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Spring, 2000
Inside This Issue:
FINDINGS NOT READY NO "DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS" HEARING Supervisor Mike Cale declared, "I’m totally amazed. Historically its always been the position of the county to seek approval from the Sea Ranch design review... This decision by the Planning Commission quite frankly is pretty frightening." Supervisor Tim Smith, on the other hand, believed only the county has the power to deal with land divisions in Sonoma County. "In the CC&R’s, the Association can pocket-veto a (county) decision by never signing off on the project. I hope I never see one of these again." TSRA Board Chair Toby Lovallo told the Supervisors, "The Planning Commission decision is not just without practical effect, it’s worse. If Stone disagrees with the restrictions or the decisions made under the restrictions, he has more appropriate legal avenues available to him. Why would you needlessly drag the county into a dispute with 2300 of your property owners?" Christy H. Taylor, attorney for Sea Ranch, maintained that the CC&Rs constitute enforceable deed restrictions and the County does not have the power to impair the enforceability of those restrictions. "In our view, it is appropriate for the county to refer to the CC&Rs and an approval that is inconsistent with the CC&Rs is a futile action on the county’s part. Moreover, the only logical reading of Section 9.04 of the CC&R’s is that design review needs to take place prior to the county’s approval of the subdivision. TESTIMONY FROM SEA RANCH MEMBERS Rusty Schweikart, former chair of the California Energy Commission made two points. First, the October 7 Planning Commission hearing was in violation of the California Brown Act because there was no public notice that testimony would be taken. His fellow Sea Rancher, Billy Burton, concurred. Burton is a retired Judge Advocate in the US Air Force and a retired Assistant County Counsel for Solano County where he gave legal advice to the planning department and commission for over eleven years. In his opinion, the Planning Commission actions were "a gross violation of the Brown Act... it requires hearings and fairness and openness and that certainly did not take place on October 7." Schwieikart’s second point was that the Commission put "the procedural cart before the horse" in approving the project before it had been approved by the Design Committee. He quoted a planning commissioner from the September 16 hearing: "In matters of this kind, one has to look at the appli-cation and ask three questions. One, is there a homeowners association involved in this thing? If the answer is yes, the second question is: do they have published CC&Rs? If the answer is yes, the third question is: Have you fully complied with the CC&Rs? If the answer is "no", the issue is not ripe for the county." Unfortunately, she did not follow her own logic and voted to approve the project. In his summation, Supervisor Reilly said it was unreasonable to read section 9.04 as saying the only criteria for a sensitive coastal development could be lot size. Without regard to whether the Board is bound by the CC&Rs at Sea Ranch, the county has always placed a good deal of faith in local decision-making in so far as it is conformance with the law and he felt the local review met that criteria. Moreover, significant site constraints indicate four lots are not feasible. POSSIBLE LEGAL ACTION Flush with victory over the TSRA appeal of the Mariner’s Drive subdivision, members packed the February Forum on Development Trends to explore the future of Sea Ranch. Panelists included Sonoma County Supervisor Mike Reilly, TSRA Board Chair Toby Lovallo, Charles Rinehart from Citizens to Acquire Access to State Tidelands (COAAST), Bruce Johnson (who also organized the event), Floyd Cotton, and Kathi Gordon. The Forum began with a summary of the history of The Sea Ranch Precise Plan and how political trends changed it. (See story on p. 4). SONOMA COUNTY OVERVIEW Two issues facing the State Coastal Commission are: limiting the proliferation of sea walls along the coast, and controlling non-point source pollution (i.e., runoff from storm drains, roadways and septic systems, etc). Because state law now requires health departments to test the beaches for pollutants, Local Coastal Plans will include conditions that require best management practices to control non-point source pollution. For example, the Gualala Town Plan has precise requirements for containment of runoff from gas stations, roads, and other sources. he Board of Supervisors overturned the decision of the Planning Commission on the Mariner’s Drive subdivision but, said Supervisor Reilly, a number of items were left on the table. He intends to organize a dialogue to work on those issues if the Association is receptive. He said, "You had a chance before to let the lawyer do his job and you didn’t do it. … The county and the Association need to meet around — and clarify — the issues in the next months before another case like that comes before us." First, can the county refuse to process an application? State subdivision law requires the county to process applications on a timely basis. "The applicant wanted to move forward with county review without TSRA’s approval — or with its denial — and our attorneys had a hard time finding the basis to refuse to hear that application before the Planning Commission. That created a point of real conflict between local planning processes here at Sea Ranch and the county process. It’s something we need to talk about." Second, can the county, or Sea Ranch, both of whom have adopted the Precise Plan, change it unilaterally and impose that unilateral change on the other one? Finally, how is the cap (density limit) calculated? "Is it 2,429 total units and you can do anything you want within that? Is it 2,329 plus 100 units at the Transfer Site? Is it 2,029 units in a geographic area plus the 300 north plus the Transfer Site, and they’re geographically contained and can’t be moved back and forth?" Moreover, the agreement between TSRA and Sea Ranch Ventures to limit development on the Transfer Site to 60 units was never translated into an amendment to the Coastal Plan or the Precise Plan. Supervisor Reilly conceded the planning staff clearly made a mistake in terms of transfer of development, but said they didn’t have any good data on when lot mergers happen on the Ranch. "There is need for greater communication between the Association and the county so the information is readily available when any application comes to the county." Time-share language has been in the Precise Plan specific to the Transfer Site since the plan was amended in 1982. Sonoma County’s Local Coastal Plan Amendment is coming before the State Coastal Commission in the next two or three months and, if there is interest, a technical modification to delete timeshares could be made at that time. The next Sonoma County meeting of the Coastal Commission is in May and Supervisor Reilly said he will try to work out an opportunity for the Commission to meet at Sea Ranch. He remarked wryly, "I think enough years have gone by that it might be a pleasant activity." TSRA RESPONSIBILITY Design control of The Sea Ranch Lodge and the Golf Course is administered under contracts with the Design Committee, independent of the Board of Directors. The school site, the church site, and the commercial area on Verdant View must also have Design Committee approval. The Board is developing a policy regarding how the borders of The Sea Ranch are developed. "It would be better — if we could not own the property — to at least have design control. We are trying to find ways that are affordable and legally enforceable to gain more protection on our borders." The Board is also looking at a way to try to encourage members to think smaller when designing homes. Director Lovallo reported, "We are trying to convey to the Design Committee that they have the legal authority to limit the size of houses. We’re thinking of instituting a differential plan review fee — breaking it down in the budget into two stages. First, you have one set fee if your house is under a certain square footage — we’d leave to the Design Committee the point at which this change would occur. If the plans you submit are much larger than this figure, you would face a much higher design review fee. … We think we have a right to express in this small way the Association’s and the community’s preference for houses that are not gargantuan." COAAST "Things have changed since then," said Rinehart, "as years have gone by we recognized that among the population at Sea Ranch there are many people who hold the same views we do. That’s why you sometimes find COAAST on your side. The most recent one was Mariner’s Drive. We did not want to see subdivisions taking place three or four at a time, particularly in an area subject to septic tanks, because emphasis on protection of the ocean today is far greater and far more meaningful than it ever has been." Rinehart continued, "We’re not asking of The Sea Ranch any more than we would ask anywhere up and down the coast with respect to development, protection of the ocean, provision of access. … We may come to different conclusions, different interpretations, but in the long run I think we’re looking to provide the same thing — that is, orderly growth. We are happy to be on your side." TIME-SHARES Some time-shares still work on "fixed time" but another concept, called "floating time," soon emerged. While the deed to the property still showed a specific week and condo number, the owner couldn’t just show up and use it but had to make a reservation as in a hotel. In return, the owner could select a more convenient week in any other available comparable condo. Next, the simple idea of two owners at different resorts swapping their weeks became big business. Now, two large exchange companies and dozens of smaller ones manage transactions between hundreds of thousands of owners and thousands of resorts worldwide. Johnson said the business is growing at an average of 16 percent a year. The next permutation in the time-share concept is "points." Companies such as Disney, Hyatt, Marriott and Hilton are building time-shares but issue "points." Although the property deed shows a specific time and place, actually the owner is given an annual bundle of points usable at any property in the chain. Each resort decides how many points equal one week, and the owner can spread the points among the chain’s resorts. Johnson said, "In fact, points are fast becoming a quasi-currency like frequent flyer miles, equally good for timeshares, hotel rooms, meals and activities — even airline tickets, cruises and rental cars." Johnson concluded, "While the buying and selling of time-shares is indisputably a real estate transaction, the ways you can use your ownership are becoming evermore commercial. In operation, a time-share resort is a commercial enterprise at a tourist destination." What control Sea Ranch has had over becoming a tourist destination could be seriously threatened, warned Johnson, "A time-share resort within our boundaries puts a commercial enterprise commanding a block of votes smack in the middle of our sometimes fractious politics." RETURN TO EARLY CONCEPT Another extremely important aspect is design control, declared Cotton: "the rules require they be enforced by a disciplined and consistent Design Committee made up of architects and lay people. Also embedded in design review is the idea that some things should just be turned down. If the project doesn’t fit in the overall concept and wasn’t designed with Sea Ranch in mind, it doesn’t belong on Sea Ranch. Just like some houses don’t fit on Sea Ranch, unfortunately some people don’t fit and they should have the opportunity to learn that before they buy here." Cotton views the CC&Rs as "the only things we have that make Sea Ranch different from every other subdivision in the United States. If we resist or don’t voluntarily comply, we weaken the very thing that protects us. Voluntary compliance is part of voluntary self-government." Implicit in the CC&Rs is an appeal for neighborliness, said Cotton, "When they talk about not having cars visible from neighboring property and so forth, all they are talking about is being as considerate of everyone else as you would want them to be considerate of you. The CC&Rs protect us from mediocrity and if we work against them, there’s no hope for us." Cotton concluded with a plea for owners to learn more about Sea Ranch and what made it what it is. "You can start by reading the CC&Rs and anything on Sea Ranch history you can find." MEMBER QUESTIONS Is the talk of "monster houses" demonstrating a bias against full time residents? Lovallo replied the most frequent complaints, by a ratio of at least 10 to one, are about huge houses that overwhelm their small lots and their surroundings. Supervisor Reilly said this is not just a Sea Ranch issue but as the price of coastal real estate escalates, there are many examples of people who want to tear down 3,500 square foot homes and build 10,000 square foot homes. "We get those applications in all the time and it’s happening up and down the coast of California." George Wickstead recalled that while the Design Committee was under the control of the developer, it appointed and dismissed the members. In 1982, when the Design Committee came under the aegis of TSRA, the Board of Directors ruled that no Sea Ranch practitioners could serve on the committee. "I believe that was entirely in the wrong direction, because we lost people who were thoroughly familiar with living conditions at Sea Ranch and who were imbued with The Sea Ranch Concept." He also noted that at one time he discussed his concern that there be some zoning control over the size of houses on their lots with a previous Sonoma County Planning Director lots. He was told, "Let the Design Committee decide that." Bruce Johnson asked if there is a discrepancy between what Sea Ranchers believe is the Sea Ranch, the area over which the Board of Directors has jurisdiction, and what the county understands is The Sea Ranch, which may include the golf course and the TPZs? Supervisor Reilly said, "Damned if I know. As we explore other issues we will try to seek clarity on a number of those points." Would the county consider an application to amend the Precise Plan to permanently reduce the number of units allowed at Sea Ranch to conform to the number of lot consolidations? The Board of Supervisors would be receptive to any consensus to reduce the number of lots at Sea Ranch, said Supervisor Reilly. The Forum adjourned to a reception for Supervisor Reilly and his wife. Mel Mirsky: Sea Rancher of Year Receiving this year's Sea Rancher of the Year Award has raised the bar a bit for Mel Mirsky. "I've always volunteered in order to give back, because I've gotten so much from The Sea Ranch," he said, after fellow Utilities Committee member Rae Hudspeth presented him with the award. "I thought I was catching up, but now this has given me a lot more to do!" Mel and Estelle Mirsky first found The Sea Ranch back in the sixties while vacationing on the Coast. Avid outdoor enthusiasts, they had met as young professionals just out of college in 1952, during a canoe trip on the Delaware River. Although Mel grew up in New York City, he developed a love of the outdoors and discovered the joys of hiking and skiing in the mountains. After graduating from Brooklyn Polytechnic, he joined the American Youth Hostel Association (in which Estelle was a leader). Their mutual interests in canoeing, cycling, and skiing soon blossomed into romance, and they were married in 1954. Over the years, Mel's work in civil engineering with Bechtel Corporation took him, Estelle and their three girls all over the country and all over the world. They have lived in five states, and spent several years living in New Zealand and then Canada. Mel has managed railroad, highway, bridge, tunnel, airport and port facilities projects not only in North America and the South Pacific, but in Europe, Asia and the Middle East as well. The Mirskys first came to San Francisco in 1957 when Mel was working on power plant and hydroelectric projects, and, no matter where they went afterwards, always considered the Bay Area "home base." "We loved California from the beginning, and always took advantage of what it had to offer," says Mel. He says that they were undecided for a long time about a "getaway" and retirement place when that trip to the Coast led them to Sea Ranch. They rented for several years and discovered their home on Fly Cloud during a Christmas vacation here. "We were out walking one day, and we saw a guy come out of his house with a "For Sale" sign under his arm," he says. "We started talking and he offered to show us around. It was a very small place, but very unique, even for Sea Ranch. We decided it was perfect for us, and within a month, we owned it!" They started coming up regularly and the more they saw, and the more people they got to know, the more they became convinced that this was wanted to live. Mel retired and established himself as an independent consultant with Bechtel in 1992, and he and Estelle became fulltime Sea Ranchers. They expanded the little house, living in one half while adding on to the other. Their three daughters, all busy professional women in the Bay Area, loved coming up for rest and vacations. Since Mel was still busy consulting overseas, he eased into life here with a few enjoyable activities. He loved fishing off the rocks for cabazon and sea perch, and still talks about it as the quintessential Sea Ranch experience — "just being there with the waves and the rocks and the sky — what more could you ask for?" he wonders. He joined the tennis club and became its most dedicated member, according to Bill McCarthy. "When it’s raining, Mel is always the last one to give up and cancel a game," says Bill. "Even if it’s just sprinkling, Mel will go down early and squeegee off the courts so they’ll be ready in time for the game." Then a friend approached him about joining the Utilities Committee. His background made it a natural place for him to contribute his talents, and he tackled the job with enthusiasm. He has been on the Committee for six years and served as its chairman for the last four. "It's gotten more and more interesting," he says, mentioning such issues as septic systems on Commons and the Water Company. He feels that the current situation with the reservoir is the greatest challenge the Committee has faced during his tenure. "It has the biggest potential for major problems, not only because of possible property damage but because of the amount of money involved," he says. Mel has been very pleased with his fellow Committee members over the years: "the people are extremely professional, not only in terms of education and experience, but in the way they conduct themselves," he says. He is equally enthusiastic about the boards he’s worked with, and observes that there’s been "a real turnaround" in the last six or seven years from the old days of animosity among boards, committees and members. "I think that the quality of the people who came onto the board and the quality of the people who have come onto the committees has improved," he says. "It’s a good atmosphere now — we don’t always have agreement, but they’re always willing to listen." Fellow committee member Dick Harlan has known Mel since 1958, when they worked together at Bechtel. He is the friend who recruited Mel for the Committee and is understandably very pleased with the award. He cites Mel’s proficiency in working not only with projects, but with people. "He has been very skillful in explaining to the Board and other lay people the important issues involving our water supply, the reservoir, and the septic issues," says Dick. "The Community Manager and the Board have come to rely on him as a source of straightforward, nonpolitical information. It is not an easy task to explain the difficult and sometimes unpleasant financial issues relating to our infrastructure. Mel has done it with patience and courtesy. In my view, the award is well placed and more than deserved." The Sea Ranch Precise Plan didn’t start out being so precise. The Plan today bears only a vague resemblance to the master plan Al Boeke, Larry Halprin and their design group started with. Planning is dynamic and subject to change, and all plans are political! Meaning that they can be influenced by whoever is in power and whoever has the ear of those in power. The fierce political winds that blew through California in the 70s wreaked their vengeance on The Sea Ranch Precise Plan. PLANNED COMMUNITY EARLY PLANS Picture clusters of condominiums stretching from the south entrance to the Lodge and Condo One — George Wickstead has said the top of the hill above the Lodge "was to have been crowned by a huge condominium cluster." A coastal village was to occupy the area north of the Lodge. The golf course was to be on the coastal meadows where Unit 18 is now. Another Mediterranean-type village was planned for the very north end of the Ranch, with clusters of condominiums east and west along Halcyon in densities of six to 10 units per acre. Clustering fairly high density housing within the shelter of the hedgerows and the upper meadows would leave expanses of natural grasslands extending to the bluffs in between. There was even an idea of leaving meadows for sheep to graze. CHANGES INFLUENCING PLANS At the same time, plans for large lots in the forests of Units 3, 4, and 5 were reduced in size because the costs of development on the rugged hillsides ran much higher than on the meadows. Failure of early water wells in Unit 3 led to realignment of the Ranch’s eastern boundary, with a long appendage of land reaching down to the "Hot Spot" where Sea Ranch draws water from the Gualala River under a state permit issued in 1967. ZONING APPROVED When Condo One and the prototype hedgerow houses were completed, Sea Ranch began to win awards for outstanding environmental design. By 1968, good sales and a cooperative relationship with Sonoma County encouraged Oceanic to step up planning and design. The county approved a Planned Community Map for the north 3,200 acres. As a subdivision map on each unit was filed, The Sea Ranch Restrictions were recorded with the map. As part of the approval of the Planned Community map, Sonoma County required three sewage treatment plants to serve the projected development. By 1974, the central plant was completed and the northern plant was under construction. The third at the south end was never built. But the cost of extending sewer service to each lot led to smaller lots in the north end. STATE INFLUENCES In 1968, the state legislature passed the Dunlap Act so that the county had to require beach access before approving any subdivision on the coast. Oceanic’s donation of the 125 acre Gualala Point Park did not satisfy COAAST (Californians to Acquire Access to State Tidelands), the group who wanted access paths every half mile along the Sonoma Coast. When a county ballot measure sponsored by COAAST failed, it joined other coastal groups to support the statewide Coastal Initiative. Californians voted for Prop 20 in 1972. The initiative set up a Commission with power to control all development within 1,000 yards of the coastline through building permits. The Commission was also required to prepare a statewide coastal plan. COASTAL ACT The Coastal Act of 1976 was approved, establishing a permanent State Coastal Commission to oversee local coastal programs and serve as an appeal body on contested local decisions. The 1976 Coastal Plan moved the Coastal Zone Boundary back to The Sea Ranch ridge. There were 410 houses on Sea Ranch when it took effect in 1977, and the Commission continued to deny permits. Not only that, in March 1978, the Commission limited Sea Ranch to 2,029 homes and demanded more accesses. This was undoubtedly the most divisive era in Sea Ranch history, and there were a number of lawsuits pitting members against the Association and the Association and Oceanic against the Coastal Commission. In January 1981, Sonoma County adopted their Local Coastal Plan which left the Sea Ranch Overall Conditions in place. BANE BILL The county then amended its Local Coastal Plan and The Sea Ranch Precise Plan to include the requirements of the Bane Bill. The Supervisors added 300 residential units in designated areas and 100 additional Lodge units with the requirement for 45 units of employee housing. The county also required improvement of three Highway One intersections, and donation of a site to be deeded to the Coastal Conservancy for its possible development of up to 100 units. Mary Allen, OCI Project Manager at the time, said the adoption of the amended Precise Development Plan left all that OCI could do "cast in granite." The economic hardships on OCI resulted in higher densities in the parcels it could develop, and plan configurations that were the antithesis of the early planner’s concept. SALE OF SEA RANCH Once development resumed, the people of the Sea Ranch exerted their influence over such things as constructing permanent hangars on the airstrip, design of the stable facilities, and planning the units in Unit 36 so that the view from the Ohlson Ranch Center was preserved. Not to mention the Mariner’s Drive subdivision. HOW TO CHANGE THE PLAN Changing the Timber Preserve zoning is a little more complicated. First, a written notice must be filed at least 90 days prior to the anniversary of the initial zoning. Within 120 days of the request and after a public hearing, the Board of Supervisors must rule on the request. It takes a majority vote of the full Board to remove a parcel from the TPZ. Then 10 years from the date of approval, the new zone will go into effect. During those 10 years, the assessed valuation would be gradually increased until at the end of 10 years it catches up with its fair market value. To do it faster than 10 years, a request for immediate rezoning may be made to the Board of Supervisors who may approve it by a four-fifths vote. The Board must make appropriate findings that such a conversion is in the public interest and forward its approval to the State Board of Forestry, which may approve or deny such conversion. So, the Precise Plan has changed and probably will change. Sea Ranch has three things developers look for: access, water and utilities. Fortunately, land use changes are public processes but they require eternal vigilance and an understanding of the rules. by KG Ellen Lester Advances as New Director of Financial Services and Human Resources Ellen Lester moved seamlessly into the new position of Director of Financial Services and Human Resources for The Sea Ranch Association. The retirement of Harlan Barry as Director of Finance and Utilities brought an opportunity to restructure the administration of the Association, bringing all the finances into one department and making it more cost-effective. Ellen now is in charge of the way money moves throughout the entire organization. "Now," she said, "with the vast expertise and assistance of Dottie Doctor and Mary Condon as Finance and Customer Service Specialists, we can be a true service center for the whole Association." Ellen will retain her Human Resources function, which includes training and organization development, setting policy, and ensuring consistency in employee relations, benefits and compensation. Having come to TSRA in 1982, Ellen is the most senior member of the staff. When she came, there were 20 people and now there are 46 fulltime employees. Because she did payroll, she realized the need for someone to be accountable for the many aspects of employee relations. She studied at home and got her certificate as a Human Resources professional, a job she says she loves. "I’m pleased to have always had an opportunity to grow in an organization in this small place. We’re probably the biggest employer up here." She wanted to thank TSRA Board of Directors’ Treasurer Alex Long and Finance Committee Chair R.C. Vasavada for their help in her transition, especially at budget time. She grew up listening to her father, City Manager for the City of Winnetka, Illinois, and her grandfather, one of the first city managers in the country, discuss municipal government. Ellen graduated from Illinois University at Carbondale with a major aimed at the music business which included business administration, accounting and economics. She came to Los Angeles to work for a music corporation, but hated the area and loved to come visit her mother Neva Buechner in Gualala. "I couldn’t believe people got to live here." Ellen’s family includes husband Jim and daughters Jimmi Dawn and Melody Rose. She is a talented singer and songwriter and can be heard singing with the North Coast Chorus. At intermission just after the New York Pro Musica (an early music group) had played a particularly fast piece, my friend chuckled, "When I play that fast, I don’t blow." We were aspiring recorder players who understood the problem of coordinating finger movement with the proper amount of breath to produce clear sound from our recorders. Mary Rich inspired the recorder group to begin here on the coast when she and her husband Eldon moved to Sea Ranch in 1985. While she taught at Sonoma State, Mary was actively playing the recorder with a small group. She gathered a dedicated group including Ellen Soule, Bill Platt, Sara Geddes, and Cyndy Solomon. Because Mary and Eldon lived next to my parents on Sorcerer Wood, I joined the group as a temporary sixth member. Several recorder workshops have been held on the North Coast with attendees coming from as far away as Mill Valley and the California Foothills. Joanna Bramel Young has come periodically from Santa Rosa to conduct workshops and give private lessons. That first group of six had some interesting performance experiences. We played as part of the South Coast Chorus’ Christmas Concert, performing at the Gualala Community Center and again in Elk. The latter concert was early in my time as a permanent resident, and I marveled at all the Christmas lights we could see as we drove in the beautiful, crisp clear night, places that are never seen by day. In one program we began a piece, but quickly stopped when one player’s recorder produced barely a sound. The audience politely waited until the player discovered the cloth for removing moisture was still inside the instrument. After the laughter died down we continued without a problem. One year we played a program of Irish music with Niall Healy as vocalist. When Art in the Redwoods was held at Bower Park, the recorder group performed on the little stage. In recent years, we’ve performed in different locations at the Gualala Arts Center. There have been some changes over the years. Sara Geddes in now in Oregon. Cyndy Soloman is retired from recorder playing for the moment. Joyce Marple returned to Oklahoma. And our mentor Mary Rich now lives in Petaluma in a little home on their son’s property, and she loves to hear from friends on the coast (111 Fair Ave., Petaluma, 94952, 707-773-3261). Others remember Mary for her many literature classes here at Sea Ranch: James Joyce’s Ulysses, the Old Testament as literature, The Iliad and The Odyssey. The current recorder group includes Marilynn and Dick Balch, Gilette Bechtel, Janet Coleman, Beva and Peter Farmer, Barbara Kahovec, Bill Platt and Ellen Soule. Nine people who would encourage others to participate and be a little challenged. The Pomo Creek Trail is a delightful spot for a spring flower walk. The trail traverses meadow and deep dark woods, following a sparkling stream with a couple of small waterfalls. Mid-March should usually have a display of the flowers mentioned here. A good place to begin a walk is on Halcyon, just before the junction with Deer Trail. A Madrone tree and a large Ceanothus bush are on the right at the start of the trail on the north side of the road. Note the large smooth leaves and beautiful reddish-orange bark of the Madrone; the small-leaved Ceanothus should be covered with tiny blue flowers. To the left of the path is a clump of bright yellow flowers — Suncups. Walk about 20 feet to find on the right a large clump of Sword Fern. The dark green fronds have simple "leaflets" with a large tooth at the base — the "hilt" of the sword. Just beyond is another fern, pale-green Bracken. More finely cut, with a branched stem, this plant is found worldwide. Next, still on your right, are Bishop Pines, with two long needles in each cluster. To your left, along the road, is a row of Monterey Cypress, widely planted on Sea Ranch, but not native to this area. Soon the creek appears on the right, with many Starry Solomon’s Seal, a member of the lily family with small white flowers, growing below a large Wax Myrtle, one of our commonest native shrubs. Across the creek, the large parallel-veined leaves of the Fringed Corn Lily are impossible to miss — they will bloom later in the year. The trail now runs close to Halcyon and then turns right and crosses the creek to enter a grove of Wax Myrtle and Coffeeberry, another very common native shrub with wider smooth leaves. To the left is a Manzanita shrub with deep purple-red bark, and an azalea with soft, pale green leaves. The trail goes uphill and changes from pebbles to grass, with Coyote Bushes on both sides. This common native shrub is an extremely important food source for many birds. Redwood trees then line the trail until you reach Screech Owl. Cross the street and follow the trail into the woods, passing a clump of Salal (low evergreen shrubs) on the left. The ground under the trees is covered with a mixture of Long-tailed Ginger (big heart-shaped leaves, reddish brown flowers with — what else? long "tails") Redwood Sorrel (clover-like leaves, pink flowers), and Redwood Violets (yellow flowers on leafless stalks). On the left is a small Douglas fir with short slender needles and large blisters on the trunk. These blisters are filled with sap which is wonderfully soothing (but messy!) when applied to small cuts or scratches. Soon the trail forks. Go left, noting the small white English Daisies and wide, blotched leaves of Slink Pod, another lily now no doubt gone to seed, the long, curvy, prostrate stem giving the common name. With luck you might find one of the exquisite greenish-brown flowers. The trail forks again at the creek to form a short loop. Stay left and look on the raised bank on your left for Fairy Bells (another lily with drooping, bell-shaped flowers), Trillium (three whorled leaves and three-petaled white flowers turning pink as they age), and Polypody Fern, with the simple structure of Sword Fern, but much smaller and without the "hilt." Cross the creek on the sturdy bridge, noting the Horsetails (a primitive fern ally from the dinosaur age with needle shaped leaves in numerous whorls on a stout stem) and Lady Fern, a large but very delicate fern with the "leaflets’ twice divided into very tiny segments. Go back down the other side of the creek, along the gray fence. Look along the fence for the short-lived fertile shoots of the Horsetail — pale brown, with a cone-shaped tip. At the end of the fence is a patch of Woodland Strawberry with small flowers with five white petals. Stay left this time at both forks. As you pass a large mossy redwood stump on your right, look for a clump of wide-leaved Vanilla Grass at the base of the stump. This native grass is common anywhere in our coastal forests. As you cross the next bridge, look on the right for one more fern — Deer Fern, with long slender fronds with undivided "leaflets." The trail moves away from the creek and then returns. Here Stream Violet grows on both sides of the trail. The yellow flower looks just like the Redwood Violet, but the plant is taller and has leaves on the flower stalk. Cross one more bridge and soon you will emerge on Deer Trail, next to a large clump of native Blackberry. Turn right to return to Halcyon and the beginning of this trail, noting the large clump of Common Vetch, a purple-flowered member of the pea family, at the corner. "Tonight, we Sea Ranchers are celebrating our past choices and our privileged future. Our best choice has allowed us to borrow this dynamic coastline as our home. We have created the means to expand our horizons as a self-governing and responsible community. The Sea Ranch Concept, whatever that was, has grown and matured into a dynamic Living Concept; a community of volunteers … women and men with wisdom, humor and gladness. The result is love of people as well as place, reflected in our faces as we understand and share. Our expansive lifestyle is contagious, going back to the future! Let us toast and join the ever-growing wave of creative self-starters who energize the richness and joy of our daily lives. Let’s just do it! Bless you all! Happy New Year!" That was Al Boeke’s toast — sentiments to honor "love of people and place" at Sea Ranch’s "Party of the Centuries." He made it just before the big page turned and the clock that covered the entire north wall of the Barn moved to the once-in-1,000 years 12:00 midnight. How appropriate that Al offered the toast since he was the architect who discovered The Sea Ranch close to four decades ago! He can be considered Sea Ranch’s own George Washington. One wonders what Sea Ranchers 100 years hence will think as they open the time capsule Gene Weston created for the party. In it will be photos of partygoers: Jo Ann Ridley and Duane Gordon’s The Barn Book, Larry Halprin’s Diary of an Idea, a champagne glass, historic literature, and the exquisite scroll handmade of blue silk by Mary Austin and signed by partygoers. One hundred years ago in the wild and woolly days of Del Mar Ranches, the Model T had not been invented and the Adam Knipp and Chris Stengel Barn was only 20 years old. The big white Barn housed most every kind of farm animal. Imagine how they, along with Messrs. Knipp and Stengel, would have reacted upon seeing their home transformed with glorious chiffon tented and draped from the rafters with balloons surrounding a dance floor, a big light-shattering, shimmering, mirrored ball centered in the ceiling, and a grand clock projected on the entire north wall marking the countdown. Two stalls had been swathed in chiffon: one for a cloakroom, the other for a welcoming room. Other stalls contained a serving kitchen and coolers. Inside, twinkling fairy lights outlined the entire Barn. And what would the former Barn denizens have thought of the masks on the tables? They were black with features of colorful handmade papers on wooden bases, assembled by creative Claire McCarthy and her decorating committee. For spectacular masks, the Venetian ones worn by Sharon and Phil Simon stood out. Hers was of white plumed feathers a couple of feet high with its own earrings. Phil wore a gold beak with black feathers. Sea Ranchers were encouraged in the Bulletin to "Dress up Baby" and they really did. Representing their favorite decade, there were flappers, cowboys, blinding sequins, suits and ties (seldom worn at the Ranch), tuxedos, a ’40s triple fox wrap, stunning fur hats, Hawaiian tourists, beribboned jackets, a couple of Arabs in sheets, bobbysoxers, a bonafide poodle skirt, "Father Times" wearing The New York Times with a hat, a strapless tulle belle-of-the-ball gown now back in fashion, a couple of gangster suits, an elegant kimono, ample décolletage, and lots of lamé in the colors of precious metals. Plus two yellow-haired seven-year-old twins and their new best friend John De Wilder who were allowed to stay up and will hopefully be around to tell the story as the time capsule is opened many years from now. The buffet was catered with hearty build-your-own Dagwood Sandwiches with all the trimmings, thanks to Doris Buck and her committee. Music selection, chaired by Sharon Simon, prompted several pre-parties where Sea Ranchers brought CDs of their own favorite tunes. The 112 selections were sorted into slow/fast and separate decades, then deposited into a 200 CD changer. Disc jockeys Dickie W. (Warren), Robbie D. (Diefenbach), Forest Not Gump (Gerdes), and Robert "Be-Bob-a-Lula" (Evans) took turns spinning the CDs. With their "Dance with Me Baby" dance cards, Sea Ranchers ascended the dance floor surrounded by champagne bubbles (really silver, clear, white-and-black balloons) to "Dance Around The Clock." The dance floor was built by Barnies emeriti John Wingate and Dick Soule. Music from 1910 to 1999 was enhanced by the excellent Barn acoustics. Bob and Rose Hocker chaired the parking and security committee. Stalwart Sea Ranchers patrolled the Barn each 20 minutes, others wore Day-Glo vests and with flashlights directed cars to parking spots they had chalked out and the parking lot beyond. They also arranged to have a backup generator, gas, and had recruited Bob Sear’s emergency radio group. Inside, Dick Warren made an obligatory safety announcement in advance of Y2K and Sea Ranchers kept their flashlights with them. At 11:00, Diane Boeke’s skit committee performed. Those who guessed which decade was portrayed won prizes — a champagne glass or a tee shirt created just for the party. Created by Susan Clark and Sharon Simon, the tee shirt has a blueprint of the south elevation of the Barn on the front and "Millennium 2000 The Sea Ranch" on the back. Judith Leeper ordered special champagne glasses with the stem saying "2000" and The Sea Ranch logo on the flute. On the stroke of midnight, O’Brien Young led the singing of Auld Lang Syne, the words of which were printed on the back of the dance card. Many stayed to dance through the first hour-and-a-half of the first year of the Twenty-First Century. Forest Gerdes, deejay, kept spinning the tunes but only after the dancers agreed to "bus" two tables each. At a quarter to 2:00 in the morning of January 1, 2000, the Barn door closed. Fortune cookies had been read, Auld Lang Syne had been sung, "Happy New Year’s" had been shouted, dances of the decades had been danced. Jackie Morse’s favors on the bistro tables quoted Bob Dylan: "Ah, but I was so much older then; I’m younger than that now."; and Samuel Johnson: "When making your choice in life, do not neglect to live." Fortunately, the Y2K demons missed us and all of us thanked our lucky stars for being able, as Al said, "to borrow this dynamic coastline as our home." The Millennium Party Committee, Diane Boeke, Marty Campbell, Carol Emory, Sharon Simon and Martha Wohlken, thanks:
Examples of North Coast architecture will be on view during the 16th Soroptimist International of Mendocino Sonoma Coast’s Annual Architectural Tour and Wine Tasting, Saturday, May 13, 2000, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A variety of residences from Sea Ranch to Anchor Bay, and one local inn, will be shown, followed by a sampling of California wines and refreshments at the Gualala Arts Center from 3:30 to 5:30. The tour will highlight the AIA award-winning Mary Star of the Sea Church overlooking Gualala. The simple forms of this tranquil church and outbuildings form a cloister opening out to embrace the wooded site and spectacular ocean views. Natural finish materials, exposed wood frame, copper roof, and large windows with treelike forms unite with the soaring woodlands to create an alliance of structure with nature. Tickets for the architectural tour and wine tasting come with a map of locations at $25 per person. The tour is self-guided and docents will be present at each location. Participants may sign up for a box lunch provided by the South Coast Senior Center for an additional $6. The lunches will be available at Mary Star of the Sea Church with tables for picnicking. Advance tickets may be purchased from any Soroptimist member, CoverAlls (884-4522), or Don Berard Associates (884-3211). On the day of the tour, tickets will be on sale at The Sea Ranch Lodge and at Don Berard Associates, 39175 Highway One, Gualala. The local chapter of Soroptimist International, a business and professional women’s service organization, funds its many local scholarships, community and youth projects through this benefit. For additional information contact the coordinating committee: Virginia Root 884-4346, Anne Decker 785-1028, Bess Sternberg 884-9090. SUMMARY OF BIRD COUNT FIRST SOUTHERN MENDO AUDUBON MEETING Rich and partner Dean Schuler traveled aboard a Russian research vessel, the Akademic Ioffe, from extreme southern Argentina to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the South Orkneys and the Antarctic Peninsula before returning across the "dreaded Drake" to the South American Continent. They filmed seven species of penguins, four species of albatross, three species of dolphins — one of which was a pod of Orcas, five species of seals, Southern Sea Lions, four species of whales — including a pair of male Humpbacks which inter acted with ship and passengers for several hours. Dinner by local caterer Laurie Pedelaborde will include Chicken Cacciatore with Wild Mushrooms, polenta, garlic bread, and carrot cake. A donation of $7 per person for dinner and a $2 donation for rental of a wine glass is suggested. For questions call Ginny Rorby at 707-964-6810 or check the web site at: <http://www.audubon.org/chapter/ca/mendocino>. Rated as one of the best Rhododendron shows on the West Coast, the 23rd Annual John Druecker Memorial Rhododendron Show and Plant Sale takes place in Fort Bragg, May 6 and 7, from 1:30 to 5 on Saturday and 9 to 5 on Sunday. The show, hosted by the Noyo Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society, displays a wide range of rhododendrons and azaleas from huge blooms (called trusses) to tiny alpine species. More than 700 rhodies and azaleas and bonsai (proper pronunciation "BONE sigh") will be viewed by independent judges who will award trophies and ribbons. Entry to the show is free. Many potted rhododendrons and azaleas will be for sale and 10 lucky winners of raffle prizes will walk away with large potted rhodies or azaleas. A very special plant will go to the highest bidder in the Silent Auction. A Display Garden fills the end of the large hall, looking as if it grew there, with a stream and a pond. Location for the show is the Dana Gray Elementary School, 1197 Chestnut Street, Fort Bragg. Go north on Highway One, cross Noyo Bridge and continue to Chestnut Street (2nd signal past bridge, Rite-Aid on NE corner). Turn right and go all the way to Dana Avenue. The school is on the left side of the street with a parking lot. Rose Turner, member of the American Rhododendron Society and winner of many trophies and ribbons over the years, will open her garden at no charge during the show. Her garden has been featured in color in the Press Democrat’s Garden Section. The address is 32658 Mill Creek Drive. Go north from Fort Bragg on Highway One about five miles to Mill Creek Drive, turn right at the top of the hill. (A left turn takes you into MacKerricher Beach State Park.) Go east about one mile until balloons appear on the left. Be sure to bring a camera. Midwinter Meeting Features Q&A "The state of The Sea Ranch is beautiful," reported TSRA Board Chair Toby Lovallo at the Midwinter Meeting on February 19. About 130 people filled Del Mar Center to hear Lovallo list the year’s achievements: success in the appeal of the Mariner’s Drive project; adoption of policies for CC&R enforcement; adoption of a policy for use of Commons; imminent completion of the Del Mar Center Pool with a projected opening of Memorial Day weekend; implementation of a two-year member I.D. program; adoption of a feral cat control program; continuation of a successful seal docent program; meetings with the Design Committee on size of houses; completion of the Children’s Play Park; and continuing negotiations with Gualala Redwoods about the North Timber Production Zone. TSRA Treasurer Alex Long followed with presentation of the budget under which the members will pay $101.15 monthly. Director Ann Harriman recognized Committee volunteers, thanking them for their energy, knowledge and expertise, and giving certificates to outgoing committee members. A Special Community Service Award went to Floyd Cotton for his hard work and tenacity in making the membership aware of the Mariner’s Drive project. Linda Cotton was also thanked for her work in assisting Floyd and organizing the membership. Six of the seven Board members were present to participate in a question-and-answer session. Bill McCarthy asked the Board to explain the status of the reservoir. Lovallo said it is now half-filled with water. After extensive engineering studies conducted by consultants to the Association, it was determined that seepage was caused by defects in design and construction of the dam. The Association has filed suit against the construction firm and the contractor who designed the dam but hopes to settle out of court. The Board set up a $300,000 legal fund to pursue reimbursement for the cost of repairs. Gene Weston’s question about whether the Association should own any so-called "building rights" sparked a lively discussion. While extra "building rights" per se do not exist, past lot consolidations have created a gap between existing lots and the cap of 2,329 units permitted under the Local Coastal Plan — when the Transfer Site is not included. There are now 2,306 total lots on the Ranch, leaving a gap of 23 lots. However 33 Sea Ranch lots are capable of being subdivided under the Restrictions. Members expressed interest in petitioning the county to revise the building cap to reflect the number of lots remaining after lot consolidations, but the Board appeared hesitant to reduce the cap. Floyd Cotton asked the Board to take action to "reduce the possibility of some mischief by the county" and protect Sea Ranch in the future. He said, "The provision in the CC&Rs to allow subdivision of large lots was a marketing gimmick and should be removed." DeWitt Bowman asked that the Association undertake a comprehensive survey of Sea Ranch lands and what may or may not be subdivided. John McChesney recalled the time the Board spent on allocation of Commons for leachfields. "The process was complicated but would do the job." Now he is concerned that the "system is as chaotic as it was before." Ann Harriman responded that the subject has just come under consideration by the Utilities Committee and a subcommittee has been appointed to look at the problem. She concurs that the results have not been what the Board or the Utilities Committee expected. Mel Mirsky, Chair of the Utilities Committee, added the Committee is concerned that a procedure for allocating Commons for leachfields was adopted by resolution of the Board, and now the Committee is uncertain whether the process is being followed. The Planning Committee has also expressed concern. When Jerry Gonce announced time for the members to address each other, there were no takers. But members adjourned to a reception and "addressed each other" over wine and hors d’oeuvres. Moore Foundation on TSR Design The second of two back-to-back Forums in November on Sea Ranch Architectural Design was presented by the Charles Moore Foundation. George Wickstead and Donlyn Lyndon arranged to coordinate the Foundation’s third conference and first field conference with the Forum. It was hoped, as George Wickstead said in his introduction, "to have an outside panel of experts who could look at us with a coldly clinical eye as well as fond affection." Donlyn Lyndon, one of the original architects of Sea Ranch and Chairman of the Department of Architecture at U.C. Berkeley, described the Foundation established to honor the work and ideas of the late Charles Moore. Though his work center was in Austin Texas, Lyndon said Moore’s "spiritual home" was on Sea Ranch. The panel had two days with which to become familiar with The Sea Ranch. They did that by reviewing the history and founding vision of the Ranch with early designers, Larry Halprin and Al Boeke. They also toured the first buildings, Condo One and the Hedgerow Houses, and visited some later buildings. They were, said Donlyn Lyndon, "Very impressed with the way in which that landscape has changed." The second day they heard a panel on 30 years of change and development, then heard two Sea Ranchers discuss the development of community at Sea Ranch. That afternoon in the Forum they were asked by Lyndon to "talk about what they had seen at The Sea Ranch, what they had heard, what they had experienced." Robert Campbell, introduced by Donlyn Lyndon, was the Moderator of the panel discussion. Campbell is the Pulitzer Prizewinning architecture writer for the Boston Globe. Other participants were: Anne Whiston Spirn, Professor of Landscape and Regional Planning at the University of Pennsylvania; James Trulove, Founder and Publisher of Spacemaker Press and owner of a condo in Condo One; Susan Zevon, Architecture Editor for House Beautiful; Robert Davis, founder of Seaside, Florida. MAN IN NATURE BUILDING TOWNS Davis said in 1960 he would have done what Al Boeke did and assemble a great team of people and come up with a land plan, but today you could not find the kind of investor who could wait years for a modest return on capital. Today he would go to a conservation fund like the Trust for Public Land to help purchase the land, then put 90 percent of it in a land trust, maybe 95 percent. He would build a small town on the remaining five percent, maybe nestled in the foothills. He thought the original conception of The Sea Ranch was extraordinary in its clarity and power — the notion of building houses within the hedgerows and creating great open spaces in meadows. "Larry Halprin and his colleagues created a setting for dwelling on the land that was … really mystical." Davis spoke of the difficulty of developing large parcels over decades when there is no assurance of continuity of management. He described the few "town builders" who are willing to stay in one place and have the patience and level of commitment. "The notion of building towns and making a career out of it is something different from what is now being done." LANDSCAPE AS MENTOR SIZE AND SCALE BIG ISSUE The Sea Ranch has sort of ridden on the back of Condo One design-wise and Trulove would like to see "Sea Ranch develop a whole new vernacular that would be in keeping with the existing architecture, but would also speak to the mode of Sea Ranch being an innovator rather than a place that has come up with a good design and doesn’t seem to move any further than that." THE LANGUAGE OF ARCHITECTURE The problem Sea Ranch is now facing is that there are individual homes where the original prototypes were dealing with a number of lots rather than single houses. Spirn observed, "If one is to extend the original vision, one might think about a new prototype for a community that can engage multiple dwellings rather than addressing them one by one." In closing, Spirn emphasized "The importance of architecture is its way of bringing us in touch with the processes that sustain our lives, that guide us to notice things that without this human intervention we would not otherwise be reminded. Thank you for continuing to sustain this environment and care for it." QUESTIONS FROM AUDIENCE Campbell said we are all time-sharers in the space we inhabit on this planet. "The notion here that is being proposed is not necessarily to say that Sea Ranch is a bad place, its just that we shouldn’t kid ourselves that this is the answer to environmental responsibility and ecological concerns. There are a number of discrepancies or contradictions within this place — that we have to drive here; that we inhabit a large piece of land that is very delicate by spreading out on it; that sense of not sharing it with a great many people … taking up a perhaps larger share of the planet than is our fair share. There’s a lot of contradictions … one simply has to accept them and decide which ones one is willing to live with." To Rae Hudspeth’s request to expand on the issue of scale of houses, Robert Davis explained it alludes to trying to cluster buildings together to open up more land for common use. In his development of Seaside, Florida, they considered the beachfronts to be extremely delicate for construction. "That’s one of the places we have a rather short list of architects." They have tight building envelope controls, the footprint and height limits are much more constrained than further back where they wouldn’t be blocking the views of other properties. "Putting constraints on the most valuable parcels tends to go against the grain of conventional wisdom of real estate sales and marketing." Davis suggested the citizens of Sea Ranch encourage the Design Committee to work on tightening up on design guidelines, especially in those areas that are the most delicate, most exposed and least likely to be saved by landscaping. He remarked on how Sea Ranch houses on the coast form a complete barrier to any views those who might be behind them would have. "Houses are not nearly as beautiful as the ocean you might get to see." Lyndon concluded the conference by saying during his days here, "The thing that has become once again clear: there are several things that are deeply important about Sea Ranch. One is the commitment that people made to seeing something clear and whole and working hard to make it come to pass, and the commitment that people continue to have to making this a great place. Second is the deep understanding of landscape … including its change, growth and evolution and the fact that it is a landscape that is inhabited and managed so that the people and the landscape are one thing. … That diversity of place and diversity of habitation are what nature is about, and that should be guiding how we think about the things we make and the way we deal with each other." Inspired by encouragement from many Sea Ranchers, Michael Kanyon (himself a fulltime Sea Rancher for 11 years) has opened a Fitness Club in the Gualala Cypress Village Complex. With 22 years experience in the fitness industry, Michael has put together a first-class facility with a collection of machines equal to the best urban clubs. Local demographics show the club will be a welcome benefit to Sea Ranchers as the focus turns to the health of an aging population. Studies show women at age 40 and men at age 60 lose 6 to 8 percent of muscle per decade while adding fat. A University of Maryland study shows, after two months of strength training, women regained a decade and men two decades of muscle loss in three 40minute sessions a week. Strength training creates muscle and burns off fat as the added muscle increases the metabolic rate. At the same time, bone mass is increased, overcoming that which is lost with age. A Tufts University Medical School study put nursing home residents aged 70 to 98 on a strength training program. Within six months most walkers, canes, and the like were gone and the people were enjoying a more active life than they had in years. Even moderate training, pushing weights that feel comfortable, has the same benefits as heavy training. The old "no pain, no gain" is a thing of the past. The club is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. with staff on duty at all times. Said Kanyon, "My primary desire is to provide a comprehensive, quality facility for the community. The club will only survive if enough Sea Ranchers support it." The Task Force created by the Board of Directors two years ago to consider how the Del Mar Center garden should be maintained in its turn created the Gardens Committee. Its purpose is to give guidance to the development of the gardens at the Del Mar Center and the Ohlson Ranch Center. This committee has been meeting on the second Thursday of every month and is overseeing the activities at the two gardens. A spin-off design committee has begun meetings. The committee has plans for the long-awaited, much-wanted croquet and bocce ball court, which is to be established adjacent to the Ohlson Ranch Center on a desirable site. Restoration of the plantings there has been delayed but is planned. A tea tree is to be planted in the near future. The design committee has begun meeting under the direction of the professional gardener, Monica Kilkenny-Benedict. It has focused on work at the Del Mar Center, to restore and improve the various planted areas. A dahlia bed in a sunny spot will result in the same magnificent blooms without the old discouraging mildew. Many of the roses have been moved to a rose garden where they will have full sun and not be crowded out by more aggressive competitors. An arbor arcs over the path and will beckon strollers over the stone bridge and up to the well-house. The large front bed will be terraced in a design that will result in a more interesting view, provide more permanent and consistent yearround bloom, and accommodate access by the garden workers. Under the kitchen window is a bed which will, in summer, provide herbs which anyone using the Center may snip and use: rosemary, parsley, chives, thyme, sweet woodruff (for your May wine punch bowl), and salad burnet. To the volunteers and the professional gardener, Monica Kilkenny-Benedict, the most important improvement will be the installation of a serious, effective, automatic irrigation system. Yes, more volunteers are needed! To join the regular Wednesday morning garden volunteers, all that is needed is to arrive at 9:00 in gardening clothes and with gloves and snippers. There is a group there every Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, unless it is raining. Two extra volunteer mornings have been scheduled on two Saturdays: March 4, with a rain date of March 18, and April 8, with a rain date of May 13. These mornings will be devoted to discussion of planning and design and some heavy gardening as well — men are needed to help out, as most of the women seem to have had a few too many birthdays to do much heaving and hauling. Volunteers will also be needed to help with the installation of the irrigation system. Dates will be announced later. 1 February, 2000 Every member of TSRA’s Board of Directors gets used to speaking before a divided house at our open Board meetings — that’s the usual situation we encounter with a membership that holds divergent views. The situation was entirely different at the January 25th meeting of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. Perhaps more than 150 Sea Ranchers filled the chamber for our appeal of the Mariner’s Drive subdivision decision. Because the integrity of our CC&R’s was being challenged, our members were united. Before they rose to take turns at the microphone, I felt their welcome presence behind me. My job was to present our Association’s case to the Supervisors, and it was made easier knowing that many likeminded voices would follow. Thank you for your support in Santa Rosa; thank you to many others who wrote letters to aid our appeal, and thank you to Floyd Cotton whose efforts helped inform and educate our membership. Although the hearing may not be the final word on this issue, we won a substantial victory that day. I am pleased to have been among such thoughtful and dedicated members, united by a cause of real importance to our community. Thank You, A wonderful gift to the library in November was the 21volume set of the Annals of America, published by the Britannica Company. It contains copies of original documents, poems, and pictures that portray American life from 1493 to 1976. For anyone interested in American history, this is fascinating and a useful resource. The books are on the very top shelf of the history section. Another welcome donation came from Bill and Claire McCarthy, who gave the library a box of mysteries, many hard-backed and all in very good condition. Many more interesting books were received from anonymous donors; for these the entire community is grateful. Don't forget that there is a branch of the library at the Del Mar Center. Various books, not in any particular arrangement or category, are on the shelves in the living room. You are welcome to borrow from the DMC, but please return the books to the main library at the Ohlson Ranch Center. All book donations should go to the ORC. About donations: Anyone wishing to donate books might wish to call or speak to one of the library volunteers first, to see if the books can be used. A donor bringing books to the ORC will find a small form on the desk to be used by a donor who wants the book back if space cannot be found for it on the shelves. Every effort is made to see that books that The Sea Ranch library cannot use go to a good place. In the first place, they are made available free to library patrons to select from bags or boxes in the "Free Corner." Those left are donated to Pay ’n Take, to the Coast Community Library, or to the Senior Center. Art books go to the Gualala Arts Library and the ones it cannot take are sold or donated. Space at The Sea Ranch library is limited, and therefore it cannot use textbooks, magazines, or books in bad condition. Remember, the library is open during daylight hours, even if no volunteer is present and the lights are off. Come in, turn on the lights, browse, and borrow! I still have this cat. From Abby’s dramatic response the very first time we heard Fred Adler’s Wednesday Night Jazz program on KWAN (now TIDE), it was clear that this was a cat with a passion for jazz. (see Soundings, Spring 1998) The question I’m asked most often is, "How do you know?" For one thing, I have other cats. Two listen passively, occasionally rotating an ear toward the music if they happen to be in the room. The others ignore it completely. Abby, on the other hand, is not a passive listener. She always shows up when the music begins. Jazz only — other kinds of music leave her completely unresponsive — or she leaves the room. But Abby’s response to jazz varies from quiet contemplation to ecstasy. In her contemplative mood she sits upright and rotates either one or both ears with a faraway expression, or lies on her side with front paws extended — slowly retracting and extending her claws in a kneading motion, or stands and kneads in slow motion with eyes half-closed. As I am writing this, Abby just assumed this position with a blissed-out look on her face as we listen to Billy Child’s lovely composition, I’ve Known Rivers with Ken Brown reading the beautiful Langston Hughes poem of the same title. The harmony is quite modern and complex. When Abby becomes more animated she moves from floor to chair to table top to window seat, stopping to knead on each, her eyes wide open and ears rotating. She seeks a lap to stand on for kneading and allows herself to be petted. Abby only seems to want human contact and actively solicits it while listening to jazz. A Night in Tunisia by Dizzy Gillespie is typical of the compositions or performance groups that elicit this response. Abby particularly likes trumpets, from Louis Armstrong to Roy Hargrove, solo or in jazz groups. When Abby really gets excited she rolls on the floor in a seductive manner while kneading with frequent meows, some of which are audible, suggestive of the "callresponse" form frequently used in jazz adapted from the music of the Sanctified Church. I recently acquired an Ornette Coleman CD. To my great surprise, Abby went into orbit on her first hearing of it. Coleman is an innovator of "free jazz" and "avant garde jazz." He did not write "easy listening" music. As Fred Adler said about a composition in the same genre, "I love to listen to it but I can’t wait for it to end." After about 20 minutes, the tension was so high I was ready to give my nerves a rest, as were my daughters who are no strangers to jazz. Abby, however, was still enjoying it immensely, emitting frequent little meows while leaping around, so we let her hear all 55 minutes. It only occurred to me later that she had the advantage of being able to relieve the tension from the music by her antics. Perhaps I should try it. The question I ask myself is "How did Abby learn to love jazz?" Could it be her first home — in those five years before she came to me — was with a jazz musician, possibly even a trumpet player? Was she "imprinted" to jazz as a kitten even as Konrad Lorenz "imprinted" his grey lag geese? I can only speculate. In any case, there is a known category for people like me who belatedly acquire a passion for jazz. We are called "Classical Music Crossovers." But Abby is in a class by herself. Noel Coward's comic play, Blithe Spirit, will have a "spirited" opening on March 25, with Sea Ranchers included among the cast and production crew, according to producer Linda Warnock. With Diane Boeke directing, Gary Chilton, Kathye Hitt, Claire McPherson, Pat Rasmussen, Ann Green, Jim Rogers, and Jeri Taylor will bring life to the story of a wife who is very lively although no longer living. Blithe Spirit is the first production of the newly formed Gualala Arts Center Players. Dean Gillette, Dick Halley, Jeannie and Ken Holmes, Jenny Rexon, Jack Rye, Jerry Shifman, and Dick Soule will play major roles in staging of Blithe Spirit, where challenging sound and visual effects help tell the story of an urbane writer's first — and deceased — wife reappearing in ghostly form to add "real" spirit to the lives of the writer and his second — and living — wife. Five performances are scheduled: Saturday, March 25 Gala Opening. Elaborate hors d’oeuvres at 5:30 p.m., curtain at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, March 26, 2:00 p.m. Matinee Friday, March 31, 7:00 p.m. Saturday, April 1, 7:00 p.m. Sunday, April 2, 2:00 p.m. Matinee Tickets for the March 25 opening are $25 each and must be purchased in advance at the Gualala Arts Center. Tickets for the other four performances are $8 each for adults and $4 each for students. Audiences for each performance will be limited to approximately 150 people. Arranging for tickets well beforehand is advised; arrangements can be made by calling the Arts Center at 884-1138. Tickets will be sold at the door for performances that are not sold out. Proceeds will be used to complete the design and construction of the stage at the Arts Center.
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 Last Updated: 03/19/07 |
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