Midsummer2011 MadronaMarshPreserveandNatureCenter WhataMagicalNightItWas-andWillBe! StarlightMagic,October1,2011 If you’re a regular reader of the Marsh Mailing, Ah, but if you were not able to attend last year, reflect back two issues to the Winter 2010/2011 news- fear not, for you will soon get a second chance. And, letter. You remember––the from the planning I’ve seen one with pages of pictures of thus far by Suzan Hubert, happy faces? And we’re not chief sorcerer, and her band talking ‘emoticons’ here. of merry magicians, includ- These were giant grins on the ing Mary Garrity and faces of all the attendees of Bobbie Snyder, this year’s last autumn’s inaugural event will be even better–– fundraising event on the Pre- if that’s possible. serve, “Moonlight Magic, For starters, this 2010,” including Mayor Scotto year’s Magic evening prom- and the entire Torrance City ises to be even more ro- Council. Hopefully, you were mantic. With only a faint among the over 200 who at- sliver of moon on Saturday, tended last year, and the pic- October 1, the Magic this tures brought back pleasant year will be provided by memories of good music, good Beth Shibata’s Signature Starlight Magic artwork is one of the starlight. For the less ro- fantastic prizes offered at the event. food, good wine and lots of mantically inclined, Paul merriment for a very good cause: Securing the future Livio will have telescopes set up to view the heavens. of the Madrona Marsh Preserve. “Magical” continues on page 11 our wonderful SEASONAL Marsh evaporated on Au- SpecialMidsummerIssue gust 17, two weeks after the WNV report. Mosquitoes This special midsummer issue of the Marsh Mail- live only about two weeks. No water, no new mosqui- ing hopes to accomplish several goals. First, it is a toes, no problem. For additional security, consider that, final reminder that you still have time to get your tickets as executive director of LA County West Vector Con- to the premier event of the year: Starlight Magic on trol District, Bob Saviskas, stated, “mosquitoes in South- Saturday, October 1. Tickets may be purchased from ern California bite only from dusk to dawn, hours when Board members or via PayPal from our website, the nature preserve is closed.” friendsofmadronamarsh.com. Starlight Magic will take place in the evening, but Also, just before we went to press, there was a over six weeks after the Preserve completely dried up, report that, for the first time, a few mosquitoes from the so that night should be quite safe as well, even for the Marsh had tested positive for West Nile Virus. As you fewer than 1 percent (frail or elderly) who might be- know WNV is a serious disease, and there has been a come sick if bitten. There is presently not even any recent increase in the number of cases reported in water in the sump, as it has been completely drained Southern California. So, how dangerous is it to visit as we prepare to install a new, bus-sized filtration sys- the Preserve? In particular, is it safe to attend Starlight tem starting August 23, as part of the Santa Monica Magic in October? Bay Project! I am happy to report that, in spite of the recent The safety and health of visitors to the Preserve report, you are quite safe visiting the Marsh today, and is the foremost consideration of the Friends and the you should be even safer on October 1. The timing City Staff. We will continue to work with Vector Control was perfect, for mosquitoes require standing water to to assure that your next visit is safe as well as enjoy- breed, and the last small puddle of standing water on able. I’ll see you on Saturday, October 1st! ––B.A. -1- Dear Friends of Madrona Marsh, Here is your “Official Invitation” to * *Starlight* Magic* Saturday, October 1, 2011 5 pm to 10 pm A Celebration on the Madrona Marsh Preserve * 3201 Plaza Del Amo, Torrance • 310 782 3989 You are invited to join us for barbeque, wine, music and entertainment, stargazing with Paul Livio, gift baskets and auctions of unusual items. • Mark Comon, Master of Ceremonies • Paul Nowatka, Auctioneer $50 per person* Tickets available at: The Madrona Marsh Nature Center, Wild Birds Unlimited www.friendsofmadronamarsh.com Please join us for another year of laughter and magic on the Preserve. *All proceeds help sustain the programs of the Madrona Marsh Nature Preserve -2- * Starlight* Magic* Dinner Menu * Saturday, October 1, 2011 Catered by the Red Car Brewery & Restaurant ~BBQGRILLEDCHICKEN~ Fresh marinated chicken, 2 pieces grilled to perfection, basted with our smoky Red Car Ale BBQ sauce ~PULLEDPORKSANDWICH~ Juicy, tender pulled pork marinated in our smoky Red Car Ale BBQ sauce served on fresh artisan rolls ~SIDES~ ~Gran’sSouthernStyleColeSlaw~ Shredded cabbage, green & red peppers and onions in a sweet & tangy dressing ~BakedBeans~ Hearty baked beans slowly simmered in sweet, smoky, savory sauce ~ItalianPastaSalad~ Tri-color curly pasta, provolone cheese, artichoke hearts, olives, peppers, sweet onions and cherry tomatoes tossed with a tangy herb dressing ~ PotatoSalad~ An old-fashioned traditional creamy potato salad made with Idaho potatoes, celery, egg, onions, Dijon mustard and mayo. ~DESSERTS~ Platter of Red Car Brewery house baked cookies: Triple Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, White Chocolate Macadamia and Peanut Butter * * -3- StarlightMagicPromisesPrizesGalore* * Howl at the moon with auctioneer Paul Nowatka. ♦ Gift certificate to the Redondo Beach Civic (If you have never done this you should try it; quite a re- Light Opera freshing experience.) Chuckle along with our Master of ♦ Tickets to a Torrance Cultural Art Center Ceremonies, Mark Comon and . star gaze with Paul event Livio. ♦ Red Car Brewery Tapping Party Enjoy dinner catered by The Red Car Brewery, RCB ♦ Overnight for two with breakfast at the Tor- Beer, magical wines, some unusual auction items and many original gift baskets. rance Marriott Hotel We have some priceless stuff, “available nowhere ♦ Beth Shibata’s Starlight Magic 2011 Signa- else” for auction such as ture art piece (pictured on front page) ♦ A Night Hike with our own Marsh Naturalist, Tracy ♦ Gift certificates to Lomeli’s Italian Restaurant, Drake. Schedule for the evening of your choice, for you Ikemoto Photography Studio, AAA Upholstery, 1321 and eleven of your best friends. Value? Priceless! Tap Room Bistro and more to come… ♦ Lunch with Max Presneill, Curator of the Torrance ♦ Stained Glass art piece by Steve Chudy Art Museum ♦ Many gift baskets ♦ Hike Mt. Pinos with Tracy Drake and Ron Melin; ♦ Dinner for four with wine included at the Roll- Ron will bring a homemade pie! ing Hills Country Club ♦ A two-hour native garden consultation with Tony ♦ A personal Chakra Reading Baker of Natural Landscapes, and a potted native plant ♦ Weekend cabin in Big Bear for eight people ♦ Overnight for two with brunch at the Torrance ♦ Dinner with the Torrance Fire Department DoubleTree Hotel ♦ ♦ Lunch at El Torito with Daily Breeze crime Four Hours actual work time from the profession- reporter, Larry Altman als at AW Construction ♦ ♦Τ Art Parties with Suzanne for children and our of the Torrance Police Department adults. ♦ Air Cruise for two over Catalina, from Western And that’s not all. One hundred percent of all Museum of Flight in Torrance profit raised at Starlight Magic supports the Madrona ♦ Tour of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Marsh Preserve and Nature Center. and Foundation in Simi Valley ♦ Handel’s ice cream gift certificate for 25 ice cream InMemoriam sandwiches! DorisForrest If you have stopped by the Nature Center ADocentReward on any Friday in the last several years, you were Almost all of the docents for the hundred or so school no doubt charmed by the warm smile and twin- tours on Madrona Marsh Preserve every year are volun- kling eyes of Doris Forrest, who welcomed visi- teers from the Friends. And what do they get out of it? tors from her station at the front desk, eager to Perhaps you’ll get a glimmer from this nice thank-you let- answer questions and share her knowledge of ter that Suzan Hubert, one of our newer docents, received the Preserve. from a student on a tour she led in June: We were saddened to hear from her hus- band, Bill, that Doris passed away a few weeks Dear Suzan, ago. Doris and Bill have been long-time support- Thank you for guiding me! I saw the true nature by ers of the Friends of Madrona Marsh as well as you. I especially liked the dune poppies, ducklings (they’re the Torrance Cultural Arts Center. Doris’s inter- so cute!) and hunting the frogs. I loved hunting the frogs est in the environment started back in the 1970’s because I could see the real marsh. It felt kind of weird as a member of the TRW Ecology Workshop, when the frog jumped out of my hands. My feet are still where several of us first learned about Madrona wet, but I loved it. I also thought the ducklings were so Marsh. Bill served as coordinator of the Friends’ cute! I was amazed when several fathers came to pro- docent program for many years, as well as lead- tect the mother and ducklings even though they weren’t ing tours himself. Bill and Doris moved to an related. Again thank you so much for helping us and in- assisted living facility in Santa Monica last year. viting us to the true nature! We extend our greatest sympathy to Bill and Love, the Forrest family for their loss. We have all been Anna Kim richer for the brief time we shared with Doris.