The Stanford Inn by the Sea - Resort and Spa

A University of Washington study documented the effect on DNA in the brains of rats exposed for two hours to the Federal Communications Commission highest permissible level for cell phone radiation. Although the meaning of the DNA damage is not understood, researchers believe that point source heat can damage DNA and cell phones create point source heat. To avoid this heat, users should use headsets and hands-free devices. However, most of us tend to carry our phone in a pocket or purse and pull it out when it rings or vibrates and take the call.

We talk. A short call is probably not problematic. But all calls are not necessarily short. And many of us don't use a headset.

Radiation is measured in terms of specific absorption rate (SAR) - with 1.6 Watts per kilogram the maximum allowable by the Federal Communications Commission. You can find the SAR rating of your particular phone by visiting CNET's review site http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6602_7-5020355-1.html?tag=lnav

Now that cellphones are used not only for telephone calls but also emails, web browsing, music, etc. they tend to run with higher power - SAR levels. For example, the very popular Blackberry Curve operates at 1.54 watts per kilogram, the IPhone at .97, while the new Razr2 V-9 has a SAR rating of .52.

Our son used a Blackberry in his work and also as his primary phone. We gave him a Razr2 V9 as his voice phone, reducing the exposure to his head by two thirds, while arranging a second number with data services for the Blackberry.

By the way, the radiation form cellphones is associated with acoustic neuroma a non-malignant tumor wrapped around the auditory nerve.

If you use a Blackberry, IPhone or other phone with a high SAR rating, go to your provider and get a new lower rated handset to use as a phone and use the high powered device for email and web browsing.

I am a minister in the Universal Church of the Master (UCM), a Christian church whose members believe that the spirituality and mastery of Jesus, through training, meditation, discipline can be to some degree expressed by ordinary human beings. Each of us is capable of great service to others - of great love. It is therefore no surprise that UCM ministers embrace the concept of marriage by two people regardless of their sex.

Specifically, "UCM was founded in 1908 as a church in which members are encouraged to develop and exercise their spiritual powers. We discourage adherence to rigid dogmas and tenets, believing that each person must find and travel his/her own path in the Light, and that no single set of fixed rules is applicable to everyone in their spiritual quest." http://www.u-c-m.org/new/about.php

I have been willing to join in marriage any two people who love one another. Last fall two fantastic women came to me to be joined in marriage the next year, October, 2008. Each of these women in their professions served others in their work: they were loving, exceptional people. For whatever reason, we lost contact with them. Then the California Supreme Court decided that same sex marriages were essentially "constitutional" and shortly thereafter two women, a physician and a systems engineer called from Pennsylvania to ask that I preside over their elopement. On the second day following the "legalization" of same sex marriages, I officiated their marriage with one of our staff photographing the event and serving as the witness.

The ceremony was in Mancha's Garden under the wedding pergola. There were just the four of us, Amelia and Livia from Pennsylvania, Jill who coordinates weddings for the Inn, and me. Amelia and Livia were very much moved by the ceremony. They cried in celebration of their relationship. The energy from their official marriage was palpable, joyful and overwhelming sweeping Jill and me into its joyfulness.

I had never experienced any two people embrace their marriage with such joy. I have married many couples, more than a few who just had chosen to "make it official," or "decided to have children,' or "wanted to celebrate their living together with a wedding." These weddings have been joyful, tearful and moving. But the heterosexual couples could choose whether or not to marry. Two women or two men prior to the California Supreme Court's decision could not choose marriage except in Massachusetts - and that is a huge difference. Livia and Amelia's joy is that of an explosive release, of the achievement and a recognition not possible before.

I am using this blog to thank Amelia and Livia - two beautiful people now joined in marriage who taught me so much. I wish you a wonderful, happy and very long life together. Thank you, Reverend Jeff Stanford

Ten days ago a "dry" thunderstorm moved over much of Northern California creating more 1000 wildfires, many in Mendocino County.

While Mendocino's "Coast is Clear" has been true the last ten days, many of our neighbors have been beset by smoke and fires. My assistant and our head of projects (building and maintenance) Ryan Rhoades has been off fighting fires until yesterday when we desperately needed him help to put on a large wedding. Ryan reports that the fires across the County have abated as has the smoke in inland valleys. We are happy to report that our partners from Willits through Ukiah and Hopland and into Anderson Valley never closed and are ready to welcome visitors to this incredible County. Tasting rooms and State Parks are open.

It has been a hard time for inland residents. We are concerned for them. Many depend on the summer for much of their income - innkeepers, as well as their staffs, and the staffs of restaurants, tasting rooms and other service businesses.

Our sympathies go out to all who have been impacted by the fires. We want to encourage readers of this posting to explore Mendocino County, stay with our inland partners and get to know our wonderful vintners and their wines, beautiful parks and wild lands. (Written by Jeff Stanford)