Tahoma Dusted by early spring snowfall

So, you thought that spring had sprung and temps would rise everyday? Well, Bunky, not quite yet ready for shorts and hiking boots. With Easter weekend/Passover here already, it appears conditions will be perfect for end of season festivities and alpine events.
So, get on the boards one more time- you've got good stamina left in those bones:go for iiiiit.

Fish tales
Persistent rumors of fishin' success in the vicinity of Westshore must be verified. The Mayor has dispatched his Minister of Wildlife to investigate these rumors. As always, the Mayor's Office trying to help folks. As an example, our Minister of health and Welfare has been reading the Health Reform Law cover to cover. Could take another month(slow going and she's been ordered not to miss a thing)We will have a report for it's impact on the local citizenry as soon as possible.

Upcoming Events
Quilt Show @ DeYoung Museo in SF. The Mayor and Min. of Arts and Culture visited the show currently in GG Park. It includes the best examples of Amish quilts from Pennsylvania and the Midwest. Well worth it. The many quilters of Tahoma could appreciate this fine exhibition. While you're at it, visit the 9th Floor observation tower for a bird's eye view of the western half of San Francisco and Golden Gate Park. Many landmarks are in fine form from 100' up, including St. Ignatius Church, St. Anne's Basilica, Lone Mountain College(USF),Univ of California Medical School, Fort Miley Vets Hospital, Lincoln Park and the Legion of Honor, and the TransAm Pyramid. The Marin Headlands are there with Mt. Tam, and way east is the tip of Mt. Diablo.
Also included is a great look at the living roof of the Academy of Sciences across the plaza from the museo.

Movie Coming Out
The Miller Brothers of Marin, the dynamic duo who produced their first film a couple of years ago will finally see its commercial release and distribution on April 30th. Don't miss it. It's based on a true story, a good one.

Fish Stories
A friend just returned from a trip to Argentina where he and a couple of his brothers patrolled the Andean foothills looking for trophy trout. It took awhile, but they finally had success south of Bariloche, in a remote part of Patagonia. Seems like a long way to go for few trout, but, that's what fishing is about: the next big one. Argentina always sounds like a great destination and the mayor will budget funds to send a minister or two to visit Patagonia very soon. The Andes are in many ways similar to the Sierra Nevada. Hence, there are many things that would be of interest to the citizens of Tahoma.
Sunday, on the Bay, the tide was flooding early, so it was time to float the kayaks out near the Sisters to test the waters for stripers. Sadly, the bite was off ,again, and the Mayor and the Minister of Sport and Recreation got skunked. No fish on, niente, nulla, nada.

Soccer or Il Calcio
Had to help a friend with some community service, not an atypical event. So, there I was, running up and down the field, officiating a soccer game between 2 local high schools: Branson of Ross and San Marin of Novato. Branson won 1-0 on a set piece from the corner late in the game. They played evenly and a tie appeared to be in the offing. The rain started in the 80th minute, so it was not a wash out. Pity the JV teams following the varsity.

Walker Creek: Steelhead Search

Saturday brought the Mayor back to West Marin to a very local spot to investigate reports of steelhead entering the watershed. With fly rods in hand, the deputy director of wildlife management and the mayor entered the stream channel late in the morning with high hopes( like all fishermen). After several casts and nothing to show for them, we began the trek downstream, searching the surface for any sign of the salmonids. After an hour or so, it was obvious that conditions weren't right and the steelhead were someplace else. We met a local who was testing the same waters and he mentioned that the Walker was not the best spot over the last 2-3 seasons. He advised the Russian River, where reports indicated some fish being caught near Healdsburg.
So, off we went to the Russian River. We decided to try the confluence of the Russian with Austin Creek- homes waters of the Mayor and the clan McLaughlin. Regs prohibit any fishing in the Austin, so a wade of 150 yards brought into the river proper. The river was running pale green and the creek clear and fast, too fast! No fish took the fly and we retired to Guernville for a road coffee and some advice. The team at Kings' said the reservoir was no longer releasing and flow rates would soon slow to raise the bite.
Next time, maybe.

Pt Reyes on a sunny day

The Mayor went walking on Friday in the wards of west Marin. That would be in the vic. of Heart's Desire state park on the west shore of Tomales Bay, that San Andreas Fault gash that harbors all those wonderful oysters, silently growing on submerged racks, scattered about near Hog Island and the town of Marshall.
With air temps in the 70's, it was perfect for a hike among the pines that cover the park. Pierce Point Rd. offered little traffic and less noise:a perfect formula for some exploration of the trail system. The assistant rec. director of Tahoma set a brisk pace and the 4+ mile trek required the climbing and crawling over and under many a fallen log. These early forays into park country present a few trail hazards that will disappear when crews begin the spring cleanup. We see similar issues in the Tahoe Basin as the snow melt reveals granite boulders that have shifted during the winter.
Lunch was taken in Pt. Reyes Station at the Cowgirl Creamery, a favorite of many daytrippers- and there were many on Friday, all taking advantage of early spring.
Gazing across the parklands toward the Pacific, we were unable to spot any grey whales heading north. Reports this week of 2 of the mammals detouring into SF Bay indicate that the annual migration continues.

March Madness

Round Ball fan?
Don't forget you can catch all the action on the internet @ NCAA.org. You can get your fill anytime ,anywhere.
Ist round action had so great games, including a few upsets. More action follows as we move to the round of 32.
You can see many of the games @ Westside pizza at Hiway 89 and Pine: downtown Tahoma.
Many fans were noticed down around Meeks Bay, a basketball mecca! Followers of Cal and St. Mary's were especially delighted with 1st round play.

Spring Skiing @ Homewood

Big weekend for spring skiers in and around Homewood Resort. High temps and clear weather will force guests to break out the sunscreen and shades as the official arrival of the spring begins this weekend. Word on the slopes is: outstanding conditions, especially before noon.
So, ski buffs, get going, don't waste time thinking about health care until Sunday, when the House will most likely vote on how much you will pay to add 32 million uncovered victims to the National Welfare Rolls of Deserving Underserved.

La Festa di San Patrizio

Only days away, the Irish celebration that sweeps the West jumps off locally with the traditional parade, Saturday. It will be preceded by the traditional pre parade brunch at the Bay View Yacht Club on the Southern Waterfront, near Kelly's and Pier 50. Should be good.
Wear some green, drink some spirits, enjoy!

Fire Chief Honored

Chief of Department, Joanne Hayes White, was honored at a testimonial at the Irish Cultural Center. The Chronicle featured her prominently on its Datebook pages, including a family photo with her three young sons. She looked great, and propped up rumors of a possible political future, at least at the local level. We'll see!

City by the Bay

Spent the day basking in the springlike weather in downtown San fran. This followed a 2 hour tutoring session with the Italophiles of South Marin. Our always cheeky group rallied for the intensity of verbal irregularities.
The excursion into the heart of the Metropolis was for both business and pleasure. Dropped off a stamping job on Mission St. while the Minister of basketball watched my back. We then repaired to North Beach for some minestrone backed with del vino bianco.
Tourists were generally absent, but the locals were running around as though they hadn't seen the sun in months. (perhaps true for some, judging by their pallor).
Had fun in Stein & Stein, the antique map store on Upper Grant Ave. Rarely does he get a chance to chat with a couple of native sons who share in his affection for historical artifacts related to SF's history and lore. We enjoyed looking over various plats and maps depicting SF at various stages of it's earliest shapes and colors. We'll be back their soon.
Mosied down to Gigi's fish shack-Sotto Mare, for the soup di jour: clam chowder! Great. Gigi was on the loose, so Glenn, in his stead, provided artful delivery.
While dining, we got a call from the Russ: he needed 2 able bodies to move an iron monster into a nearby basement, and off we went to Greenwich St. After completing the arduous work, it was over to the Lucas campus for an espresso and some serious discussion of local politics, state politics, and healthcare 101. After much discourse, ruminating, cogitating, and laughter, we adjourned the meeting, and repaired north to God's Country.
We did learn that the former Fire Union boss will go on the campaign trail as a rep for BIG POWER: PG&E. A spokesman's role to thwart the crazy efforts of local cities to take over power distribution to residents. Stay tuned on this one boys and girls.
Stopped by the Fireboat Station @ Pier 22 1/2 to check progress. Apparently they've finished the pile driving, and can now start on the superstructure. Always nice to see progress on any City job.
MOre powder in the forecast ; looks like a great weekend coming up.