Phil Donahue came to the Apple Box Monday noontime to boost the candidacy of Norman Solomon for Lynn Woolsey’s Congressional seat. The crowd was enthusiastic and nostalgic for the good old days when Phil Donahue had the best talk show period. These guys were doing a set of 12 engagements around District 2. Perfect day, even an egret that Phil noted. “Don’t tell anybody how great it is here.” Go to for a bit from Donahue. And here are some… Read More »
So I got myself to City Hall last night before closed session to join so many good people who want to preserve our bird sanctuary, Gateway to Wine Country, one of four major migratory bird preserves in Northern CA, Shollenberger Park. Where I have counted a Baker’s dozen swans, 29! White Pelicans, endless Coots and many many Snowy Egrets. Peaceful, beautiful, pristine. Emotions were high last night, but people were respectful from first comment to last, by Jason Davies’ young… Read More »
So went walking over to David Yearsley River Heritage Center Sunday to see if people were actually rowing around in kayaks, row boats, on ride-aboards whatever those are actually called. Seemed several people had already ridden, including some wearing Santa hats! Several dear friends and a few new ones. Oliver, the mostly-Siamese cat in harness (what a sweetie! He started purring nearly as soon as I touched him). A small fire in the pit with camp chairs around it. Quite… Read More »
People wonder what Occupy will accomplish, if it is ending as the tents come down here and elsewhere. Many are terrifically supportive; some are upset with the messiness, the flotsam and jetsam left behind at Occupy sites – and that sites are public lands and not everybody voted, yes, OK, you can camp here. The mess will get cleared, and hopefully, our heads will clear too through this lightly organized social upheaval, a cross over of direct democracy and anarchy,… Read More »
So TOMORROW, Sat., Dec. 3rd is big Holiday day down town, the Merchants’s Open House bringing treats to every shop, 11am-5pm, live music in Jungle Vibes and elsewhere (we’re featuring the sweet Jazz of Bob Johns and I’m SINGING with him, some great old jazz classics sung with Bob at Moose Open Mic and elsewhere. A bit spooky for me, but I’ll just remember I’m among friends! (And have sung these many times). Can almost see downtown the romantic way,… Read More »
After many years, Petaluma continues to amaze me. This week I bought National Geographic Traveler Magazine, its 2012 Best Places to visit lists Petaluma for shopping opportunities, yet what is more remarkable still is a deep sense of community. Our town created an Urban Growth Boundary to determine the right population and our ability to sustain that; we have the only homeless shelter in Sonoma County (COTS); we raise piles of money through Carousel Fund for children with extreme diseases.… Read More »
Author, innovator, physicist, Amory Lovins, was the it guy at Bioneers Conference at Marin Center last week. His road map for how to get off oil, coal and nuclear energy by 2050, enumerated in his new tome, Reinventing Fire, seemed a bomb-proof plan. Important stuff if you want to breathe more easily. Watch this conversation in 3 versions, two very different sessions at Bioneers audio site and TODAY on NPR’s Science Friday, 11am, KQED FM, 88.5, or archived. Worth the… Read More »
Amazed that Bioneers is here again Fri. 10/14 – Sun. 10/16 – and am packing a small backpack to carry around there. This year’s conference: “From Breakdown to Breakthrough: Transforming Civilization in the Age of Nature” – and it’s becoming painfully obvious why we need this sense of direction – and multiple instructions from nature. “Bioneers is inspiring a shift to live on Earth in ways that honor the web of life, each other and future generations,” say founders, Nina… Read More »
A few media buddies- now California North Coast Media at took it upon ourselves to interview ALL the candidates for the new District 2 Congressional seat open in 2012 as our home woman, Lynn Woolsey, retires following her 20 hard working anti-war, pro-people years for us in D.C. We’ll have all 7 (am just now told their are 8!) candidates in studio at Pixel Corps, 140 Keller St., Petaluma, Wed. Oct 5th – TONIGHT at 6pm…and the show will air… Read More »
So Sunday’s the day they sell delish homemade tomales while fantastic political comedy (SF Mime Troupe) follows in Walnut Park, starting at 11am as the Petaluma Progressives present their umpteenth iteration of the festival. Many social justice, environmental and community organizations will have information booths. Helen Caldicott will whip some sense into us about the ongoing nuclear threat that we really didn’t want to hear (but we need to), Daniel Ellsberg will give a wide world perspective on who is… Read More »
