1. Sierra Club
December, 2005
Mineral King News
Mineral King Group – Visalia 559-739-8527 http://kernkaweah.sierraclub.org/mineralking/
The Year in Review
By Kim Loeb, Mineral King Group Chair
This has been quite a year for the However, cotton-farming giant J.G.
U.S., the San Joaquin Valley, and the local Boswell Co. has announced plans to build
Sierra Club Mineral King Group. Katrina, an unincorporated community of more than
Rita, and the record number of Atlantic 15,000 people on 36,000 acres it owns in
hurricanes may well be a harbinger of Yokohl Valley. This project would clearly
things to come due to global warming. be inconsistent with the currently
envisioned general plan update, and we
At the same time, perfect weather
understand that county planners will have a Our Vision for
conditions here in the valley gave us a
December 6 workshop with the Board of Livable
summer with much lower air quality
Supervisors to figure out how to address Communities:
problems than normal. But with the rising
large projects such as that planned by
price of natural gas, we may suffer
Boswell.
particularly poor winter air as more
residents burn wood in their fireplaces. Last May, the Group Executive ! Environmental
Wood burning is a significant source of Committee held a very successful strategic needs and the
particulate matter smog in the valley which planning retreat in Three Rivers. Two availability of
kills people every year. excellent facilitators were provided to us public services
from national Sierra Club; Ex Comm help set guidelines
Visalia and other valley towns and boundaries for
members paid their own way. In the spirit
experienced unprecedented growth this future growth;
of thinking globally and acting locally, we
year. Visalia then elected a new
came away with the goal of working to
councilman who ran on a smart-growth ! Development
limit sprawl in our part of the valley and to
platform against sprawl despite a record occurs mostly in
encourage smart growth. To this end, we
amount of money spent by developers to existing urban
have been attending county general plan
try and defeat him. areas, instead of
update planning sessions and will provide
Tulare County continues work on input as needed. on open space at
its general plan update which will be the the edge of cities;
Two of the most important aspects
blueprint for growth in the county for the
of limiting sprawl and encouraging smart ! Infill develop-
next 20 or more years. Prudently, county
growth are reduced driving time and ment helps to
planners and their technical advisory
preservation of open space and farmland. create vibrant
committee have been focusing on the
Of course, reducing driving time reduces communities,
alternative which would focus growth in
use of petroleum, which in turn reduces
the incorporated urban areas and limit affordable
exhaust emissions which can have a
sprawl. housing, and good
significant impact on valley air quality.
schools for
Continued on page two... everyone.
Highlights:
Our Outings Program – 2 Tulare County Planning – 4 National Club Priorities - 6
Book Review: Suburban Nation – 3 Successful Film Series - 5 Ballot & Upcoming Events – 7

2. Year in Review (continued from page 1)
The Group has had many increase member involvement, we are
activities this year. Getting out into now meeting at the Baker’s Square
nature is important to us all and we had restaurant in Visalia. Come have dinner,
some great outings this year. (See article meet some great people, and help steer
below.) your local Sierra Club group in the
direction you think it should go.
Our recent film series has been
so successful that we are outgrowing our Please check our group website
Visalia venue. We would like to thank at:
Tazzaria Coffee and Tea for being great http://kernkaweah.sierraclub.org/
hosts. We recently held a film screening mineralking/
in Hanford at Art Works, which is a
great venue, and we plan on having more for our current event calendar. You can
Hanford events next year. also sign up for our Mineral King
Group News email list at the website.
We are looking forward to This is a great way to stay abreast of
continuing to expand our events, Group activities and events.
activities, and activism next year, but we
need your help. The Ex Comm is a small Lastly, please send in your Ex
group of dedicated members that make Comm ballot which is in this newsletter.
things happen for the Mineral King And remember, please think
Group. We usually meet on the fourth twice before lighting up a wood fire.
Monday of each month to plan our Check to make sure there are no burn
activities and events. All members are restrictions. I hope that you and yours
welcome to attend. In an effort to have a great holiday and fabulous new
year!
Our Outings Program
this relaxing day by stopping for dinner
By Sharon Meckenstock, Outings Chair at Main Fork Bistro in Three Rivers.
Two years ago we resurrected The other outing occurred at the
the Mineral King Group outings coast at Montaña de Oro State Park near
program. The aim to date has been to Moro Bay. It was August and we hoped
launch the program by offering at least for good weather. Well, if we had
one scheduled outing every month ordered it ahead of time, the weather
beginning in April and running through could not have been better. With almost
September of each year. no wind and lots of sunshine, we walked
Recalling the first year (2004) the full length along the ocean's edge.
,two hikes stand out. The Wildflower The sounds of the birds, the soft
Hike on the Muir Grove Trail in Sequoia ocean waves, and the smell of the sea
National Park in June with Pam Coz-Hill provided a senses with plenty to
as an accompanying botanist lecturer enjoy.
(and also an accomplished photographer) In 2005 we decided to do the
is memorable. There were 7 of us on six mile hike of The Trail of the
that hike, and we truly jelled as a group. Sequoias. Funny thing about that hike.
A sunny day with abundant wildflowers, The hiking book points out there is a 500
good company, and the magnificent ft. elevation gain. But it left out that
Sequoias standing waiting for us in a anyone hiking that trail could expect to
cathedral-like grove soothed our weary make that gain at least twice if not three
Page 2 of 8 work-week minds and offered up many times during the hike. Hmmm.
moments of joy. We all decided to cap
Continued on page 8 ....

3. Book Review: Suburban Nation
By Joanne Dudley, Mineral King Group Secretary
I am delighted delegates at
the Sierra Club’s Sierra Summit
this past September in San
Francisco established “the creation
of vibrant healthy communities” as
the Club’s second highest national
priority.
If this worthy goal whets
your civic appetite as it does mine,
I recommend you read Suburban
Nation, the Rise of Sprawl and the
Decline of the American Dream
(ISBN 0-86547-606-3, North Point
Press, 2000).
As a lay person with no
training/education in urban
planning, I found that the authors,
Andres Duany, Elizabeth Plater- As the authors discuss the
Zyberk and Jeff Speck, guided me characteristics of livable cities, they
through the history of events that cite cities which exemplify those
led to the decline of our cities and features. After reading the book, I
the capricious waste of our am hungering to see my community
agricultural land and our wetlands. grow as a “traditional city” which the
While the authors point out authors explain is a community
the gross errors of America’s city where people can live, work, shop,
planning since World War II, they recreate, and participate in civic
also provide the interventions affairs...a place where the car is not
needed to re-create already “king.” Suburban Nation is a great
established cities as well as read for anyone wanting insights in
guidelines needed to promote how to influence the future growth of
healthy new cities. our communities.
Sierra Club California’s
Guide to Building More Livable Communities
Recommended Policies:
1. Adopt Urban Growth boundaries.
2. Plan for high-quality in-fill and compact development.
3. Build affordable housing.
4. Require development to pay for public services.
5. Prepare open space and conservation plans.
6. Link land use and transportation decisions.
7. Grow within our means.
8. Adopt state and regional plans.
Page 3 of 8

4. Tulare County Planning Progresses on Crucial Issues
By Brian Newton
The Tulare County General Plan So I asked, what about Yokohl
Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Ranch? When would that be discussed?
met on Tuesday, November 7, 2005 to Yokohl Ranch (also known as Boston
discuss some crucial issues for all of us. Ranch) is of course the proposed new
The purpose of this two-year old town development - to exceed 15,000
committee is to oversee the county’s people - to be built on part of J.G.
General Plan update that will determine Boswell’s 36,000 acre property in the
the shape and direction of our county for foothills near Badger Hill in Exeter. The
the next twenty years. The panel consists answer given was January because it was
of over 30 members that represent a wide presented to the Board only recently.
range of interests. Though the Sierra Club My question prompted a lively
is not represented on the panel, we want discussion about how it would fit into this
to be monitoring the General Plan update General Plan update. Some members felt
closely. that it ought to be a separate document
A planning consultant from because of its magnitude. Others said that
Berkeley was hired to create a basic it must be included because it would
outline that has been presented to the impact the big picture of the future and
advisory committee for direction and the plan would therefore have to consider
revision. A series of community forums its effect.
have also been offered to collect the Someone else asked the same
public’s input. All of that data was question of the recently announced
collated and synthesized into a Power Earlimart proposal. This huge
Point program that was presented to the development would, in short order,
Board of Supervisors and again to the possibly double the town’s population. I
TAC committee. think that will not be addressed until a
Overall, the draft plan so far formal proposal has been submitted.
appears to be rational and practical. But Follow the news and subscribe to
something was missing. our Mineral King Group News email
list to see how this all plays out.
Sierra Club hikers
brave the rain and
snow in Mineral
King, October, 2004
Page 4 of 8

5. Our Successful Film Program Draws Crowds!
By Cynthia Koval, Programs Chair
This year we are happy to have My personal favorite of the
introduced an environmental film three films so far is the unique and
series, a first of sorts for Visalia, and breathtaking film called “Being
judging from the comments of Caribou,” which was screened in
members and non-members alike, this Hanford at the Art Works coffee
type of program was long overdue in house October 21. This film,
our community. It has been such a produced by the National Film Board
success, that the two showings at the of Canada, goes beyond the great
Tazzaria coffee house in Visalia were controversy surrounding the issue of
filled to capacity. A third film offered drilling for oil in the Artic, providing
in Hanford expanded our outreach to close-up shots of the legendary
that community. migration of the Great Porcupine
The theme to date has been the Caribou herd to the herd’s calving
energy crisis. We began in June in grounds in Alaska’s Arctic National
Visalia with powerful film, “Oil on Wildlife Refuge. If every member of
Ice,” visibly showing the impact oil Congress would view this film, there
development would have on the Arctic would be no contest…the Artic coastal
National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, plains would remain in the wildlife
and how readily substitutes to our gas- refuge for all time.
guzzling ways can be found. Keep posted. Check our
Our next film was a screening calendar below for our next film,
of “The End of Suburbia”. This is a “Kilowatt Ours.” Meanwhile, if you
though-provoking film depicting how would like to borrow any of these
our society has evolved around the use films for yourself or a group showing,
of cheap oil, and how drastically and or if you would like to help in the
painfully everything will change once organizing of the film events, please
we come to the turning point in supply give Cynthia a call at (559) 303-1134.
(often referred to as “Peak Oil”).
Page 5 of 8

6. National Sierra Club Priorities Reflect Local Group Issues
By Carl Pope, National Executive Director,
and Harold Wood, Mineral King Group Vice-Chair.
In November, the Sierra Club’s All of these resolutions were
national Board of Directors approved adopted by the Board with a clear
resolutions establishing conservation, understanding that the Sierra Club's
communications and internal priorities major challenge for the next several
for the next five years. years is not to influence short-term
The three new Conservation environmental policy, but to shape
Initiatives are: long term public sentiments and to
• Smart Energy Solutions regain power for environmental
• Safe Clean Communities values. This is an agenda for
• America's Wild Legacy. rebuilding our influence; we do not
expect to see major federal policy
182 Sierra Club entities, shifts in the next few years.
including 39 Chapters and 116 The Board also said, “the
Groups, were involved the structured single most important goal of this
Direction Setting process. Thousands agenda will be to advance a smart,
of Sierra Club grass-roots leaders safe, clean energy future in the next
participated in this process, including decade.” Promoting new energy
your Mineral King Group. The two solutions received three times as many
top priorities the national BOD votes in the pre-Summit process as
identified were the same ones your any other conservation approach.
Mineral King Group Ex Comm The Board adopted seven
identified. short-term policy areas of national
An unprecedented 765 concern to which the Club will
delegates, along with 951 observers, immediately devote its attention and
met at the SIERRA SUMMIT in energy for the next year or two:
September and deliberated the pre-
Summit results and provided their own * Promote clean electricity,
recommendations and rankings. renewables and efficiency.
To our knowledge, this is the * Reduce oil demand -- promote
most extensive grass-roots efficient/clean cars and other
consultation process any environ- efficiency efforts.
mental organization has ever * Stop the coal rush and clean up
conducted. existing coal plants and air pollution.
While some language changed * Protect wildlife and habitats.
and some melding occurred, it is clear * Protect wild and special places.
that the rankings determined by * Protect water quality.
chapters, groups, national committees * Prevent energy leasing and
and particularly Summit delegates production on sensitive lands and
were not only respected but ratified as waters.
strategically wise.
Page 6 of 8

7. Sierra Club
Mineral King Group
Executive Committee Ballot – December 2005
There are five vacancies; please vote for no more than five candidates. Return ballot to:
P.O. Box 3543, Visalia, CA 93278. Each Club member has one vote, we’ve included two
ballots because of the high percentage of joint memberships. Write-ins welcome.
Please return your ballot, postmarked on or before December 31, 2005.
Voter #1 Voter #2
! Beverly Garcia ! Beverly Garcia
! Richard Garcia ! Richard Garcia
! Cynthia Koval ! Cynthia Koval
! Kim Loeb ! Kim Loeb
! Brian Newton ! Brian Newton
! ________________(write in) ! ________________(write in)
Volunteer Opportunities! The Mineral King Group is your local Sierra Club Group for Tulare County west of
Porterville, and for Kings County. It is governed by an “Executive Committee” see ballot above. But you don’t
have to be on the Ex Comm to volunteer! Please contact us if you’d like to help at any level! We are working to
make sure the Tulare County General Plan protects our environment, and to explore and enjoy our local mountains.
The Group ExComm meets the fourth Monday of the month. Any member is always welcome to attend. Ballots
will be counted and new officers elected at our next meeting, January 23, 2006.
January 30, 2006 - 5:30 p.m. - Dinner and
Upcoming Events for Members Ex Comm Meeting at Baker’s Square
Restaurant, Mooney Blvd., Visalia, all
Dinner Socials in Visalia members welcome.
To R.S.V.P., contact Bev at (559) 732-3785
or gmachine@psnw.com.
January - TBA 2006 - We will be having
First Aid and CPR training to qualify for
January 11, 2006 – 6:00 p.m.
leading outings. Contact: Joanne Dudley:
- Keo Thip Thai Restaurant, on Murray,
559-733-2078 or
in Visalia. joanne.dudley@kernkaweah.sierraclub.org
February 8, 2006 – 6:00 p.m. January 27, 2006 - 7 p.m. –Film: “Kilowatt
- Alejandra’s Mexican Restaurant on Ours.” Learn how you can save hundreds of
Main Street, downtown Visalia. dollars annually on energy bills – while
helping to combat asthma and global
March 8, 2006 – 6:00 p.m. - Joy Luck warming. Free. Tazzaria Coffee House,
Chinese, in Save Mart Shopping Center, Visalia.
Akers & Walnut, Visalia.
Please send us your e-mail address for periodic calendar and news
updates from the Mineral King Group.
E-mail your request to: harold.wood@sierraclub.org
Page 7 of 8

8. Outings (continued from page 2)
Sierra Club Mineral There were 7 of us again, and this time in the woods. One never knows what
the air was cool towards cold. And to expect, except it will always be a
King Group the fog rolled in while we were out on different experience. We had other
the hike, quite dense, I might add. But enjoyable hikes last year and this
P.O. Box 3543 this only added to the beauty of the year, but the main thing is being out in
Visalia, CA 93278 moment. The atmosphere was soft, the wilderness, enjoying those
USA
and since all one could see were the surroundings, appreciating the beauty
Phone: trees and not much beyond, the huge and being grateful for the
559-739-8527 trees became even more impressive as experience of having two National
did the three waterfalls we crossed, Parks so close by. Come join us next
Newsletter Editor: either under or over. This is what is year! We would love to have you!
harold.wood
@sierraclub.org
so wonderful about being out of doors
LeConte Memorial Lodge Volunteer Opportunities
Several of our Group if you have what it takes to volunteer at
members volunteered at LeConte LeConte Memorial Lodge for a week during
Memorial Lodge in Yosemite last the 2006 season, see this web page:
summer! They found it to be a fun http://www.sierraclub.org/education/
experience, enabling Club members to leconte/volunteering.asp
welcome visitors from all over the
world. CONTACT:
If you are interested in finding out
Dr. Bonnie J. Gisel, Curator,
209 372-4542; 209 403-6676
leconte.curator@sierraclub.org
We’re on the Web!
See us at:
http://kernkaweah.
sierraclub.org/mineralking
PRESORTED
SIERRA CLUB NONPROFIT RATE
MINERAL KING GROUP U.S. POSTAGE
P.O. Box 3543 PAID
Visalia, CA 93278 VISALIA, CA
IDEA! Printing