Did you know that less than an hour from Stevenswood Spa Resort is the B. Bryan Preserve in Point Arena. In 2008, B Bryan Preserve in conjuction with B Bryan Wildlife Foundation has over 60 animals, each with their own personal name.

Most of the animals at B Bryan Preserve came from zoo’s or other private organizations. These are not rescue animals. All of the animals are still relatively wild. Each species is in their own seperate large field that is similar to their native habitat. The type of animals they have are not conducive to taming or petting.

Enjoy wildlife such as the Roan Antelope which is one of Africa’s most attractive antelopes. First described 200 years ago, it is now one of the most endangered antelopes in many parts of Africa, despite being one of the most reproductive. They typically weigh between 500-660 pounds with a lifespan of about 17 years. The Roan and Sable antelope breeds are so powerful that they have been known to kill lions and hyenas when attacked.

Also the Greater Kuda is considered to be the most handsome of the tragelaphine antelopes. Kuda are graceful leapers and are capable of leaping 9 feet with little effort. When hunted, if close to water, they will take refuge in it as they are powerful swimmers.

Th Sable Antelope is one of the most impressive antelopes found in Africa. Among its distinctive features are its long horns, some 40-65 inches long. The ringed horns rise vertically, then sweep backwards in a pronounced curve. The horns are found in both sexes, but the males horns are slightly larger and heavier. They weigh between 400-500 pounds and there lifespan is about 20 years.

The Grevy’s Zebra is the largest, wildest and most untamable of the three zebra species remaining in Africa. In recent times, Grevy Zebras have suffered one of the most substantial reductions on the range of any African mammal, leading them to be classified as critically endangered. Presently only 2,000 - 2,500 remain in the wild, restricted to Ethiopia and northern Kenya. They have a lifespan of 40 years in captivity and weigh between 700-950 pounds.

They also have the Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra which occupies the rugged broken terrain at the edge of the African plateau east of the Namib Desert. Due to increasing impoverishment of certain groups that poaching has increased rapidly over the last few years. Also, since the zebra offers a relatively large amount of meat, it has become a perferable target of poachers.

Tours: A tour at B. Bryan Preserve is designed to give the visitors and animals plenty of space to roam while allowing for close up viewing. This is not a zoo, but a preserve.

Tours are available by reservation only. The 1 1/2 hour tour cost is $20 per adult and $10 for children 10 and under. Cash or check only; no credit cards. Call us at 707-882-2297 or email at fmello@bbryanpreserve.com .

Pieces of 58-year-old institution snapped up for fraction of value.

Piece by piece, the last of the family-owned Harwood mill was auctioned off Tuesday, November 18, to pay off a $3 million dept to Wells Fargo Bank.

Shrinking Industry. For two decades after World War ll, Mendocino County had about 200 sawmills, many of them portable mills. Since the mid-1960’s, all but five of the county’s mills have shutdown.

Mendocino County’s history was built on the logging industry. The first sawmill in Mendocino County was built on the Mendocino Headlands for Henry Meiggs as part of the California Lumber Manufacturing Company incorporated June 20, 1852.

With the closing of Harwood Mill in Branscomb with more than 200 workers, the mill had been a major employer in Mendocino county until its closure early this year.

Harwood Products was a victim of the nationwide housing slump, which caused the price of lumber to drop to near-record lows. It shut down in January, with hopes of reopening in a few months, but the closure lasted longer than expected, creating a cash flow problem that ultimately led to bankruptcy proceedings.

Harwood said “In the old days, the bankers understood the good times and the bad times. Now it’s like you miss your payment and you’re toast,” he said.

“This is a bloodbath,” said Bruce Burton, who owns a small mill in Willits and is one of two mills left in Mendocino County with the Ukiah Saw Mill being the other.

The company has been resilient in the past, weathering past economic downturns that led the county’s largest timber companies, Louisiana Pacific and Gerogia Pacific, to sell.

Forty years ago, the Harwoods were forced to sell their Willits mill and thousands of acres of timberland.

Following that setback, the family focused on its Branscomb mill, located west of Laytonville in a town of about 100 people.

When the timber company was hit in the 1990’s by increased regulations and a dwindling supply of large trees, it rebounded by turning to specilaty wood products.

In the late 1990’s, it spent millions expanding the mill’s capacity and installing hgh-tech equipment that allowed it to mill smaller logs.

But now the end of another era with the mill being auctioned off piece by piece with the final bids ending on Tuesday, November 18.

Two new treatments have been added to our spa menu.

First is Pearlbrite Professional Tooth Whitening System. Teeth whitening is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the color of natural tooth enamel and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile.

Because having whiter teeth has now become the number one aesthetic concern of most patients, there are a number of ways to whiten teeth. Tooth whitening is not permanent. A touch-up maybe needed every several years, and more often if you smoke, drink coffee, tea or wine.

What does tooth whitening involve? 15 minutes! Yep, thats it! While many procedures can result in pain or even burns, Pearlbrite is entirely safe and virtually painless. And the best part is that it is not a burden on your wallet. Only $149.

You will receive care instructions for your teeth and trays, and be encouraged to visit your dentist regularly to help maintain a beautiful, healthy, white smile.

Next is Inthinity Body Wrap. Look your best in less than 2 hours. You can lose up to 6 inches with our exclusive Inthinity Body Wrap. Achieve stunning results with advanced body sculpting!

Our herbal body wrap is proven effective and safe! With cleansing herbs to detoxify and tone your body & skin. You will see the difference on your very first visit. Only $225.

Mendocino bids a fond farewell for landscape painter Bill Martin, who passed away on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at Stanford University Medical Center due to complication from lymphoma. He was 65.

William Henry Martin was born in South San Francisco on January 22, 1943. He received his B.F.A. and M.F.A. from the San Francsco Art Institute and is the author of the books “Paintings 1969-1979″, “The Joy of Drawing” and “Lost Legends”.

Bill Martin was an internationally renowned artist with strong ties to the local community. Martin taught art at the San Francisco Art Institute, UC Berkeley, San Jose State University, College of the Redwoods, and in recent years, the Mendocino Art Center.

Mr. Martin usually worked on semicrcular or round canvases and loved to paint sweeping panoramas of the Pacific Ocean and floral scenery of Mendocino. His work hs been shown in museums around the country, including the Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

Mr. Martin left behind his wife, Shelly Martin; son, Gabriel Sticker; daughter, Shanti Bischop: and grandchildren, Laurne and Brooke Bischop.