Page 32 - Sonoma County Gazette December 2017

“We attach to the landscape,” said Robert Macy at a November 9 event, titled “Emerging Stronger Together,” held at Altimira School. “Our memories are attached to the land.”
Thank You Firefighters!
Blackened Mt. Hood and Sugarloaf peak are an ominous reminder of the firestorm that whipped through our county at a terrifying rate, 16 miles in 4 hours from Calistoga to Oakmont for the Tubbs Fire, one of 17 fires that started independently from one another and are, as yet, unexplained.
Public messages across the community abound showing thanks and blessings to the thousands of firefighters, police, and service workers who worked to save the Springs from being incinerated. On Boyes Hill workers with water trucks stayed on watch through the first two nights of the conflagration. On another day this writer could hear bulldozers creating fire breaks on the hills above although they were hidden from view.
The theory put forth by PG&E that 65-mile-an-hour winds were responsible for pulling down power lines (whose upgrade and repair had apparently been delayed by the power company more than once) has been found to be specious in a report by the San Jose Mercury News showing that the winds were no more than 35 miles an hour around 10 pm on October 8, the night the fires started.
Springs residents were fortunate to skip the devastation that moved through the same area in 1923 and 1964. Hopefully, the lesson we have learned is to trim trees, cut grasses in March, and remove hazardous materials. See the June edition of “Springs Splash” detailing the kinds of measures residents living in fire zones should take.
The mystery may remain unsolved for some time to come, with little discussion in the mainstream press at the moment. But exotic theories are beginning to emerge referencing planned catastrophes, weather manipulations, and chemtrails, possibly in retaliation for California’s passage of SB 54, which declared, in flagrant opposition to Attorney General Sessions and President Trump, our status as a Sanctuary state for immigrants legal and illegal.
“Caroling at the Mission” – this Wonderful Sonoma Tradition
But climate change is a more likely suspect.
On Saturday, December 9 there will be caroling at the Sonoma Mission in three separate programs at 5-6-7 p.m. Tickets became available at the end of November. Some might still be available. Contact the front desk at the Sonoma Mission State Park at E. Spain Street and 1st Street East. Also, there usually vacancies on the night of the program.
Those attending the caroling receive a candle and sprig of Xmas tree as they enter the Mission. Musical support is offered by guitar and cello or other instrument. In addition, there is music at the Toscano Hotel. A variety of locations on the east side of the Plaza offer cider and cookies to passers-by. Mark your calendar, Saturday, December 9, with programs at
The Macy event, sponsored by Hanna Boys Club and Sonoma Schools,
was an overview of trauma and resiliency – the neuroscience of how it works, the symptoms we are likely experiencing, ways to address its occurrence, and especially the reassurance that the problems we may be having as a result are not our fault and won’t be permanent. “Trauma takes you out of linear time.” The brain focuses on survival instead of thought. “Don’t rush your recovery
in time and space. Give yourself permission to ask for help from family and colleagues. Don’t judge yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others – reactions are individual.”
Candles, Sprigs of Xmas Tree, Cider, and Cookies...
5–6-7 p.m. These are programs enjoyed by adults and children alike.
Does low rainfall mean drought? Weather – A Topic of Interest!
Macy, head of the International Trauma Center, emphasized getting together in community, developing family rituals for grounding and peace, taking your own pulse (he showed us how), and taking deep breaths with exhales twice and long as the inhale. “Trauma reduces your ability to find words to talk about what’s going on for you. Try to talk about it. Human beings get out of trauma through narrative. We are storytellers.”
As of the deadline date for this article (11/10/17) this writer recorded 2.98” of early rain for the Rain Year 2017-2018. Does this mean a light or heavy rainfall for the year? Note: A rain year runs October 1 through September 30.
Songs, movement, prayer and connection, all help.
We are in recovery mode here in the Valley – and in Sonoma, recovery
This writer has collected rain precipitation
data for the Sonoma Valley/Boyes Hill area
since 2005. The data are sent to CoCoRAHS
(Community Coordinated Rain and Hail
Studies) at Colorado State University in Fort
Collins. The data is used by NOAA (National
Oceanic Atmospheric Administration) and
weather researchers around the world. Data
is gathered from 65,069 participating reporters in the USA, Canada, and the Bahamas. Sonoma County boasts reporting from 140 stations. There are at least 4-5 reporters between Sonoma and Glen Ellen.
also means getting back to business. The IT reports that the Visitors Bureau whipped up an aggressive media campaign using $100,000 from the Sonoma Tourism Improvement District’s catastrophic emergency fund. There will
be 4,000 television ads on Comcast and Spectrum, print adds in a number of papers, 26 billboards across the Bay Area, numerous 30-second spots on CBS radio, digital advertising, and of course boosted posts on Facebook. Less than two weeks later, the street corners around the Plaza were jammed with tourists, and the traffic line down W. Napa Street had resumed.
Early and Final Rain Data – Boyes Springs, 2005 – 2017
Meanwhile the City Council planned a coming-back-to-life party for November 18th, as much to let the world know we are still here and still pouring as to fulfill its stated purpose of thanking the firefighters who literally saved our town from the Nun’s Fire flames rising over the ridge on the east.
While predictions have perils, it is worth to note that the two highest early reports (2009 and 2016) turned out to be among the three highest reporting years. Although the early rainfall was low, 2005-2006 resulted in the highest rainfall of the reported years. How will the 2017-2018 rain year end, average, below average, or a high year?
Described at first to cost about $40,000, the later estimate produced by City Manager Cathy Capriola was more like $10,000, but nevertheless the city has moved $100,000 from its emergency fund into a special fund for costs as they are presented, but so far the tab is $144,000 for fire response and shelter operations, some of which may be reimbursed.
California Cumulonimbus (CoCoRAHS California Newsletter, Fall 2017) reports the beginning of a La Nina year. Governmental predictors believe Northern California will be in a normal pattern. However, they predict a drier than normal year for Southern California. CC reports that a heavy rain year
The celebration was planned as part of the Christmas tree lighting event in the Plaza that culminates something called Freedom Week that I never heard of before (what have I been missing?) beginning on Veterans’ Day.
is usually greater than a “normal” rainfall in seven cities from Eureka to San Diego. For information about CoCoRAHS go to www.cocorahs.org and http:// www.wrh.noaa.gov/sgx/newsletter/2017Fall_CaliforniaCumulonimbus.pdf
A lovely piece by Kathy Kelly circulated on the Internet the week before Veterans’ Day reveals that the holiday was originally a celebration of the day that World War One ended. It was called Armistice Day and celebrates peace instead of, well, the opposite, the global situation we are in, with our troops stationed and ready for combat in 19 countries to date and the Administration asking Congress for a new Authorization for the Use Of Military Force (AUMF) to allow the President to wage war anywhere anytime.
Learn how to become a CoCoRAHS reporter.
What’s your idea for a week of freedom?
Happy holidays, everyone!
Springs Community Action (SCA) meets at the La Luz Center on the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. The SCA promotes the well being of residents in the Springs, that is El Verano, Boyes Hot Springs, Fetters Hot Springs and Agua Caliente.
32 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 12/17
Sonoma Valley Democrats Holiday Party – Monday, Dec. 11, 6-8pm at the Springs Hall. There will be music. Volunteers are planning a smashing successful party. The Club will supply liquid refreshment.
Coming Events: