1. The Roadrunner
Bimonthly Publication of the Kern-Kaweah Chapter of the Sierra Club — Jan./Feb. 2003
TEJON INDUSTRIAL Air Quality: Both Los Angeles and Kern Counties
COMPLEX DEVELOPMENT have severe air pollution and traffic problems. These
types of development of the Tejon Ranch will in-
HEARING TUES. JAN 21. crease traffic, pollution and dust levels in these
WE NEED YOU TO BE THERE; already-impacted areas, resulting in increased health
YOU NEED TO KNOW WHY! risks in children and adults and more congestion on
Tejon Ranch Corporation controls the largest con- local and regional road systems.
tiguous landholding in the state. It is a biological Destruction of Protected Farmland: Tejon Ranch
wonderland that one Tejon Ranch representative de- contains 245,000 acres of grazing land and 24,000
scribed in a public meeting as becoming the future acres of prime cropland. Portions of the TIC East site
site for 100,000 homes. This is a “vision” that needs are currently under Williamson Act contract, which
to be brought to the full attention of the public and means that owners have received compensation in
and particularly of the five supervisors who will exchange for keeping the land in farming. This
make the final decision on the Tejon industrial farmland cannot be replaced, and its paving
complex. represents an irreversible loss to California’s $27
What has already been done by Tejon? Those fa- billion farm economy.
miliar with the south end of our valley know that in Threats to Endangered Wildlife: Tejon Ranch is
the past years Tejon Ranch Corporation has spon- home to dozens of declining and endangered species
sored the construction of a single standing motel, a such as the San Joaquin kit fox, the California con-
commercial center with fast food places plus ware- dor and the blunt-nosed leopard lizard, and provides
housing facilities, and yet another motel. an important habitat linkage between the Sierra
Now they have officially proposed further develop- Nevada and Transverse Ranges. Therefore, we
ment on the opposite, east side of I-5. strongly support the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s
Besides the usual commercial enterprises, this de- call for the preparation of a conservation plan prior
velopment could possibly include more industrial to the adoption of any general plan amendments on
companies such as automobile manufacture, phar- the Ranch.
maceutical production, and chemical storage. OUR DECISION MAKING SUPERVISORS
It would be triple the size of the west side develop- NEED TO KNOW OUR VIEWS.
ment. LET'S ASSURE THAT HAPPENS.
It also important to know that Tejon has also pro- Contact your supervisor as soon as possible, being
posed a 23,000 home development just twenty miles ready to express the above as well as other concerns
further south, in Los Angeles County near the you may have.
intersection of I-5 and 138. Use the telephone, write letters directly to the super-
Common wide-spread opinions held by environmen- visors and to your local newspapers. Get your other
talists on this proposal are as follows: influential folks to do the same. Contact:
Piecemeal: Adding one project after another without Jon McQuiston, District 1 Steve Perez, District 2
addressing related effects is known as Piecemeal De- Barbara Patrick, District 3 Ray Watson, District 4
velopment and that equals bad planning. One cannot Pete Parra , District 5
assess the cumulative effect of a series of individual
actions when there is no knowledge of the final pro- Address: 1115 Truxton Blvd. Bakersfield, 93301
duct. None of these proposals should be considered Call: 1.800.552.5376 email: board@co.kern.ca.us.
in the absence of a comprehensive analysis of the fax 661.868.3190
ranch’s unique natural resources and a full disclo- Please write before January 21st. Better yet, try to
sure of overall development plans. CEQA (California write before January 9th so your letter will be
Environmental Quality Act) requires that Kern included in the packet given to each supervisor.
County fully consider the cumulative impacts of all DO PLEASE TRY TO COME TO THE JANUARY
these developments. The FEIR (final environmental 21 MEETING. IT WILL BE AT KERN COUNTY’S
impact report) fails to do so. GENERAL OFFICES BLDG AT 1115 TRUXTON
AVE IN BAKERSFIELD AT 2 PM.

2. 2 THE ROADRUNNER
Kern County’s Planning Commission already gave mini-response from the administration. But it did get
their approval, 4 to 1, at a Dec. 12th session that some response! So, throw our hands up and give up?
incidentally featured 30 minutes allowed to 25 Never!
speakers, later increased by 15 minutes. Few Future national topics. With Congress now, alas, in
questions were asked, with Commissioner Fitts Republican leadership hands again, it does not mean
being the only nay vote, expressing her view that the end of the world. The majority number in the
the public had not had time to become fully aware Senate is just 1 at this writing. And in that body 60
of the project. We don't want this to happen again. votes are required to pass a bill without a fillibuster.
Topics such as oil drilling and lumbering on public
LUCKY CALIFORNIA lands, watering down of environmental laws, reducing
funding for basic research, and reducing
LOOKING at 2002 opportunities for public input will come up again
Taken from Legislative report written by Bill Magavern, and again.
Senior Legislative Representative.
So what to do???
Compared to the rest of the country, we Californians
are lucky. Due to the actions of our state legislature, Keep up. Number 1 thing to do is keep informed.
pressured by Sierra Club and others, we have Read your local newspapers, use the web to check in
on the LA TIMES, which is doing an outstanding job
Gas emission limits. We have an Air Resources on reporting on state-wide environmental concerns in
Board working on the first-ever limits on greenhouse particular.
gas emissions from motor vehicles because of
passage of Fran Pavley’s bill. Go on line to check the Sierra Club Home Page
for the latest as well as a review of the past in regard
State growth priorities. We have a new law estab- to environmental issues. As of this writing there is a
lishing state growth priorities that favor infill devel- good section on how to answer opinions of the non-
opment and more compact suburban growth and informed, confused and over-zealous folks in regards
protect the most valuable natural and agricultural to environmental questions. Lots of fun as well as
resources. informative. Don’t forget, if you’re not online
Public access to coast. We have a new law that yourself, try your nearest public library!
requires the Coastal Conservancy to preserve oppor- Sign up for Art Unger’s hotline to get back-
tunities for new public accessways along the coast. ground and calls for action on news affecting us
Too often wealthy landowners resist allowing the locally.
public to enjoy some of our finest beaches.
Be ready to be determined and keep writing those
Alternative energy. Power companies must now all-important letters and sending off those environ-
buy 20% of their energy from renewable resources. mentally pushy postcards that come to us through
Good appointees. We have some good people the mail and in the Sierra Magazine.
appointed, finally, to the Forestry Board and the Fish Do it! Your efforts, with the efforts of others, do
and Game Board. have power! Taking those simple, easy measures will
Obviously we don’t have everything we worked help in preserving and protecting our natural en-
for, but some bills that failed were very close calls, vironment giving us and our offspring the oppor-
and then there were those which passed the legis- tunity to enjoy it—one of the main goals of the
lature but were vetoed by Davis. Sierra Club.
All these steps forward required pressure and sup- Red Rock Canyon State Park
port from the likes of you and me. We are using the It's really happening. Join in!
power of the combined public voice which is vital to
achieving these gains. The General Plan for the 1994 addition to the Park is
FINALLY progressing. At least 11 enviros attended
ON THE OTHER HAND ... the first public meeting, and it went pretty well. We
Bush is going on his merry, sorry way. What can believe the really tough issues like mining and OHV
we do? use will crop up more in further meetings. Those will
continue for a while, perhaps starting as early as
Bush Pullbacks. First, remember that pressure January. As it is, one man stood up and said he
from folks all over the country has forced pullbacks intends to do active mining within the Park. We’re
from some of his original stances. The uproar about looking into that. For more information, please call
arsenic in the water caused a rethinking of policy. Oil Stan or Jeanie Haye at 760.375.8973.
drilling in Alaska Wildlife Refuge was put on the
back-burner for a little while at least. The uproar of
the failure to attempt to reduce SUV emissions got a

3. THE ROADRUNNER 3
CALENDAR Feb 13th (thur) 6:30 PM Dessert/Coffee Social at
Vintage Press Bar, 216 N. Willis, Visalia (Mineral
Everyone is welcome, Sierra Club members and non- King Gp)
members, to join in any of the outdoor activities listed
below. Requirements: persons participating be in condition, Feb 17th. (mon) 7:30 PM. Trip to Argentina and
equipped appropriately for the activity, and prepared to sign a Chile, includes attempt up Aconcaqua. Presented by
Sierra Club release from liability. Unprepared for the Steve Smith. Maturango Mueseum. Ridgecrest
prospective hike? The leader will have to ask the hiker not to (Owens Peak Gp.)
participate. Good hiking shoes, plenty of water, are a must; Feb 22nd (sat) 7:30 AM. Eureka Dune ( 3497 ft,
sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and jackets suggested. The leader 700 ft gain, 2.5 mi). Seemingly highest sand dune in
has full responsibility for the hike, and his/her directions the country. See unique grass and help to protect it.
must be followed. Please inform the leader ahead of time that
you are intending to participate. Feel free to consult with the Mar 16th (sun) CEQA workshop Opportunity to
leader as to your fitness to go on the hike. gain insight into California Environmental Quality
Every Week Act. Presenter will be Brent Newell, lawyer who has
done a greal deal of CEQA work with dairies in
Bakersfield. Conditioning Hikes: (thurs) 7 PM. 4-5
Kern. Noon to 4. May be a small charge to cover
miles. Corner of highways 178 & 184.
materials. Place with directions to be announced in
661.872.2432 or 873.8107 (KK Chapt.)
next edition of RR.
Mineral King. Weekly walks discontinued until fur-
April 5th (sat) Annual Awards Banquet for 2003 to
ther notice.
be held at East Bakersfield Veterans Hall on Ridge
Jan 7th (tues) Beale Library. 7 PM. Ron Mackie, a Road, off Mt. Vernon Ave. Highlight of this tradi-
longtime Sierra Club activist and former ranger in tional gathering will be an impersonation of John
Yosemite, will discuss his service and give a behind- Muir presented by Frank Heiling. Those that have
the-scenes look at National Park. (Buena Vista Gp) witnessed this performance declare it a winner.
Jan 11th (sat) Kern Kaweah Chapter Ex-com. Dinner offers will be the same, both delicious:
Visalia. Call Paul Gipe for directions and details. Lemon chicken and vegetarian lasagna. Cost: $15 per
Jan 12th (sun) Sierra Club Nevada Regional Con- person, includes pre-dinner drinks and tip. Social
servation Committee. Los Angeles Sierra Club office. hour will begin at 5:30 PM, dinner at 6:30. If you
want to be an early bird, just mail your check to
Jan 16th (thur) Dinner Social at Mediterranean
Harry Love, 13500 Powder River Ave., Bakersfield,
Market & Restaurant, 2253 W. Caldwell, Visalia
93312. Deadline: March 25th. Please indicate your
(Food 4 Less Shopping Center) (Mineral King Gp)
full name, address, telephone and choice of meal.
Jan 18th (sat) Jurassic Peak (Haiwee Ridge) (5952 ft,
SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST DRAFT
1000 ft gain, 4 mi RT) provides excellent views of
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
winterscape of the southern Sierra. Easy/moderate
RELEASED. Get informed! Take Action!
hike. Approach through Cactus Flat, mining artifacts.
Meet 7:30 AM, Ridgecrest Cinema parking lot. Call Just as we were about to send the Roadrunner to the printer
Dennis 760.375.7967 or Jim 760.375.8161 for more Sequoia National Forest released its long awaited Draft
Environmental Impact Statement for managing the Giant
info. (Owens Peak Gp)
Sequoia National Monument. The Sequoia Task Force has
Jan 20th (mon) 7:30 PM Environmental monitoring not read the document yet.
and restoration. Presented by rep from BLM The following quotes from Forest Service spokes-
(probably Randy Masmer). Maturango Museum, persons will give you the flavor of what they would
Ridgecrest (Owens Peak Gp) like to do.
Jan 25th (sat) Snow determines what happens. Call They propose logging up to 10 million board feet of
Ches 661.242.0423 or Dale 661.242.1076 for timber each year in the Monument.
details. (Condor Group)
Logging would be more intensive in the Monument
Jan 27th (mon) 7 PM Ex-Com Meeting. Call 739. than it would be in the surrounding National Forest.
8527 to attend (Mineral King Gp)
They might cut some Giant Sequoias if they are too
Feb 1st (sat) Ecopsychology: Nature and People. crowded.
Sarah Edwards. 6 PM Potluck, 7 PM program. PMC
Clubhouse. (Condor Gp) Trees up to 30 inches in diameter could be cut.
Feb 5th, (wed not tues) 7 PM. Beale Lib, Bksf. Ted A spokesman for the timber industry said "I think the
James Dir, Kern Planning Dept in charge of Kern Cty Forest Service is on target."
land use processes. (Buena Vista Gp) All of this in spite of the language in the Procla-
Feb 8th (sat) Kern Kaweah Chapt. Ex-com. Beale mation that says; “The forest needs restoration to
Library. Noon. All Sierra Club members welcome. counteract the effects of a century of fire suppression

4. 4 THE ROADRUNNER
and logging. *No portion of the Monument shall be Chapter Members Go Solar
considered to be suited for timber production. Buying a fancy solar system more satisfying than
*Removal of trees, except for personal use fuel
buying a fancy car.
wood, from within the Monument area may take
place only for purposes of restoration, maintenance Two homes of Kern-Kaweah chapter members
or public safety. have recently gone solar. Taking advantage of at-
The Sierra Club’s Sequoia Task Force believes the tractive state subsidies, Eva and Gordon Nipp and
language of the Proclamation clearly prohibits Mitch Bolt have each installed 2.5 kilowatts of
logging. Logging and fire suppression caused the photovoltaic cells on their homes. The subsidies, the
problem. most lucrative in the nation, cut the cost of the
Carla Cloer says “the Forest Service has selected an $25,000 installations nearly in half.
Alternative that would log and manipulate the The Nipps, longtime Bakersfield activists, bought
ecosystems of the Monument far more than had the their home light plant from Dennis Long of
Monument never been created. Indeed, they are
Unlimited Energy during the 2001 power crisis.
promoting more logging and roadbuilding inside the
Monument than will be allowed outside it, truly Now, after a full year of operation, they report that
changing the intent of the Monument to benefit their the system of 25 panels and electronic inverter
own desire to log.” generated 40% of their electricity.
First: Remember: Not to be outdone, Bolt set out to eliminate his
The Sierra Nevada forests provide much of the electric bill. Sharpe Solar installed his system in late
drinking water that Californians require. summer of 2002. During the weakening sunlight of
Forests reduce global warming by absorbing carbon autumn, explains Bolt, the panels produced two-
dioxide from the atmosphere. thirds of his electricity. The panels will produce
The Sierra Nevada forests are nearing the “point of more than he needs during the summer months.
no return” as a result of over a century of logging. Both the Nipps and Bolt benefited from the solar
The Forest Service claims that logging improves for- buy-down program that was part of the state's
est health and prevents catastrophic wild fires. disastrous experiment with utility deregulation. In
Not true! addition to the direct subsidy, both homeowners
Research shows that “logging increases fire severity also qualify for a state tax credit.
more than any other recent human activity.” Bolt, membership chair of the new Buena Vista
Of course, it must be admitted that if you log all the Group, notes that the panels don’t detract from his
trees, you won‘t have a forest fire. But you would house. In fact, they’re an attractive addition, he says.
ultimately end up with a more deadly situation. The bright blue panels match the trim of his house.
Logging and thinning Both power systems were installed professionally
*removes the least flammable of the forest by local vendors who handled all the paperwork
fuels, the tree trunks. *removes the forest with the utility and building officials. To qualify for
canopy that keeps the forest moist and cool, the subsidies, the solar systems must meet building
preventing desertification. *allows the sun to
and electrical codes and receive a contract from the
shine on the forest floor, creating surface winds in
the forest, utility. Neither the Nipps nor Bolt encountered any
problems with PG&E, though Gordon Nipp says he
all of which increases fire danger.
got a quizzical look from the county building
The Sierra Club is aligning with other organi- inspector.
zations to fight this destructive plan all the way
through the court system if the Forest Service won’t Though the panels require no maintenance, both
listen to reason and manage the Monument as the homeowners say that periodically hosing down the
Proclamation intended: for protection and perpetua- panels in dusty Bakersfield measurably improves
tion of the Giant Sequoias and the entire ecosystem performance.
of which they are a part. The Sequoia Task Force will Both the Nipps and Bolt are walking the talk. “It’s
study the draft management plan carefully and will
the right thing to do,” says Eva Nipp. “Some buy a
be in touch with all Sierra Club members about what
can be done. Call Joe Fontaine at 661.821.2055 if fancy car, but we bought a fancy solar system.”
you would like to help in responding to the Draft. They are also setting an example. After the Nipps’
Call Ara Marderosian at 760.378.4574 if you could panels went in, their neighbor installed a system
help protest proposed logging plans. twice the size!

5. THE ROADRUNNER 5
Unfortunately, the future of the subsidy program in Chair, Chair, Treasurer, and held various other offices. Last
the topsy-turvy politics of California is uncertain. year I took over the responsibilities of the position of
Council Delegate. This group is an advisory body to the
Funds for 2003 are available on a first-come, first- Club’s National Board of Directors and governance com-
served basis. If you're considering solar, now’s not mittees on chapter and regional concerns. The position is
the time to hesitate. extremely interesting, because I act as a liaison and help with
The Nipps and Bolt welcome inquiries from club what we call “housekeeping” by working on policies, by-
laws, and serving as a resource for the chapter and groups on
members. “I keep a ladder there, if anyone wants to club services. With the recent change in our by-laws the
see the panels,” says Nipp. You can reach Eva and Council Delegate is now required to be on the Chapter Ex-
Gordon Nipp at 661.872.2432 and Mitch Bolt at com.
661.387.1351. Club Mourns Passing of Sally Reid
Elections Coming Up Everywhere. Meet The Sierra Club is mourning the recent death of
your candidates here! Sally M. Reid, a member of the national Board of
The Kern Kaweah Chapter will be holding its elec- Directors from 1984 to 1990 and vice president from
tions with deadline for turning in ballots January 1987 to 1989.
31st. Ballots can be found on page 8. Sally was chair of the Angeles Chapter in the late 70s,
Write-in candidates will be the only opposition to the as well as of the Southern California/Nevada Regional
present incumbents of the Chapter Ex-Com and the Conservation Committee. When the new Sierra Club
Condor Group Ex-Com. California state-wide entity was formed, one of the
Being an ex-com representative requires persons to group’s annual awards was named after her and her
attend meetings, usually on a Saturday afternoon, husband Les.
once every six weeks or so. Responsibilities include Sally, who was honored with the Club’s William E.
discussing topics of concern in the areas of Tulare Colby Award in 1990 and the Walter E. Starr Award
and Kern County and making decisions as to actions in 1994, considered her role in enactment of the
to be taken. Actions often relate to expenditures Condor Range and River Protection Act of 1992 her
from the Chapter’s funds. greatest personal achievement. She also worked on
To give the reader an insight as to whom they are the California Wilderness Act of 1984 and on the
electing, read on through the statements provided by campaign to save Alaskan public lands. In 1987, she
the candidates for your information: chaired the Sierra Club's Hetch-Hetchy Restoration
Task Force.
Richard Garcia (Visalia): The Kern-Kaweah Chapter
was/is very supportive of our group's efforts to fight the A biology graduate of Stanford University, Reid
lining of a free flowing channel with cement. This would taught in the Los Angeles City Unified School
have destroyed beautiful mature willows as well as District for more than 20 years before retiring in
preventing water from reaching farmers. It feels as if it is my 1980. When she and her husband Les retired to Pine
responsibility to continue to support Chapter efforts for our Mountain Club in the Frazier Park area, they learned
group and others. they were now living in the Club’s Kern-Kaweah
Harry Love (Bakersfield): My role as an Ex-Com Chapter jurisdiction. They got involved locally,
member is to represent the Club in public forums and to helping out as mentors for the new Condor Group.
portray the Club as an organization of principles, making a Les and Sally made many friends in the Kern-
positive statement for the good of the community. The Kaweah Chapter, who mourn her long illness and
second role of a member is to be sure the social and final passing. Harold Wood
recreational needs of the members are met by the Chapter.
WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT?
Gordon Nipp (Bakersfield): I have decided to run again
for the Ex-Com because I think that my long-time activity Read on
and experience in the Sierra Club can be valuable assets in Arthur Unger, one of the Sierra Club’s activist
making the best conservation-oriented decisions in the current champs, went to a joint meeting of the Bakersfield-
anti-environment climate. I have been a member of the Ex- County Land Planning Commissions. At this meeting
Com for eighteen years, serving three years as Chapter Chair. these two groups were to discuss development of
I feel strongly that we must use every available tool to general plans for both areas.
preserve the gains of the past from being devastated by the Gordon Nipp, another activist champ in this area,
current administration. (read his candidate biography) spoke so succintly,
Lorraine Unger (Bakersfield): I joined the Sierra Club movingly and determinedly that Arthur, who can be
24 years ago. In 1982 we relocated to Bakersfield and I went rather cynical about these things, sat through the
searching for kindred souls. Before I could say no, I was on whole meeting, deeply inspired by what words were
the Executive Committee. Since then I have been Vice- said and how they were said.

6. 6 THE ROADRUNNER
Quoting Gordon: “The major impacts which population on the east coast, and frantic road con-
you’re being advised to accept as unavoidable are struction going on everywhere in hopeless attempts
increased air pollution, increased traffic congestion, to keep up with it. I could talk about the declining
increased noise, and more prime ag land conversion. quality of the forest in the Blueridge Mountains as
We understand that it’s difficult to deal with these hardwoods die out and exotic species invade. Or
problems, but this Plan doesn’t come close. It’s just domination by the Weyerhaeuser Lumber Company
more of the same. We think that there are some in the south and its effect on the quality and aes-
progressive things that can be done, albeit not with- thetics of southern forests, along with the ubiquitous
out some pain, that could help address these adverse kudzu choking old growth trees. Or I could dwell on
impacts and keep Bakersfield the livable community the demise of small communities as giant corpora-
that it is now.” tions take over commerce and farming in a dreary
Some of the solutions that Gordon presented to march across the country that has resulted in long
this group included a need for a plan for overall and seemingly endless miles of the same things over
development in Northeast Bakersfield (not just react and over.
to one developer’s proposal after another), control of On the other hand, I could tell stories of charming
light pollution, need for viewshed ordinance, control people speaking American English in varieties of
of OHV use in area, consideration of historic accents and shades of meaning, going out of their
elements, potential traffic modified by light rail and way to be helpful and kind. Gracious ladies in
more buses. Lexington, Virginia, saw us standing uncertainly on a
Gordon finished his presentation saying: “You as corner and stopped to ask if they could help. A
leaders must make some difficult decisions. Don’t young man on the ferry from one outer bank island
accept all these undesirable impacts as unavoidable. to another spoke rapturously of his fishing job and
Send this Update back to the planners. Tell them to pointed out the most treacherous cross-currents that
come up with alternatives for actually mitigating the have given that part of the eastern seaboard its repu-
adverse impacts, alternatives that would give you and tation as a ship’s graveyard.
our community a real choice and a real chance for On several other occasions people saw us poring over
progress.” maps and offered help. One gentleman left a hot
Arthur Unger heard it. Gordon Nipp said it: “ T h e dinner to go out to his van and fetch a ferry sche-
hope is that with enough repetition these notions will dule, which he insisted we keep. When a tire went bad
become mainstream, even in Kern County. Others in heavy rain, a young man in a service station said,
need to push also.” “Shoot, it’s just a little old nail. You ladies stay
inside and watch the weather report. I’ll have it fixed
Need more be said to you, the readers? Others
in a minute.” And he did, for under ten dollars.
need to push also.
Finally, my hosts, the young poets, were in every way
MIDGEBUZZINGS more brilliant and loving than I had imagined.
In a little over a month last fall I observed so many As we move together into the post-democratic era of
facets of American life that I have been undecided American history, and come to understand the social
about what to focus on this time. Shortly after the and environmental implications of a trans-world
embarrassment of riches in Monterey which I de- corporatocracy, we are not without comfort. Classical
scribed earlier, I was, briefly, thanks to the kindness literature, from the Greeks and Romans to the Old
of our captain, at the helm of a thirty-five foot and New Testaments and Shakespeare, through the
trawler on the Chesapeake Bay steering a course great Russians, especially Tolstoy, and on to such
through hundreds of crab pots and keeping an eye moderns as Orwell, Koestler and Arthur Miller,
on the compass and the depth finder. makes us familiar with where we are and informs us
of the transitory nature of all human power. What is
From there, two of us drove a rented car across
unfamiliar is how few places there are for emigrating
eastern America from the Blueridge Mountains,
and starting again, the earth being so far spent. But
through Cape Hatteras and the Outer Banks of North
keep your trust in the young. In Venice I learned
Carolina, into the antebellum South, and finally to a
that they are better read than I knew, that they under-
mountain music festival in the Arkansas Ozarks.
stand and, most importantly, that they care.
Two weeks later I was among young poets in the
Ann Williams
remarkable community of Venice, California, on an
overnight visit with a favorite student from a par-
ticularly shining class I enjoyed twenty years ago.
From an environmental point of view I could discuss
the condition of the Chesapeake Bay, the burgeoning

7. THE ROADRUNNER 7
KernKaweah Mineral King Group
Meets in Visalia
GROUP NEWS Need more info? Call Harold Wood, Chair.
559.739.8527 email: harold.wood@sierraclub.org
Kern Kaweah Chapter Ex-Com usually meets
Saturday afternoons once a month, Beale Library, Group Ex Com meets 4th Monday monthly. All SC
Bakersfield, 12 noon. Call to make sure of place members welcome. Call 559.739.8527 to attend.
and time. Paul Gipe, Chair. 661.324.1923 Check Min. King Group Website for updates and
send in your address for regular updates:
Buena Vista Group http://kernkaweah.sierraclub.org/mineralking
Our evening meetings all around the town have
Meets at Bakersfield, Beale Library been a huge success. We soon will be able to write a
More info? call Elaine, 833.3795, Glenn at 832. restaurant guide. We are still celebrating our channel
3382 successes and are working to help preserve the
Want to help plan activities? Only a few extra hours beauty of entrance roads to Visalia.
monthly. Call to volunteer. It’s fun. Want to join us? Want to help us plan all the
Super speakers coming up. See calendar. Ted coming events of this group? Call Beverly Garcia,
James is the man to meet. He deals with the Kern 559.592.9865 for more info. We would love to hear
County Habitat Conservation Plan as well as the from you.
Conunty Bakersfield General Plan.
Owens Peak Group
Condor Group Meets in Ridgecrest
Meets at Pine Mountain Club Need more info? Call Dennis Burge, Chair
760.375.7967 email: dennis93555@yahooo.com
Need more info? call Ches Arthur, Chair, 661.
242.0423. email: ches@frazmtn.com Very much on the minds of this group these days is
Last Chance Canyon, attached to Red Rock Canyon
A long awaited hike into one of the proposed
State Park and development of the general plan for
wilderness areas took hikers’ breath away—in more
land annexed to Red Rock State Park some years
than one way. Going down, and we mean down, first
ago. More meetings will be held in this new year and
warned us that going back was going to mean a lot of
we hope that you can write if you cannot attend in
panting, but it was well worth it. The views off Robert
person. Great winter hikes coming up too. Come join
Scott Road were breath-taking literally. Steep
us. Call Dennis for the latest, and do plan to help out
canyons, mountain meadows, thick woods. Great
on this matter.
contrast to the south facing slopes of the local mts.
Kaweah Group Executive Committee 6 6 1 . 3 2 4 . 1 9 2 3
Paul Gipe, Chair; Vice Chair, Harry Love; Ara Marderosian,
Meets in Porterville. Interested in hikes? Other ac- Secretary; Larry Wailes, treasurer; Lorraine Unger, Membership
tivities? Call Theresa Stump, Chair. 559.781.0594 Buena Vista Group (Bakersfield) 661.833.3795
Kaweah Group in the Porterville-Lindsay Area Elaine White, Chair; Glenn Shellcross, Vice Chair; Kevin Smith,
Secretary; Karen Smith, Treasurer.
NEEDS YOU! Lots of jobs and offices both big and
Condor Group (Pine Mtn Club, Frazier Park area)
small are waiting to be filled by willing volunteers. 661.242.0423. Ches@frazmtn.com
No pay, but lots of fun, gratitude and satisfaction for
Ches Arthur, Chair; Dale Chitwood, Vice-Chair. Candy Posson,
helping to make the world a better place. ABSO- Secretary, Marta Bigler, Treas.
LUTELY NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! Contact Kaweah Group (Porterville) 559.781.0594
Theresa at 559.781.0594.
Theresa Stump, Chair; Dianne Jetter, Vice Chair; Boyd Leavitt,
Treasurer.
Mineral King (Visalia) 559.739.8527 Harold Wood,
TEJON INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX: Chair; Mary Moy, Vice-Chair; Cynthia Koval, Secretary; Janet
Need latest or more information? Contact Lockhart Wood,Treasurer.
at jmal@frazmtn. com or 661.242.0432. Owens Peak Group (Ridgecrest) 760.375.7967
Dennis Burge, Chair; Steve Smith, Vice-Chair; Jean Bennett,
Secretary; Dolph Amster, Treasurer.

8. 8 THE ROADRUNNER
√ Take Action Now Ballot For Condor Group Executive Committee,
Call, Write! and vote, vote , vote! A ll Sierra Club Members in the area of Pine Mountain
Club, Frazier Park, Lebec and Gorman are eligible to vote.
Federal government numbers:
President: White House Comment Line: 202.456.1111 2003 2003
George W. Bush’s e-mail - president@whitehouse.gov VOTE FOR NINE:
Address - 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC 20500
US Capitol Switchboard - 202-224-3121. VOTER 1 VOTER 2
Sen Barbara Boxer: Sen Diane Feinstein: Common address: 1130
O Street, Ste 2446 Fresno, CA 93721 ____ Ches Arthur ____
Boxer phone: 559.497.5109 - Fax 559.497.5111 ____ Fay Benbrook ____
Feinstein phone: 559.485.7430 - Fax 202.228.3954 ____ Marta Bigler ____
California government numbers: ____ Dale Chitwood ____
Gov. Davis: 916.445-2841 ____ Bernard Cordes ____
Calif. Legislative Switchboard (receptionist will help you ID ____ Erica Cordes ____
your Senator and Assembly member if you are unsure): 9 1 6 - Dave Grant ____
322-9900. ____ Katherine King ____
Want to sign up to receive Alerts? ____ Harry Nelson ____
WE NEED MORE OF YOU! ____ Gita Nelson ____
e-mail: alunger@juno.com or ____ Jean Rustvold ____
regular mail: Unger, 2815 La Cresta Dr, Bksfld, CA 93305 ____ Rusty Rustvold ____
____ Dayne Yancy ____
Want to get Chapter news on the web the easy way? ____ Tom Yancy ____
Just go to Google (bookmark it) __________ Write In ___________
Type in Sierra Club Home Page Place voter signature(s) on outside of envelope.
Pause to look over national news, actions Send to Lockhart, Att. BALLOT. P.O. Box GG,
Look for place Frazier Park, CA, 93222 or bring to Feb 1st mtg.
Look for Chapters where results will be announced.
Find Kern-Kaweah and there you are!
Access to our local affairs thru the Roadrunner and the
Condor Flyer (under Condor Group) and extra general and
late-breaking items will be there at your fingertips.
OUR GIFT GIVING POSSIBILITIES
Check out the Charitable Gift Annuity offered by
Sierra Club. You provide funds for Sierra Club
activities AND income for yourselves. Contact John
Calaway, Director of Gift Planning, 85 Second Street,
San Francisco, CA 94105. Call 415.977.5639. E-
mail: planned.giving@sierraclub.org.
Please Vote:
BALLOT FOR KERN-KAWEAH CHAPTER
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 2002
Voter 1 VOTE FOR FOUR ____ Richard Garcia
____Gordon Nipp____Harry Love _____Lorraine
Unger Write in____________________________
Voter 2 VOTE FOR FOUR ____ Richard Garcia
____Gordon Nipp____Harry Love _____Lorraine
Unger Write in____________________________
Place voter signature(s) on outside of envelope. Send
to Kern Kaweah Chapter. Att: Ballot, PO 3357.
Ballots must be received by January 31, 2002.