Melvin Lane

After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Lane joined Lane Publishing, the publisher of Sunset magazine, which started in the 1800s as a railroad magazine, much like today's airline magazines. Lane Publishing had taken over the failing magazine in the 1920s, recast it as a western lifestyle publication, and rocketed it to success despite an internal ban on tobacco and liquor ads. Melvin Lane expanded the company into books, starting with the Sunset Western Garden Book -- which is still the classic text on western gardening. Mel's interests also expanded: he was appointed by then-governor Ronald Reagan to the new California Coastal Commission, which was charged with figuring out how to balance coastal development with conserving the beauty of California's 1,000+ mile-long coast. "If you look around California, you would be hard-pressed to find a place of beauty that Mel hasn't played a part in preserving," said the California League of Conservation Voters when it presented Lane with its conservationist of the year award in 1998. Environmentalists decried what it thought were Lane's give-aways to business; business leaders decried what it thought were Lane's concessions to environmentalists -- showing his ability to balance between the two. "I think the business world is committing suicide by thinking it can continue to use up natural resources without a day of reckoning," he said in 1974 of his philosophy. "Look at what's happening right now. As soon as business tightens up, not only do we drop environmental controls but, as a shot to the economy, we drill for more oil and cut down more trees. These are a rip-off of the environment that can't be done indefinitely. So it's poor business." Lane died July 28 at home of complications from Parkinson's disease. He was 85. From This is True for 29 July 2007 Suggestions for further reading: Sunset Quick Cooking for Two by By the Editors of Sunset Books and Sunset Magazine Amazon Price: Customer Review: This is the best cookbook. I 'cook' every day. My family does not eat out and I am always looking to be inspired. This cookbook, even though I have had it for YEARS, still inspires me. The food is healthy, fresh, and fairly quick. I truly love the as...   KitchenAid Convection Oven Cook Book by Editors of Sunset Books & Magazines Amazon Price: Customer Review: Came so quickly it surprised me. In good condition. Haven't read yet but will soon.   Country French cooking (A Sunset book) by Editors Of Sunset Books and Sunset Magazine Amazon Price:   Sunset Italian Cook Book From Antipasto to Zabaglione by Editors of Sunset Books and Sunset Magazine Amazon Price: Customer Review: This book is great, I've used it for years and the recent purchase was a gift to my daughter who just loves the recipes. All the recipes are easy to follow and delicious.   Complete Landscaping (This Old House Complete) Amazon Price: Customer Review: This book is a worthwhile investment for homeowners/gardeners who want to tackle their own landscape with a decent education on what's involved. The book covers all the basics of starting with your landscape wish list...garden features, amending soi...   Newsfeed display by CaRP

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