1. The Roadrunner
Bimonthly Publication of the Kern-Kaweah Chapter of the Sierra Club — Sept./Oct. 2002
WRITE AND PLEASE WRITE RIGHT NOW!
WE NEED TO DO ALL WE CAN TO PERSUADE CONGRESS AND THE STATE TO PASS G O O D
ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND/OR PROTECT OLD ONES. MORE AND MORE CITIZENS A R E
REALIZING THAT THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT IS BEING RAVAGED IN THE NAME O F
SECURITY PROTECTION AND ECONOMIC STIMULUS. Everything from stifling public input to
attempting to include drilling on monument lands is in the works. Remember this is election year.
Remind your congressmen that you are a voter!
SPEAK UP NOW!
First and foremost, Most urgent! Item 1. WRITE TO LOCAL SUPERVISORS RE:
WILDERNESS DESIGNATIONS. SEE PAGE 2 for full story.
*Next, WRITE TO SEN DIANE FEINSTEIN (One Post Street, Ste 2450, San Francisco, CA 94104
Fax: 415.393.0710. *Ask her to support the Boxer Wilderness Bill;
*Urge her to support upholding all of our country’s environmental laws that help safeguard
our forests, water, and wildlife;
*Urge her to strongly oppose any fire-related riders or legislation that would suspend
environmental laws or citizen involvement;
*Urge her to focus on effective projects such as mechanical removal of small fuels around
homes, major roads, and communities for real protection of lives and property— not plan
destructive logging projects in the back country where the best strategy is to use fire itself to
reduce catastrophic fire risks;
*Remind her that commercial logging is NOT a solution for forest protection and can actually
make the fire hazard greater. Above points of comment written by Carla Cloer.
Item 2 Endangered Species Act threatened: Write to congresspersons to do all they can to oppose HR
4840, which poses a serious threat to the Endangered Species Act. The bill has numerous flaws. It would
seek to limit the ability of scientists to use the best available data to conserve endangered species. It would
add independent scientific review requirements and extend deadlines in ways that could be used to delay
and hamstring species protection. It fails to ensure that reviewers are independent and come from qualified
scientific bodies. It attempts to drastically limit the ability of citizens to petition for species preservation.
And (surprise! surprise!) the bill seeks to give special rights to industry. The Endangered Species Act is a
strong, effective, and flexible science-based “safety net” for the many species hovering on the brink of
extinction. Help to save it!
Item 3 Roadless Areas: Roadless Area Protection Act (HR 4865) was introduced into the House by
Democrat Jay Inslee (Washington ) and Republican Sherwood Boehlert (New York.) There were already
178 co-sponsors at that time, June 5, 2002. Over 58.5 million acres of National Forest Land would be
protected from new roads and commercial logging. Fire prevention thinning would be allowed.
The Clinton administration had approved this as a Rule. Bush is trying to whack it bit by bit by
proposing to allow timber sales in presently roadless areas, particularly the Alaska’s Tongass National
Forest. Public supports the Rule but it seems that everyone has to keep putting the pressure on again and
again and again. Urge your Representative to sign up as a sponsor and/or others to support this bill.
Item 4 Oil Drilling: The Senate seems to have begun serious work on an energy bill and it has come up
again: drilling the ANWR (Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge).
Reminder of the figures will help you tell the story: Quoting a National Resource Defense Council
release: US uses 25 % of world’s oil. US controls only 3% of world’s oil, ANWR drilling not likely to
produce 2 % of US needs and would take at least 10 years to get crude to refineries.
Alternative: Conservation. Remind congressmen that raising average gas mileage for all new cars, including
SUV’s to 40 mpg would save more than 4 million barrels per day, more than the amount we now import
from Persian Gulf. Added benefit: save car owners $2000 in course of cars’ lifetimes.
Nervous about writing? You don’t know just how to say what you want to say? Call Art Unger, the old pro,
who will be happy to help you with sample letters, ideas, etc. 661.323.5569 or alunger@juno.com

2. 2 THE ROADRUNNER
2
SUPERVISORS TO RECONSIDER KERN have had many meetings with multiple use supporters
PLANNING RECOMMENDATION FOR in order to redraw boundaries allowing existing
NEGATIVE RESPONSE RE: PROPOSED biking and ORV use to continue. Maps have been
WILDERNESS DESIGNATIONS IN available (at the expense of the CWC) upon request,
COUNTY. and available on their website all along. Address
On Tuesday July 30 the Kern County Board of your letters to Supervisor Barbara Patrick, Supervisor
Supervisors met to decide, among other things, Pete Parra and Supervisor Steve Perez, 1115 Truxtun
whether to accept the County Planning Department’s Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301; and Supervisor Jon
recommendation to oppose the Boxer wilderness bill Mcquiston, 7050 Lake Isabella Boulevard, Lake
which is set to come before Congress soon. The anti- Isabella, CA 93240. Please hurry to get letters in
wilderness proposal had been placed in the “ c o n - asap. By Ann Williams
sent” agenda, meaning that it was regarded as of ELECTIONS, SPRAWL, MORE TO BE DIS-
such little consequence that it did not merit public CUSSED AT CALIFORNIA NEVADA REGION-
comment. Many local people felt otherwise and AL CONSERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING
showed up to request that comments be allowed. The HELD SEPT 14TH, 15TH, AT SLO.
Board did hear comments from thirteen supporters One never knows what can be included at these
of the bill and four opposed. The people who oppose meetings. Everything has been, from heated discus-
the bill complained of being unable to get maps of sions on topics of concern to watching deer grazing
the proposed Bright Star addition, of being locked on the grounds of the camp. You can always be sure
out of popular areas on each side of the river, and of that there will be whole hearted participation by all
being ignored by Tom Bohegian, aide to Sen Boxer. who attend and those who attend come from all over
They say that the Bright Star area, southeast of Lake the state and for good reason.
Isabella, already has ORV trails. County Planning has This group that convenes quarterly deals with the
complained that with a wild and scenic designation, conservation issues of the two states in its title.
the Kern River below the dam would be in federal Decisions made here affect the programs and
hands and forever closed to the development of water campaigns that will be initiated and followed in both
projects. states in the coming months and years.
After the comments Supervisor Jon McQuiston It is an opportunity to listen, learn and speak up
reiterated the problems he perceives with the bill. He when issues are discussed. It is a very democratic
sees more economic advantage in logging, mining assembly that works to do all it can be it to support
and ORV use than can be derived from wilderness propositions or develop guidelines in support of
status. He said also that l) public comment on the bill Sierra Club goals in various areas of concern.
came too late for fair solicitation of negative com- All are invited to this great chance to join forces
ment, 2) aerial imaging shows existing roads, which with others who care! The workshops and assembly
confuses the issue, 3.) 1 of 8 acres of California is will be at Rancho El Chorro, San Luis Obispo. To
wilderness...how much more do we need? 4) better stay overnight is $20; to eat (Saturday night and
watershed management could result in 10% more Sunday breakfast) is $10. Check with your groups if
water yield, impossible under wilderness designation, you need financial help in order to attend.
5) his office has not received letters favoring the Put the dates on your calendars now, and let Lori
passage of the bill. Supervisor Barbara Patrick said Ives, the registrar, know as soon as possible that you
that the board needs to meet with supporters of the wish to attend. TN 909.624.5522, fax 909.624.7983,
bill for more information on the questions. Super- e-mail ivesico@earthlink.net
visor Parra suggested that Tom Bohegian meet with PS. There is a wonderful State Park just down the
Supervisors, and that better maps are needed. Super- road, Montaña de Oro. There is birding, the ocean,
visor Perez said there has been a lack of public input and now its fine natural history museum has re-
to the supervisors. opened. Come early, stay late to enjoy it too.
As a result of the presence and statements of so
many supporters of the Wilderness proposals THE Update on Valley Air
VOTE ON WHAT WILL BE THE POSITION OF Where do we stand now?
KERN COUNTY WAS POSTPONED TO SEP- Despite objections from several environmental
TEMBER 10. organizations, including your local chapter, the San
Please write letters in support of Barbara Boxer’s Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District
bill to provide Wilderness protection for Bright Star, voted to raise the classification of the valley’s air
and Wild and Scenic Status for the Kern River below quality condition from severe to extreme. The result
Isabella Dam. You might mention that members of is that, after years of not producing any real progress
the California Wilderness Coalition have been for attainment of cleaner air, the only thing that has
working on this for several years, and in the process

3. THE ROADRUNNER 3
been accomplished is that the deadline has been ex- factory, and several of those draft proposals would
tended to 2010. If the past is precedent nothing more log and remove more trees than if the Monument
will really happen except the likelihood of valley air had never been created. We fear that this recent fire
pollution increasing and increasing. will be used to justify many destructive logging pro-
Industry and agriculture fought for this extension jects under the guise of reducing the threat of fire.
with the overused arguments that the high costs of Background information on Sequoia National Forest
compliance will force them out of business and they and the Giant Sequoia National Monument can be
are not to blame for the pollution; others are. One found at Kern Kaweah Chapter website. Please be
wonders if the thought has occurred to these groups prepared to send in comments on the Draft Plan as
that perhaps the Bush administration’s “clean air soon as it available.
plan” will reduce the requirements for clean air, thus As of August 13, you will be relieved to hear that
reducing “burdens” of industry and agriculture? fire damages to the Monument have been minimal.
In the meantime, the number of asthma cases rises No grove of Giant Sequoias has burned. Of the
in the valley. To quote from an Earthjustice letter in 116,000 acres involved thus far, about 16,000 acres
regards to the air pollution problem: “Asthma is the were in the Monument. It will be some time before
leading cause of hospital admissions of young we can get into the burn area to see if this fire
children in California. Fresno County has a 16 cleaned up the forest in a good way, reducing small
percent childhood asthma prevalence rate, highest in fuels and creating a mosaic of openings, or if it
the state. ... Because of the poor air quality in the burned unnaturally hot. Firefighters have done a
Valley, infants and children are being treated at good job of stopping the fire wherever it has
unprecedented rates with high dosages of steroids threatened communities.
just to maintain normal lifestyles.” And continuing, For information on Draft, Fire, just use your
“We are all paying with higher health insurance search engine, putting in the words Sequoia National
premiums and taxes. Each emergency room visit for Forest. By Carla
a child suffering from a severe asthma attack costs an Cloer
average of $6300. ... $350 million annually with a
third of that bill being paid for by the taxpayer-
Forest Fires:
financed State MediCal program.” Beyond the Heat and Hype
A surprise to many is the fact that agricultural The following information which hopefully will help us all
activities in this state have been exempt from air speak the truth about fires and environmentalists is credited t o
pollution regulations. This exemption was passed Sierra Club, Marderosian & Lockhart .
decades ago and is contrary to the federal Clean Air True or False?
Act. It appears likely that this exemption will be
1. Logging helps reduce the risk of forest fires.
canceled in this legislative cycle. The Earthjustice
False. The Forest Service has concluded in
lawyers predict that the result will be that large
several studies that logging greatly increases the risk
agricultural enterprises will comply with the new
and severity of fires.
ruling, dragging smaller enterprises along with them.
2. Fire suppression won’t prevent the most catas-
On 7/16 the federal EPA disapproved of the
trophic fires.
Valley’s plan to attain PM (particulate matter) 10
True. Decades of fire suppression, cattle
standards. The Clean Air Act has three levels for PM
grazing, and logging have resulted in a build-up of
10: attainment, moderate non-attainment and serious
flammable brush that can easily catch fire.
non-attainment (us). EPA said that by 12.31.02 the
3. Prescribed burns save money in the long run.
Valley must present a plan that uses Best Available
True. Prescribed burns are far cheaper and
Control Measures and will decrease emissions 5% a
more effective than fighting large wildfires later.
year until we reach attainment. If not there will be
4. Forest fires pose a major threat to homes and
“sanctions” (loss of federal highway money?) in
communities.
2003 and a Federal Implementation Plan in 2004.
False. Homes and communities can take num-
The latter prospect may induce more action on the
erous precautions to reduce the threat of forest fires
part of the participants on the Air Pollution Board as
by removing flammable materials within the 100 to
federal plans are anathema to many.
200 foot zone from structures, using flame resistant
Sequoia Monument Draft Plan Out materials for roof and siding, and removing some
Soon. Be ready to comment! trees in the zone.
5. Fires are devastating to fish and wildlife habitat.
The Draft Plan for the Giant Sequoia National
False. Forest fires provide habitat, food and
Monument is due to be released in the next few
nutrients to plants, fish and wildlife living in the
weeks. In our opinion, none of the previously
forest.
released “Working Draft Alternatives” were satis-

4. 4 THE ROADRUNNER
4
6. Areas with roads experience more numerous and Non-Sierra Club Events of Interest
more intense fires than unroaded areas.
Oct 4-5 Spirit Wind POWWOW. Native American
True.
dancers, drums, vendors, food, fry bread. Sweet Iron
7. Salvage logging after forest fires actually speeds
Quarter House Ranch, located on Tejon Ranch
habitat recovery.
Corporation Lands. Frazier Park. Free. Call 661.245.
False. Trees downed by forest fires provide
2741. Take Lebec off-ramp, follow signs to entrance.
habitat for wildlife and soil nutrients needed to help
Oct 19-20 (sat-sun) California Native Plant Society’s
keep forests healthy.
annual Native Plant Sale. California Living Museum,
8. Commercial logging in general is good for forest
10500 Alfred Harrel Hwy, Bksf. Saturday: 8 to 9
health.
AM, members only; general public 9 AM to 4 PM,
False. Commercial logging results in the cut-
Sunday 9 AM to Noon
ting of large trees, allowing small trees and under-
brush to grow up in their place. The latter type of Sept. 27-30 (fri-mon) Turkey Vulture Festival.
growth makes the fuel that allows the forest fires to Weldon. Field trips, Booths/Exhibits/Children’s Ac-
start and become catastrophic. In addition, roads cut tivities at the Kern River Preserve. Call 760.378.
in to allow logging are one of the greatest causes of 3044 for more information
erosion which can lead to sedimentation of waterways
and destructive disturbance of soil. The Reference Room
9. Environmentalists are responsible for large forest There are items of interest related to environmental concerns
fires. that we can’t print in the Roadrunner because they are too long or
False. Environmentalists for years have sup- they are copyrighted and we can’t pay for permission to reprint
ported thinning of forests (cutting underbrush and or—well, we will just tell you why these are topics and sources
worth looking into and where to find them! We welcome your
trees of small diameter) and prescribed burns to suggestions for future columns too!
control fires. Lack of funding for the Forest Service
is a major cause for this not happening. THE TRUTH ABOUT THE ENERGY CRISIS
10. Environmentalists have caused Forest Service to Art Unger suggests:
cut back on fuel-reduction programs. Remember when we were told the electricity crisis
False. In a report last year, the General Ac- was caused by a “perfect storm,” like it was some
counting Office found that only 20 of 1,671 fuel- kind of unpreventable natural disaster? And all those
reduction projects had been appealed by outside who blamed environmental regulations for sup-
interests. None of the projects had been litigated. In posedly strangling construction of power plants? For
short, there were no lawsuits as a result of the 20 a copy of a 6/17 LA times article telling what really
projects appealed. happened, go to LA Times on the web. Then go to
HOLIDAYS JUST AROUND THE CORNER. ARCHIVES and type in this title, “Paper Trail Points
HERE IS WHAT EVERYONE NEEDS TO KEEP To Roots of Energy Crisis” and there you will have,
UP TO DATE! Cost only $10 in great detail, the truth of what went on. If the web is
not available to you, try your library or call Art for
The new 2003 Sierra Club calendars, the Wil- further help ideas. 661.323.5569.
derness Calendar and the Engagement Calendar will PRIVATIZATION OF WATER IS NEXT.
soon be here. These calendars, well-known for
spectacular photos of the wild places we love to visit, Privatization of water—see how the word energy has
always make a perfect gift for young and older. been replaced? And if the process is allowed to go
A great new feature this year, these calendars are ahead without real understanding of what is hap-
being offered at only $10 each. Now there is a real pening and what could happen, we all will be literally
deal for you. This is less than the stores sell them for, high and dry. The Cadiz project being considered by
and the added benefit is that the profits go to the LA Metropolitan Water Dept is a primary example of
Chapter to help support the conservation efforts in some of the aspects that the future might hold in
this area. It is an opportunity for you to save dollars regard to water supply. A good starting place is
and just think, you can do your gift shopping for the citizen.org which is presenting a lot of background
coming season via the phone. What more can you information and opinions on this topic. Just so you
ask for? know, this is a Ralph Nader website.
Order your calendars early so you won’t be CALIFORNIA CONNECTED. This is a lively PBS
disappointed. There will be only a limited amount TV series that deals with California-centered topics. It
available at this price. Make your call now: has already covered water topics such as the Salton
Tehachapi: Georgette Theotig, 661.822.4371. Por- Sea/San Diego dilemma, the Owens Valley Restora-
terville: Pam Clark, 559.784.4643. tion as well as Algodones Dunes and off-roaders.
Kern-Kaweah—A Coalition Partner

5. THE ROADRUNNER 5
with Western Outdoor Clubs shadowed depression, and four pairs of eyes saw,
poised over a tight coil, a beautiful triangular head
Kern-Kaweah Chapter recently voted to become a
and a darting, black forked tongue. Then, like a pack
member of the Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs.
of green flatlanders we started to argue: “That’s not
Founded in l932, the FWOC is dedicated to the
a rattler; it doesn’t have any diamonds.” “Yes it
promotion of proper use, enjoyment and protection
is—look at that head,” until the snake got sick of us
of America’s wilderness and outdoor recreation
and put an end to the debate. ZZZIIINNNGGG!!!
resources. Many of the member clubs add a large
went his rattle, and up the side of the hollow he shot.
component of service as part of their mission: trail
Four shrieks in four registers, and four pairs of legs
building, maintenance and the like. Every summer
dancing like crazy down the trail, including mine
the FWOC gathers to discuss management issues, gain
which aren’t supposed to be able to do that any
information from a variety of speakers and to vote
more. It’s amazing how such a moment focuses the
on resolutions that will guide the work of the
mind and brings the body right into sync with it.
organization locally and nationally. The FWOC’s
Two weeks ago three of us hiked to Mosquito
current president is Mike McCloskey, former exec-
Lake out of Mineral King Valley. Half way to the
utive director of the Sierra Club. Resolutions dealt
lake the trail traverses upward through a whole
with issues such as the Sierra Nevada Framework, a
mountainside of brilliant flowers. Only two miles
new proposed ski area on Mt. Hood, and charter
from the valley floor we seemed to be in one of those
forests, to name but a few.
professional travel photos of Switzerland in early
By “Bugs”
summer. We are not stoic, so when we come to
Fontaine
something like that we are inclined to shout. Some-
MIDGEBUZZINGS one said, “That knee brace makes you thirty years
Mine was a mountain-loving family, and most of old again.” Well, not quite. We all know Jim Clark,
our vacations when I was a child were spent camping who climbed Sawtooth Peak in his late 70’s, and
in the Sierra. But it didn’t occur to me to put on a Ruby Jenkins, who celebrated her 75th birthday
backpack and hike deep into the wilderness until I backpacking out of Mineral King to Florence Lake
was nearly forty. Still, I had twenty-five years of that in a thunderstorm and climbed Florence Peak the
luxury before putting the pack down for good. next day. But I’ll settle for what I can do, and very
Now deep wilderness experiences are behind me, thankful I am, too. Stay tuned. By Ann Williams
at least as I enjoyed them all those years. Age and a New Sierra Club Campaign to
trick knee have put me out of that venue. But there
are, thank goodness, many trails in wilderness areas
encourage gas conservation
which may be walked in a single day with only a Take this with you if car-buying!
light pack containing water, first aid supplies and a The Sierra Club this summer announced the
lunch. Since last spring I have taken several such launch of a three-year campaign to urge the “Big
hikes, and I look forward to many more. I’m slow, Three” automakers to improve the fuel economy of
but I get there, and I come back with beautiful their vehicles.
images that comfort me through the awful rounds of The Sierra Club's campaign will urge consumers
daily world news and the “thousand natural shocks to ask auto dealers for a “Freedom Option Pack-
the flesh is heir to” even in the best of times. age,” a set of fuel-saving components which could
In June, six of us hiked to Hooker Meadow to be added to most standard models, and which, taken
celebrate a birthday. It was a hot pull of three and a together, could put the fleets of the Big Three on the
half miles to the meadow’s edge before we came to a road to 40 miles per gallon.
lovely stretch of trail that would take us through Three main technologies that can be requested are
stands of lupine and along a stream to a particularly as follows: continuously variable automatic transmis-
beautiful aspen grove. There we celebrated with sions that help boost fuel economy through better
brownies and one candle (not lighted, of gear ratios; variable-valve-control enhancing engine
course—who would strike a match in this performance by controlling the mix of fuel and air
unprecedented season of fire except in a campsite more precisely, and an integrated starter-generator,
designated for stoves?) Two of our party continued also called "idle off", that saves fuel because it stops
with full packs to Beck Meadow where they would engines from using up as much as 15% of their gas
spend a couple of days. The rest of us went back the while idling in traffic. These can be installed if asked
way we came, commenting about the dry condition for and will help get us on the way to freedom from
of the woods and a lack of water in the little stream foreign oil, freedom from high gas prices, and free-
bed we were following. I led the way, and when I did dom from air pollution.
see a bit of dampness in a small hollow, I called
attention to it. Four heads bent to peer into the

6. 6 THE ROADRUNNER
6
Kern Kaweah Mineral King Group
Meets in Visalia.
GROUP Call Harold Wood, Chair. 559.739.8527
harold.wood@sierraclub.org
email:
Social walks will begin the fall season for the
NEWS Mineral King group. All ages, members and non-
members are invited so it can be a family affair as
well as an opportunity to meet folks from all over the
Kern Kaweah Chapter Ex-Com usually meets area. Special feature will be lighting on the College
Saturday afternoons once a month, Beale Library, of the Sequoias track so that the walks can continue
Bakersfield, 12 noon. Call to make sure of place and all year around. No need to call. Just come to the
time. Paul Gipe, Chair. 661.324.1923. Call your College of the Sequoias.
local group to get specific information on ex-com
meeting times and places. Ex-com meetings are open
to all Sierra Club members. Owens Peak Group
Meets in Ridgecrest.
Buena Vista Group Call Dennis Burge, Chair. 760.375.7967 email:
dennis93555@yahoo.com
Meets at Bakersfield, Beale Library. Thanks to the conservation chair of this group
Call Elaine White, Chair. 661.833.3795 Kern Kaweah Chapter members were alerted to the
Picking up trash along their adopted part of the scoping meetings for Surprise Canyon, a favorite
highway has been hard work but fun. More vol- spot to visit for many. Consequently a good group
unteers will make it even more fun so come on and from Ridgecrest and Bakersfield attended and were
join us. Call Elaine for details of when where and able to make comments to encourage protection of
what to bring. the area from wheeled intrusions.
Here's a chance to help with the planning for the
next six months. Oct 2, 7 to 8:30 Call above number
for directions.
COMING UP! CEQA WORKSHOP?
Condor Group Please let us know if you are interested!
Meets at Pine Mountain Club. What is CEQA? The initials stand for California
Call Ches Arthur, Chair. 661.242.0423. email: Environmental Quality Act.. The purpose of this act
ches@frazmtn.com is to provide some protections for the lands from
Much time and effort was put in by members of unregulated development that could harm the natural
the Conservation Committee preparing comments on and human environment. This is a set of rules that
Tejon Ranch's proposal to develop another ware- people dealing with the land they own must follow in
housing/industrial development on I-5. order to develop the land.
The annual peak to peak hike attracted 16 people. This workshop is designed to acquaint its partici-
With weather delightfully cool, the group zipped pants with the ins and outs of this set of rules and
across the up and down terrain from Cerro Noroeste how they might apply to local situations of concern
to Mt. Pinos. such as air pollution and sprawl.
Possible dates? The first Saturday in December,
the 7th, or early March/April? Cost? $25 to 30 dol-
Kaweah Group lars. Scholarships may be available. Please call Mary
Meets in Porterville. Ann Lockhart, 661.242.0432, as soon as possible,
Call Theresa Stump, Chair, 559.781.0594, if inter- indicating intention to attend and dates preferred, or
ested in hikes or other activities. requesting further information.
Saturday, October 26, Pacific Crest Trail. Join us to
do maintenance work at Cameron Ridge. Meet in
Tehachapi. Rain will cancel. Call Georgette Theotig
661.822.4371 for details. Remember California Nevada Regional Conservation
Committee state-wide meeting at San Luis Obispo,
September 14th/15th. See page 2 for details.

7. THE ROADRUNNER 7
Calendar Corner Oct 2 (wed) Buena Vista Planning Meeting 7 PM to
8:30. At the home of Doug and Elaine White. Plan-
Everyone is welcome, Sierra Club members and non-
members, to join in any of the outdoor activities listed below. ning calendar for the next six months. Call for direc-
Requirements: persons participating be in condition, equipped tions or to give your input. 661.833.3795
appropriately for the activity, and prepared to sign a Sierra Club Oct 5 (sat) Meet Mt. Pinos Dist Ranger Tom
release from liability. Unprepared for the prospective hike? The Kuekes. Potluck, 6 PM. Speaker, 7 PM. Bring your
leader will have to ask the hiker not to participate.
Good hiking shoes, plenty of water, are a must; sunscreen,
own place settings, a dish to share. (Not you, Tom.
hats, sunglasses, and jackets suggested. You are our guest!) Pool Pavilion Room, PMC
The leader has full responsibility for the hike, and his/her Clubhouse. Condor Group.
directions must be followed. Oct 10 (thur) Mineral King Dinner Social 6 PM.
Please inform the leader ahead of time that you are intending Borders Books Coffee House, Visalia.
to participate. Feel free to consult with the leader as to your
fitness to go on the hike.
Oct 11-14 (Fri-Mon) Joint CNRCC Desert & Desert
Pks Sect, Angeles Chp. Help restore cabin and climb
WEEKLY two peaks. Potlucks, Saturday & Sunday. Indicate
Visalia Weekly Walks (wed) 5:30 PM. Begin carpooling information (4WD needed, extra space
September 4th. Meet at College of the Sequoias may be available). SASE, H&W phones, e-mail to
Track, Woodland Dr. entrance, Walks 30-45 min. reserve. Asst Ldr: Jim Kilberg, 310.215.0092,
COS track is lighted for darktime walks. All ages and jimboki@aol.com.
abilities welcome. More social than rigorous. For Oct. 12 (sat) Day Hike at Tehachapi Mt. Park.
further info: 559.739.8527. Meet at park at 10 AM. Bring water, snacks and
Bakersfield Conditioning Hikes: (thurs) 7 PM. comfortable hiking shoes. Call 661.833.3795 Buena
4-5 miles Corner of highways 178 & 184. Vista Group.
661.872.2432 or 861.1186. (KK Chapt.) Oct 18-20 (fri-sun) Mineral King Three Day
SPECIFICS Weekend to Mono Lake. Call Neil at 559.798.0343
for complete details.
Sept 12 (thur) - Mineral King Dinner Social, 6 PM.
Oct 19 (sat) Aspen Grove Tour 7:30 AM Ridge-
Kings Buffet, Mooney Blvd, Visalia.
crest Cinema parking lot.. Visit Kern Plateau, 8500ft,
Sept-14-15 (sat-sun) Kern River Valley Excursion
~2500 gain, ~10 mi RT. Leisurely hike to view
Hikes, vulture, other migratory birdwatching, Your
golden colored aspens. Locations will depend on
choice: camp overnite or return to PMC. 7:45 AM.
climate, seasonal variations, possible current fire
PMC tennis courts. 661.242.0423. Condor Group.
limits. Hooker, Jackass, McConnell, and Albanita
Sept 14-15 (sat-sun) CNRCC (California-Nevada
Meadows may be included. Easy/moderate due to
Regional Conservation Committee) will meet at
length. Call Dennis 760.375.7967 or Jim 760.375.
SLO for all-state, all-regional meeting. (Note date
8161 for more info.
change from Sept. 7-8.) Details: p. 2.
Oct 21 (mon) Sea Kayaking, Rain Forests, and
Sept 16 (mon) Ascent of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Dennis
Bush Country in Australia. Jean Bennet will show
Burge will show slides of his Feb. ascent of Mt.
slides touching on bush reserves, rivers, waterfalls,
Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak at 19,340’, and
ending with one-week kayaking trip around Hin-
visit to Tanzanian game parks. Maturango Museum,
chinbrook Island, a world heritage park. Maturango
100 E. Las Flores; 7:30 PM. Call Dennis for more
Museum, 100 E. Las Flores; 7:30 PM. Call Dennis
info. 760.375.7967. Owens Pk. Group.
for more info. 760.375.7967.
Sept 21 (sat) 7 AM. Glass Mtn (north side of Long
Oct 26 (sat) Windwolves Hike, Possible Excursion
Valley Caldera, 11,123 ft, 3600 ft gain, 6.8 mi RT)
combination. 8 AM. Hikers, PMC Clubhouse. Call
Features black obsidian and rare red obsidian. Mod-
661.242.1076 for complete details. Condor Group.
erate/strenuous hike due to alt. gain. Meet Ridgecrest
Oct 28 (sat) Mineral King Potluck. 6 PM. Visalia.
Cinema parking lot. More Info? 760.375.7967 or
All members welcome. For details call 739.8527 to
760.375.8161. Owens Pk. Group.
attend.
Sept. 28 (sat) 9 AM Turkey Vulture Festival at Kern
Nov 23 (sat) Pleito Canyon. Visit one of the areas
Preserve. Return by 6 PM. Watch migrating birds and
proposed for Wilderness Designation. 8 AM, PMC
hike at preserve. Lunch at restaurant in Kernville.
Clubhouse. Call 661.242.1076 for complete details.
Call 661.833.3795 for carpooling, mtg place. Buena
Condor Group.
Vista Group.
Sept 28 (sat) Piedra Blanca National Recreation
Trail. 8 AM Pine Mt. Clubhouse. Call Dale 661. It's Worth It! Changes Occur!
242.1076. Condor Group. You might be disappointed if you don’t call to make
Sept 30 (mon) Mineral King Ex Com Meeting - Call sure the activity you planned to attend is still
559.739.8527 to attend. scheduled.

8. 8 THE ROADRUNNER
http://kernkaweah.sierraclub.org WONDERFUL GIFTS ANY TIME!
Activities, alerts, plus six additional numbers of Ann William’s
Midgebuzzings. Write Ann Williams, 3112 LINDEN AVE, 2003 SIERRA CLUB CALENDARS
BAKERSFIELD, CA, 93560, if you need copy. SEE PAGE 4 FOR DETAILS.
General Publication Information
Deadline OCT 1st for next issue
2002 Basic Roster of Kern Kaweah Chapter
*Want to submit an article? and Groups, Bakersfield, CA 93385
650 words max., shorter is better.
*General questions about outings? Executive Committee 6 6 1 . 3 2 4 . 1 9 2 3
Call Theresa Stump, 559-781-0594 Paul Gipe, Chair; Vice Chair, Harry Love; Ara Marderosian,
Secretary, Larry Wailes, treasurer; Lorraine Unger, Membership
****Want to sign up to receive ALERTS?**** Regional Delegates, Sub-Committee Chairs Harry
Send to alunger@juno.com WE NEED MORE OF YOU! Love, Ara Marderosian, RCC, Lorraine Unger, SC Council;
Theresa Stump, Outings; Carla Cloer, Chair, Sequoia Task Force;
*Submission after deadline? we will try. Mary Ann Lockhart, Roadrunner.
*Web questions? harold.wood@sierraclub.org Buena Vista Group (Bakersfield) 661.833.3795
Elaine White, Chair; Glenn Shellcross, Vice Chair; Kevin Smith,
MANY THANKS To ANN WILLIAMS, MICHELLE Secretary; Karen Smith, Treasurer.
HOFFMAN, & HAROLD WOOD FOR HELP WITH Condor Group (Pine Mtn Club, Frazier Park area)
THE ROADRUNNER 661.242.0423. Ches@frazmtn.com
Ches Arthur, Chair; Dale Chitwood, Vice-Chair. Candy Posson,
Secretary, Marta Bigler,Treas.
Not a member of Sierra Club? Not a member of Kern Kaweah Group (Porterville) 559.781.0594
Kaweah Chapter? Want this newsletter? Send $5 to Theresa Stump, Chair; Dianne Jetter, Vice Chair; Boyd Leavitt,
L. Unger, 2815 La Cresta Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93305 Treasurer.
Mineral King (Visalia) 559.739.8527 Harold Wood,
Chair; Mary Moy, Vice-Chair; Cynthia Koval, Secretary; Janet
RoadrunnerAddresses: jmal@frazmtn.com o r Wood,Treasurer.
Editor, Roadrunner, P.O. Box GG, Frazier Park, Owens Peak Group (Ridgecrest) 760.375.7967
CA 93222 Dennis Burge, Chair; Steve Smith, Vice-Chair; Jean Bennett,
Secretary; Dolph Amster, Treasurer.
Take Action Numbers. Call, Write!
Federal Govt. Numbers:
White House Comment Line: 202.456.1111
Important Notice
George W. Bush’s e-mail - president@whitehouse.gov Deadline for Nov.–Dec. issue is
Address - 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC 20500 OCTOBER 1st.
US Capitol Switchboard - 202-224-3121. in order to have that edition in readers’ hands
Sen Barbara Boxer: 312 N Spring St., LA 90012-213.894.5000 before November 5th. Thanks!
Sen Diane Feinstein:11111 Sta. Monica Blvd. S.915, LA 90025
Dir. Gale Norton, c/o Tom Fulton, Department of the Interior,
1849 C Street, NW, Washington
Dir. Ann Venneman. U.S. Dept of Ag, 14th & Independence
Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 20250. phone: 202.720.2791
California numbers:
Gov. Davis: 1-916-445-2841 Calif. Legislative Switchboard
(receptionist will help you ID your Senator and Assembly
member if you are unsure): 916-322-9900.
Yes, I want to join the Sierra Club. Check enclosed.
Name.......................................................................
City.....................................State.............. Zip.........
Check one:
Introductory $25........
Regular $39....... Joint $47.........
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F94QW 0600-1 Send to Sierra Club,
P O Box 52968, Boulder, CO, 80322