Vol. Mmviieditor: Lloyd Johnsonissue: September 2Nd

Vol. MMVIIEditor: Lloyd JohnsonIssue: September 2nd

Bad News:

I put out a September issue already, but one incident requires that I put out a second edition. At approximately 7pm September 1st a ranger drove from north to south announcing that he had a complaint and we all had to get dressed for the remainder of the day. The Cahill Policy requires that they receive a complaint before they can order us to get dressed, and it's only in effect for the remainder of the day. It could have been worse; the day was practically over.

I stopped the ranger to ask him about the complaint and he replied that they received a WRITTEN complaint. I advised him that I will be filing a public records request to see that complaint.

We don't yet know if this was an isolated incident, or the first symptom of a bigger problem. Similar things have occurred in other states and other parks. Sometimes there was a complaint and sometimes it was an officer with a power trip. It will likely take weeks to uncover the facts. We all hope for the best, but it's my job to prepare for the worst.

There were suspicious circumstances. That same ranger drove north to south, passing the Bares volleyball court at 6:21. I know this because he ran over and broke some volleyball equipment, leading him to stop and get stuck in the sand. Volleyball players pushed him out and I took a picture with a digital camera, recording the time. Then just 40 minutes later he returns with a complaint. Who was in the office so late to receive the complaint?

Afterward, he drove north with emergency lights running, disappearing around Flatrock about sunset.

To my knowledge this last occurred March 12th 2006. The details and other relevant information are in the April 2006 issue. Copies are available upon request at our yellow flag, or can be downloaded from the archives.

If anyone was cited or has information about the complaint, please contact Lloyd. We may be able to help with your legal defense.

The Beach in General:

August gave us many warm days, though not as sunny as is typical. Lately, the days have been hot and sunny. The water temperature was up to 79 much of the month, but has recently dropped to 72. Thankfully, stingrays have been very few in numbers.

Perhaps 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 have hosted four picnics in August. We've provided hot grills, shared food, shaded naked skin from the harsh sun, shared body boards and surfboards, led swims and offered games. We also cleared seaweed and provided rakes for further clearing.

Our third annual surf event is now behind us, and the results are in. Craig successfully defended his title while Jazmin won the women's division. In body boarding the winners were Wally and Linda, Javier in the teen division and Mike in the pre-teen division. Shirts were given as prizes. Surplus shirts are still available. Check our "Merchandise" page and contact Geoff for details.

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. Food left on the table just gets cold and goes to the squirrels late in the day.

Vintage Shirts:

Dave has revived a shirt design from the 70's. The design shows a couple walking, with the text, “san diego” and “black’s beach”. If you're interested, check our "Merchandise" page and contact Dave.

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.

Spring tides are closely bound to new and full moon, but comparably high a few days before and after. This month the highest tides are the evenings of September 6-10 and 24-25, ranging from 6:30-9:18. 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.

The Naturist Society (TNS):

There's always somebody out there trying to clothe a nude beach. Sometimes the threat is legislation, sometimes it's harassment and sometimes it's a developer. The point is that it takes constant vigilance to keep this freedom.

Black's Beach Bares is allied with TNS for exactly this reason. We are focused on this particular beach and TNS has a broader goal of keeping beaches, hot springs and parks open, nationwide. Their efforts in years past have kept this beach open for your use today. Because the threat is constant, we constantly need help. You can visit Black's Beach day after day, year after year, hoping for the best. Please consider planning for the worst too.

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 to not wear clothes.

Membership and Subscriptions:

Membership in Black's Beach Bares is rather casual. There is no official list of members and I rarely check subscription expirations. Subscriptions by US mail are $10/year, and I ask $2/year for email 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.