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2007 SHOWS
Thursday, December 20
1. Inverness resident Dominique Richard to chair Sanctuary Advisory Council, while reveiwing vessell management on Tomales Bay. Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sancutary inches closer to boating regulations after public comment sessions.
2. Supervisors set legislative program for 2008: priorities include agriculture in National Parks, Muir Woods shuttle, Sudden oak death, Emergency Services in West Marin.
Wednesday, December 19
Stream or Download
1. Watershed Council seeks $4.3 million in prop. 50 funding for water projects. Council Chair Carlos Porrata says grant funds would be used in 6 projects. Council Coordinator Neysa King and Aid to Supervisor Kinsey Liza Crosse discuss the projects, and the postponement of phase two of the Marshall Waste Water Disposal project.
2. Supervisors hear early results of Health Care Safety Net survey.
Tuesday, December 18
1. New waste hauler for west Marin? USA waste to sell "franchise area one" to the Ratto Group after county review of Ratto's business records. That issue will be covered by County Supervisors in regular session today at the County Civic Center. View the agenda
2. Citizen science in action: Dr. John Kelly (Audubon Canyon Ranch) and Terry Nordbey discuss survey results from this years Christmas Bird Count.
Monday, December 17
1. Lt. Rick Russell has history in Marin: New Sheriff for Point Reyes Substation says professionalism, and improved emergency services are priorities.
2. Area waters stocked with rainbow trout: State Fish and Game Dept. says recreational fishing is popular over holiday vacations, and is good for families.
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Friday, December 14
County Disaster Council and Citizen Corps. review oil spill response: Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services is soliciting public input, comment, indicating that improvements to local response will be crucial. Scott Tye (Stinson Beach) and Gordon Bennett (Sierra Club) say volunteer trainings were inadequate.
Thursday, December 13
1. County considers two cases to legalize unpermitted second units in Inverness. Though illegal inlaw units proliferate in unincorporated Marin, the "Second Unit Amnesty Program" is not seeing much action after first year.
*New* Supervisors will vote next week to extend the program for another year.
2. Cows not cooperating in fight against invasive thistles: Teaching cows to eat weeds not worth the time, effort.
Wednesday, December 12
The California Coastal Commission takes up a public hearing today in San Francisco, and will likely take action on a proposed Cease and Desist Order for Drake’s Bay Oyster Company in Inverness. The order aims to shore up unpermitted development at the oyster facility adjacent to Drake's Estero in the Point Reyes National Seashore. On November 29, owner Kevin Lunny signed the proposed Consent Order, agreeing to work cooperatively with the Commission to resolve the violations.
Coastal Commission staff recommends approval if the Consent Cease and Desist Order for the company.
Tuesday, December 11
Planning Commission meets to consider revisions to planning code, bolinas buildings, and phony tree. Locals turn out to in force at Civic Center for public hearing on proposed cell tower. The project was altered in scope, plans were passed by the Commission.
Monday, December 10
1. KWMR to change frequency of Bolinas Translator: Station Manager Kay Clements and Chief Operator Richard Dillman say reception could change in some areas of Bolinas and Stinson Beach.
2. Search for a permanent fix at the West Marin Medical Center: Continuation of our Program Friday on plans for the popular clinic after temporary solutions were unveiled last week.
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Friday, December 7
1. West Marin Medical Center to see patients January 2: Coastal Health Alliance hosts forum, announces change of ownership of the clinic, back to Dr. Whitt. Inverness resident Suzanne Speh says a temporary replacement Doctor has been found, and a loan will help keep the clinic solvent - for now
2. Marin County Fire Departments have been training volunteers for beach clean up. Phoenecia Thomas (MCFD-Woodacre) calls effort a great success, but that local Fire Chiefs may have difficulty recouping equipment and overtime costs
Thursday, December 6
Public to discuss future of the West Marin Medical Center. Dr. Bourne announced in October that she will close her practice January first. Local Committees and the Coastal Health Alliance are exploring options for the clinic and the future of the 3800 some patients it serves
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Wednesday, December 5
1. Melissa Miller-Henson of CA Fish and Game Department says the State is looking for marine protections that might preclude oyster farming in Drake's Estero
2. Disaster Preparedness organizer for Muir Woods Park neighborhood, Del Goetz honored by County Supervisors for decades of community service
Tuesday, December 4
Planning Commissioners view site for proposed Verizon antenna. The County has asked Verizon to improve wireless service in the area, but must allow for installation and construction on top of Mt, Barnaby, adjacent to the existing fire lookout.
After public criticism of the proposal, those plans will be reviewed at a regular meeting of the Planning Commission, December 10
Monday, December 3
Most Residents pleased by quality of life in Marin County. Local Government Administrators complete "2007 Community Survey" highlighing strengths and weaknesses in wide array of programs and services
Survey results were reviewed by the Board of Supervisors last week
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Friday, November 30
1. The County Health Department says Lagunitas and San Geronimo Valley Schools are suspending students who have not been vaccinated against the chickenpox virus
2. Rangers with Sonoma State Parks say they found a beached human body near Goat Rock, Wednesday morning
3. After two of the worst salmon fishing seasons in on record, the State of CA is disbursing $33 million in Federal Disaster Relief Assistance to affected fishermen, and other salmon industry entities. The relief funds come as a joint effort in two states after the 2006 Klamath River salmon fishery failure
4. Early elements of a Strategic Plan for County Parks and Open Space was issued yesterday by County Government
According to the plan, Residents who participated in a series of visioning sessions earlier this year favor preserving natural resources and conserving additional land. Additional Swimming facilities, hiking and walking were also set as priorities
Thursday, November 29
1. Fishermen await test results from CA State health inspectors, who are determining whether or not seafood in oil spill area is safe for human consumption.
Crab fishermen and restaurants struggle, with slow season - while the Cosco Busan spill only impacted a small area, crabbers elsewhere are waiting for SF Bay determination to protect the commercial market
2. California Audubon releases newly compiled "watch list" of imperiled bird species - 70 of which are California, Bay Area natives
Wednesday, November 28
1. Mill Valley man suing Seadrift Homeowners Association over public access dispute
2. National Marine Sanctuaries, "On-ramps to the Global Economy"
Ocean advocates at Seaflow to begin "vessel watch" program in effort to better protect bay and coastal waters
Tuesday, November 27
1. Supervisors meet today, to approve beach water quality testing device, hear results from a survey of County residents
2. Bay Area Air Quality Management district asks for voluntary cutbacks in wood burning - as it issues
3. Sonoma County to sell Mecham Rd. landfill near the Button Ranch, hoping private enterprise can fund improvements there. The Dump leached toxic materials into ground water in the headwaters of the Stemple Creek watershed.
4. Dr. Martin Griffin (founder of Audubon Canyon Ranch) to be honored for environmental leadership at bennefit for Environmental Education Council of Marin
Monday, November 26
1. Government and Local businesses assess and document financial losses due damaged resources or slowed coastal tourism after Cosco Busan spill
2. Hank Corda of the Marin Resource Conservation District says plans will move ahead for controversial proposals for a Nicasio compost facility
Wednesday, November 21
1. New Coordinator selected for Point Reyes area Disaster Council: Bernie Stephan
Preparedness trainings available for new volunteers
2. Open Studios offer local artists direct contact with the public this weekend
Featuring Richard Blair and Kathleen Goodwin
Tuesday, November 20
1. International Bird Rescue releasing birds from Shell Beach
2. County Fire department offers citizen/volunteer training programs for beach clean-up
Monday, November 19
1. Clean up continues on tarred beaches, Beach Watch volunteers with Gulf of the Farallones Nat. Marine Sanctuary say invertibrates hit particularly hard by spill
2. Telecommunication experts say residents in Dillon/Muir Beach are clamoring for high speed internet access: wireless digital communications already proliferate in rural areas, but County Government looking to local business for more "connectivity"
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Friday, November 16
1. Oil Spill Update: NPS Rangers say oil has arrived on Limantour Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore
2. Point Reyes Station resident, former Station House Cafe head, Pat Healy steps down from the West Marin Chamber (of Commerce): The Chamber will host another year of Holiday decorations and events, and recently appointed new officers
Thursday, November 15
1. Oil Spill update: Senatore Boxer outraged over Coast Guard Response
2. Constance Washburn appointed by County Supervisors to fill open seat representing Agriculture on the Marin Economic Commussion
3. Congresswoman Woolsey's DC office announces $300,000 will go to breast cancer research in Marin County
Wednesday, November 14
1. Fish, Shellfish from SF Bay area unsafe for human consumption
2. Documenting Oil Spill related damage 27 miles outside the Golden Gate - PRBO Conservation Science has been studying birds on the Farallone Islands for 40 years, and is watching for oiled birds
3. Bolinas Fisherman reports Leatherback Sea Turtle near oil, outside Duxburry Reef
4. Coastal Post to stop publishing in January
5. BCPUD to review water storage plans for Pine Gulch Creek farmers
6. Bolinas-Stinson Union School District Trustees continue to consider a controversial campus switch-a-roo, in two public comment sessions last night
Tuesday, November 13
Locals react to clean up oil in Bolinas - Jonny on the Spot files a thirteen piece series covering the spill. Find the complete series in the Special Features section
Ben Becker (NPS) and Jim Petruzzi of the National Seashore Association announce grant funding from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation for Educational Programs
Monday, November 12
Oil Slick coats Muir Beach, area birds and stretching as far north as double point, by Saturday
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Friday, November 9
1. National Seashore staff preparing oil spill response, Rangers watching beaches for oil and threatened wildlife
2. Bolinas converting public buildings to solar, Inverness Public Utility completes energy audit, with the help of David and Tom Willard of Sustainergy Systems
Thursday, November 8
1. Poor air quality Tuesday triggers the first winter air advisory this year. Air quality experts ask for curtailed wood burning and driving during advisory periods
2. A rally in Point Reyes Station draws local advocates for Government action to slow climate change
Wednesday, November 7
1. Election 2007 results
2. County Supervisor Kinsey discusses updated County-wide Plan adopted yesterday: Five lengthy public hearings before the Board of Supervisors bring disagreement over long-term plans for agriculture
Tuesday, November 6
Area boaters turn out to "brainstorm" with Marine Sanctuary: Gulf of the Farallones completed a series of three meetings last night to gather local knowledge of Tomales Bay. Vessel Management plans will aim to protect access and natural resources
Monday, November 5
1. Gulf of the Farallones Marine Sanctuary Staff meet with area boaters for Tomales Bay cruise: buoy and mooring survey offers regulators a local view of pending guidelines for boaters
That group meets tonight in final public input session
2. National Seashore invites residents to help plant native grasses and shrubs in Tomales Bay Wetland Restoration
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Friday, November 2
Working group on Bolinas Lagoon Restoration project meets again this morning: Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary hosting latest series of meetings, participants hopeful that sancuary leadership will move the study forward, after disagreement all but halted the process last year
Thursday, November 1
South Bay earthquake triggers action from the County Sheriff's office of Emergency Services
Emergency Serivices Coordinator Bruce Staley discusses the earthquake watch and the "get ready Marin" campaign
Wednesday, October 31
1. Bodega Bay mulls over Measure F, another in a string of tax propositions for the Fire Protection District
2. Hazel Martinelli died Saturday at 101
3. Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey testifies on behalf of her Marine Sanctuary expansion bill, H. R. 1187, before the House subcommittee on Fisheries, wildlife and oceans
4. Survey suggests that public supports Marine Life Protection Areas, but not at the cost of sport fisheries: Sport Fishermens group claims plan would cripple industry
Tuesday, October 30
Kaiser Patients organize to secure local medical treatment options after the scheduled closure of the West Marin Medical Center
Monday, October 29
1. Cleaning up the bay: Tomales Bay Watershed Council Chair, Carlos Porrata discusses the annual event, and ongoing dumping issues
2. Furlong Brothers Contractors begin construction of Marshall Wastewater disposal system - septic system now being installed on Barinaga/Goodman Ranch
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Friday, October 26
League of Women Voters hosts Candidates Forum: Five candidates running for three open seats on the Shoreline Unified School District Board of Trustees
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Healthcare Safety-net Study
Health and Human Services Director Dr. Larry Merideth and Consultant Mike Williams of Abaris Group discuss availability and current status of healthcare systems county-wide
Part 1 (From Thursday, September 20)
Listen to Part 2 of that conversation
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Food and Nutrition in Low-Income Communities
Environmental Education Council and
the Marin Food Systems Project
(from October 15th)
Featuring David Escobar, Aide to Supervisor Steve Kinsey; Denise Hardy - The Marin City Farm Stand; Julie Lehman, Nutrition & Garden Support for Low Income Schools; Leticia Jones – The benefits of an after-school nutrition program for Families in Need
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West Marin Disaster Council Coordinators
Part One: Stream
New Coordinator selected for West Marin Disaster Council: Libby Colman says new radio repeater now serves Muir Beach area
Part Two: Stream
(from Wednesday, November 21)
Point Reyes area Disaster Council Coordinator Bernie Stephan: Preparedness trainings available for new volunteers
Part Three: Stream
(from Wednesday, December 5)
Disaster Preparedness organizer for Muir Woods Park neighborhood, Del Goetz honored by County Supervisors for decades of community service