A BI-MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE KERN-KAWEAH CHAPTER OF SIERRA CLUB JULY/AUGUST, 2010

The RoadrunnerHOUSING PROJECTS MUST REQUIRE EMISSION REDUCTION Activist questions city’s wi"ingness to enforce energy reduction goals in Stockdale Ranch project The Sierra Club’s ideal new housing project would include massive reductions in global warming emissions. The ideal project would achieve these goals: • reduce project greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 70 percent from “business-as-usual” and by 58 percent from the State of California’s very difficult to attain 2020 goal. • benefit greatly by a 72 percent reduction in GHG emissions from the agricultural and industrial sectors. • include energy efficiency programs to reduce project energy usage by 70 percent. • include an 800-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system at a cost of at least $4 million of the developer’s dollars. • satisfy the “Zero Net Energy” goal of the California Public Utilities Commission, resulting in no net purchases from the electricity or gas grid for residences built after 2020. What an incredible project! Could it be possible?

These are GHG emission reductions that the City of Bakersfield is assuming for Castle & Cooke’s new Stockdale Ranch project, nearly 3600 residences and 940,000 square feet of commercial building on 565 acres of farmland to the west of Bakersfield. Wow! We should be jumping for joy! This project is the most progressive one in all of California! In Bakersfield? Could this be too good to be true? But it’s a little too early for a celebration. While the consultant’s analysis includes all these reductions, not a single one of them is actually required. Such massive reductions could only result from stringent project-specific mitigation measures directed expressly at GHG reductions. The Stockdale Ranch project has not a single such requirement. Not only is it too good to be true, but these paper assumptions let the developer off the hook for any global warming mitigation

whatsoever. Instead of massive reductions, we get none. Why would we be so cynical as to think the developer would not actually achieve these goals without a requirement to do so? Maybe we should trust the developer to spend an extra $4 million for solar photovoltaics when he doesn’t have to do so. Maybe we should trust the developer to do “Zero Net Energy,” an unrequired goal that the California Building Industry Association estimates would cost at least $50,000 per house. Perhaps we’ve caught our case of cynicism from the consultant’s cynical misuse of the EIR process to let the developer off the hook. We’d love to see these massive reductions in energy usage and GHG emissions. We’ll believe it when we see the City’s enforceable requirement actually occur.

—Gordon Nipp Kern Kaweah Vice-Chair

Robert Hanna, the great-great-grandson of the naturalist and conservationist, John Muir, invites Sierra Club members to join him on Muir's March across Yosemite from August 1-7. “Muir's March to restore the Hetch Hetchy Valley is a wonderful way to experience Yosemite National Park and make a difference,” Hanna said. A professional guide will lead hikers on one of three spectacular routes. The trip is free for each person who raises at least $1913 by August

1, and all levels of backpackers are encouraged to participate. “John Muir marched many miles over many years to build support for protecting and conserving America's national parks. Please join me on Muir's March as we continue down that trail and work to restore his beloved Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park.” For more information contact: murirsmarch@hetchhetchy.org or phone 415.956.0401.

Club invited to participate in Muir’s March to restore Hetch Hetchy Va"ey

THE ROADRUNNER JULY/AUGUST, 2010

SEA TURTLES: Numbers dwindling especially in poor nations The lecture presented by Bakersfield College professor Inez Devlin-Kelly, “The Ecology of Sea Turtles: Requiem or Hope,” was, as professor Devlin-Kelly stated, intended to “reflect where we are with sea turtles.” In the end, I was left wondering even more so than at the start of the lecture whether there really is requiem or hope for our planet’s sea turtles. The statistics about the global population of sea turtles presented at the beginning of the lecture on May 1 at the El Camino restaurant were astonishing. Even more astonishing was data about the individual sea turtle species themselves, such as the fact that “for every 1000 eggs of Loggerhead species of sea turtles, only one lives to become an adult.” This was what really amplified, for me, the dire situation of the world’s sea turtles. Nonetheless, the real shocker was why all of this was happening. Many people around the world are aware of the diminishing global population of sea turtles. However, many do not know the causes. Predation of sea turtles by animals was something that I knew had always existed, but it was predation by humans that really gave me mixed emotions. According to professor Devlin-Kelly, human predation consists of stealing sea turtles eggs, which prevents the new generation of sea turtles from even getting out into the wild; killing and eating the sea turtles for their meat, whether as a delicacy or as part of culture; and killing the sea turtles for their shell as a mere decoration. This part of the lecture had me feeling

sadness for thesea turtles, anger at those who kill thesecreatures for their use as de-coration, and yes, sympathy for those who are too poor to get other food and must kill the sea turtles in order to survive. The roles that pollution, global warming, and natural predation play in the diminishing population of sea turtles are seen in other animal populations as well. For this reason, I was not too emotionally affected by the presentation. But what really did strike me was what drives humans to prey on the sea turtles. From what I gained from the presentation, the problem is poverty. The question of whether there is requiem or hope for the sea turtles really lies within the question of whether there is requiem or hope for those in poverty. And with the condition of poverty in our own country as bad as it is, I have very little hope for the condition of poverty in other parts of the world, and subsequently, for our planet’s sea turtles. —Navpreet Gill/Bakersfield College Student

I’ve never given much thought to turtles. Honestly, my knowledge consisted of a basic visual, rudimentary taxonomy (they are reptiles, right?), and a thread about them being rather clever (think the turtle who bested the hare). Beyond that, I was treading on murky—or rather, in light of current events, oil-spilled/laced—water. But with extra credit as bait, I made my way to a Sierra Club meeting one early (for a college student) Saturday morning. With any luck, I would get a grade-boosting dose of extra credit. Beyond that, I had little expectations. The lecture was pretty straight-forward: turtle diversity, the turtle life-cycle, their declining fortunes. But what struck me that morning was not the lecture or the subject so much as the audience; or rather, half the audience. They were a somewhat older bunch. They seemed serious from the beginning, and showed an intensity that increased as the lecture darkened with tales of lost breeding grounds and litter-choked waters. Across from me, several attendees winced with sympathy and frowned indignantly as the narrative of the sea turtles turned tragic. And it was tragic. Turtles had been dying off for decades as humanity expanded into their nesting grounds. They have been swept up as bycatch and have strangled on plastic, the detritus of western lifestyles. They have been hunted for food and pursued as a novelty item.

Lecture attracts people who care about environmentAt the edge of extinction, all that lies between turtles and extinguishment are a group of people who believe that animals have intrinsic worth and that wholesale destruction is a recipe for disaster. On my way home after the lecture, I was struck by the honesty and credibility of the Sierra Club members’ dismay at the fate of the sea turtles. I say honesty because they had chosen to get up early that Saturday and go to a meeting about turtles. You see, talk is cheap. Paying your yearly dues and reading the monthly Sierra Club newsletter is not as cheap as talk; but it not the same as spending a couple of hours listening and learning, as those in attendance did. They had given themselves credibility, I thought as I neared home, simply by showing up. And thus their consternation did not seem fake. I wished I had thought to ask them why they had gotten involved. What was it that had sparked their concern for the environment, all those years ago? Had they once been like me, concerned about the environment, but to be honest, not concerned enough to really do anything about it? What had changed them? You know what, I think I might just have to go back and ask. —Jonathan Nelson/Bakersfield College Student

© 2008 John White

THE ROADRUNNER JULY/AUGUST, 2010

FROM THE CHAIR

Participation in conservation activities is essential First, I want to express gratitude to all who have contributed to the Annual March Appeal. With your financial help, we have collected well over $4,000, which will make a big difference in our Chapter conservation efforts. Second, are you interested in a visit to Sacramento to lobby key lawmakers on behalf of the Sierra Club? If so, contact me, and I will give information about LOBBY DAY this August 15 -16. The Chapter will subsidize part of your travel expenses, so this is a great opportunity to help and learn about current Sacramento issues. Third, we are still looking for someone to take on part of the bookkeeping duties of the Chapter treasurer. This job requires skill with computers and finances. Contact either myself or Treasurer Lorraine Unger. Last, I want to acknowledge our Chapter activists, who deserve a heartfelt round of applause. Unlike the rest of us

who may take an extended break for carefree summer recreation, our vigilant activists are monitoring such issues as: global warming, farmland preservation, urban sprawl, Sequoia Monument and other forest issues, hounding of black bears, hydrogen energy, general plans, solar energy proposals, and feed-in tariff pricing, to name just a few. How can you help?? Read the Roadrunner, and contact an activist to ask what you can do. For example, Gordon Nipp welcomes members to give support of his comments at city and county hearings. We wish you a beautiful summer. Get out there, take someone with you, and have a wild experience in the natural world. Then give back by volunteering your time for the Chapter and the local environment!

—Georgette TheotigKern-Kaweah Chapter Chair

Club supports Kern River Parkway event The Kern River Parkway Festival in Hart Park on May 22 offered a chance to meet others who care about outdoor activities and the environment. This free event was present by the Kern River Parkway Foundation and the Kern County parks and Recreation Department. Event co-organizer Rich O’Neill said that the “number one goal of the event is to get water year round in the Kern River.” Entertainment included the Garces High School steel drum band, the

Celtic music trio Banshee in the Kitchen, the Bakersfield High School Jazz Singers, and the ever popular Mento Buru band. Food booths were also a part of the day-long festival. Chapter members supervising the Sierra Club booth included Judy Cavanaugh, Isabel Stierle, Arthur Unger and Lorraine Unger. Co-organizer Bill Cooper also expressed hope that the event would help to prevent the destruction of the WPA adobe buildings in Hart Park.

FESTIVAL FUN: Dorothy and Alan Vokolek talk about Sierra Club work with Isabel Stierle (top lefft photo). Bakerfield Mayor Harvey Ha" is greeted by Arthur Unger and Inge Kaplan (lefft). Photos/ Ann Ga"on

With years of experience in the bee industry, Joe Traynor is one of the state’s leading bee experts. At the recent Buena Vista breakfast meeting at the Camino Real Restaurant on June 5, Traynor stressed reasons for declining bee populations. The biggest cause of bee problems in the Valley is the increase in almond production. The 1970s were an ideal time for bees, said Traynor, but then cotton growers pulled out much of their crop because of decreasing profits and replaced cotton with almonds. The massive increase in almond production in the 1980s and ‘90s necessitated the importation of bees. Now there are about 1.4 million hives in California. Imported bees are more susceptible to viruses and mites partly because of stress from being trucked from other

states. “Mites are attracted to the larvae of bees. It’s hard to kill the mites without doing harm to the bees,” Traynor said. One tool for aiding the survival of honeybees for pollination is a specially designed nester that can be placed in home gardens (available at Knoxcellars.com). About the size of an oatmeal container, the nester is a series of tubes with replaceable lines for gentle bee pollination. Traynor’s book, Honey: The Gourmet Medicine (2002), includes information on the medicinal uses of honey. It is available at Atlasbooks.com (or at 800.247.6553).

—Marjorie BellRoadrunner Editor

BEE BUSINESS: Traynor shares knowledge of bee industry

THE ROADRUNNER JULY/AUGUST, 2010

KERN KAWEAH ROUNDUPPLEASE READ CAREFULLY IF YOU PLAN TO PARTICIPATE IN SIERRA CLUB HIKES:Everyone is welcome, Sierra Club members and non-members, to join in any of the outdoor activities. Requirements: You must be in condition for the type of hike, equipped appropriately for the activity and prepared to sign a Sierra Club release for liability. You must be willing to follow the leader’s directions. Be sure to bring any personal medicines you might need. Customary appropriate equipment includes good hiking shoes, plenty of water, snack, sunglasses, suntan lotion, and layered clothing. The following might be helpful but definitely is not required: compass, whistle, matches or lighter, and a good first aid kit. Long paints are recommended. Unprepared for the prospective hike? It will be a no-go for you. Participation must be leader approved. Please let the leader know ahead of time that you are intending to participate. Check individual group listings for the desired means of communication.

Since unexpected change of plans may be necessary, it is recommended that YOU contact the hike leader the night before to be assured that the hike is still going to happen.

New California legislation designed to protect the consumer requires us to publish this notice: CST 2087755-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. This legislation is designed to protect the user of outdoor activities that require cash payments of more than $50 for participation.

BUENA VISTA GROUPMore info? Call Donnel Lester at 661.831.6784 or e-mail donnelc3bvg@earthlink.net or Isabel at 661.246.6195. Tuesday conditioning hikes of 4 or 5 miles are at 7 p.m. at the corner of Highways 178 and 184. Contact Gordon (gnipp@bak.rr.com) or Larry (661.873.8107) for more information.

Saturday, June 19—Highway Clean up. Adopt-A-Highway cleanup at 9 a.m. Meet at Old River Road and Hwy 119 (Taft Hwy). Park at the Monte Carlo lot. We will bring equipment. Bring a hat, good hiking shoe/boots, and water to drink. Inclement weather cancels this event. Call to confirm your attendance: 661.246.6195. (Adopt-A-Highway cleanup on hiatus starting in July. We will start up the program again in September when the weather is less extreme.)

To honor the 4th of July weekend, we will not have a brunch and speaker scheduled for the first Saturday of July.

Tuesday, July 13—Picnic in Hart Memorial Park. Bring a salad or dessert to share with six people. Also bring along your used batteries to be recycled. Hamburgers/hot dogs supplied for grilling with condi-ments. Directions: enter Hart Park on the west on Alfred Harrell Hwy, turn left at Mirror Drive, right onto River Drive, continue east until Section 8/Trash barrel 2 on the right. From the east enter the Park on River Drive. Continue past the maintenance building and peacocks toSection 8/Trash barrel 2 on your left. Call leader Lorraine Unger for details 661.323.5569.

Saturday, August 7—Brunch with Debbie Kroeger. Kroeger will discuss California native plants with a focus on chapparal. Camino Real Restaurant, 3500 Truxtun Avenue at the corner of Truxtun and Westwind, just west of Oak St. Optional brunch is served for $7.60/person + tip. Info: 661.246.6195.

BVG Recycles—Bring your household batteries to our meetings, and we’ll recycle them for you.Also, visit our Facebook page at:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sierra-Club-Buena-Vista-Group/359839178824?v=wall&ref=mf

CLEANING UP: Volunteers for a recent clean-up for the Adopt-a-Highway program are Jeff Hathorn, Judy Cavanaugh, Donnel Lester, Adeline Ramirez and Tony Parson. Photo/Isabel Stierle

THE ROADRUNNER JULY/AUGUST, 2010

CONDOR GROUPMore info? Mary Ann Lockhart (661.242.0432). Hikes? Dale Chitwood (661.242.1076)

Saturday, June 26— Wildflower Hike. Destinations to be determined by blooming site. Call for information as the day approaches. Prepare to meet at 8 a.m. at the Pine Mountain Clubhouse parking lot. Call 661.242.0432 for more information.

Saturday, July 24—Traditional Peak-to-Peak Hike. This hike attracts old friends and new eager beavers to take to the mountains to walk the approximately six to seven miles from Mt. Pinos to Cerro Noroeste. The trail between the two almost 9000-foot peaks has its ups and downs, which guarantee grand views to all points of the compass as well as a wide variety of flowring wonders. Meet at 8 a.m. at the Pine Mountain Clubhouse parking lot. This hike is strenuous. Reservations are a must. To make a reservation, call 661.242.0432.

Saturday, August 7—Evening Picnic. There will be a evening picnic on the top of Cerro Noroeste. Aside from the usual exceptional potluck feast, there will be stories of all kinds: true adventures on the mountains to tall tales. The climax will be viewing the sunset from the mountain's peak. 5 p.m. is supper time. Call 661.242.0432 for more directions, etc. Sunday Strolls. These will continue through August...We leave the Pine Mountain Clubhouse at 8 a.m. each Sunday morning to visit interesting spots close to the community, all within a five minute drive at the longest. You do NOT need to make a reservation for these walks...just show up on time to stretch your legs, breathe the fresh air and be ready for surprises that we can't anticipate. Birds, flowers, geology...even ants plus ... can be topics of chit chat along the way. Children are welcome as long as they are accompanied by an adult. Call 661.242.0432 for more information.

KAWEAH GROUPMore info? Call Pam Clark (559.784.4643) or Diane Jetter (559.781.8897).

OWENS PEAK GROUPMore info? Chair Dennis Burge (760.375.7967) or e-mail dennis93555@yahoo.com. Jim Nichols, hikes (760.375.8161) or e-mail jnichols@ridgecrest.ca.us.

Saturday, July 10—Sardine Canyon and Rex Montis Mine. This is just north of Kearsarge Peak, 10,700 ft, 3600 ft gain, 13.2 mi RT). Sardine Canyon is the historically interesting route to the location of the Rex Montis mining area, on the N flanks of Kearsarge Peak. We will learn the history of mining in this area and see first hand what the winters and the snow avalanches can do to man's efforts to strike it rich. This area was burnt over in July, two years ago. We'll check out the recovery. Strenuous hike due to hiking distance and elevation gain. Meet on Saturday at 7 a.m at the Ridgecrest Cinema parking lot. Call Dennis Burge at 760.375.7967 or Jim Nichols at 760.375.8161 for more info.

Saturday, August 14—The Hunchback. This is the high point of the Coyote Flat plateau, SW of Bishop, 12188 ft elev, 1500 ft gain, 5.5 mi RT) The wildflowers will be flourishing on the way up Coyote Ridge to the highpoint of the Coyote Flat complex. The route in will require some high clearance, easy, 4WD touring. This accessible, amazingly spectacular highland overlooks Bishop Creek from the east, and Owens Valley from the west, with the Palisades rising to the south. This will be a moderate hike due to distance, elevation gained, and high altitude. Meet on Saturday at 7 a.m. at the Ridgecrest Cinema parking lot. Call Dennis Burge at 760.375.7967 or Jim Nichols at 760.375.8161 for more info.

Photo/Isabel Stierle

FOR PDF VERSION OF NEWSLETTERE-mail Lorraine Unger at lorraineunger@att.net and ask to be taken off the hard copy list. Log on to http://kernkaweah.sierraclub.org/email.html and join the KERN-NEWS email list.

THE ROADRUNNER JULY/AUGUST, 2010

MINERAL KINGPlease visit mineralking.sierraclub.org for more info. Also find Mineral King Group on Facebook!Tuesday Evening Conditioning Walks. During April, May and June we will be doing conditioning walks in Visalia at 6:30 p.m. Call Joanne or David at 733.2078 for details.

Saturday, July 17—Weaver Lake Hike. We will hike seven miles round trip to Weaver Lake. This is a moderate hike on a rocky trail and good hiking boots are a must. For more information, call Joanne or David at 733.2078.

Saturday, July 24 —Mosquito Lakes-Mineral King Hike. This strenuous, eight-mile round trip hike leads to the five Mosquito Lakes, located between the 9000-10,000 ft. elevation level. There will be roughly 2000 feet of elevation gain, and there will be some cross-country hiking after we pass the first lake. For more information contact Dave Keller at 559.688.4813 or coachk24@aol.com.

Find the Mineral King Group on Facebook! Sierra Club Mineral King Group has a new Facebook page! Visit our page for up-to-date information on outings, social events, and our conservation efforts in Tulare and Kings Counties.

California/Nevada Regional Conservation CommitteeDesert Committee Outings

For questions about, or to sign up for a particular outing, please contact the leader listed in the write-up. For questions about Desert Committee outings in general, or to receive the outings list by e-mail, please contact Kate Allen at kj.allen@wildblue.net or 661.944.4056.

Saturday-Sunday, July 10-11--Gorge Scramble Level 3-American River Canyon. Beautiful area on the Middle Fork, which was not affected by 2001 Starr Fire. Many great pools for swimming. First day is a long one, overnight at Three Cedars campsite. Water will be cold due to releases from French Meadow Reservoir; bring a spring wet-suit. Bring overnight gear in pack for flotation. For more details, see description at: http://www.motherlode.sierraclub.org/deltaSierra/GSPAGES/gspage10.htm (Trip #10.)Leader, Paul Plathe, 209.476.1498. Motherlode Chapter Gorge Scrambling Section

Saturday-Monday, July 24-26—Guzzler Cleanup in Mt Grafton Wilderness. Join us as we carry out the pieces of an old, unneeded guzzler from this wilderness area about an hour’s drive south of Ely, just off U.S. 93. The guzzler will have been cut into manageable size pieces. To make the toting downhill easier, bring a frame backpack to strap guzzler pieces to. We will work with John R. Miller from the Ely BLM. Participants should be in good shape for working at altitude. Central commissary (optional) $15. High clearance recommended. Contact leader Vicky Hoover. 415.977.5527, vicky.hoover@sierraclub.org. CNRCC Wilderness Committee

Saturday-Sunday, August 21-22—Bristlecone Pines. Come with us to the beautiful White Mountains to camp, hike and just relax. On Saturday, we’ll hike the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest on a moderate five-mile interpretive trail, followed by a picnic lunch and a short optional hike to a nearby old mining cabin. Back at camp, we’ll enjoy Happy Hour, a potluck feast and a campfire. Sunday pack up and head home. Group size strictly limited. Send $8 per person (Sierra Club), 2 large SASE, H&W phones, email, rideshare info to Reserv/Leader: Lygeia Gerard, P.O. Box 294726, Phelan, CA 92329, 760 868-2179. CNRCC Desert Committee

Saturday-Sunday, August 28-29—Gorge Scramble Level 3-Feather River Canyon. Devil Canyon on the river’s middle fork receives big flows that scour the granite walls to a light gray finish. Cook your dinner on an open fire. 1800 feet of elevation gain on hike out. Bring a good quality air mattress and overnight gear packed for floatation. Experienced gorge scramblers only. This strenuous outing requires excellent swimming skills. For more information on this activity go to: http://www.motherlode.sierraclub.org/deltaSierra/GSPAGES/gspage0.htm. Leader; Paul Plathe; 209.476.1498. Motherlode Chapter Gorge Scrambling Section

Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 4-5—Tamarisk Bash in Surprise Canyon. This is a traditional end of summer outing as we help remove invasive tamarisk from Surprise Canyon north of Ridgecrest, CA. It is warm weather, but the year-round stream will let us soak and cool as the spirit moves us. We will work Saturday with Marty Dickes, our coordinator from the BLM. Sunday is reserved for a hike to cooler elevations above the desert. Enjoy carcamping, a potluck dinner Saturday, and campfire stories. Contact leader Craig Deutsche, craig.deutsche@gmail.com, 310.477.6670. CNRCC Desert Committee

Friday-Sunday, Sept. 24-26—Service and Hiking In the Carrizo Plain. This is an opportunity to visit and to assist an outstanding and relatively unknown national monument. There will be an optional and scenic hike high in the Caliente Mountains on Friday. Others may join us for National Public Lands Day on Saturday when we will participate with other volunteers restoring one of the historic homesteads in the center of the Plain. On Sunday, we will tour a number of the historic, prehistoric, and geologic sites in the Monument. Leader Craig Deutsche, craig.deutsche@gmail.com, 310-477-6670. CNRCC Desert Committee

THE ROADRUNNER JULY/AUGUST, 2010

MIDGEBUZZINGS

A recent case of animal cruelty was publicized in the local paper, with a photograph of the canine victim hogtied and abandoned in a vacant field. There was an outpouring of public anger and insistence upon prosecution and a jail term for the person identified as the perpetrator. Immediately afterwards, the District Attorney was reported to have commented with some disdain that people react more sympathetically to to the abuse of animals than they do to the miseries of mistreated human beings. Certainly this is an argument worthy of thought and debate. It is probably true that constant exposure to media reports of worldwide human injustice and misery may tend to blunt sensitivity and that a story of this kind can evoke a more immediate response to the abuse of a being experiencing pain and suffering. But I think it is reasonable to believe that had there been a photograph and story about a small child hogtied and left to die, there would have been a far greater and more widespread outcry from the public. In fact, a local report of the hideous abuse of a four-year-old boy by his drug-sated father was, indeed, met with much more public incredulity and fury. Furthermore, concern for the welfare of that child is ongoing. Though I know of no specific research that verifies the notion, it is a common theory that people capable of the deliberate mistreatment of animals may be dangerous to human beings. Cruelty in any of its forms is a kind of violence, be it ever so subtle. What it suggests is pleasure derived from the administering of pain. Most of us are capable of regretting our own unkindness and of resolving not to repeat it. But the absence of that capacity for retrospection may be an indication of social danger. If there have been studies of this sort, I would like to be informed of them. I think they would be germane to the question of prosecution for animal abuse, and possibly valuable to the welfare of all helpless creatures and to humanity in general. What such thinking suggests to me is the question of empathy, its definition and its extent, which I believe to be more comprehensive than that of sympathy, though the dictionary does not necessarily agree with me. In my personal lexicon, sympathy means the understanding and the sharing of the feelings of another being; but empathy goes beyond that to the extent that one experiencing it actually ceases to be himself and becomes the other, or at least seems to do so. That concept moves the discussion to the possible oneness of all created things and the question of equal justice for all species. You can understand why I don’t carry this idea to a pulpit, nor am I doing so here. I have a healthy fear of the possibility of torches and pitchforks at my door. But I do believe in the sacredness of all created life, without exception. One of my favorite stories is from the narration of a man who recalled sitting at a table with the great humanitarian, Albert Schweitzer, outside his hospital in Africa. The man saw an ant on the tabletop and absent-mindedly crushed it. Schweitzer looked at him in utter incomprehension of the act and asked sorrowfully, “Why did you do that?” Why, indeed! Speaking of ants, E.O. Wilson, an expert on the subject, has said the following: If human beings were to disappear suddenly, the earth would heal itself rapidly and completely. If ants were to vanish, it would become barren in no time. Thus I plead my case.

—Ann Williams

Executive Committee of the Kern-Kaweah ChapterChair: Georgette Theotig (Tehachapi), 661.822.4371. Vice-chair: Gordon Nipp (Bksf), 661.872.2432. Secretary: Ara Marderosian (Kernville), 760.378.4574. Treasurer: Lorraine Unger (Bksf), 661.323.5569. Donnel Lester (Bksf), 661.831.6784. Richard Garcia (Min King), 559.624.0199. Ann Williams (Bksf), 661.324.1055. Arthur Unger (Bksf), 661.323.5569. Peter Clum (Min King), 559.561.4661. Chapter ExCom Meetings: All Sierra Club members are always welcome to attend these meetings. Call 661.822.4371 to confirm all meeting dates as well as location and time.

STAYING INFORMED: JOIN OUR KERN-NEWS & KERN FORUM E-MAIL LISTS at: http://kernkaweah.sierraclub.org Submit articles (your own or others) to The Roadrunner at

sierraroadrunner@gmail.com. The Roadrunner is printed on 100% post consumer recycled paper.

THE ROADRUNNER JULY/AUGUST, 2010

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POSTSCRIPT—Check out the following website by local resident Matt Molina: Surfbakersfield.com.  Matt is giving us free advertising for Sierra Club.

Also see the following:http://www.surfbakersfield.com/happenings.html  on the happenings section, scroll to the bottom and you will see Sierra Club and the info and links that Matt has provided.