Page 46 - Sonoma County Gazette - August 2017

Safety Tips
from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
• Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in
trays below the grill.
• Never leave your grill unattended.
• Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.
Charcoal Grills
• There are several ways to get the charcoal ready to use. Charcoal chimney starters allow you to start the charcoal using newspaper as a fuel.
August, 2017
• If you use a starter uid, use only charcoal starter uid. Never add charcoal uid or any other ammable liquids to the re.
By Tre Gibbs, L.A.A.S.
A Guide to the Night Sky
Grilling Safety
There’s nothing like outdoor grilling. It’s one of the most popular ways
to cook food. But, a grill placed too close to anything that can burn is a re hazard. They can be very hot, causing burn injuries. Follow these simple tips and you will be on the way to safe grilling.
• Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors.
• The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out
• Keep charcoal uid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources. • There are also electric charcoal starters, which do not use re. Be sure to use
Get ready for the TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE! On Monday August 21st, beginning around 9:30 am, the moon - slowly moving eastward - will begin to move in front of the sun and almost completely block it out. In fact, from our location here in Northern California, a little more than 80% of the sun’s disk will be covered, while in Northern Oregon, 100% of the sun will be covered. Our friends in Southern California will only see about 70% of the sun’s disk blocked.
an extension cord for outdoor use.
• When you are nished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing
in a metal container.
Propane
While solar eclipses are not very rare events (they happen more often than presidential elections) the path of totality traveling across the United States is rare. In fact, the last time the U.S. saw a total solar eclipse was back in February of 1979, so this will be a rare treat for all of us. Expect the daylight to dim noticeably - creating an eerie light for about 30 minutes or so. By 11:30 am the moon will begin to move beyond the disk of the sun and everything will go back to normal.
Take the time to find and purchase some solar eclipse glasses
since it’s the ONLY way to view this spectacle with your eyes. Never,
Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the rst time each year. Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. If your grill has a gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no ame, turn o both the gas tank and the grill. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the re department. If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the re department. Do not move the grill.
If the ame goes out, turn the grill and gas o and wait at least 5 minutes before re-lighting it.
Burn Ban
I repeat NEVER look at the sun directly, even during an eclipse.
Just a sliver of the sun’s bright light can permanently damage your retina.
The Sonoma County Fire Marshal and CAL FIRE have enacted the burn ban e ective July 1st. This is due to the increasing danger of wildland res. Sonoma County re ghters are deploying to other counties to help ght massive res... let’s hope we can be re safe here at home.
BE SAFE! - use specially designed glasses for viewing (amazon.com). The next Total Solar Eclipse after this one isn’t until 2024, and that one happens over the southern and eastern part of the U.S. We’ll have to wait until August of 2045 to see one travel across California again....
All backyard burning must stop until the re marshal believes the threat
is less severe. Typically, the burn ban is lifted sometime in October (after 2-3” of rain). Call the rehouse (823-8400 x105) or look at the map outside the front door to nd out. At that time, the Air Quality Management Districts will resume authority and you will need to follow their burning permit/noti cation process (forms available in front of the rehouse).
SATURN is currently the prominent planet this month, appearing somewhat high in the south just after sunset. Although it’s so far away from us, it’s rather difficult to spot, since it looks like just one of the other thousands of “stars” in the night sky, But thanks to the moon (which travels the same path in the sky as the planets), we can easily locate Saturn. On the night of August 3rd, look for the moon slightly above and to the right of Saturn. Then about 26 days later, the moon will return to almost the same spot, slightly above and to the right of Saturn.
JUPITER has been the prominent light in the sky for several months up till now, but the Roman King of the Gods is slowly departing our evening skies as he heads towards the glare of the sun. If you have an unobstructed view of the western horizon, look for Jupiter paired with the moon, low in the west on the evening of the 24th.
Bodega Volunteer Fire:
Join us Sunday August 6th 2017 for the 37th Annual Bodega Fire
Big Event BBQ Join us Sunday August 6th 2017 for the 37th Annual Bodega Fire Big Event BBQ A full day of family fun. Day starts out with Sonoma County’s Shortest Parade at 10:30am through downtown Bodega, CA. Free Admission. Live Music from 10:45am- 5pm. Music from local eukele groups, Used Goods and the Highway Poets. Enjoy BBQ chicken and tri-tip lunch served with salad, beans and garlic bread. Adults $15 Child $8. Beer on tap, wine, mimosas and Bloody Mary’s. Desserts, kids games, and craft vendors. Pet Friendly. Free Parking. All proceeds bene t Bodega Volunteer Fire Department. More info: 707-876-9438 or bodega re.org. Event held in Downtown Bodega, 17184 Bodega Hwy.
46 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 8/17
VENUS puts on a show of her own for the early morning risers! All month long, Venus appears low in the east just prior to sunrise. You can’t miss Venus - it’s the third brightest object in the sky (after the sun and moon). So incredibly bright, it can even cast a shadow if you’re in a dark location.
So, enjoy the eclipse on Monday morning, August 21st beginning around 9:30 am - enjoy it safely - with appropriate eyewear.
And, as always, KEEP LOOKING UP !