A few web sites I recommend

Bodega Bay Navigator Western Sonoma County and West Marin news

Hard News Inc. Rants and raves about the behind-the-scenes stories, photos, video projects and obsessions that impinge on the life of a Los Angeles investigative reporter/documentary filmmaker.

Jacob Resneck’s Dispatches from Elsewhere Former Point Reyes Light reporter

Point Reyes Light archives Stories published in The Light from 1995 to 2005.

Rick Lyttle artist Inverness printmaker

West Marin Citizen Description: New West Marin weekly newspaper

DigitalFamily.com Created by former Point Reyes Light reporter Janine Warner (www.JCWarner.com) the DigitalFamily.com features free tutorials, books, and videos on how to create Web sites and other digital projects.

30 Responses to “ Links ”

  1. Tim Donohue says:

    David,
    Thanks for an interesting site. My great grandfather was an Irish Immigrant and straw boss for the North Pacific Coast Railroad in Tomales and Sausalito (1876-early 1900s). His son was the head conductor for the follow on Northwestern Pacific Railroad. The famous picture of the 1906 Locomotive at Point Reyes also pictures another distant relative. I was planning on making a trip in the future after retirement into the area, and your blog gave me lots of great ideas.
    Thanks much for your historical contribution on this wonderful subject.

  2. Andrea Faber says:

    Hi David and Lynn: I’m loving SparselySageAndTimely.com and
    am glad we stopped to meet you at Bruce and Brigitta’s last night before we left. It was a pleasure. One of these days, we really
    will call you and say we’d like to stop by and see you in Point Reyes. Best regards, Andrea and Gordon

  3. I have always been in awe of you and Cathy Mitchell from the time you published the expose of Synanon. I grew up in that era and was deeply affected by the Jonestown tragedy, althought not personally involved.
    I just would like to know if you or Cathy have written any more books lately?

    • DavidMitchell says:

      A book by Cathy, “Margaret Fuller’s New York Journalism,” was published in 1995. A textbook on newswriting, “The News Formula,” followed. In 2009, her book “Save a Spaniel” was published. It’s the story of a dog rescued from an animal shelter, where it was in danger of euthanasia.

      “The Light on Synanon,” which I co-wrote with Cathy and sociologist Richard Ofshe, was the last writing I’ve had published in book form. I guess I ought to come up with another book. Thanks for writing.

  4. Melissa Sweeney says:

    Great to find your blog, Dave!

  5. Carol Davis says:

    Dave, happy to see your blog here. (I worked for you and Cathy in 80-81 doing ads and darkroom. Fond memories, indeed. please put me on the Blog mailing list (I couldn’t find the link). Carol Davis, Sonoma ( was Hanson back in those days)

  6. Steve Regan says:

    I think the peacock followed you from Fayette. We have several bird feeders and enjoy the finches, hummingbirds, and occasional oriole, but I was checking my pulse and my blood pressure when sitting in my back yard in the middle of Cedar Rapids I had two turkey vultures sitting on my fence.

    Keep up the good writing. I am working on another book, a couple of historical articles, and trying to finish a pathetic looking boat for a camping trip in 2 weeks (how fast does epoxy cure??)/

  7. Jason P says:

    Hey Dave! Long time since I served you a cappuccino at the Station House!

    Do you know whatever happened to a man named “Arthur” who if I remember right ran a business called ‘Big Arthur’s P.A.’s ?

    I think I remember him being involved in the No Nukes album and used to provide sound equipment for western weekend. Any of this sound familiar?

    Anyways, glad to see you are still writing!

    Actually thanks to your blog I connected with an old friend of mine I hadn’t seen or spoken to in over 25 years, the owner of the light before you, Mike Gahagans son, also Named Mike.

    Cheers!

  8. Dear David,
    I just read in Stanford Magazine about your winning the Eugene Cervi Award. As a newly returned Peace Corps volunteer, I was in your M.A. Mass Communications program at Stanford and remember you. You’ve had an interesting life. Congratulations on all of your successes!
    After being a stay-at-home mom for a decade, my biggest professional achievement was becoming the chairman of the board of the National Investor Relations Institute, but I retired from a 22 year career in public relations, investor relations and financial communications at the end of 2007. Since then, I’ve been elected to Cleveland Heights (Ohio) City Council, become president of the Heights Bicycle Coalition (making us more bicycle friendly), and run four marathons, most recently the 2014 NY Marathon. I’m still happily married to the husband I met at Stanford. Life is good. I hope you are happy.

  9. Bunny Berngen says:

    Mr Mitchell-I worked on the Collegian during your first yr at Upper Iowa College and was in your journalism class. Congrats on the Eugene Cervi award-what an interesting career and life you are leading. I agree with Steve, I think the peacock followed you!!! Best wishes for the future-I remember those days on the college paper with Steve, Prune and Phil Armstrong fondly. Along with your challenge to read the daily paper and who had what posts in the Presidents cabinets and why he chose them.

  10. Patrik Jorgensen says:

    Hi Dave,

    It appears you are well and still enjoying the lovely environs of West Marin. I still take great pleasure in reading Sparseley Sage and Timely. Reading your column on Thursday after delivering the papers remains one of my favorite memories from my time at the Light.

    If you have time, would you mind sending me an e-mail? There is something I wanted to discuss with you and I can’t seem to find your address anywhere (I guess it’s been that long…). Meanwhile, take care and keep writing the column.

  11. Saab Lofton says:

    Remember a black man with dreadlocks in the mid 1990s who wrote a science fictional expose of the Nation of Islam which was endorsed by Professor Howard Zinn (1922 – 2010)? Remember having that black man over for dinner and going sailing with him? It’s me, David! We’ve GOT to catch up! A LOT has happened ..!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZUolnhA_MY

    http://saablofton.com

    http://trews.org/node/60

    “I’ve just finished watching [ the documentary, Saab Lofton: The Movie]. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the work you do and cutting through the culturally insane B.S. impeding Human freedoms. Awesome!”
    –Jas Warner studied psychology, anthropology and sexuality at the University of Adelaide

    “You are a very inspiring person, you know? I loved [the documentary, Saab Lofton: The Movie], it was so moving and inspirational. There should be more people like you in this world. God knows we need it. It made me re-think a lot of the choices I have made and the way I see things is in a whole new perspective. It was magnificent.”
    –Sara Simpson, a Facebook friend from Kingston, Washington

    “Just finished watching [the documentary, Saab Lofton: The Movie]. Kind of left me speechless. Your passion, imagination and blazing intelligence stood out loud and clear and reminds me of when I was young … Your ‘ministry’ is more wide ranging than mine, but I see we share the same concerns and the same desire for advocacy. You made me laugh (I think you have a very acute sense of the absurd), spoke to the societal frustration I too feel about the senselessness of our way of being here in America … Creativity pours out of everything you do — writing, filming, speechifying and encouraging others to ‘get up off a that thing.’ I admire your persistence and really like that you are willing to explore all possibilities of how to get done what you want to get done. I liked your film and ached to edit it so it would be more seamless because your messages are powerful and based on what can be instead of what is … God bless you, Saab. I admire how you manifest in the world.”
    –Gail Moore, a Facebook friend from San Francisco

    • DavidMitchell says:

      I remember you well, Saab, and I believe I still have a photo of you from when we went sailing. I am pleased to hear you are doing well.

  12. Saab Lofton says:

    Wow, it’s been a month since your response and I’m just now getting it — we should definitely get caught up, so please call me at 206 – 291 – 3815 or e-mail me at saablofton@hotmail.com

    Are you on Facebook?

  13. Marcus Fish says:

    Hi Dave,
    My Grandmother is Anne West, who I *think* was currently a columnist/reporter for the Light when you took the reigns from Michael Gahagen. I was curious if you might have any of her old articles to share, or interesting stories from your interactions/time working with her? John and Anne were very humble and did not talk to us grandchildren much about their accomplishments, and given that most of their activity was pre-internet, it is difficult to find the older articles online. We are sharing our stories with my children, their great-grandchildren, and anything you can share would be incredible! Thanks so much!

  14. Pat says:

    Hi. I happened upon your nature pages on this blog tonight and enjoyed seeing your visitors. I live on the opposite side of the country in rural NH and enjoy many of the same birds and beasts that visit you, plus an occasional bear. For the last 7 months, my most interesting repeat visitor has been a wild ruffed grouse keeping tabs on me or anyone who steps foot on the property. Apparently it’s a young male who has set up his territory to include my property. He has been vigorously defending it, often chasing me right up the steps and into my house! It has made for an interesting association…

  15. Bob Lechtenberg says:

    Mr Mitchell, I hope you will respond to this at my email above. I attended Upper Iowa College in 1966-1967, intending to be a journalism major, but I ran out of money, dropped out, joined the Navy, and followed another path. While at UI, II joined the college paper, got good feedback on my work from the faculty advisor whose name I cannot recall–a southern gentleman who smoked a pipe as you do, and who wore beautiful tweed jackets. Investigative reporter Jack Anderson was one of my heroes at the time, and he was my inspiration toward this major. My first and last investigative “scoop” for the Collegian involved Dr. Garbee, the president of Upper Iowa College at the time. I wrote what I thought was a great story about the incredible vertical monopoly he created there. He owned all the companies that serviced the campus from food service to grounds maintenance to janitorial and facility maintenance services. Needless to say, my article was not published in the college paper, and thus ended my brief career in journalism!
    I’ve been trying to research Dr. Garbee on the internet, but without success. Do you recall his full name, credentials, or any other information I might use for internet searches about him? He presented himself to me in a student paper interview as a “Renaissance man” but in retrospect I’m thinking he may have been more a con man. Thanks for your time and attention!

  16. Richard Crookham says:

    Dear Mr. Mitchell:
    I’m trying to find a picture of me that was maybe printed in the Baywood Press. I won a beauty contest when I was a child at the Stinson Beach 4th of July Celebration. I was 3 or 4 years old at the time and the years would have been 1949-1952. So the picture would be in an issue after the 4th of July of that year. I had blond hair. Or can you point me to any library that has microfilm of your newspaper back then. Thanks, Richard

  17. Saab Lofton says:

    David, we should definitely get caught up, so please call me at 206 – 291 – 3815 or e-mail me at saablofton@hotmail.com

    Are you on Facebook?

  18. Jim Crumpler says:

    Hi David,
    Does the Nicascio Historical Siciety have a mission statement?
    Thanks,
    Jim Crumpler,
    President, Novato Historical Guild

  19. Susan Dorey says:

    I just found your 2011 blog post about the sand dune at Salmon Creek Beach: “The threat from a runaway sand dune”. I am researching the Bodega sand dunes with an eye to writing a history of Bodega.
    I appreciate the detailed explanation of how the dune got to its present condition. And would dearly like an update.
    Thank you for your blog and best wishes on your marriage!

    Susan in Sonoma

  20. Carol (Hill) Shaffer says:

    Hi David,
    I enjoy reading your columns. You are one of the 2 childhood friends I have left. The other one is Ann Taylor. Please send me your email address so we can catch up. I would love to hear from you.
    Carol

  21. Kevin Pike says:

    Hi Dave, not sure if you remember me or not, however I sure would find it fun if you do. I have been married 38 years now, and yes I have a 38 year old daughter (lives in Newport, RI) My wife’s family was from the Bay area going back to the late 1800’s I suspect. The big quake hit while the family was touring Europe for a year. Interesting family. I am still a car guy, and I do remember your Toyota Corona from the 60’s. Of course if you remember anything from the 60’s you are not a participant, but probably a spectator. Turning 72 this Summer, so I am glad you are still with us and the coast is clear ahead. Take care my friend, Kevin

  22. bonnie Bohart says:

    Is jack Long still in Pint Reyes? does anyone take care of his birds? Can I adopt a couple of swans from him ?

    • DavidMitchell says:

      Jack’s still in Point Reyes Station, but you’ll need to contact him yourself re. the swans.

  23. Mr Mitchell,

    I just stumbled upon your article on 23 Sept 2013 referencing Pilgrims Wilderness by Tom Kizzia. My wife, the eldest daughter of “Papa Pilgrim” has written a book of her own story. It was wonderful to have Tom write the forward for it. I didn’t see anyway to contact the “editor” but I found that I could leave a comment here.

    In volunteering this information, I’m hoping to increase the awareness for those who have been abused and that there is hope of recovery for them – as seen by Elishaba Doerksen in her book Out of the Wilderness (outofthewildernessbook.com).

    I would be very interested in hearing from Mr. Mitchell, feel free to email me at the email address I have listed.

    Thank you,

    Matthew

  24. Jeff Probst says:

    Hi David

    Hello from the past. I just wanted to mention that I’ve written another novel, as you read (and were so kind to review) my first one, 30 or so years ago.

    This one is three times as long. It’s available at:
    https://www.amazon.com/When-Moon-White-Jeff-Probst/dp/1803132361/ref=sr_1_1?crid=17OWJNRCKYE1E&keywords=when+the+moon+was+white&qid=1666635046&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjg0IiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&s=books&sprefix=when+the+moon+was+white%2Cstripbooks-intl-ship%2C153&sr=1-1

    Hope you’re well. I can see you’re still writing, observing…

    Jeff

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