1. The Roadrunner
Bimonthly Publication of the Kern-Kaweah Chapter of the Sierra Club — May/June 2002
Here they are! SIERRA CLUB MEMBERS OF OUR CHAPTER, VOLUNTEERS ALL,
that have taken up official responsibilities in their local Sierra Club groups, on regional committees, on state
committees and national committees. Let’s give them a big hand of appreciation—and hope that more
members can join in to help carry out the main objectives of the Sierra Club: to explore, enjoy and protect
the wild places of the earth, to practice and promote the responsible use of the earth’s ecosystems and
resources, to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environ-
ment and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives.
KERN KAWEAH CHAPTER Executive Park)) 661.242.0423. ches@frazmtn.com
Committee 661.324.1923 Chair, Ches Arthur; Vice Chair, Dale Chitwood;
Chair, Paul Gipe; Vice Chair, Harry Love; Secretary, Candy Posson; Treasurer, Marta Bigler;
Secretary, Ara Marderosian; Treasurer, Larry At large, Bernard Cordes, Katherine King, Gita
Wailes; At large, Richard Garcia, Mary Ann Nelson, Harry Nelson, Rusty Rustvold. Other
Lockhart, Gordon Nipp, Glenn Shellcross, Art positions: Programs, Dayne Yancey; Hikes, Dale
Unger. Chitwood; Excursions, Candy Posson & Katherine
Subcommittees: Chapter Outings, Theresa Stump; King; Hospitality, Erika Cordes; Membership, Fay
Roadrunner Mailing, Ann Williams & Michelle Benbrook; Condor Flyer, Mary Ann Lockhart.
Hoffman; Roadrunner, Mary Ann Lockhart. Kaweah Group (Porterville) 559.781.0594
Regional Delegates, Subcommittee Chairs and Chair, Theresa Stump;Vice Chair, Dianne Jet-
State Committees: Delegates CNRCC (California ter;Treasurer, Boyd Leavitt; Conservation, Carla
Nevada Regional Conservation Committee) Harry Cloer.
Love & Ara Marderosian; SC California Council & Mineral King (Visalia) 559.739.8527
CNRCC Yosemite Committee, Lorraine Unger; harold.wood@sierraclub.org.
CNRCC Sequoia Task Force, Carla Cloer, Joe Chair, Harold Wood; Vice Chair, Mary Moy;
Fontaine, Ara Marderosian, Mary Moy, Harold & Secretary, Cynthia Koval; Treasurer, Janet Wood;
Janet Wood. Outings, Neil Fernbaugh; Conservation Co-Chairs,
National Committees: Le Conte Lodge Com- Mary Moy & Richard Garcia; Agriculture, Neil
mittee & Environmental Education Committee, Fernbaugh; Air Quality, Kim Loeb; Contained
chair of John Muir Project, Harold Wood; CAFO Animal Feeding, Mary Moy; National Forests,
(Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations), Art Harold Wood; Parks/Refuges, Brian Newton &
Unger. Neil Fernbaugh; Sprawl, Neil Fernbaugh;Water,
Buena Vista Group (Bakersfield) 661. 833.3795 Richard Garcia & Kim Loeb; Wilderness, Cynthia
Chair, Elaine White; Vice Chair, Glenn Shellcross; Koval & Harold Wood; Wildlife, Cynthia Koval;
Secretary, Kevin Smith; Treasurer, Karen Smith; Membership & Social, Beverly Garcia.
Webmaster, Alison Sheehey; Membership, Mitch Owens Peak Group (Ridgecrest) 760. 375.7967
Bolt; At large, Shannon Kelley, Shelley Stone, Chair, Dennis Burge; Vice Chair, Steve Smith;
Karen Page, Kathleen Daw. Secretary, Jean Bennett; Treasurer, Dolph Amster;
Conservation, Jeannie Stillwell-Haye.
Condor Group (Pine Mtn. Club, Frazier
Yes, there should be more names on the list. Who are they? First and foremost, all of you who have done
such things as written letters, called our governmental representatives, attended governmental meetings to
give input, led hikes, and contributed Roadrunner articles, please know your efforts are very much
appreciated too.

2. 2 THE ROADRUNNER
Date Data Details on Delightful Days to come!
Everyone is welcome, Sierra Club members and non-members, to join in any of the outdoor activities
listed below. The only requirements are that the persons participating be in condition. equipped appro-
priately for the activity, and prepared to sign a Sierra Club release from liability.
Good hiking shoes, plenty of water, are a must, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and jackets suggested.
The safety of the individuals and the group are a chief concern of hike leaders. If a hiker appears in any
way unprepared for the prospective hike, the leader will have to ask the hiker not to participate.
The leader has full responsibility for the hike, and his/her directions must be followed.
Please inform the leader ahead of time that you are intending to participate. Feel free to consult with the
leader as to your fitness to go on the hike.
WEEKLY
Visalia: (wed) 5:30 PM. EARLY-EVENING 1076 (Condor Gp.).
WALKS thru mid-June. St. John’s Parkway parking June 1 (sat) 6PM. Sedgewick Preserve. Presenter:
lot at north end of Lover’s Lane. 559.739.8527 Rick Skillin. Slides and History. Potluck 6 PM, pro-
(Mineral King Grp.) gram, 7 PM Pine Mntn Clubhouse. (Condor Gp).
Bakersfield: (thurs) 7 PM. CONDITIONING June 7-9th (fri-sun) First BUENA VISTA GP
HIKES. 4-5 miles Corner of Highways 178 & 184. CAMPING TRIP. Tehachapi Mountain Park. Call
661.872.2432. or 861.1186. (KK Chapt.) Elaine, 661.833.3795, for details.
SPECIFICALLY June 15 (sat) 7 AM SIERRA CREST LOOP IN COT-
TONWOOD AREA (up to Poison Meadow) max.
May 4 (sat) 9AM. WINDMILL-WILDFLOWER elevation 11570 ft, 1900 ft gain, 7.8 mi. Easy/
HIKE ON PACIFIC CREST TRAIL. Meet at junction moderate loop, great views on both sides of the crest
of Cameron Road and Tehachapi-Willow Springs of Mulkey Mdws. Meet Ridgecrest Cinema parking
Road. 6 miles. Call 661.324.1923 to verify. lot. More info? Dennis 760.375.7967 or Jim
May 4 (sat) Buena Vista Gp Clean-Up on 119 (Taft 760.375.8161 (Owens Peak Gp).
Highway). Call Kevin at 661.664.5808 for details. June 17 (mon) 7:30 PM. OHV GRANT PROGRAM
Volunteers really needed. MONITORING. Presenter: Marty Dickes, a BLM
May 8 (wed) 7 PM. FRONT COUNTRY TRAILS OF Recreation Planner. Maturango Museum 100 E. Las
THE TULE. Presenter: Carla Cloer. Porterville Flores, Ridgecrest. More info? 661.375-8973.
Community Center. 466 East Putnam. (Owens Pk. Peak Gp).
May 11 (sat) 7PM. WILDFLOWERS OF MT. PINOS June 22 (sat) 8 AM. CABALLO, MARION
AREA. Display of actual specimens. Preparer: Mike CAMPGROUNDS AND ON UP. Fine views over San
Foster, Los Padres Botanist. Pool Pavilion Rm. Pine Emigdios and more. Meet at PMC tennis courts.
Mountain Clubhouse. Info? 242.0423. (Condor Gp) More info? Call Dale, 661.242.1076.
May 18 (sat) 7:30 AM. LOST VABM (on the way to
Troy Mdws.) 8483 ft, 1423 ft gain, 5 mile rt) LOOKING AHEAD
Moderate hike through beautiful meadows to little July 14 (sun) CNRCC SECTION MEETING. Los
visited area of the Kern Plateau. Meet Ridgecrest Angeles Sierra Club offices.
Cinema parking lot. Call Dennis 760.375.7967 or July 27 (sat) 8AM. ANNUAL PEAK (Mt.Pinos) TO
Jim 760-375-8161 (Owens Peak Gp). PEAK (Cerro Noroeste) HIKE. 8000 plus feet on
May 20th (mon) 7:30 PM. Supervising Ranger Mark both ends, with ups and downs in between. 4 hrs.
Faull will discuss RED ROCK CANYON AND plus. Fairly strenuous. More info? Dale, 661.
TOMO KAHNI STATE PARKS. Maturango Mu- 242.1078 ( Condor Gp).
seum, 100 E. Las Flores, Ridgecrest. More info? Aug. 6 - 13 (tue-tue), SUMMER BACKPACK. Piute
661.375.8973. (Owens Peak Gp). Pass - French Canyon Backpack. Lake-hopping in
May 21 (tue) 7 PM. LIFE OF SEA TURTLES. the high Sierra with some cross-country hiking. Not
Presenters: Mitch Bolt and Karen Smith. Tejon for beginners. Call leaders Gordon and Eva Nipp at
Room. Beale Library. Bakersfield. More info? 661.872.2432 or email at gnipp@att.net for infor-
661.833.3795 (Buena Vista Gp). mation and reservations. (KK Chapt).
May 25 (sat) 8 AM. FISHBOWLS OF PIRU CREEK, Sept. 20-23 (fri-mon). CHANNEL ISLANDS NA-
Frazier Park area. Moderately difficult trail. 1800 ft TIONAL PARK. Transportation on TRUTH, '68 twin
altitude gain. 12 mi. rt. Meet at PMC tennis cts., other diesel. $575 for bed/board. Call 626.443.0706 for
pick-ups can be arranged. Call Dale 661.242. more info. Money raiser for Sierra Club.

3. THE ROADRUNNER 3
It never ends— burning fuels on site. All standing and downed trees
SEQUOIA MONUMENT NEEDS YOUR 4” in diameter and above should be allowed to
remain on site.
HELP! LETTERS VITAL! 6. Entire watersheds containing Giant Sequoias
Public meetings on the Draft Alternatives for the are not specified for protection as part of the Giant
Giant Sequoia National Monument Management Sequoias ecosystem. The watershed is a basic
Plan were held in early March. After considering the geographical unit and watersheds are the most logical
alternatives offered by the USFS, the following points place to start when beginning to define a true,
have been communicated to the officials in charge of science-dependent definition of a Sequoia ecoystem.
preparing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Not only do watersheds (actually subwatersheds in
as there continues to be a disregard for the most cases) indicate areas that influence a grove
conditions laid out in the Presidential Proclamation hydrologically; they also generally coincide with
for management of the Sequoia Monument: firesheds or areas that most influence fire behavior in
First: There is a pressing need to have a general a specific area.
fire plan in place before setting up various means of 7. The Hazard Tree Reduction Project proposes to
dealing with fire. remove trees for public health and safety reasons by
Second: The role of fire in ecosystem function using timber sales and forest products contracts.
must be recognized, especially in cases where it could Alternatives such as simply cutting trees to ground
be damaging to habitat or long-term function of the level, leaving trees to decay, and closing the road or
riparian community. Actions should be adjusted trail until a tree falls should be considered. Treatment
accordingly. of trees designated as hazardous must be evaluated
More precise comments are as follows: for the effect on ecological restoration goals of the
1. There is no alternative presented that specif- monument as well as other possible impacts on the
ically says that there should be no more logging in ecosystem.
the National Monument or use of any other objec- 8. Recreational activities in the monument are to
tionable fire suppression techniques such as bull- be encouraged. Existing roads to trailheads, camp-
dozing fuel breaks, dropping retardant, maintaining grounds and interpretative sites should be main-
roads for firefighter access, etc. Too much logging tained. Other roads and existing trails should be
and fire suppression are the reasons given for resto- designated for specific users: bicyclers on some trails,
ration in the Presidential Proclamation declaring hikers on some trails, and OHV users on some
Sequoia National Monument. present roads only.
2. It is proposed that urban-wildland fire pro- No definite time limit is stated for input. The
tection strategies would take place around the Forest Service anticipates releasing the Draft EIS in
owner’s property line, not about the house. It is easy late May so your letter should get in the mail as soon
to see how much more land would be disturbed if a as possible. Help shape that EIS with your words.
house were to sit on 20 acre plot vs a quarter acre lot. Write right now! Address: Supt. Gaffrey, Sequoia
3. Emphasis should be placed on fire resistant Natl. Monument, 900 West Grand Ave., Porterville
construction and/or removal of flammable materials 93257. Basic information from Ara Marderosian,
in present homes. Jack Cohen, research scientist at Carla Cloer.
the Fire Sciences Laboratory in the Forest Service’s
Rocky Mountain Research Station, stated, “Home MARCH REGIONAL CONSERVATION
ignitability, rather than wildland fuels, is the principal COMMITTEE (RCC) TREATS ISSUES OF
cause of home losses during wildland/urban interface LEGISLATIVE CONCERN
fires. Key items are flammable roofing materials and Background: The conservation issues of the chapter and the
the presence of burnable vegetation immediately Club are decided by elected delegates from each chapter in
adjacent to homes. Intense flame fronts (e.g. crown California. Twice a year delegates meet to hear about state
fires) will not ignite wooden walls at distances greater conservation issues, make proposals on actions, and vote on
those proposals. The delegates representing interests of the
than 40 meters (approx. 130 feet).”
Kern-Kaweah Chapter were Mary Ann Lockhart, Harry Love,
4. The cutting of roads over mountain ridgetops Arthur Unger, and Lorraine Unger. Two non-delegate
(defensible fuel break zones) and strategically placed members from the Condor group, Ches Arthur and Dale
area treatment (splat) to be used for staging fire- Chitwood, also attended. This means two more dedicated
fighting activities could result in more fires as more volunteers!
flammable shrubs and grasses grow up in those areas. The RCC Committee backed the Parks Bond
Maintenance requirements for such constructions issues with a 56% vote. As you probably know, this
would be expensive bond issue was passed in the March election.
5. Strategies to be used for hazardous fuel re- (Interesting note: Of the Latino voters, over 70%
duction should be focused on hand piling and were for passage; Anglo voters were approximately

4. 4 THE ROADRUNNER
4
55% in favor. will soon introduce legislation to give it wilderness
Proposition 42, public transportation alternatives, protection. Club members have labeled the effort the
was supported by the RCC by an overwhelming 69%. California Wilderness Heritage Campaign.
However, this proposition was not passed in the Desert issues: The BLM desert management plan
March election. is under scrutiny and is being derided for its failure
Of the six state candidates endorsed by the Club, to limit cattle grazing in the desert. The plan to
five won. As to the governor’s race, the Club will increase Ft. Irwin near Barstow has brought concern
soon begin the process of interviewing the three over the taking of environmentally sensitive areas.
major candidates from the Democratic, Republican, In the State Legislature, legislation to control
and Green parties. growth, to decrease car emissions, and to support
Delegates voted in favor of endorsing the Heritage renewable energy sources has been introduced and is
Tree Initiative, which might qualify for the Novem- being debated.
ber ballot. It will protect commercial grade trees of After attending such a meeting, one realizes that
over 150 years of age on both state and private lands. the environmental issues we face in California are
Water Issues: A resolution to oppose the proposal diverse and complicated. Decisions with desirable
by a private company to take water from two outcomes will take persistence and lots of homework,
northern California rivers and ship it to San Diego Harry Love
was strongly supported. No action was taken on
California ’s November Water Bond Issue. Websites: Here is a list of websites to visit for
Walker Lake, a unique lake in Nevada that re- additional information on the topics above:
ceives water from the eastern Sierras drainage, is in To contact Senators Box and Feinstein:
jeopardy of losing its native trout due to decreased http://www.senate.gov
flows and increased salinity. The RCC voted to To learn more about desert issues:
support legislation that reduces the taking of water http://www.desertreport.org
from the upstream sources of the lake. To learn more about the wilderness bill and the areas
The court-ordered plan by Los Angeles DWP to included:
divert water to the Owens Lake for the control of dust http://www.californiawild.org
is being monitored by Club members to ensure that To learn more about UC Merced proposal:
dust is reduced sufficiently. http://www.vernalpools.org
The reappraisal of the National Forest Manage- To learn more about the Heritage Tree campaign:
ment Plan for the four national forests in southern http://www.ancienttrees.org
California (Los Padres, Cleveland, Angeles, and San
Bernardino) has caused concern because of efforts to The next meeting of CNRCC is divided into two sections,
increase ORV and other damaging uses. The South- with the day-long Southern Section meeting on Sunday, July
ern Forests Committee has prepared a 300-page 14th at Sierra Club Headquarters in Los Angeles. More
alternative in addition to the officially proposed details in the next Roadrunner.
alternatives.
Nevada Issues: Being reminded that the Toyiabe
Chapter includes both California and Nevada, we
became aware that California environmental issues
are also Nevada’s. The Yucca Mountain proposal by *THE PLANET*THE PLANET*THE PLANET*
the federal government for the storage of nuclear Join the Sierra Club activist network, write to the
waste was discussed along with a proposed 4 million- Office Of Volunteer And Activist Services.
acre wilderness area in Clark County, near Las Vegas. 85 2nd St.,
UC Merced Issue: The proposed campus of the San Francisco, CA 94105-3441
University of California to be sited in an environ- or email:
mentally critical area outside of Merced was ex- activist.desk@sierraclub.org.
plained, along with changes that have been made by
the university within the last year. Many issues are Members receive a free subscription to the Planet
still unresolved, but there is hope that movement of monthly newsletter and Sierra Club Currents, a twice
the campus closer to the metropolitan area of Merced weekly e-mail up-date.
will occur.
Wilderness Issues: Besides the area in Nevada, FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE
large sections of national forest land in California
with wilderness characteristics have been catalogued.
The national forest lands range from north of Lake 2002 TOP STATE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
Tahoe to the Tehachapi Mountains. Senator Boxer

5. THE ROADRUNNER 5
The following listing was issued by our California Sierra Top Priority: Ending or scaling back the practice
Club lobbyists. These issues are controlled by us in Cali- of clearcutting in order to protect water sources, hab-
fornia. and therefore have more of a chance of action that is itat, and recreational and scenic resources.
environmentally friendly than federal legislatiion. Please keep Protecting water quality from damaging logging
this list handy. We may be calling on you to call specific practices that cause excessive sedimentation.
legislators to support (or oppose) the following proposed Coastal zone:
bills:
SB 1962 (Polanco): would expand public access
Air quality/water quality: to California’s coastline by preventing pending ease-
AB 2682 (Chu)/SB 1994 (Soto): California Clean ment dedications from expiring and by requiring the
Communities & Pollution Prevention Clean-up Act State Coastal Conservancy to open more public ac-
of 2002. These bills would fund the purchase of low- cessways.
emission schoolbuses, reductions in diesel emissions, SB 1966 (Murray) would require an environ-
and water pollution cleanup. mental impact report before any governmental or
AB 1058 (Pavley): would regulate the emission of nonprofit entity can accept an offer of dedication for
carbon dioxide from passenger vehicles. This bill an easement (OPPOSE)
would make California the first state to regulate gases AB 2162 (Negrete-McLeod) allows the money
that cause global warming. Global warming threatens collected for the “Whale Tail” license plate to be
California’s public health and economy. used solely to improve and maintain coastal access.
Energy:
SB 532 (Sher): creates the Renewable Portfolio
Standard Program, which would encourage the de- DISASTROUS PRUNING
velopment of renewable and clean energy sources.
Toxics/landfills:
SB 1623 (Romero): would reverse California’s Pruning, cutting, twisting, are all part of the
deregulation of radioactive waste and ensure that gardener’s strategies to produce what the gardener
low-level radioactive waste is disposed of in desig- thinks would be a beautiful product, but the present
nated radioactive waste facilities and not recycled "gardener-in-chief" (coincidentally named Bush) of
into consumer products or dumped in public land- our environmental laws is consciously pruning, cut-
fills, schools, or farms. ting and twisting those laws with results that are and
Electronic waste: toxins from electronics products, will be directly devasting to our natural world and
especially those containing cathode ray tubes, ultimately to our human world.
threaten human health when discarded and impose Let's look at the record to see what is happening
unfair costs on local governments. and has happened!
SB 1619 (Romero): would set recycling goals for The rule is that when power plants update their
hazardous electronic scrap, require labeling of all facilities they must install equipment to reduce pollu-
hazardous electronics, and make electronics manu- tion. Proposed change? Not necessary to do that.
facturers responsible for establishing or funding re- The rule was that polluters will pay for clean-up
cycling. of the pollution they have caused. Reagan, Bush, Sr.,
SB 1523 (Sher): would require sellers of cathode and Clinton supported this. Now Bush, Jr. has specif-
ray tubes to collect advance recycling fees to pay for ically said he will not reauthorize taxes from industry
recycling. to build up clean-up trust funds. Result: WE pay
Land use: when trust-fund runs out IF any clean-up is author-
AB 2028 (Canciamilla): encourages urban growth ized at all.
within a preset area and discourages uncontrolled The rule was that rivers and streams were to be
sprawl. protected from pollution. Change already in action:
AB 2290 (Kehoe) requires an EIR pursuant to Mining companies are allowed to dump sediments
CEQA for projects that impact wetlands, including into streams after cutting off tops of mountains to get
isolated marshes, vernal pools, and terminal basins. at the coal inside. (Did you know that the last
AB 2685 (Cox) requires compensation to any sediments from hydro-mining in the late 1800’s just
landowner whose property value is diminished by cleared the American River in the last 10 years? What
any governmental action. (OPPOSE!) does that tell you?)
SB 482 (Kuehl): would make problematic chan- The rule is that the federal government is in
ges to the California Endangered Species Act and has charge of the federal lands. There is a big move to
vague mitigation for impacts to the Salton Sea caused put more control of federal lands in the hands of
by transferring water from agricultural use to urban states and local groups. Local input may be good but
areas. (POSSIBLE OPPOSE) local control? Think about what a lot of “local”
Forestry: groups would want—more ORV trails, more timber

6. 6 THE ROADRUNNER
6
cutting, more roads, and on and on. as “Grandma.” which charms me right down to my
Under the direction of the present administration, socks. Thus venerated, I am privy to some very
there are attempts to allow more decisions to be made interesting observations. A granite rock I’ve passed
without public input. The courts cut that down in many times became something else when it was noted
Montana when Chief Bosworth issued an order that the crack which runs nearly vertically through it
allowing timber companies to go into a fire area to makes it look alive. “It’s an eel, Grandma, with its
cut trees. But when will that be tried next? head up!” Well bless me now, so it is, and why
You have read more than once in the Roadrunner haven’t I noticed that before? Wonderfully it was
about the attempts first to declare the Sequoia Monu- also discovered that when you stand just so and shout
ment Proclamantion null and void, and now of the down a little canyon and up the other side, your
USFS “inclination” to stray from the Presidential voice comes right back to you, but with a lingering
Monumental Proclamation’s requirements. and haunting effect.
There is more: opening huge areas of “Algo- Best of all was the creek. You hear it before you
dones Dunes” to Off-Road Vehicles, attempting to reach it, singing down over granite rocks through
allow more snowmobiles into Yellowstone Nat. Park, stands of sycamore, buckeye and digger pine, a soft
thus polluting air and harassing wildlife. accompaniment to the songs of birds. The first
Are you convinced that the executive branch is crossing is far enough for little people to go, and
changing the rules by edict, without full public input besides, there are just too many good things to wade
or responsible consideration of the effects on the air through in a hurry. There is mottled and moving
we breath and the water we drink? light falling through sycamore spaces, sparkling the
What can you do about all this? water and enriching the colors of submerged leaves.
Congress is in session now. There is no pre- There are sandy shallows to splash in and unthreat-
dicting when bills important to the environment will ening rocks to test your balance on. (If you like
be introduced Please sign up for Unger’s hotline so testing your balance. Grandmas generally like other
you can respond to issues when needed most. things better.) In spring, if you look closely and pay
alunger@juno.com. Also check Sierra Club home- attention, you can find salamanders! They are lovely,
page for more action info. slow, four-toed creatures all in shades of red-orange
What else to do? *Write letters. *Help get envir- and brown. They have yellow eyes with dark hori-
onmentally sensitive folks elected to Congress. zontal lines through the pupils, and are so appealing
*Support environmentally oriented folks already in it’s hard to remember that they are happier if not
Congress to keep them on their positive paths. picked up.
*Encourage more in Congress to take courage to Have there ever been creatures more opposite to
OPPOSE the president’s “pruning” in the name of us than these? As far as I can tell they have no genes
the War on Terrorism. *Encourage friends and for violence, panic, rage, jealousy, or lust for ac-
neighbors to join in the battle to preserve our cumulation beyond the rituals of reproduction. They
environmental laws and to have those laws enforced are beautiful in nudity as only the youngest and most
the way they were meant to be enforced. fortunate of our species are, and they enrich their
environment rather than plunder it. My advice to
MIDGEBUZZINGS: those who are ambitious for influence in the world is
One of the blessings of living in the southern San this: consider the newts. Go to a stream like Mill
Joaquin Valley is easy access to splendid trails in the Creek in the spring and sit as long and inconspic-
foothills and on the Western slopes of the Sierra uously as you can. Observe them as they engage in
Nevada. Our rivers, and the canyons down which the beautiful intricacies of ceremony that assure their
they descend from Sierra watersheds, are beautiful continuation on earth. Then leave the way you came,
and approachable year round in their lower reaches. and on the way back, count the flowers.
Hikers have favorite trails along the Kings, Ka- We did that, more or less. None of us is partic-
weah, Tule and Kern rivers, and for people living in ularly ambitious for possession of much beyond the
Bakersfield, one of the best, especially in spring, is happiness of our days, but we are all very flawed,
the Mill Creek Trail, which starts from the old Kern from Grandma on down to Friskie the dog, and our
Canyon Road. Among its many virtues is its enjoy- adventure was not without complaint, especially to-
ability for children, even for the very young. In ward the end. Nevertheless, as days go, that one was a
March, I took the grandcreatures and their parents up keeper. Next time, you come too.
for a flower hunt. Annie is only four, but she had no By Ann Williams
trouble walking the gentle slopes as far as the first
stream crossing and back.
All the senior women in our family are addressed

7. THE CONDOR FLYER 7
Kern Kaweah GROUP NEWS
Kern Kaweah Chapter Ex-Com usually meets Saturday afternoons once a month, Beale Library,
Bakersfield, 12 noon. Call to make sure of place and time. Paul Gipe, Chair. 661.324.1923 Call your local
group for information about Ex-com meetings that are open to all Sierra Club members.
Buena Vista Group
Meets at Bakersfield, Beale Library.
Call Elaine White, Chair. 661.833.3795 Mineral King Group
Kevin Smith led a group of Buena Vista volun- Meets in Visalia.
teers on the group’s first clean-up on the assigned Call Harold Wood, Chair. 559.739.8527 email:
Taft Highway section. The group’s first banquet, fea- harold.wood@sierraclub.org
turing a “natural” program by Alison Sheehey, Our group hosted the members of the Chapter
pleased the over 35 attendees. Great programs. Ex-com for their March meeting in Visalia, at the
beautiful Friends Meeting House. This allowed sev-
eral group members to attend, some of whom have
Condor Group gotten more involved as a result.
Our newly scheduled evening walks have drawn a
Meets at Pine Mountain Club.
Call Ches Arthur, Chair. 661.242.0423. email: nice group (see calendar) and there is an open invi-
ches@frazmtn.com tation for more to come.
A Conservation Subcommittee has been formed to We are working hard on several key local and
consider and work on such issues as invasive weeds state environmental issues such as sprawl, wilderness,
and responding primarily to Los Padres and Kern Visalia waterways.
Cty proposals. In addition there is consideration of Ex-Com mtgs: 4th Thursdays of month.
evaluating abandoned telephone lines with a view to Join us May 9, 2002 - 6 pm - Borders Books Cafe,
possible removal of hanging wires and encouraging Visalia. & June 9 -TBA.
continued roosting posts.
Excursions (visiting special spots with a minimum
of hiking), such as visting Nordic Ski Patrol facilities
on top of Mt. Pinos, are drawing a nice number of
participants.
Owens Peak Group
Meets in Ridgecrest.
Kaweah Group Call Dennis Burge, Chair. 760.375.7967 email:
dennis93555@yahooo.com
Meets in Porterville.
Call Theresa Stump, Chair, 559.781.0594, if inter- Speakers at the next two meetings will provide
ested in hikes or other activities. opportunities for Sierra Club members to meet and
Kaweah Group in the Porterville-Lindsay Area talk with local governmental officials. This is a real
NEEDS YOU! Lots of jobs and offices both big and chance for general questions and answers in a
small are waiting to be filled by willing volunteers. congenial atmosphere.
No pay, but lots of fun, gratitude and satisfaction for There is no more word on action by the state re:
helping to make the world a better place. ABSO- Red Rock Canyon State Park. Time will tell all.
LUTELY NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! Contact
Theresa at 559.781.0594
INPUT INVITED
Suggestions for changing certain aspects of the Roadrunner’s arrangement and content are always welcome.
This publication is for you, members of the Kern-Kaweah Chapter, and your comments are encouraged. All
ideas cannot be honored, but they are all considered, you can be sure of that!

8. 8 THE ROADRUNNER
http://kernkaweah.sierraclub.org Want to help to protect wild places?
Activities, alerts, plus six additional numbers of Ann William’s Receive guaranteed income for life?
Midgebuzzings. Write Ann Williams, 3112 LINDEN AVE, Other benefits: tax savings and reduced capital gains.
BAKERSFIELD, CA, 93560, if you need copy. If you are interested,
General Publication Information are 70 or over,
Deadline: JUNE 5TH for have $20,000 to invest.
JULY-AUGUST EDITION contact
John Calaway, Director of Gift Planning,
*Want to submit an article?
Sierra Club,
650 words max., shorter is better.
415. 977.5639 or email:
*General questions about outings?
planned.giving@sierraclub.org
Call Theresa Stump, 559-781-0594
No obligation
****Want to sign up to receive ALERTS?****
Send to alunger@juno.com WE NEED MORE OF YOU!
RoadrunnerAddresses: jmal@frazmtn.com or
Editor, Roadrunner, Box GG, Frazier Park, 93222.
Take Action Numbers. Call, Write!
Federal Govt. Numbers:
White House Comment Line: 202.456.1111
George W. Bush’s e-mail - president@whitehouse.gov
Address - 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC 20500
US Capitol Switchboard - 202-224-3121.
Sen Barbara Boxer: 312 N Spring St., LA 90012-213.894.5000
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.
AIR HEADS TO MEET:
We need you to help the chapter address air issues.
You may choose to meet with other interested
members, follow the activities of local regulatory
agencies, and/or be on an alert list so you can write
letters and perhaps accompany us to meetings. If you
have not already done so, please contact Arthur
Unger, 661.323.5569.
Yes, I want to join the Sierra Club. Check enclosed.
Name.......................................................................
City.....................................State.............. Zip.........
Check one:
Introductory $25........
Regular $39....... Joint $47.........
Any of the following $24:
Senior..... Student....... Limited Income.........
F94QW 0600-1 Send to Sierra Club, P.O. Box
52968, Boulder, CO, 80322