Page 46 - Sonoma County Gazette December 2017

Bodega Volunteer Fire Department: With the return of fall rains the risk of wild res has thankfully been reduced. We ask that you continue to follow regulations when it comes to open burning. Remember the process to have a control burn is to have a Valid Burn Permit. Check
By Tre Gibbs, L.A.A.S.
The major astronomical event this month occurs on December 21st at 8:16
to con rm it is a burn day at 707-565-BURN (2876) and Register the burn with Sonoma County Dispatch (REDCOM) at 707-565-1700 and follow all guideline when burning.
am, when Earth’s Northern Hemisphere will be tilted away from the sun at it’s greatest angle – known as The Winter Solstice. Typically this is also the shortest day of the year and conversely the longest night of the year.
Our hearts are with the victims of the recent wild res. We want to thank our volunteer re ghters who spent 2 weeks with our Type 3 wildland apparatus helping to contain the destructive wild res.
If you happen to follow the sunsets and/or sunrises along Earth’s horizons, you may notice that on this day the sun rises and sets at the most southern point. Just a few months ago – on September 22 – the sun rose and set due west, signaling the Autumn Equinox (Equinox is a Latin term meaning “Equal Night”). Since then, the sun – and it’s path in the sky – have been inching further south, shortening the amount of daylight and increasing the amount
On Saturday November 11th we held spaghetti feed fundraiser for 2 of our volunteer re ghters who lost their home in Santa Rosa. The proceeds from the event will help them get back on their feet. Thank you to those who were able to attend. We hope everyone has a safe re-free holiday season.
Bodega Bay Fire Protection District: will again be a drop o point for Holiday Gift items. The last day to drop o will be December 15. We would like to wish everyone a very Happy Holiday Season. Don’t forget to catch online at www.bbfpd.org or on our Facebook page.
Forestville Fire Department: Toy Drive ~ The Forestville Fire ghter’s Association will be collecting toys for the Holidays starting now through Christmas. Donations will go to the Forestville Giving Tree Program, Methodist Church as well as the Toys for Tots program. Your new and unwrapped gifts may be dropped o at the Forestville Fire Station. Recalled or used toys cannot be accepted.
Graton Fire Department :
Graton Fire Christmas Tree Farm: Thu-Sun 9-5 Yes! We are open
for our 12th season! There are acres of pine, r, and spruce trees to choose. For those who love Noble and Nordmann rs, we have pre-cut trees from a sustainable farm in Oregon. Most importantly, they are being kept in water so they are safer and last longer for you. The tree farm is open Thursday through Sunday from 9am to 5pm and all sales support the re department. Trees are being sold by height, regardless of the type of tree. Pull saws and measuring sticks are available as well as help to cut, carry, trim, and net your tree. There are re badges for the kids and cider and candy canes for all! If you have further questions, please call Heather, 322-2091. Thank you for supporting Graton Fire and our volunteer re ghters.
Blood Drive: Thu 12/21, 2pm-6pm Come by the “Bucket Brigade” and donate blood alongside your volunteer re ghters! Get this year’s commemorative T-shirt. Making an appointment to donate ensures the blood bank schedules enough sta so walk-in donators don’t get turned away.
Toy Drive Deadline: 12/21 Our annual toy drive continues through Thursday, December 21st. Each year, Graton volunteer re ghters work with Oak Grove School and local charities to determine needy families in our district. This holiday season, we are collecting new, unwrapped toys for over 30 children up to age 12. We will also accept cash donations, wrapping paper, tape... whatever you can spare. Questions? Call 823-8400, ext. 120.
• Graton Fire Station (best after 6pm or if you see cars in front) • Graton Fire Christmas Tree Farm (Thu-Sun, 9-5)
• Graton Post O ce
• Andy’s Produce Market
Russian River Fire Department: Toy Drive - we will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for River to Coast Children’s Services this holiday season. Toys will be accepted at the re station through December 22nd. The next meeting of the Board of Directors will be on December 13th at 6pm at the re station. We hope you’ll consider attending. Visit us on line at russianriver re.org..
46 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 12/17
of night. As the sun gets closer to it’s most southern point on the horizon, it appears to slow down, then “stand still” on the 21st, then changes direction, and slowly begins to head back north, which then causes our days to get longer while the amount of night shortens.
A Guide to the Night Sky DECEMBER 2017
Items can be dropped off at:
Early risers will be treated to a couple of mid month conjunctions! In the predawn skies of December 13th, look to the ESE just prior to morning twilight to see the crescent moon above and to the left of dim Mars which will be above - and to the right of – bright Jupiter. On the very next morning, December 14th, notice that while Mars and Jupiter are pretty much in their same places in the predawn sky, the crescent moon has left Mars’ side, drifted closer to the eastern horizon and is now above and to the left of mighty Jupiter, though all three will quickly be rendered invisible by the sun’s approaching glare...
• Bridgeway Gas (Hwy 116 & Green Valley Rd) • Graton Community Club (during Santa’s visit)
Until 2018, have a safe, joyous and happy holiday season - and as always,
The word Solstice is also a Latin term meaning “stand still”, since the sun appears to “stand still” for a brief period of time as it changes direction. Ancient cultures would get really freaked out by this, worried that the sun may not stop, turn around and head back north. Luckily, the sun always stopped
it’s southerly course and changed direction. Over time, ancient cultures celebrated this time of year with traditions that we carry through to this day, such as bringing evergreens into the house, decorating with lights to counteract the darkness, sumptuous feasts, etc. So enjoy it! After the 21st, when the sun changes direction, the days will slowly begin to get longer and darkness will wane, noticeably so by mid to late January.
On December 3rd, we will be treated to The Full Cold Moon, since this is the time of year when Winter begins to tighten it’s cold grip. Again, technically the moon is only full for a moment (7:48am) as it continues it’s easterly journey around our planet, but the movement appears so slow that the moon will actually look full the day before, as well as the day after.
Keep Lookin’ Up!
Corrections: In the November issue, the word “your” was used instead of the word “you’re” - a huge pet peeve of mine. In the October issue, the full moon was labeled as “The Hunter’s Moon” but it was actually “The Harvest Moon”. The Harvest Moon, which is typically September’s full moon, is the full moon closest to the Autumn Equinox, which made October 3rd’s full moon The Harvest Moon and September’s full moon “The Corn Moon”. Keepin’ it real...