Page 43 - Sonoma County Gazette 11-19

JENNER JOTTINGS cont’d from page 42
It turns out that the clubhouse site would be later sold to a SoCal developer, and along with it went the community beach and access. And now, our Ninive and other trail easements are under attack by local NIMBY’s.
When our kids were little, we would walk down from our property on the East side of the highway, to the view spot where we would watch the whales as they traversed our rocky shoreline, and the fishing and urchin-harvesting boats working our kelp beds and the bounty from below. So many amazing memories.
Graton Fire Christmas Tree Farm – Opens 11/29
On one occasion, we were watching an urchin diver, at the end of a long breathing tube, and his boat-hand, who manned the air compressor, as their boat bobbed in the ocean kelp-beds just off- shore. With the diver in the water, and the helper up in the boat’s rigging, swaying gently back and forth.
We are celebrating our 14th year of serving the community in a different way... selling Christmas trees. As many of you know, we purchased the
Del Davis Tree Farm on Highway 116, just below Green Valley Road, to be the location of our new fire station. For the 7th year, we will feature pre-cut Noble, Nordmann, and other trees from a certified, sustainably-grown tree farm in Oregon. They are kept in water so they will last significantly longer and be safer in your homes. We highly encourage the pre-cut trees, especially if bought early in the season – they will actually last longer than the choose-n- cuts!
We spotted some whale spouts to the South, with the whales hugging the rocky shoreline. As they got closer, it appeared to be two big whales and a small one; probably the baby, mom and aunt, heading North hugging the shoreline to protect the young calf from Orcas and other predators.
It became clear that the whales were going to pass very close to the small boat. The whales would spout a few times and then dive, appearing in a minute or two, closer and closer with each dive.
We will be open
Thursday-Sunday from 9am
to 5pm after Thanksgiving
Day. We invite you to come
and enjoy homemade
apple cider as you wander
through our natural tree
farm. Did you sponsor a
tree seedling in the past?
Come find your tag in the
nursery or out in the plantation. Did you know that each acre of Christmas trees generates enough oxygen for 18 people?
When they got to the boat, the whales dove, seemingly between the boat and the diver! We could hear the boat-hand shout out: Ohhh Sh-tttt!! as he looked down on the whales swimming by. I can just imagine the diver as these huge shadows went overhead. A humbling experience, I am sure.
Another time, we were sitting there a long time with no whale sightings. As we were getting up to leave, we heard a loud SWOOSH sound coming from below the cliffs. We ran over there to see a huge whale, lounging below with kelp covering its back and blow-hole. The swooshing was this beautiful creature breathing.
We are lucky to have these memories, as these places that brought us so much pleasure, simply connecting with Nature’s Wonders, are now off-limits, having been methodically fenced- off over the years as the bluff-top properties were developed.
We realize several long-standing tree farms have retired and with them the traditions of family togetherness, holiday smells, and all the “little” things that make a fresh tree and Christmas so special. We look forward to continuing to give our community these special times and our volunteer firefighters enjoy the opportunity of seeing each of you, year after year. Please come and say hello to Heather O’Dell, our tree farm manager, who continues to nurture
These ‘safeguards’ afforded us in Coastal Protection Plans and local
Currently locally, we have a group in charge of the HOA who are declaring the 55+ year-old hiking easements in Timber Cove as being (somehow) illegal. Coincidently, most of this (selfish) group have lucrative VRBO’s and Air B&B’s near the trail easements and don’t want the pesky local hikers to disturb
their high-priced clients. They openly tout an exemption in the Coastal Zone, allowing them to operate without normal County Oversight. (A topic for the LCP, for sure!)
CC&R’s were only as good as those in charge of enforcing them.
Sad. But shows you that we have to be diligent in our quest for an open coast for all to enjoy. BTW, the Timber Cove Trail Support Group has asked a judge to decide if the easements are valid or not. So, instead of participating in the community- dividing, vindictive scenario that is orchestrated by the anti-trail folks, they can sit back and wait for justice and sanity to prevail. (after paying attorneys tens of thousands of dollars, needlessly, of course!)
OPEN BURNING REMAINS SUSPENDED
The Russian River Bike Trail is an idea whose time has come.
The Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit remains well within fire season and is expected to remain as such for the foreseeable future. Fire fuels conditions remain at a level adequate to support the potential for extreme fire behavior. The recent moderation in weather conditions is not adequate to prevent
the continued threat to public safety from catastrophic wildfire. Please be mindful that October and November have traditionally been the most destructive months for wildland fire in the Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit.
Bicycle traffic along the River and Coast has increased dramatically in recent years. “Bicycle-Trek” companies have a good business, offering tours through the Redwoods and along the coast, with its jaw-dropping views.
It always amazes me when I see the groups of novice bike- riders, riding along narrow, shoulder-less Hwy 1, sharing the lanes with cars, trucks, RV’s & trailers, protected by little more than a bike helmet, an orange safety vest and a tremendous faith in their fellow man, to not knock them into the ditch or over the cliff.
CAL FIRE continually monitors weather conditions and associated fire danger, and will lift the burn suspension when conditions become appropriate for the use of open burning. Remain mindful that one spark is all that is required to start a wildland fire.
A Coastal Bike Trail makes so much sense, and is long overdue. I feel that a multi-agency collaboration could make it a reality.
and maintain the trees on our behalf. With her efforts, our firefighters, and the support of our community, we anticipate another great season! Always remember to breathe deeply...
Come get your Christmas Tree and Support the Graton Fire Department! Visit www.gratonfire.com for your picture from past years.
St. Helena – Despite the recent low temperatures and scattered precipitation throughout the region; open burning restrictions remain in effect.
CAL FIRE wants you to follow these tips to prevent wildfire.
1.Cease use of outdoor power equipment by 10 a.m., not during the heat of the day, or when the wind is blowing.
2.Mowers are designed to mow lawns, not dry vegetation.
3.Use a weed trimmer with a string line to cut down dry weeds and
grass.
4.Make sure ashes from wood stoves are “dead out” before dumping.
Visualize this: A bike path that follows utility and highway easements along our entire coastline. Under this pathway would be ductwork for power and communication wires.
No longer would we have to endure unsightly telecom cables clogging up our scenic corridors, and by having them underground, maintenance and access for upgrading the cables would be a breeze. Wherever possible, PG&E wires would be undergrounded as well. Emergency call-boxes would be easy to install.
For information on PREPARING for and PREVENTING wildfires, VISIT readyforwildfire.org or call your local CAL FIRE facility.
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As this is also a Federal Scenic Corridor, perhaps Federal $$ could be tapped to help. Working together, we can make this a reality. Think of the tourist $$ this safe scenic bike route would bring to our County.