Cotati Heart and Soul by Deborah Taylor-French - June 2018
“Did you think the lion was sleeping because he didn’t roar?” —Freedrich Schiller
The pleasure of living in a rural town comes with a few downsides. I’m not sure if most local pet owners are aware of the danger of predatory mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, possums, and other hungry hunters. Yes, here in our backyards wild predators hunt small to midsize cats, dogs, chickens, sheep, and goats. I dropped in on an ongoing mountain lion sightings conversation. Last year, a neighbor introduced me to Nextdoor, a free social media site. The mountain lion and missing pet chat has been centered on local lions seen in Penngrove since September of last year. This February the mountain lion conversation has been both lively, ongoing and enlightening.
Big Shout out to Penngrove Sonoma County Gazette Columnist, Lynda Brown who has brought knowledge, expert mountain lion resources, and a deep understanding to this neighborly chat. Interested in learning more about your wild neighbors? Dr. Quinton Martins, lead investigator with Audubon Canyon Ranch’s Living with Lions project, talks about co-existing with these elusive cats. Take a look at this project active in our area, Living with Lions: ACR’s mountain lion research and education project posted on Audubon Canyon Ranch. You can read more on their site egret.org/living-with-lions. Sure, local ranchers and farmers know we live with nightly visitors, hungry visitors with claws, and fangs. One mountain lion was actually on the back deck of a home watching the family cat through the sliding glass doors. So, if you have small pets or animals you treasure, please keep them inside from sunset to sunrise. Ticks continue to thrive in rural areas. Check your dog’s and cat’s paws often this summer. Check your own ankles, socks, and pants, too.
Rat poison kills beyond rats.
Birds of prey such as owls, hawks, and eagles, plus all predatory hunters such as bobcats, mountain lions, coyotes, and raccoons all die from eating poisoned rats. Science shows that reduction or removal of top predators becomes unhealthy for they natural prey animals and ecosystems. For human residents, this means thousands more rats, gophers, field mice, etc. Please trap or kill in a way that will not upset the balance of our wild neighbors.
Formerly the Cotati Jazz Festival, the Cotati Chamber of Commerce has updated the concept and created a day to celebrate Cotati as the musical hub of Sonoma County.
The Cotati Music Festival promises to be a day of good food, fun and music that will keep you grooving all day. Bring a blanket or park yourself on a hay bale—in La Plaza Park in Cotati. No charge for entrance, but there will be great food, beer and wine available for purchase.
Sponsored by: Amaturo Sonoma Media Group (Froggy, Hot 101.7, KHits 104.9, KSRO), Karah Winery, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Live Music Lantern, North Bay Biz Magazine, Oliver’s Market, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and The Community Voice.
Redwood Writers’ Hot Summer Nights in July!
Author, Friend, and Redwood Writer, Pamela Fender, for six years has organized and hosted Hot Summer Nights for Redwood Writers at Copperfield’s Books in Santa Rosa. These four free evening events introduce local authors. Fun events where you can meet your next favorite book or author. Yes, some Redwood Writers write book series. Not just me. Would love to have you come to the July 10th evening as I will be the final author on that program with my first, Red Sky at Night: Dog Leader Mysteries.
