A "body in a wetsuit" reportedly found at Montara State Beach Monday afternoon turned out to be a decomposed seal or sea lion, reports Channel 5.

A fisherman reported the body around 3:30 p.m. in the area of Eighth Street and state Highway 1, according to San Mateo County sheriff’s Lt. Ray Lunny.

Search and rescue personnel responded to help reach the body due to the difficulty of the steep cliff and rocky shoreline, Lunny said. The body was initially reported to be clad in a wetsuit.

Over at Montara Fog, Darin Boville has a the site’s "historical" use for agriculture was used as a pretext for dumping truckloads of fill on the site without a permit.

According to local residents, in the 1980’s a former owner of the Big Wave property, J.L. Johnson, also had plans for a commercial development on the site. He took to farming in an apparent effort to eliminate environmental concerns. In 1988 he sued San Mateo County and won a ruling stating that "routine agricultural activity" on the property was exempt from both Coastal District Regulations and County Grading Regulations. Johnson farmed for a year or two before letting the land fall fallow.

Later Johnson was jailed after defrauding investors in his development projects on the coast.

After Jeff Peck and Steve Barber purchased the property they too proposed a large commercial project (Big Wave) and commenced farming the lots and reaping controversy. Neither owner is a farmer in his own right. Local farmers are hired to farm on the property.

The attorney who worked for J.L. Johnson, Mike McCracken, is also on the Big Wave leadership team.

This is a must-read and an excellent use of historical research to make a case.

After I sent out our alert, I received numerous emails from Coastsiders who felt this morning’s quake. It was a 4.3 magnitude between San Jose and Morgan Hill at 10:40am, followed by a 1.2 magnitude quake at 11:38am.

Where were you and how did it feel?

Montara photographer Robert Buelteman will hold his first exhibition in over a year at the new Kelly Street Gallery in Half Moon Bay.  This small neighborhood gallery is a cooperative venture among some of the Coastside artists.

The opening reception will also mark the release of Buelteman’s new book, entitled Signs of Life, Selected works from three portfolios of cameraless, lensless, computer-free photographs.

Kelly Street Gallery
Corner of Johnston and Kelly St, one block east of Main
March 29 to April 26

Opening reception
March 29, noon to 5pm

Gallery Talk
April 19, 1:30 to 2:30pm

The Coastside Land Trust announced Monday the appointment of Terri Reece to the Board of Directors. 
 
Terri Reece spent her formative years on the Coastside, moving here officially in 1987.  She currently resides in El Granada. In her very early years she bonded with the Coastside. Her dedication to the preservation and stewardship of Coastside open space makes her an ideal member of the Coastside Land Trust Board of Directors.
 
Terri is the President of Reece Computer Systems. She formerly held executive positions with HP, Nestle and Oracle Corporation, and has an extensive background in international IT and consulting, global business management, and is an accomplished speaker. Terri also started one of the first computer training, documentation and computer support companies on the coast, Paperclip Enterprises, from 1987- 1994, and helped initiate Coastside school computer programs starting at Farallone View Elementary with parent, teacher and student training programs.

Terri has been a committed environmentalist since the early 70’s, and takes every step available to her to have a care for the world we live in and to understand the impact that thoughtful business practices have on our business and our community.  Because of that commitment, she and her husband have certified Reece Computer Systems as a B-Corporation (beneficial corporation) in 2008.  In 2009, Reece was awarded the 2009 Sustainability Award, because of its commitment to creating a sustainable community and a work environment that has a healthy connection to the natural world.  It was also awarded the 2008 Small Business of the Year award from Senator Leland Yee.  Terri is a member of the Advisory Board of Harley Farms Goat Dairy.
 
The Coastside Land Trust is dedicated to protecting the urban open space of the San Mateo County coast, for enjoyment now and for generations to come. Its primary focus is safeguarding scenic bluffs, open space, stream corridors and agricultural lands in and around the communities of Half Moon Bay, El Granada, Miramar, Moss Beach, Princeton-by-the-Sea, and Montara.

Volunteers across the nation are being recruited to get outdoors and help track the effects of climate on seasonal changes in plant and animal behavior. The USA-National Phenology Network (USA-NPN), a consortium of government, academic and citizen-scientists, is launching a new national program built on volunteer observations of flowering, fruiting and other seasonal events. Scientists and resource managers will use these observations to track effects of climate change on the Earth’s life-support systems.

The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District marks the seasonal opening of its David C. Daniels Nature Center at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve with a celebration for all—including creative exhibits, a ranger-led nature hike, refreshments and fun for the whole family April 4-5, noon to 5pm.

The celebration is free and open to the public. Reservations are required for Saturday’s 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. ranger-led nature hike and can be made at www.openspace.org/reservations or (650) 691-2150 (option 2) after March 21. Visit the District’s Web site or call (650) 691-1200 for directions.

The nature center, overlooking Alpine Pond, helps people of all ages connect with the environment. Volunteer staff and hands-on interpretive displays teach visitors about the plants and animals living in the surrounding pond and open space preserve. Visitors can also meet Snickers, the District’s captive-bred gopher snake and explore nearby hiking trails.

The nature center is free and open to the public on weekends from April to mid-November. Built in 1995, it was partially funded through the generosity of the Peninsula Open Space Trust and the Judy and David Daniels family in memory of their son, David C. Daniels.

Who:  The Farmers of Hwy 92 invite you, the Greater Bay Area Community

 
When:  April 18-19, 2009, from 9:00 to 5:00

 
Where: Participating farms located along Hwy 92 into Half Moon Bay, CA

 
Why:  To establish a platform for the local community to enjoy and appreciate the natural beauty and agricultural history found along scenic Hwy 92.  To provide educational opportunities and on-the-farm experiences that will allow families to connect with the land, the environment and agriculture.  To focus on enhancing their level of appreciation and awareness of the land and our seasons, the importance of local growing and harvesting of crops, and educate them on various ecosystems and how people effect and are effected by those systems.  To encourage personal responsibility and accountability with regard to the environment for both local participants and those from the Greater Bay Area.

 
How:  The Farmers of Hwy 92 will provide the following:

• Fun, affordable event to get coastside families out enjoying the Earth on Earth Day
• Focus on farmers’ daily lives and their role as stewards of the land, all in celebration of the Earth and the integral role farmers play as "keepers of the earth"
• Farm tours & greenhouse tours
• Agricultural, environmental and educational demonstrations, such as livestock viewing / feeding and crop planting demonstrations
• Farm animals, pony rides, train rides and hay rides
• Live music, community participation and sponsorship

 
Collaboration:  The Farmers of Hwy 92 Celebrate Earth Day is the first collaborative event organized by the local farmers on Hwy 92.  Instrumental in the collaboration are Bob Lemos of Lemos Farms, Hank & Scott Pastorino of Pastorino Farms, Johnny & Jennifer Cozzolino of 4-C’s / Cozzolino Farms, and farm-related business owner, Terry Tenzing of Friendly Pony Parties & Barnyard Pals.

Inviting Particiation: Seeking local organizations, companies and individuals with a focus on environmental or ecological concepts, green business practices, sustainable farming or organic produce as well as local artisians and local musicians to participate.  Would you join us?  Please contact Terry Tenzing:  [email protected] or 650-303-4281.

Please spread the word about this wonderful opportunity in our community!

Hope to see you there!

I loved this story in the NY Times about the Obamas and their veggie garden: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/19/dining/19garden-web.html. Whether you are worried about health/weight, money, want a chance to get outdoors once in a while, or just want to eat the best food you have ever tasted, having a home vegetable garden is all that and more.

Even if you only have a window, you can grow lots and lots of wonderful things: most herbs grow year round here on the Coastside, quick growers like radishes grow even in the winter, and many veggies and fruits can be planted year round in our moderate climate.

If you’re not the outdoor type, remember the Coastside Farmers Market is opening the first Saturday in May, with lots of locally grown fruits and veggies. As well, many our local food purveyors buy locally grown, fresh and wonderful veggies and fruits to sell to you.

Buy local, buy fresh, and "grow your own."

The Board of Supervisors today unveiled the new logo and declared March 17 as "San Mateo County: As Fresh as it Gets" Day.

"As Fresh as it Gets" is a cooperative effort by the farming, fishing and hospitality industries and County government to support and encourage consumption of local products. The "As Fresh as it Gets" logo is the latest effort to highlight San Mateo County’s fresh, fruits, vegetables, fish, crab and locally produced cheese, wine and microbrews.