Page 34 - Sonoma County Gazette 3-19

Living in one of the most beautiful parts of northern California definitely
as its blessings. Sonoma County itself is considered to be one of the most biologically diverse counties in the nation, with a rich variety of flora and fauna. And quite the variety in weather, with our beautiful Geyser Peak glazed with white snow several times in the past month, with the white carpet extending down into the foothills, closer than I’ve ever seen it before.
“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”—Cicero
This month, gardens are the Gazette’s focus and as we prepared our column (which we’d decided early on would feature the Cloverdale Regional Library), we suddenly realized that “gardens” can come in many forms and soon agreed that our library, like all local public libraries, is one of the best gardens we know.
Throughout both our lives, libraries have welcomed us and, like gardens, they have provided places of relaxation, safety and refuge while nurturing our healthy growth by feeding us intellectually and spiritually.
Soothing our souls in times of turmoil, libraries have provided answers to so many of our questions, while generating ever more complex questions as we evolved... and, yes, blossomed!
If you happened to notice an SUV a couple of weeks ago at the side of the road just after the Independence exit by the “Cal Fire Next Exit” sign, that was me. A little while before dusk, on my way to Santa Rosa, I noticed something sitting on the ground by the Cal Fire sign. For an instant, I thought it was a cat but then I realized, as I whizzed by, that it was a hawk. I was hoping it had just landed at the very edge of the highway to eat a mouse or other small prey, but in the brief moment I saw it, it wasn’t making any sort of feeding motions. It was ... just sitting.
As you’ve probably noticed, lately some folks dismiss public libraries as old- fashioned and even unnecessary. “Afterall”, they’ll say, “libraries are just books. We now have fast, cheap technologies readily at hand. So who needs libraries?”
I pulled off at the next exit and came back around, where I verified it was indeed a hawk, and since it had made no move to fly off as I pulled up, I knew it was injured. What to do next?
The answer, of course, is: We all need them! Libraries provide equal access to knowledge. However, with 22% of Americans lacking internet access to technologies, they are ever more critical in our tech revolution/job loss times and our ever expanding world through technology. Libraries offer us—patrons of all ages and diverse backgrounds or cultures - multiple resources. Everyone is equal! We all
get the same card (there are not gold or platinum cards) at no cost. Some say the “Library” is the last truly democratic institution.
First, I called the California Highway Patrol, because I knew whatever happened next, they would be helpful to have nearby. Then I called the Sonoma County Animal Control office, who referred me to the The Bird Rescue Center of Sonoma County. It was after closing however, and while they have an outside cage for bird drop-offs, I could only leave a message and assume that they would not be available to assist. The CHP arrived almost instantly, and Officer Boone and I debated what to do.
Forbes Magazine agreed, proclaiming that libraries “play an important role in society.” In 2018 the Magazine pulled a well-known economist’s online Op’ Ed in record time thanks to a huge social media outcry against his “close the libraries” premise.
With technology changing even as you read this, it sure pays to know about the many learning resources our library offers. For example, did you
know that, as a patron, you can “reserve” a Librarian for a free, one-on-
one, 30 minute, English or Spanish consultation to learn new technologies? Or that you can access databases through our Library for everything
from ancestry research to career development resources along with such
diverse opportunities as: Explora (“inspirational discovery and life-long learning” in science, art, math, and more); the Small Business Reference Center; the Legal Information Reference Center; Tutor.com (on-line connection of students
and tutors); and Lynda.com (one of Reece’s favorites) that offers a multitude of 24/7, “learn at your own pace” online courses in business, technology and creative skills.
Computers with internet access are always available at our Library. You can
also check out a Hublet (tablet) and carry it to a comfy corner of the Library to do your research. Or, coming this spring, you can check out (for 3 weeks) the Hotspot, which is a fist-sized WiFi module connecting you to the internet at home and at your convenience!
A terrifically varied roster of popular and timely “Events” is available each month, with recent and upcoming samples including: UC Master Gardener programs; “Read To a Dog” (child literacy); Adult Fitness; Family Yoga; SAT Prep; Homework Help; Book Discussions; Storytime in Spanish or English; Musical Performances; and recognitions honoring Black History Month, LGBTQ...
Don’t forget all the newest best sellers for the whole family plus the wealth of streaming DVDs, CDs, eBooks, magazines, et al, that you access online or personally.
In sum, libraries like Cloverdale Regional Library are very special intergenerational, intercultural spaces that generate the “social capital” that
both creates and sustains strong communities. Stop in any time and you’ll
see patrons as diverse as 95 year-olds (and up!) along with members
of the generations that followed them from toddlers to teens, parents to grandparents! - all sharing the same positive experiences. Every segment of
our diverse community can enjoy this very special garden—whatever our individual abilities and disabilities or our socio-economic status, race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation or political party.
Come in person or online to our community garden—the Cloverdale Regional Library—and cultivate your own blossoming!
For more info.: cloverdale@sonomalibrary.org; also on Facebook; 401 N. Cloverdale Blvd.; 894-5271; Open: M/W 10am-9pm, T/Th/F/S 10am-6pm.
Clarification: Our introductory quotation for February’s column, which honored the Cloverdale Citrus Fair, referenced a “County Fair”. However, it should be noted that our Fair is a State Fair. (The first such each year!)
Our first instinct was to hope that the real experts would call back, but he was willing to attempt to grab the bird using leather gloves and a blanket. I contacted our bird keeper Mendi Moser and in a few minutes, she arrived with a net and carrier. It took her and Officer Boone only moments to catch the stunned bird. We transported it to The Bird Rescue Center, where it was later determined to be a first-year Red Tailed Hawk. While you never know if a bird’s injuries are going to be survivable, in this case, our hawk was just a bit banged up and underweight, but otherwise all right and eligible for re-release once it recovered.
While at the The Bird Rescue Center, I learned
that this magnificent resource is under an eviction notice from the County as the property on Chanate Road where it has been for the last 38 years. A petition campaign brought together nearly 5,000 signatures and the county is allowing them to stay
d
a while longer while the property is readied for sale. .
They are looking for a new home and need about tw
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that - in raw numbers, that means they have put back into our local wild over
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o
acres of space.
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In a given year, they rehabilitate over 3,000 birds.
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100,000 birds over the years. Advance that forward, with all the birds born to those rescued avians, and you can get a sense of the incredible positive impact the The Bird Rescue Center has had on our local fauna.
They have regular open houses on the first Saturday of every month from
10 am-1 pm, and events where you can meet some of their permanent bird residents and learn more about the amazing creatures in our local skies. INFO: www.birdrescuecenter.org 707 523-2473), 3430 Chanate Road, Santa Rosa - physical location is on Co,nty Farm Drive.
Speaking of Open Houses, we are having a fun Mardi Gras-themed fundraiser for the animals here at Isis Oasis Sanctuary on Saturday, March 2nd. Call us at 707 857-4747 for reservations. We’ll be serving authentic New Orleans style gumbo, dirty rice, and other delights, with music provided by the Awesome Hot Cakes from 8-10pm. Did you know that Mardi Gras has its roots in ancient Greek and Egyptian Isis celebrations? Stop by and learn about it all! I’ll be chatting about this at 3pm. Dinner buffet is at 6pm. The entire fun day is $40 including dinner and music. Overnight accommodations are also available, with chicory coffee and fresh beignets in the morning.
34 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 3/19