Holiday Toy Drives of Sonoma County

Taking Care of our Children on the Holidays

Below is a story of one family's personal efforts to provide toys for homeless children. There are Toy drives throughout Sonoma County as we approach the Holidays - Please participate in one close to you and let us know of Toy Drives not on our list. Please e-mail information to vesta@sonic.net

Christmas in October Fundraiser for Homeless Children

My family and I were sitting around the dinner table when my oldest son Aidan, who is almost 7, asked, “Mom, can I help give some food to the kids who don’t have any?”. After I wiped the tears from my face, I gave him an absolute firm “yes!”.

That night we got on the computer and started researching places where we might be able to help. We came upon Catholic Charities out of Santa Rosa. They were excited to hear from us and have been extremely helpful from day one.

It started out as possibly bringing cupcakes to the kids, or helping to serve dinner, but my son wanted more. We suggested to Catholic Charities maybe a toy drive. I requested that they send us a list of all of the children living in the shelter with their names, age and gender. Two days ago, I received this list. There are 60 children living in the shelter with their families, ranging in age from 2 weeks old to 15 years old.

Aioli Delicatessen organized a toy drive for these less fortunate children to bring a smile to their faces in this tumultuous and uncertain time in their lives. We assigned people a boy or a girl with an age.They in turn buy a gift that was age appropriate and brought it to Aioli in Forestville.

Community support made it happen! We thank everyone who participated to this a worthy cause.

http://www.srcharities.org/

Autumn Opitz
Aioli – A Gourmet Delicatessen
6536 Front Street
Forestville, CA 95436
707-887-2476

SONOMA COUNTY TOY DRIVES FOR THE HOLIDAYS:

Fire Departments:

Graton Fire: http://www.gratonfire.com/
Please bring new, unwrapped gift to:
• Graton Post office on Ross Road
• Graton Fire Station on Ross at Graton Rd.
• Graton Commuity Center, Graton at Edison on Dec. 13th
• The barrell at Andy's Market on Hwy 116 North

Forestville Fire: http://www.forestvillefire.org/
Please bring new, unwrapped gifts to:
• Forestville Fire Dept on Mirabel Road
Toys will be distributed to The Forestville Giving Tree Program and Toys for Tots

Sebastopol Fire: http://www.ci.sebastopol.ca.us/fire.shtml
Please bring new, unwrapped gifts to
• Sebastopol Fire Station on Bodega Hwy west of downtown.
If you have ideas and gifts for pre-teens and teens it would be very helpful - thank you.

The Giving Tree Program:
Front Street Hair Salon
6681 Front Street in Forestville
Please bring unwrapped, new gifts until December 23rd.
Benefits children from Sonoma County Family, Youth and Children's Maintenance Program (Child Protective Services)

River to Coast Children's Services
Give Santa a hand this year by donating a toy or gift certificate for a child, ages toddler through teen. Please drop off donations at River To Coast Children’s Services. For gift ideas, check out the Christmas Tree in Westamerica Bank, in downtown Guerneville.

Guerenville Holiday Community Dinner & Toy Drive
Friday Dec 25 1-4p.m. Guerneville Vet's Hall on the corner Church & 1st Street. Bob Burke plays Santa, Russian River Sisters and The Metropolitan Church of Guerneville co-sponser this community-wide free dinner. All welcome!!! For donations or to volunteer please call-Leslyn Dooley 869-0660 or Mary Mount 695-3980. Also we are Toy Driving this year on our own sooo please call Leslyn Dooley 869-0660 or Mary Mount 695-3980 for pick up or drop off. We needs to gifts for peole of ALL ages quite honestly!

Redwood Gospel Mission Homeless Shelter
Please drop toy donations to any Redwood Gospel Mission store at:
1821 Piner Road, Santa Rosa
http://www.srmission.org/

Thru Dec 24 ~ Children's Village Toy Drive ~ I'd like to extend this offer to all of you and your friends, family and co-workers... in an effort to collect as many toys and gifts for the Childrens Village Christmas Party, Family Optometry Center will be hosting toy drive here in the office from now until Christmas: 1559 Farmers Lane, Santa Rosa, CA 95405, 707-571-2020, http://www.familyoptometrycenter.com/ There will be a box in the lobby for unwrapped toys and we are also giving each person who comes in with an unwrapped toy $25 off their purchase along with a gift. We will be providing Christmas Trees, filled stockings, dinner and a morning of fun for the children at The Children's Village as well as a 'house stocking' for each of the 4 houses on site. Any donation is greatly appreciated. www.redwoodempire2030.com

Grub for Gifts Exchange
Peter and Annette White, owners of Sugo Trattoria in downtown Petaluma, wanted to help. They have created a weeklong “Grub for Gifts Exchange” in their restaurant to benefit Toys for Tots. Visit Sugo Trattoria for lunch or dinner Dec. 14 – Dec.21, 2009, bring in a new, unwrapped toy and receive a free order of Sugo’s acclaimed Bruschetta Trio. Happy Holiday’s from Sugo Trattoria’s Family to Yours! Sugo is located at 5 Petaluma Blvd. South, Petaluma, 707-782-9298, www.sugopetaluma.com

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Sonoma County Wine

Where there’s smoke

More times than not it’s the toast on the barrel and, occasionally, the varietal of the grape that produces a smokey quality. In 2008 Northern California as well as Central & Southern California experienced numerous fires and depending on where the vineyard was located, there may or may not have been smoke damage. Grape growers, vineyard managers and winemakers jointly worked to identify the vineyards that were smoke damaged, however, the proof is in the wine – ie, after fermentation, some winemakers found smoke damage to be too pervasive for bottling and decided to bulk-sell the wine (ie their grapes will be blended with other wines and sometime other varietals to create an inexpensive every day wine). In some cases, smoke actually enhanced the flavor of the wine depending on how neutral the barrels used were and how the grapegrower, vineyard manager and winemaker worked with the vineyard to produce the final wine. Let’s revisit this subject next year, however, I have found 2008 to be actually quite elegant, oftentimes the smoke has been beneficial, creating another layer and element to the wine that I find to be quite enjoyable. Let your palate be the judge.

Thanksgiving Again!

Riesling and pinot noir are two varietals that are really complimentary to a Thanksgiving Dinner. Riesling, with a light demi-sec or slight residual sugar provides a subtle sweetness that pairs well with squash or carrot soup and even dessert, such as pumpkin pie. Pinot Noir, being so versatile, carefully selected, will work with everything from turkey to goose and lamb. This year’s Riesling release from Ventana (the 2008), retailing at $12, has much less mineral finish than the previous vintage and is a great complement to turkey.

A great value Pinot Noir is the River Road Reserve 2008 (retailing at $18) – with sharp red fruit, and generous spice on the palate, this is a great complement, once again, to a Thanksgiving Dinner – turkey, goose, and possibly ham, however I wouldn’t pair this up with lamb. Another Russian River Pinot Noir that is perfect for Thanksgiving is the Davenport 2005. 100% Dijon 115 clone. Retailing at $35, this pinot noir will work across palates from turkey to lamb – the perfect pairing, though this is a small production and not much around.

With the cooler weather, rosés have suddenly fallen out of favor, however Rosé D’Anjou (France) is a lovely sipping rosé of pinot noir and works very well with Thanksgiving Dinner, retailing at only $10 it’s a great value. For the chardonnay lover, - Balletto’s Teresa’s 2008 Chardonnay (Russian River Valley) is 100% stainless steel and 100% inoculated which provides that “buttery quality” that some people like and a nice racy acidity that will complement most rich turkey dinners (retailing $15).

For those who like to celebrate the holidays with Champagne, Louis Roederer Brut Premier now retails under $50 and has nice cracked wheat, easy flavors, baked apple - an elegant edition to any dinner, birthday, and upcoming holidays.

Carol Shelton’s 2008 “Sweet Caroline” made from the organic Fanucchi vineyard on Wood Road in the Russian River Valley is a late harvest trousseau gris and a terrific pairing for desserts such as apple tatin, apple pie, and, my favorite, aged goats milk cheese. It will also work very well with a starting course of butternut squash soup. The wine has a slight effervescence (infused by the winemaker). There are delicious stone fruit flavors of nectarine and white peach, also a demi-sec (retail $15, 375ml).

Those of us who are looking towards having gamey or red meats and would like to look at great value red wines – here are just a few, exceptionally good in their price point – PKNT Carmenere, Chile, dry and spicy ($7), Tierra Brisa Malbec 2008, Argentina ($7), will work really well with red meats or gamey cuisine. Puerto Viejo Malbec 2008, Argentina: dark, rich and uncharacteristic of a 100% malbec. Although big on the palate, very smooth; an exceptionally good sipping wine and outstanding with roast vegetables, roast turkey, roast meats - at $9 one of the best value malbecs I’ve tasted in a decade.

Wishing you all a Happy and safe Thanksgiving!

John Haggard is owner of Sophie’s Cellars, The Sonoma Wine & Cheese Market in Monte Rio, California. Sophie’s Cellars is open 11am – 7pm, closed only on Wednesdays. www.sophiescellars.com

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Efren Carrillo - Our Community

Please join us on December 8th for a forum on Disaster Preparedness at the Guerneville Veteran’s Building from 6-8pm. This forum will focus on area agencies and their capabilities to respond and assist in the event of flooding or other disaster in the Russian River area. Panelists will include County Fire Chief Mark Aston (also Head of Department of Emergency Services), Monte Rio Chief Steve Baxman, Russian River Chief Sean Grinnel, Forestville Chief Dan Northern, County representatives from Transportation and Public Works, Community Development Commission, Sheriff’s Office, PG&E, American Red Cross, and the following community groups: West County Community Services, West County Health Centers, and the Russian River Disaster Preparedness Committee. Each agency will discuss their area of expertise, new capabilities offered, and then the group will be available for questions and comments.

After a tremendous amount of hard work by River area community members led by Jan DeWald, California Housing Opportunities West (CHOW) has been formed to provide staffing and oversight to the Emergency Shelter opening November 15th at the Guerneville Veteran’s building. After searching far and wide for a permanent location for the shelter (over 80 properties were visited), the decision was made to return to last year’s location for what is hoped to be a final year. This is truly a labor of love and compassion by the group, which operates on a shoestring budget while providing shelter and meals every evening and morning to those in need. If you are able to assist CHOW with volunteer time or financial support, please call Jan at 707-478-3718.

Supervisor Shirlee Zane, newly appointed Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (SCAPOSD) General Manager Bill Keene, staff from the District, and I traveled to Portland at the beginning of October for the National Land Conservation Conference. SCAPOSD presented to the Conference on the topic of integrating multiple strategic objectives in land conservation. We discussed the District’s approach to stewardship which addresses climate change, source watershed protection, local food, healthy livable communities, and the engagement of diverse, traditionally underserved groups. Bringing together the original mission of land conservation with the emerging challenges of our increasingly urban population to meet the needs of the community is another way that SCAPOSD is showing leadership nationwide.

On November 7th, the Leadership Institute on the Ecology and Economy held its first annual Sustainability Awards event. Three individual honorees were celebrated for their commitment to the environment, and I’m pleased to announce that all three were Fifth District residents. The awards recognize community leaders who have displayed remarkable achievements in creating socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable communities. Honored were Ann Hancock (Climate Protection Campaign), Mark Inman (Taylormaid Farms), and Evelina Molina (Youth Green Jobs). Group projects honored were Sonoma Mountain Village, the Accountable Development Coalition, and Petaluma Bounty. Congratulations to them, and our community which has benefited from their efforts.

Recent months have seen a good deal of attention to the County owned dump and our solid waste dilemma. While our problem at the landfill will not be resolved without a good deal of cooperation and effort from everyone in Sonoma County (from individuals to all Cities and County government), it is never too late to take a look at what you can do on your own to reduce waste. Source separation of the various components of your personal waste stream can vastly assist in reducing green house gas emissions, and increase the likelihood of re-use and recycling.

One of the simplest, yet most powerful, things each of us can do is to separate any food products and divert these to your green (compost) can. You’ll not only reduce the component which causes methane production, but Sonoma Compost will have more raw material to return back to our gardens…that’s what I’d call a win-win.

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Duncans Millings from The Blue Heron

The Merchants, residents and visitors sure are enjoying this gorgeous fall weather! Foot traffic through our stores has been quite enjoyable with all things considered. The radio contest for a new Duncans Mills slogan has received a tremendous response! With the winner of the One Thousand Dollar (Yes $1,000) grand prize shopping spree being announced on December 12th during our holiday tree lighting, so tune in! Congratulations to the winner and the merchants of Duncans Mills for a job well done!

Sightings: Effren Carillo at the Duncans Mills Town (Hamlet) meeting attended by over 45 participants. Not too shabby for a populace of 85 eh’? Discussion centered on the dangerous crossing in town and potential remedies. We need people who speed up when they hit our straight stretch of Hwy 116 to simply slow down so people and pets have a chance at crossing the street from one side of town to the other.

Christine Canelis as a terrifying mother with pug child in the Day of Dead Residents costume parade. Billed as the worlds shortest parade. Have you seen our Main Street?

Rumors: A Duncans Mills air show. (what?) And plans for the return of the ever popular Russian River Submarine Regatta. (right, wait, is this a precursor to another low flow debate?)
In other news: Gloria Tamagni’s of Weavers and Dreamers fame is on the move again, after the holidays the girls are taking over the Duncans Mills General store. January the move is on, They will now be known as the Tamagni’s General Store. So stop, shop, and snack! Come and see the holiday train and trolls before they move. With their “daily” Holiday Sale up to 30% off! Sorry Ladies, I just had to throw in the “daily” part.

Also on the move is The Horse and Butterfly Tea room. With a new owner and a new name; Brian Trombly and Ron Harmon have purchased the shop and renamed it Mr. Trombly’s Tea. Specializing in all things tea, with over 65 fine teas to choose from. A large selection of Vintage and new teapots, as well as many tea accessories. They also feature a tea of the day which you can sample. I personally discovered that a tea set is a fantastic, last minute, “geez I forgot again” gift idea. The gift went over very, very well I must say.

The Quercia Gallery featured exhibit is “Bowls, Bowls, Bowls”. Hand thrown soup bowls for the warmth of the Holiday Season. Come in and choose the bowl that fits your hand. A great gift idea! Everyone loves soup. Opening December 5th, with a reception from 3 - 6.

The log cabin on the West side of town, Antiquarian, becomes enchanted for the holidays. With gorgeous décor, locally grown Protea flowers and an eccentric mix of antiques.

Cape Fear hosts Holiday Dinners and Thanksgiving was their usual exceptional buffet where they make you feel part of their extended family. Call them to see what they are doing for Christmas 865-9246.

A favorite stop of mine is Jim and Willie’s. With Willie being the dom and Jim the sub. With Sir Jim saying his wares range from the “sublime to the ridiculous”. (did I just say that?) A quaint, whimsical antique shoppe reminiscent of jolly olde England located in the Country Stores Courtyard of Duncans Mills.

On a personal note, after coming to play (work) in this quaint little Hamlet for the past year, I wish to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for the tremendous “welcome back” that the Blue Heron has received. It has been a challenging, mind numbing and huge learning curve for the O’Bryan Brothers. The love shown to us and the Blue has been incredible and we Thank You all from the bottom of our hearts. Well Jaime’s heart at least as everyone knows by now that Tom has none! Ha.

Coming in December, with a date soon to be announced, will be a community wide (free food buffet) Hosted by The Blue Heron. In appreciation of the warmth and love bestowed upon “The Blue” by our great river citizens. (and a few derelicts such as myself, gotta love those guys).
Yes, live music as always with never a cover!

ps: please bring doggie bones for me to bury as winter is on the way!
Yours in kind,
Xena
Duncans Mills, CA

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Food Banks & Pantries of Sonoma County

I compiled this list off of what I could find online. But it can always be added on to, so if you know of a great food bank/pantry in your area, please email as much info as you can find to aletataylor@hotmail.com, or call me at 707-669-0321. Also email any benefits and charity dinners occurring in Dec. I would love to keep this list going through the end of the year, since now is the time when people find themselves more in need than ever. All of these organizations do wonderful things and need as much support as they can get this year. Whether you can donate food, money, or just some time, every little bit helps.

One thing I would like to mention is that, with the coming of winter, comes the harvesting of citrus. Every time I go for a walk, I see several houses with orange, lemon, and lime trees overflowing with ripening citrus. I can't imagine that those families will eat all that fruit! So if you have a neighbor or friend with surplus citrus this season, please give them this list. And to make it easy on them, I recommend the Farm To Pantry organization, where volunteer come to the home and harvest the produce themselves, then distribute it to local food banks.

This is, after all, the season to give. And sometimes the best giving doesn't come from buying gifts for friends and family, but donating your time to the community and those in need. Happy Holidays!

- Aleta Taylor

Redwood Empire Food Bank
The REFB is the largest food bank serving the North Coast of California from Petaluma to Oregon. Working with 146 other hunger relief agencies that operate 230 programs throughout the county, the REFB provides food to 70,000 Sonoma County residents each month. That number is 10,000 more a month than a year ago, the result of the economic recession’s impact on Sonoma County residents.
Recipients of REFB’s programs include 10,400 seniors, 30,000 children, and thousands of working families, the disabled, unemployed and the homeless. The REFB also is a primary resource for food pantries and other hunger relief agencies in Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties.

How to Help:
Online at www.refb.com, pay by credit card
Schedule a monthly giving through an automatic withdrawal from your checking account or credit card
Organize AND HOST your own food/funds drive with help and supplies from REFB
Organize donations at your workplace by contacting Connie Petty at cpetty@refb.org or 707.523.7900 ext. 35

Contact Info:
3320 Industrial Dr
Santa Rosa California 95403
Phone 707.523.7900
Fax 707.523.7901
www.refb.com
Office Hours & WIC Store Hours:
Monday thru Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Guerneville Community Church
Also supported in part by the Catholic Church, the MCC and Salvation Army. Food pantry open the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month at 9 am.

Contact Info:
14520 Armstrong Woods Rd
Guerneville, CA 95446
(707) 869-2514
guernevillecommunitychurch@yahoo.com
guernevillecommunitychurch.org

COTS – Committee on the Shelterless
COTS offers help and hope to homeless persons in Sonoma County by providing safe shelter and housing, helping people develop steady incomes and helping them get back under a roof of their own. We help homeless families become stable and break the cycle of homelessness by teaching homeless parents to make their children's needs a high priority and to provide a safe, loving and secure home for their children.

How to Help:
Donate online by credit card at www.cots-homeless.org
Donate food or goods listed on their Wish List
Read about their many different volunteer opportunities, download a Volunteer Application, then fax or mail it in.

Contact Info:
P.O. Box 2744
Petaluma, California 94953
1500 Petaluma Blvd. S, #B
Petaluma Blvd, CA 94952
707-765-6530
Fax 707-765-9043
info@cots-homeless.com
www.cots-homeless.com

West County Community Services
WCCS works to strengthen families in western Sonoma County. We provide opportunities, support and resources that touch the lives of youths, adults and seniors. By strengthening families we build stronger communities. WCCS operates five critical social services departments serving thousands of youth, adults, and seniors every year. The program departments include: Counseling and Prevention, Adult and Youth Employment, Russian River Senior Resource Center, After School Programs and Emergency Food & Housing Services. A unique and vibrant organization, WCCS is the only multi-services agency in the entire western Sonoma County area and we continually strive to provide focused, quality assistance that meets the needs of our local community.

How to Help:

Mail a donation check to:

West County Community Services
P. O. Box 325
Guerneville, CA 95446
Attention: Finance Department
Sign up for eScrip.com, COMMUNITYsmart card, and Albertson's Community Partners. When using these methods at participating stores, the merchants will donate a portion of their proceeds to the organization.
Volunteer with either food box preparation or reception by downloading the online application and emailing it to: volunteer@westcountyservices.org.

Contact Info:
P. O. Box 325
Guerneville, CA 95446
(707) 829-5717 voice
(707) 823-1642 fax
www.westcountyservices.com

Saint Andrews Church
St. Andrew’s food program offers a food pantry every Tuesday 5-7pm, and a hot dinner on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month 5-7pm.

Contact Info:
20329 Highway 116
PO Box 721
Monte Rio, California 95472
Tel: (707) 865-0834
Fax: (707) 632-6042
revml@incarnation-sr.org
www.standrews-redwoods.org

Sebastopol Community Church
On Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2009 join us in Memorial Hall as we help host the 9th Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Call the church office at 823-2484 to sign up to work a 4 hour shift on either Wednesday, November 25 or Thursday, November 26. We need prep work, cooking, serving and cleanup. If you are not available to work on either of those days, another big help to the Community Thanksgiving Dinner is to donate food items or cash. Non-perishable food items can be brought to church on Sunday, November 11 & 18 (potatoes, onions, canned goods, etc.) Checks can be made out to the Community Church with a notation in the memo line: Thanksgiving Dinner.

Contact Info:
Office (707) 823-2484
Fax (707) 823-9597
office@uccseb.org
1000 Gravenstein Hwy. North
P.O. Box 579
Sebastopol, CA 95473

Forestville United Methodist Church - Food Closet
The UMC sponsored the origination of the successful Victory Gardens Project in Forestville.
Contact name is Katherine Best-Smith, Phone, 523-0252 and email, kbsmith@sonic.net.

Harvest for the Hungry
Relying exclusively on volunteer labor, the Harvest for the Hungry Garden delivers organically grown produce each week to four local hunger programs: FISH of Santa Rosa; The Living Room, a drop-in center for homeless women and children; Elisha's Pantry, and Food For Thought AIDS Food Bank. Each year we harvest approximately 10,000 lbs of fresh produce (tomatoes, carrots, beets, squash, fruit, lettuce, greens, onions and garlic) all grown on a 3/4 acre lot behind Christ Church United Methodist.

How to Help:
To donate gardening supplies, organic seed, building materials, tools, or soil amendment, please call Martin at
707.579.2584.
To make a cash donation, please call
Katie at 707.575.8250.
Volunteer hours are from 9 AM to 12 noon Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday
during spring, summer, and fall. Our schedule changes seasonally, so please call before you come by, or stroll through the Garden anytime. We're open until sunset seven days a week.

Contact Info:
1717 Yulupa Avenue (Behind Christ Church United Methodist)
Santa Rosa, CA
707.566.7937
harvestgarden@journeyhome.com
www.harvestgarden.org

Ceres Community Project
During 2008, more than 70 teens from a dozen area schools spent 2,250 hours in the Ceres Community Project kitchen. Working together, these remarkable young people prepared 17,300 meals for individuals and their families who are dealing with cancer and other serious illnesses. Nearly 100 adults helped harvest food, deliver meals, mentor our teen chefs and support our clients.

How to Help:
Order their products online, then pick them up at their kitchen on 330 S. Main Street in Sebastopol.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Margaret Howe at volunteer@ceresproject.org or by calling 707·829·5833 extension 2. The next volunteer orientation will be on December 15th 5:30-6:30pm.
Financial donations can be made by sending a check to
PO Box 1562
Sebastopol CA 95473
by using the PayPal link at www.ceresproject.org/donate.html or by calling 707·829·5833.

Contact Info:
330 S. Main Street
Sebastopol CA 95472
707·829·5833
info@ceresproject.org
www.ceresproject.org

Interchurch Food Pantry
The Interchurch Food Pantry is located at the head of the St. Stephen's parking lot. The Pantry is open every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 AM to Noon. Please call ahead to arrange to pick up a food box.
The Pantry serves local families and individuals who may receive one box per month.

Contact Info:
500 Robinson Road
Sebastopol, CA 95472
(707) 823-3281
Pantry:707- 823-2483

Farm to Pantry
Farm to Pantry is a community of volunteers dedicated to providing fresh, healthy and affordable food to everyone. We live and glean in Sonoma County, California, where there is a growing community of farmers, gardeners, and residents dedicated to ensuring fresh and healthy food for everyone.
Garden to Pantry – Plant a garden and offer to donate any portion of your harvest to a local food pantry, shelter or soup kitchen and we will provide you with guidance, advice, and gleaning help should you need it.
Market to Pantry – At the end of the day at the Farmers’ Market, we collect unsold, surplus produce and deliver it to the local food pantry. We also happily accept donations of fresh produce --- purchased at the Farmers’ Market or home-grown.

How to Help:
Join our Gleaning Team. We glean wherever there is healthy, fresh produce to be harvested in Sonoma County. Volunteers receive an email from us when there is a gleaning opportunity in their area, typically once a week for two to three hours
Volunteer your farm, garden, orchard, or tree to be gleaned. Let us know as soon as possible that you expect to have extra fruit or vegetables and we will schedule a time for our volunteers to come to you, pick the surplus produce and then deliver it to a local food pantry for distribution to families in need.

Contact Info:
gleaning@farmtopantry.org to volunteer
Melita Love - Volunteer and Founder: melita@farmtopantry.org
Rosemary Rasori - Volunteer and Project Leader: rosemary@farmtopantry.org
Cathy Wilson - Volunteer and Gleaning: cathy@farmtopantry.org

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Eliza B.

By Cecil e Lusby

I first met Eliza B. in the mid-1980s at Santa Rosa Junior College when she was a student needing my help getting resources through the Enabling Services Department. I don’t remember whether her issues were neurological or emotional, but we always stopped and talked whenever our paths crossed. She was a brave, but fading hippie and I a part-time politico. She seemed happy with her classes most of the time, rarely venting any discontent. My son and I helped her move once, but we never understood who or what it was she needed to leave behind so suddenly. After she lost her job and dropped out of school, I didn’t see her for about a decade.

You wouldn’t know her now.

I began to volunteer at FISH, the Catholic Worker, and then the Interchurch Pantry. Every now and then Eliza would show up in line, get her food, and disappear. I believed she was having a tough time making ends meet. As the years passed she would grow flustered when she recognized me at the Pantry. Her blush has now weathered into a permanent sunburned ruddiness; the look of the outdoorsy Irish often resembles that of the chronic alcoholic or the homeless. Sometimes the pink lingers on even after sobriety. After decades as a food distribution worker, I still am not sure. With my father and grandfather both relentless drinkers, I am familiar with the pattern, but reluctant to jump to conclusions. I have never seen Eliza drinking or under the influence, yet she has always been vulnerable in a harsh world. I never witnessed her being impolite, not “clothed and in her right mind,” as James Baldwin used to say.

Last month I brought my recycled coffee cans to be refilled at Taylor Maid’s beanery.
As I approached the store’s entrance, I saw a green water hose move and a garbage bin shift on its wheels. Then I saw a woman against the wall, her hair now shining silver. She moved quickly, setting the bin at an angle to block my view, but I saw the bright blue eyes: it was Eliza behind the dumpster, not wanting anyone to see her scavenging. My old friend did not want me to see her. After a long fight, she has come to this. Perhaps she had not recognized me, so out of respect for her privacy, I left her alone behind the bin. Was I wrong? Was I missing an opportunity to acknowledge someone I knew? Or was I sparing her embarrassment after seeing that she had slipped through the cracks? All these thoughts ran through my mind as I bought my coffee. Stepping outside, I looked around, but she had gone, and now the memory of her troubles my conscience.

Eliza is still out there, still one of us. What separates us now is the awareness that she has fallen in a society that blames the poor for their situation. Because of my mother’s struggle as a working divorcee, I know that many poor people try hard, work hard and still have nothing to show for it. Sonoma County now is full of the formerly employed and underemployed. We are not so different.

Even though I was able to work, be a mother, get an education, and retire with a pension, not every life travels an upward arc. Some of our peers fall by the wayside, and witnessing them fills some of us with an anxious need to keep striving, while others realize how much we have to be thankful for. The next stage is responsible gratitude, remembering those still in need. It is a call and response. For our thankfulness to be effective, it is necessary to work together as a community to prevent more suffering, more hunger, and exposure. Once again, it is the dark, chilly time of year to remember the Food Banks and Pantries from the bright warmth of your home and hearth.

Please give to the Interchurch Food Pantry of Sebastopol; P. O. Box 579; Sebastopol, CA 95473

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Home: The Very "Leverage Point": PERSPECTIVE

Home: The Very "Leverage Point" 1

by Mr. Jan Hearthstone

The most obvious place where a meaningful intervention would start a profound change for better in the whole world is the basic unit of any community--a home. It is at home where we grow up and learn the basics of living as humans; it is where we should go to get well, to rest and to recuperate; it is at home where we get ready, time after time, to interact with the world outside our home. However, the "home" of today is very different from what it ideally ought to be.

A "home" today is an indicator of our social system's dysfunctionality 2. Consider this: It is obvious to everyone that humans need to rest, to sleep, to take care of their basic needs to be able to function well within the society. To take care of all these essential needs should, of course, be done at home. Everyone knows that to be homeless is to be avoided at all costs. Yet it is commonly accepted as a good thing when prices of homes go up and thus homes become less available. Logically, rationally this does not make any sense!

As a result of this the society as a whole suffers. A "home", as we know it today, is frequently a source of discomfort, anxieties, a source of existential stress, and this results in a plethora of societal ills that plague the whole society.

People who don't have a proper home are more likely to suffer from lack of rest, sleep, from financial worries (about finding a good home, about having to pay the rent, mortgages, taxes...); They, due to this stress, are more likely to engage in criminal activities, they are more likely to become physically and mentally affected, and generally the unavailability of a good home to most members of the society creates stress that ultimately permeates all parts of the society.

The obvious solution to this conundrum would be to ensure that instead of a home to be an expensive privilege, to have a home, no matter how humble a home, should become a thing necessary for people to have in order to be able to function well in the society. In short--instead of a source of stress, a home should become a source of comfort, a place to where one goes to become well.

The most expedient way to make sure that a home becomes a secure and a sustainable foundation of the society would be to change only one thing: the right to sleep, to rest, and to be able to take a basic care of one's basic necessities should be introduced into the constitution as an inalienable right; No more, and no less.

To constitutionalize all the basic things that are necessary for a satisfactory quality of life as basic rights would alone ensure an organic unfolding of all necessary adjustments in the social fabric. An unfolding into a profound and lasting relief that would be felt all across the globe.

People need land to live on, to have their homes on. The surface of Earth is a valuable and also a limited resource. A resource that is too valuable to let any irrational, fickle commercial interests to be in charge of. Land is precious, it has to be manged intelligently--all kinds of life, not only humans, need it for living; An unnecessary stress, felt by all directly and indirectly, is caused by the gross mismanagement of land that is currently in existence--a stress that we hardly can allow to exist, especially in times of ecological and social crises that we are faced with these days.

A good stress-free home (one's castle indeed!) should be the basis of any truly civilized society, regardless whether the times are good or bad. At home is where culture is being continuously re-created. If there, at home, is any lack what-so-ever, it will adversely affect the whole of the civilization.

FINIS

Notes.

Note 1:
"leverage point"--a term probably most popularized by Donella Meadows - http://www.sustainer.org/pubs/Leverage_Points.pdf - (Accessed 11/17/2009), and others, led by Jay Forrester at MIT, who were involved with "Limits to Growth" initiated by the Club of Rome - http://www.clubofrome.org/docs/confs/meadows_abstract_21_08_04.pdf> - (Accessed 11/24/2009).

Note 2:
Dictionary.com:
dysfunction
–noun
2. any malfunctioning part or element: the dysfunctions of the country's economy.
3. Sociology. a consequence of a social practice or behavior pattern that undermines the stability of a social system.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dysfunction


check online for redactions;
http://www.ModelEarth.Org/leverage.html

by Mr. Jan Hearthstone - ModelEarth.Org
modelearth@gmail.com

Creating Lasting Peace:
http://www.modelearth.org/peace.html

If we, the people, were really sincere about having real Peace in the
world, we would pursue creating Peace by peaceful means more actively
rather than by relying on our military might!

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FILM: Leap of Faith: Fast Lane to Farmstead

"Leap of Faith: Fast Lane to Farmstead" took the Best of Eco-Cinema, Special Jury Award from the 2009 Napa Sonoma Wine Country Film Festival, the same week the film is available to buy on DVD!

For every copy sold, we will be donating a dollar to the Farm-to-Consumer Foundation, in support of their ongoing mission to educate people about sustainably farmed food and teach small farmers how to protect themselves from ever-increasing regulation by Congress. Please support the film and the Foundation - spread the word about "Leap of Faith", or give it as a gift this year:

http://www.indieflix.com/film/leap-of-faith-fast-lane-to-farmstead-30088/

I am thankful for America's small farmers and how much they care about the food they grow for us. We'll keep doing whatever we can to ensure their survival as business gets bigger and food gets faster.

Alexandra Austin
Mind-Made Media
818.485.2554 - O
323.836.3289 - C
www.mindmademedia.com

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Community Spirit, Generosity, Creativity Ignite Food Bank’s Winter Food & Funds Drive Launch

The Redwood Empire Food Bank launched its annual Winter Food & Funds Drive this month, appealing to residents, businesses and organizations to help the leading hunger relief agency in Sonoma County provide for families left hurt and hungry by the great recession.

“In our 22 year history in Sonoma County, the need for food relief has never been greater and, accordingly, our need for support from the entire community has never been greater,” said David Goodman, Executive Director of the REFB.

“The good news is that we received a tremendous boost of support as our annual three-month-long drive was just getting under way,” he said. “A Healdsburg wine company donated $20,000 raised through an employee program. A group of medical workers asked their employer to send to the REFB the cash that normally buys each employee a $20 holiday gift certificate, resulting in a $10,000 contribution to the food bank. And a group of Sonoma County friends and REFB volunteers hosted a book sale that raised $1,872 to fight hunger.”

“It’s this kind of community spirit, creativity and generosity that will enable us to help thousands of our Sonoma County friends and neighbors feed themselves and their families,” Goodman said. “We’re appealing to all our loyal supporters for continued support, urging them to dig just a little bit deeper this year, and calling upon others who haven’t helped in the past to do so now.”

The annual winter drive runs from Nov. 1 to Jan. 31.

The goal is to collect $160,000 in cash and 200,000 lbs. of food.

Goodman said the impact of the global recession on low-income people and working families is reflected in the increase in requests for assistance throughout the network of food programs operated by the Food Bank and its 146 partner agencies from all parts of Sonoma County.

The number of families and individuals needing help since the recession began in 2007 has increased 40 percent. The REFB now serves 70,000 people every month in Sonoma County. Also up 40% is the number of kids relying on REFB’s Summer Lunch Program, which increased from 54,125 meals served during summer break in 2008 to 75,824 meals served this past summer.

“Those are the kind of big numbers we’ve been facing for months, and they help explain why our spirits were lifted when we received three large cash donations as we prepared to launch the winter drive,” he said.

Goodman explained how these three cash donors raised their contributions.

Ascentia Wine Estates of Healdsburg conducted a wine discount program for its employees and family members at its wineries in California, Washington and Idaho. For every case of wine sold during the one-month program Ascentia donated $5 to the food bank. The total: $41,000 for food banks in three states, including $20,000 for the REFB.

Sutter Health in Sonoma County normally gives its employees a $20 supermarket gift certificate during the holidays. This year, the employees asked Sutter to give the money to the REFB. The total: $10,000.

A group of friends who call themselves BACK and give “back” to the community by volunteering at the REFB, scheduled a book sale in a vacant downtown Santa Rosa office. They created a flyer, promoted the event via email and a Press Democrat ad, and had a two-day sale. Three hundred people showed up to buy books from a selection of 2,000 volumes. Total sales all going to the food bank: $1,872.

“We can turn those three donations into about $128,000 worth of food for people in need thanks to our efficient food acquisition and distribution system and the 5,000 volunteers who make our programs possible,” said Goodman. “It’s a huge return on donors’ investment, and we’re hoping other businesses, organizations and social groups will follow these examples.”

Funds and food raised during the annual food drive will go to supporting the 70,000 regular recipients of food assistance every month, including 10,000 seniors and 30,000 children. Food also is needed to help fill-out the tables of low-income families during the holiday season. And it will keep the REFB’s warehouse stocked to support Sonoma County’s network of hunger relief agencies in the first quarter of next year.

Lee Bickley, REFB Community Relations Manager, said there are many ways people can contribute.

On Nov. 10 The Press Democrat will deliver to 58,000 residential subscribers a “Fill’er Up Holiday Bag” along with the daily newspaper. Subscribers are urged to fill the bag with non-perishable canned and packaged food and deliver it to a participating food or drug store listed on the bag or to the Food Bank, 3300 Industrial Drive in Santa Rosa.

The newspaper’s bag also will include a self-addressed envelope if donors want to give cash instead of food.

Bickley said some 5,000 bags will be distributed through community food drives around the county. Additionally, 4,000 bags will be available at the checkout counters of Friedman Brothers building supplies stores in Santa Rosa and Sonoma.

Bags of food as well as groceries donors may pick up while shopping can be deposited into REFB food drive barrels this week at Safeway, CVS/pharmacy, Lucky, Food Maxx and G & G Supermarkets, and also at Whole Foods markets beginning Nov. 13.

Bickley said the REFB has sent out 200 flyers announcing the annual effort, and that the Food Bank is encouraging households, faith-based groups, service clubs and businesses to conduct food drives at their places of work, meetings and other events.

“We have 450 barrels, small food boxes and holiday bags ready for anyone or any group that needs help collecting food,” she said.

For more information on starting a food drive, contact Billy Bartz, Food & Funds Drive Coordinator, 523-7900 Ext. 27, or wbartz@refb.org.

Bickley said the Food Bank can’t accept homemade food or food in glass containers. But, she said, the Food Bank welcomes all the frozen turkeys donors offer.

“For most of us the holiday season is a time of joy, but for 70,000 who are hungry the holidays and winter can be the hardest times, and that is especially true during this recession,” she said. “We ask everyone in the community to help our neighbors in need by donating food, money or volunteering. Even a little goes a long way.”

The annual food drive in Sonoma County and throughout the Bay Area is receiving marketing support through broadcast media and food outlets. Those include:

1. ABC/Safeway’s “Share Your Holiday Food Drive.” Watch for barrels in Safeway stores.
During Thanksgiving Week, ABC will be conducting its Thanksgiving Drive. Donors who give $250 or more will receive on-air recognition by Spencer Christian during the 6 p.m. news.

2. Lucky & Food Maxx “Holiday Drive.” Watch for barrels in stores. Shoppers can make donations at check stands by purchasing a $10 or $20 bag of food that are displayed at the front of the stores.

3. CBS/Whole Foods “Food for Bay Area Families.” Watch for barrels in the store that Whole Foods is decorating with its own special wraps to promote the drive. REFB has been selected to benefit from Whole Foods’ 5% Community Giving Day on Dec. 8 when each store will set aside 5% of their net sales for the Food Bank.

4. NBC/CVS/pharmacy: On Nov. 21, NBC will be encouraging viewers to drop off food at a CVS store in their local community. The Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce will have volunteers at CVS/pharmacy stores to distribute a list of most needed foods and ask customers to support the REFB food drive. NBC on Nov. 23 will announce the total amount of food collected on behalf of REFB and other Bay Area food banks.

5. KFOG: KFOG Radio on Nov. 7 will release “Live from the Archives 16,” a special music CD KFOG produces annually to benefit area food banks. It will be available at Bay Area Peet’s Coffee and Tea locations and online at KFOG.com. REFB has received over $157,000 from these CD purchases over the years.

For more information, contact David Goodman or Lee Bickley at 707-523-7900.

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The Petaluma Kitchen Needs Volunteers & Donations

The Petaluma Kitchen is a community kitchen, located at 301 Payran Street. The Kitchen provides a no cost, continental breakfast and a mid-day meal seven days per week, 365 days a year to low and very low income men, women, and children, and residents of Petaluma’s single adult homeless shelter, the Mary Isaak Center.

• Breakfast daily from 7:30 to 9:00am
• Lunch 11:30am to 1:00pm Mon-Fri, 11:30am to 12:30pm Sat-Sun

The Petaluma Kitchen serves over 100,000 meals a year with the help of over 10,000 volunteer hours from community members who come to sort donations, cook, serve, and clean. In addition to providing nourishment to those in need, staff and volunteers are often the first contact for individuals and families who need referrals to other community resources, such as housing, clothing or medical care.

In addition to the meal service, the Petaluma Kitchen also provides weekly supplemental or emergency groceries through the Food Box Program. Those wanting to receive a food box must apply at the Kitchen, Mon – Fri 9:30-11:00am, and meet the income requirement. Food Box recipients may chose to pick up their weekly box or to have it delivered on Saturday morning. Every Saturday volunteers deliver Food Boxes to low and fixed income families, seniors and others in our community.

Volunteer Opportunities
We are looking for regularity in scheduling as well as folks able to be ‘on-call.’ Hours run from 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every day.
Volunteers who want to help on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day must contact Lyn Van Tighem at 707-765-6530 x111 to be scheduled.

Meal Service Opportunities:
• Donation Pick up drivers - Pick up food donations at local grocery stores and deliver to Kitchen. Must have a valid driver’s license and insurance. (7:30 to 12:30 a.m. daily)
• Cooks, Prep Cooks, Servers and Soup Stirrers (8:00 to1:00pm daily)
• Clean Up – Dishwashers and more. (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. daily)
• Donation Organizers -Help sort donated food. (8:00 to 10:00 a.m. daily)
• Food Drive Coordinators – Plan and carry out a food drive to stock our shelves!

Food Box Program Opportunities:
• Food Box Builders
o Mon – Wed – Fri (7:30 to 9:00 a.m.)
o Sat (6:00 – 9:00am)
• Drivers – Using own car, deliver food boxes to families on the program in Petaluma. Must have valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, and be willing to have driving records reviewed by our insurer. Saturdays from 9am until complete (usually 1-2 hours)

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Redwood Empire Food Bank Opens WIC Store at Santa Rosa Headquarters

The Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB) is expanding its hunger relief safety net with the addition of a new store at its Santa Rosa headquarters to serve low-income women and children eligible for food assistance through the federal WIC program.

Beginning this fall, pregnant women, new mothers and children under the age of 5 will be able to redeem their WIC vouchers for nutritious food at the REFB where they also will obtain advice and information on other vital hunger relief programs for themselves and other members of their families.

David Goodman, executive director, said the introduction of a WIC Store is a natural fit for the REFB, which is the largest hunger relief agency on the California coast north of the Golden Gate Bridge.

“We see this as a unique opportunity to widen our safety net for people in need,” he said.
“Women and children served under the WIC program are also eligible for our own food relief programs,” Goodman said. “By operating our own WIC Store we will be able to provide the nutritious foods these women and children receive through WIC plus make sure they take advantage of other programs such as our special programs for kids and our regular food assistance distributions.”

Goodman said the REFB WIC Store may also offer other products not covered by WIC.
“There are many ways we can help low-income families stretch their budgets, such as offering them discounted diapers and other common household necessities for families with infants and young children,” he said.

The REFB received final State Department of Public Health authorization to operate a WIC program on Monday. Goodman said the REFB plans to have a WIC Store open by September.
The REFB is only one of two non-profits in the State of California authorized to operate WIC stores. The other non-profit is the Yolo County Food Bank.

WIC is the common abbreviation for Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. It is a federal health and nutrition program administered by the state.
WIC helps low-income families by providing vouchers for buying healthy supplemental foods, such as milk, juice, cereal, baby formula, eggs, produce, beans and other staples, from WIC-authorized vendors. The program also provides nutrition education and helps families find healthcare and other community services.

About 12,300 women and children receive WIC assistance in Sonoma County. Statewide, the program serves 1.4 million people.

Goodman said the REFB WIC Store will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday at the REFB headquarters, 3320 Industrial Drive in Santa Rosa.

WIC customers will be served by a bilingual staff and food bank eligibility workers who can direct mothers and families to other food support services including for kids the Every Child, Every Day – Summer Hunger Initiative, After School Snacks for Kids, Megan Furth Harvest Pantry, and Emergency Food Assistance program as well as other food and produce distributions open to all who are need.

“Low-income mothers and families with very young children need to get as much food into the household as they can,” he said. “Having WIC part of our hunger relief program will help do that.”

REFB staff also will be ready to direct women and others who are not yet WIC qualified how to apply for the WIC assistance.

Goodman said the REFB will welcome WIC recipients into a friendly and easy environment where participants are always treated with dignity and respect.

“Supermarkets do a good job serving WIC customers, but sometimes in a busy grocery store, especially when there is confusion over eligible foods or some other mix-up, a WIC transaction can cause delays at the check out stand,” he said. “This can lead WIC recipients to feel embarrassed or unwelcome.”

“That won’t happen here because at REFB our single reason to exist is to provide hunger relief to people in need,” Goodman said.

Working with 133 partner agencies, the REFB provides food to some 60,000 people a month in Sonoma County. It is also a source of food for pantries in Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties.

Goodman said the addition of the WIC Store to the REFB operation is part of on-going efforts to increase the REFB’s impact on hunger. The REFB is also developing a line of food products that will provide busy families with ingredients and recipes with which parents can quickly prepare nutritious meals for the dinner table.

“We are pursuing opportunities that are perceived to be out of our reach by many people,” said Goodman. “We’re like the little dog that has no perception of its size and tries to bite the big dogs. We strive to be as big as possible to better serve our community and its people.”

For more information on the REFB or WIC Store, contact Goodman at 707-523-7900.

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Camp Meeker News

I feel like Rip Van Winkle here. When last we spoke, I was writing for the late and much lamented Russian River Monthly, which ceased operations last spring. Let me give a shout out to George Klineman, my fine and hard-working editor at that paper. Of course I’m in good hands now: west county journalism has few better friends than Vesta Copestakes.

Let’s see if I can recap the interregnum between my last column and now. Actually, it was pretty quiet there in Camp Meeker for a while. No sewer controversy, no cell tower controversy. Speaking of that cell tower, it could be said that the last chapter of that episode was written a few weeks ago, when the “reMeeker” slate swept four candidates into office at the Camp Meeker Park and Rec board, leaving Cathie Anderson as the only returning board member. We congratulate Jeffrey Fawcett, Seth Murchison, Michael Ming, and Lynn Watson on their victory and wish them the best. They have announced an ambitious agenda and they will certainly need our help in enacting it. For that matter, we are down four “concerned citizens”, so we’ll all need to step it up.

Before we discuss that future, let’s take a moment to thank the outgoing Board members – Fred Meyer, Gary Helfrich, Amy Lemmer, and Aimee Crawford – for their hard work and their many accomplishments. The most visible of those accomplishments can be seen down by the post office. There, instead of a decrepit old dam and a choking bramble of blackberry vines, you will see an elegant new pedestrian bridge crossing a peaceful, natural looking creek bed. It’s not natural, of course – the new creek bed is the result of some hard engineering work by local firms Prunuske-Chatham, Streamline Engineering, Questa Engineering, and a metric ton of hard organizing and funding work by the Camp Meeker Park and Rec Board (CMRPD), the Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District (GRRCD), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

I was wandering down there yesterday. It’s pretty exciting. You can walk through the whole area from the culvert to upstream of the firehouse if you’re willing to get your feet wet. It looks like it will be a nice place to walk, to picnic, to spend time with friends. You have to visualize a bit – I don’t know how much work remains to be done. At any rate, the new trees planted will take some time to grow to their full potential.

The other big thing the outgoing board did for us is they kept a fairly ruinous sewer project from being imposed on us. While nothing eventually came out of the hundreds of hours those board members spent keeping up with the tonnage of tedious lawyerly reading, something nothing is the best possible outcome. Our incoming board will have to take up the mantle here and lead us toward a wastewater solution that works for Camp Meeker in coming decades.

I’m excited about the future in Camp Meeker. It’s true that things got pretty heated as we tried to decide the cell phone tower issue. I’m hoping we can all learn from our mistakes on that one, and work in a more civil, neighborly and cooperative fashion on our many important future projects, from the wastewater issue to the sudden oak death issue. Once we tackle those important issues, we will have earned some fun. We can get started on that “cultural revival” the reMeeker folks are touting. I can’t wait to get started, and for future issues I will be researching and reporting the illustrious cultural past of our lovely little forest.

One last note before I go. Outgoing board member Fred Meyer took some pretty nasty personal shots in the last couple of years, from people who disagreed with his political positions. Consider this about Fred: you don’t have to guess where he stands. He speaks his mind, even if he knows you’re not going to like what he says. Even though he’s not on the board any more, he’s still our VFD Fire Chief, and I hope you shook his hand and thanked him at the spaghetti dinner a couple of weeks ago. He’s earned it.

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Cazadero News & Events

As the clouds gather outside of my cozy cyber-hut, I find the prospect of rain quite pleasant! Most of us who live on the ridges and in the valleys of our usually verdant hamlet know that while the sun is fabulous, we need the rain to refurbish creeks and keep the tall redwoods healthy.

This time of year encourages us all to weatherize our abodes - a good place to find help with this is the 1st Saturday 15% off discount sale at Cazadero Supply. As the upcoming holidays promote festive gatherings, Raymond's Bakery will provide special orders to make your life easier! Stop by and sample tasty baked goods, ice cream and yummy pizza!

The Cazadero General store will sponsor the Annual Old Time Xmas celebration downtown on Saturday, December 12th,beginning around Noon. The always enjoyable event features a special parade, bar-b-q and the possibility of 'snow'!! Several of your favorite local craftpersons will offer their delights for easy shopping.

The Russian River Jewish Community holds its Annual Chanukah festival/Latke feast on Thursday, December 17th-5:30 at the Guerneville Senior Center on Armstrong Woods Rd. All are welcome-bring Chanukah menorahs and candles to light, food to share and be ready to dance to Jubilee Klezmer Ensemble. Call 632-5545 for more information.

The Annual Light Parade in downtown Guerneville is Saturday, December 5th and features a fabulous array of lighted floats on Main Street. Immediately afterwards, the KGGV FM 95.1 FM 'River Home Companion' at the Oddfellows Hall welcomes all at 8 p.m.-performances start at 8:30. Tasty snacks and a great raffle make this a great fundraiser.

The students at the Montgomery Elementary School celebrate Thanksgiving together on Wednesday, November 25th. The Winter Play will be performed on Thursday, December 17th-7 p.m. at the Fire Hall. Winter break begins on Dec.21st and school resumes on January 4th, 2010!

The Cazadero Community Club continues to raise money and contribute it to the MES, Cazadero and Ft. Ross Volunteer Fire Departments and for local scholarships for Cazadero El Molino graduates. The recent Halloween Carnival attracted many children and adults, with the Fire Department's scary Haunted House a big attraction. Thanks to Cal Poly(Catherine Canelis' school) for the pumpkin donations!). Club meetings are on hiatus until Tuesday, March 2nd-7 p.m.at the Fire Hall. Please join your friends and neighbors in planning and participating in these great events throughout the year!

CORRECTION: many thanks to the terrific kitchen crew of Jeffrey and Mike Dahle at the Old time BBQ.

Wishing a Very Happy Birthday to Tess Bryant, turning 23 on Nov.27th, Sonoma County Poet Laureate Mike Tuggle celebrates his birthday on December 1st, Heather Lough also celebrates her 23rd on that date, Mike Nicholls celebrates on December 3rd,followed by Brittany Lough turning 33 on December 6th and Lauren Lough-turns 26? on December 20th. A great family celebration time! Be sure to check out the West County Gazette Calendar for local Crafts faire listings.

I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving and remind you to call me at 632 5545 or email mayawrld@sonic.net with info for your Cazadero Column!

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Russian River News Info

Dec 5 - River Home Companion Variety Show - Join KGGV for our annual fundraiser following the Parade of Lights in downtown Guerneville, on Saturday at the Odd Fellows Hall. This year's theme is "At Home on the River." Doors open at 8 pm, show starts at 8:30 pm. Yummy refreshments and extraordinary raffle prizes. www.kggvfm.org
Now in the Russian River Redevelopment Project Area:
Small Business Assistance Program

In an ongoing effort to equip small businesses with opportunities to grow and prosper, the Sonoma County Community Development Commission and the Russian River Chamber of Commerce have partnered with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Santa Rosa Junior College, to provide no-cost professional business advising to local businesses. All appointments are one-to-one and confidential.

The SBDC can help with business planning, marketing, record keeping, accounting, management, taxes, cash flow, capital access and acquisition, pricing and cost control, and other areas of small business operations. In addition the SBDC will offer workshops customized to local business needs. Businesses located in the Russian River Redevelopment Project Area can participate at no cost.

For more information, or to make an appointment, contact the Russian River Chamber of Commerce @ 869-9000. All counseling sessions take place at the Chamber, 16209 First Street in Guerneville. Chamber membership is not required to participate in the business advising program
For more information on the SBDC see their website www.sbdcsantarosa.org or call 524.1770.
Russian River Volunteer Registry

Valerie Hausmann of the Russian River Chamber of Commerce is gathering information on people willing to volunteer their time to the community. With a roster of individuals, their skills and passions, she will be able to help match people with projects with volunteers who can help. If you are interested un registering – or if you need a few volunteers to complete your goals, please contact Valerie at 707-217-9613 or e-mail: vhausmann@msn.com. Valerie has registry forms she can e-mail you or you can pick one up at the Visitors Center 16209 First Street – on the Plaza in downtown Guerneville.

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Astrology Nov-Dec 2009

December is the darkest month of the year. It calls on us to go inside, both in the context of indoors as well as within ourselves. This is a time to contemplate, past choices and actions as well as to plan for new beginnings in the New Year. This year we have a useful tool with which to do this. Mars, the planet of action, initiation and assertiveness turns retrograde on December 20th. and remains so until March 10th.

Mars pertains to anything we do that is physical, from working out, to building something, to being sexual. It retrogrades approximately every two years, for about ten weeks. The longer Mars remains retrograde, the less physical drive and energy we have. So, in combination with the season, this is not a time to start anything significant. Our interest in the project may dissipate and our interest in completing it follows accordingly. If circumstances conspire to demand that we must start something at this time, it’s advisable to start slowly and allow the activity to pick up speed once Mars turns direct.

This is not to suggest that we just focus on the present and forget everything else. Mars retrograde is a good time to complete previously unfinished projects. It’s a good time to research things to do in the future and even to plan and strategize when to start and the best ways to do them.

Mars is in the sign Leo, and will remain there the entire time it is retrograde. Leo can very loving and playful. It is creatively expressive, sexual and athletic. Thus, in general, review and pan activities that involve these qualities. If you know or have a copy of your natal horoscope, you can personalize this transit even more by noting the house (area of life experience) where the sign Leo resides in your chart. This is the house where you can take greatest advantage of the Mars transit at this time.

Mars is a fiery energy and Leo is a fire sign. The temptation to go and do something, perhaps even something big or grandiose, could be strong. If it involves having a good time, especially during the Holiday Season, go for it. This is not a time to just sit around and think. Especially because of the long nights and short days, this could lead to seasonal affective disorder, otherwise known as depression. Leo loves to party and entertain. Use those tendencies as ways of fending off inner darkness. But keep your expectations and expenditures small. A get together with a few good friends will feel better and be more fun than trying to throw a party for neighbors and fifty friends.

The influences of a retrograde planet actually begins prior to the day of its retrogradation and continues for a while beyond its turning direct. We call these extra days “the shadow”. Mars retrograde shadow began in mid-October. After it turns direct in March the shadow will remain until mid-May. Some of us may have been feeling this shift for a while. Whether we are already feeling it or not, however, the shadow period is a time to become aware of the slowing down of our drive and impulse to act. This rate will continue even after the retrograde period is over. Tune in to your body. It will let you know when and at what rate to slow down, stop, review, plan, when to go forward and when to pick up speed in the New Year.

Aries: Since Mars is your ruling planet, you may have a harder time during its retrograde period. It is your nature to initiate projects. Trial and error could be your mantra. Growth for you at this time involves digging all those unfinished projects out of the cabinets and garage. Completion can help you to learn one of the hardest but most important lessons for Aries: patience.

Taurus: Challenges come up from mid-month on. These could involve intimate relationships, emotional and/or financial. Be precise about your goals in these areas and state them clearly, but don’t be so stubborn about maintaining them that it creates alienation from your partner. Growth comes from your willingness to be open to innovation and experimentation. Satisfaction can come even if you don’t get everything that you want.

Gemini: The full Moon in Gemini on the first provides an opportunity to express your deepest feelings to those closest to you. This honesty could produce a sense of vulnerability, and others may feel overwhelmed with the information. In the long run, however, this type of interaction can create a sense of emotional well-being for you and feelings of stability in the relationship.

Cancer: Strong desires to be of service could manifest for you this month. This could come from actually doing something for others or by simply sharing with them information that would be beneficial for them. Mid-month in particular could bring a variety of situations and people, possibly outside your regular social circle or daily routines. Growth for you comes from being discriminating about what to share, with whom, at what time and in what way.

Leo: Physical activities, including holiday shopping and party giving should be done early in the month. Feelings of love and generosity will abound for you at that time. After that, pay attention to the energy that you actually feel in your body. If you run through an internal stop sign you could feel very depleted by the holidays or early in the New Year.

Virgo: Early month could bring conflicts or power struggles with children or lovers. Be clear about your goals and needs in those relationships. Growth can come from sticking up for yourself. One option, to resolve at least some of the issues, is to play. This could be in an artistic context or simply doing something that you find fun and enjoyable. Doing something like that with whomever you are in conflict with makes it a particularly delicious experience.

Libra: This is a good time for you to do some deep introspective contemplation. Writing, either in journal or creative form, could be a good way to access valuable internal information. It doesn’t matter if you share this with anyone. It’s a way to gain perspective about yourself. Being at home and sharing time with family and good friends could bring some deep bonding and emotional fulfillment.

Scorpio: Although Mars is the co-ruler of Scorpio, you might have an easier time during its retrograde period than other signs do. The key is not to try to do too much. Powerful feelings of love and generosity could give you a false sense of energy and you could wind feeling depleted. Take advantage of the good impulses, but remember to tune in to realistic energy limits and boundaries.

Sagittarius: Physically and socially there is an abundance of energy for you, especially early in the month. You could feel drawn to be of service to others in your community or simply to share your positivity with those closest to you. Either way, compassion and concern for others helps to boost your spirit and your consciousness during the holiday season.

Capricorn: This is a time for deliberate and methodical activities. Slowing down is good, but don’t stop doing what you enjoy and what is productive. Growth comes from learning to share with others in balanced and harmonious ways. You don’t have to lead the parade or take responsibility to make sure everyone else is having a good time. If others see you enjoying yourself, they can follow your example by making sure they are benefiting from their own experience.

Aquarius: Take time to go within this month. This could take the form of a spiritual retreat, extended periods of meditation or having fun with art projects. Whatever activity works for you, opportunities lay in spiritual growth and consciousness development. Being with others who share the same form of communion enhances the potential of the experience for all concerned.

Pisces: Powerful feelings of compassion and a drive to be of service to others abound for you all month. There may be challenges to your philosophical points of view, but the confidence to maintain your beliefs helps to overcome those disputes. Growth comes from developing the attention to detail that enables you to be most effective in your contributions.

Rio Olesky offers classes and private consultations in Sonoma County. Join Rio for his annual Perspectives talk on Tuesday January 5, 2010 at The Wells Fargo Center for the Arts. For more information about Perspectives 2010, regular classes or to make an appointment for a reading, call Rio at 707-887-1820. Check out his website: www.starwatcher.com

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Occidental News & Events

Tons to report this month, so no introduction!

Harmony / Salmon Creek School
The big news this month is that the grading of the soccer field on campus is virtually done. Also, visitors and parents may notice the new boulders and trees in the triangular “peninsula” of land in the parking area, as well as progress on the planting area to the west of the new building. Drip irrigation, picket fencing, and new plantings are forthcoming, so stay alert!

The first Phone-a-thon Pledge Drive has just finished. As parents have proven by their generosity that they are committed to a new playground structure, securing additional large-donor contributions will be starting up soon. And speaking of the play structure, the committee will have decided which design to buy, by the time you read this! Thanks goes out to all who have already contributed so much.

Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary
Locals Night will make its final appearance of the year on Thursday, December 10. For only $10 per person (free with spa treatment within seven days), enjoy an enzyme footbath and Japanese tea and treats. Bring your friends for added fun; reservations are required as space is limited, 707.823.8231.

Occidental Community Choir
Share the joy of beautiful music and the warmth of community spirit with the Choir this December. The Occidental Community Choir is, in their own words, “a home-grown, quirky, non-profit group of dedicated singers and composers bringing both original and traditional choral music to the West County.”

New music director, Sarah Saulsbury, is a Sebastopol native who has been singing on and off with the choir since the age of thirteen.

Winter Moon, the 32nd Winter Concert Series, deftly blends choral repertoire from across the ages and genres - from sacred motets to the sparkling modernity of “little tree,” an e.e. cummings poem set to music. As always, there is a generous helping of OCC original compositions.

Concerts are at St. Philip's Center at 3730 Bohemian Hwy in Occidental, Friday Dec. 4th, Saturday Dec. 5th, and Saturday Dec. 12th at 8pm, and Sunday Dec. 13th at 3pm. Tickets are a $15 donation ($13 for Seniors 62+, and Free for Children 12 and under). For more information, contact: www.occidentalchoir.org

Holiday Crafts Faire
The Occidental Community Council* is pleased to announce the 24th Annual Holiday Crafts Faire, a longstanding tradition in the community. The Faire will be held on Saturday and Sunday, December 12th and 13th at the Occidental Community Center (located on the corner of Bohemian Highway and Graton Road) in Occidental. The event will be open from 10am – 5pm on Saturday and 10am – 4pm on Sunday. Admission is free.

This Holiday Crafts Faire has something for the whole family, showcasing handmade crafts. In addition to highlighting over 35 local and regional artists and showcasing their special holiday pieces, there will be entertainment, wreaths, daily special guest appearances by Santa Claus, fabulous food, and more.

The Ceres Community Project will provide the food, preparing a special selection of fantastic healthy food. All proceeds from the sale of the food will go towards their program (bringing local teens together to learn about whole food and cooking while preparing organic meals for families who are facing health challenges).

Members of the famous Occidental Community Choir will be visiting the Holiday Crafts Faire throughout the weekend to sing holiday carols. For more information please contact Sherry Huss at sherry@renga-arts.com

*Established in 1986, the Occidental Community Council is an all-volunteer, non-profit corporation. Representing a diverse cross-section of the community, it meets once a month to discuss investing support and resources locally. Its entire budget is derived from the Holiday Crafts Faire.

Tennis Court Update
Thanks to the efforts of David Dillman and Diane Senia, the community of Occidental rallied financial support last month to resurface the tennis courts at the Occidental Community Center. The ‘like-new’ courts were finished on October 9, and will bring new life to Occidental, where tennis classes for local kids can be offered again.

As you can see, community is thriving here in Occidental. As the holidays approach, please earmark as much of a donation as you can for the play structure at Harmony Salmon Creek (and call me to confirm, 707-874-3669). Kids from all over West County will thank you!

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De Schmire Restaurant: Petaluma CA

“When I first walked in that back door I knew some day I would like to own this restaurant.” That is the thing that crossed Danny Eastman’s mind when he went to work for De Schmire Restaurant in Petaluma 24 years ago. Danny started by washing dishes, moved into learning prep work and then the entire restaurant business through ‘on the job’ training.

The Restaurant was originally a candy store, later turned into a restaurant where people lined up to savor the good food served on wooden tables with benches. Later Matt Roche and Robert Steiner bought the restaurant and enclosed the patio and replaced the picnic benches with individual tables, white table clothes and napkins, creating a different dining atmosphere. They taught Danny Eastman all he needed to know by the time he purchased the restaurant in February of 2007. A month for painting and sprucing the place up and Danny was ready to go. He had help from Andrew Lujan who started at this restaurant himself as an apprentice in 1975 and is now the chef. Andy Lujan developed his taste for cooking from his mother who was a well known pastry chef. Andy also has worked in other French Restaurants, such as La Petite Bergier and Daniel’s in Marin County and The Bistro in Santa Rosa. Two other team members are Judi Mitchell who takes care of the front of the house and Greg Call, another chef, who has also been around for about 20 years creating the tasty meals of the house. These three chefs get along very well as the kitchen is rather small and it takes real coordination to work around each other.

Dan runs the business and purchases all the food as well as serving as part time Chef and Front of the House. He buys locally, getting meat from Rancho Veal (where he gets his sweetbreads), produce in Penngrove, fish from San Francisco, and his duck from Reichardt Duck Farm. His menu is extensive. He tries to have 3 or 4 fish dishes, chicken, beef, duck, veal, and 4 specialties every night. Danny’s specialty is his soups. He always has French Onion and Roasted Garlic Mushroom, but there are other special soups offered at different times. This week it is pumpkin soup. Last week a customer said, “I’ve eaten onion soup all over the world and this is the best I have ever had.”

The menu is French cuisine and entrees are extensive. The selections include: Filet Mignon , New York Steak or Sauté de Beouf ($22 to $24); De Whole Schmire combines filet mignon and jumbo prawns Portuguese (($28); Rack of Lamb ($29); Sweetbreads ($29)’ Veal Morel ($25); Chicken dishes ($20 - $28); Roast Duck ($20); two Prawn dishes ($22); Salmon ($21) Halibut ($22); Sole Dore ($21) and Paris Nights – a medley of fresh seafood, scallops, prawns, sea bass and mussels served in a creamy saffron sauce ($22). On top of this every night they have 3 or 4 Specialty Dishes.

There are 7 selections for Appetizers ($7 to $9) and 7 different soups and salads ($5 to $7) on the regular menu. The desserts include a chocolate mousse and crème Brule. The wine list changes but you can get wine by the glass, or a bottle of white wine which ranges in price from $30 to $45 and red wines ranging from $30 to $55.

When I decided to cover a restaurant in Petaluma I asked some “foodie” friends for a recommendation and without hesitation heard, DE SCHMIRE. The atmosphere is inviting, and both the service and the food are very good. As you know, French Cuisine is noted for delicate sauces that are part of the different dishes. You won’t be disappointed at De Schmire.
The restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Wednesday through Sunday they are open for dinner starting at 5:30 till closing (about 9:00). It is helpful to call in for dinner reservations so Danny has staff on board for crowded evenings, and you will be assured of a table. The phone number is 707 762 1901. There is a banquet room that holds 35 people. It is popular for Holiday Parties, Weddings, Birthdays and other special events. The restaurant is located at 203 Bodega Avenue in Petaluma. It is very close to downtown and parking is available across the street.

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Scattering Ashes: Moral but Illegal

Q: We have acquaintances who would like to have their ashes scattered over Sonoma County. Is that legal?

Signed: “Dotting” Paradise, Lovingly.

Dear “Dotting” Paradise:
What an interesting query - it caused me to don my researcher’s cap! As I sauntered through the California laws relating to cremated remains and the sort, I discovered a few interesting quirks. First, technically it is against the law to dispose of any human remains unless it is in a cemetery. What’s the “penalty” if you violate this law? Technically, breaking this law is classified as a misdemeanor, meaning it is a criminal offense and our Sonoma County District Attorney could file charges against the offender.

California is the largest state by volume for cremations. (Japan has the highest rate of cremation - 95%!) Now, with that said, I suspect that many Californians unknowingly violate the law by honorably scattering ashes under the cover of dark or discreetly, without the threat of prosecution. Not that I am encouraging to run afoul of the law, but the numbers do speak for themselves (and I don’t recall the last time I read an article about a family being prosecuted for illegally disposing of the ashes).

Now, hold on. Don’t lose hope to honor your loved ones and to also stay on the right side of he law. Most laws are a tangled weave of exceptions! You have a few options. You can legally dispose of the ashes one of the following ways:
• Door #1: In any church or religious shrine, with their written permission
• (H & S Code sec. 7054.6);
• Door #2: In “areas where no local prohibition exists” (H&S Code sec. 7116); or
• Door #3: At sea, which is defined as 500 yards from the shore. (H&S Code sec. 7117).

Let’s take a closer look behind Door #2—in areas where no local prohibition exists. This is a very broad exception. In essence, the key here is implicit or implied permission. For example, Smokey the Bear would even approve of you scattering ashes in our national parks - you just have to get a special use permit (Yosemite, for example, regularly issues such). Likewise, there is no prohibition against scattering the ashes on private land, with the land owner’s permission, of course. But be wary—if the private property owner goes to sell the land, he or she is supposed to disclose the existence of the human remains. Makes sense, if you think about it.

Now, let’s take a peek behind Door #3 - scattering at sea. Anyone can scatter the ashes, as long as they have a water vessel and a permit from the County. Yeap, that’s right. Ya gotta go by our Public Health Department (625-5th Street, Santa Rosa; (707) 565-4407) and they will help you with the paperwork. You just need eleven bucks and a copy of the death certificate. Now, when I first heard about this permit requirement, my cynic thought, “Oh, just another finger in the pie - government trying to control”. Oh, but contraire… if you think about it, the permit creates a permanent paper trial in case relatives of loved ones want to know where the remains are or visit the general site. Think of it as a “paper marker” for the future family genealogist who comes behind you.

Thanks for the great question - made me think and work - no easy answer. But as John Galsworthy quipped, “The beginnings and endings of all human undertakings are untidy”.

DEAR READERS: Do you have a legal question that is burning in your mind (but are afraid to ask an attorney…cha-ching…cha-ching)? If so, please send your questions to Debra A. Newby via email (contact information below). Your name will remain confidential. Although every inquiry may not be published, we will publish as many as possible. Finally, this Q & A Legal Column is intended as a community service to discuss general legal principles and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Debra A. Newby is a resident of Monte Rio and has practiced law for 27 years. She is a member of the California, Texas and Sonoma County Bar Associations and currently maintains an active law office in Santa Rosa. Her law practice emphasizes personal injury law (bicycle/motorcycle/motor vehicle accidents, dog bites, trip and falls, etc.) and expungements (clearing criminal records). Debra can be reached via email (debra@newbylawoffice.com), phone (707-526-7200), fax (526-7202) or pony express (930 Mendocino Avenue, Suite 101, Santa Rosa, 95401).

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Your Watershed: Coastal Cleanup, River Cleanup and Illegal Dumping

Where can you find 2,400 pounds of dumped metal, 116 tires, 108 cubic feet of recyclables and seven thousand pounds of household garbage? Sadly, you can find all of that in the Russian River. That is what 350 volunteers collected during this September’s Russian River cleanup event in the stretch of river between Cloverdale and Guerneville. Another 2,757 pounds of trash and 961 pounds of recyclable materials were collected by 226 volunteers from 39 miles of Sonoma County coastline.

The Russian River Watershed Association acknowledges and thanks the hundreds of volunteers who participated in September’s River and Coastal Cleanup events. By removing trash from coastal and river shorelines, we protect wildlife and water quality, and we beautify our environment.

Although some of this trash is the result of careless littering, another significant source is illegal dumping along our creeks, rivers, and coastlines. Household garbage and discarded appliances, tires and other items are dumped along creeks, rivers and roadside ditches throughout the county. In addition to compromising the beauty of our waterways, illegally dumped materials pose safety and environmental risks to people and wildlife as they can leach hazardous chemicals, block drainage ways and cause flooding.

A coalition of Sonoma County agencies has been working collaboratively to implement the “Keep Sonoma Clean” program which is designed to aggressively combat illegal dumping and littering along county roadways. Features of the program include:
• Illegal dumping remediation to remove and properly discard illegally dumped materials from areas with a high incidence of chronic dumping
• Expedited response to illegal dumping activity for more rapid cleanup of dump sites, and to discourage additional dumping at those locations
• Varied and convenient legal disposal options including drop-off locations and community clean up events
• Preventive barriers, signage, lighting and surveillance to make it more difficult for individuals to discard unwanted items illegally, and to identify and catch perpetrators
• Enhanced code enforcement to enable county Hearing Officers to conduct abatement hearings
• Media relations and community outreach to modify attitudes and educate the public about littering and illegal dumping
• Follow-up monitoring and reporting to determine which combination of methods most successfully prevents illegal dumping.

Surveillance cameras have been installed by county road crews in rural sites around the county where illegal dumping is common. This program has been successful in catching illegal dumping in action. The first criminal case prosecuted in Sonoma County resulted in the perpetrator being fined $250, assigned 40 hours of community service and placed on one-year of probation. Other cases are pending

A website, www.keepsonomaclean.org, has information on illegal dumping, how to report a site or dumping in progress, and legal disposal options in Sonoma County. Public awareness and education about illegal dumping is key to this program. In addition to the website, the County is posting signs, using radio advertisements, and distributing information at community events to get the word out about the illegal dumping problem.

It’s important for all of us to get involved. If illegal dumping is not reported, the problem grows. Simple actions on your part can help keep a small problem from becoming a big problem. Here is what you can do to help:
• If you see an illegal dumping is in progress, contact the law enforcement agency for that area. Be prepared to provide as much information such as: the location, a description of any vehicle or individual involved, and a license plate number. Illegal dumping that occurs within city limits should be reported to the local police department; in unincorporated Sonoma County it should be reported to the Sheriff’s Department.
• Report existing illegal dump sites by calling 877-565-DUMP (3867). For comprehensive information about legal ways to dispose of unwanted items in Sonoma County, visit the Sonoma County Waste Management Agency’s web site at www.RecycleNow.org or call the Eco-Desk (707) 565-3375.

Do your part to keep your community clean and green.

This article was authored Cristina Goulart of the Town of Windsor and Lisa Steinman of the County of Sonoma on behalf of RRWA. RRWA (www.rrwatershed.org) is an association of local public agencies in the Russian River Watershed that have come together to coordinate regional programs for clean water, fisheries restoration, and watershed enhancement

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Monte Rio Update

The Monte Rio Recreation and Park District is hosting their second Holiday Wonderland Craft Faire on Friday, December 18th from 11AM to 7PM., Saturday, December 19th from 10AM to 6PM, and Sunday, December 20th from 10AM to 4PM, and the Monte Rio Community Center. This is the very last craft fair in West County before the holidays so plan to come and shop!

The Monte Rio tennis courts are getting a long-needed revival. Once they are completed there will also be a regulation sized basketball court adjacent. Enthusiasts for both sports will find these beautiful courts available seven days a week once completed, weather permitting, by December (of course, if the weather doesn’t hold, it will be early spring).

The main Monte Rio beach is closed for the season and all kayaks, canoes, concession stands etc., have been removed. The lower beach parking lot is locked until we reopen next year. However, it is still accessible by foot. And of course, the down river (West) beach is always open to dogs and their owners, as is the Koret Park. We ask that you clean up after your pet and do have clean up bags available at the park.

Congratulations to Suzi Schaffert and Peter Andrews for being elected to the MRRPD Board of Directors.

Attention Monte Rio residents and business owners: A new group is forming called Monte Rio Watch. Its purpose is to focus on clearing out crimes associated with drug sales and use as well as to unite the community. The core group is working with law enforcement as well as county officials to ensure that all actions are legal and to enhance Monte Rio’s relationship with these entities. A community meeting will be scheduled once the mission of the organization is completed. Citizens of Monte Rio have long wanted to find a way to take action against the handful of unscrupulous individuals in their community. This group hopes to attain this and more. Stay tuned for more information about Monte Rio Watch.

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Monte Rio: Winter News & Events

I find it unbelievable that we are coming to the end of yet another year and moving into 2010---that was always science fiction numbers. I hear there will be changes with the publication date of the Gazette, it may be changing to coming out the first of the month! Yahoo!

Our big fall holiday, Thanksgiving, is on Thursday Nov. 26, and we end the month with the First Sunday of Advent on Nov. 29. Our December Holidays include the 7th, which is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. December 12th is the First Day of Hannukah, December 25 is Christmas Day and the 26th starts Kwanzaa. Finally, on December 31, we celebrate New Year's Eve. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day and a truly warm, loving, and genuine Holiday Season.

One thing I am sure of, in our little town of fabulous restaurants, there will be great Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinners that you will definitely want to get your reservations in early for; Highland Dell, Village Inn, and Café Les Jummels always have fabulous meals! Also make sure you swing by the Village Inn they are usually decorated with their fantastic Nutcracker Display. It is gorgeous!

We have some changes at the Rio Theater. First of all we will be showing Michael Jackson’s This Is It, on Friday and Saturday Nov. 27 & 28 at special 9pm show times. We will also be open on Fridays & Saturdays in December, and we will start the month with Paranormal Activity December 4 & 5 at 7pm. Don’s Dogs Café will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm for great pastries, breakfast sandwiches, fabulous Peet’s Espresso and those fabulous Don’s Dogs of course!

Go to Sophie’s Cellars for your wine and special gifts this Holiday season and don’t forget they ship wonderful gift baskets all over the world. Also all the businesses in Monte Rio have Gift Certificates; these are wonderful gifts and it supports your local businesses.

A representative for the Census Bureau stopped by the café the other day, she asked me to mention that the Census would begin next spring. They are interested in hiring local people to do the census work which pays $18.50 or $20.00 per hour. She will be dropping off information and job applications at the Don’s Dogs Café.

November Birthday wishes to: Nov. 19 Rob Huebschmann turns 34, and Nov. 21 Kelsey McCune, turns 17, while Andrea Van Dyke turns 60 and her grandaughter Tayler Mia turns 1. Then on Nov. 23, Rio Theater movie starter, Christopher McCune, turns 12. Then Gary Lissow celebrates a great 58. On Nov. 28 Shant`e Rutherford, our Goddaughter and friend turns 27, while Monica Henney also celebrates her special day. On Nov 29, Leigha (T-Mia’s mom) celebrates while Samee Ares, turns 25. Best Wishes to you all!

December Birthday Wishes to: Dec 7, Bruce Davenport turns 56; Dec. 8, Tom O’Malley and John Cole both celebrate. Dec. 9, John’s wife, Eddie Cole celebrates her day. Dec. 10, both Terry Cherney, turning 33---unbelievable and Guion Moscalo celebrate. Dec. 11, Alexa Alexander-Barron has her day, then on the 12th Celeste Martin and Dan Fein, 59, celebrate. Dec. 14, is very popular with John Castagnolia, Orion Dallimore and Kim Menary all celebrating their day. Then on Dec. 15, both Lee Torr IV and Vivian Imperiale celebrate and the next day Dec. 16, tanned Debbie Warner, turns 58! 12/17: Dec. 19: Robbie Davenport, celebrates his 24th while my fabulous mom, Pat Gildea ends the decade at 79(!!!) and Brandon Nunez also celebrates. Dec. 21 is Stephanie’s special day, 22. Dec. 22: Herman Hernandez celebrates his day. Dec. 25, Jesus, 2009. Dec. 26, Steve Spector and Alex Saunders both celebrate their day. Then on Dec. 27, Zach Eager, turns 18! Dec. 28 Catherine celebrates and on Dec. 29: Laura Robles turns 54. Dec. 30 is a very full day with--- Megan Bosch, 26; Angela Orr, great lady; Kendall Dawson, 8; my brother Skip Gildea, 48 and finally, I think Mark of Village Inn Fame hits 55---all celebrating!!!

Happy New Year! 2010!
Winter Idea
Winter is coming and with it, darkness, rain and many quiet evenings at home. However, if we all had a chance to get out once in a while it might make the long months ahead a little easier to bear.

How about a movie night? Here’s how we would do it:
Where: Monte Rio Community Center
Cost: $2 per person – all ages
Films: Movies of all genres (family friendly) Classics, Holiday movies, new films, scary, funny or othersise You tell us what you want to see. Gone with the Wind? It’s a Wonderful Life? Star Wars? You name it and if it’s on DVD (and has a G rating), we’ll try and show it.
Day: Monday (every other week to start)
Time: 6:30 PM doors open for tickets and snack bar 7:00 PM movie begins
Food: The Monte Rio Chamber will set up a snack bar complete with hot dogs, popcorn & other treats.

If you like this idea, please email us your thoughts on films you want to see, preferred day of the week and any other suggestions. We’d like to get started in December, so let us know as soon as you can.

Call for more information: 865-9956
Monte Rio Recreation & Park District
P.O. Box 877, Monte Rio, CA 95462
(707) 865-9956
events@mrrpd.org

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Graton News, Updates & Events

Congratulations and appreciation are the themes this month - so many local accomplishments, so many people to appreciate for their work for this and the world community.

Then - after all that we have to be thankful for this month, we have Santa’s visit to look forward to next month! Mr. Claus’s appointment secretary confirms that His Heartiness will be able to meet and greet his fans Sunday, December 14th, starting from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Graton Community Club. As usual, Mrs. Claus and Sparkle the Elf will be on hand to assist with photo ops, which are provided free for those who have business with Santa. Fans of all ages are welcome.

Starting globally, Ann Hancock, Campaign Director of the Climate Protection Campaign, was selected as a "leader for a sustainable future" by the Leadership Institute for Ecology and the Economy. She, along with other selected leaders, were honored at the Sustainability Awards Dinner at the Mary Agatha Furth Center in Windsor on Saturday, November 7, 2009. Ann is a Grateronian who started The Climate Protection Campaign here in Graton.

Thinking locally, but with global climate impact because of their innovative waste treatment systems, the Graton Community Service District (Graton CSD) announced they have received $2.3 million in grants from FEMA to improve Graton’s wastewater treatment plant. The Graton CSD received $773,254 to pay for sludge removal from the wastewater treatment plant, and $1.5 million to build a concrete and earth wall, 4-feet high and 1-foot thick around the treatment ponds and the plant to make sure the facilities don’t flood. This brings the facility into compliance with the requirements of the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.

The Graton CSD Board members want to thank Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, her representative Tom Roth, the Graton CSD Chief Engineer Peter Lescure and General Manager Robert Rawson for working tirelessly to put the grant applications together. However, great appreciation also goes to the CSD Board members - Judy Christensen, Jane Eagle, David W. Jeppesen, John Roehl, and Roland Wiebe for their dedication as community volunteers to represent Graton citizens on this important board - Graton’s only government. These volunteers give many hours to represent Graton’s interest in the greater community regulating waste water with all of its complications, regulations and state and Federal mandates.

The new kindergarten/primary playgrounds at Oak Grove opened October 9th. The opening celebration festivities included a Mr. Music sing along, the installation of a Big Cat drinking fountain designed by Patrick Amiot, free ice cream and popcorn. Drive by and see how great the old school looks! Congratulations and thanks to the parent volunteers and everyone involved.
The Graton Green Group (GGG) continues to make progress toward creating a park plaza at the site of the Graton Fire House which will be vacated when the Graton Fire District moves into new quarters on Highway 116. The GGG Design Team held their first meeting October 10 and already has a scaled drawing of a proposed plaza design, including parking, a covered bus stop and a hopeful plan to use some of the building structure for an outdoor community gathering place.

The GGG Design Team includes an extraordinary interdisciplinary team that couldn't be better for the purposes of designing a uniquely Graton park. Team members have experience and expertise in construction oversight, mechanical engineering, LEED accreditation, green and sustainable design experience, large format art design and production, park maintenance and universal design. Those who would like to assist with the Graton Plaza design should contact Cricket Seagull at atcrickets@comcast.net.

"Native Spirits," an original musical play by Janey Hirsh and James Duickett, opens Friday, November 20th at the Graton Community Club. A production of the American Dream Theatre, "Native Spirits" features seven original songs composed by Duckett. Playing Fridays and Saturdays, starting at 7:00 p.m., the play, set in northwestern Idaho, will have a final performance on Sunday, December 6th at 2:00 p.m. For additional information and reservations, call 707-538-7543.

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Fall Color & Garden Care

I recently had the good luck to spend some days in our beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains and at Lake Tahoe: what a magnificent show Mother Nature has provided for us! As a garden designer, I am humbled by the perfection of Nature’s art. Gigantic rock formations in perfect contrast with the dark pines, accented by splashes of golden aspen and the flame of red maple: incredible! Bubbling and gurgling clear water streams splashing over rugged rocks, then subsiding into golden marshlands punctuated with mounds of airy willow. I could only walk and wonder at each new and amazing vista. It was wonderful to see so many families with young children out enjoying the bounty of Nature: it gives hope that they will develop a love for our country’s natural wonders that will follow them throughout their lives.

While few of us have miles of open space at our doorstep, I believe that in our gardens we each have the opportunity to recreate a small bit of nature’s beauty, both for our own spiritual refreshment and to contribute to the “re-greening” of this country. When I work with my landscape clients, I always attempt to create a “mini-ecology” which respects nature’s existing conditions by using plants which are well adapted to our unique Mediterranean climate and appropriate for the “human- built” space in which we are using them. Trying to force a plant to live in conditions very different from its original environment is a sure recipe for failure and frustration!

We are so fortunate to have available an enormous catalog of Mediterranean and California native plants that can thrive and flourish in our gardens with minimal care (and water). It is the task of the garden designer to identify the best plant for each area of the garden, based on all the factors present in that particular garden: sun, wind, soil, animal life, aesthetics, and human use. If we take the time to thoughtfully pursue that perfect plant for each of our garden situations, we may someday hope to design a garden half as wonderful as Mother Nature’s handiwork!

The Garden in Fall

Don’t forget to spray your fruit trees to eliminate leaf curl and related diseases: you must start now to get in 3 rounds of spraying before the spring: consult your favorite nursery for advice on the best organic methods.

Now that we’ve had a good, soaking rain, be sure to turn down, or turn off, your automatic watering systems. Rain sensors are available which will automatically turn off your systems when it does rain, if you have trouble remembering!

Begin thinking about planting! Buy those plants that are on sale now, then pop them into the ground where they will get rooted in over the winter for a great show next spring and summer. California native plants especially appreciate Fall planting. Wild flower seeds can also be spread in Fall.

If you need help and advise with any of these Fall garden activities, just give me a call at 829-2455. Consultations in your garden start at only $50.

Upcoming Garden Events

FREE classes on Saturdays at Bassignani’s Nursery in Sebastopol:
Beautiful Bulbs: Learn how to plant bulbs for Spring bloom in the garden,
or how to force them for indoor color in the winter.
November 21 at 10:30 am.

Holiday Decorating from the Garden: bring some greens to share as
We create wreaths, swags, and table decorations!
December 12, at 10:30 am

Do you have a gardening question you would like to ask? Or a photo to share?
Send your questions and photos (jpg) to bluehilldesign9@aol.com.

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Fire News & Holiday Events

Forestville Fire:

Toys for Tots
The Forestville Firefighters Association will be collecting toys for the Holidays again this year. Donations will go to the Forestville Giving Tree Program as well as the Toys for Tots program. Your new and unwrapped gifts may be dropped off at the Forestville Fire Station up to December 23rd. Recalled or used toys cannot be accepted.
New Volunteers

The Forestville Fire District is currently recruiting new Volunteer Firefighters. Applicants must be a minimum of 16 years of age and:
• Have a response time from home (personal residence), or work to the District’s fire station located at 6554 Mirabel Road of no more than ten (10) minutes driving time, following all applicable traffic laws.
• Be 16 years of age or older.
• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent or be enrolled in high school working towards a diploma.
• If 18 or older, possess a valid unrestricted California Driver’s License that meets insurability requirements of District’s liability insurer(s).
• Possess the ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Be able and willing to follow instructions, District Rules and Regulations, and Standard Operating Guidelines both on and off duty.
If you are interested, you can request an Interest Card by mail by calling 887-2212 or by stopping by the station or visiting the Districts web site at www.forestvillefire.org.

Santa's Coming
Forestville Firefighter's will be helping to install the Holiday Lights in town soon. They will also be delivering Santa Claus, in one of the District's fire engines, to the Annual Tree Lighting on November 29th at 4 p.m.

Graton Fire:

Graton Fire Christmas Tree Farm

We are celebrating our fourth year of serving the community in a different way… selling Christmas trees. As many of you know, we purchased the Del Davis Tree Farm on Highway 116, just below Green Valley Road, to be the location of our new fire station. However, many of the trees remain and it was decided during the planning stages to maintain the trees and the farm, thereby “softening” the impact of the new building. We realize several long-standing tree farms have retired and with them the traditions of family togetherness, holiday smells, and all the “little” things that make a fresh tree and Christmas so special. We look forward to continuing to give our community these special times and our volunteer firefighters enjoy the opportunity of seeing each of you, year after year. Please come and say hello to Heather O’Dell, former manager of the Victorian Christmas Tree Farm, who continues to nurture and maintain the trees on our behalf. With her efforts, our firefighters, and the support of our community, we anticipate another great season of fundraising for the new fire station! We will be open Thursday-Sunday from 9am to 5pm after Thanksgiving Day. Visit the tree farm on Sunday, Dec 6^th to donate blood and receive 10% off your tree! We invite you to come and enjoy homemade apple cider as you wander through our natural tree farm. Always remember to breathe deeply.

Annual Toy Drive

Starting December 1^st, firefighters will be collecting new toys for needy families in our district. Keep an eye out for our donation barrel at the Graton Post Office, Andy’s Produce, and during the Holiday event on December 13^th at the Graton Community Center, 1-5pm. Thank you to Oak Grove School for partnering with us during our annual toy drive.

Local Fire and Life Safety Tips

Just a reminder to change the batteries in your smoke detector and to clean your chimney or woodstove pipe before winter sets in. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, heating-related fires are the second leading cause of fires in residential dwellings, with chimney and flue fires accounting for 86 percent of heating fires. Couple this with the fact that ever-increasing fuel costs are driving homeowners to use more economical means to heat their homes and it is safe to assume that there will be an increase in the number of chimney fires this winter.

Top Causes for Major Vehicle Crashes

Everyone has heard about defensive driving, but what are some of the more common ways that major accidents happen? Probably at the top of that list is losing control when the tires go over the right shoulder embankment and then the driver overcorrects, which puts the car into oncoming traffic. Head-on collisions are the most dangerous accident type. It is far better to plow through a yard or fence than swerve back into an oncoming truck. Following too closely or not paying attention causes many accidents. CHP officers are taught to watch not only the car in front of them, but as far forward as possible. If the tenth vehicle ahead decides to stop suddenly, you might notice before the car in front of you; giving you extra time to stop. When preparing to make a left turn, do not angle your wheels ahead of time. Should another driver not realize that you are turning and rear-end you, the momentum will push you into the path of oncoming cars.

Driving Tips

For every 10 miles per hour, there should be at least one car length between you and the car in front of you. If you are driving a truck, towing a trailer, or carrying a large load, this distance should double or even triple. Anti-Lock Brakes Systems (ABS) maximize your car’s ability to stop quickly. To activate ABS, just press the brake pedal and hold it. The system will “pulse” the brakes for maximum braking while maintaining the ability to steer. Some drivers perceive this pulsing as a problem and release the brake pedal... don’t! The car is doing exactly what it should to provide optimal stopping and control. Traction control systems have been identified as a major factor in reducing accidents as well; look for more cars to come equipped with this feature. Most systems will automatically reduce power and brake simultaneously if the car starts to slide; allowing the driver to focus on steering.

Burning Permits

Sonoma County Fire and Cal Fire have lifted the ban on burning. Make sure to complete a permit application for where you live – West County is split into two air quality sections, Northern Sonoma County and Bay Area... ask your fire department if you don’t know which one you live in. All regulations are controlled by the Air Quality Districts... not us. If you have further questions, their contact information is on the forms.

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LETTER - Guerneville Center Street Project

RE: Four-Plex on Center Street, Guerneville - Dennis Judd project

East Guernewood Park is a sleepy community of single family homes located on the Russian River. Idyllic, nestled amongst the redwoods, the community encourages a live and let live approach to life. Then came the bump in the night. Like the towering redwoods, the problem began small and grew slowly, shutting out the glare of public scrutiny, and threatening to topple and damage the community from winds of greed and corruption. This is a story of an absentee landlord, a greedy developer, a corrupt politician, and the community that will suffer from his abuse of power.

Guernewood Park was first subdivided in the 1920s. The house at 16680 Center Way was built in 1947 as a single family dwelling. Over the years the house was converted to a duplex and finally to a fourplex. The illegal conversions made economic sense in the context of vacation rentals. The vacationers spent time at the river and those few permanent residents knew they were in a vacation paradise.

Sonoma County grew up. More people came to the Russian River as permanent residents and the County passed zoning restrictions. Guernewood Park was zoned for single family homes at a density of four units per acre. Due to its small lot, the fourplex was a four family home at a density of forty units per acre. The ten fold increase in density would never be allowed today, but was grandfathered in as a “legal nonconforming” structure because it existed when the zoning restrictions were enacted.

Four permanent families were a disaster. Building Department records are full of complaints and code violations. The building fell into disrepair, tenants were evicted, utilities shut off and the structure was condemned.

The County has an orderly process for dealing with legal nonconforming buildings. If they are unused for more than a year, then they revert back to having to meet zoning requirements. The Yellow House was unused for more than a year. Utility records document it and neighbors remember it.

Decay breeds opportunity and opportunity can go one of two ways. In this case, greed and corruption took center stage. There are developers in the County that pray on distressed properties and know how to manipulate “The System”. They know how to use public funds to line their own pockets and how to bend the rules to their advantage, wreaking havoc on the communities that are the true victims.

D Judd Apartments LLC purchased the Yellow House for $90,000 as a “tear down”. His contractor, Tom Lynch, took out a permit for $5,000 of work to fix code violations. Now, at $5,000, nobody at the Building Department was paying attention to zoning issues. When the Building Department realized its mistake, it began backpedaling and trying to justify its actions, first citing County Code, then State Code, then Affordable Housing. As each legal argument was shot down through the appeal process, the Building Department was left with only political arguments. It was better to protect the developer at the expense of the community.

The final blow came when the appeal went before the Board of Supervisors. Efren Carrillo, Supervisor for District 5, made a decision that was stunning in its lack of intelligence. County Code 26-94-030 clearly and unambiguously says that the property owner is required to prove that the property did not lose its legal nonconforming status. Supervisor Carrillo ignored the code and ruled in favor of the developer. Supervisor Carrillo is not stupid. The only conclusion is that Efren Carrillo has, once again, supported developers over the interests of the community.

Linda Johns, Guerneville

Click on the image below to read and/or print it:

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Higher Education Fiscal Crisis Protects Wealthy

By Peter Phillips

Police are arresting and attacking student protesters on University of California (UC) campuses again. “Why did he beat me I wasn’t doing anything,” screamed a young Cal Berkeley women student over KPFA radio on Friday evening November 20. Students are protesting the 32% increase in tuition imposed by the UC regents in a time of severe state deficits. The Board of Regents claims that they have no choice. Students will now have to pay over $10,000 in tuition annually for a public university education that was free only a few decades ago.

The corporate media spins the tuition protests as if we are all suffering during the recession. For example, the San Diego Union Tribune November 20 writes, “These students need a course in Reality 101. And the reality is that there is virtually no segment of American society that is not straining with the economic recession. With UC facing a $535 million budget gap due to state cuts, the regents have to confront reality and make tough choices. So should students.”

Yet, the reality is something quite different. Our current budget crisis in California and the rest of the country has been artificially created by cutting taxes on the wealthiest people and corporations. The corporate elites in the US, the top 1% who own close to half the wealth, are the beneficiaries of massive tax cuts over the past few decades. While at the same time working people are paying more through increased sales and use taxes and higher public college tuition.

The wealthy hide their money abroad. Rachel Keeler with Dollars & Sense reports (November 19th & 29th stories) that over the years, trillions of dollars in both corporate profits and personal wealth have migrated offshore in search of rock-bottom tax rates and the comfort of no questions asked. Offshore banks now harbor an estimated $11.5 trillion in individual wealth alone, and were a significant contributing factor to the international economic downturn in 2008.

According to the California Budget Project, tax cuts enacted in California, since 1993, cost the state $11.3 billion dollars annually. Had the state continued taxing corporations and the wealthy at rates equal to those fifteen years ago there would not be a budget crisis in California. Even though a budget deficit was evident last year, California income tax laws were changed in February of 2009 to provide corporations with even greater tax savings—equal to over $2 billion per year. California is similar to the rest of the country where the wealthy and corporate elites enjoy economic protection through increased costs to working people.

Higher education has been cut in twenty-eight states in the 2009-10 school year and further, even more drastic cuts, are likely in the years ahead. California State University (CSU) system is planning to reduce enrollments by 40,000 students in the fall of 2010. The CSU Trustees have imposed steep tuition hikes and forced faculty and staff to take non-paid furlough days equal to 10% of salaries.

The students who are protesting tuition increases know they are being ripped off. They know that we are bailing out the rich with hundreds of billions dollars for Wall Street and massive budget cuts for the rest of us. The corporate media doesn’t explain to over-taxed working families how they are paying more while the rich sock it away.

The current economic crisis is a shock and awe process designed to undermine low-cost higher education, force labor concessions from working people and protect the wealthy. We need higher taxes on the corporations and the top 1%, combined with free public college education and tax breaks for working families. And, we must have a media that tells us the truth about inequality and wealth. A true economic stimulus increases spending from the bottom up not the top down.

Peter Phillips is a professor of sociology at Sonoma State University, President of Media Freedom Foundation, and recent past director of Project Censored.


Daily News at: http://mediafreedom.pnn.com/5174-independent-news-sources

Validated News & Research at: http://www.mediafreedominternational.org/

Daily Censored Blog at: http://dailycensored.com/

Project Censored: http://www.projectcensored.org/

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CASH or CREDIT - Revisited

“Cash or Credit?” Revisited

By Alan Joseph
I wrote an article last August about the hidden cost of using credit cards leading to my advice to pay with cash. With the holidays approaching, I thought to add a few interesting points for you to consider before you reach into your wallet.

It is estimated that worldwide, there are 10,000 credit card transactions made every second.

Americans charged about $69 Billion in 1986. By 2008, credit card charges had increased to $1.8 Trillion.

It costs the typical merchant about 3% of the total purchase when a customer pays with a credit card, about $54 Billion taken out of merchant pockets last year.

Americans currently owe about $950 billion in credit card debt with an average interest rate of about 13%....costing about $123 Billion in finance charges.

This is serious money having a very serious impact across America and right here in Sonoma County. Don’t believe me? Ask anyone in business how taking credit cards affects them. Most owners tell me that credit card use is steadily increasing and taking more and more from their shrinking profit margin. Exact figures about credit card use in our county aren’t readily available, but I would wager that Sonoma County residents sent the credit card companies over $250 Million in fees and finance charges last year.

So what can you do? Hey, if times are times are tough, use your credit as wisely as you can. But when you are shopping locally and have enough money to cover expenses, then I would strongly suggest that you:

• Pay with cash
• Write a check
• Use your debit card, there are no interest charges and the fees are less

And about Rewards programs: Did you know that businesses are charged higher rates when they accept rewards cards? There is no free lunch.

So remember, if you go out to eat, pay with cash….buy a Xmas present, pay with cash…..get groceries or get your car tuned up, PAY WITH CASH. Come on, use that green stuff and help keep Sonoma County cash where it belongs, right here at home.

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Small Shops of Sonoma County - 2009 Shopping Tour

Welcome to My Personal Mission

This is my 7th Annual Shopping Tour originally inspired by my newspaper delivery route through West Sonoma County - the small towns I call home. It’s been the Small Town Shopping Tour for six years, then last year I started including small shops in small cities where downtown is considerably larger than one, two or three “blocks”! With my circulation expansion over the years, I decided it was time to change the name of the tour to Small Shops of Sonoma County, since it’s the shops and shop keepers I’m telling you about.

The one thing that remains similar whether towns are large or small is that these shops are owned by individuals who put their hearts and lives into what they do. Entrepreneurs tend to work very long hours performing a multitude of jobs.

We often ask ourselves why we do this when other people we know have evenings and weekends to do with as they please. We work. We bring up things like “freedom to follow our own path - make our own successes and failures, etc.”

Being one of those individuals who insists on doing it my way, I have the opportunity to support entrepreneurs efforts by encouraging readers to support individuals rather than large corporations when they do their holiday shopping.

This year I have guest writers helping with the task and bringing their own perspective to my mission. I’ll start with Alan’s Joseph’s second article on the subject of Cash vs. Credit. We both want to encourage you to keep those credit cards in your wallet and pay with cash. Alan will explain why.

One of my guest writers is my daughter Aleta Taylor who joined me this years as my Ad Sales Manager. I encouraged her to put some editorial behind the people she enjoyed meeting while she was out becoming familiar with our shops, so she took the towns where she lives and purchases goods for her family.

The shops we write about are owned by good people with warn hearts who contribute to their communities in numerous ways. That means a lot to us. There is no “them” in small towns - it’s all “us” who gets things done. So when you read about shops and shop owners, please keep in mind that these are the people who maintain our homes and local economy.

Thanks for reading, and thanks in advance for being conscious shoppers who understand the value of supporting the people whose shops line our streets with goods and services we need. As long as we take care of them, they will remain here to take care of us.

Town by Town through the Gazette Readership Area

I’m starting with Guerneville for two reasons: one, because I ended here last year so it’s their turn to start the tour. And two, because Michael Clark of Dawn Ranch Lodge coordinated a group of Guerneville’s merchants to support this tour with a full page ad - on the back cover - to encourage you to visit their Russian River community and wander through their remarkably diverse collection of shops. I appreciate their support of my personal mission.

I’ll be honest with you - it takes a lot of effort to create this tour and a lot of money to publish it, so I have no problem giving extra support to merchants who purchased ads. I write about the people who make our communities thrive, so I appreciate their commitment to me in return. We’re all in this together. Putting your Holiday dollars in the hands of local merchants keeps those dollars at home.

GUERNEVILLE

Because of it’s location on the Russian River, Guerneville has an economy driven by tourism. Just getting here is like going into a decompression chamber. Most people commute via River Road, an exit off Hwy 101 just north of Santa Rosa. Within minutes you start seeing broad vistas of wine grapes stretched out across the valley floor. By the time you hit Forestville, Redwood trees line the road and you have entered the land of river and forest. This is the place I call home.

Guerneville hits national news about every decade because of the Russian River flooding over its boundaries. There’s a positive side to these floods even though they are quite devastating at the time…the place gets a good clean-up and restoration! Each follow-up to a flood brings new merchants to town full of enthusiasm.

The newest kids on the block are Rex and Buck of Nexus Organic. They started a flower shop at the west end of town then moved into a bigger shop on the right just as you enter downtown. You can’t miss it - it’s bright red and teal! That flash of color is a good indicator that there’s a lot going on inside. Artists from all over West County have their wares here from handwoven scarves to tiled bird baths. The variety is astounding. And artistry is part of why I want to support the efforts of these shop owners. Just as you enter the door there’s a barrel on the left for people to drop art supplies for Guerneville School’s budding artists. This is the stuff of community support and why it’s so important that you support local merchants.

Buck is also one of the many merchants in town who put up the hanging flower baskets you see along downtown’s streets. Dax Berg of Sonoma Nesting Company across the street and a large contingency of Russian River Chamber of Commerce merchants combined their efforts to dress up downtown. There is no “them” in Guerneville. It’s all us.

Art and artistry are a large part of all our river communities. Perhaps it’s the beauty and solace of our forests that draws creative people to live here. On the Plaza in Gurenvile you’ll find Russian River Art Gallery which features the work of a dozen local artists all in one tiny gallery. They cover all media and many offer greeting card reproductions of their work. Great pizza next door at Andorno’s as well - and here is were you’ll find the Russian River Chamber of Commerce if you want to learn more about our region.

And just on the other side of the fountain you’ll see Sonoma Nesting Company, Dax and Smitty have a rather astounding collection of unique items from ancient art to locally made pillows. One of my favorite gifts for myself came from this shop - a hand carved river otter I bought for $12. Yes, you can afford one-of-a-kind art.

Because Guerneville is a tourist attraction and tourism suffered badly this year in the down economy, local merchants are doing everything they can to bring people to town - and they have a lot to offer! Restaurants, like Dawn Ranch Lodge, have special pricing and package deals to lure people through their doors. Michael added sweetness to his support of local merchants by offering discounts and free meals at his Roadhouse Restaurant for people who shop in Guerneville (see his back page ad for details). Bed & Breakfasts are offering large discounts to encourage locals to spend the night, put up family & friends over the holidays, etc. Lynne Cressione of Creekside Inn just on the outskirts of town, offers a 20% discount for locals. This is a great time to save money on treats for yourself as well as others.

Now that I’m a grandmother, Guerneville’s 5 & 10 has taken on new meaning. Remember paper dolls? This place has them. Want wooden toys, puzzles, tiny animals in a bag? Animal purses in pink and white? This is the place. I was stopped on the street recently by someone asking if they have a jelly bean factory in there. No - but you can get all kinds of sweets - along with art supplies, novelty toys - it’s a wonder in their. And - it’s always full of laughter. You need a lift? Walk through these doors.

And for the pure joy of color, antiques and dazzling jewelry among many, many items - please visit John and Grant at Altered Images. They are at the west end of town next to the Union 76 gas station. You can find them by the spinning, sparkling wind sculptures they hang out under the open porch roof. These mean are always gracious, always kind - they have lovely gifts at very affordable prices that you just don't find other places.

And just up the street toward the center of town you'll find Vine Life where Jim sells local wines, local jams, locally made gifts and an astounding collection of tree ornaments. It's a tight little store filled with a large variety of gifts that support our local economy.

Here’s one for you - just one block north of Main Street at Armstrong Woods Road (the plaza corner) on 3rd Street you’ll find John Rizzi Glassworks creating blown glass ornaments every weekend. It’s fascinating to watch someone melt glass and turn it into something beautiful right before your eyes. Want to make something yourself? Visit Shannon in Rainbow Fabrics. She has all kinds of notions, etc. for making your own gifts!

This shop and John Rizzi are along Armstrong Woods Road. I encourage you to take a diversion here and breathe air that is rare because it’s created by our majestic redwoods. Not far up this road is the entrance to Armstrong Woods State Park. Here you’ll find the people who put hours and hours of their lives into preserving access to our parks and wildlife - Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods. They have a lovely gift shop filled with stuffed critters of the forest, books on those critters and plants, backpacks and all sorts of educational and fun ways to enjoy our beautiful planet. Each purchase you make helps the Stewards work to keep our parks open for everyone.

And speaking of enjoying nature - Kings Sport & Tackle has literally everything you need to stay warm and comfy in the great outdoors, whether its just a hike in the woods or a fishing trip up river. They also have colorful rubber boots we envy when we see them on small children. This store has them in colors for adults! Long underwear, pajamas and warm slippers as well. Everything you need to stay warm on these cold nights.

If you are so inclined - the first weekend of December is all about celebration and features a full-on party Saturday night with their Parade of Lights. It starts Thursday Dec. 3rd with a Downtown Open House and Town Tree Lighting then ends on the 5th with this amazing parade from 7 to 8pm with dazzling floats & live music. Find complete information at the Russian River Chamber of Commerce.

MONTE RIO

Now here’s a town that’s not going to overwhelm you with shopping opportunities, so that makes it really easy! If you have a golfer in your life you won’t find a more unique golf course than Northwood Golf Course. The course wanders through towering Redwoods and in the spring you play surrounded by brilliantly colored blossoms of Rhododendrons. In winter you’ll see golfers out in light rain and heavy fog. The Golf Shop has everything a golfer needs because if you haven’t brought it with you, this is the only place you’ll find it for miles! If you don’t know golf, get a Gift Certificate. This place vibrates green any time of year!

Monte Rio is your destination for wine! Sophie’s Cellars is known for well-chosen wines and cheeses and all the information you need for selecting the perfect gift, as well as wine to consume. John Haggard writes our Wine Banter column and he not only knows his wines, and cheeses, he also loves to talk about them! You tell him your taste, or the taste of a friend for whom you are buying a gift, and he’ll show you a variety to choose from. I bought the most amazing $6 bottle of wine from him because he knows his wine! He also guest-teaches food and wine pairing at Monte Rio Community Center!! Check our Holiday Craft Fair calendar for the fair that is coming up.

If the sun is warm on a weekend, you’ll find Natasha Perhrson set up with her exotic jewelry and sundry crafts on tables by the Monte Rio Theater. Natasha writes out Cazadero column and is a major volunteer in our communities. The huts by the theater also house a small gallery right now. This is my absolute favorite theater because it’s anything but modern and flashing. You can settle into your seat with a hot mug of herbal tea and one of Don’s Dogs and there you are - at home with your own HUGE screen TV. Ah the comforts of country life!

DUNCANS MILLS

By Tom O’Bryan of the Blue Heron

Gloria Tamagni of Weavers and Dreamers fame is on the move again, after the holidays the girls are taking over the Duncans Mills General store. January the move is on, They will now be known as the Tamagni’s General Store. So stop, shop, and snack! Come and see the holiday train and trolls before they move. With their “daily” Holiday Sale up to 30% off!

Also on the move is The Horse and Butterfly Tea room. With a new owner and a new name; Brian Trombly and Ron Harmon have purchased the shop and renamed it Mr. Trombly’s Tea.

Specializing in all things tea, with over 65 fine teas to choose from. A large selection of Vintage and new teapots, as well as many tea accessories. They also feature a tea of the day which you can sample. I personally discovered that a tea set is a fantastic, last minute, “geez I forgot again” gift idea. The gift went over very, very well I must say.

The Quercia Gallery featured exhibit is “Bowls, Bowls, Bowls”. Hand thrown soup bowls for the warmth of the Holiday Season. Come in and choose the bowl that fits your hand. A great gift idea! Everyone loves soup. Opening December 5th, with a reception from 3 - 6.

The log cabin on the West side of town, Antiquarian, becomes enchanted for the holidays. With gorgeous décor, locally grown Protea flowers and an eccentric mix of antiques.
Cape Fear is now taking reservations for their Thanksgiving Day Buffet. Don’t miss it! Call 865-9246.

A favorite stop of mine is Jim and Willie’s. With Willie being the dom and Jim the sub. With Sir Jim saying his wares range from the “sublime to the ridiculous”. (did I just say that?) A quaint, whimsical antique shoppe reminiscent of jolly olde England located in the Country Stores Courtyard of Duncans Mills.

Coming in December, with a date soon to be announced, will be a community wide (free food buffet) Hosted by The Blue Heron. In appreciation of the warmth and love bestowed upon “The Blue” by our great river citizens. Yes, live music as always with never a cover!




And just in case fabric napkins are your favorite way to dab at your lips during dinner, a local seamstress has lovely cotton ones for sale at Gold Coast Coffee next door.

“Come as a stranger…leave as a friend.” That’s us in Duncans Mills.

Heading out toward the Sea along Hwy 116 to Jenner - where the Russian River empties into the Pacific Ocean.

JENNER

This is one of my favorite motorcycle ride destinations for when I want a quick jaunt. Out and back takes about an hour from my home and the curvaceous road gives me oh-so-much pleasure to ride. Many times Alan and I will stop at Café Aquatica for a bowl of soup while we sit by the river and watch kayakers pass. Last time I ran into Diane from Jenner Inn and she told me to come by for soup at their place. Richard Murphy who owns the inn and restaurant keeps a tureen of soup ready for guests at any time. If you’ve never stopped by, check out the parlor on the left as you enter. This is of another world! And they have a sheltered front porch glassed in to protect you from wind but still letting in warmth from the sun. This is nice - real nice! I haven’t tasted the new menu yet, stop by and report back!

Jenner is a magic place. It’s where the Russian River flows into the sea and that makes it home to passionate environmentalists who work long hours to protect the fish, the water and harbor seals. We’ve had meetings at Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods Gift Shop here - yes, a second location to purchase gifts that teach the intimacies of our planet. The shop is open on weekends and is right along the river.

Here you’ll also find Seagull Gifts which as been here as long as I can remember. Joel has a wide selection of jewelry at remarkably affordable prices, stuffed animals like colorful octopus and sea turtles, t-shirts & sweatshirts of exceptional quality, greeting cards of local scenery, and of course, shells! He also has a great kids room full of educational toys and even garden statuary and wind chimes! I brought Alan in here just to show him around and he went away with a whole collection of gifts for his employees. Joel is a good man, volunteers in his community, has kids on local school sports teams and deserves your shopping support!

And if you have always wanted to sit in a kayak on the broad blue waters where the Russian River widens before it enters the sea, look for WaterTrek Eco Tours tent in the parking lot of Jenner C-Store. You'll also spot Suki's colorful boats lined up along the shore just below by the Stewards of the Coast Gift Shop. There's nothing quite like the peace of gliding on water.

BODEGA BAY

I'm flying past Bodeg Bay this tour because statistics prove that 75% of tourist traffic is on our coastal communities. That could explain why those businesses aren't advertising this holiday season - they are comfortable! And it's not just tourists who flock to the beaches - its the rest of us as well. Going to the coast even for an our brings peace to our souls. My favorite coffee shop is Jim Irving's Roadhouse at the north end of Bodega bay - a good stop for a bite and warm mug. The art galleries are wonderful and restaurants tasty and satisfying. Have fun exploring!


The TINY TOWN of BODEGA

See this smiling woman to your right? That’s Yeunny the Dressmaker and she is the essence of what I’m talking about when I sing the praises of individuals who know the value of community and being mutually supportive. Yeunny is the warmth of sunshine and the glow of rainbows - not just because she loves to sew with colorful fabrics. Her heart is pure gold so if you need to find the end of that rainbow, come to Bodega. You might even find the perfect outfit for the holiday and I know for a fact you can find a silk scarf that will adorn and warm the neck of just about anyone, male or female.

In such a tiny town you’d think there’s not much to do but I’d like to recommend you walk to the west end of town and visit Lorenzo at Landmark Gallery. This the kind of gallery where you feel right at home. From tiny paintings and hand made jewelry to giant etchings and sculpture, it’s all here with no pressure.

Cup o’ Mud has moved out of their miniscule hut to the same building where Yuenny sews at the window. They weren’t open when I visited last but the coffee has always been excellent and the baked good supreme. They also make a fantastic bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon if that holds any interest for you! My favorite tuna fish sandwich is across the street at The Casino because that’s where Elizabeth and Greg hold court for locals seeking a home away from home and a pool table. Elizabeth told me she is making aprons to sell, so stop in and ask her if she has them ready yet! It’s one of my favorite places to stop and rest a spell when I’m out delivering papers.

FREESTONE

Freestone is a blessed little community, nestled into a broad valley on the way to the coast. Our coastal fog doesn't venture this far inland most of the time, it has Wild Flour Bakery and Osmosis Day Spa to lure guests from far and wide, and it's blissfully quiet. All of this is perfect for Barbara who now owns Boho Gallery down by the General Store. Her day job is working for Apple Computer so she can spend her off hours creating whimsical art and provide a gallery for her friends to display their work in Sonoma County.

Barbara makes sure she has very affordable items on display so visitors aren’t intimidated by high-priced art. She has the most delightful little water colors and hand painted tiles of her work as well as ceramics, etc. You can see her ad to the right and just for that alone - let alone the pleasure of a visit to this gallery, I’d love you to stop by and pay Barbara a visit on the weekends. She’ll be there working in the studio room just off the gallery. You can help make her dream come true and maybe a little of that will rub off on you while you are there.

Visitors in Freestone flock to Wild Flour Bakery and that has been especially good for Thea Doty of Enduring Comforts. I swear she’s be just fine without them because she has a collection of items in her store that has appeal to just about everyone. You should see the people trying on hats! The scarf collection is the best I’ve ever found. My Alan now has a habit of shopping here for gifts because he says Thea is unusually adept at providing a wide range of choices, from antiques to candles and everything in between. Her displays are artfully arranged throughout the store and even though it’s a small space your eye travels well from object to object without ever feeling overwhelmed by too many things. Her jewelry collection alone is enticing. If you’re lucky you’ll come when she has bowls of M & Ms throughout the store! Just a hint!

Michael Stusser’s Osmosis Day Spa is also home in Freestone and half way in between Enduring Comforts and BoHo Gallery. They have a wonderful gift shop with a wide selection of massage oils, lotions & cleansers, incense & jewelry and of course, those exquisitely soft cotton robes you wrap yourself in as you go thought treatment at that day spa. Have you ever been through the whole treatment? You come out completely altered! You may want to stop by here to get a gift certificate - for yourself! It starts with the cleansing tea and ends with needing a ride home! You are sooooo relaxed!

OCCIDENTAL

I have a love affair with Occidental and one of the reasons is Heidi who owns Hand Goods. Somewhere along the line she decided that supporting my paper and her business with advertising to my readers is a good idea. She’s a busy entrepreneur like so many, so she simply leaves the subject of her ads up to me. When I deliver papers to Occidental I take photos that work their way into her ads.

Perhaps Heidi’s hands-off approach comes easily to her because she has the work of so many artists in her store. She’s been dealing with creative individuals for more than thirty years and if there’s one thing we learn - they don’t like direction! So she treats me like one of her artists and that makes promoting her business easy for both of us! And from what I can tell, my readers respond so please - support Heidi’s support of artists and go get a ceramic mug, a wine stave bread plate, a bud vase for your wall, a hand-woven blanket or scarf, some jewelry - or even a book! She has more than you can imagine all under one roof.

Sherry Huss who owns renga arts, is another volunteer who puts a lot of time into her community. Every year she’s part of the team that hosts the Occidental Crafts Faire that raises money to support the work of the Occidental Community Council. This year the faire is on December 12th & 13th (please see the Holiday Events calendar, crafts fair section in this issue of the Gazette).

The mission of renga arts is recycling and they have a store full of examples of what you can do to re-use materials in the most creative ways! I bought my grand daughter an octopus made out of socks, Alan a shallow glass bowl for keys, etc. made out of a traffic light lens…it’s pretty amazing in there! Take a look. Sherry even wraps your gifts in recycled paper and it looks great!
There are two new businesses in town across the street…one is the Mad Hatter which specializes in children’s toys and tutus and all kinds of fun things for kids - and the other is a store filled with hand-made clothing, jewelry and pre-owned items and the name of it is on a card somewhere on my desk! When I find it - I’ll tell you!

I’m going to throw in a plug here for Benjamynn Gabriel who writes the Occidental column. He owns Sonoma Fine Wine. You’ll find him delightfully charming and incredibly knowledgeable about wine. The best thing to do is e-mail or call to make an appointment - 707.874.3300 SonomaFineWine.com - and you’ll be rewarded with one of the best selections of local pinot noirs, as well as cult Napa Cabs and French Bordeaux and Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

HEALDSBURG

By Aleta Taylor

Since moving to Cloverdale several months ago, I often visit Healdsburg for entertainment and shopping. So I was enthusiastic when assigned the task of finding great local shops here. This is the perfect town to just park your car and walk the streets all day, there is so much to see and some great shops around the square. I have centered my focus along the south end of Healdsburg Ave, just enough off the beaten path that they may be a new discovery for many of you. These are stores where the people are just as enjoyable as the items they sell.

My first stop led me to one of the two pet shops in town, the Healdsburg Dog House. Natalee Tappin, the self-pronounced Alpha Bitch and owner of the Dog House, is a breath of fresh air with her constant smile and enthusiasm. What surprised me most about her store, aside from the array of high-qualityand unique products, were the affordable prices. Many of the items I found cost less than the major chain stores. Natalee also sponsors several events throughout the year; including the Canine Carnival in May, the Howl-o-ween Parade in October, and Santa Photos (for people and their pets) in December, all of which benefit the Healdsburg Animal Shelter and local dog parks. So bring your dog for some free doggy treats, check out the store and grooming station, and be confident that Natalee can help you with just about any question you have.

Just three doors down is a store that has only been in business for 3 years, yet Olive Leaf Eco Home & Garden is flourishing. You enter through Café Gratitude, which shares the building, offering all organic, raw, and local foods, including a great juice bar. It's the kind of food that just makes you feel good. They have fascinating items such as French antiques (including pottery from an ancient shipwreck), all-natural and clay wall paints, fair trade rugs imported from third world countries, recycled flooring, mineral makeup, and a beautiful assortment of bamboo dishware. This is not just a store that sells eco products, their merchandise teaches you how to be more eco-friendly in every aspect of your life. This is the kind of store you could spend many hours and dollars in, plus you can feel good knowing you are doing your part to help the environment and the global economy. This store is not only expansive, but beautiful, almost resembling an art gallery or boutique. The difference is that all of their products are eco-friendly.

A block South on Healdsburg Ave. is a small store that was recommended to me by Vesta. Sprout has been a new and used children’s clothing store for many years, but was bought and remodeled by Amanda Lucey and her former business partner two years ago. Although I have been in several stores like it before, this one is a little different.

Amanda, a mother of two, found the opportunity to buy the store and give it a fantastic makeover. She is meticulously picky about the quality of used clothes she buys, ensuring that not a single stain or tear be found. Her philosophy is fair prices for quality clothes, and believes in never selling something for more than she would be willing to pay. So bring in your child’s outgrown clothes for store credit, stock up on new and used winter apparel, and check out her website for upcoming sales at sproutchildrensclothing.com.

WINDSOR

My husband and I took advantage of this beautiful fall weather and went on a motorcycle ride to Windsor to explore the new Town Green. I was surprised at the variety and beauty of the stores there and want to encourage people to check out all the changes that have taken place. Many businesses have moved a few doors down or around the block, seizing the opportunity for new retail space.

One of those stores is Ubeadquitous, which moved practically next door to its old location a few months ago. This is another business I would recommend to crafters, or beginners looking to get creative with their gifts. Alyx and her adorable Pug Gwen are avid beaders who are more than happy to help and teach. She offers different classes every week, ranging from beginner to advanced, so check out the schedule on her website www.ubeadquitous.com. Not only does she sell a huge variety of beads and finding, but she also sells some of her own work, which is stunning and shows her true talent.

Across the street is a fairly new store Kaleidoscope Toys. Although they have only been in business for 15 months, Steve and Miquelle Hutchinson are making a name for themselves and have already opened a second store in Montgomery Village. The inspiration to open a toy store came from their frustration with having to drive to Healdsburg or Santa Rosa to buy toys and gifts, and after polling many of their friends, decided the idea could actually work. Four months later they were in business and had instant success. They are meticulous about the products they carry, so everything in the store inspires creativity and learning. After visiting Kaleidoscope with my daughter for the first time, it was clear to me that Wal Mart and Toys R Us are meager in comparison. Check this place out, meet the owners and their lively employees, and fall in love just like I did.

Around the corner on McClelland St is Something Special, and although we did mention them in last year’s tour, I couldn’t pass them by. Richard is a certified gemologist who makes and repairs jewelry right in the shop. Not only is this store beautiful, full of whimsical gifts that tantalize your imagination, but the owners Richard and Molly are truly wonderful people. And this year they are doing their part to give back to the community that has treated them so well. Stop in and purchase a ticket for their Winter Wine Walk on Dec. 10th 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm. The event includes tastings from 12 local wineries, food from several Windsor restaurants, and a gift raffle. Tickets are $25 per person and 100% of the proceeds goes to the Windsor Kiwanis Club and Windsor Service Alliance Holiday Toy & Food programs. Spend the evening shopping and enjoying good company paired with good wine, knowing you are supporting a good cause.

You can find more information on all of the stores in the Windsor Town Green and upcoming events at www.olddowntownwindsor.com.

Cloverdale

This is the first year that we have focused on Cloverdale, since we have not previously distributed that far north. Although many people find it too out of the way, it's really a beautiful drive and well worth the trip. On your way up, swing through the quaint town of Geyserville, it could use some economic stimulation!

Cloverdale lost it's fame after being bypassed by Hwy 101, which has taken a toll on many local businesses. Several stores have had to close recently, and you'll notice the empty storefronts and "Closeout Sale" signs scattered throughout. But there are gems in this town, and some really wonderful people (including myself, since I live here!). So when you're in the mood to take a drive, head north and check out these businesses.

In my explorations of Cloverdale since moving here, my search for small shops led me to a rather large shop! Antiques & Uniques houses 3 additional businesses that are all owned and operated by women. Underground Coffee & Cafe is owned by Capri Miller and offers Thanksgiving coffee, soups, salads, sandwiches, and pastries. Cover to Cover Books is owned by Susie Hare has holds a wide selection of new and used books. Williams Jewelers is owned by Diana Williams, who creates her own beautiful pieces and will repair yours. This is one of those stores that has it all, a true one-stop shop.

Along with over 30 antique vendors, Antiques & Uniques offers a variety of new home and kitchen décor. Not only can you buy gifts for others, but they have beautiful holiday decorations as well. But if you like to change things up a bit, call the owner Sydney and set up a Secret Soiree. You and your friends can get together after hours and have your own private shopping party, just bring some snacks and Sydney will provide the champagne! And if you really need a better reason to visit Cloverdale, Antiques & Uniques will offer 10% off to anybody who mentions the Gazette!

Visit www.gocloverdale.com for more information and photos of all the stores in the Antiques & Uniques mall.

Around the corner on First St. is an art gallery worth mentioning, the First Street Gallery, part of the Cloverdale Arts Alliance program. It is a co-op gallery, operated by local artists, and has 6 changing shows a year. The Arts Alliance sponsors many events throughout the year to enrich the community and promote local arts such as movies, music, and sculptures. The gallery is open Wed-Sun 11-5 and is currently featuring 11 artists for their Holiday Festival Show. The artwork is stunning and supporting the gallery also means you are supporting art education in Cloverdale.

If you need a more creative gift idea, but don’t have the time and energy to come up with anything, just call Cheri at Gypsy MoonCat Gifts. She will come to your home and teach you and your friends how to make Soy candles. She provides all the supplies, has a huge selection of fragrances and colors, and you get to decide what kind of container you want your candle in. But if you just like her products and want to purchase pre-made candles, she will have a booth at the Cloverdale Crafts Fair on Dec 4th & 5th from 10-5 in the Citrus Fair’s Warner Hall.

Cheri chose Soy wax over Paraffin wax for several reasons: it burns longer and cleaner, contains no chemicals, cleans up with soap and water, and it supports American farmers. Cheri occupies her time by volunteering at local food banks and is in charge of the Citrus Fair Crafts Fair in February. Crafting is her passion and she does it more as a hobby than a career, which means reasonable prices and quality products. Give her a call at (707) 696-5298 to host your own candle party for the holidays. You can also email Cheri at gypsymooncatgifts@yahoo.com.

NOTE: I'm getting the Shopping Tour up Town by Town - the Web version will include material that didn't fit in the print edition - keep checking back.


Please support these businesses who support our mission with their Advertisements - Thank You!!

Abby Bard - Artist Group
Holiday on Florence
3434 Florence Ave., Sebastopol
707-280-2607
www.abbybardhandwoven.com

Antiquarian & Florabunda
25195 Hwy 116, Duncans Mills
707-865-9897
www.duncansmills.net

Art & Soul of Sebastopol
156 N.Main St., Sebastopol
707-824-4837
www.artandsoulsebastopol.com

Artisans Co-op Gallery
17135-A Bodega Hwy, Bodega
707-876-9830
www.artisansco-op.com

beekind Honey Store
921 Gravenstein Hwy So., Sebastopol
707-824-2905
www.beekind.com

Boho Gallery
436 Bohemian Hwy, Freestone
707-874-9792
www.bohogallery.com

California Luggage
609 Fourth St., Santa Rosa
707-528-8699
www.califluggage.com

Cottage Massage
6450 1st St, Forestville
707-696-2009

Creekside Inn
16180 Neeley rd., Guerneville
707-869-3623
www.creeksideinn.com

Dawn Ranch Lodge
16467 Hwy 116, Guerneville
707-869-0656
www.dawnranch.com

Dolce Mia
9133 Green Valley Rd., Graton
707-823-4032
www.dolcemia.com

Enduring Comforts
142 Bohemian Hwy, Freestone
707-874-1111

Farmhouse Inn & Spa
7871 River Rd., Forestville
707-887-3300 x#205
www.farmhouseinn.com

Good Life & Forestville Acupuncture
6544 Front St Forestville
707-887-2114

Guerneville 5 & 10
16252 Main Street, Guerneville
707-869-3404
www.guerneville5and10.com

Hand Goods
3627 Main St., Occidental
707-874-2161

Heritage Salvage
1473 Petaluma Ave. So., Petaluma
707-762-6277
www.heritagesalvage.com

Jenner Inn & Cottages
10400 Coast Route 1, Jenner
707-865-2377
www.jennerinn.com

King’s Sport & Tackle
16258 Main St., Guerneville
(707) 869-2156
www.guernevillesport.com

Launch Clothing
971 Gravenstein Hwy S, Sebastopol
(707) 829-3312‎
www.golaunchgo.com

Legacy & Annex
781 Gravenstein Hwy., Sebastopol
707-823-7520

Mr. Ryder Antiques
9040 Graton Road, Graton
707-824-8221
www.mrryderantiques.com

Nightingale Breads
6665 Front St., Forestville
707-887-8887

North Coast Native Nursery
2700 Chileno Valley Rd., Petaluma
www.northcoastnativenursery.com

Northwood Golf Course
19400 Hwy 116, Monte Rio
707-865-1116
www.northwoodgolf.com

Osmosis Day Spa
209 Bohemian Hwy., Freestone
707-874-1963
www.osmosis.com

The Package Store
6490 Front Street, Forestville
707-887-2697
www.thepackagestore.biz

People’s Music
122 N. Main Street, Sebastopol
707-823-7664
www.peoplesmusicontheweb.com

Positively Fourth Street
628 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa
(707) 526-3588

Sophie’s Cellars
20293 Hwy 116, Monte Rio
707-865-1122
www.sophiescellars.com

Princess Rose Parties
309 S. Main St., Sebastopol
707-823-3323
www.theprincessrose.com

Renga Arts
3605 Main St, Occidental
707-874-9407
www.renga-arts.com

Rose & Thorn
10050 Bodega Hwy, Sebastopol
707-823-9467

Russian River Art Gallery
16200 First St, Guerneville
707-869-9099
www.russinariverartgellery.com

Scissorhands
6553 Front St., Forestville
707-887-0190

Sebastopol Gallery
150 North Main St, Sebastopol
707-829-7200
www.sebastopol-gallery.com

Sebastopol Hardware
660 Gravenstein Hwy N, Sebastopol
707-823-7688
www.sebastopolhardware.com

Silk Moon
186 N. Main St., Sebastopol
707-824-4300
www.silkmoon.org

Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods
P.O. Box 2, Duncans Mills
(707) 869-9177 x4
www.stewardsofthecoastandredwoods.org

Studio Nouveau
In the Courtyard, Duncans Mills
www.studionouveau.com

WaterTreks Eco Tours
By Jenner C Store on weekends, Jenner
707-865-2249
www.watertreks.com

Weavers & Dreamers
25171 Main Street, Duncans Mills
707-865-2715
www.duncansmills.net

Witches Wood - Kate Price
707-869-9883
www.kateprice.com

Dressmaker - Yuenny Mears
17175 Bodega Hwy, Bodega
707-876-9877

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Dutra Asphalt Plant vs. Petaluma's Shollenberger Park

Dutra vs. Democracy

By Dennis Rosatti and Bill Kortum
Sonoma County Conservation Action canvassers have questioned many voters in the West County about the placement of Dutra’s proposed asphalt plant at the entrance to our beautiful County.

Many letters have been sent to the Board of Supervisors, particularly to Efren Carrillo, urging denial of Dutra’s application.

During our eighteen years of door to door canvassing, we have seldom witnessed such an overwhelming opinion regarding a project of this nature.

In 1998 voters countywide mandated by a supermajority the scenic corridor designation below Petaluma to protect the main highway entrance to Sonoma County. Now the county considers a change in the scenic corridor to industrial to accommodate the Dutra Asphalt Plant. When the voters mandated a scenic corridor to protect the corridor’s landscape, they precluded a change to industrial.

Expressing the voters’ green mandate, the Sonoma County electorate has used the ballot box to protect their coast, take control of land use in our community separators, protect the scenic corridor below Petaluma, produce super majorities to establish voter control over urban growth boundaries around each city, fund SMART rail, and express concern for agriculture and our beautiful scenery by creating and twice financing the Open Space District, which will spend more than a billion dollars over 40 years to protect our visual landscape. Sonoma County is receiving growing statewide recognition for what the voters’ green mandate has accomplished.

While deeply disappointed, we respected Supervisor Carrillo’s recent straw vote to allow Dutra Corporation to present a modified plan as an attempt at fairness to the process. But even with a modified plan, the County cannot whitewash an asphalt plant. The EIR finds regional asphalt plant capacity more than adequate, so why should the County accommodate a company with such a history of violations in our voter-mandated scenic corridor?

The visual, noise, smell, toxic air and plant impacts on Shollenberger Park are very real to residents of Petaluma. The Dutra assault on voter-mandated protections and community values would cause consternation in the West County. Imagine a Dutra asphalt plant siting proposal across the road from Ragle Park, or at the highway 12 entrance to Sebastopol. It would be simply inappropriate, as it is in Petaluma.

The disregard of voter mandates protecting the Petaluma site has drawn little supervisoral attention. Petalumans voted by a super majority for their urban growth boundary with the promise that the County would not change zoning within the boundary. The asphalt plant would require five zoning changes. On this and other issues, a unanimous seven votes by the Petaluma City Council asked the County to deny the Dutra location. If Efren Carrillo votes for Dutra, his vote would tread on the will of a city council and a super majority of voters in Petaluma and countywide.

Thanks to the leadership of Sebastopol Mayor Sarah Gurney, who saw the significance of Petaluma’s unanimous vote of protest, the Sebastopol City Council took issue with the County Board of Supervisors’ initial straw vote endorsing the plant. Sebastopol was followed by four other cities with similar criticisms. Supervisoral disregard for the Petaluma City Council and the General Plan of Petaluma erodes the necessary working relationship between city and county elected officials serving together on mutual boards.

The Board of Supervisors, through staff and public hearings, periodically update our county General Plan. The ballot box is not in the process. Supervisors retain the power to alter the plan to accommodate changing circumstances. However, in the Dutra case, the scenic corridor, with 20 years of voter control, precludes the supervisors from altering the land use to accommodate an asphalt plant. Changing this voter-mandated designation to accommodate an asphalt plant requires countywide voter approval.

Voters in the West County put Efren Carrillo into office in 2008. He inherits, therefore, their 1998 vote to protect the scenic 101 corridor from Petaluma to the Marin County line. Out of respect for the will of his voters, Supervisor Carrillo should not challenge the scenic corridor mandate of his constituency.

It is small wonder that voters in the West County, and the rest of the county, are concerned that the supervisors will allow an asphalt plant to be placed directly across from Shollenberger Park on the Petaluma River. Not only would this be in violation of the public will, it would clearly present a visual and odiferous challenge to visitors, and to all of us, entering the Gateway to our scenic Sonoma County.

Bill Kortum, President Emeritus, Sonoma County Conservation Action, Petaluma
Dennis Rosatti, Executive Director, Sonoma County Conservation Action, Camp Meeker

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Bohemia Ranch-Waterfall Park Almost Ours

By Dan Brenner
The 862 acre Bohemia Ranch, also known as Waterfall Park, is almost ours.

A beautiful wild place that many of us love is almost protected forever, but not quite. It is Waterfall Park, also known as Bohemia Ranch, the magical spot on Bohemia Highway near Camp Meeker that has been a place of controversy as well as enjoyment for many years. In 1999 the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District came very close to buying this land for a park but lost out to another buyer at the last minute. Caryl Hart led a valiant effort to raise funds and community awareness to help get the park for the public, including a great benefit concert with Mickey Hart and Planet Drum, but the District wasn’t able to close the deal in time.

Now Sonoma County Parks wants it for a county park and the owner has offered to sell it in a terrific bargain sale that will save all of us taxpayers a lot of money. The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District has been evaluating the purchase since the beginning of the year and has asked the Sonoma Land Trust to take the lead on managing the acquisition.

The Waterfall Park property is an extraordinary place which many who have been here since the 60’s and 70’s recall as a favorite spot to hike to the waterfall for a dip and to hang out. For many years there has been an intention to add a west county regional park to the county portfolio. It is hard to imagine a opportunity better than this place. The total property has never looked better and much of the work which has been done to repair roads, mitigate over-use, clean up debris, manage runoff and generally restore important aspects of the land was done very well and was certainly costly. These improvements make the acquisition an even better deal since this environmental remediation work would need to be done anyway.

The opportunity is too great to let slip away and, in the long run, the importance of this piece should be recognized and acted upon.

Bohemia Ranch (Waterfall Park) shares a boundary on the north with Bohemian Grove, which has been in the news lately, but they are totally separate properties.

Saving Salmon
The Park, with its beautiful oak woodland, incredible views and fabulous waterfall is three miles from Occidental, in western Sonoma county. It is a major part of the watershed of Dutch Bill Creek, with three streams running off the property into Dutch Bill Creek. Over the past ten years over $2 million has been spent restoring Dutch Bill Creek as it has one of the best remaining runs of Coho salmon left in the Russian River. Bringing back these salmon to the Russian River has been a many year effort involving the Sonoma Water Agency, the Dept. of Fish and Game, the University of California, the Corps of Engineers, NOAA, and hundreds of citizens and activists in Sonoma County. Over $10 million has been spent on this Coho program alone.

Asking Price & the Deal
The full market value of the property is appraised at $5 million and the owner is willing to sell it for $3.5 million with a $750,000 down payment. This is a 30% discount off the selling price. There is an mortgage held by a local church group that can be assumed. The balance will be financed as a five year loan to give time to arrange the funds to pay it off. In addition, the owner will donate $150,000 for stewardship and maintenance of the new park.

The State Coastal Conservancy, the Open Space District, and the Sonoma County Water Agency have said they can put up approximately $2 million in 2010 to help buy the park. The crucial need is to raise the down payment by year-end, as the owner needs to sell for tax purposes by Dec. 31, 2009.

Fully Restored Native Wildland
As mentioned earlier, the Open Space District tried to buy the park in 1999, only to lose it at the last minute to the current owner. Over the past ten years the owner has spent over $3.5 million cleaning up the property, removing vast amounts of trash and junk, repairing erosion sites, re-building roads, doing extensive re-forestation, and had in-depth botanical and biological studies done. In 2003 he donated a conservation easement worth $2.6 million to the Pacific Forest Trust which then transferred the easement to the Sonoma Land Trust, but he still retained the right to build up to six houses on the 862 acres he owns.

Diverse Habitats & Special Status Species
The property hosts high quality examples of increasingly rare vegetation communities as well as rare, threatened and endangered plants and animals. Douglas-fir, coastal redwood, oak woodland and savannah, open grasslands, rare serpentine communities and riparian woodlands are all found on the ranch. These habitats support numerous birds, mammals and amphibians listed on the California Department of Fish & Game’s Species of Special Concern.
A partial listing of special status species that may be found on Bohemia Ranch include the federally threatened northern spotted owl, protected ringtail cat, mountain lion, black-shouldered kite, foothill yellow-legged frog, red-legged frog, and California salamander. Special status plant species consist of Pennel’s bird’s beak (federally endangered), Baker’s manzanita (federal species of concern and state rare), Crystal Springs lessinga and fragrant fritillary.

The Threat
The property is currently listed for sale for $5.25 million. The owner has completed all the septic perc tests (which have been approved by the county), created a water system that produce 25 gallons per minute, and built a new road to access the parcels on the ranch. If he can’t sell for a park he plans to immediately put the separate parcels on the market as estate home development sites. In addition, a Nonindustrial Timber Management Plan has been approved for the property that gives the owner the right to harvest timber without having to file a THP or seek any other approvals as long he follows the general outlines of sustainable forestry as outlined in the conservation easement on the property. If we don’t get this land for a park we’ll have the new estate owners’ Mercedes SUV’s to contend with along with the logging trucks that will be involved in the timber harvest.

What You Can Do:
Contact the Sonoma Land Trust and the Open Space District and let them know your support for this project. Make sure to let your County Supervisor know that you want this project to succeed!
THE PARK IS IN EFREN CARILLO’S DISTRICT, SO HE’S THE LEAD: 565-2241, ECARRILLO@SONOMA-COUNTY.ORG

Board of Supervisors: 707 565-2241
County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors
575 Administration Drive, Room 100A
Santa Rosa, CA 95403

1st District: Valerie Brown - vbrown@sonoma-county.org
2nd District: Mike Kerns - mkerns@sonoma-county.org
3rd District: Shirlee Zane - szane@sonoma-county.org
4th District: Paul Kelley - pkelley@sonoma-county.org
5th District: Efren Carrillo - ecarrillo@sonoma-county.org

Sonoma Land Trust, Wendy Eliot, (707)526-6930, ext 103, or Ralph Benson, ext. 104 or ralph@sonomalandtrust.org

Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District
Bill Keene, General Manager, bkeene@sonoma-county.org 707-565-7360
David Katz, owner’s representative (707) 484-6283, davidkat@sonic.net

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California State Parks Initiative

“It is with great hope that I report that a significant step towards sustainability for our State Parks was taken this week by the California State Parks Foundation and partners. On November 3rd a proposed statewide ballot measure was filed with the Attorney General's office. The "California State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010, would create a stable, reliable and adequate source of funding to protect state parks and conserve California wildlife." - Michelle Luna, Stewards of the Coast & Redwoods

Initiative Basics:

The State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund ("Trust Fund") revenues could only be spent on state parks, wildlife, natural lands and ocean conservation programs.

The Trust Fund would be funded by an $18 annual State Park Access Pass surcharge on all California cars, motorcycles and recreational vehicles that would be collected by the Department of Motor Vehicles as part of the annual vehicle license fee. Larger commercial vehicles (those subject to the Commercial Vehicle Registration Act), mobile homes and permanent trailers would be exempt.

Vehicles subject to the surcharge and all occupants of those vehicles would have free day use admission to all state parks throughout the year.

Trust Fund revenues would amount to approximately $500 million each year (based on about 28 million registered vehicles) and 85% would be allocated to state parks and 15% to other state wildlife and ocean protection agencies.

With a new dedicated revenue stream in place, approximately $130 million of General Fund dollars, that provide a portion of overall state parks funding, would now be available for other vital needs, like schools, health care, social services or public safety.

The Trust Fund would be subject to an independent audit by the State Auditor and a Citizens' Oversight Committee would be created to ensure funds are spent appropriately. Audit, oversight and administrative costs of this measure would be limited to 1% of the annual revenues.

Next Step - Qualified Signatures on Petitions

The next step will be to qualify enough signatures in the next few moths to get the initiative on the ballot in November of 2010. Stewards will be spearheading this effort in Sonoma County and if you are willing to help, please email stewards@mcn.org with your name, preferred email address and phone number. I will have more information after November 16th and will send out another update at that time.

Other Ways for you to Help Stewards Restore Services in our Parks

Support our Quilt drawing with a donation online. The drawing will take place at the Annual Volunteer Celebration on December 4, 2009.

Support our Holiday Online Auction (see below)

We are honored to have recently received another challenge grant from the Dean Witter Foundation for general support. The $20,000 award includes a $10,000 matching grant, which means we need your help to raise the $10,000 that will be matched by the Dean Witter Foundation dollar for dollar.

If you are able to donate now.

Thanks for your continued support,
Michele Luna

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Sonoma County Roller Derby Fundraiser

Fundraiser to benefit Sonoma County Roller Derby!
Friday, November 13th at 6pm
All you can eat pasta buffet - $10 per person
Includes all you can eat pasta, salad and garlic bread
Located at the Sally Tomatoes Event Center
1100 Valley House Drive
Rohnert Park Ca. 94928

ABOUT SONOMA COUNTY ROLLER DERBY
Founded in 2006, SCRD is an all-female amateur flat-track roller derby league striving to promote sportswomanship, female empowerment and philanthropy. We are dedicated to giving back to the community through charity work and by promoting family friendly roller derby! Like most leagues across the United States, the Sonoma County Roller Derby is nonprofit organization by skaters, which manages and operates for Skaters. SCRD hopes to continue to be able to compete locally as well as expanding their reputation by playing teams throughout the nation. Sonoma County Roller Derby skates at Cal Skate in Rohnert Park and is currently accepting new skaters of all skill levels.

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Sonoma County Historic Water Package

Sonoma County Water Agency News UPDATE

Historic Water Package Includes North Coast Funding

Three Million Gallons Per Year Saved

Biological Opinion One year Milestones

Water Supply Report
As of 11/01/09


Historic Water Package Includes North Coast Funding
The Sonoma County Water Agency is pleased that the State Legislature passed and the Governor signed an $11 billion overhaul of the state's water system that includes the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2010.

Portions of the funding from the Act will be allocated for critical salmon and habitat restoration and recycled water projects, including $45 million for North Coast Integrated Regional Management Planning, $138 million for Bay Area IRWMP, $50 million for coastal salmon restoration projects to the California Coastal Conservancy, $50 million to the Coastal Conservancy for the Ocean Protection Act projects and $1 billon for statewide recycling. The Act will appear on the November 2, 2010 ballot for voter approval.

For more information about the water package and bond initiative, visit www.acwa.com.

Three Million Gallons Per Year Saved
More than 350 high-efficiency toilets have been installed in October through SCWA's Sanitation District High-Efficiency Fixture Direct-Install Program saving nearly 3 million gallons of water per year from being flushed down the drain and into county sanitation systems. Eligible homes and businesses in participating sanitation zones and districts receive free high-efficiency toilets and urinals with free, professional installation and recycling of the old fixtures, plus free low-flow showerheads and aerators through the program.

These new high-efficiency toilets use at least 63 percent less water than the original 3.5 gallon per flush low-flow toilets from the early 1980's and at least 20 percent less than the 1.6 gallon per flush ultra-low flow toilets from the 1990's.

All toilets installed through the program must be listed on SCWA's List of Qualifying Toilet Models. Currently, the toilets on the list must meet or exceed U.S. EPA WaterSense specifications for performance and water efficiency. Beginning January 1, 2010, SCWA will limit the list to only include toilets with a maximum of 1.1 gallons per flush in addition to meeting WaterSense specifications. Although the change from 1.28 to 1.1 gallons per flush may seem trivial, that fraction of a gallon adds up as SCWA's goal is to change out every toilet in sanitation district service areas.

In addition to the Direct-Install Program, SCWA also offers $150 high-efficiency toilet rebates for the do-it-yourselfers and $125 high-efficiency clothes washer rebates to select sanitation zones and districts. A new high-efficiency clothes washer uses 40 to 60 percent less water and energy per load than a standard, top-load clothes washer. Other rebates are available for businesses including a sustained reduction rebate for installing any fixture or technology that will permanently reduce the amount of water going down the drain.

http://www.scwa.ca.gov/direct-install/

Public Policy Facilitating Committee Update
The Public Policy Facilitating Committee (PPFC) met on October 29, 2009 to receive an update on implementation of the Biological Opinion, which was issued one year ago. The National Marine Fisheries Service, the California Department of Fish & Game, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer and SCWA discussed successes and problem areas on Year One milestones and provided a preview of what's ahead in Year Two of the implementation of the Biological Opinion. If you missed the meeting, please visit SCWA's Web site to view materials and presentations from staff. If you have any questions, please contact Ann DuBay at 707.524.8376.

Water Supply Report
As of 11/01/09

Lake Sonoma
Lake Sonoma's water supply pool is currently 78% full
Storage: 191,542 acre-feet (Water Supply Capacity: 245,000 acre-feet)
Rate of Release: 104 cubic-feet-per-second (cfs)
Required Dry Creek Flow Rate: 80 cfs

Lake Mendocino
Lake Mendocino's water supply pool is currently 50% full
Storage: 43,246 acre-feet (Water Supply Capacity: 89,000 acre feet)
Rate of Release: 153 cfs
Required Upper Russian River Flow Rate: 75cfs

Lake Pillsbury (PG&E Facility)
Lake Pillsbury's water supply pool is currently 42% full
Storage: 31,511 acre-feet (Maximum allowed: 78,901 acre-feet)
Rate of Release: 90 cfs
Cumulative inflow: 2,637 acre-feet

Lake Van Arsdale (PG&E Facility)
Potter Valley Diversion: 45 cfs
Eel River Release: 43 cfs

Hacienda Bridge
Rate of Flow: 215 cfs
Required Lower Russian River Flow Rate: 125 cfs


Public Meetings/ Notices
http://scwa2.computergrafixco.com/eNews/index.asp?issue=11/1/2009&campaign=Enews&article=2217

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ADVICE: Cancer Concerns

Mitch Darnell offer Advice on Life inn response to readers questions.

Dear Mitch,
I know this sounds crazy, but here it is: Two of my closest family members have just beat Cancer, and I’m having a really hard time with the holidays coming up. Both my Father and my favorite Aunt have seriously been through hell, Mitch. The doctors say both are now free of any Cancer cells. But I don’t know what’s wrong with me, I just can’t relax.

What kind of daughter and niece am I? I should be celebrating that they beat that evil, nasty beast! It was so scary. This last year and a half have been the worst of my life. My Aunt had two bouts with Cancer! Two surgeries, PLUS all of that chemo. If you’ve ever seen someone go through chemo, you know how lucky you are. My dad had one episode of Cancer, surgery, radiation, and chemo.

I feel out of it. My family doesn’t tell any of us anything unless we pry, pry, and pry again. So, I’m not sure what’s happening. I want to cry. Plus, why my dad and my Aunt Carla? Both of them are so good to everyone. Why does god do bad (stuff) to so good people?

Now the family is talking about the holidays. I just want to shut down and hide! Help me, please!

Terrified of the “C”,

San Luis Obispo, CA

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Terrified,

I start many of my columns off with a little light humor. While humor can help, Cancer’s reach is omnipresent.

You’re definitely not crazy. You have the right to feel as you feel. No one can ever take away your right to feel a certain way.

• There seems to be a some “unsettled business” with your Father’s and/or your Aunt’s Cancer… At least for you; maybe for others. This IS QUITE normal. Treatment success doesn’t necessarily mean every feels like they’re individually and collectively “complete”. Everyone close to a Cancer victim is affected, and each processes at his/her own rate…

• Meanwhile, “the holidays” have become quite an inspirational/triggering/upsetting dynamic for people, haven’t they? Many people have some mixed feelings about our end-of-year holidays, particularly Christmas!

So, take a deep breath. You are a valuable human being with valid concerns, fears and needs. The same goes for your family members… First remember: You don’t have to “do”, or “be” anything!

Daily life bombards us with multiple stressors. Contemporary US life is exhausting, even overwhelming. Now, on the spiritual/energy level, you’ve drawn two family health and vitality reminders, and the “holidays”! I bet a LOT of readers can “relate” to your feelings!

You know…

° I notice you refer to “us” needing to pry to get information. Do you have siblings or other family to connect with? Your note doesn’t tell me much about what’s transpired when you do “pry”. Sometimes we need “space” or “time” before we’re ready to discuss something. Are you connecting with family members to get information, understanding, connection and possible “closure”?

° Some people feel embarrassed to discuss health issues. Maybe you can join with someone in your family who sees opportunities. This can be an opportunity to bond, to support your father and aunt, and to learn about specifics of their Cancers for the children. See if you’re not the only one who feels concerned, scared or otherwise could benefit from communication.

While Cancer is a horrible demon to endure, it may be a messenger implicating genetic predisposion(s), and/or lifestyle or cognitive-behavioral patterns which contribute(d) to health maladies. Always good to start with online research to find out the general facts around Cancer issues.

° What are your beliefs about “the holidays”?

• Are they a time to “forget about life’s challenges” and to just be with family?

• What about holidays do you like or love? What do you dislike?

• The holidays are NOT what toy, perfume, jewelry, etc., etc. manufacturers and marketing companies present! They CAN be a time of healing, love and remembering the “things that really count” in life…

° This may be hard to absorb… Everything in life is an opportunity to learn. That includes Cancer, my friend. What can you, and your family learn about themselves and your family? Maybe it’s the Gifts … of having your Father and your Aunt.. of Family… of Living!

Every Family member is a Gift: Holidays are opportunities to connect with our blessings!

Namaste,

Mitch

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mitch Darnell, MA, OM

Relationship Coach & Wedding Officiant

tel: 916/247.1655; Online: www.ForeverInspired.net; www.SacGroom.com

http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=21629358&locale=en_US&trk=tab_pro

eM: ForeverInspired@surewest.net

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Marshall, Bolt & Harr CD Release

Jackalope recording Artists
MARSHALL, BOLT & HARR
Original Americana, Blues, Boogie & Celtic music
Saturday, Nov. 14th 7pm No Cover
Coffee Catz, Highway 12 Gravenstien Station, Sebastopol

CD is in final design stages and....We are working on scheduling a CD release party at the Last record Store on Mendocino Ave in Santa Rosa. Still working on a date hopefully in December just in time for the Holiday. Please check the website for updates.
www.mbhmusic.com

Members of this trio have shared the stage with Dan Hicks, John Lee Hooker, Commander Cody, Norman Greenbaum and others.

MARSHALL, BOLT & HARR IS A TRIO OF MUSIC INDUSTRY VETERANS THAT HAVE COME TOGETHER FOR THE PURE LOVE OF SONGWRITING AND THE CREATIVE PROCESS.
In every rehearsal and performance the ego's are left at the door and replaced with the joy and love of creating "music in its natural state." MB&H lives by the tongue and cheek credo..."We are living proof you should never take yourself too seriously." For MB&H performances are always a tremendous joy but the experience of co-creating original music is what drives this very original and talented songwriting team. Their collective professional experience spans some 40 years.
MARSHALL, BOLT & HARR are now recording their first CD together as a trio with Jackalope Records in Santa Rosa California with the considerable production talents of Doug Jayne.

MARSHALL, BOLT & HARR.
Original Americana, contemporary folk, blues, boogie, Celtic...and wee bit of tomfoolery.

North Bay music veteran PHIL MARSHALL is our "Baron of the Base Guitar." None finer or more versatile. Phil also contributes his considerable arranging savvy and talents to the trio compositions. PHIL MARSHALL uses a traditional stand up base, an electric acoustic masterpiece by Klein/Taylor and a fretless base on the selections of the Woodbine project. PHIL MARSHALL cut his professional teeth back in the 60's and 70's with Norman Greenbaum and Crossfire. He has recorded in every major studio in L.A. Phil's versitility as a player keeps him in demand to play with others in the North Bay like Blue Moon, Smile'n Iguana's, jazz and Dixieland quartets.

ROGER BOLT: Classically trained singer and songwriter, Acoustic steel string and electric guitar. Roger's international and world travel has influenced his original composition to a broad musical pallet of Latin, Celtic, Early American Folk, Rock, Blues, Boogie, Jazz and styles we don't have a name for. ROGER BOLT began his musical journey in the South East with his first band the Inmates, playing for the men and women leaving Ft. Benning Georgia for the war in Viet Nam during the late Sixties. After moving to California in 1967 He connected with other kindred spirits and formed other musical projects like Woodbine, the rock band BOLT, Los Gringos, Noble Bolt and others. Roger has also spent many years in broadcasting with NPR affiliate KRCB FM, KPLS Country music and KMLS Cable 1 rock radio.

The haunting Celtic song "Hooligan's Dream" from the Woodbine CD; Moonlight Memory is currently appearing in the movie "Hilo de Cristal" or "Thread of Glass", from Grial Producciones, Spain. All songs are available on this website, playable and down loadable.

STEVE HARR: Singer songwriter, Guitarist, arranger and citizen of the cosmos. STEVE HARR has performed and recorded for many years in the country and AOR markets. STEVE HARR has shared the stage with Lightning Hopkins, Dan Hicks, Commander Cody and many others. His country compositions have been in the top 10 of the international Billboard. STEVE HARR brings a natural ease to his work often spiked with earthy humour of the common man and the human condition.

Together these three talented singers and songwriters translate their joy of the creative process to every audience they perform before. From moody introspective ballads to toe tapping boogie and blues MARSHALL, BOLT & HARR connects to listeners and fans wherever they play.

Check Out our Myspace www.myspace.com/rogerbolt

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War Can Drive People Crazy: Perspectives on Ft. Hood

I'm passing this on from Mary Moore who is an advocate for Peace.

To all: Here are just a couple of reactions re: the Ft. Hood killings. One is from a Muslim organization in Kentucky and the other is from an activist in Sonoma County. When these authors plus U.S. Sect. of Defense Robert Gates all see the same thing as an obvious truth then we should listen. Gates didn't come to this conclusion openly but he did agree that war can drive people crazy. MM

MANA Condemns Fort Hood Shooting
Lexington, KY (11/06/09) - The Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA) is saddened by the Fort Hood incident in which 13 people were killed and others injured. We extend our condolences to the families who were impacted by this tragedy and we join other Muslim groups to condemn the unconscionable violence that took place. The act committed at Fort Hood was a criminal act and should not be associated with the religion of Islam, nor should it serve as another excuse for the castigation or demonization of Islam and Muslims.

Islam does not condone such killings. We pray for justice. It is disheartening and perplexing that a psychiatrist who was trained to provide counseling to troubled soldiers was himself very troubled. Perhaps this is yet another indication of the far-reaching tragedy of war and the horrific toll it takes on the lives of all who are affected by it.

In a recent statement, US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said, "the protracted military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq - and the repeated deployments of much of America's ground forces - have brought a new focus to the signature wounds of these wars and on the psychological health of the force and their families." For the Fort Hood families, we mourn their losses and the loss of many innocent lives lost at home and abroad.
MANA | P. O. Box 910375 | Lexington | KY | 40591

--------------------------------
Major Nidal Malik Hasan, The Ft. Hood Shootings by Brian Romanoff 11/7/09

The recent shootings at Fort Hood in Texas should remind us of a few things.

It is not my intent to focus too much on this event, as it will obviously promote even more Islamiphobia amongst the uninformed. Sincerely, my best wishes go out to all the families of everyone involved. These are tough times for you all now, tougher than they already were, for sure.

As mentioned, we should be reminded of a few things: Namely how stressful 8+ years of war is on our soldiers. Our soldiers have been protecting private contractors and fighting people simply defending against an occupation long enough. The soldiers know it too. The options for soldiers in the field are not easy. Being offered $60,000.00 tax free for another tour is tempting. This is also even more true when the soldiers hear of their friends back home who graduated, went to college, and still don’t have jobs right now. Soldiers are trained to do just one thing, and that is to kill. That is their skill. Not something you put on most resumes. As with youth in gangs
in cities around the world, many in the armed services feel trapped. However many serve proudly and believe in serving their country, even if they don’t agree with the war.

This might have been where Major Nidal Malik Hasans heart and mind were for the last couple of years. The frustration of Obama not ending the madness sooner must be hard for many soldiers who had hoped for more change in the war policy. Indeed, that is why voters gave Democrats control in 2006 as well; obviously now we can see there is no difference from the 2 parties.

The amount of American soldier suicides have sky-rocketed to record numbers each of the last few years. Violence is not going to be the answer. What is tragically ironic is that killing is exactly what the soldiers were deploying to go do. The only way to help our troops, is to end the war.

Obama must heed to the call of the PEOPLE and END THE WAR. The PEOPLE must END THE WAR too. The soldiers must end it as well. And we must support them.

The obvious outcome of not ending the War of Terror is more War……

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Save Shollenberger Park in Petaluma

TRUCKS OR DUCKS?? IT'S UP TO US!

We need your help to collect names & emails for Sonoma County residents opposed to the Dutra Asphalt Plant at Haystack Landing. Please collect contact information for folks in your community and forward the lists to us at our office:

Friends of Shollenberger Park
322 Western Ave
Petaluma, CA 94952

Or scan and email to us at SaveShollenberger at gmail.com
http://www.saveshollenberger.com/

We are hearing that the new Dutra proposal will go in front of the County Supervisors in early December...so time is of the essence! Thanks!!

Your opinions on this project can be e-mailed to the Snoma County Board of Supervisors at:
http://supervisors.sonoma-county.org/

The Petition can be found here:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/SaveShollenberger/

more below....


New Signs & Bumper Stickers Now Available!

New Save Shollenberger signs and bumper stickers will be available for pick up this Saturday (10/31) from 10am-2pm at our Headquarters. The first 50 bumper stickers and 20 signs are FREE!

322 Western Ave.
Petaluma, CA

The Dutra proposal is likely to return to the Board of Supervisors in December, so it is vital that we begin to once again grow community awareness and return this issue to the forefront of Sonoma County consciousness. The large majority of Petaluma residents are against this Asphalt plant, as well as the entire Petaluma City Council and 5 other Sonoma County cities…but it could come down to the vote of one individual on the Board of Supervisors.

Don’t let this decision be made for us. Stand up and speak your mind.

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Public Health H1N1 Vaccinations

Get Vaccinated Against The 2009 H1N1 (Swine) Flu!

FREE Swine Flu Vaccination for those who meet Public Health Criteria
November 14 in Windsor & Santa Rosa - FREE
November 21 in Petaluma - FREE
December 5 at 9 Locations in Sonoma County - Donation

Getting vaccinated is the best protection against the 2009 H1N1 flu. Persons with a regular health provider should contact them about getting the 2009 H1N1 vaccine.

Public Health is offering 2009 H1N1 flu vaccinations to people who meet all of the following:
• Live in Sonoma County,

• No health insurance, and

• One of the following priority groups:
1. Anyone who lives in a household or provides daily care to an infant less than 6 months old.
2. Children and young adults ranging from 6 months to 24 years old.
3. All pregnant women.
4. Adults ages 25 to 64 who have an underlying medical condition that puts them at risk from flu complications.
5. Health care workers and emergency medical personnel.

Please note: if you do not meet these conditions, you may be asked to wait until more vaccine becomes available later this year.

The vaccination clinics will take place from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on the following dates:

Saturday, November 14th - No Cost

Windsor High School, 8695 Windsor Road, Windsor

Lawrence Cook Middle School, 2480 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa


Saturday, November 21st - No Cost

Casa Grande High School, 333 Casa Grande Rd, Petaluma


Saturday, December 5th - Donation Requested

Nine locations around the county, call or check the website for details

The vaccinations are free and no appointment is necessary. Additional vaccination clinics are planned for November and December. A separate vaccine to prevent seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for most individuals, but seasonal flu vaccinations will NOT be provided at the clinics this Saturday or at the November clinics. Only the December clinics will offer both 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines.

The 2009 H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus is circulating in communities and has continued to cause illness through the Fall. Most cases of H1N1 Influenza are fairly mild, but influenza can be a serious disease; in Sonoma County, there have been over 80 hospitalizations and 10 deaths due to this virus. The best prevention for influenza is vaccination.

Nationally, vaccine distribution is rolling out to states and counties. Most people will get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine at local doctors’ offices, medical clinics, health centers, and pharmacies. Dr. Mark Netherda, Deputy Public Health Officer stated, “The purpose of these first Public Health vaccination clinics is to serve those Sonoma County residents at greatest risk, especially those who do not have a medical provider, or other means to get the vaccine.”

Please call the Public Health Information Line (707)565-4477, or visit our website
www.sonoma-county.org/H1N1 for times, locations and to confirm last minute details.

County of Sonoma
Department of Public Health Services
Public Health Division

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Solar Sonoma County Sympossium

Solar Permitting Symposium
Presented by Solar Sonoma County and Pacific Gas & Electric Company
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
9:00 am - 12:00 noon – Complimentary lunch provided!
Fountain Grove Inn, Camelot conference room
101 Fountain Grove Parkway, Santa Rosa, Calif.

Join Pacific Gas & Electric, Solar Sonoma County, and regional solar and building industry leaders for a symposium on how to achieve consistency and standardization in municipal codes and permitting for customer-side solar systems. Hear from Solar Sonoma County stakeholders and others who are directly engaged in solution-oriented efforts to harmonize codes and standards toward the following goals:

· Streamlining the overall permitting and inspection process to reduce permitting costs and times through greater efficiencies.
· Increasing and aligning solar installation knowledge and best practices among planners, building officials, solar installers, designers, and contractors.
· Improving the quality and safety of solar installations throughout Sonoma County.

During this three-hour forum, speakers will provide an update on recent progress, as well as engage with audience members to better understand existing challenges.

Forum speakers include:
· Andrew Yip, California Solar Initiative Supervisor, PG&E
· Marty Roberts, Solar Sonoma County
· Steve Pantazes, Town of Windsor Chief Building Official
President of the Redwood Empire Association of Code Officials
Solar Sonoma County Advisory Board Member
· Corey Asbill, US Dept. of Energy Research Engineer – Renewable Energy Systems (NMSU/IEE/SWTDI), NABCEP* Certified Solar PV Installer
· Sue Kately, California Solar Energy Industry Association Executive Director
· Eric Alderman, CEO of SolarNexus and member of the SolarTech Permitting Committee
· Bill Brooks, Solar America Board of Codes and Standards (Solar ABCs)

The Solar America Board for Codes and Standards is a collaborative effort among experts to formally gather and prioritize input from the broad spectrum of solar photovoltaic stakeholders including policy makers, manufacturers, installers, and consumers resulting in coordinated recommendations to codes and standards making bodies for existing and new solar technologies. The U.S. Department of Energy funds Solar ABCs as part of its commitment to facilitate widespread adoption of safe, reliable, and cost-effective solar technologies.
* North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners

This no-cost forum is open to all interested parties but is intended for solar industry members, building officials, planners, contractors, architects and solar program administrators.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED as space is limited. Please reserve your space with an email to marty@solarsonomacounty.org by Monday morning, November 9, 2009. PLEASE include your name, title, affiliation and phone number.

Marty Roberts, Project Director for Solar America Cities grant program
Solar Sonoma County
www.solarsonomacounty.org
707.829.9191 - Home Office
707.284.9799 - Agency Office

--
Lori Houston, Associate Director
SOLAR SONOMA COUNTY
Promoting solar countywide
www.solarsonomacounty.org
707.284.9799 | 707.569.6029 cell

"Solar energy is not an 'alternative energy.' It is the original and continuing primary energy source. All life and all civilizations have always been powered by solar energy." - Donald W. Aitken,PhD

Dr. Donald Aitken, a LEED™ Accredited Professional, is currently Principal of his own consulting company, Donald Aitken Associates, Affiliate Faculty Member at the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, and Senior Consulting Scientist for the Energy Department of the Union of Concerned Scientists. Previously he has been a staff research physicist and astrophysicist at Stanford University, where he founded and directed three laboratory research programs, and founder and Chairman of the Department of Environmental Studies at San Jose State University, where he was named "Professor of the Year". Dr. Aitken has also served as the Executive Director of the Western Regional Solar Energy Center for the U.S. Department of Energy, and Senior Staff Scientist for Renewable Energy Policy and Economics with the Union of Concerned Scientists. He has over 100 publications in these various fields.

Dr. Aitken has twice served as national Chairman of the American Solar Energy Society, has twice directed the national solar energy conferences, and was the Technical Chair of the National Passive Solar Conference in June, 2002. He is the former Vice President, and Secretary, of the International Solar Energy Society, and was on the International Organizing Committee for the Solar World Congress in Adelaide, Australia, in November of 2001.

http://www.donaldaitkenassociates.com/bio_da.html

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Roblar Road Quarry Final EIR Ready for Review

Roblar Road Proposed Quarry
The FINAL Environmental Impact Report is Ready for Review at PRMD web site:

http://www.sonoma-county.org/prmd/divpages/projrevdiv.htm

If you’d like to learn some history on this proposed project – please go to this web site created by citizens concerned with this project:
http://carrq.org/

Quarries will continue to be an issue in our county because much-needed aggregate material - rock - is located in the hills near where people live. One of the reasons people live there is because these quarries created jobs and people settled near their jobs. Now that we are protecting our rivers from gravel mining, we need rock products to come from land-based quarris. There is no road that does not use rock. Every home requires rock products to be built. The list goes on and on. Rock is part of the construction and maintenance of our lives. Where we obtain this rock is the question for many and as time goes on, quarries are operating at higher levels of environmental responsibility all the time...hence the Environmental Impact Reports and rules and regs around the impact these quarries have both on the land and on neighbors.

Sonoma County Citizens for Responsible Land Use

We are a group of Sonoma County residents who are concerned about the rural land use in the county. There are a number of private projects that are for profit ventures that endanger the environment and create potential fiscal costs to Sonoma County taxpayers.

We encourage you to investigate our site to understand the issues that you might be paying for in future taxes!

We also encourage you to write to your supervisors, state and federal legislators about land use in Sonoma County.

Citizens Against Roblar Rock Quarry

Our primary issue is the proposed development of a rock quarry next to an old Sonoma County Landfill!

The project is located on Roblar Rd.
• The landfill has potentially dangerous materials that were dumped in the 50's and 60's.
• The landfill has no protective liner to prevent leaking.
• The quarry will blast rock from the property adjacent to the landfill. They propose once to twice a month with 20 to 25 detonations
• Sonoma County and its residents can be liable for the environmental damage to the landfill as a result of the blasting.
• This damage could affect the water wells in the area, land contamination, and present heath risks to residents, people using Roblar Road on their way to the coast.
• The project will have 149 rock trucks on Roblar, Pepper, Mecham and Stony Point roads an annual impact of 37,500 additional rock trucks!
• Roblar Rd is a favorite route for bicyclists.
• Roblar Rd does not have a bicycle lane or is fit for the additional truck traffic that the quarry will create
• Dunham School is located on Roblar Road, which makes the children subject to the increased traffic.
• Operation hours 6 AM to 10PM weekdays and 6 AM to 4:30 PM Saturdays

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Jenner Headlands Moves Closer to Protection

Board approves $11.1 million District expenditure for historic acquisition

As a next step in the preservation of the 5,630-acre Jenner Headlands coastal property, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, acting as the District’s Board of Directors, approved the expenditure of $10,150,000 to allow the District to fund approximately one-third of the $36 million acquisition, and an additional $1,000,000 toward the restoration, public access improvements and management of the property.

“Conservation of this magnificent property will not only ensure the protection of extraordinary natural and scenic resources, but it will eventually provide a premier outdoor recreation experience,” said Efren Carrillo, Fifth District Supervisor. “The Sonoma Coast is a site of international significance, and we—the County, the voters, and the conservation community—have remained steadfast in our commitment to the preservation of all that is Sonoma County.”

In 2005, a robust collaboration led by then-Fifth District Supervisor Mike Reilly and involving the Sonoma Land Trust, the District, the California State Coastal Conservancy, the Wildlife Conservation Board, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration committed to preserving the property adjacent to Sonoma Coast State Park. Additionally, the U.S. Forest Service will contribute $1,000,000 for the acquisition upon the close of escrow, which will be reimbursed to District.

“Our public and private funders have found a way, in these challenging times, to make sure we don’t lose this incredible opportunity to protect this extraordinary landscape.” said Amy Chesnut, Acquisitions Director of the Sonoma Land Trust. “By leveraging the District's funds with federal, state and private funding, the community will reap the benefits. Key ingredients in any complex conservation transaction are a willing landowner and strong partners who go the extra mile to ensure success. We have that and more with this project. It is a remarkable collaboration.”

Jenner Headlands will become part of 20,000 acres of interconnected public and privately-protected coastline between Bodega Head and Fort Ross. It will eventually include a 2.5-mile stretch of the California Coastal Trail. Close of escrow is expected by mid-December and the Sonoma Land Trust will own and manage the property. During the management planning process, Interim public access will be provided through guided hikes by the Trust and its partners.

Next steps for acquisition include the consideration of the project by the Wildlife Conservation Board on November 17, and securing the remaining $16 million in loan funding to bridge the gap left by frozen State bond proceeds.

In return for its investment, the District will hold a conservation easement which will restrict development and require a management plan to protect and enhance the ecological and cultural resources of the property. This represents the largest conservation land acquisition in Sonoma County, and will bring the total land protected by the District to more than 80,000 acres.

“The District works every day to protect our diverse natural heritage by investing in the restoration and conservation of major ecosystems and wildlife habitats throughout our County,” said Bill Keene, Interim General Manager of the District. “Protecting Jenner Headlands is vital to a healthy environment and vibrant economy, and we applaud the leadership of our partners for bringing together the necessary commitments to make this project a reality.”

Jenner Headlands, also known as Rule Ranch, represents the largest coastal conservation easement held by the District, in terms of acreage and investment. In total, the District has protected nearly 15,000 acres along the Sonoma Coast, including the nearly 3,400-acre Willow Creek addition to Sonoma Coast State Park. This expenditure represents more than one-third of the approximately $30 million budgeted for FY 09-10 District acquisitions.


About the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District
The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District permanently protects the diverse agricultural, natural resource and scenic open space lands of Sonoma County for future generations. Since 1990, the District has protected approximately 80,000 acres. Agricultural and open space lands have been protected through a 1/4-cent sales tax approved by voters in 1990 and reauthorized in 2006. For more information, please visit www.sonomaopenspace.org.


About the Sonoma Land Trust
The independent non-profit Sonoma Land Trust preserves scenic, natural, agricultural and open land for future generations. Since 1976, the Sonoma Land Trust has protected nearly 20,000 acres of beautiful, productive and environmentally-significant land. For more information, please visit www.sonomalandtrust.org.

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Sonoma Coast and River Cleanup

Coastal Cleanup, River Cleanup and Illegal Dumping

Where can you find 2,400 pounds of dumped metal, 116 tires, 108 cubic feet of recyclables and seven thousand pounds of household garbage? Sadly, you can find all of that in the Russian River. That is what 350 volunteers collected during this September’s Russian River cleanup event in the stretch of river between Cloverdale and Guerneville. Another 2,757 pounds of trash and 961 pounds of recyclable materials were collected by 226 volunteers from 39 miles of Sonoma County coastline.

The Russian River Watershed Association acknowledges and thanks the hundreds of volunteers who participated in September’s River and Coastal Cleanup events. By removing trash from coastal and river shorelines, we protect wildlife and water quality, and we beautify our environment.

Although some of this trash is the result of careless littering, another significant source is illegal dumping along our creeks, rivers, and coastlines. Household garbage and discarded appliances, tires and other items are dumped along creeks, rivers and roadside ditches throughout the county. In addition to compromising the beauty of our waterways, illegally dumped materials pose safety and environmental risks to people and wildlife as they can leach hazardous chemicals, block drainage ways and cause flooding.

A coalition of Sonoma County agencies has been working collaboratively to implement the “Keep Sonoma Clean” program which is designed to aggressively combat illegal dumping and littering along county roadways. Features of the program include:

• Illegal dumping remediation to remove and properly discard illegally dumped materials from areas with a high incidence of chronic dumping

• Expedited response to illegal dumping activity for more rapid cleanup of dump sites, and to discourage additional dumping at those locations

• Varied and convenient legal disposal options including drop-off locations and community clean up events

• Preventive barriers, signage, lighting and surveillance to make it more difficult for individuals to discard unwanted items illegally, and to identify and catch perpetrators

• Enhanced code enforcement to enable county Hearing Officers to conduct abatement hearings

• Media relations and community outreach to modify attitudes and educate the public about littering and illegal dumping

• Follow-up monitoring and reporting to determine which combination of methods most successfully prevents illegal dumping.

Surveillance cameras have been installed by county road crews in rural sites around the county where illegal dumping is common. This program has been successful in catching illegal dumping in action. The first criminal case prosecuted in Sonoma County resulted in the perpetrator being fined $250, assigned 40 hours of community service and placed on one-year of probation. Other cases are pending

A website, www.keepsonomaclean.org, has information on illegal dumping, how to report a site or dumping in progress, and legal disposal options in Sonoma County. Public awareness and education about illegal dumping is key to this program. In addition to the website, the County is posting signs, using radio advertisements, and distributing information at community events to get the word out about the illegal dumping problem.

It’s important for all of us to get involved. If illegal dumping is not reported, the problem grows. Simple actions on your part can help keep a small problem from becoming a big problem. Here is what you can do to help.

• If you see an illegal dumping is in progress, contact the law enforcement agency for that area. Be prepared to provide as much information such as: the location, a description of any vehicle or individual involved, and a license plate number. Illegal dumping that occurs within city limits should be reported to the local police department; in unincorporated Sonoma County it should be reported to the Sheriff’s Department.

• Report existing illegal dump sites by calling 877-565-DUMP (3867). For comprehensive information about legal ways to dispose of unwanted items in Sonoma County, visit the Sonoma County Waste Management Agency’s web site at www.RecycleNow.org or call the Eco-Desk (707) 565-3375.

Do your part to keep your community clean and green.


This article was authored Cristina Goulart of the Town of Windsor and Lisa Steinman of the County of Sonoma on behalf of RRWA. RRWA (www.rrwatershed.org) is an association of local public agencies in the Russian River Watershed that have come together to coordinate regional programs for clean water, fisheries restoration, and watershed enhancement

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Project Censored Book Release & Awards Celebration

Book Release Celebration & Awards Party
December 5, 2009

Open invitation to all Project Censored Students, Interns, Alumni, Authors, and Supporters. Join Project Censored in celebrating the release of Censored 2010, Peter Phillips's final yearbook

Censored 2010, Peter Phillips's final yearbook is co- edited by Mickey Huff. Meet Ben Frymer, the new director of Project Censored and Carl Jensen, our founder.

Good food, beer, wine and Great conversation.
Reception 6:00 PM
Music and Speakers 7:30-9:30: Michael Parenti, Bruce Brugmann (SF Bay Guardian), Dennis Bernstein, Miguel Molina, Nora Barrows-Friedman (Flashpoints Radio)

Odd Fellows Hall
545 Pacific Avenue
Santa Rosa, California

Admission includes food and one drink ticket
$35.00 per person includes autographed Censored 2010 yearbook
$20.00 general, $10.00 students and low-income

A benefit for Project Censored sponsored by Media Freedom Foundation: 707-664-2588

Check out the Project Censored sites:
http://www.projectcensored.org/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-Censored/151690209993
http://www.dailycensored.com/
http://www.mediafreedominternational.org/

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Fred Hamptom Jr. & Big Man at SSE

Chairman Fred Hampton Jr.
to speak at Sonoma State University
November 9, 7:00 PM
Special Guest: Elbert 'Big Man" Howard

Fred Hampton Jr. Chairman of the Prisoners of Conscience Committee—CCOP will speak at Sonoma State University Monday, November 9, 2009 at 7:00 PM in Stevenson Hall RM 1002.

Title of the talk will be, “You Can Kill a Revolutionary but You Can’t Kill the Revolution.”

Fred Hampton Jr. will discussing the 40th Anniversary of the assassination of his 21 year -old father Fred Hampton, Deputy Chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party, and his comrade 22 year old Defense Captain Mark Clark. Both killed by the U.S. Government in 1969.

Special Guest for the event will be Sonoma County resident Elbert (Big Man) Howard co-founder of Black Panther Party Oakland.

Chairman Fred Hampton Jr, is not only a former political prisoner, he is the son of the assassinated deputy Chairman Fred Hampton of the Black Panther Party who was born 2 weeks after the government murdered his father and incarcerated his mother, on December 4th, 1969.

This is a free event for students. A $5.00-$10.00 donation will be accepted for general admissions—no one turned away for lack of funds.

This event is sponsored by Project Censored, Media Freedom Foundation, SSU MECHA, www.blockreportradio.com, SF Bay View Newspaper, Brown Berets, Barrios Unidos, NAACP & Black New World and Sociology 425 Urban Research Methods class at SSU—Peter Phillips Instructor.

Peter Phillips Ph.D.
Professor Sociology—Sonoma State University
President—Media Freedom Foundation
1801 East Cotati Ave
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
707-664-2588

Daily News at: http://mediafreedom.pnn.com/5174-independent-news-sources
Validated News & Research at: http://www.mediafreedominternational.org/
Daily Censored Blog at: http://dailycensored.com/
Project Censored: http://www.projectcensored.org/

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Bob Dylan - Revisited Past & Present

Bob Dylan/ 10/10-11/09

Newport, RI, folk festival, 1963

By Terry Wright

The two forms exploded out of the crowd, grabbed the door latch on my 47 Chevy and breathlessly piled in chanting “we gotta go see Dylan”. Margie and Louise, bedecked in Woody Guthrie denim folk attire are on the warpath, we careen through the crowd to the big field and somehow shoehorn into a parking place and we are off at a run to the workshop tent.

OK, Dylan, I'd heard some echoes of this new guru through folk circles, even had the first album, and had started singing his early songs. We’d even scoured Washington Square for the dude to no avail one dark misty night in NYC, and here we were.

We made a grand entrance..high on our energy, working our way through the crowd, and there’s this guy, I check him out. And he checks me out, scraggly beard, tousled hair---check. Stained work shirt with 1/2 smoked pack of Galoises in the pocket ----check. Battered Levis, cowboy boots----check. Guitar over one shoulder—check. I look at him and say “what's with the bullwhip?” He touches the coiled serpent on his shoulder, smiles and says “Joanie and I are blowing minds doing bullwhip tricks around the pool at the motel”. “Cool, sounds like fun”. And off we go.

We are blown away, the poetry most of all, and the style…gravelly voice, great guitar in all modes, and unassuming air. “Baby let me follow you down”, “Don’t think twice” “House of the rising sun”, all done in a howling style, immediately adopted by all folkies around. And the world had changed for folk music.

Newport RI folk festival 1965

The multitudes are gathered to hear the famous guru of folk, Dylan is now a superstar, with a mane of hair, followed by a wave of marmidons crossing the field to the workshop. You have to shoehorn into the crowd and fight for a space, and the poetry flows and the music bites hard into the words, the guitar sings for us all to hear.

We gear up for the evening concert, a big crowd in the football field, packed in to do homage to the new god of folk. But, there is a setup for a rock band, unheard of at Newport, and finally they come out, Paul Butterfield, band and Dylan with a very poor rendition of some songs, out of tune, feedback screeching, people outraged, a wave of booing running through the crowd. I’ve been talking to Pete Seeger, who was seated in front of me with his mom, Ruth Crawford, and he is outraged, jumps up and heads back for the stage. I hear later that he was going to pull the plug on the performance with an axe. Butterfield and Dylan screech some more, and finally quit. Bob comes out and does one song to mollify the crowd, still with boos echoing, and finally bows out, no apology, just an experiment in a new genre that the folkies weren’t ready for.

This set the pattern for his career, and each time we heard a new set of tunes and a new band (most notably The Band), a new page was written in the bible of Dylan. Nashville Skyline with some great country ballads, Slow Train Comin, songs of his Christian phase, Time out of Mind with some uptempo ballads. He continued the poetry, and the captivating presence in concert.

So when we heard about the Greek Theater concert October 10, it was time, I stalked the Ticketmaster website and scored 2 tickets in the first public minutes, and was off to the music event of the year.

The Greek was packed, we got there at 5 and stood in line for good seats, which we got no problem, center up 10 rows behind the mixers, huge electronic affairs, studded with computer screens. We prepped for cold, and bundled up, with low back chairs, blankets and partied. The house beer and wine was lousey, so we had a little reserve and mellowed out, watching the people. I wore an Uncle Sam top hat so our late friends could find us. We got an early taste of the band during the sound test from the parking lot, and they were solid, with punching bass lines rumbling our chests

On time, they came on and introduced Dylan as an icon of American music and master of many styles and genres. A shout went up from the crowd as he entered the stage, dressed in black hat, double breasted black jacket and red scarf, launching into the solid big beat reverberating around the amphitheater.

The playlist was eclectic, (see Bob Dylan website for list and other reviews) with versions of Mama you been on my mind and the Lonesome death of Hattie Carroll with very creative arrangements; interfaces with Highway 61 revisited during which I cried with happiness, Thunder on the Mountain and old classics Like a Rolling Stone and finishing with All along the Watchtower. All done in the same style, big beat, up tempo, Dylan’s voice was gravelly and low as always, and occasional snippets of words came out, but I knew most of them and sang along. The faithful in the mosh pit were packed in, and well-behaved, and let out a collective spine chilling scream every time a favorite line came on. The crowd in general was mellow, I thought we were going to have some loud people behind us, but they mellowed out as soon as the music started.

The best part for me was to watch Dylan sing with his body, small movements and twitches, sometimes arms raised, leaning into the music, emphasizing the words with his body, Pushing into the lines sent chills up and down my spine. You can see him playing with the words.

“Oh God said to Abraham, "Kill me a son"

Abe says, "Man, you must be puttin' me on"

God say, "No." Abe say, "What?"

God say, "You can do what you want Abe, but

The next time you see me comin' you better run"

Well Abe says, "Where do you want this killin' done?"

God says, "Out on Highway 61."

This says it for the poetry, It has always been a creative tour de force, and he can spout out rhymes with amazing words like a fountain. There is a clip in Pennebakers film where he is given 5 words and makes up poetry for 10 minutes, and incredible feat.

The band was solid, Charlie Sexton on lead guitar is top notch and the pedal steel, standup bass, and drums equally talented. They did make a lot of noise, but that’s what its all about in the new Dylan mode. The tour continues across the country, first to LA, then Las Vegas and ends up in Boston Its worth flying to.

Submitted by:
W.H. Terry Wright, PhD
Emeritus Professor of Geology, SSU (retired)
terrywrightgeology.com
terrysworld007.blogspot.com -
picasaweb.google.com/terryw100


If by some fiat I had to restrict all this writing to a single sentence, this is the one I would choose: The summit of Mt. Everest is marine limestone. - John McPhee

...and while you're at it - check out this web site where the photo of Bob came from:
http://tonemarrowreviews.wordpress.com/

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Red Cross Classes for Employment Opportunities

RED CROSS OFFERS INSTRUCTOR TRAINING COURSES
IN SANTA ROSA (NOVEMBER)

American Red Cross, Sonoma & Mendocino Counties is offering instructor training courses for those interested in teaching CPR and First Aid classes in the community. Teaching these classes is a great way to earn extra income, quickly. Hours are extremely flexible and all are welcome
who are interested in health and safety.

The classes will be held at American Red Cross, 5297 Aero Drive in Santa Rosa.

Fundamentals of Instructor Training takes place on Tuesday, November 17 from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Red Cross, 5297 Aero Drive in Santa Rosa. The fee is $30. This is the first course to be completed before enrolling in the other Health & Safety instructor courses. Students will learn all of the services of the Red Cross as well as basic teaching techniques. Participants must be 17 years old to take the courses.

CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer Instructor takes Saturday, November 21 and Saturday, November 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The fee is $135. Participants will learn how to teach CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and AED Essentials. Students must be at least 17 years old and have completed Fundamentals of Instructor Training in the last 12 months.

Participants can register for classes in any one of five ways:

● Go online at www.arcsm.org (click on “Course Registration”)
● Call (707)577-7600 (Have credit card ready)
● Fax registration information to (707)543-8523 (include date and time of class desired, VISA/Mastercard information, phone and all contact information)
● Mail check or credit card information (include same information as for fax)
● Visit the Chapter (5297 Aero Drive, Santa Rosa) from Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, SONOMA & MENDOCINO COUNTIES
American Red Cross is a neutral, humanitarian organization that provides relief to victims of disasters, and prepares people to prevent and respond to emergencies. The Sonoma & Mendocino counties chapter, like all Red Cross chapters, is self-sustaining and receives no funding from the national organization or United Way, and minimal government funding. All disaster assistance provided by the Chapter is free and is made possible by voluntary donations of time and money by the people of Sonoma and Mendocino counties. Donations can be made online at www.arcsm.org, via mail to, 5297 Aero Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403, or by phone at 707-577-7600. Mendocino residents can call (707)463-0112.

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Amazing Musical Instrument - NOT!

This incredible machine was built as a collaborative effort between the Robert M. Trammell Music Conservatory and the Sharon Wick School of Engineering at the University of Iowa .. Amazingly, 97% of the machines components came from John Deere Industries and Irrigation Equipment of Bancroft , Iowa ....Yes, farm equipment!

It took the team a combined 13,029 hours of set-up, alignment, calibration, and tuning before filming this video but as you can see it was WELL worth the effort.

It is now on display in the Matthew Gerhard Alumni Hall at the University and is already slated to be donated to the Smithsonian.

And now for the REST of the story:
Dear Vesta:

It is a great video, but the story is a hoax: http://www.snopes.com/photos/arts/musicmachine.asp. Google turns up lots of similar reports by various hoax-tracking sites.

On the other hand, it is an amazingly good video animation. I enjoyed it.

Sincerely, Steve

Well darn!!! What a disappointment - but yes - incredible none-the less - thanks for pointing this out!!!! Now I know but I still think it's so cool! I guess the genius is in the animation category rather than the invention category! I had a good time visiting the web site - below - and checking out the clips! What fun - OK - I'm gullible - but I had a good time! Thanks for the straight scoop! - V




http://www.animusic.com/previews/animusic1.php

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The Bill Horvitz Expanded Band Presents: THE LONG WALK: In Memory of Phillip Horvitz

THE LONG WALK is Sonoma County musician/composer Bill Horvitz's moving and inspiring tribute to his late brother Philip, an inspired writer, director, actor, dancer, and choreographer. Explains Horvitz, "Philip was a man who deeply loved many kinds of music. He was generous and kind, playful and curious, dramatic and impassioned. He had the largest group of extremely close friends of anyone I've ever known." Composed after Philip passed away suddenly of heart failure on March 30, 2005, The Long Walk incorporates the same characteristics-playfulness, curiosity, generosity of spirit-that defined Philip during his short but extraordinary life.

Friday November 13th 8PM
Community Music Center
544 Capp St.
San Francisco
General $10/ Students, Seniors $5 at the door (all ages)
(415) 647-6015
http://www.sfcmc.org/site/index.php?id=10

Saturday, November 14th 8PM
The Glaser Center
547 Mendocino Avenue
Santa Rosa
Sliding Scale admission $1 to .... (all ages)
(707) 568-5381
http://www.glasercenter.com/

"About a year after Philip died," says Horvitz, "I began hearing the beginnings of new compositions that felt in some way related to him. I spent the next many months composing the music and imagining the group of players I would like to have perform. As I wrote, I realized that I wanted a fairly large ensemble that included instruments from jazz as well as some more often found in chamber groups. The resulting pieces are a mix of folk, jazz, funk, and new-music works that have come out of the enormous range of emotions I've felt since Philip's death, and though they are not 'his music,' they have been influenced by him nonetheless. "

Many of the pieces that comprise The Long Walk have been performed in the Bay Area and in New York City to extremely enthusiastic audiences. The program has a universal appeal, beautifully illustrating how the loss of someone very close can, through honest and innovative artistic exploration, be turned into a work of healing, acceptance, and love.

The Bill Horvitz Expanded Band is a 17-piece conducted ensemble that plays original works drawing on jazz, funk, folk, and new-music. The band includes a stellar line up of some of the Bay Area's (and beyond) finest musicians. The compositions are highly composed and arranged and also contain sections of conducted improvisation, at which point conductor Omid Zoufonoun spontaneously brings instruments in and out to create solos and small groups and then return to the scored arrangement. Omid is a highly skilled conductor and musician and brings a strongly intuitive and musical sense of improvisation to the ensemble.


Omid Zoufonoun: conductor
Kyle Bruckman: oboe
Aram Shelton: clarinets
Steve Adams: flute/alto sax
Sheldon Brown: tenor sax
Jon Raskin: baritone sax
Michael Cooke: bassoon
Hal Forman: trumpet
Darren Johnston: trumpet
George Hines: French horn
Liam Staskawicz: trombone
Kim Allen: tuba
Sarah Zahrako: violin
Jessica Ivry: cello (Nov. 13th)
Wayne Horvitz: piano
Dan Seamans: bass
Vijay Anderson: drums
Bill Horvitz guitar/composer

The Long Walk is presented at The Glaser Center as part of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation's ongoing Arts & Culture Ministry to Sonoma County.

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Artist Char Banach - Gracie, My Companion, My Friend

By Char Banach, Artist
I’ve attempted to capture her life look in this painting, one of a series I call Amazing Gracie. Some are fun and whimsical (think Gracie with a red holiday nose) and another carries a mug shot board identifying her as busted for chasing birds or her sister, my other English Spring Spaniel named Delilah. You can view all the Gracies as they emerge on my website, http://www.charbanachart.com/
From the Amazing Gracie Series
Original Acrylic on Canvas, 18” x 24”
Limited Edition Artist Enhanced & Numbered Giclèe on Canvas Or Velvet Paper
Amazing Gracie Series Paintings Also Available As Greeting Cards

Gracie is a sympathetic soul, often showing concern for her fellow housemates, a sort of dog vet who cares about her family. She inspired me to create Gracie, Dr. Dog.

Gracie is a nine-year old English Springer Spaniel who watches over me as I paint in my studio in Sonoma County’s Bennett Valley. She patiently nestles into her spot and stands guard for hours on end, quiet, deeply thoughtful and loving without hesitation or conditions.

With her old-soul face but boundless Springer Spaniel energy, she brings a laugh at just the right time when I’m faced with a problem on the canvas before me. Loyalty in such animals is but a cliché, but her sense of duty and appreciation moves far beyond such simple sentiments.

There is joy in sharing the most important things in your life, and I hope you’ll want to take Gracie home with you too, there to watch over you, keeping an eye out for that moment when you, too, need some special love and attention.

About the Artist
Educated in Environmental Design at Northern Michigan University with further art studies at the University of Wisconsin.

California Art Teaching Credential, Dominican University, California.

Displayed in private collections in California, Idaho, Michigan, Wisconsin and Arizona. Frequently represented in Northern California.

www.charbanachart.com CharBanach@comcast.net
Char Banach ∙ Windborne Farm ∙ (707) 570-2098 ∙ or ∙ Fax (707) 570-0398

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H1N1 Swine Flu Facts

Do you have questions and concerns about the H1N1 virus vaccinations?
KRCB Public Television 22 will address them in a special one hour segment of the acclaimed health series, Second Opinion, and for kids in the Sid the Science Kid Flu Season Special.

Monday, November 2, 2009 at 11:00am – and repeated, Tuesday, November 17 at 11:00am

Second Opinion will break from its series format to deliver a one-hour special offering direct education about the H1N1 virus. The program will be a town hall meeting format, with a panel of national experts who will address issues such as prevention, vaccinations, public health issues, resources, and local and national response. A live studio audience as well as videotaped questions from around the country will provide viewer interaction with the panel. Viewing Second Opinion is a great way to learn about timely, accurate, and credible information on H1N1.

Candid, honest, and often heated, Second Opinion lets you discover first hand how doctors navigate their way through tough medical decisions. Hosted by nationally acclaimed Dr. Peter Salgo, Second Opinion brings together real doctors, tackling real-life medical cases in a way you've have never seen before. The goal of the series is to improve doctor/patient communication and empower viewers to take charge of their own healthcare, and in turn, help them navigate the medical system for better health outcomes. Second Opinion focuses on health literacy in a way that is relevant and accessible to both viewers and to physicians in a format that engages and entertains viewers.
http://www.pbs.org/secondopinion/

Sid the Science Kid Flu Season Special: “Getting a Shot: You Can Do It!” premieres on October 26 at 9:00am, and will repeat multiple times in November and December.
This month, the Emmy ®-nominated series Sid the Science Kid will premiere a special episode perfect for flu season. In "Getting a shot: You Can Do It!" it's vaccination day at Sid's school and Sid and his friends are a little apprehensive about getting a shot. Thankfully, a very special nurse will be giving the kids their vaccination-Sid's Grandma! Throughout the episode, Grandma, Teacher Susie, Mom and Dad all do their part to make vaccination day a fun learning experience filled with music, games and lots of laughs.

KRCB Public Television broadcasts from studios in Rohnert Park, California on digital channels 22-1, 22-2 & 22-3 and is seen over the air in Sonoma, Marin, Napa and parts of Lake and Mendocino counties. KRCB is also seen on Channel 22 via Comcast Cable and Dish and DirecTV satellite services across the entire San Francisco Bay Area.

Contact Information: Stan Marvin
Phone Number: (707) 584-2010 Email Address: stan_marvin@krcb.org

Palm Drive Hospital Swine Flu Fact Sheet
(From the Centers for Disease Control)

The H1N1 virus is thought to spread the same way that seasonal flu spreads, mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching some surface or object with flu viruses on it, and then touching their mouth or nose.

Prevention:
Take everyday actions to stay healthy:
1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and discard the tissue.
2. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Alcohol-based hands cleaners and hand sanitizers are also effective. The H1N1 virus can live on a hard surface for up to 8 hours.
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
4. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

Symptoms:
The symptoms of H1N1 flu virus are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu, and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with H1N1 flu virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

Treatment:
Fevers and aches can be treated with acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, Nuprin®) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Do not give aspirin to children or young adults under 18 since it may cause a rare but serious illness called Reye’s syndrome.
The safest care for flu symptoms in children younger than 2 years of age is using a cool-mist humidifier and a suction bulb to help clear away mucus.
Two influenza antiviral medications are recommended for use against H1N1 flu, oseltamivir (trade name Tamiflu ®) and zanamivir (Relenza ®). The drugs work best if given within two days of becoming ill, but may be given later if illness is severe or for those at a high risk for complications.

Vaccine:
With seasonal flu, those aged 65 and older are frequently given priority. However this age group appears to have greater immunity to the H1N1 virus than younger people. Federal guidelines call for the new H1N1 vaccine to be given first to pregnant women, those who live with or care for children 6 months or younger, health care workers, people aged 6 months through 24, and people aged 25 to 64 with chronic health problems or compromised immune systems. Only after shots are offered to those groups will the vaccine be available to healthy adults 64 and younger. After that, if it is still available, seniors ages 65 and older would be eligible.

Course of the Disease:
Illness from the H1N1 virus has ranged from mild to severe. Most people have recovered without needing medical treatment, but hospitalizations and deaths have occurred.
The disease usually runs its course in three to five days, but you may be ill for a week or longer.
Studies suggest you can spread the virus to others for seven days following the first appearance of symptoms. If you are ill, stay home and away from others as much as possible, avoiding travel and not going to work or school, for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.(Your fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.) If you must leave the house for necessities or to seek medical care, wear a facemask, if available and tolerable, and cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue.

Emergency Warning Signs:
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care. Emergency warning signs for children:
• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Emergency warning signs for adults:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

For more information, go to the Web site of the Centers for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU

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