Rescue Andromeda?

If you're thinking about a trip to the beach next week will be a great time to combine relaxation with some great views of the Perseid meteor shower. The showers will peak on Tuesday, August 12th, 2008. Get up early for a great show of the falling stars.

Low Tides and Big Time Days

he Stinson Beach full moon this Friday, July 18, will bring early morning daylight low tides:

• Friday, July 18  6:03 am  -0.6
• Saturday, July 19  6:35 am  -0.6
• Sunday, July 20  7:04 am  -0.5
• Monday, July 21  7:37 am  -0.3

Have you seen the bright yellow disks in the lowest intertidal areas? The disks are part of a study conducted by Bodega Marine Lab and the Student Conservation Association summer program. They are measuring the erosional force of water and how it affects the native Olympia oyster population; disks are placed on the east shores and west shores of Tomales Bay for comparative measurements.

We're seeing the seasonal die off of jellyfish. Moon jellies, clear blobs with four white crescents on the top have been washing ashore along the local beaches. You may also see the ice tea colored Lions Mane jellies. The brownish Lions Mane jellies tentacles can cause an allergic reaction so best to avoid them even when washed up onshore.

The 28th annual Big Time Festival on will start on Saturday July 26 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Kule Loklo, the Coast Miwok Exhibit near Bear Valley Visitor Center. Dancers from the Intertribal Pomo and Dry Creek Pomo bands will be demonstrating along with basketmakers Julia Parker, flintknappers, and shell bead makers. Bring a picnic! No dogs or alcoholic beverages at this event.

First Annual Paddle Board Race

The First Annual Stinson Beach Paddle Board Race took place on Saturday, June 21. The event was a fundraiser for the Stinson Beach Junior Lifeguard Program (which has been in existence for 30 years) and The Surfrider Foundation.

Organized by the Live Water Surf Shop in Stinson Beach, paddlers competed in a 2.75 mile and 7 mile legs in five divisions.

The beautiful outrigger, Pilikia, which means mischievous in Hawaiian, was one of the stars of the day. Owned by Mik and Suzi Beatie of Corte Madera, a crew of locals including Darsie Evans, Elmer and Les Scanlon launched the boat into the Bolinas lagoon. On a warm, sunny day one might have thought this was taking place in Hawaii!

The organizers are looking forward to making this an annual event.

 

No Fireworks, No Tolerance

The Chief of the Stinson Beach Fire Department, Kenny Stevens has announced a restatement of the no tolerance policy for any and all fireworks and open fires due to the extreme fire danger this year.

This is unlike many years ago when Seadrift used to host wonderful professional fireworks. Bill Kent, who was the son of the original developer of the Seadrift subdivision, was a licensed pyrotechnician. It was then the custom for Seadrift to open its gates to invite the local residents of Stinson Beach to come to the end of the sand spit for a wonderful fireworks display. If the night were clear, it was possible to view not only the Seadrift fireworks, but also those in Pacifica and Half Moon Bay. It was a real shame when this wonderful tradition ended. Now, with the terrible fires raging in California, even “safe and sane” fireworks are too dangerous.

However, there is no fire danger with the wonderful “Tug of War” tradition between the residents of Stinson Beach and Bolinas. This is really one of the fun traditions of Coastal West Marin.

Tide Pools

This weekend will bring us some great early morning low tides:

• 
  Thursday, July 3rd 5:58 am -1.8 feet
• Friday, July 4th 6:45 am -1.7 feet
• Saturday, July 5th 7:30 am -1.3 feet
• Sunday, July 6th  8:13 am -0.8

If you're headed to Stinson Beach try the Duxbury Reef or Agate Beach tide pools.

The monkey flowers, Marin County's late-blooming flowers are showing on Mt. Tamalpais now. On the lower slopes you'll see the Seep-Springs Monkey Flower, higher on the rocky slopes you can spot the orange Sticky Monkey Flower.