The beavers were a very popular presence at the John Muir Birthday Earthday Celebration today. We had a prominent display between the national parks inventory and Alhambra Creek. During the day we chatted with an array of beaver supporters and environmentalists. While swapping stories we collected contact information and invited children to do beaver artwork which will be appearing on the web page soon. People reported that distant family had seen our beavers on the news in Nevada, LA, Minnesota, Virginia and Georgia. Animal Portraitist Fro Butler stopped by to demonstrate the painting she is working on based on a photo taken of our beavers. Her artistic talent encouraged a brigade of more than 70 children to enter drawings for the contest. Our youngest artist was only three, and all were interested in the beavers and their story. Besides a collection of photos and a martinez beaver scrapbook, we displayed two large stumps chewed by the beavers. Everyone agreed that beaver dentists must be very well paid. Children were unanimous in their support for the animals; one girl reported the mayor had recently visited her school and said the beavers “might be moved.” She clearly hoped that didn’t happen.
At the days’ end we held a raffle for the Alpha and Omega beaver t-shirts. Congratulations to Alice Barlettani who won the very first shirt designed for the candlelight Vigil back in November, and also to Steve Sokol who won the latest t-shirt distributed at the April 16th meeting. The day was full of happy faces, excellent music, and perfect weather. I hadn’t been out to the Muir site in a while, and I was reminded what a peaceful, natural place it is. Ohh and John Muir himself came over to greet Worth A Dam and said in his lovely Scottish lilt….”Martinez should keep the beavers”.
Aye, Mr. Muir, that we should. Look for children’s artwork soon.
