Page 43 - Sonoma County Gazette November 2018

Fall has definitely arrived here on the coast. The rains we had
a few weeks back triggered the mushrooms. Although a follow-up shower would have really gotten the ‘shrooms’ going, a few Boletes and Porcinis have been popping up. We found a couple of beauties (at a secret location!) and thoroughly enjoyed them with a nice Risotto. Nothing better; freshly picked (bug-free and firm!) sliced thin, & slowly sautéed in butter. Good for you, too!
November is full of anticipation. Let’s stay positive and know that our lives are all about pro-humanity, pro-diversity, pro-decency, pro-equality, and pro-justice. What I really know is that we all must “sweep our own porch”. Take care of your own affairs and your community too. Take care of each other. Make a difference each and every day to people around you.
If you do venture out foraging, please observe private property rights
and please leave some of the mushroom base in the ground to allow the mycelium to continue to produce. And PLEASE have an expert examine your mushrooms before consuming; for every edible type there is a look-alike that could make you very sick.
One of my favorite sayings that I read often as it hangs in the bathroom
is “Desiderata”. ”Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others....” For the entire saying visit desiderata.com/desiderata.html. Keep peace within you; keep peace as a shining light to those around you. Find a way to be thankful each and every day.
The newly-opened Jenner Headlands Preserve is an obvious success, with the parking lot filling up quickly on weekends. On a recent Saturday the lot was (again) full to over-capacity and every available nearby pull-out and parking spot along Highway 1 was filled.
Yoga is a great way to center all those daily life thoughts. There are many places to participate in a yoga class. I came across this class for Yoga now being offered at Timber Cove Resort every Saturday at 9:00. Call ahead to double check that the class is taking place. timbercoveresort.com/.
The busy entrance to this popular hiking destination is located on a long straight section of narrow Hwy 1. These (rare) straightaways are where those travelers who are in a hurry can finally pass that slow tourist/sightseer. I fear that the mix of cars and RV’s entering and leaving the small parking
lot, coupled with the pedestrians and bicyclists navigating the shoulder-less highway along this speedway are a sure recipe for disaster.
Another way to take in the day is to take a walk on the beach. Do you know about “Blue Mind”? It is the understanding that our brains, our heart, and soul change when we are near water. We have deep emotional, behavioral, psychological and physical connections to water that have been researched.
There is plenty of room to expand the roadway in width to allow for a turning lane AND a bike path. While we are at it, let’s extend the bike path along entire highway through the heart of this world-class landscape we call home. Seriously, wasn’t CA 1 declared a Federal Scenic Biking Corridor way back during the Bicentennial? Federal funds should be tapped.
It is not surprising as we all know this is true for those of us who live on the coast. Check out experiencelife.com/article/blue-mind/ for more info.
I have always felt that a permanent hike/bike path parallel to Hwy 1 could serve multiple functions. A modular pre-fab unit incorporating ductwork for power and communication cables under the pathway would clear the sky of unsightly and hazardous power lines and phone cables, while providing a safe route for the ever-increasing numbers of hikers and bikers.
If you would like to go out for a thanksgiving meal instead of cooking Timber Cove Inn is serving up a tasty Thanksgiving meal Nov 22 with an amazing menu that covers all the turkey dinner basics. Please visit them at timbercoveresort.com/ for all the details. I am sure all our local restaurants are offering a thanksgiving dinner.
Cell and 911 services would be available the entire length of the pathway, no matter the remoteness, as the cable is right there. The Tele-com & power companies could underwrite this endeavor. No more overhead lines!
As usual the Gualala Art Center has some fabulous events taking place in November including an intimate jazz evening on the 3rd, Improv Night on the 10th, Smart Phone photography on the 10th, an afternoon of chamber music on the 11th.
Work has begun to repair the collapsing culvert walls where Sheephouse Creek crosses under Hwy 116/River Road and flows into the Russian River Estuary. Traffic control will be in effect during construction.
The 15th Annual Festival of Trees is on the 23rd and 24th which is a free event and so worth the visit. The tree lighting ceremony with caroling is Friday evening at 5 pm. Santa Claus visits will visit both days—Friday, noon, 3 pm and 5 pm and Saturday at noon and 3 pm. Artists and food artisans fill the Arts Center with handcrafted goods, homemade jams, mustards, olive oils, and the like... wonderful gift items to choose from just before the holidays! Children love shopping at the Kid’s Depot, open upstairs from 10 am to 4
pm both days, where they can choose gifts for their family and friends from lightly-loved donated items that fall within a child’s budget.
Just about the time that they started prepping and staging along the highway for the needed repair for this important Salmon spawning stream’s outflow into the Estuary, Mother Nature closed the sandbar at the mouth of the river. This raises the entire water level of the estuary upstream for quite a ways, immediately putting the cement walls of the collapsing culvert under water, stalling the project.
Uncle Sus’s Attic offers adults the same experience, with a collection of carefully curated artwork, fine furnishings, small appliances and more!
Mrs. Claus Bake Shoppe is filled with home-baked goodies such as candies, pies and cookies made from family recipes. Saturday night is the annual Thanksgiving Day Lighted Truck Parade. A fun time for sure with locals and visitors lining the street for some hometown cheer.
While checking out the river mouth from the bluff-top vantage point, we ran into a representative of the Sonoma County Water Agency (swca.ca.gov), who, with spotting scope and binoculars was monitoring the seals and the water level of this little ‘temporary lake’. She cordially explained to us ( as she gave us her boss’ card: Andrea Pecharich, Environmental Specialist) that, as the homes and businesses of Jenner along the river are just about at Sea Level, they are vulnerable to an unusual rise in the river’s estuary level.
The Point Arena Lighthouse hosts the Winter Lecture Series on Saturday, November 17, 4 p.m with Cea Higgins on Farallones Marine Sanctuary & Coastwalk. This is an informative and education talk with great photos and history. The full moon night tour from atop the Point Arena Lighthouse has
a panoramic view of the sea and coast. Take in the sights and learn about the unique history of this historic landmark, the tallest lighthouse on the West Coast. Champagne, sparkling juice and snacks will be served as part of the tour, and you get to take home an etched Point Arena Lighthouse champagne flute as a souvenir of this unique experience! Individual tickets are $30 each
or tickets-for-two for $50. Please visit them at pointarenalighthouse.com/visit/ calendar-2/ is sign up and for more details.
At some point the SCWA makes a determination to either let nature naturally open the river’s mouth, or if flooding seems imminent, they will send in equipment at dig out the sand themselves. In years past, they have sought to create a ‘tapered out-flow’ to the ocean, which would allow the river to flow and still retain some water in the estuary for the fish and habitat. Most times they tried it, Mother Nature’s wave action would close it shortly after. I hear stories about back when the Russian River truly was a Sportsman’s Paradise, and it ran red with Salmon, the impatient fishermen would get shovels and open it themselves. It must have been magical to see the fish stream in the little channel.
Blessings to you all, Robin
If you are cookin , make an extra meal to invite a person or to take them at their home. It makes a huge difference.
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