Sept 1995

Greenwood/Elk columns

September 14 ~ November 30, 1995

September 14,

The 1995 Annual Great Day in Elk as seen by your Greenwood/Elk columnist from inside the dunk tank. I will explain in a moment or two, but first.

Great Day morning started off with folks saying it looked like a "pretty good day", a "fairly nice day", a "reasonably reasonable day", but quite short of our usual "Yippie! What a Great Day!". The fog was hanging low on the coast, the redwoods trees were dripping in the hills. The weather forecast wasn't encouraging.

The Adam Steinbuck wedding was happening smack dab in the middle of Great Day, up in Little River, and that drew away quite a few of the old hands who usually help put on our annual event, and to top it off, this years collection of Great Day staffers, planners, directors, and organizers were relative green-horns and untested in putting it all together.

The old war horses from previous years were either taking a break, resting on their laurels, or had been driven to distraction and finally into revolt by the harangues and early morning phone calls of Bill Edison.

So anyway.

The parade started 15 minutes late but by then the sky had brightened considerably and everything was mostly in place and ready. Highway One was lined with tourists and locals so the show hit the road.

The fire trucks, the Cal Aggie Maverick Marching Band (this year over fifty members strong), Smoky the Bear, Nog's huge whale and its attendants, Llamas, sheep, the Elk Navy, an out of town nun in a kilt doing the bagpipe (can you believe it), followed by the ladies of the Greenwood Civic Club, riding on their red, white and blue bunting covered float and presenting their enactment of suffragettes with frilly hats, button shoes, fine lace dresses and no doubt bone corsets followed by the Greenwood Pier's winged feminine wood sprites dancing and twirling in skin tight green tutu's (Oh Isabel!, my heart). Amazing. On and on, I don't remember what all, my dog and I in ROADCOW, acting as "Pilot Cow" always leading convoys of traffic the other way.

Finally on, on to the Community Center and the afternoon activities. Food, drinks, kids games, Arts and Crafts. The endless assault on the greased pole with the short people wearing off the grease early, hopefully on their way towards the first couple of bucks, the tantalizing hundred dollar bill riding high in the breeze well into the afternoon.

The cake auction. Only six cakes this time but each a beauty in its own right. Leslie Lawson of the Griffin House took over Roff Barnett's usual duty, mounted the stage, manned the microphone, and hammered the assembled throng until over eleven hundred dollars appeared for these six wonderful cakes!

Something new this year was gunny sack races, organized by Dave McCutcheon. There was one or two heats of short people and another one of adults. Lots of fun and quite amazing to watch folks figure out how to cover ground in a gunny sack.

Dinner was wonderful and the chicken was tasty but this year the Albacore, caught by Henry, and barbecued in filets with bacon wrapped around them was pure heaven. And then the dance. Solid non stop danceable music from the Mighty T-bones. Not a huge crowd, just a perfect crowd.

Lynda Aubry, Lorie Kay, Ed Hughes and staff, fools that they were, raised their hands months ago and finally, after much trial and some errors, successfully concluded another Great Day in Elk. This one did not top the all time money maker but it sure was way up there for all around grand fun.

The 1995 Great Day in Elk wants to thank;

Erna's Enchanted Cottage. The Road House. The Elk Store. The Harbor House. Dean Pederson. Bill Edison. Peg Frankel. Allen Green and the Greenwood Vineyard. Dave Gowan at AV Farm Supply. Albion Grocery. Mendocino Mineral Water. Peter Lit and the Caspar Inn. Thanksgiving Coffee. Andy Brown and Noyo Ice. Schat's Bakery. Pacific Light and Electric. Jim Sturdevant. Harvest Market. Safeway. North Coast Brewery. Mendocino Brewery. Henry Outten. Coca-Cola. And the rest. You know who you are.

And, that's about it.

Oh, you're still reading? Well okay, the dunk tank.

This year "Great Day" borrowed a dunk tank from Cloverdale for some reason and, over time, it became quite apparent that my friends and neighbors envisioned me sitting on the plank!

So, early in the afternoon, I happened to casually stick my hand into the water of the freshly filled tank. No way, Jose! but, as the afternoon passed, I noticed that Joel Waldman of the Mole Ranch was climbing the ladder to the tank and taking the dive, three throws for a buck. I noticed that his body heat, from repeated plunges, was starting to make the water temperature more tolerable. Finally, I let Leslie, the auctioneer, know that I might be willing to try the tank. Leslie gleefully announced to the crowd that "Ron Bloomquist, the infamous Greenwood/Elk columnist, was willing to do the dunk tank!" I then grabbed back the microphone and announced that "I may be a poor man but I ain't cheap! Two hundred and fifty dollars and I will take the plunge!"

Too my horror, Leslie was the first to whip out twenty bucks and the mob surged forward throwing tens, twenties! At one hundred and fifty dollars someone came forward and wrote a check but said it couldn't be counted in until two hundred and fifty dollars had been reached. At around two hundred and thirty seven dollars the flow of money started to taper off, folks were down to nickels and dimes and a few singles but finally, in just over a half an hour, two hundred and fifty dollars was collected! The money was recounted and the check added to the pile. Grand total. Three hundred and fifty one dollars! Nothing left for me to do but face the music.

Over at the tank I handed over my billfold, wrist-watch, and glasses. I climbed the ladder and scootched out onto the board over the six foot deep tank of water. I had required that whoever threw the ball had to be at least my age, 54, or older. Rusty Gates volunteered with Wayne Walker as a back up (I didn't know Wayne was that old!).

Anyway. Rusty started to wind up to throw the ball and suddenly the mechanism failed and the seat let go. I dropped into the tank. Fortunately I was able to continue my final face saving plan for I had caught a good breath full of air on the way down. I arrived at the bottom of the tank and opened my eyes and looked around. I went into a horizontal position and pressed my feet and hands against the side of the tank, wedged myself in and held on. I stayed down as long as I could hold my breath. Finally I had to let go; pressed my feet against the bottom of the tank and propelled myself to the surface to find Rusty and a bunch of other anxious folks peering over the edge, worried that I had drowned.

Hee, hee. Not yet you turkeys. Maybe next year!

September 21,

I had been collecting notes on various items I wanted to include in this weeks column during the course of the past week. Local students have returned to college and I called around and collected some facts about them and kept adding them to my shirt pocket. Sunday I washed my laundry in Fort Bragg and erased the hard drive, so to speak. My notes went round and round and away. I hate to call all those people again and ask the same old questions over again so I will now fake it.

Let's see.

Anne Gallo stopped by the Elk Garage last week driving a (surprise) large green Dodge window van. Inside I noticed boxes of clothes, books, a TV and a bicycle. Yep. Returning to Santa Cruz for some more college. Anne had borrowed the van and wanted to know how to check the oil, the water and also if the tires had enough pressure in them. The usual pre-travel jitters. Everything was okay and after a final breakfast with mom at the Roadhouse, away she went. College kids.

Ann Liljengren left some time ago after a summer of working at the Elk Store. She is now a senior at Dominican in ? San Rafael.

Tony Galletti is a junior at Saint Mary's in Moraga again after more than filling my void at the Elk Garage during this past summer. Thank you Tony.

Kristy Matson is a senior over in Chico. Heading for her teachers certificate. Becky Matson has taken a sabbatical from Chico and hit the road with three other girl friends in a Ford Bronco. They are out there searching for America. The last I heard, they had circled the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State and were currently passing through Glacier National Monument, heading for the east coast. All right ladies!! Go for it!

Ehren Keopf is at Saint Mary's and zeroing in on a communications major. He also plays Lacrosse and loves it. Ehren did a great job with the teenage program this summer at the Greenwood/Elk Community Center.

Joseph Huckaby has taken time off from Santa Cruz to finish up the computer game program he has been working on. I saw a Myst type interactive program he casually put together a while ago, one of those games where you can point and click where you want to go but the images in this game were all from Elk and you could go from the living room in his house out the back door and over to the community center and you could even play the piano in the community center by pointing and clicking on the keys. Joseph was kind of low key about it all because it was only in black and white but I thought it was great.

And then one of our senior citizens stopped by the Elk Garage and showed Bob and I the images he has been printing out with his color printer. He has traveled extensively over the years and he takes 35 mm photos of cathedrals, European landscapes, and what not and then sends the film off to Sony to have the images put onto a CD-ROM disk. Each image is 4 meg!

Then, at home with his computer, he can manipulate those images and correct the perspective, the color, crop, blow up and so on. He then prints them out on 8-1/2 by 11 inch coated paper with an Epson Color Stylus Printer at 720 dots per inch. The end results are beautiful. I didn't even know you could do that.

By the way. While doing my laundry, it felt like old home week. There was Mary Berry and Denise Pachico on one side of me and Jim Muto on the other. Mary said her washing machine at home broke and that was why she was there on the outskirts of Harvest Market. She filled me in on the new roof the Catholic Church is currently having installed.

They, the Altar Society, have saved money from rummage sales and Saint Patrick Dinners and Dances, over the years, and finally put together enough money to completely pay for the new roof. $23,000.00. Can you believe it! This time it is going to be composition shingles.

And from Jim.

Jim and Mary Muto, and our friend Joss Dorn are busy getting ready to open the Flood Gate Cafe in Philo. Should be happening in late October.

Mea Bloyd had three paintings in the Boonville Apple Fair Art Exhibit. She got a blue ribbon for one of her paintings. Congratulations Mea.

I listened to the sheep dog trials on KZYX once again this past weekend. Pretty wonderful. (Full of wonder)

This Saturday. An Amazing event. The Savoy Ballroom from New York City will transports itself to the Greenwood/Elk Community Center as world famous dancing legend Frankie Manning leads us back into the timeless Lindy Hop craze. Frankie is eighty one years young and ready to dance you into the ground. For those who want to get a leg up on the moves, Frankie will be demonstrating and teaching the Lindy Hop in Fort Bragg, Thursday the 21st, at the Senior Center. Frankie usually draws a crowd of around 700 enthusiasts when he appears so try to come early!

The Lindy Hop event in Elk is a fund-raiser for the Greenwood Community Center's Del Wilcox Stage. Judy Pritchett of the organizing committee of the event urges people to get tickets in advance - $5.00 for Seniors and $8.00 for others. Call Judy at 877-3519 for details.

Cryptic message. Welcome to America, Lady Tilly! We love you even if you do insist on continuing to say Petrol!

Letters to the Editor

Questions:

EDITOR - In Ron Bloomquist's column of 8/31, one receives the impression that he's only sorry that he was "misunderstood" in his column of 8/24, so maybe he could answer a few questions:

How many "old timers" would "embrace" a K-mart... a Home Shopping Club... a McDonald's... condos, high rises?

Were all the hippies contributors to the community? Was "Tree Frog" Johnson? How about those who torched the Crane house on Cameron Road? Is it possible the "old timers" were afraid of some of these people?

What is a "retirement fortress?" Doesn't "retirement" connote a withdrawal from stress? Could some of us be just pain tired? Is that allowed?

How many "rich folks" moved from Elk to Aspen or Telluride?

Have you read "Mein Kampf?" In it Hitler says "...people... will more easily fall victims to a big lie than to a small one."

Patricia F. Smith

September 28,

The Lindy Hop, at the Greenwood Community Center last Saturday night, was a standing room only event that wowed folks from near and far. Eighty plus year old Frankie Manning had us up on our feet and doing the moves in no time at all. Adding to the excitement, a group of Lindy Hop enthusiasts arrived from the Bay Area, mixed in, and cranked up the energy level even more. We had dance lessons, row dancing, couple dancing, dance demonstrations, dance videos , a dance contest and a costume contest, all before the night was through.

Well done to Judy Pritchitt for inviting world renown, Frankie Manning, out to our wee village and for bringing joy to so many people, not only at the Elk Community Center Saturday night, but also to the children at the Greenwood Elementary School, the Mendocino Middle School, the seniors at the Fort Bragg Senior Center and the listeners of KZYX/KZYZ Thursday morning's "Lets Dance" program, during the week before.

Kudos to the crew of ladies who put it all together, Judy Pritchitt, Kay Curtis, Beth Corwin, Prue Wilcox and daughter Juliet, Rosie Acker, Lorane Toth, Carol Raye and Laurie McGary. Matt Roland did an outstanding job of turning the Community Center into a scene out of Casablanca. Dean Pederson, put together the dance band "Swing is Here" especially for the event. Not only was a great time had by all but over $1500.00 was added to the Community Center's, "Del Wilcox Stage" Fund. Plus! Everyone wants to do it again!! Swing is back!

This turned in by Jane Corey:

At Greenwood School we have been talking about the problems with invasive plants. Here's a report by 2nd grader Holly Sinclair:

"I saw a whole bunch of pampas grass at the Middle School. The pampas grass spreads and it takes over like Scotch broom. Yesterday we went over to the headlands and we very carefully clipped the seeds that spread off the top and we put them in a paper bag. After the grass in the bag gets dried out, we'll burn it. After we clipped it, we got black plastic and put it over the plant and we nailed it down. The black plastic was a big mess because it kept sliding out when we carried it. The black plastic is going to make the plant die because the sun gets attracted to the black plastic and there's too much heat for the plant to live. (Note from Jane - We're not sure this method works, but it's worth a try.)

We have Scotch broom by our house and skunks live in it. The skunks come up to our house and try to eat our duckies and our chickens and guinea pigs."

Also by Jane Corey:

October 8th. Greenwood Community Center. Community Dance. 7 - 9 PM. Live music by Michael and Leslie Hubbert and Judy Stavely/Kelley. Contra- Greek Dancing. $5.00 adults. For more information call Jane at 877-3330 or Chris at 877-3305.

As most folks know by now, organic apple farmer, Al Weaver, is now operating the Gardens Grill at the Botanical Gardens in Fort Bragg. Al completely redid the restaurant, inside and out, and is now serving Lunch; Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays and Dinners Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Al's specialty is apple wood grilled chicken, spare ribs and seafood. They also have excellent vegetarian plates, salads and desserts. Give yoursef a treat and stop by.

Joanne Conway and her son, Jeff Johnson have started a business up Fort Bragg way called "Bargains Foods". They are located next to Coast Glass on the east side of Highway One. They specialize in case lots of damaged but still usable and good food. "People food, pet food, beer and wine". They are open 7 days a week from 9 until 7. Stop bye, say hi and check it out.

Last week some questions were addressed to me in the Letters to the Editor section by my friend Pat Smith. I will try to answer them now.

Question number one (which I will break into four parts and answer individually):

"How many old timers would embrace a K-mart?"

Home Shopping club"

McDonalds"

104

condos, high rises"

(Note: Figures based on the Greater Elk area, including the ridge, not just the village.)

Question number two:

"Were all the hippies contributors to the community?"

No.

Question number three:

"Was Tree Frog Johnson?"

He was before my time but I would think, when all was said and done. No.

Question number 4:

"How about those who torched the Crane house on Cameron Road?"

I've no idea. Were they hippies?

Question number 5:

"Is it possible the old timers were afraid of some of these people?"

Some, yes.

Question number 6:

"What is a retirement fortress?"

It's where wealthy retired people keep their stuff.

Question number 7:

"Doesn't retirement connote a withdrawal from stress?"

According to my Random House College Dictionary.

retirement n "1. The act of retiring. 2. the state of being retired. 3. removal or withdrawal from service, office or business. 4. the portion of a person's life during which he is retired 5. withdrawal into privacy or seclusion. 6. privacy or seclusion. 7 a private or secluded place. 8. military withdrawal. (Note: Stress wasn't mentioned in the definitions but did you notice the word "he" (which I underlined) in example number 4? Brings to mind that saying about a woman's work is never done, but, well anyway)

Question number 8:

"Could some of us be just plain tired?"

I suppose. It is my understanding that you have to be tired before you can become re-tired.

Question number 9:

"Is that allowed?

No. You must keep dancing. (Note. See opening article in this column.)

Question number 10: How many rich folks moved from Elk to Aspen or Telluride?"

I don't know. They never write back but I do know of someone that ended up in Santa Cruz.

Question number 11:

"Have you ever read Mein Kampf."

No, but I have recently become intrigued with Diogenes. I understand Diogenes lived a very simple life in a barrel and when the King of basically all that was came by and talked to Diogenes, the King became enamored of Diogenes lifestyle and considered Diogenes to be a wise man and then the King told Diogenes that he, as King, could grant Diogenes anything he wished. So, Diogenes thought a minute and then asked if the King would mind moving one step to the left because he was blocking the sun light.

October 5,

It was pointed out to me that I had missed some of our local college students in my last column concerning what they are currently up to.

Sabin Willingham is taking a semester off after a year at U.C. Berkeley's school of architecture to volunteer building houses locally for the poor.

Aarron Willingham graduated with honors in Molecular cell biology from U. C. Berkeley. Now in Ph.D. program at U.C San Diego studying genetics.

Jason Boone plans to attend San Francisco State. He is aiming at aeronautical engineering and wants to be a pilot.

Rio Russell will be heading back to Santa Cruz for his second year of studies and working part time at the arboretum.

A gathering of about a dozen contractors appeared in the parking lot across from the Elk Store last week and were given the tour of the proposed under grounding route through the village of Elk. Bids should soon be coming in and the lowest bidder start work on the project by October 23rd, I'm told.

Jamie Roberts and Amanda Outten were married October 1st in the Greenwood Community Church, Rabbi Margaret Holub officiating before the full church of well wishers. Following the service was a huge pot-luck and dance at the Community Center.

My friend, Mr. Huckaby, has a real sweet editorial about fire wood, weed cutters, and oatmeal in this months A&E Magazine. Check it out.

The latest National Geographic has two photos in it that local talent Andy Taylor was involved with. Andy helped "rig" the photo shoot; set it up.

The first one is the fold out page with the 500 TV sets. The photo demonstrates the 500 channels that cable TV may soon carry. The second photo is the one of Bill Gates sitting on top of 330,000 pages of paper. The idea of this one is to demonstrate that all of those 330,000 pages of single spaced, type written pages can be put on one CD-ROM disk which Bill is holding in his hand.

Andy said they were quite careful hanging Mr. Gates up in the trees, Bill is currently worth 14.8 billion dollars (yes, with a B).

Interesting photos, interesting article and interesting stories behind the making of those photos.

The latest Mendonesian newspaper has an article by Bobby Markels called "Nobody Knows the Changes I've Seen". Bobby writes very well about what I so awkwardly tried to point out in my ill fated column of August 24.

October 12,

The L.P. helicopter salvage logging, just up Greenwood Creek (from town), entertained us the 4th and 5th of October. The pilot was very adept at guiding his lifting cable around and it was quite something to watch. They sure move a lot of wood in a very short time.

The Catholic Church roof is almost done and looks very nice.

The popular Reggae Band "Maka" will play October 28th in Elk at the Greenwood Community Center. This will be a benefit dance for the Computer Club and since it is real close to Halloween, might prove to be more than just a good time. Stay tuned.

Here is a copy of an essay that was submitted to, and reproduced by, the Mendocino County Historical Society in their May 1995 newsletter.

"The History of the Elk Garage. Based on an interview with Bob Matson by Joshua Minkus", (who was in the 4th grade at Mendocino Grammar School, last spring).

"The Elk Garage was built in 1926. There was a fire in Elk and the whole center of the town burned down around 12:00 noon on a sunny day. The pumps in the mill pond which got water from Greenwood Creek failed to work. There were fire hydrants in town but no water in the lines to fight the fire. The whole center of town was gone in a short time. The burned section went from the garage down to Louisa Street on to both sides of what is now Highway One.

Where the garage is now was built across the street from the business that had started in 1901 on the west side of the road. The old business was started by John Matson and did blacksmithing and services related to shoeing of horses and oxen.

John Matson came to Elk when he was 19. He had left Sweden on a ship bound for New York. Then he some how arrived on the Mendocino Coast near Elk. His first job was shoeing oxen which were used for logging teams to move the logs out of the woods.

John Matson took over the black smith shop from Louis Petersen in 1901, only a few months after he arrived in Elk. His wife-to-be also came from Sweden in 1901.

The new garage was a partnership of Matson and Dearing. They did blacksmithing and working on tools for farmers, ranchers and loggers. They also sold automobiles, gasoline and did auto repair and road services.

They sold Maxwell cars, which was a smaller brand that came and went before Ford and General Motors became the main car company. In the 1920's they started selling both Ford and Chrysler cars.

When more people began buying cars then fewer cars were sold in Elk, so they went from selling Fords to selling Studebakers.

Just before World War II, Melvin Matson, John's son, came back from Berkeley where he had graduated from U.C. Berkeley in 1939. There was not much work in town so Mel went back to the Bay Area to work in the shipyards during the war.

No cars had been made in the three years during the war, so when cars became available again after the war there was a great demand for cars. Melvin returned after the war to Elk and worked in the garage selling Studebakers and working on cars.

The Elk Garage is one of three garages in the entire State of California that has provided road service for cars under the AAA for over 70 years.

In the beginning years, John Matson did road and tow service using a boom rig that he invented and built. It was designed so that it could be attached to the flatbed truck using the slots for the truck sides as anchors for the boom rig.

Bob Matson, Mel's son began doing road service with a tow truck in the 1970's. Mel helped people in trouble and fixed tires but did not have a boom truck or regular tow truck service. Now the garage has two tow trucks, a large one that can tow large rigs and do cliff work with its cable, and a smaller truck for towing regular cars.

In the early years, the garage sold three different brands of gasoline at the same time. They had three different gas pumps, one with Shell gas, one with Chevron, and one with Union Oil gas. The gas was sold out of the pumps that they had at the time, hand pumps which had a tank below with a clear glass container on the top. To pump gas you would hand pump the gas into the glass container at the top of the tank. The container had gallon marks on the side of the vessel. So the measure was based on pumping the gas to the right mark. Then you would put the gas nozzle into the tank opening and release a valve and the gas would flow out of the glass container into the tank. If you wanted more gas you had to repeat the hand pumping process, and again fill the glass container to the right level.

When the town got electricity the garage got brand new electric pumps in 1947. However, if there was no electricity you could open up the case and use a hand crank to turn the gears that moved the pump. It is interesting that in the "old days" people planned on how to keep things working if there was no electricity.

When Bob Matson was a teenager he would work in the garage doing repair work and oil changes. After he went to college, he would come back in the summer to do car repairs. A lot of the time the car repairs would build up, waiting for Bob to return, since in the later years Mel didn't do car repairs."

October 19,

Changes. Lots of changes lately so let's get right to them.

Last Sunday the Roadhouse Cafe served its final Brunch for this year. Yep. Sue has pulled the plug until "Maybe next May". The winter "slow season" has descended upon Greenwood/Elk, but you wouldn't know it.

A road grader could be seen punching in the road for the Barnett Project and the 10 homes that are to be build along it just east of the community center. That project, which has been moving through the paperwork for years has finally hit the ground. We had Lousia street. I wonder what the name of this street will be?

Meanwhile, out on Highway One, in the heart of town, the construction signs are up and the mini traffic jam continues as the repair of the washout, from last winters rains in Li Foo Gulch, continues in full swing. A new culvert and lots of rock and fill are reclaiming the hole on the ocean side of the highway.

Just up the road, the Elk Store is getting a new paint job. Sort of a light gray and, I'm told, the trim will be green. Mary Muto is currently working at the store and the color should go nicely with her hair.

In the other direction the Catholic Church has its new roof on and a new fence built on the property line between the Church and the Greenwood School. Looking good.

Rich Keene is putting in a road between his house and Leslie Lawson's to access the property and cabin out on the bluff behind his house.

Bill Edison was in withdrawal because of the baseball strike but suddenly he has perked back to life it seems. Here is his note:

"Hey Ron! Baseball is back and so are the fans. Have you caught my Seattle Mariners? They whomped the Yankees and are now working on the Indians. Griffy, Cora, Martinez and Randy " Big Unit" (imagine 6'10") Johnson are exciting and sexy. Isn't it funny how sports can bring us together for the moment?

So, let's have another Elk World Series and forget your fortress fantasies: Next Sunday, October 22 at 2:00 p.m. on our amber Field of Dreams. Only Elk's finest (that means anybody between the ages of 15 and 60) should play. But everyone should come out and cheer and celebrate Autumn and the return of baseball."

Already Bill's posters about the upcoming game are up around town and fading in the glare of the late afternoon sun.

And what sun we have recently had. This past week or so has been absolutely spectacular. Could it be "Indian" summer Bill?

This turned in by Jane Corey:

"Greenwood School invites you to join us for "Foccacia and Art", Friday afternoon October 27th 12:30 - 1:30. For the last few years the children have participated in a UNICEF fund-raiser at this time of year. Last year we added foccacia baked in the town oven, made by the children with adult support. This year, as last, profits will be split between the Greenwood School fund and UNICEF. Each child will have a few pieces of art for sale. Come sample the foccacia, buy a loaf to take home and perhaps become an art patron! If we get rain that day, the art will still be on, but possibly not the foccacia."

Maka will present "Halloween in a Reggae Style" in the Greenwood Community Center Saturday October 28th, starting at 8:00 p.m. The Rhythm Method and D.J. Sister Yasmin. Good food. Spirits and all ages welcome. Adults $8.00 - $7.00 if you are wearing a costume. $3.00 for kids under 12. This is a benefit for the Greenwood/Elk Computer Club.

What else? Ah. If you are interested in learning about the Internet and, or, have other questions about using a computer, demonstrations and lessons can be arranged by contacting Louis Martin at 877-3598 and he will give you a demo on the Computer Club computer.

The other day a friend of mind called and asked if I could get any information about the Unabomber from the Internet. He had read a bit about the manifesto in a friends newspaper and wanted the whole document if it was still possible. So, on a Saturday afternoon, in my dingy hovel under a redwood tree, I fired up my computer, signed on to the Internet, typed "Manifesto" into the Web Crawler search engine and in only forty five minutes arrived at my friends door with the complete 35 page document printed out and enclosed in a plastic binder.

A few days later my friend Eduardo arrived and said he was going to Europe and wanted to know if I could get him any information about Amsterdam. I typed in the key word "Amsterdam" and soon downloaded a color street map of the city and a tram schedule to various hotels, restaurants, and other places of interest.

It is unbelievable what one can do with a computer, modem and a phone line. Give Louis a call.

October 26th,

Last week the weather was so fine that I took to sleeping out on my deck under the stars. On the morning of October 20th I saw fifteen falling stars and four satellites in one hour between 5:15 am and 6:15 am. The falling stars seem to go any which way but the satellites were all polar, three going north and one headed south.

Here is another missive from Bill Edison. It seems Bill was discouraged by the losing streak suffered by "His" Mariners up Seattle way and also the lack of interest in his Elk World Series he tried to foist off on us locals last Sunday. There was a dismal turn out, and Bill had to call the game off, well anyway, fortunately, something else seems to have attracted his attention, to wit:

"Dear Ron,

Help! A tame homing pigeon, banded on both legs, has decided to adopt my retirement fortress. He eats all our bird food and defecates on my hot tub. I can get quite close to him and have tried to catch him with my bare hands, but he flies away at the last moment. I was raised on Tom Leher's song, "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park", but my wife, Lydia, is more humane. She found a net and we finally netted our nemesis. We put the pigeon in a cat carrier and drove down Cameron Road and released it near the Gates house, maybe it would fall in love with their Emu. A good deed done, we thought. No.

In the morning there he was, eating away on the bird feeder and defecating on my hot tub. What do we do now? Is there anyone out there with a suggestion? I've ordered a cross-bow as a last resort.

Bill Edison."

Well, Bill, it would seem to me you will just have to feed him this winter and then take him to Martha's Vineyard next spring or, how about Africa?

I took a drive out and around Greenwood/Elk's new cul-de-sac the other day. As I wrote in last week's column, the Barnett project has commenced out in the field behind the Community Center. The access road starts by the Sub-station just up the Greenwood/Philo road. At this point it is just freshly graded dirt. As I drove along I noticed a cluster of mole hills had popped up in the middle of the road but the moles are going to have to figure out a new location soon because the black-top machine is not far behind.

The Elk Store is now taking orders for "Willie Birds", free-range and hormone free, organic turkeys, for your Thanksgiving dinner.

To better ensure you get the size of Willie Bird you want, give the Store a call at 877-3411, or stop by and order on the sign up sheet before November 6th.

Speaking of the Elk Store. Last week I misspoke. I said the new exterior paint was gray with green trim. Wrong. It is off white with green trim. It will become gray over time, but lets not rush things.

The power and phone line under grounding project is on the verge and will probably be in full swing by next week. I understand they will start on Greenwood/Philo road around Kevin Joe's house and head toward Highway One.

The Li Foo project hit a snag, or rather, hit the "mystery pipe" that has always been alleged too but never whole heartedly looked for. Rumor had it that there was an old pipe that supposedly carried waste water from five homes on the east side of highway 1 to the west side of highway 1 and then led down into the gulch to some mysterious redwood box, basically a cesspool arrangement of the kind that was popular, and legal, in the good old days. Leave sleeping dogs lie has been the popular wisdom but no. The Li Foo Gulch road stabilization project woke up the dog and now it looks like the homeowners involved must come up to current code. There seem to be various options. The home owners may mount a possible second appeal to the water district for the formation of a mini sewer district, (which was turned down several years ago), which may give them the official standing to appeal to the State Parks for the location of a drain field on State Park property, or two, maybe something can be worked out with the Greenwood Pier for a drain field site, or three, they may just have to bite the bullet and each home owner install their own complete system. An expensive proposition no matter what. These are not good days for a spare 10,000 in the ol' checking account.

But we can still dance. This Saturday night, Maka will present "Halloween in a Reggae Style" in the Greenwood Community Center, October 28th, starting at 8:00 p.m. The Rhythm Method and D.J. Sister Yasmin. Good food. Good spirits and all ages welcome. Adults $8.00 - $7.00 if you are wearing a costume. $3.00 for kids under 12. This is a benefit for the Greenwood/Elk Computer Club.

What else?

I saw a "V" of about 30 geese heading north last week! Are they confused or is summer starting over?

This just in. A reminder from Jane Corey.

"Greenwood School still invites you to join us for "Foccacia and Art", Friday afternoon October 27th 12:30 - 1:30. and;

Contra Dance dance series continues at the Greenwood Community Center November 5th through the 9th. Live music provided this time by David and Cynthia Faulkner. No experience or partner required. Adults $5.00. Dancing kids $2.00. For more information call Kris at 877-3305 or Jane at 877-3330."

November 2, 1995

I have noticed lately that a lot of cars have gone off our local roads. I figure this might be caused by the increase in the speed of our lives, which has caused the world to rotate faster, which in turn, has causes more centrifugal force. We citizens have been slow to wake up to this increase in centrifugal force and haven't yet learned to compensate. Two weekends ago two friends, following each other in their respective cars, were coming down the Greenwood/Philo road at night. The first one missed the curve by Bill Edison's and slammed into the redwoods. The driver broke his jaw. The second driver saw it happen, stopped and realized that emergency help was needed. He hopped back into his car and raced for Elk. About a mile down the road he too missed a curve and flew out and down about 60 feet to crash land at the base of more redwoods. Somehow he survived, crawled back up the steep bank and walked on into town to get help!

Then, last weekend, Terry Smith was returning home on Cameron Road at night, in the fog, and missed a turn. Her Ford Explorer was totaled and she was flown to Ukiah in the Life-Flight helicopter. Thanks to her seatbelt she was able to return home the following morning with no broken bones but seventy stitches on her face and scalp. Very lucky lady, considering.

Let us all try to slow down a bit and get in the seat belt habit.

Foccica and Art, at the Greenwood Elementary School October 27th, was a big hit and the bread and art sold well. The students learned how to make bread dough and bake it in the Crouching Beaver behind the Greenwood Community Center earlier in the day under the guidance of Vince Carleton and Ben Woolcombe.

That same afternoon Ben and Vince helped Steve Acker and myself make and bake 60 Calzone for the upcoming evenings Maka Reggae dance at the community center. That Adobe oven really works great. Check it out. The dance was successful with folks showing up in some wonderful costumes. Even Bill Clinton was there, can you believe it.

Bill Edison's field of dreams, which actually belongs to Kendrick Petty, now looks like an industrial site, something like a scene from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. A portable contractors office and rows of pipe, vaults, elbows, fittings, rolls of wire and heavy equipment. It is the site of the power line and telephone under grounding storage yard.

Speaking of Kendrick (and Isbel). Lolli and I stopped in the Greenwood Pier Cafe last Wednesday morning and had a wonderful breakfast prepared by Chef Wayne Walker. Looking out the window beside our table we admired the gardens and statuary while Greenwood Pier guests, some newly weds, wandered amongst the beauty. Lolli and I were amazed to notice the number of local people (around fifteen) that are working at the Pier to keep it looking good.

The Barnett project now has most of the water supply pipes trenched into the ground along side the cul-de-sac road. The water supply tank for the eventual ten homes will be located up by the northwest side of the of the PG&E substation. Water from the Elk County Water District will supply the tank and from there flow back down to the new homes.

This reminder from Joel Waldman:

"Attention Elk Voters!

The candidates for Mendocino Unified School District will have their final pre-election encounter at the Greenwood/Elk Community Center on Sunday afternoon, November 5th, from 4 to 6 PM to be moderated by the League of Women Voters. Come for the Fireworks!"

Also, November 5th, at the Elk Community Center, the continuing Community Dance Series will be in full swing from 7 until 9. This is Contra Dancing at its best with live music from David Faulkner on fiddle and Cynthia Faulkner on Piano. Dances will be taught and called by Kris Curl. Come alone or bring your friends. Admission $5.00. Call Kris at 877-3305 or Jane at 877-3000 for more information.

November 11th, "Shirley Valentine" will delight Elk audiences at the Greenwood Community Center. This two act comedy will begin at 8 PM All admissions are $8.00. The proceeds to benefit the Del Wilcox Stage Fund. Ruby Bell, well-known Mendocino actress, will perform this delightful play. Come early as this production has always sold out.

Next week, information about the up coming Supervisor hearing concerning the proposed Berlincourt Project on the bluff to the south of Greenwood Beach.

Editorial Mendocino Beacon Thursday, November 9, 1995

Next week the Board of Supervisors will rule on two planning matters of local interest. On the face of it, the two cases are unrelated. One seems relatively minor, the second clearly has more impact. What they have in common is that both cases are appeals of decisions made by planning entities based here on the coast.

Here's the first situation. Last month, the Mendocino Historical Review Board turned down Fetzer Vineyard's application to enlarge the store front window at the company's new retail store on Main Street between Dick's Place and the hotel. "Leave the window the size it is," was the MHRB's decision.

The second case is rooted not in Mendocino but to the south in Elk. As described more fully in the story on page one of today's edition, the county permit administrator on the coast denied a building permit for a proposed home on the headlands south of Greenwood State Beach. The proposal was deemed too prominent a design for the scenic location. The property owners can redesign the house to better harmonize with its surroundings.

As is their right, in both cases the applicants opted to appeal these decisions in the hopes of getting reversals "over the hill" in front of the Board of Supervisors. Their appeals will be heard in Ukiah Monday.

We strongly urge the entire board to trust and uphold the decisions of the MHRB and the county permit administrator. Overturning their decisions would compromise the intent of Mendocino's historic preservation district on the one hand and of the coastal zone on the other.

While different in magnitude, when added together they are significant, along with the dozens of appeals that have been lodged from the coast in the past 20 years, and the dozens more that can be expected in the future. In that context, past and present Board of Supervisors have the power to significantly contradict the will of the people as embodied in county and state law. In our book, that's not what they were elected to do.

November 9,

Bill Reed pointed out to me, the other day as I headed into the Elk Post Office and met him on the way out, that Greenwood/Elk has a new celebrity, Elaine Beldin-Reed. I had read all about her recent appointment as the new executive director of the Mendocino Art Center on the front page of the October 26th Mendocino Beacon but I guess it has to appear in my column to make it official! Just Kidding, Bill, but you do know we all are happy for her and wish her the best.

This just in from Lee Friburg and Mary Berry;

"The Elk Annual Christmas Arts, Crafts and Product Fair will be held the weekend of December 9th and 10 in the Greenwood Community Center. Along with the vendors of ceramics, sculpture, clothing, woodwork, jewelry, grab-bag, home baked goods, enchiladas and wreath's (swags), there will be house ware items by Watkins products, Tupperware and a few other vendors. Any vendor who would like to rent space should call Sharon Mitchell at 877-3398 or Al Fisher at 882-1839. This year's sponsor is the Elk Altar Society. Hours are from 10 AM to 4 PM both Saturday and Sunday.

Concerning the Berlincourt project;

An announcement written by Mary Pjerrou and accurate on all counts as far as I can determine.

"On August 24, 1995, Mendocino County Permit Administrator Gary Berrigan denied Ted and Margorie Berlincourt's building permit for the south headland of Greenwood Beach on the grounds that the project, as presently designed, violates Local Coastal Plan provisions that designate the Greenwood/Elk coast as a 'Highly Scenic' area, requiring that development must be 'subordinate to the natural setting.' Berrigan denied the permit 'without prejudice', allowing for a re-design of the project. The Berlincourts have appealed this decision to the County Supervisors. The hearing is set for November 13, at 9:00 am, in Ukiah.

"County planning documents describe the project as follows: '...approximately 3,100 square foot single family dwelling' plus 'an approximately 1,600 square foot detached garage' and including 'guest quarters, decking, patios, driveway and parking area,' and other appurtenances such as a septic system, located at 7000 So. Highway One, on the undeveloped south headland of Greenwood Beach, on 'a point of land jutting into the ocean as viewed from public areas in Elk.'

"The County Permit Administrator states that "the proposed location of the development is in the most prominent location on the headland", and that it will be 'highly visible from public view areas in Elk.' The size and location of the structure, and its 'second story element,' are inconsistent with LCP requirements. He recommends that 'the location of any residential development on the site needs to be located south and east of the proposed location.' According to the Alternative Siting Area map, this alternative location would still afford the building a grand south view of the ocean, without dominating and obstructing the last undeveloped view of the ocean from the town of Elk."

This hearing is open to the public and will be held in the at Supervisor Chambers at 301 South State Street, Ukiah.

It is my understanding that the Berlincourts, of McLean, Virginia, have apparently consulted Pacific Legal foundation prior to their appeal to the Supervisors and have also sent an approximately ten pound package to the Supervisors containing five one inch thick, binders of information, one for each Supervisor, about the Constitution of the United States and property rights and rebuttals to the Planning Department findings.

The Berlincourts also own land in Albion and up Drifters Reef drive in Mendocino and seem bent on doing things exactly as they want and to have little desire in taking into consideration the concerns of the majority of their potential Greenwood/Elk neighbors, the concerns of the County Planning Department or the possible negative decision of the County Supervisors. They seem intent on making this a test case in Mendocino County.

Note for Kate Lee****not for publication I ran the two preceding paragraphs past Mark Goldwitz, SLAPP suit attorney, to see what he thought. He sounded me out on my sources about the Pacific Legal Foundation, the ownership of property in Albion and Drifters Reef and the package to the Supervisors. I told him I can verify those items and sources, and I can. According to him the rest of it is my opinion and since I write an opinion column for the Don Rey Media Group, my opinions should not be liable to them.

November 16,

In the following article I used the writing of Ninetta Eames, a columnist who traveled our coast via stagecoach in 1894 with a current event, written somewhat in her style, to show how some things change and others never do.

1894.... The main town of Navarro is huddled on a sand flat which is nearly on a level with the tide. After some days of country fare our accommodations at the superintendent's home seemed the acme of luxury. Indeed, it was an occasion when one is tempted to believe that soft living has its spiritual advantage, so inexpressibly restful was the Sabbath spent here.

There are from seventy to a hundred families at Navarro, including those on the "Navarro Ridge". For the most part their houses are small box-shaped buildings, with streets between scarcely wider than footpaths. In the diminutive square stand the church and a new hall. The expense of keeping up the former is defrayed in part by the company, and the remainder is subscribed by the men. The services are well attended, not a few of the congregation walking two and even four miles from the wood camps.

The pubic hall at Navarro is the latest pride of the neighborhood. It was build for the purpose of encouraging more innocent amusements among them than gambling and drinking. The drapery of the stage represents a faded view of Naples, and struck me as oddly familiar. It was in fact a portion of the drop curtain of the old California theater in San Francisco.

1995...

The main town of Elk is huddled ninety feet above the tide on a gently sloping shelf with a steep backdrop of hills. After eleven years of living in the area , it seems the acme of luxury. Indeed it is an occasion when one is tempted to believe that soft living has its spiritual advantage, so inexpressibly restful, at times, have been the years spent here.

There are 39 families in Elk. For the most part the houses are medium sized boxed shaped buildings with Elk's one street (Lousia), scarcely wider than an alley. In the diminutive town stand two churches and one community center. The expense of keeping up the former is defrayed in part by pledges and fund raisers, the remainder by work parties. The services are well attended by a small, but committed groups of citizens, keeping the faith alive.

The Community Center in Elk is another one of the prides of the neighborhood. It was built for the purpose of encouraging more community involvement than just staying home and watching videos.

After a splendid dinner of fish and chips at Bridget Dolan's Pub I arrived at the Community Center to attend the evenings "amusement". The road show "Shirley Valentine" was in town and I soon claimed a seat in the almost full house. The stage oilcloth backdrop represented the view from inside an English kitchen for the first two acts of the play and the hills of Greece in the third and final Act. Actress Ruby Bell had us laughing, weeping and laughing again throughout her performance presenting the transition of a very bored English housewife becoming a very alive woman.

At the end of "Shirley Valintine's"' monologue, Ruby was cheered with a standing ovation. Ruby Bell will now take her performance to Europe and we wish her well.

Bridget Dolan's is open for business Friday through Sunday and available for private parties on the "off" days. Call Leslie at 877-3422.

As we move into the Holiday Season and you think about roaring off to Santa Rosa to hit the shopping malls, stop and check out Erna's Enchanted Cottage, the Country Store at the Greenwood Pier, and the above mentioned Arts and Crafts Fair to see what they have to offer. You may end up saving yourself a lot of gas and time on the road and actually have a stress free experience. Shop locally and keep the smile on your face..

The under grounding of the power and phone lines up date.

The underground services to the homes along the Greenwood/Philo road are now in place along with the concrete vaults that allow for the connections. The corner has been turned onto Highway One and they are working up the east side of the highway. When all the underground wiring is hooked up and powered the overhead lines will be disconnected as each home and business service is switched over allowing for minimum "off" time. Only then will the poles and wires come down.

The Mendocino County Supervisors upheld the County Planning denial of the Berlincourt Project with a 3 - 2 vote, McMicaels and Pinches dissenting.

I wrote the following account of "my opinion" of what happened at the Supervisors meeting. My editor, Kate Lee, thought it was too long, especially since it would have to go into the Thanksgiving week paper which was already quite crowded for space. Also she and I thought other folks, who attended the meeting, would have seen it quite differently and the rift between "property rights" types and "public view" types would only widen. This article was not printed.

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November 15

I attended the Supervisor hearing, in Ukiah, November 13th, concerning the appeal by Ted and Marjorie Berlincourt who are trying to overturn two previous decisions by the Coastal Planning Department.

The CPD had denied their house plans, on their 11 acre parcel, because of its size and location and hence its prominence on the headland to the south of Greenwood Beach. Their property has been identified as a "Highly Scenic" area in the Local Coastal Plan.

Tempers have been running hot over this issue in Elk, and I was reluctant to even go. Finally, at the last minute, I decided to head on over the hill. It was a beautiful drive and the fall colors were out in full splendor.

I arrive in Ukiah early and parked several blocks away from the Supervisor Chambers, then walk on into town and took a perch on the stool by the window in the bakery, munching a sweet roll and sipping a cup of coffee. Across the street I watched folks start to gather in front of the Supervisor Chambers.

At five minutes to nine I head across the street and into the chambers. The supervisors are not in place yet and only a handful of folks are inside. I spot John Rafferty and although I know he is for the project and I have second thoughts about where to sit, he waves at me and I go over and sit beside him. We greet each other and then he invites me to get up and go forward to meet the Berlincourts. He introduces me to Ted who is a tall thin man, bald and professorial looking in his suit and tie. Ted intently looks at me and finally shakes my out-stretched hand. Then Margorie. She glared at me and very, very reluctantly touched my hand. We return to our seats and make small talk as more people arrive in the chambers. Each time a supervisor arrives in the room Ted and Margorie jump up and go up on the dais and greet him or her.

Finally all the supervisors and staff are in place and they conduct some in-house business.

At 9:15 the appeals commenced to be heard. First up, the Berlincourt Project.

Ted and Margorie are invited to present their case. Immediately they set to work. Ted tips the podium over on its side, set an overhead projector on it, aims it at a white screen on the wall surrounded with site maps and house plans and launches into their presentation. Ted does the talking as Margorie lays the appropriate view slide on the overhead projector. Ted is just warming up when one of the supervisors points out that Ted needs to use the microphone because the proceedings are being recorded. Ted is momentarily flummoxed with how to hold his paperwork, point to the screen image with with his pocket pointer and handle the microphone at the same time. He quickly solves the problem by sticking the mike in his suit coat pocket. He asks the supervisors if that is all right and they say yes, in fact it is a novel idea. "Proceed".

Ted shows a photo of their home in McClean, Virginia.

What I saw looked like a two car car-port in the woods, surrounded by trees. He then showed a profile view of his proposed house and finally the profile of a house that had recently been built "and approved" by the Coastal Planning Department, here on the coast. His argument soon settled down to the "vendetta" Gary Berrigan, the Coastal Planning Department head, had against him and his project. Why had a much larger and imposing house been approved in a highly scenic area while his much more modest home denied? Ted went into how a small faction in Elk are against him and how Mary Pjerrou, Ron Bloomquist and Ben MacMillan have used a fraudulent, erroneous, petition to gather a list of people's names against his project, some people even as far away as New York!

He showed how he had volunteeringly moved his house back from the bluff and by that conciliatory gesture had reduced his view of the surrounding ocean. He showed photos of what he could have had, what he would have in his present proposed location, and then photos of what he would end up with if the house was moved to where the Planning Department wanted it. The first photo was of Elk, Greenwood State Beach and on up the coast; picture postcard quality. The second photo was of brush in the foreground and Cuffey's Cove, off in the distance. The last photo basically showed tick brush and weeds.

Ted spent quite a bit of time on the erroneous description the planning department had stated on their public notice, the "5000 square foot house", the "maid quarters". How he had repeatedly tried to have them change it to what it really was. How even the Supervisors had sent out the wrong statistics on their public notice and why did they keep doing this? Why?

Ted had Marjorie hand out a tooth-pick to each supervisor and asked them to hold it up at arms length. He told them that the end of the tooth-pick, the last three eights of an inch or so would completely hide his house when viewed from the State Park picnic area in Elk. His house was one one hundredth thousandth of the total view from that area. He said the photo montages the planning department had made were faulty. That the planning department had used a four hundred millimeter lens. He then held up a camera that had a lens on it that looked like a cannon!

He talked about how he owned another five acre parcel just to the north of his property that is basically the north face of the bluff and part of Greenwood Beach. He owns that land, not the "State Parks, as most people assume. He said he would not develop it, in fact, he has even considered donating it to possibly the State Parks or maybe the town of Elk, the Fire Department or something, if his current project is approved.

He talked about how much they had spent fighting the planning department, around 50 thousand dollars, and the inconvenience of the whole process they had been made to go through. About the taxes they have paid since they bought the property fourteen years ago. How they just wanted to build their retirement home and live out their remaining years. How they were not represented by legal council and have presented their case on their own and how difficult and inconvenient it all has been. They just don't understand all the viciousness and personal attacks that have been launched against them.

Next the architects, Leventhal and Schlosser, righted the podium and launched into a description of the project and went over how the home had been downsized, how it was really only a one story house with a loft. They went into the building code about what a loft is, then compared their plans to "that other house" that really is a two story house "with a loft", which the Planning Department approved! How the site location the planning department is trying to force them to move to actually makes the house more visible, not less, not only to Elk, one half mile away, but also to the traffic on Highway One just several hundred feet away! The Berlincourts would be forced to have to listen to the highway noise and endure the night time traffic lights shining in their bedroom windows. They would be less safe because people driving by would see their house and be more likely to break in and steal! Is the planning department trying to make the house site so unpleasant that the Berlincourts will finally just give up and go away?

Next up, Gary Berrigan of the Costal Planning Department. He apologizes for the confusion over the building description. He said the original description was accurate as taken from the Berlincourts architect plans but after the public notice was sent out the plans were changed and the "maid quarters" title dropped and changed to "bedroom". The original 5000 square foot house was changed to 3100 square feet, with 1600 square foot attached garage, for a total of 4700 square feet. A downsizing of 300 square feet. The loft was a second story in that it had a floor, ceiling and walls above the ground floor. The site the planning department is suggesting would remove the visibility of the house from the highly scenic area in Elk and the State Park and still afford the Berlincourts a grand south and west views.

He said that the "other house" so often mentioned by the Berlincourts and their architects did go through extensive review and was mitigated and relocated as requested by the planning department. The Berlincourt project is located in a designated highly scenic public view area, not only from Elk but also from the State Park and requires being sited and sized in such a way as to lessen its visibility on one of the last unobstructed headlands in the Elk area. The Planning Department's requested house siting would meet that requirement and still afford the Beflincourts a magnificent view. He said the Berlincourts continue to refuse their request.

An architect planner from State Parks spoke of the parks concern about the visibility of the project from State parks land and that they were against the project as it was currently proposed.

Mary Pjerrou went forward and stated that she felt the planning department was being muzzled, that public input was being muzzled and then put a piece of tape over her mouth to symbolize that thought.

Barbara McKnight was next to claim that she was for the Berlincourts, that she and her husband had also had a dream of owning a house in Elk that they could retire in, that it is an American Dream, and that they had worked hard for many years to achieve that dream. She felt that the Berlincourts should not be denied their dream.

Dean Wisdon got up and read his note reinforcing the right of people to do what they want with their own property.

Lee McKnight addressed a question about water and stated that he lived beyond the Berlincourt property and had guaranteed water from the Elk County Water District and didn't see why the Berlincourts wouldn't either. There was then some discussion about the difference between guaranteed water and surplus water and it was determined that McKnights and the Berlincourts property was actually outside the water district and therefore received surplus water, not guaranteed water.

Elanore Lewellan got up and spoke to how the Berlincourts had written her a threatening letter and that they demanded that she retract her letter to the Planning Department and that they had also threatened others who had opposed the project.

Bobby Beacon stated that no matter where the Berlincourts sited the house he could still see it because his land was directly behind and above their property. It didn't bother him at all what they did with their property.

Dave Skilton rose and talked in favor of the project.

Midge, Erna's sister, said she lived in a house just above the State Park property and that the two State Park outhouses were more prominent in her view-shed than the proposed house would ever be.

Hillary Adams spoke and talked about how she had been to many presentations and noted how things can be presented in a deceiving manner. She pointed out the Berlincourt photos and how they didn't reflect the true views. That the photos were taken at eye level, standing on the ground. That the photos should actually have been taken from eye level as seen standing on the floor level of the proposed house. Dr. Berlincourt should have stood on a step ladder, at the appropriate height, when taking those photos. She also expressed her disappointment in the architect plans; that the house looked like a series of boxes and was boring; she much rather see something more in keeping with the coast and gestured to some photos on the Chamber walls which were of old coastal scenes and Victorian style houses.

An older man got up and ranted about how the government meddled in everybody's business and that he had lived here all his life and he was sick of it! He then headed out the door. The Supervisors hollered after him and asked him his name. He hollered back "Christensen" and left.

Ella Russell spoke against the project and then read two letters also against, one from Leslie Lawson and one from Ben MacMillan. Carol Raye and Ellen Saxe also didn't favor the project and spoke about the beauty of Elk; something to protect.

Raye Wisdom stood in favor and also John Rafferty. Then some folks waiting in the back for their upcoming appeal following this one got in on the action by stating their opinions. Most, it seemed, were against the project and the loss of prominent vistas, one by one.

It was 12:15 and the supes asked if there was any more input. There was none and we broke for lunch.

I staggered out the door and into the fresh air and sunshine. My body was shaking. I couldn't eat. I wasn't hungry. It is amazing how wearing and stressful just witnessing such a situation is. I went for a walk and tried to settle back down.

At 1:30 we again gathered in the Supervisor Chambers. It was time for rebuttal and questions from the Supervisors. My mind was going numb but basically, it was just a rehash of what had already been said, pro and con.

Finally, that was it. Time for the Supervisors to do something. Charles Peterson put together a motion which upheld the Planning Department decision; "Denied, without prejudice" which meant the Berlincourts could resubmit their plans with the changes the planning department requested within one year.

Liz Henry said she found it hard to believe the Berlincourts couldn't find a better location on their eleven acre parcel and seconded the motion.

Frank McMichael was against the motion.

John Pinches was against the motion.

Supervisor Seiji Sugawara was left with the deciding vote. He spoke to the Berlincourts about their presentation and how it was one of the best ever given before the board. He said he too understood the frustration Ted Berlincourt felt because he also had been trained in science and knew the objective viewpoint. How, in science, things were considered as facts, true and false, right and wrong. But in this case we had to deal with subjective issues. Perceptions of the few and many. He said as a teenager he once had a pimple on his forehead and he was embarrassed by it. But, he said, it would have been much worse on the end of his nose. He voted in favor of the motion.

That was it. Three to two, denying the Berlincourt appeal.

On my way out the door Mrs. McKnight hissed at me, "I hope you're happy now, Ron!"

I drove back over the hill thinking about what my former friend had said. It is true I am glad the appeal was overturned but I am also very sad about the division that has split my town into two warring factions; those in favor of property rights and those concerned with upholding the public views.

When I arrived home someone asked me, "Who won?"

"Nobody", I said.

November 22,

Amongst all the other projects going on around town, the Elk County Water District has now started the protection project of the town wells. Eight Semi- trucks delivered half ton and one ton rocks to the well site. In the near future, possibly as we speak, the rocks will be placed along the bank just up stream from the existing gabion wall. Last winter's rain storms seriously eroded the creek bank and the high water had started to head around the gabion wall and towards the well. Hopefully this years rain will hold off long enough to allow the job to be completed.

The Under grounding Project has now reached the middle of town, Li Foo Gulch , where the highway stabilization project has just been completed. At this point the work is mainly digging the ditch and installing the pipes for the power and phone from the highway to the individual service panel on each house or business. The main trench down the highway will come later, connecting all the services.

The Elk County Water District installed a new six inch main over the Li Foo gulch repair because the old pipe had to be dug up during the repair. Bit by bit new and larger mains are being installed in town when possible. The Barnett Project is now burying the lines for the power and phone and a clay type material is being packed on the road surface in preparation for the black-top.

November 23rd, Community Thanksgiving Dinner at the Greenwood Community Center. 3:00 PM. This is open to all community member who would rather enjoy dinner among friends than sitting in front of the tube watching football, or, who knows, maybe some one will show up with a TV and a portable RCA dish and make it a real Thanksgiving event! R.S.V.P. Kay Curtis at 877-3564 to help her plan the food.

Friday December 1st. Teen Dance at the Greenwood Community Center. The band is "The Pulsators". Pizza and soft drinks will be available. Open for pizza at 6:30. Dance starts 7:30. Rumor has it the charge is $6.00 for people 18 years old and under, $10.00 for 19 years of age and over. I.D. required.

Sunday December 3rd. Greek Bulgarian line Dances. Music by Susan Raphael and Michael Brennan. Jane Corey will introducing and teaching easy dances. For more information call Jane at 877-3330 or Kris at 877-3305. Adults $5.00. Dancing kids $2.00. From Lee Friberg and the Elk Altar Society:

"Sharon Mitchell, co-chair of the Elk Annual Christmas Arts, Crafts and Products Fair, is extremely pleased at the great response from vendors for the December 9th and 10th sale. The spaces in the Greenwood Community Center are being assigned to the many artisans of the Coast and inland. This year's event looks to be a real winner. any one who has home-made items of commercial products (Tupperware, Watkin's Products) should contact Sharon at 877-3398".

Happy Holidays from the Greenwood Community Church. "Last Light of Greenwood Cove", a print by Bruce Wolfe, will be available at the Elk Christmas Craft Fair. For your convenience we have made it available by mail. Come see the prints during the Fair.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Ron.

November 30,

I was shocked and surprised to hear that Mary Berry had undergone surgery for a quadruple bypass and a heart pacemaker! Whew! Just a few weeks ago Mary was out in the driveway beside her house helping me find the water shut off valve so I could mark it before the underground crew started digging the ditch to her electrical service. She was more spry than I! We all wish her a fast recovery and look forward to Saint Paddies day and her smiling face where she always overlooks the whole shebang.

The Annual town Christmas tree now has a new home. For several years it was located in the entrance way to the former mill office/Post office building. When the mill office became the State Park Visitor Center and the new Post Office was built across the street, a live tree was donated by Dave and Audry Skilton and planted in the front yard of the new Post Office. It didn't "take" and was finally removed. This year the Town Tree will be located beside the entrance to the Acker property just south of the Post office entrance. Lee McKnight and Steve Acker were seen digging a ditch for the electrical conduit, heading for the tree site, in order to light it during the Holiday Season.

Friday December 1st. Dance at the Greenwood Community Center. The band is "The Pulsators". Pizza and soft drinks will be available. Open for pizza at 6:30. Dance starts 7:30. The door charge is $6.00 for people 18 years old and under, $10.00 for 19 years of age and over. I.D. required.

Elk Annual Christmas Arts, Crafts and Products Fair, December 9th and 10th. Great gifts, great food and warm community spirit.

"Last Light of Greenwood Cove", a print by Bruce Wolfe, will be available at the Elk Christmas Craft Fair.

Well kids, I saved the last for last.

After eight years and eight months of writing my 'weakly' column I have decided to hang it up.

I no longer live in the "heart" of town and no longer have my finger on the pulse, so to speak. Also, over time, my "opinion" column and my "Nebraska Humor" reflected in it seems to have ceased being funny and fun. I don't know if it is because I have changed or if the times and mood of my fellow citizens has changed, but which ever, if it ain't fun, I ain't gonna do it. Life is too short.

Charlie Acker has agreed to receive the passing of the column "torch" and upon my handing it to him commented, "My, your sure burnt it down to the nub!"

Charlie is the town Fire Chief, the town water district manager, on the board of the Community Church, owns a home in town and has two young children in or entering the Greenwood School. He is much closer to the actual happenings in our wee village and more able to report on them than I with my ridge top ruminating. Charlie has written this column before and I am sure he can do it again.

For all of you who have stuck with me and read my columns all the way to the end, I thank you. Thank you Hans, Peggy, JoAnn, Doug, Diane, Baby Doc, Lolli and mom. I thank you for your consistent support, and I want to especially thank my editor, Kate Lee, who invited me to try column writing over eight years ago and who gave me the freedom to hang myself however I saw fit. You all have a wonderful holiday season. I'm gonna head out now and sit on my rock. If I get inspired I'll let you know. Stay tuned.

Ron Bloomquist was born in Webster County, Iowa, in 1941.
He was "raised up" in Eastern Nebraska until 1957.
He died in Seattle, Washington, in 1982.
He spent two years of hell in Los Angeles.
He finally repented his ways and was reborn in
Greenwood/Elk in 1984.
He has lived in Heaven ever since.

Painting by Eduardo Smissen

Ron Bloomquist's mail box

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