. 1 take on the Juniper Canyon trail. With enough rainfall, location of the Lodge provides quick and easy access the Fisherman’s Wharf exit, go straight one we will see a 30' waterfall. For experienced hikers block, turn L and L again into the first park- only as trails are not developed. 6 miles and 2000' to the legendary Donner Summit backcountry ski ing lot: A. Site of the Thurs. Farmers Mkt. elevation gain. Must call leader for further informa- terrain or any of its downhill or cross country ski Plenty of parking with no fee on weekends. tion and a reservation. Leader: Jack Glendening, resorts. 484-6929. Sunday, December 19 Guests enjoy excellent family style meals, a friendly carpool news Hike: Jacks Peak staff and a casual and communal atmosphere. We’ll walk around Jacks Peak clockwise, starting Meet 1 hour before formal meeting at the elementary school on Olmstead Road (near time in order to save gas and protect Monterey airport). Moderate 6-mile hike with less See you on Donner Summit... the environment when participating than 1000' elevation gain. Beautiful views of Mon- in out-of county outings. Informal terey and Point Lobos. Bring water and lunch. Heavy (no leader) carpool meeting spots: rain cancels, dribble doesn’t count. Dress for the For more information about our special programs winter weather. Confirm by calling leader: Anneliese or to receive a full schedule and description of Clair Santa Cruz: County Gov’t Center Suter, 624-1467. Tappaan programs please visit our website at Monterey: REI Marina www.ctl.sierraclub.org or call (800) 679-6775.

Please recycle this paper again The Sierra Club 1 Ventana Chapter, Volume 49, Number 6, 2010 11

O u T I N g S

Tuesday, January 4 is a dryer and warmer alternative to the coast. A fair- Wednesday, January 12 J A N u A R Y Hike: West riDGe trail loop ly strenuous hike with 12 miles and 1200' elevation Hike: fall creek Join us for this Nisene Marks 8½-mile hike with gain. Call leader for carpool information. No rain Fir, oak, and madrone dominate the area. Th e park Saturday, January 1 1000' elevation gain through a lovely shaded red- cancellation! Leader: John Howerton, 476-4253. is known for its wide variety of ferns—15 altogether. Hike: GarlanD to my place wood forest. We hope to see the very early fetid ad- We’ll hike up the Ridge Trail to the Barrel Mill Cut- Sunday, January 9 Our traditional New Year’s Hike takes us from Gar- der’s tongue. Bring water & lunch. Arrive early; we off . Lunch at Barrel Mill site. 6 miles, 1000' eleva- land Ranch, up to Snively’s Ridge at a moderate pace, depart at 8:40 a.m. sharp from the far end of the Hike: WHale peak at soberanes point tion gain. Bring water and lunch. Meet before 9:30 and still a little higher to a sunny spot for lunch. parking lot in front of REI (next to the wall) in Ma- How about a trek around and up Whale Peak at a.m. at Sears 41st Ave. Call for a reservation. Leader: Th en we’ll turn west and go way up through Carmel rina or from the parking lot behind Aptos Station Soberanes? We’ll hope for a clear day to watch for Tom Davey, 331-8430. Valley, down to Holt Road and back. But wait a min- at 9:30 a.m. sharp. Bring water & lunch. Call for whales, so bring binoculars. If the trail on the ocean ute, you are all invited to Kaff ee und Kuchen at my a reservation. Leader: Lynn Bomberger, 375-7777. side of the peak is closed, we’ll do a two-pronged Friday, January 14 place, Mid Valley Garden Homes #53, to celebrate walk fi rst on the north side and then the south, and Hike: pinnacles/Junipero cyn loop the New Year. About 8 miles and 1500' elevation Friday - Sunday, January 7 - 9 then go up the hill for lunch. Dress in layers (windy Th is spectacular but steep trail climbs along switch- gain. Bring water and lunch, optional hiking sticks; Work party: DeatH Valley nat’l park up top!!), bring lunch and water, expect to be back backs to the heart of the High Peaks. At the top, we’ll wear sturdy shoes. Meet at Mid Valley parking lot Come help with wilderness restoration in this beauti- at meeting place by early afternoon. Rain cancels. circle through rock formations along the steep and opposite Chase Bank at 10:00 a.m. Call for a space. ful and remote National Park. Meet early Friday af- Meet at the Rio Road Park and Ride at 10:00 a.m. narrow section of the High Peaks Trail and return Leader: Anneliese Suter, 624-1467. ternoon and work on erasing vehicle tracks in Gower For more directions call by Jan 8! Leader: Mary Gale, via the Tunnel Trail. We’ll look for condors and early Gulch in Death Valley. Saturday we’ll work in the 626-3565. wildfl owers. 4.3 miles with 1215' elevation gain. Tuesday, January 4 Amargosa Valley on the park’s east side, installing Bring lunch and water. Meet at MPC parking lot A senior Walk: WatsonVille WetlanDs park boundary signs and wilderness restoration signs, Tuesday, January 11 at 9:00 a.m. or at Pinnacles Chaparral day use area, A mostly fl at 3½ mile walk around Watsonville and and removing trash. Sunday work is TBD. Camp senior Hike: upper ucsc west side, at 10:30 a.m. Rain cancels. Leaders: Cath Struve Sloughs. We’ll see egrets, herons, mallards, Friday and Saturday nights at Texas Springs camp- 3-mile hike on new trails. Call leader for more de- Farrant and Mary Dainton, 372 7427. etc. Meet before 9:30 a.m. at Sears 41st Ave. or at the ground. Appetizer/dessert potluck Saturday evening. tailed description. Meet before 9:30 a.m. at Sears Nature Center, 30 Hawkins Slough Rd. at 9:50 a.m. Bring, camping gear, food for the weekend, and work 41st Ave. Bring lunch, water, $2 carpool. Leader: No restrooms. We’ll lunch at Ramsay Park. Bring gloves. Leader: Kate Allen, [email protected], Xavier Ballard, 430-8292. If trails are too muddy, hike lunch, water, $3 carpool. Rain cancels. Leader: Bev- 661-944-4056. is switched to Capitola stairs/Depot Hill. Same meet- erly Meschi, 475-4185. ing place. Call leader to confi rm. To go direct, park Saturday, January 8 in lot at Jade Street Park by 9:45 a.m. Bring lunch Hike: GarlanD rancH or eat in one of the restaurants on the Esplanade. We’ll hike up to the Mesa via foothill trails, Buck- Leader: Pat Herzog, 458-9841. eye and Waterfall; return via Fern, Mesa, and Lupine Loop Trails. About 5 miles, mild elevation. Nice val- Tuesday, January 11 ley views, trails; may be muddy. Meet at Save Mart Hike: toro park to carpool. Please call leader to reserve space and for Th is 5-mile hike with 800' elevation gain takes us meeting time. Bring snack or lunch and water. Rain through a forested valley along the Ollason Trail then cancels. Leader: Martha Saylor, 372-9215. up to oak-dotted grasslands. Stops to enjoy fl ora & Saturday, January 15 fauna. Bring water & lunch. Meet at the dirt parking Walk: WilDer rancH coastal Sunday, January 9 area outside Toro Park before 9:45 a.m. We leave on We’ll do a 6-mile walk along the coast at Wilder Hike: pinnacles time. Leader: Gisela Nobinger. Please let me know Ranch. Th e only issues might be mud, wind, and/or My favorite local place to hike, the Pinnacles has if you are coming: [email protected] or 333-1759. rain depending on the weather. Nick’s recently had a wonderful views, amazing geologic formations, and troublesome knee, so please call to confi rm meeting place and time. Leader: Nick Wyckoff , 462-3101.

Saturday, January 15 Hike: olD staGe coacH to san Juan bautista Doors, Windows, & More We’ll start from Old Stage Coach Road and hike all the way over the hills and down to San Juan Bau- Enhance energy and sound efficiencies tista. After lunch and exploring the Mission and old The more includes plumbing, electrical town decorated for Christmas, we’ll hike back the same way. 12 miles and 1000' elevation gain. Bring and other remodel/addition work a hat, water, and lunch, or money for lunch in a Years of experience cafe. Wear good shoes and bring your hiking poles. Contractors license Meet at Home Depot in Seaside near the gas station at 9:00 a.m. Heavy rain cancels. Leader: Anneliese Bruce Kishler Suter, 624-1467. 831-476-8044 408-472-4478 Sunday, January 16 www.doorswindowsandmore.com • [email protected] Hike: turner cr/skinner riDGe loop We’ll start with a steep 2-mile road walk on the Long Ridge to Turner Creek Trail, hike to the Skin- Rain Barrel Special $199 ner Ridge Trail, and fi nish at Bottcher’s Gap. 8 miles Free Estimates Catch DIY Kits available Moving? We install rainwater catchment the Rain systems of all types: Please fi ll out and mail the change of Install a rainwater catchment system Rain Barrel Systems address form on p.15 or email & harvest the abunance for your landscape #ISTERNS s )NlLTRATION "ASINS [email protected] Bio Swales Th e post offi ce charges us 70¢ each if (831) 471-9100 they handle the address change. www.lovesgardens.com Accredited Professional L VE’S CA Contractors License #363672 American Rainwater Please help the Club by handling gardens Catchment Systems address changes in a timely fashion. Association Your neighborhood solar-powered gardener TM Thanks!

12 Th e Sierra Club 1 Ventana Chapter, Volume 49, Number 6, 2010 Printed on recycled paper O u T I N g S with 2100' elevation gain in 4½ of those miles. Great Tuesday, January 25 views of the Little Sur drainage, the Window (Ven- senior Walk: carmel circle tana), Double Cone Peak. We’ll see the fi re control lines from the Basin Complex Fire of 2008. Th e trail 3-mile loop in Carmel beginning at Carmel Beach is in good shape, but there is a lot of poison oak, so parking lot. We’ll walk past Mission Ranch, the Car- wear long pants and long sleeves. Bring lunch and mel Mission and the Mission Trail Reserve then over water. Meet at Rio Road Park and Ride at 8:30 a.m. to the Sunset Th eater area and down to Carmel sce- to carpool. Leader: Steve Benoit, 394-4234. nic tour walking areas. Meet before 9:30 a.m. at Sears 41st Ave. To go direct, take Hwy. 1 south to Ocean Tuesday, January 18 exit. Drive thru Carmel about a mile to Carmello St. Turn left on Carmello; drive about 1½ miles to beach senior Walk: natural briDGes Constantine parking lot. Free parking and restrooms. Bring lunch 4-mile walk from Lighthouse Field to Natural Bridg- or plan to go out in Carmel after the walk. Bring Senior Saunterers at Fall Creek State Park. es. Meet before 9:30 a.m. at Sears 41st Ave. To go water and $4 carpool. Walk begins at 10:30 a.m. direct, park in lot across from Lighthouse/Museum Leader: Brooke Ewoldsen, 475-6188. Zygadene might be seen. We’ll stop by a bench on the on West Cliff Dr. Bring water, lunch, $2 carpool. F E b R u A R Y edge of a cliff for lunch. Wear sturdy shoes, bring a We’ll lunch at Natural Bridges. Leader: Jean Harri- Tuesday, January 25 walking stick or two, water, and snack/lunch. Hard son, 425-5447. Hike: fort orD rain cancels. Meet at 10:00 a.m. near the bathrooms Tuesday, February 1 in the BLM parking lot at Fort Ord, near the inter- Tuesday, January 18 Our 6-mile loop has 600' elevation gain and has nice senior Walk: antonelli ponD section of Hwy. 68 and Reservation Road. For more Hike: molera beacH and varying views. Bring a hat, water, and lunch. We’ll start our 3-mile walk along the west side of info call leader: Mary Gale, 626-3565. Meet at the parking lot at the west end of Toro Creek Antonelli Pond on to Terrace Point to visit the Sey- To view the many colorful and fanciful ocean-created Estates before 10:00 a.m. to leave on time. Leader: rock sculptures along Molera Beach, this West Mol- mour Center, returning to Natural Bridges for lunch. Tuesday, February 8 Gisela Nobinger. Please let me know if you are com- Meet before 9:30 a.m. at Sears on 41st Ave. or on senior Walk: pinto lake era loop hike is timed to an unusually low tide, al- ing: [email protected] or 333-1759. lowing a return walk along the sandy beach after tra- Delaware Ave. by entrance to Natural Bridges at 9:50 3 miles mostly on level ground through an oak and versing the Ridge and Panorama Trails. 8 miles and a.m. Bring lunch, water, $2 carpool. Rain cancels. madrone forest. We’ll lunch in the picnic grounds. Wednesday, January 26 Leader: Jean Harrison, 425-5447. 1200' elevation gain. Be prepared to wade Big Sur Hike: WilDer rancH Bring lunch, water, and $2 carpool. Wear boots for possible muddy ground. Meet before 9:30 a.m. at River. Meet at 10:00 a.m. at Save Mart. Returning Saturday, February 5 around 5:30 p.m. Rain cancels. For more info call We’ll hike the Enchanted and Twin Oaks Trails. Sears 41st Ave. or in the Watsonville Orchard Supply leader: Jack Glendening, 484-6929. Hike will take us through ancient marine terraces, Hike: fort orD GrasslanDs parking lot at Main & Green Valley. To go direct, rolling grasslands, a redwood forest, and past Bald- On this hike, we’ll focus on the southern portion of take Airport exit to Green Valley Road, go left on Wednesday, January 19 win Creek. Ocean vistas, weather permitting, and the parkland and hike up from the trailhead at the Green Valley to park entrance. Ran cancels. Leader: Hike: lanD of meDicine buDDHa a few raptor sightings. 7 miles, 900' elevation gain. west end of Toro Creek Estates on Hwy 68. We’ll Denise Luch, 234-9559. Bring water and lunch. Meet before 9:00 a.m. at Hike includes a redwood forest and beautiful Bates go up via Guidotti and Skyline Roads for total of Sears 41st Ave. Call for a reservation. Leader: Tom 10 miles with 500' elevation gain. Bring water and Tuesday, February 8 Creek. 6 miles, moderate loop, 500' elevation gain. Davey, 331-8430. Bring water and a snack. Meet at back parking lot of lunch. Meet at the trailhead at 9:00 a.m. Call for a senior Walk: point lobos space. Leader: Monique Farques, 384-3234. Congregational Church in Soquel before 8:50 a.m. Saturday, January 29 Our 3-mile loop with minimal elevation gain takes Call for a reservation. Leader: Tom Davey, 331-8430. Hike: Jacks peak us along world renowned seascapes and into the Saturday - Sunday, February 5 - 6 forest of Point Lobos. Bring water & lunch. Arrive Th ursday, January 20 We’ll explore some of those trails in and around Work party: carrizo plains early; we depart at 10:30 a.m. sharp from Rio Road Hike: mount maDonna Jacks Peak that you always wanted to take, but never Th is outing combines a day of assistance to the Car- Park & Ride. Call for a reservation. Leader: Lynn did. Well, let’s see where they go. Expect 6-8 miles, rizo National Monument with a day of sightseeing Bomberger, 375-7777. Th is 6-mile loop with 900' elevation gain includes a 1200' of elevation gain, and probably poison oak lovely redwood forest, lunch with a view, and possi- and/or hiking. Weather can be cold, gray, and rainy, exposure. Good hiking boots recommended. Bring or it can be warm and bright—we take our chances. Wednesday, February 9 bly some fetid adder’s tongues. Bring water & lunch. lunch and water. Meet at 9:30 a.m. Call for meeting Arrive early; we depart at 8:40 a.m. sharp from the Th e service will be in removing or modifying fences Hike: st. JosepH’s Hill open space site and shuttle information. Leader: Larry Parrish, to give pronghorn greater mobility on the Plain, and far end of the parking lot in front of REI (next to 622-7455. Th is route across the Santa Cruz Mountains be- the wall) in Marina or from Sprig Recreation Area at the recreation will be determined by the wishes of the tween the Santa Clara Valley and the Pacifi c Coast 9:45 a.m. sharp. Call for a reservation. Leader: Lynn group. Th is is an opportunity to combine carcamp- was used by Native Americans, Spanish missionaries, Sunday, January 30 ing, day-hiking, exploring, and service in a relatively Bomberger, 375-7777. Hike: soberanes creek/rocky riDGe American explorers, lumberjacks and Chinese rail- unknown wilderness. Leader: Craig Deutsche, craig. way workers. In 1846 John C. Fremont’s diary entry Saturday, January 22 A 5-mile loop with 1700' elevation gain and great [email protected], 310-477-6670. describes it as a splendid forest of coast redwoods, Walk: GeoloGy tour of tHe poGonip terrain variety. We’ll follow the Soberanes Creek Trail tanbark oaks, and madrones. We’ll discuss some of into a sublime redwood grove, then climb steeply Sunday, February 6 Please join Friends of the Pogonip for a tour with this history as we begin the hike from Lexington to grassy knolls for a spectacular view at lunch. Th e Hike: fort orD Reservoir County Park and take the Flume, Jones, geologist Jerry Weber on the Pogonip. Meet at 9:00 hills will likely be nice and freshly green. Th e descent a.m. at the top (north end) of Spring Street in Santa From high in Fort Ord we’ll see great views of Toro Novitiate, Serpentine, and Range Trails to a spectac- is along Rocky Ridge with more views of the coast Park and the Salinas Valley, unless it’s pouring rain, in ular view of the Bay Area. We’ll go over to Novitiate Cruz. Th e walk should take about three hours. Jerry and ocean. Boots highly recommended; hiking poles Weber, who is a recognized local expert on Santa which case, we won’t be there! Th is moderate 5-mile Park and the Los Gatos History Museum walking helpful. Bring water and lunch. Meet at 9:30 a.m. hike at an easy pace takes us up and down gentle hills through one of the most expansive manzanita forests Cruz County geology, will help us get connected Call for location. Leader: DJ Goehring, 277-9908. with the fascinating geological structure of the Pogo- where lovely (though toxic!) early spring fl owers like on midpeninsula preserve lands. Bring water and nip, with all its springs and marine terraces. It will not be a speedy hike. For information, call leaders Celia or Peter Scott at 423-0796. Santa Cruz Capitola

DREAM APTOS INN Seascape Sunday, January 23 Inn to Inn Hiking Resort Around the Monterey Bay Hike: WaDDell creek/ biG basin Pajaro River Starting at Hwy. 1 we’ll hike the Skyline to the Sea Elkhorn Slough

Moss Trail and McCrary Ridge to the Mt. McAbee over- Landing look and return via the Howard King and Skyline to Captain’s Inn the Sea Trails with a short side trip to Berry Creek Please Salinas River Falls. A strenuous hike of 12 miles with 1700' eleva- Sanctuary Dunes Patronize our advertisers Monterey Resort tion gain. Dress in layers; bring lunch and plenty of Marina Bay water. Meet at the Santa Cruz County Government Tell them you saw their ad in

Old Sand City Fisherman’s Center at 8:30 a.m. to carpool. Leader: John How- Wharf erton, 476-4253. The Ventana (831) 332-7923 Monterey www.slowadventure.us

Please recycle this paper again Th e Sierra Club 1 Ventana Chapter, Volume 49, Number 6, 2010 13 Ventana Chapter O u tin g s Mailing Address—The Ventana Chapter, P.O. Box 5667, Carmel, CA, 93921 Email: [email protected]—Website: www.ventana.sierraclub.org lunch for this 7-mile hike. Meet to carpool at 9:30 rant. Meet before 9:30 a.m. at Sears 41st Ave. To go a.m. at Sears 41st Ave. ($3) or at 10:00 a.m. at the direct, take Hwy.1 south. Exit at 68 West offramp. Chapter Executive Committee Lexington Reservoir Parking lot by turning off Hwy Meet at the Fishwife Restaurant at 10:30 a.m. Bring Chapter Chair Rita Dalessio 16 Via Las Encinas Carmel Valley, CA 93924 659-7046 Treasurer Joel Weinstein 140 Carmel Riviera Dr. Carmel, CA 93923 625-5586 17 in Los Gatos onto Alma Bridge Rd. and continu- lunch, water, $4 carpool. Leader: Brooke Ewoldsen, Other Members Julie Engell 331 Dry Creek Road Monterey, CA 920-2734 ing 0.7 mile. Leader: Diane Cornell, 423-5925. 475-6188. Susan Van Stirum 26140 Zdan Road Carmel Valley, CA 93924 659-2091 Ed Thornton 402 Watson Street #4 Monterey, CA 93940 224-4178 Saturday, February 12 Tuesday, February 15 Nicole Charles 2936 Yorktown Court, Marina, CA 93933 925-381-1982 Walk: Asilomar/Pebble Beach Walk: Asilomar Dale Agron 26122 Carmel Knolls Dr. Carmel, CA 93923 624-3038 David Kossack P.O. Box 268 Davenport, CA 95017 427-3733 A 4-mile loop, starting on neighborhood streets and Our 4-mile loop with minimal elevation gain takes Marika Martin 1205A Otter Lane, Pacific Grove, CA 93950 233-2188 then thru dunes between fairways, out to Point Joe us along the old railroad trail, then out to the coast Admin Chair/Sec Mary Gale 25430 Telarana Way Carmel, CA 93923 626-3565 and back along the beach boardwalk. Quiet neigh- and back along the boardwalk of Asilomar Beach. If Coastal Chair borhood, early beach wildflowers, possible sea birds we still feel like more walking, we’ll head out to Bird Conservation Committee and whale spouts to be seen. Meet across from the Rock. Bring water and a snack. Meet at the Fishwife Julie Engell 331 Dry Creek Road Monterey, CA 920-2734 Steve Zmak 3200 Crescent Ave. Marina, CA 93933 883-4459 Fishwife Restaurant on Sunset Drive and Asilomar restaurant before 9:30 a.m. to leave on time. We Gillian Taylor 52 La Rancheria Carmel Valley, CA 93924 659-0298 Blvd., Pacific Grove. Call to reserve a place and for should be back before lunch. Leader: Gisela Nobin- Local Wilderness Committee meeting time. Bring snack and water. Leader: Mar- ger. Please let me know if you are coming: onegise- Chair Mike Splain P.O. Box 66882 Scotts Valley, CA 95067 359-2489 tha Saylor: 372-9215. [email protected] or 333-1759. Computer Database Stephanie Kearns 740 30th Ave. #67 Santa Cruz, CA 95062 475-1308 Saturday, February 12 Wednesday, February 16 NC/NRCC Reps Hike: Jacks Peak Hike: Saratoga Gap / Long Ridge George Jammal 601 Manzanita Ave. Felton, CA 95018 531-2909 David Kossack P.O. Box 268 Davenport, CA 95017 427-3733 Let’s approach Jacks Peak from Carmel Valley. 6 After parking in the Saratoga Gap Vista Point lot, Political Compliance Chair miles and 1000' of elevation gain. Through a mead- we’ll cross Skyline Blvd. and take the Achistaca Trail George Jammal 601 Manzanita Ave. Felton, CA 95018 531-2909 ow and up a fairly steep trail through pines and oaks. along Skyline Ridge past the Summit Fire Station to Sierra Club Council Possible poison oak, so come prepared. Meet at Save Long Ridge Trail. A bench here that overlooks thou- Delegate David Kossack P.O. Box 268 Davenport, CA 95017 427-3733 Alternate Rita Dalessio 16 Via Las Encinas Carmel Valley, CA 93924 659-7046 Mart/Bagel Bakery at 10:00 a.m. Rain cancels. Lead- sands of acres of forested canyons, rolling hills, and Transportation Committee er: Larry Parrish, 622-7455. grass-covered ridges honors Wallace Stegner, writer Chair Neil Agron 26122 Carmel Knolls Dr. Carmel, CA 93923 624-3038 and environmentalist. In the 1960s he and others Outings Chair Sunday, February 13 bought land here which was the beginning of this Anneliese Suter 9500 Center St. #53 Carmel, CA 93923 624-1467 Hike: Pinnacles, South Wilderness preserve. In the area of Peter’s Creek, hippies once Membership Chair occupied a cave and area around a waterfall called Wide open views await us for this partly off-trail Ventana Editor hike. We start at the South Wilderness Trail and Devil’s Canyon. On our 9-mile hike, we will learn Debbie Bulger 1603 King Street Santa Cruz, CA 95060 457-1036 climb the fence-line along the south border of the about history and enjoy expansive views over the Pajaro River Committee park to South Chalone peak. Then we continue to Pescadero watershed. Bring water and lunch. Meet Lois Robin [email protected] 861-464-1184 North Chalone peak and on to the reservoir and the to carpool at 9:30 a.m. at Sears 41st Ave. ($4), or at wilderness center. 12 miles. The first 2½ miles of this Saratoga Gap Vista Point parking lot at 10:30 a.m. Santa Cruz County Group of the Ventana Chapter hike are very strenuous and involve climbing 2500' Leader: Diane Cornell, 423-5925. Website: www.ventana.sierraclub.org Mailing Address: Sierra Club, Santa Cruz Group, P.O. Box 604, Santa Cruz, CA 95061-0604 with a total gain of over 3500'. Clear winter days email: [email protected] make for fantastic views of our local mountain rang- Saturday, February 19 es. No rain cancellation, although muddy conditions Hike: Toro Park Executive Committee may change trip route. Call for carpool information. Come with me to explore Toro Park. We’ll hike up to Chair Aldo Giacchino 1005 Pelton Ave. Santa Cruz, CA 95060 460-1538 Leader: John Howerton, 476-4253. Valley View Peak via East Ridge and East Toyon trails Vice Chair Kevin Collins P.O. Box 722 Felton, CA 95018 335-4196 Secretary Kristen Raugust 454 Swanton Road Davenport, CA 95017 423-8566 and get great views. 9 miles with 1500’ elevation Other members Charles Paulden 415 Palisades Ave. Santa Cruz, CA 95062 462-3423 Monday, February 14 gain. Bring water and lunch. Meet at the entrance of Paul Elerick 1960 Jennifer Dr. Aptos, CA 95003 688-2304 Hike: Valentine’s Day Toro Park at 9:00 a.m. Rain cancels. Call for a space. Dennis Davie P.O. Box 651 Capitola, CA 95010 566-7447 Come join me in hiking with the love of my life (the Leader: Monique Farques, 384-3234. Patricia Matejcek P.O. Box 2067 Santa Cruz, CA 95063 761-3263 Mountains). What better lover can a human being Mark Sullivan 508 Oak Drive Capitola, CA 95010 747-4781 have? A strenuous hike of 18 miles full of the breath- Sunday, February 20 Mike Guth 2-2905 East Cliff Drive Santa Cruz, CA 95062 462-8270 Hike: Pinnacles/ Mt Defiance Treasurer Mark Sullivan 508 Oak Drive Capitola, CA 95010 747-4781 taking outdoors. Starting at Memorial Campground, Conservation Chair we’ll follow the winding Arroyo Seco River to its For experienced hikers only, we’ll explore the fifth Patricia Matejcek P.O. Box 2067 Santa Cruz, CA 95063 761-3263 campground enjoying unforgettable views of the highest peak in Pinnacles National Monument, Forestry Chair Ventana Wilderness. This hike is only for early birds. Mt Defiance, with a panoramic view including the Dennis Davie P.O. Box 651 Capitola, CA 95010 566-7447 Call leader: Esperanza Hernandez and leave message seldom-seen “Little Pinnacles.” Mostly off-trail with Outings Chair George Jammal 601 Manzanita Ave. Felton, CA 95018 531-2909 to get information: 678-1968. some light bushwhacking. Leaving Salinas at 9:00 Transportation Chair a.m. 6 miles and 2000' elevation gain. Must call lead- Paul Elerick 1960 Jennifer Dr. Aptos, CA 95003 688-2304 Tuesday, February 15 er for further information and a reservation. Leader: Coastal Chair Senior Walk: Asilomar Lighthouse Jack Glendening, 484-6929. Patricia Matejcek P.O. Box 2067 Santa Cruz, CA 95063 761-3263 Water Chair 3-mile walk from Asilomar north along the coast to Ken Reiller 990 Hecker Pass Rd. Watsonville, CA 95076 728-4046 Pt. Pinos Lighthouse and back thru a residential area. Bring lunch or you can eat at the Fishwife Restau-

DOWN WORKS M eetin g S ched u le lightweight camping specialists since 1974 ß Ventana Chapter (Monterey County) Santa Cruz Regional Group Custom down sleeping bags Information: 624-8032 Executive Committee: Second Wednesday of the month; 1 S 1 Executive Committee: Osprey Packs The North Face First Thursday of the month; Call 460-1538 for meeting place and time. 1 Western Mountaineering 1 Mountain Hardwear Call for meeting place and time. Conservation Committee: 1 Montbell 1 Big Agnes tents Call 761-3263 for meeting dates and times. Forestry Task Force: 222 River Street, Santa Cruz 1 423-9078 1 downworks.com Third Wednesday of the month, 7:30 p.m.; Tuesday–Saturday 10–5 Call 566-7447 for meeting location.

14 The ierraS Club 1 Ventana Chapter, Volume 49, Number 6, 2010 Printed on recycled paper Voting Instructions and Executive Committee Ballot

Review candidate statements on pages 6 and 7 and mark your ballot below. Mail this entire page using a recycled envelope from junk mail with a new label you affix. (Be sure to mark out the computer code on the envelope bottom if there is one). The ballot must be postmarked by January 2. Monterey County members may vote for Chapter candidates only. Santa Cruz County members may vote for both Chapter and Group Candidates. For joint memberships, mark a vote in both columns. After you complete your ballot, TEAR OFF THIS ENTIRE PAGE and mail your completed ballot to Mary Gale, Chapter Secretary, 25430 Telarana Way, Carmel, CA 93923. Call Mary at 626-3565 if you have any questions. Your mailing label on the back of this page ensures that the vote has come from a valid member of the Club. Ballots and mailing labels will be separated by the Chapter Secretary to ensure a secret ballot.

What does the Executive Committee do? The members of the Executive Committee make Chapter and Group policy for the Club. These representatives meet to discuss issues and hear reports from subcommittees such as the Conservation Committee, Transportation Committee, and the Forestry Com- mittee. Executive Committee members make financial decisions and supervise local Club operations such as budget and fundraising.

Ventana Chapter Both Santa Cruz and Monterey members may vote for these Candidate Statements on p. 6 •• Vote for up to 3 candidate individual or 2nd joint member 1st joint member Barbara Bass Evans VEGAN SHOES

Joel Weinstein

Tom Moore

Iris Peppard Natalie Zayes

Santa Cruz Group Only Santa Cruz members may vote for these Candidate Statements on p. 7 •• Vote for up to 3

candidate individual or 2nd joint member 1st joint member Patricia Matejcek John Howerton Deirdre Des Jardins David Casterson Keresha Durham

Please recycle this paper again The Sierra Club 1 Ventana Chapter, Volume 49, Number 6, 2010 15 “California sunset/Going“California down inthe West /All thecolorsinsky/Kissanotherdaygoodbye.” —Neil Young Erica Crawford www.ventana.sierraclub.org Volume 49, Number 6, 2010 M E N I Z A g A

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Santa Cruz, CA 95061-0604 CA Cruz, Santa Santa Cruz Santa

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