News.bytes Extra, issue 456 

'Stop & View the Rocks' contest & rock cookies part California Coastal National Monument 10th anniversary festivities in Mendocino

Festivities at the historic Ford House in Mendocino, California, early this month honored the 10th anniversary of the California Coastal National Monument. This was part of a string of events held up and down the California coast during 2010 to celebrate the monument’s establishment a decade ago. 

Members of the Mendocino Study Club, Mendocino Area Parks Association, Mendocino Coast Audubon Society, and California State Parks along with other "rock fans" gathered in the Ford House to hear Mendocino Study Club member and festivities organizer Ruth Sparks  read excerpts from the Presidential Proclamation that created the California Coastal National Monument and the monument’s manager Rick Hanks discuss the important role that partnerships play in the success of this unique national monument. (text continues below)

Mendocino Study Club President Margaret Ward welcomes attendees to the California Coastal National Monument 10th anniversary celebration festivities at the historic Ford House in Mendocino.

The highlight of the festivities was the drawing by Mendocino Study Club President Margaret Ward of the winners of the "Stop and View the Rocks" contest where local residents had submitted their favor location along the Mendocino coast to view the California Coastal National Monument. The drawing involved more than a half a dozen prizes, including a two-night stay at a Fort Bragg beach-front motel, a kayak tour of the local offshore rocks, and a whale and rock watching day-trip on a tour boat out of Fort Bragg.

Also during the festivities, Margaret Ward signed a memorandum of understanding bringing in the Mendocino Study Club as the newest California Coastal National Monument Collaborative Partner. The attendees of the festivities ate rock cookies and rock candy and viewed a special "rocks" video presentation created by local photographer Lisa Walker.

The Mendocino Study Club, the sponsor of festivities, was founded in 1908 and is the oldest service club on California’s North Coast.  From the beginning, the Study Club has been concerned about the well-being of their remote Mendocino Coast community.  Today, the Study Club is expanding its participation in heritage-related activities, including its work with the annual Heritage Days of Mendocino County and helping to promote the California Coastal National Monument. The Ford House, where the festivities were held, is the visitor center for the Mendocino Headlands State Park.

Mendocino Study Club board member and organizer of the event, Ruth Sparks, reading excerpts from the Presidential Proclamation that established the California Coastal National Monument

Mendocino Study Club President Margaret Ward draws names of the “Stop and View the Rocks” contest

Ruth Sparks holds up a watercolor print of rock of the Mendocino coast that was one of the “Stop and View the Rocks” contest prizes

 
Festivities attendees admire the CCNM 10th anniversary poster

Attendees enjoy rock candy, rock cookies, and rock cupcakes:

- Rick Hanks, BLM California Coastal National Monument manager, November 2010

BLM-California News.bytes, issue 456