Page 44 - Sonoma County Gazette September 2019
P. 44

   Has it come to this, then? Oh summer, parting is such sweet sorrow. We now head into fall, or as we now call it, Fire Season. I don’t think I’m throwing out any spoilers here when I say people are scared. Heck, I’m scared. But out of that fear has come, this time, something positive. People are channeling fear into action. In Camp Meeker as well as around the county, I see work being done. Vegetation being cleared. Defensible space work is ongoing. It’s to the point where I don’t need to tell you any of this— you already know it. You’re probably way past me, some of you. If you’re not, fire preparation is the theme of this month’s Gazette, so read it cover to cover! There will be tons of useful information. In fact, there will be so much useful information that I will need to think for a minute until I can think of something to add that hasn’t already been covered.
By Marina McTaggart, Guest Columnist
Happy September Guerneville Groovers! My friend (who usually
writes this column) is taking a little time off this month and has asked me to step in. So here we go-
Russian River Pride—The summer may be winding down but
Okay, I’ve got one. If you’re like me, you’ve had some unpleasant conversations about home insurance this year. You may find, like me, that your home insurance has doubled this year due to your insurance company (by which I mean the national behemoth issuing your policy and not to local insurance broker Open Door Insurance, who in my experience have always provided outstanding service, communication, and transparency) has decided that you, living in a forest as you do, are providing them too much risk and not enough profit opportunity. They have decided to go in a different direction— away from covering you. That is inconvenient at best and financially crippling at worst for you the homeowner, but you can be assured said insurance company behemoth has run the numbers. It’s what they do; their essential function in fact. This is one large factor underlying the near-seismic shifts
here in Guerneville things are busier than ever! The month starts off with the widely anticipated, much awaited 2019 Russian River Pride Parade—Flooded with Love on Saturday Sept 7 featuring Grand Marshall Cleve Jones. There will be a full day of events starting with pre-parade cocktails and culminating with a GAYlactic Celebration Space Spectacular at the R3 Hotel. There will also be a Pre Pride Party at the R3 on Friday September 6. There is still time to enter the parade—email Rodger Jensen for an application—rodgersplayhaus@ gmail.com. Parade volunteers are also needed. Don’t miss this inaugural event. It’s going to be amazing!
in behavior regarding fire. PG&E, bless their pointy little hearts, has even gotten into the act with some proactive tree work, removing some very large and very dead Douglas Firs within Camp Meeker that they have judged a fire danger. Said PG&E will also be turning off power around the County (not sure if in Camp Meeker—but it’s a possibility) when risk of extreme fire events is high. This, all of this, is the new normal.
Armstrong Woods SNR will once again host the annual Old Grove Festival on September 14 and 15 from 4:30pm – 9:00pm. The festival takes place in the beautiful open air theater originally built in the 1930’s. This is a benefit for Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods and Save the Redwoods League and features an impressive variety of musical talent. Event reservations are limited ( I hear they usually sell out ) so get yours today. You’ll have a great time and also help preserve the beauty of our State Parks and our Redwood Forests. Tickets at oldgrovefestival.org.
Okay, you might think: I’ve done my defensible space work. What next? I will gracefully elide the community organizing aspect of this for this column: this week’s Gazette is shot through with information on this aspect, and it has appeared in past and future columns in this space. This month, I will introduce a possibility for the rugged individualist in all of us. Defensible space work, as essential as it is, is a passive solution. You do the work and you hope. What would an active solution look like? An active solution would be the homeowner on his roof with the proverbial garden hose. That works for anyone brave and fit enough to get up on the roof instead of hightailing it out of there. It turns out that there is a way that might be better AND safer than the garden hose gambit. Check out www.frontlinewildfire.com to see what
Russian River Parks and Recreation District has announced the J.K Wright Playground has fully reopened! The basketball courts have been re-surfaced and striped with 3 point lines added. The playground and tennis courts are located at 16016 Drake Rd. Come and enjoy some fun in the sun! Pacheco Playground and Vacation Beach Playground remain closed post flood. Pacheco is scheduled to reopen in September or early October. Vacation Beach needs new play equipment—stay tuned for a status update on that one.
I am talking about. This is a system offered by a company called Frontline Wildfire Defense Systems. Essentially, it is a system of smart sprinklers installed on your home by professionals. These sprinklers, when activated, will cover your home with a biodegradable firefighting foam, which will prevent any wind-blown embers that might alight on your home from starting your house ablaze. Having one of these systems installed might (emphasis: “might”) bring you lower insurance rates. Having said all that, I have no first- hand experience with the cost, quality, or performance of such a system – but I can assure I will be reading up on it.
benefiting the Russian River Senior Centers Intergenerational Culinary Program. This is a bingo game like no other! Tickets usually sell out in advance so get yours today .
One last item, just a teaser really: August 16 marked the first day of this year’s flow release into Dutch Bill Creek. For the past several years, when conditions allow, water is released into Dutch Bill Creek from storage tanks on the Alliance Redwoods property. This is done for ecological reasons, reasons I will go into in more detail next month, along with an accounting of the worthies responsible for this good work.
44 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 9/19
North Bay Donate—you may recall that North Bay Donate was the subject of this column a few months back. Founded by Jamie Whitelaw and with
the help of volunteers, their mission was to help neighbors in need after the devastating fires of October 2017 by working with families and individuals
Congratulations to June Bug Skin and Body celebrating its 8 year anniversary on Thursday September 12. Heidi, Grace and Susanna invite you to drop by for a complimentary skin consultation, swag bags, raffle prizes and special pricing on services. Light refreshments and nibbles will also be provided.
The Russian River Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly
Business Member Mixer at Boon Hotel and Spa -14711 Armstrong Woods Road on Wednesday, September 4th at 6:00 The Chamber is also currently accepting applications for open seats on the Chamber Board. Applicants interested in applying should contact the Chamber Office at 707 869 9000
Don’t forget Russian River Sisters Bingo on Saturday September 14. celebrating the Golden Girls and
And now the” not so happy stuff”
“It is with deep regret that we lost our longtime friend and hair creator, John Bennie on August 13th. John was a dear friend to many and will be missed by all. He gave the C a good fight over the past few years and actually made it home after spending a year in the hospital, only to pass peacefully. We shall miss you my friend” ( Beth Rudometkin)
to assemble and deliver custom care packages. They worked out of a donated facility on the corner of Woodland Drive and Armstrong Woods Rd. That shop was broken into about a week ago and many of the goods (mostly new items were stolen and the shop was ransacked. Who steals from an organization dedicated to helping people recover and get back on their feet? Unbelievable! Jamie is currently fundraising through PayPal to ensure flood and fire
victims get the promised supplies. You can help by donating at paypal.me/ northbaydonate
And finally—Congratulations to Nicky Gibson on the grand reopening of her shop Wishes & Secrets Hair Design. The new sign looks great.









































































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