Jan/Feb 2018

Bookmark our web page: angeles.sierraclub.org/palos_verdes_south_bay for PV-SB news, current hike calendar and enhanced Foggy View. To find it, search: sierra club palos

Mark Your Calendars (Details follow.)

Jan 16 Tue 7 p.m. Preserve the Preserve (This page.) Jan 20 Sat SCAQMD Refinery Workshop (p. 4) Jan 20 & 27 Sat Volunteer Trail Watch Training (p. 3) Jan 31 Wed 7 p.m. Secrets of wildlife photography Peninsula Center Library (p. 6) Feb 17 Sat 10 a.m. Refinery Protest Rally & March.

Columbia Park, Torrance (p. 4)

Will an Attempt to Stop a Landslide Tear up

the Portuguese Bend Nature Preserve?

By Al Sattler, Group Chair

Show that you support Nature in the Nature

Preserve! Please attend the January 16, 2018

meeting of the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council.

We have word that a Portuguese Bend Landslide

Feasibility Study will be considered at this meeting

that may include drastic changes to the Portuguese

Bend Nature Preserve.

Where: Hesse Park, 29301 Hawthorne Blvd,

Rancho Palos Verdes. When: Meeting starts at

7:00 p.m.; business usually starts about 7:30.

Background: Over the past year, Rancho Palos

Verdes (RPV) has had a series of public workshops

to consider ways to control the Portuguese Bend

Landslide, which started moving in 1956. This

continuing “land flow” causes significant problems

for human infrastructure. Most noticeably, it moves

Palos Verdes Drive South enough that constant

maintenance is necessary.

(See Landslide, p. 2)

Why Are Our Trees Dying?

By Emile Fiesler, environmental consultant

Southern California has a new challenge: a new

species of fungus. The fungus was unknown to

science until 2013, when it was described and

given the scientific name Fusarium euwallacea and common name fusarium dieback. Fusarium is a

large and complex genus of fungi, most are found

in soil and associated with plants. The majority of Fusarium species are harmless, but fusarium

dieback is one of the exceptions; it can kill trees.

Fusarium dieback is not particularly choosy and is

spreading in close to 60 tree species. Its spreading

is assisted by its accomplice, a tiny beetle; also

new to science. The tiny beetle is an invasive ambrosia beetle in genus Euwallacea, accidentally

introduced from Asia, likely in lumber.

Photo by Emile Fiesler

(See Beetle, p. 2)

(Landslide, from p. 1)

There could be some environmental benefit from

stabilizing the landslide, since sediment washes out into the ocean and smothers ocean life for

some distance away from the toe of the landslide.

On the other hand, a major project in the

Portuguese Bend Nature Preserve could damage some beautiful habitat.

In 1956, heavy equipment was used in the Portuguese Bend area, and it didn’t turn out well.

The attempt to extend Crenshaw Boulevard to the

Pacific Ocean apparently triggered the landslide that continues to this day.

© Eric Beteille. Used with permission

By January 12, the agenda for the meeting on the

January 16 should be online. Look at

http://www.rpvca.gov/772/City-Meeting-Video-and-Agendas, January 16, Agenda. For more

background reading, download the staff report for

the landslide item.

UPDATE: At the December 19, 2017 meeting of

the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council, council

members and staff said that they do not plan to

include significant changes to the NCCP (Natural

Communities Conservation Plan), which provides

for habitat preservation. However, it would be

good for them to hear support for Nature in the

Nature Preserve. If you do not have time to

attend the meeting, you can still send a polite

email to the City Council at cc@rpvca.gov .

For questions, email Al Sattler alsattler@igc.org.

(Beetle, from p.1)

Ambrosia beetles are weevils that have a symbiotic relationship with their only food source: ambrosia

fungi. The beetles tunnel into trees and other woody

plants and release fungal spores to start their fungal gardens. The ambrosia fungus enters the plant's

xylem, where the plant's sap transport takes place.

The fungus digests the xylem and concentrates the

obtained nutrients, on which the ambrosia beetles feed.

Most ambrosia beetles tunnel into weak or dying trees. Not so for the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer

(PSHB), as our new ambrosia beetle has been

dubbed; it attacks healthy trees. Polyphagous means

that it has a broad appetite. This name was given due to it boring in more than 50 local tree species.

This is a misnomer, as PSHB's appetite appears

highly restricted to the Fusarium dieback fungus. This doesn't change the devastating bottom line: that we

could loose more than one third of all our local trees.

Some affected native trees are Western Sycamore,

Coast Live Oak, Fremont Cottonwood, and Red

Willow. PSHB also invades Avocado trees, many of

our ornamental street trees, and even the highly invasive Castor Bean.

On June 18, 2016 I found a tiny (~ 2.5 mm / 0.1 inch long) beetle on the Palos Verdes Peninsula; see

photo, p.1. It is apparently the first PSHB record for

the Peninsula.

Keep a keen eye out for tiny holes in trees, less than

a millimeter (0.04 inch) in diameter, often

accompanied by sap stains. Once identified, it is best to sacrifice the tree and grind it into tiny pieces. The

pieces can be covered with a tarp to create a solar

heating effect that kills the fungus and its ally. If you notice an outbreak, contact the Los Angeles

Agricultural Commissioner's office at 1-626-575-

5471.

When planting trees, choose drought-resistant trees

and select locations with plenty of space to grow. The

healthier the tree the less likely it will be affected.

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Senior Speedster: Jacques at 80 Who is that speedy guy darting off ahead of the fast group on our Thursday night Palos Verdes hikes? It’s Jacques Monier who recently turned 80 and is not about to slow down. But he promised to wait for any stragglers among the group who celebrated this milestone birthday with a hike and lunch in his honor on December 2.

Photos and captions by Peter Thompson

Jacques gives his pre-hike announcement (I’ll wait for

you.)

Jacques leads the group up Cardiac Hill in the Vista

Del Norte Reserve

Hiking along the Highridge Park

David and Ed standing, Gary, Jacques, Anita, and Kim

If you’re in PV on a Thursday you can join Jacques’

group. But be ready for a five-mile sprint.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy

invites you to join the

Volunteer Trail Watch Program.

Do you enjoy hiking the trails

of the Palos Verdes

Peninsula? Do you want to

help protect habitat and

wildlife in the Palos Verdes

Nature Preserve? Make a

difference by becoming a

Trail Watch Volunteer!

• Help educate users on the preserve rules and

proper trail use

• Offer assistance to those who are lost, need water,

etc.

• Submit your observations from the trails online.

TRAINING WORKSHOPS

SATURDAY JAN 20 AND JAN 27

9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Ladera Linda Community Center

32201 Forrestal Drive

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

RSVP: http://pvplc.volunteerhub.com

For more information contact:

Brittany Goldsmith

Volunteer Program Manager

email: bgoldsmith@pvplc.org

phone: (310) 541-7613 x 215

Photos courtesy of PVPLC

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TRAA is planning two opportunities for you to take action: Saturday, January 20, 2018 SCAQMD Refinery Workshop Time & Location TBD, See www.traasouthbay.com Show that you care about our community safety! Show that you want to get toxic HF/MHF out of our community, out of the refineries! The Refinery Committee of the Air Quality Management District (AQMD) will be having a public meeting in Torrance on Saturday, January 20, 2018, and we need a large crowd of supporters. At the last meeting in Torrance, pro-refinery radicals traveled in from outside the area representing an extreme group, falsely claiming an MHF ban is a gas tax. We cannot let them dominate this meeting! Saturday, Feb 17, 2018 at Columbia Park in Torrance TRAA is rallying to commemorate the third anniversary of the major explosion at the Torrance Refinery. Entertainment is scheduled for 9:30-10:00 a.m., followed by speakers and a march to the refinery entrance (just down the street). More information at www.traasouthbay.com .

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PV-SBEXECUTIVECOMMITTEE*votingofficer

Group Chair, Chapter ExCom & Conservation

Rep

AlSattler*310-831-0032

ViceChair,Membership&Outreach

BillLavoie*310-378-8723

Secretary,AlternateChapterExComRep

MarciaCook* 310-324-9827

Treasurer

ZoltanStroll* 310-378-8975

FoggyViewEditor&WebsiteCoordinator

JudyHerman* 310-377-8047

ConservationCo-Chairs

MelanieCohen*310-994-8016

DaveWiggins*310-529-2051

SteveDillow*310-316-0441

Outings&SafetyCo-Chairs

FrankAtkin* 310-378-5008

KevinSchlunegger 619-804-6616

Programs&SocialChair

JoyceWhite*310-383-5247

PoliticalChair,ChapterPoliticalRep

DeanFrancois* 310-938-2191

Publicity

PaulRosenberger310-545-3531

Webmaster

MichaelMoore310-398-8219

Representation of the ground-hugging acid cloud from 50,000 lb. of MHF very nearly released during the 2015 explosion. (TRAA)

Along the Path: A Young Person’s Guide to Exploring Nature

A Nighttime Surprise BySusanRothrockDeo

The other night I glanced out the windows in our family room at the

city lights twinkling in the distance. A huge winged shadow

interrupted my view and settled onto a perch at the pinnacle of our avocado tree. I recognized that shape: a great horned owl! I stared,

mesmerized, at his image silhouetted against the sparkling lights of

the city. Body still as a statue, his head turned side to side.

“What are you staring at?” my husband asked.

Susan Deo

I pointed to the owl. We often hear them calling, “Ho-hoo-hoo-hoo,” early in the morning before we are

up, or in the evening after we’re in bed. Sometimes we spot one perched on a telephone wire when

walking the dogs at night, but this was special.

He got his camera and sat outside taking photo after photo. The owl obliged. I watched from inside,

determined not to disturb either of them. The majestic bird must have stayed there ten minutes or more, soaking up our canyon, searching for prey (I vote for gophers, Mr. Owl). Several nights later he came

back again to the same perch.

The great horned owl, the second largest owl in North America, is found throughout the Americas.

Our California one is a bit smaller and darker, sort of

a mottled brown, almost striped, but still the characteristic shape and relative size: feathery tufts

at its ears, round disk of a face, hefty silhouette.

Great horned owls are 17-25 inches tall with a

wingspan of 3-5 feet. They have super-strong talons with crushing power much stronger than that of the

human hand. Their eyes, almost as big as ours, are

quite large for a bird. Theirs are, proportional to body size, among the largest in terrestrial vertebrates.

Owls can’t move their eyes like we do. They have to

turn their heads instead. They can rotate their heads 270 degrees; that’s three quarters of a circle. How

Owl photos by Naresh Deo far can you turn your head?

Owls eat just about anything that walks, crawls, flies or swims, except large mammals. They swallow their prey whole. They don’t have teeth or enough stomach acid to break down all the skulls, teeth,

claws and feathers that could harm the owl’s delicate digestive system. Instead, they compress all

these indigestible bits into a compact pellet two or three inches long that they regurgitate. We dissected owl pellets in my college zoology class to see what the owls had eaten and found bones of a shrew and

a field mouse.

Every once in a while, I scan the night sky looking for our owl. I hope we see him again soon.

Susan Deo has taught life science and environmental education from preschool through college. A docent with Los Serenos de Point Vicente, she has published short stories and essays and is working on picture books and middle grade novels.

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Note: Activities may be changed, added or

cancelled. Always check: http://angeles.sierraclub.org/palos_verdes_s

outh_bay/current_activities_calendar

Find it by searching: sierra palos activities You’ll find current information and maps to hike meeting locations.

Weekly Conditioning Hikes

All Conditioning Hikes: Wear lug sole boots.

Arrive early. Rain cancels. Bring red lens

flashlight. Monday Nights O: Rancho Palos Verdes:

Slow moderate 2 hr. 4-6 mile hike: Some streets, some trails overlooking the ocean, and city lights. Some steep trails. Only one group, not for beginners. Arrive early, leave at 6:30 p.m. Meet at the end of Crenshaw Bl. near Del Cerro Park (watch signs for parking restrictions). Ldr: Bill Lavoie Tuesday Nights O: San Pedro/PV:

Conditioning Hike Slow/moderate 2 hr, 4-6 mile hikes on flat/hilly streets/trails to explore fauna/terrain in San Pedro/PV. Arrive early. Leaves 6:30 p.m. from 8th and Averill, San Pedro. Bring 1 liter of water. No dogs. Rain cancels. Ldrs: Joyce White and Kevin Schlunegger

Tuesday Nights O: Hermosa/Manhattan

Beach: Moderate 1 1/2 hr, 4 mile hike on greenbelt and hilly streets. Good for beginners. Leave 7 p.m. from far end of parking lot of Hermosa Valley School (1645 Valley Dr.) Ldrs: Chris Albertson, Alix Benson, Frank L. Atkin, Sharon Brossier, Paul Rosenberger. Thursday Nights O: Palos Verdes Peninsula:

Not for beginners. 5-8 mi in 2 hours with many hills through various areas on the Peninsula. Multiple speed groups. Start in the slowest group and work your way up. (The faster groups may not be able to wait for anyone who cannot keep up.) Please come EARLY so that everyone can sign the waiver by 6:30. Meet in the Peninsula Center parking lot (Hawthorne & Silver Spur) near Hamburger Habit (enter from Silver Spur at Silver Arrow). Ldrs: William Lavoie, James Brooks Chadwick, Joyce White, Zoltan Stroll, Jacques Monier, Kevin Schlunegger

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Monthly Activities

Executive Committee Meeting. First Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. the PVSB Group Executive Committee meets to discuss matters relevant to the Group. Meeting open to all Sierra Club members. Call a committee member for location.

Additional Activities

Jan 31 Wed: PV-SB Group Quarterly Meeting

Have you ever taken a picture on a hike that didn’t

capture your vision? Have you wondered HOW to

improve your photography? I’m here to get you on

the road from Butt Photography to Beautiful

Photography!

My name is Karen Schuenemann. In my 10 years

as a digital photographer I have made all the

mistakes you could make, and then some, and have

learned to compose some wonderful imagery. One

of my recent awards is the 2017 National Audubon

Professional Photographer of the Year Honorable

Mention. My images have been shown in Europe, in

magazines and blogs, and museums and galleries in

throughout Southern California. I’m excited to share

my passion for wildlife photography with all of you!

Come and enjoy refreshments as I give you “10 Tips for Better Wildlife Photography” (and explain what “butt photography” is). I’d love for you to visit my website: http://www.wildernessatheart.com/ FREE. Open to all. Peninsula Center Library Community Room, 701 Silver Spur Rd., Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274 (access also from Deep Valley Dr.), 7-9 p.m. For further information, call Joyce White: 310-383-5247.

Notice: For all Sat & Sun hikes, Wear lug sole boots, bring a snack & water.

If you anticipate rain, wear rain gear

Minors permitted if accompanied

on the hike by a parent.

Jan 13 Sat O: Three Sisters Reserve Hike. Join us on a hike in the Three Sisters Reserve area of Palos Verdes. Approximately 6 miles, 1500' gain, 3 hours. Beautiful coastal views. Meet 8:30 at Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd. Rain cancels. Ldrs: Terri Straub and Minoo Hart. . Jan 20 Sat O: Ocean Trails Hike. 4 miles, 1000’ gain, 2.5 hours. This is the first hike Ray Simmons will lead and it is important that we get a group for him to lead so he can continue as a leader. More leaders means more hikes for everyone; please show up and do your part for more hikes. Meet at 8:00 a.m. Take Palos Verdes Drive South to La Drive North, at trailhead. We will take the June’s, Botanical Garden, Moccasin, Chandler’s Park, Palos Verdes Drive North and School Trails. Ldrs: Ray Simmons and Steven Morris. Jan 27 Sat O: George F – PVLF Hike. 6.5 miles, 600’ gain, 2.5 hours. Meet at 8:00 AM on Palos Verdes Drive East 1/8 mile south of Palos Verdes Ldrs: Steven Morris and Terri Straub.

Feb 3 Sat O: Friendship Park Hike. 7 miles, 1000’ gain, 3 hours. Meet at 8:00 a.m. in the parking lot of the Bogdanovich Recreation Center (from S. Western Ave. and W. 9th St. in San Pedro, go west one block to Friendship Park Dr. and go up the hill, turn left at intersection and proceed to parking lot). The route covers trails in Friendship Park and the Marymount, Switchback, and San Ramon Trails. Ldrs: Steven Morris and Stephen Bradford Feb 17 Sat O: Malaga Cove Hike. 6 miles, 600’ gain, 2.5 hours. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Malaga Cove Plaza fountain (Palos Verdes Drive West and Via Corta). The route covers trails and fire roads overlooking Bluff Cove with exceptional panoramic views. Ldrs: Steven Morris and Terri Straub. Feb 24 Sat O: Forrestal Area Hike. 6 miles, 1000’ gain, 3 hours. Take Palos Verdes Drive South to Forrestal Drive, north to gate. Meet at gate at 8:00 a.m. Hike along the Pirate, Mariposa, Flying Mane, Canyon, Dauntless, Conquerer, Barn Owl, Panorama and Klondike Canyon Trails. Ldrs: Steven Rotonda Drive to end (if you are using maps you actually go past 3200 to end of road), and into the trail parking lot (inside the gate). We will take the Prickly Pear, Ocean Vista, East Portal, Gnatcatcher, Switchback, Dudleya and Lakeview Trails, and will walk beside the ocean and visit tidal pools. Ldrs: Steven Morris and Stephen Bradford.

Two Yosemite Trips: Winter and Spring!

Feb 16-18 Fri-Mon I: President’s Day Weekend in Yosemite at Wawona.

Rideshare Fri to stay in a cabin in the Wawona area near Yosemite’s south entrance. Join leaders for low intermediate cross-country ski and snowshoe each day at Badger Pass and other areas. On your own you can downhill or track ski, ice skate or simply explore Yosemite Valley in the winter. Cost includes 3 nights lodging in modern cabin with all amenities. Bedroom arrangements vary from private queen beds for couples to rooms with multiple twin beds for singles (a couple of queen beds for late sign ups willing to share). All singles’ bedrooms will be same gender. Shared bathrooms and kitchen. 3 continental breakfasts, 3 lunch fixings, Saturday and Sunday group dinner. Send $280 (made out to Wilderness Adventures - $40 cancel penalty, no refund of balance after Jan 14 unless trip is full and suitable replacement found), 2 sase (or 1 sase and email), H&W phones, recent ski experience (if joining Xctry skiing) to

Ldr: Keith Martin at P.O. Box 336, Groveland CA 95321 (keithwmartin@sbcglobal.net/phone 310-683-9224). Asst: Beth Powis Martin, Snow Shoe Ldrs: Sharon Moore and Jim Hagar.

Photo: Badger Pass, National Park SerN.P.S.

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May 25-28 Fri – Mon I: Memorial Day in Wawona Cabin Trip.

Rideshare Fri to stay in a cabin in the Wawona area near Yosemite's south entrance for moderately paced 8-12 mi, 1200'-3000' gain hikes each day. Highlights include cascading Chilnualna Falls, panoramic vistas of Yosemite Valley from the Panorama Trail and Glacier Pt, hikes through the Mariposa Grove of Sequoias (if open), day trips down to Yosemite Valley (will require advanced reservation with YARTS, cost not included) and possible alternative venues. Not suitable for beginners or sightseers. Cost includes 3 nights lodging in modern cabin with all amenities (2-5 per bedroom with shared bathrooms and kitchen), 3 continental breakfasts, Sat Happy Hour (dinner on your own, most of us will be going to the BBQ at the hotel), Sun group dinner. Send $285 (Wilderness Adventures - $40 cancel penalty, no refund of balance after 4/23 unless trip is full and suitable replacement found), 2 sase (or 1 sase and email), H&W phones, recent hiking experience to Ldr: Keith Martin, P.O. Box 336, Groveland CA 95321. Email: keithwmartin@sbcglobal.net. Asst: Beth Powis Martin. Second Cabin Leaders: Sherry Ross and Kent Schwitkis. Third Cabin Leaders: George and Fran Denny. We will be using our secret procedures to avoid the crowds and traffic jams. Please note that we have a reservation for three cabins. There are a limited number of private rooms for couples. If the trip is not filling by April 23, we will need to cancel our reservation for one or more of the cabins (most of the spaces). If you are interested in going on this trip you need to have a check in the leader’s hands by April 23rd if you want a chance of getting a couple’s room.

PV-SBGROUPHIKELEADERS

CurrentLeadersactiveinthePV-SBGroup

Name PhoneRating

ChrisAlbertson 310-848-0731 O

FrankAtkin 310-378-5008 I

TerryBass 310-539-8227 O

BobBeach 310-375-0898 M

AlixBenson 310-379-8066 O

RichardBoardman 310-374-4371 M

BarryBonnickson 310-519-0778 O

DennisBosch 310-328-3874 O

StephenBradford 310-993-5501 O

SharonBrossier 310-376-1416 O

UrsulaCarmody 310-539-2259 O

BrooksChadwick 310-544-0600 O

DorieChadwick 310-544-0600 O

ArleneChao 310-541-3902 O

MikeDillenback 310-378-7495 I

SandyGraham 714-282-5661 O

MinooHart 310-375-3340O

GregHitchings 310-541-3902 O

Name PhoneRating

DaveHixson 310-676-8848 O

BarryHolchin 310-378-3780 M

DonnaLauck 310-541-4416 O

BillLavoie 310-378-8723 O

KeithMartin 626-396-9701 M

JacquesMonier 310-320-1249 O

StevenMorris 310-530-8708O

MaryBethOubre 310-640-8386 O

PaulRosenberger 310-545-3531 O

KevinSchlunegger619-804-6616O

KentSchwitkis 310-540-5558 I

JudyShane 310-379-1111 O

TerriStraub 310-544-5017O

ZoltanStroll 310-378-8975 O

LindaWerk 310-676-6171 O

PhilWheeler 310-346-2619 I

JoyceWhite 310-383-5247 O

CatherineWhittington 310-532-2380 O

__ Get notified when the Foggy View online is updated.

The Foggy View is published bi-monthly on the PV-SB website: http://angeles.sierraclub.org/palos_verdes_south_bay/foggy_view. To find it, search: sierra club foggy view. To receive an email notice when the Foggy View is posted, fill out the form below and mail it to PV-SB Group Sierra Club, PO Box 2464, PVP, CA 90274, or send that information to pvsbfveditor@ymail.com. Contact the Membership Chair if you have any questions. Name: _____________________________________Sierra Club #:___________________Exp. Date: ____ Address:___________________________________City:_________________________State:___Zip:_________ Phone: (_____)__________________________Email:______________________________________________

Thank you for your membership! Remember to renew!

The deadline for the next Foggy View is Feb. 15. Submit photos and article ideas to judyherman@cox.net.

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