Vol. MMIX Author/Publisher: Lloyd Johnson Issue: August
San Onofre:
The situation at San Onofre is changing almost daily. The most recent development is that the Department of Parks and Recreation has asked the court of appeals to publish the ruling, and it has been published. This is so they don't have to re-litigate each time they want to reverse the Cahill Policy.
Earlier they said this was only about San Onofre. We never believed that claim. They have now shown plainly that they are planning ahead, for a complete reversal of the Cahill Policy, statewide. This was never about just San Onofre.
Friends of San Onofre have already filed a Petition for Review with the Supreme Court. Because of this the Cahill policy must remain in effect statewide until the Supreme Court makes a decision. That will likely be at least mid October. This is all costing money. Please get involved now by donating to Friends of San Onofre or the Naturist Action Committee. Black's Beach Bares will take your donations and forward them to either party. If you will not join forces with us now, then when? This is a fight for our right to exist.
Soon we may also need letters written to Parks officials and elected officials. Please stay in touch throughout the year so that we can all act in a timely manner. They won't be resting through the winter, and neither should we.
We do not anticipate any threats at Black's Beach, but we don't want to be caught off guard either. If any citations, warning or threats are made at Black's Beach, please bring them to my attention.
The Beach in General:
The weather has been almost consistently hot and sunny, with only a few overcast and warm days. The water temperature has ranged from 68-77, and it has gotten very clearly recently. The sand is usually too hot for bare feet.
Thousands of people have been visiting sunny weekends, only hundreds on weekdays. People generally play in the water during the hot mid-day and move to volleyball when the sand cools off later in the day.
Past Events:
We hosted five picnics in July. Some of the food grilled has included zucchini, hot dogs, chicken, hamburgers, shish kabobs, banana, peaches, bratwurst and sweet corn.
Future Events:
Let the picnics continue! You don't have to bring food, but the key to participation is to bring something to share. We provide the fire, but you cook it. Then you pass it around in bite-sized pieces and mingle.
The toys and the games are still available. We still have tattoos to pass out. We still lead swims. There's still a lot of summer left!
August 1 / Surf EventAugust 2 / Sunday Picnic
August 9 / Sunday Picnic
August 16 / Sunday Picnic
August 23 / Sunday Picnic
August 30 / Sunday Picnic
September 6 / Sunday Picnic
September 7 / Labor Day Picnic
September 13 / Sunday Picnic
The Naturist Society (TNS):
TNS is a member organization formed to promote nude recreation and body acceptance. They do this by defending clothing optional use of public land through participating groups like ours. Without their hard work in years past, you would not be nude on this beach or any other.
We constantly need your help. You say you’ve been coming to Black’s Beach for how many years? Has it gotten better? Has it gotten worse? What have you done? What have you given back?
TNS membership is a good start. With TNS membership you get a subscription to their quarterly magazine, discounted admission to resorts, invitations to gatherings and festivals, discounts on Skinny Dipper merchandise and voting privileges. Most importantly your membership adds strength in numbers to protect our choice not to wear clothes.
Western Gathering:
TNS conducts several gatherings a year. The nearest gathering is August 20-23, at Lupin Lodge near Los Gatos. The gatherings are political in nature, sharing good news and bad. Philosophies and tactics are discussed, but there is also a great deal of fun, games and camaraderie. Our own Dave Cole will be hosting a few workshops.
Spring Tide:
Spring tide is a condition of very high and very low tides in the same 24 hours. The highest tides in the summer typically occur at about 9pm. We get a wide beach during the busy day, but there's a sharp rise late in the day.
Consider this before taking a long walk. You wouldn't want to return to find your stuff has been washed out to sea. When you're laying down watching the waves get closer and closer, consider that the next big wave might reach you.
moon / low / highAug / 6 / full / -0.4 / 6.2 10:02pm
Aug / 20 / new / -1.2 / 7.1 9:52pm
Sep / 4 / full / 0.1 / 5.9 9:44pm
Spring tides are closely bound to new and full moon, but comparably high a few days before and after. Also the time of highest tide gets about 40 minutes later each day.
Stingrays:
There are stingrays in our water all year, even knee deep. Stingrays don’t attack people, but if you step on one, you will learn that their defense mechanism is very painful. It’s treated with heat. Bury the affected area in hot sand. The pain takes hours to pass and rarely requires medical attention. You may want to flag down lifeguards. They will be able to bandage your wound after the pain passes.
Torrey Pines Reef 2:
There is a small artificial reef offshore, about 500 yards out and 35 feet down. This reef is host to a variety of life, fish, lobster and other invertebrates. A giant sea bass has been seen there recently. The warm water has even brought yellowtail to our waters, and they can be seen from the surface. The entire swim takes about an hour. It's too small to find without help. Ambitious swimmers should look for buddies between our two flags, or contact Lloyd through the website.
Subscriptions:
Many people take free copies from the bulletin board and the people who read newsletters from the website are uncounted too. These free sources of the newsletter will continue, because keeping people informed is the point.
Please consider making a donation anyway. There are monthly expenses for operating the website. Donations can also be directed to Black's Beach Diggers trail workers. You decide if the newsletter, the website or the trail have made your visit better, and donate accordingly.
http://blacksbeach.org