When reading the San Francisco Chronicle the other day, I was surprised to find a long article in the 96 Hours weekend section about a new independent film, which held its world premiere June 7 at the Another Hole in the Head Festival at the Roxie theater in the City. Made in 30 days for $25,000, the filming of the sci-fi flick took place, according to the article, “mostly on a privately owned campground in Fort Bragg.” Director Phillip Hudson, 35, says the movie has brought in $97,000 in international sales (with much of it going to film sales agents). More at www.sfindie.com. Or email the story writer, G. Allen Johnson, ajohnson@sfchronicle.com. Aliens in our woods? One more reason to get off the couch and explore.

The county’s coordinator for 4H, Arlene Fuller, has been busy organizing the Coast Water Festival, which takes place from 3:30-6:30 pm Friday, June 6, in front of City Hall in Fort Bragg on Franklin and Laurel Streets. Adults & youth of all ages are welcome. Join the festivities, including live music. It’s free. You’ll learn:

• Learn interesting facts about water!
• Learn how to protect & conserve our water resources!
• Water Harvesting information!
• Learn from Master Gardeners- tips about soil, water and your garden.
• Information on Grey Water collection systems.
• Stormwater runoff pollution solutions!
• Make an edible Groundwater Model you can eat!

For more information please contact Arlene at 961-2508.

Cammie King, who got the coveted role of ‘Bonnie Blue Butler’ in the 1939 film classic Gone With The Wind, left show business shortly after the movie premiered.

“I peaked at age five,” she jokes, in the parlor at Little River Inn where serves as public relations representative.

Like the nationwide search for an actress to play ‘Scarlett,’ producer David O. Selznick also launched a search for ‘Bonnie,’ her doomed daughter. “We lived in Los Angeles, and I remind people that in 1939 it was a much smaller city. And it was an industry town. It wasn’t that big a deal for neighbors and friends to work at the studios.”

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I recently met Carole and Greg White at a Thanksgiving Coffee fundraising dinner and learned that their “kids” are owners of two Fort Bragg businesses.

Kyle White, 30, launched WHITEOUT!, a mobile document shredding micro-enterprise more than five years ago. He handles shredding assignments for doctors, dentists, clinics, CPA’s and more. What is particularly interesting about this is that Kyle is developmentally disabled. He is one of the first Californians with a developmental disability to receive funding from the California Department of Rehabilitation to start his own business. Typical sources of employment for individuals with special needs are sheltered workshops and supported employment jobs. With the support of five local businesses and assistance from parents Carole and Greg White, WHITEOUT! was launched in 2002. With privacy conscious clinics, doctors, dentists and CPA’s as clients, Kyle’s inability to read is an asset.

Hilary, 27, owner of If The Shoe Fits, has an similar interesting story to tell … (more…)

With salmon fishing off limits, where will local boat tour operators go? In search of flying fish perhaps?

There are indeed flying fish — 40 species worldwide. But they are found in warm oceans, not in our cool north coast waters.

However, the Mendocino Coast Audubon Society is sponsoring a pelagic birding trip on May 18, taking a boat load of locals and tourists from Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg aboard the Trek II to search for birds at sea. Trip leaders are Fort Bragg’s noted wildlife photographer Ron LeValley from Mendocino Coast Photographer Guild and Gallery in the Company Store on Main Street in Fort Bragg. For details and reservations, contact Karen Havlena jkhavlena@yahoo.com or 707-964-1280. Noyo Habor-based trips also are planned for Aug. 8 and 10 by Debbie Shearwater Journeys.

As Fort Bragg continues to build a reputation as a popular tourist destination, local businesses are building and running green businesses. Not surprising. Living in a rural community, especially one surrounded forests and ocean, tends to heighten your awareness of the earth’s beauty and its limited resources. (more…)

There is lots of talk these days about “going green.” And, that’s good with global warming playing havoc with the planet. But one company, Thanksgiving, has been supporting sustainability since the company was founded by Paul and Joan Katzeff 37 years ago. Their company motto is “Not Just a Cup, but a Just Cup.” And they have backed up the words with support for gorillas, songbird habitat, fair trade pricing for poor farmers in third world countries and more. (more…)