Geyserville Grapevine by deTraci Regula - September 2018
It has been the season of pink sunshine here in Geyserville and the rest of northern Sonoma County and beyond—which sounds so cheery. Unfortunately, it’s what I notice when look at the mix of sunlight and shadows on the ground when there is either visible or invisible smoke lingering in the air, which has been the case for weeks now.
The rising moon near the horizon is also routinely taking on shades of pink and even red from the particles in the air. While we missed out on the recent lunar eclipse enjoyed by much of Europe and Asia, we’ve made up for it with eclipse-red moons from the fires.
While we have been fortunate to avoid all but a few really smoky days, it’s still a guessing game when looking toward the Mayacamas hills as to whether the veil of grey haze is from natural vapors or wildfires.
Stressed Out over Fires? Take Action!
While it's easy to be stressed and depressed over the idea that the entire year is fire season now, one way to shake off those feelings is by taking steps with other concerned community members to learn how to prevent or minimize their impact on our local area. That’s why it’s a great idea to attend the FireSmart Lake Sonoma Community Workshops.
One is coming up right as this issue hits the stands—
Tuesday, August 28th at the age Sonoma Visitors Center at 3288 Skaggs Springs Road here in greater Geyserville. The workshop runs from 9am to noon, followed immediately by lunch and a site walk. The ground is uneven so wear appropriate footwear. It’s also a great excuse to spend some extra time during the last days of summer at our beautiful lake.
Later in the month, there is also a FireSmart Neighbors Summit on Tuesday, September 18th from 9am to 1pm at the Oriental Hall - also known as the old Grange - where most of the Chamber of Commerce dinners are held, at 1000 Highway 128 just east of “downtown” Geyserville. RSVPs are requested so please call 707 823 6113 ext 134 and leave your name, contact information, and how many attending.
These are put on via a partnership with our fire protection district, AG Innovations, and the Sonoma County Water Agency. You can also email Suzannah@aginnovations.org or visit their website at aginnovations.org/project/FiresmartLakeSonoma
Writers Workshop in Geyserville
I’m pleased to announce that here at Isis Oasis Sanctuary we will be hosting a once-a-month Writers Workshop every second Tuesday beginning in September, on September 11th. It’s a great way for writers of all levels to get together and enhance their craft in a supportive and inspiring environment. 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, coffee, tea, and light refreshments provided. Requested donation is $20 per session, no one turned away for lack of funds. This “Spirit Speaks” writing group is for the intrepid traveler and scribe, drawing us into realms of reflection, mindful writing practice and Making It So. Share your writing—poetry, prose, all genres, all levels welcome and appreciated. Sessions will include reading your own work (or not!), group discussion of what inspires, blocks, supports us as writers, and other writing-friendly techniques and offerings. Feedback and/or critiques are optional. Led by professional author and “poet priestess” Marylyn Scott and inspirational poet Sama Morningstar. More information from Marylyn Scott at (707) 937-3628 or by calling the Oasis at (707) 857-4747. Some sessions will include special guests, local writers, and other inspiring teachers.
A little known fact about our foundress here at Isis Oasis, Loreon Vigné, was that her first business in North Beach in San Francisco in the 1950s was an artist and writer’s supply store called the Paint Pot which became popular with the poets of the Beat Generation, frequented by Jack Kerouac, Ruth Weiss and others. She and her husband Dion Vigné contributed to the Semina Journal, a prominent magazine of the time. We are very glad to continue her long tradition of providing a space for the arts to flourish.
