The Roadrunner

Bimonthly Publication of the Kern-Kaweah Chapter of the Sierra Club — May/June 2004

summer daze
Everyone is welcome, Sierra Club members and non-members, to join in any of the outdoor activities listed below.
Requirements: You must be in condition for type of hike, equipped appropriately for the activity, and prepared to sign a Sierra
Club release from liability. You must be willing to follow leader’s directions. Unprepared for the prospective hike? It will be
a no-go for you. Please let the leader know ahead of time that you are intending to participate.
Every Week. Bakersfield. Conditioning Hikes: (tuesday) 7 PM. 4–5 miles. Corner of highways 178 & 184.
Gordon, 661.872.2432 or Larry, 873.8107 (KK Chapt.) Note change of day.
May 12 (wed) 6 PM Dinner Social. Place to be announced. Visalia. (Min Kg Gp)
May 15 (sat) 7:30 PM Star Party. Join us at SCICON parking lot for an evening of star gazing. Naturalist
John Kenahan will be our guide through the stars. Refreshments will be a nice extra. Please be prepared for
$10 donation to SCICON. Call 559.539.5014 for more information. (Kaweah Gp)
May 16 (sun) 2 PM. Buena Vista Group Pot-Luck. 5001 Surrey Lane, Bakersfield. Bring a salad, main dish,
dessert or whatever and beverage of your choice. Bring a swim suit if you would like to go swimming.
Agenda: fun, relaxation, mingling and planning more summer events for Buena Vista Group. All members
welcome. RSVP 832.3382.
May 22 (sat) 7:30 AM Pleasant Pt. (2.4 mi NNW of Cerro Gordo Mine on the Inyo crest; 9690 ft elevation;
gain 1825 ft; 4.6 mi RT) High point on the Inyo crest between Cerro Gordo Pk and New York Butte. We
follow old use trails along the crest with spectacular views of both Owens Valley and the Sierra on the west
and Saline Valley to the east. We will hike a loop, visiting two ghost cabins en route. We return by following
part of the old Cerro Gordo town site waterline from Cerro Gordo Springs back to the cars. We may have
time to stop at Cerro Gordo afterwards. 4x4 is best for the Yellow Grade Road to Cerro Gordo. Moderate
hike. Meet Sat, May 22 at 7:30 AM at the Ridgecrest Cinema parking lot. Call Dennis Burge at 760.375.7967
or Jim Nichols at 760.375.8161 for more info. (Owens Pk Gp)
May 21-23 (fri-sun) Southern Sierra Study Carcamp, Birds and More. The South Fork of the Kern River is a
beautiful riparian cottonwood forest, and a few hour’s drive south, Piute Mountain is part of a potential
wilderness area into which the OHVs intrude from Jawbone OHV park open area. Our trip will visit these
areas in the height of the springtime migration for birds. First night meets for campfire at the Audubon Kern
River Preserve, then an early morning bird walk on Sat. For reservations and information, contact Ldrs: Cal
and Letty French, ccfrench@tcsn.net, 805.239.7338, Joe and Bugs Fontaine, 661.821. 2055. (CNRCC Desert
Com/Santa Lucia Chap/Kern-Keweah Chap)
May 22 (sat) Tokopah Falls. 3.5 miles RT. Easy. 6720 ft to 7250 ft. Spectacular falls in spring. Call Sharon
559.732.8458. (Min. King Gp)
May 22 (sat) 8 AM. Yellow Jacket Trail. See Arroyo Toad protected area, meadows attractive to bears,
perhaps flowers. Meet at 8 AM at Pine Mountain Club or arrange for meeting at Lockwood Valley, Cuddy
Valley Road intersection. Easy hike. Call Dale, 661.242.1076 or Ches, 661.242.0423.
May 24 (mon); 7:30 PM “Counting Sheep:” Saving the Sierra Nevada Bighorn. Stunning motion pictures
(on DVD) of bighorn, the mountain lions who prey on them and the Sierra itself. Maturango Museum. Call
Stan Haye 760.375.8973. (Owens Peak Gp)
May 24 (mon) Open House on the Four Forest Plan. Frazier Park Community Hall, 300 Park Drive, Frazier
Park, CA. 6:00 PM–8:30 PM.
May 27th (thur) 7 PM Kaweah Group ex-com meeting. This meeting is open to all members. Call 559.
781.8897 for more information.
June, July, August Sunday Morning Strolls. 8 AM every Sunday during these months. Easy walking on
trails in the neighborhood of Pine Mountain Club. Walks 1 to 1 1 / 2 hours in length. Call 661.242.0432.
(Condor Gp)
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June 5 (sat) 7 PM. Tom Kuekes, Mt. Pinos District Ranger, speaker. Potluck 6 PM. Pine Mountain
clubhouse. (Condor Gp)
June 5–6 (sat–sun) Sierra Club Convention. Rancho El Chorro, San Luis Obispo. Call Lori,
June 9th Picnic at Blain Park. Details: Call Harold, 559.739.8527. (Min. King Gp)
June 12 (sat) Muir Grove. 4 mi RT. Moderate. Flora identification and photo tips featured. Pam Coz-Hill,
leader. 599.733.3882 for more info.
June 12-13 (sat-sun) Telescope Peak (11,049”). Climb the highest peak in Death Valley with spectacular
views of the highest point (Mt. Whitney) and the lowest point (Badwater) in the contiguous U.S. 14 miles rt,
3000 ft. gain; moderate/slow pace but must be well-conditioned. Hike Sat followed by potluck and campfire.
Send $5 check (Sierra Club) (refundable at trailhead), 2 SASE, H&W phones, e-mail address, rideshare info
to Ldr: Lygeia de Jesus, 1550 N. Verdugo Rd. #40, Glendale, CA 91208, (818.242.7053). Co-ldr: Bill
Spreng. (Crescenta Valley Group/Mojave Group/ CNRCC Desert Com)
June18–20 (fri-sun) Sequoia National Monument Outing. Camp 2 nights at Quaking Aspen Group Camp.
Hike the Freeman Creek Sequoia Grove. See the beauty first hand and hear how Activists continue to fight
for this new Monument’s protection. Leaders: Carla Cloer, Joe Fontaine, Rich Kangas of the Sequoia Task
Force. For more info, reserv: call Carla at 559.781.8445 (cac@ocsnet.net) by June 10th.
June 19 (sat) Barney Lake, N Fork, Lone Pine Creek. (11600 ft elevation; 3380 ft gain; 4.2 mi RT) Explore
the first half of the Mountaineer’s Route up Whitney with a trip up the N Fork of Lone Pine Creek to this
small tarn (also called “Girl Scout Lake”) between Upper Boy Scout Lake and Iceberg Lake. We get great
views of Mt Whitney E Face, Thor Pk N Face routes, and Mt Russell. Traverse the Ebersbacher Ledges! (Some
exposure occurs). Good reconnaissance and conditioning trip in some of the best scenery in the Sierra.
Moderate/strenuous due to altitude gain. Since there is a 15-hiker limit to group hikes in the Whitney area, it
will be necessary to sign up ahead of time with Dennis (below). Meet Sat, June 19 at 7:30 AM at the
Ridgecrest Cinema parking lot. Call Dennis Burge at 760.375.7967 or Jim Nichols at 760.375. 8161 for
more info. (Owens Pk Gp)
June 26 (sat) 8 AM. Santa Barbara Canyon. A first for our group. Interesting geology, drainages as well as
interesting tree groups. Introduction to creek bed ecology. Easy. Meet at PMC, 8 AM. Call Dale, 661.
242.1076 or Ches, 661.242.0423. (Condor Grp)
Jun 28 (mon) 7:30 PM, Maturango Museum, TBA.Call Dennis 760.375.7967. (Owens Pk Gp)
Looking ahead
July 24 (sat) 8 AM. Peak to Peak Hike. Pine Mountain Clubhouse. This is THE annual hike of the Condor
Group that is very special on everyone’s calendar. Walking from Mt. Pinos (nearly 9000 ft) to Cerro
Noroeste (a few hundred feet lower than Mt Pinos) takes one over some of the most beautiful meadows and
forested lands in the area. Flowers are usually abundant. Stops at a spring area and the viewpoint area of
Sawmill Mt. are often included on the hike. The air is usually cool and clean, an extra treat to look forward to
in midsummer. Call Dale, 661.242.1076 or Ches, 661.242.0423 for further details as the time comes near.
(Condor Gp)
August 2–8, (mon–sun) Backpack out of Lake Sabrina. We will enjoy the beauty of the many lakes east of
the Sierra Nevada crest. Limited number of participants. Not for beginners. Leaders: Gordon and Eva Nipp,
661.872.2432, gnipp@att.net.
August 26–31 (thur to tues) Five Day Cruise to the Channel Islands. Leaving from Santa Barbara there will
be a FIVE day cruise visiting all FIVE Channel Islands included in Channel Islands National Park. A ranger
will travel with the group and will lead hikes on each island as well as identify passing sea life such as seals,
dolphins, whales, water birds. Cruise is strictly informal. Price includes sumptuous meals and snacks. Each
person is assigned a bunk with privacy curtains. Write and send your check for $725 now to JOAN HOLTZ,
11826 The Wye, El Monte, CA 91732. (This is a Fund Raiser for the Sierra Club.) Need more info? Call
626.443.0706 or email jholtzhln@aol.com. What a way to say farewell to summer!

NEWS FROM THE MARCH REGIONAL CONSERVATION

COMMITTEE MEETING IN SLO
Twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring, delegates from all of the California Chapters meet in
San Luis Obispo to discuss, debate, and vote on conservation issues important to California and Nevada. At
the March meeting, delegates Ches Arthur, Mary Ann Lockhart, Harry Love, Arthur Unger, Lorraine Unger,
THE ROADRUNNER 3

Gordon Nipp, and Joe Fontaine from the Kern-Kaweah Chapter represented our views and concerns.
Mary Ann updated the other delegates on the important issues involved with Tejon Ranch’s proposal to
build a community with over 23,000 homes in the Gorman area. Since the proposal is situated in Los
Angeles County, the Angeles Chapter will become involved in the process also.
Speakers from the Club’s Sacramento office commented about the political climate in Sacramento and that
the new governor has appointed some staff that is “friendly” to our environmental concerns. Senator
Feinstein has signed on to the North Coast Wilderness Bill, and we should praise her for this action.
In the area of growth management, i.e., sprawl, the Club was not successful in the March election, having
only one city in four ballot issues adopting a growth limiting proposal. Best hope for the future is state
legislation that requires communities to adopt growth controlling regulations.
The major focus of the meeting was on coastal issues. An area that is visited by many of the Chapter’s
members is the Central Coast, in the San Simeon region. The good news is that the Hearst Corporation is
considering allowing its ranch property to become state property, thus preventing development. The
American Land Conservancy is also involved in the negotiations. The delegates approved a resolution
opposing the siting of LNG (liquefied natural gas) facilities on the California coast. Another resolution
passed was the opposition to the disposing of inadequately treated sewage water in the ocean. Peter
Douglas, executive director of the California Coastal Commission, completed the day by commenting on
the importance of the Commission in preserving the environmental qualities of the coast and the role the
Sierra Club has taken in keeping the Commission a viable protector of our coast.
Issues involving the desert and mountains are always of key interest to the Kern-Kaweah Chapter. Joe
Fontaine explained that the Giant Sequoia National Monument FEIS has been issued. The Club’s Task
Force gave an extensive response, written by our Carla Cloer, criticizing the failure of the report to consider
prescribed burning management over logging as a management tool.
Finally, the long term issue of high speed rail was brought to our attention, noting that we need to have
input to the state as to how we want that rail to pass through our Chapter’s area.
As for your involvement in the process, you need to contact the Chapter’s delegates as to your concerns on
these issues and how you can help. Remember, all of the people are volunteers! As a Sierra Club member, a
volunteer, your voice is important! Harry Love

just what we need 3 31 04

6 speakers Richard & Cheryl Rodriguez, Art & Lorraine Unger, Harry Love, Gordon Nipp
Audience Ray & Marisa Albridge, Andy Honig, Don Balban
The above words and names constitute a message that came flying through space (i.e., by email) to the
Roadrunner “headquarters.” Any idea what this is all about?
Hint: Look at the date, March 31st. Think about the date of the Banquet. Yes, March 27th.
Think about what our Chair, Lorraine Unger, said over and over again on that occasion.
Remember? “We need you to help! Everyone can do something. Just come to one of the public hearings.
You don’t have to speak. You just have to sit with the group which is supporting the speakers.”
Congratulations to all of you listed above who did just that! A real boost for everyone, and surely the
comments made some impression on the Air Pollution Board:
The basic comments were as follows: *Continue to work out Indirect Pollution Source Fee, but why work for
the fee to apply to only 20% of pollution? why not 100%? *Let’s not let developers hire their own scientists.
The Air Pollution Board should do the choosing.
Thanks to all of you!—and we look forward to having more and more of you each time the call goes out
for folks to please come and attend other public meetings of interest to the Sierra Club.

TEJON RANCH CORPORATION UPDATE

The long awaited Notice of Preparation for Centennial, the 23,000 home development proposed by the
Corporation to be located on Hwy 138, just east of I-5, has been issued. The Notice of Preparation briefly
describes what the housing project would look like on the land, with details on the types of houses, other
structures, roads and businesses that would be included if this development is given approval.
Three NOP meetings have been held, two in the Antelope Valley and one in Los Angeles. These meetings
4 THE ROADRUNNER

were designed to give people opportunities to point out questions concerning the environment. These
questions have centered around the following: Will there be enough water? What effect will there be on air
quality? What will be the effects on traffic? What will happen to the many and varied plant and animal
species, many of which are on the threatened list? Put together with the proposed 6000 home Mountain
Village, what will be the effect on the surrounding natural environment?
Just a few of the further concerns deal with the questions: do present housing needs justify creating a
whole new city miles away from any urban center, putting great pressures on infrastructure, health and
safety needs? Does it make sense to build a city directly on the San Andreas Fault? Does it make sense to
build a city right near a cement plant and where the aqueduct crosses the land delivering water to Southern
California? Will the military flyway be affected negatively?
These questions and concerns must be analyzed and responded to by the Regional Planning Division of
Los Angeles County. The next following step will be creating a Draft of an EIR. This must go before the
public for input. Then it may be revised again. This all may take well over a year, if not more. This is just
the beginning, not anywhere near the end!
ROLE OF TRUST OF PUBLIC LAND WITH TEJON RANCH
A speaker from the Trust, Mary Mennes, spoke at the Forum at Pine Moutain Club. Here are some brief
excerpts from her talk.
At this point, no public money is involved. The biological research being done by Michael Jocelyn and his
associates is being paid for by TPL and Tejon. Jocelyn, though listed as a wetland specialist, is said to have a
good record in setting up conservation and restoration preserves. Public money will probably be involved if a
deal is struck for the purchase of this land.
There are two groups involved in working out a plan for Tejon Ranch lands . . . a scientific advisory group
and an environmental advisory group. Persons serving on these committees are not being revealed (. . . to
avoid getting involved in the political process . . . need confidentiality in order to get the job done).
100,000 acres is a starting point for negotiations. If an agreement is reached, this amount of land more or less
could be preserved. By the end of the summer there may be some sort of a tentative plan laid out.
If the land is purchased by TPL, it will probably be turned over to a public entity, probably state. It will be up
to this entity to decide whether and how much public access will be encouraged and/or allowed. Biological
preservation will be first goal.
Trust for Public Land does not take into account threats to environment from development. Its role is that of
a neutral third party.
Sharing of biological findings—not likely. No public review. Strong pleas were made to have these findings
revealed; there will be further communication on this topic. There is recognition of the importance of
watersheds and wildlands corridors when it comes to appraising the value of lands.
The price of land will be set by appraisers, one chosen by the Ranch, one by TPL, and then a third neutral
advisor. It will not be just one price per acre for the whole acreage sold. Different areas will have different
prices.
Trust for Public Land is a nonprofit agency. There is a board of directors who serve without pay, and there is
an executive director plus 300 employees more or less. (This is a nationwide organization.) There are no
shareholders. Originally just worked to get million dollar contributions, now are working to get smaller
donations (a diversified donorship).
WHAT DO YOU SAY WHEN ASKED IS VALLEY AIR IMPROVING?
First ask if it is smog (primarily ozone) or particulate matter (PM 10, PM 2.5) that is being discussed.
If it is smog, say that the amount of ozone in the worst eight hour period of the day is perhaps the best
measure of how smog is affecting us. The Valley has violated eight hour Standards an average of 121 days
per year from 2001 to 2003. 20 years ago the valley averaged 101 violations per year.
If it is particulate matter , the days in at least one place in the Valley that exceed National Standards have
varied from 0 to 12 days since 1992. 2002 was a bad year, 2003 was a good year owing to benign atmos-
pheric conditions. Peak PM-10 concentrations recorded over the last few years in Fresno and Bakersfield
have been as high as 30-35% above the standards for limited periods of time. Art
Unger
THE ROADRUNNER 5

MIDGEBUZZINGS
On a bright day in March several of us met in Cambria Pines for some necessary chapter business. Bob
and Glory Fisher of Santa Barbara, friends who were active in the early days of the Kern-Kaweah Chapter,
joined with me as guests of Bugs and Joe Fontaine. In the trunk of my car was a wealth of historical
material which I’d had in my possession since the death of our historian, Ruth Allen. There were binders
and scrapbooks and metal file boxes, as well as a large plastic bag loosely filled with pictures. Bob and
Glory brought memories of people and events in the early 50’s. Our task, once we’d lugged everything
upstairs to the main floor, was to sort through the lot, setting aside what we should keep, and discarding
anything we judged to be extraneous.
The most immediate impression was of the extraordinary skill of the chronicler, and of the great care she
had taken with all the materials. They were assembled and arranged in a way that was not only chron-
ological, but also, in the case of newspaper pieces and memorabilia, aesthetically pleasing. There is an art to
the finest collection and display of history, and Ruth Allen was immensely talented in the practice of it.
Documents were filed in the order of their dates, at least until we went through some of them, loosening the
order a bit and necessitating rearrangement. We found the first letters between the pioneering Mr. and Mrs.
Ganipole and the San Francisco office regarding the proposal for a new chapter, the discussion of it at
headquarters, and the welcoming of the chapter by club officers in 1952. Included in that file are two-cent
postcards with handwritten inquiries seeking responses from people assumed to be interested in the Sierra
Club, and postcards with their replies.
What a short distance in time between 1952 and the present, but what an immense journey in technological
development! Each early letter was painstakingly typewritten on onionskin paper of a kind only the oldest
of us remember using. There were little errors here and there, neatly corrected. And there was delicacy and
grace of language, a singular achievement without the ease of correction and word-weighing available to us
now with our computers.
I had the pleasure of being with Ruth Allen one morning when she was engaged in one phase of her work.
A librarian by training, she loved the process of gathering information from the local paper and made an art
even of that. She was not a dedicated cook, but she made wonderful coffee. While it brewed, she picked up
the morning paper and took it, when the weather was good, to a little table beside a comfortable chair, either
on the porch or the back patio, depending upon the position of the sun. Everything was planned with
finesse and decorum: the cups, the coffee carafe, the cloth on the little table, and the scissors at the ready. It
was, in fact, a daily celebration, and brought to my mind a favorite line from the poetry of Yeats: “How but
in custom and in ceremony are innocence and beauty born?”
Joe has phoned the Bancroft Library, that great repository of California history, and has learned that this
chronicle of the Kern-Kaweah Chapter of the Sierra Club will be welcomed there, unless the Kern County
Library would prefer to have it in their collection. We shall see. In the meantime, blessings, once again, to
our friend Ruth Allen, without whose love and dedication to record, this history would not exist.
Ann Williams
Kern Kaweah Chapter Annual Banquet
An Evening to Remember
The annual Kern Kaweah Chapter Banquet was an evening to remember! Over 100 came to join in the
good times and to hear the exceptional speaker, Kevin Hall. Mr. Hall spoke on the Air Quality in the Valley
and the efforts expended to further the aims of cleaning up the Valley air. All of this spiced with references
to his Irish mother, the books he had read, and future predictions.
Awards were presented. Mrs. Janet Wood of the Mineral King Group received the Chapter’s top honor of
the evening, the Cup Award. The long list of her contributions to the Sierra Club recognized her work on
the Sequoia Task Force, her compilation of materials for use in the classroom related to John Muir, and her
past service as Mineral King treasurer, among many other things.
The Long Trail Award went to Art Unger. The award is given in recognition of persistent environmental
activities over many years and if anyone has done that, Arthur has. Writing articles, attending meetings,
schooling newcomers in how to be effective lobbyists are just a few of his activities.
Mrs. Beverly Garcia of the Mineral King Group was awarded the Sarah Miller-Ruth Allen Award. This
6 THE ROADRUNNER

award is given to persons who do a lot a work behind the scenes, who are there to do mailings, call people,
hand out pamphlets and on and on. Our groups wouldn’t get along without them and are ever grateful for
their help.
The Special Award this year was presented to Stan and Jeanie Stillwell-Haye. These two have done so
much to protect BLM lands from the “over-exuberant” off-road vehicle drivers without acting in an
outwardly antagonistic manner.
Mr. Don Raben, Supervisor of the 2nd District, accompanied by his wife, was the only one of the five
Supervisors to attend the Banquet. He was greeted with great pleasure by the Sierra Club and appeared to
enjoy his evening with all of us greenies. The presence of Mitch Bolt, last year’s Chair’s Award recipient,
was also a special treat. He continues to follow his passion of studying sea turtles.
Much appreciation and thanks go to the Loves, Harry and Kathy, for making all the arrangments for the
Banquet. That included taking care of the reservations, the table decorations and arranging for the food, this
year supplied again by students in the Bakersfield College Culinary Classes. Delicious!
The raffle and displays are always special features of the Banquet. This year pictures from the archives of
the Kern Kaweah Chapter were on display with requests for help with identification of participants from
days past. This display brought back memories for many who attended.
Another great event for the Chapter, one you won’t want to miss for sure next year!

FROM THE CHAIR Lorraine Unger

We all had a lovely time at our Annual Awards Banquet and enjoyed Kevin Hall’s talk. Harry and Kathy
Love did a great job in making the event happen, and everything ran smoothly. We’re so thankful for
having some fine activists who were our 2003 awardees.
Now we’re back to our daily efforts to protect the environment. There are lots of opportunities for you to
help us, even in a small way. We have written extensive comments on the Kern General Plan and hope that
folks were there Thursday night, April 22, to attend the Kern County Planning Commission hearing on
future growth in the County.
There are various Chapter and Group duties that need doing, and fresh blood always helps. If you can give
us a few hours a month to call new members, write a letter inspired by our activist alert, or want to lead a
hike to a special place, just give us a call. Phone numbers of many of our officers are sprinkled throughout
the Roadrunner, or call me at 661.323.5569, and I'll be glad to talk to anyone willing to give us a few hours
of effort.
This month I am pleased to be your Chapter delegate to the National Sierra Club Council meeting, and I'll
also attend the National Board Meeting. It’s interesting to see how our elected board members discuss
issues and how they manage the Club. The Council is composed of delegates from all 65 chapters and
often with visitors from Sierra Club du Canada, a separate corporation. This is a good opportunity to give
input to the board, for we hold a joint Council/National Board meeting. I enjoy the camaraderie and sense
of belonging to a powerful organization 720,000 members strong and meeting all the other volunteers and
staff.
Last month my hubby and I dropped in on a potluck that Condor Group sponsored in Pine Mountain
Club. The speaker, Michael White, from the Conservation Biology Institute, educated us on the biological
zones on Tejon Ranch. We had some very good food, and they had a wonderful turnout. Keep up the good
work, you folks up “on the hill.”
Also, I don’t want to forget each of you who gave generously to our Kern-Kaweah Fund Appeal. Your
donations will be used for a good cause. Thanks for being a member and for your support. Lorraine

NEWS FROM ALL OVER THE CHAPTER

*Sequoia Withdrew Burnt Ridge Salvage Project. A lawsuit filed against Sequoia National Forest combined
the use of traditional theories such as NEPA and NFMA, with new science-based arguments, as well as a
challenge to the administration’s preclusion of citizen involvement. The project had been categorically
excluded (CE) from environmental review, and the public was prevented from commenting on, or appealing,
the project. After winning in several hearings, the environmentalists, including Sierra Club, were ready to go
on to full court hearing. At that moment, Sequoia withdrew the project because, if the ruling had been in
favor of environmentalists, it would have set a legal precedent against the Bush administration for all future
THE ROADRUNNER 7

projects. Another example of the unending tactics used by the Bush administration to undercut public input
and progressive policies!
*Harold Wood appeared on Channel 30 KFSN defending Sierra Club Le Conte Memorial Lodge as a
visitors’ and education center, not a private holding of Sierra Club. Since 1898, at the invitation of the State
of California, the Le Conte Lodge, built in 1904, has served this purpose. A local politician has been trying
to close down the Lodge.
*Just a little rundown on the series of encounters involving the Kern-Kaweah Chapter vs Bakersfield re:
proposed new housing developments. 6 settlements have been made with developers, 4 in the northeastern
part of the city, 1 in the northwest, and 1 in the southwest. There are still more projects on the drawing
board, with an estimate of 7000 houses to be built. Settlements are made in regards to means of reducing
the effects of housing on air quality in the Valley.
*Update on Sequoia National Monument. Sierra Club plus other environmental groups filed an appeal
against the Forest Service’s plan for management of the Monument in terms of it being absolutely contrary
to the Monument’s designation specifications. No response yet as to their appeal. Keep tuned.
*News of Paul Gipe, former Kern Kaweah Chapter Chair. “Expert Tells MPPs Ontario Could Get 10%
of Electricity from Wind.” Paul Gipe, an internationally-recognized authority on wind energy, and our
former Chair of the Chapter, told members of the provincial parliament that Ontario could potentially get
10% of its electricity from wind energy by 2012. He also said it was feasible to cut demand for electricity
by more than 20% in the same period. To emphasize his point that everyone can contribute to using
electricity more efficiently, Gipe gave each member of the government’s Conservation Action Team a
compact fluorescent bulb. Now doesn’t that sound familar? How many of us are now using fluorescent
bulbs? Time to check and get with it.

Kern Kaweah Ex Com:

(Usually meets at the Beale Library, Bakersfield, once a month: call the Chair for specific information.)
Lorraine Unger, Chair, 661.323.5569; Harry Love, Vice-chair; Ara Maderosian, Secretary. Marisa Albridge,
Beverly Garcia, Richard Garcia, Mary Ann Lockhart, Gordon Nipp, Arthur Unger. (Janet Wood, Treas.)
Buena Vista Group: Glen Shellcross, Chair, 661.832.3382
Condor Group: Chester Arthur, Chair, 661.242.0423
Kaweah Group: Pam Clark, Chair, 559.781.0594
Mineral King Group: Harold Wood, Chair, 559.739.8527
Owens Peak Group: Dennis Burge, Chair, 760.375.7967

*Hmm! May? No, it is not March but just in case it has slipped your mind, a contribution, little or big,
will be really helpful this year. There are many challenges coming our way—and many of them will
require $$$ to be successful. Your financial support will help get things done. Just send a few extra
greenbacks to the Kern Kaweah Chapter, PO Box 3357, Bakersfield, CA 93385. Every little bit helps.

Non-Sierra Club EVENTS and PLACES OF POSSIBLE INTEREST TO YOU!

Missed the KK banquet? Go to hear Kevin Hall at The League of Women Voter’s Annual Meeting. Weds,
May 19th, at the Petroleum Club, 5060 California Ave (at the NW corner of Mohawk) on the 12th floor, 7
PM, Dinner optional. Call League Line 634.3773 for more info or to make dinner reservation if you desire.
Sequoia Natural History Association has opened a new store in downtown Visalia. Located at 218 W. Main
Street in Visalia, California, it is operated by SNHA in partnership with the National Park Service and the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers. It features a walk-through cave replica; activity items include nature gifts, science
kits, posters, educational toys and games, t-shirts, national park guides and much more! There are used books
up to 90% off. All profits go to support activities in the Park including the Beetlerock Education Center. A
great place to shop for holiday and birthday gifts!
8 THE ROADRUNNER

Time-Saving Information
Contact names, addresses of policy makers
President: Phone: 202.456.1111.
email - president@whitehouse.gov
1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC 20500
Sen. Boxer email: senator@boxer.senate.gov
phone: 202.224.3553 mail: US Senate 112 Hart Senate Office Bldg, Washington D.C. 20510
Senator Dianne Feinstein email: senator@feinstein.senate. gov phone 202.224.3841 fax 202.228-3954 mail US Senate 331 Hart
Senate Office Building Washington D.C. 20510
For House Reps US Capitol Switchboard - 202.224.3121.
California government numbers:
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, phone: 916.445.2841 email: governor@governor.ca.gov fax: 916.445.4633 mail State of California,
State Capitol Building, Sacramento, CA 95814
Calif. Legislative Switchboard (receptionist will help you ID your Senator and Assembly member if you are unsure): 916. 322.9900.
Roadrunner Contact: jmal@frazmtn.com
Next deadline: June 5, 2004

You can read the Roadrunner on the web; just go to the Sierra Club home page. Your chapter appears in the
right-hand corner; hit that and you will go directly to the Kern-Kaweah Chapter page.

2004 National Board of Directors

Election Results
Elected to the Board are:
Lisa Renstrom, 141,407
Jan O’Connell, 132,262
Nick Aumen, 123,332
Sanjay Ranchod, 123,332
David Karpf, 110,756

Percent returned: 22.67%

The Roadrunner
Kern Kaweah Chapter
Sierra Club
Send to: P.O. Box 3357
Bakersfield, CA 93385

Return service requested