Torrey Pinecone

A news bulletin for the Torrey Pines Docent Society

October 2007 Docent General Meeting Saturday, October 20th 9:00 a.m. National University, 11255 N. Torrey Pines Road State of the Reserve: Natural Resources and Ecological Programs at Torrey Pines State Reserve Darren Smith, the Environmental Scientist and Natural Resources Program Manager for the San Diego Coastal District of DPR will be our speaker.

Program for the September variety of folks and organizations that Docent of the Month: Dawn request these uniquely tailored walks Docent Meeting: unique Thieding (2006) is being recognized and elucidated the personal for her work with organizing the and informative! enjoyment of leading these walks as music for the Plein Air Art Festival by Sharon Clay Rose well as the financial benefit to TPDS. and coordinating next year’s Earth Opening comments by Ken Baer, Barbara Wallach of Whacky Day event. Director of Programs, led into a Weeder fame presented the many dynamic video presentation on Trail ways that docents are contributing to Patrol by Paul Whitby along with the beauty of the reserve as well as additional commentary about the developing camaraderie and getting special value of Torrey Pines State to know more about the nooks and Reserve by Bobbi Whitby and crannies of TPSR. Margaret Fillius Docents were treated to a DVD Cecily Goode, Director of presentation of Herb Knufken’s Children’s Programs gave a lively magnificent and inspiring presentation on the rewards of photography. This will be shown to working with children in the reserve. plein air artists to prepare each of She demonstrated some of the them to select their “spot of beauty” materials used for the Kumeyaay when they come into the reserve to do program while modeling the willow their paintings. skirt that “Mrs. Kumeyaay” dons as The “open house” format for the part of the children’s learning docent meeting program provided an experience. For the final portion of enjoyable and informative her presentation she showed slides of showcasing of these talented hard children in the reserve along with working docents copies of thank you letters sent to September Docent Meeting docents by the children. Notes Photo by Herb Knufken Margaret Fillius then explained Ranger Report: Ranger Jody Excerpted from notes from the TPDS the history of Special Walks, a Kummer reported that, starting on General Meeting, September15, 2007 program set up 5 years ago by Don Monday (9/17/07), the upper 2 lots by Secretary, Judy Schulman. Grines. She spoke about what is and the lower lot will be slurry Complete minutes in Library. involved in leading walks for the sealed. No cars will be allowed in the

Torrey Pinecone October 2007 1 park on Monday and possibly on now enter their General Meeting Annenberg Foundation: President Tuesday. They may also prevent hours more efficiently. Steve Usher announced that we have walkers from coming into the park. received a $10,000 check from the She also plans to have a life-size Bookstore: (Nancy Woodworth) Annenberg Foundation to be used for whale design on the parking lot Two new items were showcased. the Children’s Program. The purpose nearest the bathrooms. This will One is a book called Land of Sunlight is to extend our outreach to low make it easier for docents and staff to which features many of the artists income children and schools. He explain where the bathrooms are. In who will be at the Plein Air Art thanked TPA president Pat Masters October, they will slurry seal the Festival. It also includes Joan Grine for her involvement and Priscilla front half of the North Beach parking (Don Grine’s wife whose painting the Lewis for doing the extra paperwork lot. First they have to do test drills TPDS used on a t-shirt). The other needed. This is an important example for waterlines and check for item is the 2008 Southwest Calendar. of the TPDS and the TPA working archeological sites. She encouraged together in furthering their mission to all of us to come at 2 p.m. on Friday Membership: (Walt Desmond) The support the Reserve. to help set up for the Plein Air Art Festival. The volunteer appreciation roster by docent’s first name is now Gourd Workshop: Barbara Wallach dinner will be the first Sunday in available. Please let him know if announced that there will be another October. [Ed. Note: The date has there are any changes that need to be th made or if you want your Torreyana gourd and craft workshop on October changed to October 14 . See 13 starting at 9 a.m. [see page 3] announcement later in this bulletin]. and Pinecone electronically. Benefits

It will include a movie on the beach for getting these newsletters from a high school student who used electronically are color, additional Docent Question of the Month his project to get into USC’s film photos and more up to date. – October 2007 school. She is also interested in Courtesy of Jim Larrimore & Gill getting photos of docents in action. Trail Patrol: (Sherry Doolittle) All Williamson There is a new gas fireplace. Trail Patrol members are urged to be Q: Can you safely drink tea made Historian Victor Walsh will replaster out in force on Saturday for the Plein from leaves of the Yerba Santa in the adobe wall. The North Beach Air Art Festival. Torrey Pines State Reserve? concessionaire contract has not been A: (See p. 4) signed yet. It is doubtful they will Library: (Michael Yang) There come in until next summer. She was a recent acquisition of an 18- Painting the Air with Music thanked docent Steve Tarkington and hour DVD course on Geology by Dawn Thieding her volunteers for picking up 12 bags (recommended by Lillian Lachicotte). Photo by Herb Knufken of trash on the west side of 101. There is also CD for making Not even rain could dampen the nametags for the Children’s Program spirits of festival-goers at the First by Diane Greening. Lodge Duty: (Irene Larrimore) There Annual Torrey Pines Plein Air Art was a clarification that the time Festival. Upon arrival, attendees were period stated in the docent manual Treasurer: (Priscilla Lewis) to date greeted by the sweet sounds of Peter (9:30 a.m-1:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.- there has been $43,000 in income and Sprague and his brother, Tripp. 4:30 p.m.) is for Saturday and $43,000 in expenses. We are breaking Sunday only during Standard Time. even. $200 was given to the Docents are asked to let her know if endowment in memory of Arnie they are having problems with the Shaw and Katherine Chaffee. new 3.5-hour shifts. Plein Air Art Festival Schedule: Children’s Program: (Cecily (Steve Usher) Herb Knufken has Goode) Handouts were available on produced 62-photo DVD of Torrey how to signup for the Children’s Pine scenes that will be played in a Program online. continual loop at the artists’ cocktail Peter (guitar, above) grew up in the reception on Wednesday night. [Ed. area and is a long-time patron of the Communications: (Roger Note: The schedule for the volunteer Reserve. Through his experience and Isaacson) Anne Williamson was participation in the event was clearly expertise, he beautifully matched the acknowledged for her work on the presented. See complete minutes.] flow of guests and the majesty of the hour Tracker program. Docents can Torrey Pine. With Peter on guitar and Tripp on flute and saxophone, their 2 Torrey Pinecone October 2007 melodies sang to the trees, while the offered their works to be auctioned to CHILDREN’S PROGRAM guests dined on lunch provided by the help the Reserve, but parental bids UNDERWAY! Lodge at Torrey Pines and strolled kept the works in the family. by Cecily Goode the festival grounds. After lunch, Everyone thoroughly enjoyed The Children’s Program started Nature provided a surprise themselves! Thanks go to the Thursday Sept. 20th with a first-time performance of "The Sound of Rain," volunteers who helped keep the glue Carrillo School in Carlsbad. What a followed by guitar duo Paper Moon, tidy and the water cups clean: Diana great way to start the school year with who entranced the crowd as the sun Davis, Vince Castiglione, Sally this beautiful fall weather. The came out again. Performers Scot Whitlock, Priscilla Lewis, and Joy children had an opportunity not only Taber and Daniel Dever captivated Kenawell (non-docent). Special to see TPSR, but also to observe the audience with their original thanks to Barbara Wallach who Plein Air artists at work. The artists compositions. Their unique and up- donated the many colored sand invited the children to observe them beat acoustic sound had something palettes and boards for the sand painting, to take pictures and engage for everyone, as they combined painting, and Laura Lowenstein for in conversation. I heard comments traditional styles with a contemporary suggesting the cardboard frames for like: “I can’t wait to show my parents flavor. A good time was had by all! the watercolors. the pictures I took of them painting,” A HUGE thanks goes to John Dorian, and “Those are beautiful paintings.” the sound technician, for graciously Library News: New DVD There are still open slots to be donating his time, expertise, and filled for the docent led hikes. Don’t equipment. John's generosity allowed Series and Checkout hesitate to sign up on the Web site or the music to paint the air at the Procedure just come tag along. festival and brought much unity and by Mike Yang joy to the event. The Library has acquired a new 18-hour DVD course on Geology CRAFTY PEOPLE Children’s Art at the which has recently been placed in WORKSHOP! circulation. The course, entitled “The Plein Air Festival Please join us for some fun and to Nature of Earth: An Introduction to produce multitudes of craft items for by Diane Greening Geology” is taught by John J. Renton, the bookstore. Photo by Roger Isaacson Ph.D. of West Virginia University Saturday, October 13th is the date Over 50 kids (and some adults) and produced by The Teaching and 9 a.m. is the time at the Lodge. became plein air artists this weekend Company. Due to the high cost to Please bring craft supplies (cones, as they dabbled in watercolor pencils replace any lost or missing DVD’s of dried flowers, glue guns, art pens, and sand painting. Most participants this series, the Library has adopted a ribbons, seashells, etc.) if you have did both projects, sometimes more new procedure to be used by docents them and, of course, your clever than once. We started just before 10 in checking out each “Part” or ideas. a.m. with two tables tucked under volume, of which there are three. Judy will teach her knotless shelter by the whale bones, but The content of each Part have been netting techniques again. expanded to four tables on the patio summarized and is posted in the Rain or shine~ Hope you can join us! as demand went up. Although there Library for your information. Barbara Wallach was a lull at 1 p.m. when the rain New Checkout Procedure for this came, but children continued to paint DVD series only: These DVDs will Volunteer Appreciation until 3:30 p.m. not be on the open shelves of the library but rather in one of the locked Evening Featuring cabinets. There will be a sign-up MOVIES ON THE BEACH! sheet where docents may sign up in October 14, 2007, 5:30 p.m. advance to borrow any Part of the Gather at the beach near Lifeguard series. It will be located on the shelf Tower 1. Bring beach chairs and by the return basket in the Library at blankets. Dress warmly. Movie- the Lodge. The request sheet will be going food provided: Hot dogs, checked regularly and availability of chips, popcorn, candy, coffee, tea and the requested DVDs will be soda (Anything stronger, you are on communicated to the requester via e- Works ranged from landscapes of your own, and if you want anything mail. Check out time for these DVDs the cliffs and sea, to studies of Torrey else to eat, you are welcome to bring will be 3 weeks. pine trees, to bold abstract it.) expressionism. Some young artists Torrey Pinecone October 2007 3 Note: the date was changed because TPSR is likely to make you pretty There are two species of Yerba Santa of the tide. sick. One of our docents tried it and in our region: E. crassifolium, and wound up in the Scripps Green , which grows Eagle Scout Benches have a Emergency Ward. The tea caused his more inland and is not represented at uvula (small thing that dangles from TPSR. It has two varieties: E. new life the upper back of throat) to expand trichocalyx trichocalyx or hairy Thanks to the fine efforts of until it was thumb-sized. The Yerba Santa, and E. trichocalyx Kirsten Wilkes, Alan Bennett, expanded uvula fell down the back of lanatum (no common name). Frank Burham, Bob Doolittle and his throat, choking him. The Sheldon Krueger, the benches built receiving nurse at Scripps Green by an Eagle Scout project have been Emergency turned out to be the repaired and refinished. They now daughter of a well-known east-coast have an attractive coat of a spar botanist. She was shocked that varnish with a UV inhibitor and the anyone would think of drinking tea varnish should stand up better to our from E. crassifolium. marine air. The Torrey Pines Docent Society Board has authorized an extension of this project. So if you want to help spruce up the big benches on the front porch of the Torrey Pines Lodge and the low benches in the Children's amphitheater, along with other benches around the Lodge, please contact Alan Bennett at (619) 955- 3275 or [email protected]. No experience is necessary and we provide all the materials. If you have a favorite hand or power tool (sanders and drills are always in short supply), E. Trichocalyx- Hairy Yerba Santa you are encouraged to bring it. © Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College from calphotos.berkeley.edu Lodge Duty Request for Month of October: There are a only a few E. Crassifolium- Felt-leaf Yerba The Web site uncovered weekend shifts in October, Santa http://waynesword.palomar.edu/ecop but please take a look at the calendar Friends of the Regional Parks h35.htm shows an herbal product and if you are able to help out, Botanic Garden, Berkeley, CA made from another species, especially as a 2nd person call the www.nativeplants.org/ or desk and sign up for one of the empty Docents learn that “Native Americans California Yerba Santa. E. extra spots. Thanks! and early settlers had many uses for californicum is common in Northern California and has a smooth, shiny Irene Larrimore and Lillian this “holy herb”, Yerba Santa. Tea from the leaves was used to cure leaf like E. trichocalyx trichocalyx. Lachicotte headaches, stomach aches, colds and Calflora states that a specimen of E. pneumonia. Mashed up, the leaves californicum has been identified in Docent Question of were used as a poultice; dried leaves San Diego County, but the San Diego the Month: October were a substitute for tobacco. The Natural History Museum herbarium fuzzy leaf can be used as a Bandaid. has no record of this (See 2007 Dried leaves were chewed to keep the http://www.sdplantatlas.org). by Jim Larrimore & Gill Williamson mouth moist on long likes. At one The story about making tea from Photos from Web as indicated time, it was used to flavor beer.” (See an Eriodictyon species may have Q. Can you safely drink tea made TPSR Training Manual, Docent come from the Northern California from leaves of the Yerba Santa in Guide to Uses 1999-revised Indians. The Northern California Torrey Pines State Reserve? 03/2004, p.5). Much of that may be Indians might have made tea from E. A. No, and don’t do it! true, or it may just be a story. californicum and lived to tell the tale. Tea made from leaves of Yerba The Indians in our area might have Santa ( or made tea from the similar shiny-leaf Felt-leaf Yerba Santa) taken from E. trichocalyx trichocalyx. Or, 4 Torrey Pinecone October 2007 perhaps, the only one to make tea species are covered; and 2) from any San Diego County species nomenclature is updated to of Eriodictyon was our poor docent. correspond with revisions in the new But don’t feel too sorry for him. True, “Checklist of the Vascular of he was told during his training that it San Diego”, 4th ed. (Simpson & is safe to make tea from the Yerba Rebmon). Terrific reference tool. Santa at TPSR. But let’s not forget that he was also told not to pick the Sycuan – Our People, Our Culture, plants in the Reserve…. Our History by Michael Connally [Reactions? Let us know. Start the Miskwish. (Oversize) discussion!] Michael Miskwish, a member of the Campo Band of the Kumeyaay On the “New Books” Shelf! Nation, has created a beautifully by Bonnie Hornbeck presented book with over 200 photographs that lead the reader to Native Plants – Torrey Pines State discover the Sycuan’s colorful and Reserve and Nearby San Diego visual heritage and to better County Locations (2nd Edition), by understand and appreciate the tribe’s Margaret L. Fillius. evolving story. Chapters cover This is a well organized and traditional Kumeyaay society, photographed second edition of Spanish and Mexican periods as well Margaret Fillius’ popular book that as the early American period, and helps beginners (and also those with closes with chapters on Sycuan challenges, legacy, and the peoples’ One of about 7 waterspouts basic and intermediate knowledge) spotted off shore at TPSR on identify native plants in western San ability to exercise Sovereignty and Diego County. Of a possible 1,543 self-determination. Definitely worth Sept 22, 2007. Note the broad native species, 243 are covered in this the time to check it out. □ water cloud at the base. edition. Differences from the first Photo by Herb Knufken edition are: 1) an additional 11

Photo images are copyrighted. Please contact the photographer before using an image for any reason: [email protected] [Ed.: See more amazing TPSR photos on Herb’s site: www.pbase.com/herb1rm]

Torrey Pines Docent Society Bird Survey: September 1-2, 2007 Total of 64 species (unusual sightings shown with an asterisk and in italics) Gadwall 14 Osprey 3 Western Sandpiper 8 12 California Thrasher 2 Mallard 14 Red-shouldered Hawk Least Sandpiper 21 Belted Kingfisher 2 Common Yellowthroat California Quail 10 1 Short-billed Dowitcher Pacific-slope 7 Pied-billed Grebe 5 Red-tailed Hawk 2 2 Flycatcher 1 California Towhee 21 Brown Pelican 12 American Kestrel 3 Heermann's Gull 50 Black Phoebe 4 Belding's Savannah Brandt's Cormorant 2 Peregrine Falcon 1 Ring-billed Gull 5 Cassin's Kingbird 7 Sparrow 7 Double-crested Black-bellied Plover 1 California Gull 6 Western Scrub-Jay 5 Song Sparrow 14 Cormorant 8 Snowy Plover 1 Western Gull 60 American Crow 3 Red-winged Blackbird Great Blue Heron 3 Semipalmated Plover Caspian Tern 3 Common Raven 8 4 Great Egret 2 13 Forster's Tern 2 Barn Swallow 1 Brewer's Blackbird 10 Snowy Egret 11 Killdeer 3 Royal Tern 2 Bushtit 20 House Finch 130 Little Blue Heron* 1 Solitary Sandpiper* 2 Elegant Tern 1 Bewick's Wren 2 Green Heron 1 Willet 14 Pigeons & Doves House Wren 3

Black-crowned Night- Long-billed Curlew 3 Rock Pigeon 7 California Gnatcatcher Heron 1 Marbled Godwit 77 Mourning Dove 10 4 White-faced Ibis 1 Sanderling 4 Anna's Hummingbird Wrentit 16

Observers: David Blue, Kathy Estey, Blair Francis, Jack Friery, Gary Grantham, Don Grine, Herb Knufken For previous months go to www.torreypine.org/activities/bird-sightings.html

Torrey Pinecone October 2007 5 Torrey Pines Docent Society PO Box 2414 Del Mar, CA 92014 (858) 755-2063 www.torreypinesreserve.org

The Pinecone, a calendar of events, notes from business meetings, and other items of specific interest to the docent membership, is published bi- monthly (even months). Please submit items by the 20th of the month to Editor Sharon Clay Rose at [email protected] For odd months submit to Roger Isaacson at [email protected]. Items for publication may also be left in the Torreyana mailbox in the Visitor Center. Roger Isaacson, Director of Communications

October 2007 TPDS Visitor Center Duty Calendar- Updated 9/30/07 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Lodge Duty Hours 1 2 3 4 5 6 Weekend/Hol L- Boynton L- Ivany L- Grantham L- Fiorentino L- Burke L- Lombardi L- 9-12 W- Tanalski

L- 12-3 L- Barnett L- Marshall L-B&C Hornbeck L- Butterfield L- Larrimore L- Schumacher W- Kamen L- 3-6 L- Slack 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 L- Richter L- Chen/Stid. L- Boynton L- B&F Eckles L- Oppenheimer L- Randolph L- Gaarder W- Ugalde W-Sanseverino L-Anke/Steffen L- F. Doolittle L- L- Gould L- S. Krueger L- Lombardi L- Desmond W- S. Rose W-Ugalde L-Anke/Steffen L- Blantz 14 5 16 17 18 19 20 L- Rowbottom L- Gould L- Ivany L-B&C Hornbeck L- Killermann L- Burke L- Arnold W-Farness W- Tanalski L- Arnold L- B Krueger L- S. Krueger L- Oppenheimer L- Larrimore L- Desmond L- Whitlock W- Eckles W- Kamen L- Russ./Dana. L- 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 L- Lombardi L- Fiorentino L- Tarkington L- Gould L- S Krueger L- Randolph L- Schulman W-Burham W-Sanseverino L- Arnold L- F. Doolittle L- McCardle L- Oppenheimer L- Larrimore L- Stiels L- Schulman W- Paxton W- Burham L- Boynton L- Butterfield 28 29 30 31 Lodge Duty Hours Walks L- Blantz L- Woods L- R. Miller L- Neumeister Weekdays W-Rowbottom L- 10-1 W Sat/Sun/Hol 9:30 (Start 10:00) L- Schumacher L- Stiels L- A. Marshall L- Lundstrom W- Brav L- 1-4 W Sat/Sun/Hol 1:30 (Start 2:00) L-Anke/Steffen To sign up for an opening, call docent on duty (858 755-2063) to confirm the time and write your name in the Calendar Logbook. If you cannot do your duty, please try to find your own substitute by switching with another docent or using the short-notice list. Then call the docent on duty to make the change in the Logbook. Duty Coordinators: Irene Larrimore (858 509-9604) & Lillian Lachicotte (858 481-6237) 6 Torrey Pinecone October 2007