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JAN./FEBRUARY, 2011
The Roadrunner
CHAPTER OPPOSES OPENING REFUGES TO HUNTING
Endangered species are at risk if government authorizes hunting in California
California Department of Fish and Game opportunities to the detriment of not only deer, but of
1416 Ninth Street mountain lions, bear, and other
P.O. Box 944209 species. RED
Sacramento, CA 94244-2090 Hunters DO NOT FOXES:
pay for California’s Animals
Dear Department of Fish and Game Staff: wildlife. The major- like these
This letter is written on behalf of the Kern-Kaweah ity of CDFG’s re- fox pups
Chapter, Sierra Club, to express strong opposition to venue comes from need
the California Department of Fish and Game taxes paid by all game
(CDFG) proposal to close California State Game Californians. Based refuges to
Refuges and “open” them to deer hunting. on CDFG’s figures, survive.
We have learned that the CDFG requested the sale of deer- Photo/
permission from the State legislature to “close” the hunting tags and Mike
State Game Refuges and allow “additional licenses could only Baird
recreational” for deer hunters, and allow firearms have generated between $6.5 to $9 million in direct
and hunting. In 2008, AB 1166 directed the CDFG to revenues for CDFG in 2009. The Department’s 2011
study the situation and solicit public input. The budget calls for more than $418 million in
CDFG will report to the State Legislature by Jan. 1, expenditures.
2011. Land management practices on a State Game
The Kern-Kaweah Chapter, Sierra Club, opposes Refuge do not have to be consistent with adjacent
this proposal to open any or all of the California properties. If hunting is permitted adjacent to a
State Game Refuges for deer hunting for the Game Refuge, that does not require the Game
following reasons: Refuge to comply with the same management
This proposal is a thinly-veiled ploy to placate a practices.
very small interest group of Californians: the Today, our California State Game Refuges have
deer hunters of California. In 2001, only one even more value as a wildlife haven than they did
percent of California’s 36 million residents classified 100 years ago. Increased human-related pressures
themselves as deer hunters. Why should this very from development, causing habitat fragmentation
small interest group have such a large impact on the and loss, have resulted in wildlife population
wildlife that belongs to all Californians? Deer declines, particularly the black-tailed deer. As more
hunters have sought expansion of their recreational Please turn to page 2
Since unexpected change of plans may be necessary, it is recommended that YOU contact the hike leader the night before to
be assured that the hike is still going to happen.
New California legislation designed to protect the consumer requires us to publish this notice: CST 2087755-40. Registration as a seller of
travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. This legislation is designed to protect the user of outdoor activities that
require cash payments of more than $50 for participation.
Saturday, Jan. 8— Brunch and Get-Together. Meet at 10 a.m. to discuss environmental issues. Camino Real Restaurant,
3500 Truxtun Ave.at Westwind just west of Oak Street. Optional brunch is served for $7.60/ person+tip. Info: 661.619.8027.
Saturday, Jan. 15, 9—Adopt-A-Highway cleanup. Meet at Old River Road and Hwy 119 (Taft Hwy). Park at the Monte
Carlo lot. at 9 a.m We will bring equipment. We recommend that you bring a hat, good hiking shoes/boots, and water to
drink. Inclement weather cancels this event. Call to confirm your attendance: 661.246.6195.
Saturday, Feb 5—Brunch and Get-Together. Meet at Camino Real Restaurant, 3500 Truxtun Ave.at Westwind just west of
Oak Street. Optional brunch is served for $7.60/ person+tip. Info: 661,619.8027.
Friday, Feb. 11—"California Perspectives” Art Exhibit and Reception. Drop in at 5 p.m. for refreshments and live
music at the Younger Gallery, 1440 Truxtun (in the Bank of America building) for an exhibit of high school student art co-
sponsored by the Arts Council of Kern and the Buena Vista Group. Awards for students beginning at 6 p.m..
Saturday, Feb. 19— Adopt-A-Highway cleanup. Meet at Old River Road and Hwy 119 (Taft Hwy). Park at the Monte
Carlo lot at 9 a.m. We will bring equipment. We recommend that you bring a hat, good hiking shoes/boots, and water to
drink. Inclement weather cancels this event. Call to confirm your attendance: 661.246.6195.
Meeting Notices—If you would like to receive Buena Vista Group meeting and activity notices by email, please contact Donnel Lester, at
donnelc3bvg@earthlink.net, with Add me to the email list. You can opt out of the email notices at any time. We try to limit this to once-a-
month emails.
CONDOR GROUP (Frazier Park area) More info? Mary Ann Lockhart (661.242.0432).
Hikes? Dale Chitwood (661.242.1076)
THE ROADRUNNER
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011
Saturday, Feb. 5—Russ Orell Photography Program. Russ Orell, local aviator and photographer, will present a selection
of photos taken within the local area, a majority of which will be shots from the air. 7 p.m in the Pool Pavilion Room, Pine
Mountain Clubhouse.
Saturday, April 2—Liz Buchroeder Photography Program. Liz Buchroeder, winner of many awards for her photos, will
present a selection of these photos featuring everything from visits to national parks to close-ups of local individual natural
features, wild things, plants and animals, 7 p.m in the Pool Pavilion Room, Pine Mountain Clubhouse.
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We recommend calling the Mt. Pinos Ranger District, 662.245.3794 for information on trails and features of which there are
many that you can visit on your own and that will be open for visitors. Snow does affect openings of areas.
Saturday, Feb. 19—El Paso Peak/Quail Preserve Loop Hike. From the two-wheel-drive saddle west of Laurel Mtn (S of
Ridgecrest, 4600 ft max, 1200 ft gain, 5.0 mi RT) in the El Paso Range, we ascend El Paso Peak, descend to the quail
preserve, then triangulate back to the start. This otherwise easy hike rates moderate due to some cross country terrain and a
few steep, loose spots. From the start/finish spot, an optional second loop hike takes us an additional two miles and 500 ft
gain to the top of Laurel Mtn. And an optional 4WD route back to the junction of China Lake Blvd/395 offers excellent
vistas and exciting terrain. Meet Saturday at 7:30 a.m. at the Ridgecrest Cinema parking lot. Call Nick Panzer at
760.446.0822 or Jim Nichols at 760.375.8161 for more info.
Monday, Jan. 3—Mineral King Executive Committee Meeting,. Meet 6 p,m, at Colima's Restaurant, 500 S Linwood
Street, Visalia. Call Beverly at 559.624.0199 for reservations. All members are welcome to attend.
Friday, Jan. 14—MKG/Kaweah Group Film Series. The first film in our series will be "Fresh" a movie about modern
food production and supply, the problems associated with it, the ramifications of industrial agriculture, and what we need to
do to fix those problems. Meet at 7 p.m. Location: Cafe 210, 210 West Center Avenue, Visalia. For more information,
contact John Kamansky at 559.686.6418. No reservations necessary.
Saturday, Jan. 15—Bravo Lake Hike. We will hike/walk around Bravo Lake in nearby Woodlake. This is about a three
mile family friendly hike with some great views of the Sierras. Call David or Joanne at 559.733.2078 for more information.
Saturday, Jan. 22—Exploring Kaweah Lake. We will start at Slick Rock and hike back towards the dam. The round trip
is about five miles. This is an easy hike and, hopefully, above the fog too. Contact Dave Keller at COACHK24@AOL.COM
or 559.688.4813.
Friday, Feb. 11—Informal ‘No Host’ Dinner. Meet at 6 p.m. at Café 210, 210 West Center St., Visalia. Join us for a social
just before the monthly film series. No reservations necessary.
THE ROADRUNNER
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011
Friday, Feb, 11— MKG/Kaweah Group Film Series. The second film in our series will be "Dirt! The Movie." This film
explores the story of Earth's most valuable and under appreciated source of fertility, from its miraculous beginning to its
crippling degradation." Meet at 7 p.m. Location: Cafe 210, 210 West Center Avenue, Visalia. For more information,
contact John Kamansky at 559.686.6418.
Find the Mineral King Group on Facebook! Visit our page for up-to-date information on outings, social events, and our
conservation efforts in Tulare and Kings Counties.
Tuesday-Sunday, Dec. 28, 2010-Jan. 2, 2011--Holiday Service in Carrizo Plain. Celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of
the next in one of our new national monuments. The Carrizo Plain, west of Bakersfield, is a vast grassland, home to pronghorn antelope,
tule elk, kit fox, and a wide variety of birds. A welcome hike Dec. 28, three and a half days of service modifying barbed wire fencing, and
a full day for hiking and exploring are planned. Use of accommodations at Goodwin Ranch included. Limited to 14 participants, $30
covers five dinners. For more information, contact leader: Craig Deutsche, craig.deutsche@gmail.com, 310.477.6670, or co-leader leader
Melinda Goodwater, mgoodwater@sbcglobal.net, 408.774.1257 CNRCC Desert Committee
Friday-Sunday, Jan. 7-9--Death Valley Wilderness Restoration. Come help with wilderness restoration in this beautiful and remote
National Park. Meet early Friday afternoon and work on erasing vehicle tracks in Gower Gulch in Death Valley. Saturday we will work
in the Amargosa Valley on the park’s east side, installing park boundary signs and wilderness restoration signs, and removing trash.
Sunday work is TBD. Camp Friday and Saturday nights at Texas Springs campground. Appetizer/dessert potluck Saturday evening.
Bring, camping gear, food for the weekend, and work gloves. Leader: Kate Allen, kj.allen@wildblue.net, 661-944-4056.
Saturday-Sunday, February 5-6--Winter Escape in the Carrizo Plain. This outing combines a day of assistance to the Carrizo
National Monument with a day of sightseeing and/or hiking. Weather can be cold, gray, and rainy, or it can be warm and bright - we take
our chances. The service will be in removing or modifying fences to give pronghorn greater mobility on the Plain; and the recreation will
be determined by the wishes of the group. This is an opportunity to combine carcamping, day-hiking, exploring, and service in a relatively
unknown wilderness. Leader: Craig Deutsche, craig.deutsche@gmail.com, 310.477.6670
Saturday-Sunday, February 26-27--Death Valley Exploration. Sample the wonders offered in this national park. Meet 8 am Sat. in
Shoshone. The day’s tour will include stops at Badwater, Natural Bridge, and Golden Canyon with a short hike at each. Camp at Texas
Springs. Sunday’s activities start with an early morning drive to Zabriskie Point, followed by a stop at the Furnace Creek Visitors Center
and museum, a visit to Salt Creek, home to the rare Salt Creek Pupfish, and a hike in the sand dunes. Possibility for more camping and
hiking for those who wish to arrive early Friday afternoon and/or stay over Sunday night. Contact leader for reservations or more details.
Leader: Carol Wiley at desertlily1@verizon.net or 760.245.8734
THE ROADRUNNER
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011
MIDGEBUZZINGS
There is a current advantage to being old, and that is in the perception, true or not, of having been fortunate
enough to have lived in better days. Certainly where the health of the earth is concerned, the notion is primarily
valid. The impression among numbers of profoundly knowledgeable scientists, especially biologists, is that life
on earth is now moving into the sixth comprehensive extinction in the history of the planet, owing to
human overpopulation. But it is generally believed that this will take time, occurring, as the poet T.S. Elliot
predicted, “not with a bang, but a whimper.”
Needless to say, this is theory, and very much opposed by those of us who hold religious views of human
preciousness as objects of divine concern, or political belief in liberal exaggerations, or opposing scientific
conclusions. In the meantime, we go on enjoying life as thinking and sentient beings endowed with the capacities
for appreciation, gratitude and love.
A fine experience of this fullness occurred for Maria Polite and me only a few days ago when we set out in an
ample rain on a drive to the home of the renowned valley artist, Paul Buxman, where his paintings were being
exhibited. The Buxmans live in the farming community of Dinuba, on a quiet country road so far from the
crowded bustle of urban life as to be other-worldly. Inside their old two-story house we found ourselves in large
and comfortable spaces just right for the showing of the paintings which were on the walls of both floors, and
lining the stairway. Local jams and pastries and other delicacies were abundantly available there as well, and
people were coming in numbers, with and without umbrellas, to partake in these pleasures.
Throughout the time there I had a growing sense of déjà vu: of experiencing the valley as I knew it in my
childhood and even through the '80s. What came increasingly to mind were Midgebuzzings pieces
I had written for the Roadrunner and published in a little book in 1985. Especially poignant and conducive to
memory were the artist’s paintings of sycamore trees, small agricultural canals like those I swam in when I was
very young, and scenes of the Sierra in the clear distance.
At Maria’s suggestion, and with directions from the Buxman family,
we returned to Bakersfield by way of Visalia and Exeter, with the
continuing sense, in the rain and the growing darkness, of being in the
valley as it was.
The next day I opened a copy of the little book, Midgebuzzings, and
re-read several pieces that seemed closest to the experience of the
previous day: one on winter fog, another on sycamore trees, and a
third on autumn as I once knew it. It was an experience both of
pleasure in remembering and of sadness in the knowledge that
those conditions, as I had described them, are now altered and
primarily gone from my immediate world. But both Maria and
I felt that they still live in Buxman’s part of the valley. I think
it may be that autumn there, largely as I once described it,
continues to be experienced in the farming community of Dinuba,
and around the lovely old neighborhood we visited.
Certainly memories of that day will continue to be a comfort
even as aesthetic and environmental losses in the southern San
Joaquin and Kern River valleys continue to be invasive realities. SYCAMORE IN AUTUMN
Photo/Marjorie Bell
—Ann Williams
POSTSCRIPTS
Condor Group raises issues
The Roadrunner Non-Profit Org.
The Condor Group in Frazier Park wants to 2815 La Cresta Dr. U.S. POSTAGE
voice several concerns. First: A 550-dwelling Bakersfield, CA 93305-1718 PAID
housing development, Frazier Park Estates, has
been proposed for an area just off of I-5, which is
Permit No. 498
the at the bottom of the Cuddy Valley. Bakersfield, CA
Inadequate water supply, air pollution, traffic and
disturbance of a natural area are the points in
contention. The plan was approved by the Kern
Board of Supervisors. We are supporters of a suit
against this decision.
Second, the Forest Service is preparing a
vegetation plan that would cover over 2000
acres of land in the Frazier Mountain area. We
have submitted comments in the first step of
development of this plan and will be continuing
to use every opportunity available to influence
positively proposed steps.
Third, some action has been taken with our
request to the Forest Service in regards to target
shooting. The USFS is developing one specified
location in which this will be allowed. For further
information, feel free to call 661.242.9432.