Internationally famous global warming activist coming to Santa Rosa on Oct. 2

Scientific evidence reveals that our premium grapes, indeed all of our food crops, will be adversely affected by global warming. Sooner, rather than later.

We’re fortunate that Bill McGibbon is appearing in Sonoma County this Friday evening at the Sonoma Country Day School. McGibbon, founder of 350.org, is worth listening to. You can sign up in advance here for $10 or pay $15 at the door.

In a future post, I’ll present the evidence that our premium grapes are likely to be heading to Canada.

Attention Healdsburg History Buffs: Help Needed

I need help with interesting facts or information about the following Healdsburg stores and 

shopkeepers (such as dates stores were in service, owners names, what was purchased there, etc.). If you have something to share, please post a comment or e-mail me at shonnie@sonic.net. (Please excuse and correct any misspellings):

Rosenberg and Bush Department Store

Emery and McClellan Grocery

Johnny Gromo

Cummings Butcher Shop

Ed Jenkins

Shelford's Dress Shop--owners?

Skaggs

old Purity Market

Penney's

Rhimes and Hassett

Jay Hassett

other stores of the 1930s

Trees Matter, Part III

Check out National Geographic's The Tallest Trees, the cover story in the October, 2009 issue. I consider myself very blessed to live right in the middle of redwood country.

(Photo of one of our revered redwood trees, same tree in my first post on the subject, "Trees Matter" because I'm careful about copyright laws. The photos of redwood trees in the article are incredible.)

Trees Do Matter (Gail's right, of course)

(Photos: persimmon canopy, grapefruit canopy, trees shading Alley 1)

As I took Maggie May on our little walk around the block this a.m. I was reflecting on Gail Jonas' recent post entitled Trees Matter. I was contemplating the value of trees for beauty, peace and emotional comfort as well as for the many scientific and ecological reasons. And most of all, I was appreciating the number and range of trees just on my block (and all throughout town) that grow over our sidewalks providing not only a lovely canopy of shade, but a presence, as if to say, "This is my home and I take up space. I deserve the respect of other living creatures because I am a big part of the whole of planet earth."

I like that our trees demand our respect and that our city mainly supports this. Gail gave the example of redwoods in town that have been given precedence over sidewalks. There have been times when community members have fought to keep a beloved neighborhood tree and mourned its loss. We couldn't exist without the oxygen generated from trees. Trees clean the air, the soil and muffle noise pollution. And trees greatly increase property value.

It feels good to walk consciously at times and pay homage to our trees. They, like so much on this beautiful, fragile planet, are taken for granted by most of us most of the time.

A Geyserville Hero Finds Lost Men in Yukon Territory in 1930

(This original news article was loaned to me by Alexander Valley native and old timer, Fred Wasson. It is a long story, but a fascinating account of his brother Everett's adventures as a bush pilot in 1930s Yukon Territory)

Geyserville pilot rescues lost Yukon airmen in 1930

By Lester M. Herring and Ray Anderson

Cloverdale Reveille, October 11, 2000

Young Everett Wasson who grew up on the family ranch in AlexanderValley near the Sonoma County village of Geyserville, left the family home at the age of 20 to become a pilot. A few days later on February 1, 1928 he was issued student pilot's identification card #556 at the Oakland Airport. This was the beginning of a career that brought him fame as an early day bush pilot in the Yukon Territory of Canada.

By August13,1928 his flight log shows a total of 341.20 hours. On August 29 of the same month, he was on his way to Seattle as a passenger on a Fairchild airplane, then on to Whitehorse where he was employed as a pilot for the Treadwell Yukon Mining Company.

For the next two years Wasson was kept busy flying men and equipment for the company. Then on November 3,1930, he was assigned to conduct a search for a pilot with two passengers who were long overdue on a flight in the desolate, winter-time wilds of the Yukon.

Paddie Burke, piloting a pontoon equipped Junkers aircraft, with Robert Martin, prospector,and Emil Kaden, mining engineer, as passengers, had taken off from the town of Atlin on October 10, 1930 on a flight to the Hudson Bay Company post on the Liard River, about 150 miles to the east of Whitehorse, YukonTerritory.

On their retum flight of October11, 1930 they encountered a severe snow storm which forced them to land on the Liard River where theyspent the night. The next day they took off again but were forced back a second time by heavy snow. But this time, their pontoons were damaged beyond any possibility of repair by rocks and ice while taxing to the side of the river.

After six days ofwaiting without rescue, the three struck out cross country for a lake where a food supply had previously been cached. Unsure of their location and with only a meager supply of food, an axe, a rifle with only 12

bullets and inadequate clothing, they braved the earlyYukon winter snowstorm. They trudged for seven days before exhaustion and malnutrition forced them to camp. It was sixteen more days before a Caribou wandered within shooting

range which they were able to kill, providing needed nourishment.

About a week after leaving At1in, the trio were finally reported overdue by Pilot Paddie Burke's wife, and then time was lost before a search was started. Three search parties failed to locate the missing men or the airplane. The third party themselves were lost and never found. Finally Burke's company contacted Wasson's employer to search for the missing flyers. On November 3, 1930, on a flight from Whitehorse to Atlin, Everett Wasson noted in his pilot's log, "PREPARING TO SEARCH FOR BURKE".

Many search flights followed with no results. Finally, after three weeks of searching, and with the

help of Joe Walsh--a long time prospector and one of the most experienced guides in the northwest, Everett Wasson noted in his logbook on Nov. 24th, "FOUND BURKE'S PLANE". But there was no sign of the three men. Finally, after five more flights, he noted, "BURKE'S PARTY FOUND, BURKE DEAD." He had died of hunger and exposure in the harsh Yukon winter.

The survivors were flown by Wasson to Whitehorse. Ten days later he returned to Wolf Lake and brought out the body of Paddy Burke. As a result of Everett Wasson's tenacity, his extreme effort against great odds and his final success, he was accorded much praise and honor not only in the newspapers and magazines of the day, but by the government as well. The dominion government awarded him $1500 and Walsh $500. There were many press reports as the search was in progress, both in this country and in Canada.

On Saturday, January 17,1931, a full page spreading the Vancouver Star newspaper declared "Vancouver Welcomes Pilot Wasson". The following Monday he was scheduled to make a speech before the Canadian Club, entitled "Some aspects of flying in the Yukon."

Dated January17,1931,a letter of congratulations was sent to Wasson signed by Hugo Junkers of the Junkers Aircraft Company, builders of the ill-fated plane. (Fortunately for us, the letter written in German, was translated to English on the back.)

Finally, on the 6th of May, 1935, Everett Louis Wasson was awarded a medal from the Buckingham Palace by his Majesty the King, in appreciation and recognition of his services to the Yukon Territory.

In February 1936, a small lake on the southside of the Simpson range near the headwaters of the Liard River was named "Wasson Lake" in recognition of the first bush pilot in the Yukon and his efforts in the first air-search and rescue mission in Yukon history.

After several more years of doing what he loved best, Everett Wasson retired from flying. He returned to farming in Alexander Valley and died of a heart attack in December 1958 at the young age of 51.

Healdsburg City Council Kudos

Monday evening, September 21, 2009, two Community First members, Gail Jonas and Brad Drexler, appeared before the Healdsburg City Council to ask that a discussion of Community Impact Reports (CIR) be agendized. They were the second item placed that evening on the public comment portion of the agenda, following the supporters of the Healdsburg Swim Center.

The Healdsburg Swim Center supporters were there with another community benefit request—that the city council reconsider closing of the swim center for the winter. They filled more than half the city council chambers with supporters of all ages—from tiny tot swimmers, to water aerobics representatives, from masters’ swim teams, Neptune Swimming, and both Healdsburg and Windsor High School swim coaches. Their request is reasonable, albeit late in the process, and they are all willing to band together to raise the funds to close the gap between city financing and actual revenues. I hope they win the hearts and minds of the council members and their request prevails.

The CIR group was well-supported with around twenty people in attendance. Brad spoke in a low-key, positive manner and was very persuasive. Gail’s energy and enthusiasm cannot be topped. Former council member Jason Liles also spoke in favor of a CIR ordinance. Gail respectfully submitted 44 letters of support for the CIR, containing the signatures of 49 individuals. She delivered a crowning “gotcha” moment when asked if those 49 supporters would come out to the meeting if requested, she turned and asked for a show of hands of CIR supporters. We all had a hearty laugh at her, “See?!”

But what I most want to remark upon is the attitude and general beneficence of the Healdsburg City Council members. They listened attentively and respectfully, and were considerate, though they were forbidden by the Brown Act to make any comments beyond the very general. I went away with the feeling that—though I might disagree with an individual council member over specific issues—we were heard by compassionate individuals who genuinely care about Healdsburg, the future of Healdsburg and its residents, from the eldest to the youngest.

So, I wish to thank them publicly for their active listening and their willingness to understand the differing views held by Healdsburg residents. And to thank them for being open to discussion, and perhaps to change their minds, over the tough challenges that face us now and in the future.

(The CIR discussion was agendized for November 2—City Hall, 6:00 p.m. See you there!)

Community values and Healdsburg Animal Shelter

Community consists, not just the human residents of an area, but the pets and wildlife that reside in our homes and yards, or traverse our neighborhoods. With delight I read of Rodney and Charlotte Strong’s generous bequeathal of $2.4 million to the Healdsburg Animal Shelter.

Like many residents, I have a long association with the shelter. My son, Damien, worked as a volunteer for HAS during 1993-1994, as I homeschooled him. Instead of being a dog walker or spending time socializing the animals, Damien’s schedule allowed for him to be a kennel cleaner (a dirty job, but someone has to do it). There he met our beloved Snoopy. He kept trying to get me to come to the shelter to meet Snoopy (aka Snoop Doggy Dog, at the time).

Daily he would plead, “Mom, there’s this dog….”

I would cut him off by saying I couldn’t meet the dog because I would then want the dog. However, Damien prevailed and Snoopy came home with us.

Damien went off to college, moved out, got married, but Snoopy stayed home with us, of course, where he belonged. He wasn’t the brightest dog in the room—he was a beagle/border collie mix, and his scent-hound nose got him into a lot of trouble. But love—oh how Snoopy wrote the book on love—with his chocolate-brown eyes that melted the hardest heart, Snoopy ruled our family. He had his own recliner, his own outside loveseat, treats (especially carrots), and when we lost him a couple of years ago, it was nearly more than we could bear. We still miss him daily.

A few months back, small dog got run over on the corner of March and Tulip, and while my husband put the tiny body into a bag, I called the shelter. Ryan came to pick up the small pooch and I got to meet him for the first time. While meeting him under sad circumstances, I was heartened by his kindness and empathy.

My latest jaunt to the animal shelter was to take in a stray cat that had nearly gotten hit on March and darted into our garage. I’ve been watching on the website, and I believe he’s been adopted—a happy ending to a potentially deadly beginning.

Having a “no-kill” shelter in our community enriches us and represents our values of caring for the animals that are part of our lives. Having a new state-of-the-art shelter will allow the staff to extend their reach even further. I offer a posthumous thank you to the Strong’s for their generous gift that will allow HAS to do even more for the pets in our community. I would also like to thank the staff and volunteers who selflessly work with our furry community members every day.

I urge everyone to contribute to the shelter to help further their new plans.

A California Home Is Powerful in White

Jack's house at 226 North was featured in House Beautiful, January 2009. Fabulous restoration work and was on the Healdsburg Historic Home tour this last year. Pottery Barn will be doing a photoshoot upcoming in the next few weeks so not to worry with all the trucks, etc. Myra Hoffer is his decorator and is interviewed in the article.

A California Home Is Powerful in White

Posted using ShareThis

Fences Between Neighbors

I have been thinking a lot about fences as I begin my biannual painting of the white picket fences that separate my house from my neighbors on both sides.

Yesterday I heard a talk radio conversation about borders. One woman suggested just eliminating the borders between Canada, Mexico and the U.S. completely. And the host asked her, "What would then delineate us as a nation?" The woman didn't seem to care--rather thought that we might eventually become one nation. The talk show host thought this was a foolish notion considering the problem with illegal aliens invading our country and stealing our jobs.

Given this theme, I thought about borders between neighbors' homes. It seems that the only time I squabble with a neighbor--except over barking dogs, human screams, music blaring or motorcycles revving--is over a fence. Whose fence is it? Who's responsible for the upkeep? Should I paint your side or just mine? What do I do when it falls and I don't have the money to put it back in place? What does a fence tell me about my neighbor?

There are all kinds of fences in Healdsburg. I observe that the old fences are usually wire with large spaces between so that neighbors can easily converse or even shake hands between property lines. Then fences became mostly short picket ones. And now they are often walls. The property lines on the alleys in particular are often high adobe walls which you'd need a ladder to see over. In the hills they are expensive Tuscan iron fences with gigantic, fancy locked gates with security codes. In the old days and in many countries today fences virtually didn't exist. Why do we need so much privacy and protection? Why do we need to keep each other at such a distance?

What will Healdsburg be like in the future?

Most of us know that there are several large parcels within the city limits that are likely to be developed. What will be proposed for these parcels? A high-end resort complex including restaurants and homes for the wealthy? A big box store?

Of course, we have no idea what will be proposed until a developer comes forward with a project.

However, there’s a tool available, used in other communities across the country, that will allow the residents of Healdsburg to assess the economic and social impacts of a project when it’s initially proposed and before there is too much momentum behind it.

That tool is a Community Impact Report (CIR). A group of residents have been meeting since January, studying CIRs, CIR ordinances, and coming up with talking points, a one page description of a CIRs and why requiring them for large-scale projects would benefit Healdsburg.

Take a few minutes to read our talking points and if you, too, think having a CIR ordinance is a good idea, please:

1. Show up at Healdsburg City Council Chambers (corner of Vine and North Streets) at 6 pm this coming Monday, September 21st. Jason Liles and I will be making a brief presentation to the city council within the first half hour asking it to agendize our request that the city council appoint a committee to study CIRs and hopefully draft, with the help of city staff and the city attorney, a CIR ordinance.

2. Sign and send the Letter of support for CIRs to me via fax, 433.8314, or scan and send to Ann Carranza, Positivelyann@sbcglobal.net or mail it to her: 1330 Tulip Court, Healdsburg, CA 95448.

A 14 page report, "The Case for the Community Impact Report" describes the positive role of community involvement in proposed projects.

Drawing of Healdsburg, circa 1876, courtesy of World Maps Online.

A Hooker House: Posted by Gary Goss

A HOOKER HOUSE

Yesterday we took two Ohio visitors to Healdsburg on a tour of the county, which I enjoy, and in the town of Sonoma we stumbled on an attraction that was new to us: The Hooker House. At one point or another before the Civil War, generals-to-be Grant, Sherman and Hooker were stationed in Sonoma and stayed in the Hooker house, a small wooden residence down an alley on the east side of the Sonoma zocalo (plaza). It was one of several houses Hooker owned.

The house is open to the public and contains some interesting photographs and charts (and nice docents). Hooker's military career had ups and downs, and he is probably most famous for the camp followers his army attracted, which came to be known as "hookers" in his honor. That is how the term originated.

Neighbors Lend a Helping Hand for Missing Maggie May

My poodle Maggie May had a full out panic attack last night after that first huge roll of thunder. Though prone to panic, I'd never seen her so terrified. She kept me up till 4:00 a.m. standing on top of me panting and shaking. Finally, I fell asleep. When I woke at 6:00, Maggie was gone--I assumed under the deck where she goes when she's afraid. When I finally arose, I went outside to get her. No response. My biggest fear was that my little Maggie May was lying literally scared to death under my deck which is impossible to access without unscrewing several boards.

I called my neighbors down the street: Theresa Burke and Brian Geagan. And they dropped what they were doing to come immediately (Brian was helping on the river clean up, but Theresa ran downtown to get him). Brian unscrewed several boards so that we could look underneath with flashlights. It was very, very tense. Meanwhile, Theresa searched every nook and cranny in the house and the yard, both of them concluding that Maggie had vanished.

I knew that my yard was completely sealed, but I called the Healdsburg Police anyway because Theresa, using good logic, reminded me that when dogs are scared enough they can escape through even the smallest crack. As she went out to the street to begin canvassing the area, a policeman whose badge read "S. Eland" approached us with a huge smile and a shivering, dirty and sticker-covered Maggie May who he'd found downtown on the corner of East and Matheson, scared to death. Maggie must have been out wandering the streets for up to six hours.

Thank you so much Officer Eland, Brian and Theresa from Maggie and me. We are so grateful to live in a town where neighbors are there for each other. Keep hope alive!

North Street in restoration and under ground

This week has been quite a week for restoration of old buildings and including our 100yr old water system and pipes being replaced at East and North street. They were so kind to give a mini lesson in water systems to my son! Thank you Victor!

I think Mark at 227 has kicked up some action in raising his house but.....

Jerry at 207 has been working to the bones on restoring his "old lady" mostly inside and creating an orchard in the back lot. He has now moved to the front of the house with draped plastic to make it apparent I think he is working too. Jerry is "off the grid" as you might say with no computer so stop by and say HI physically...wonderful knowledge of buildings, restorations, and recycling of old house parts.

Ann is supervising some completion of upgrades at 340 East and Everett next door is working on his boat wishing he was probably out on the water somewhere.

The corner house at the NE corner of East and North has been undergoing major restoration the last year and the family is now living in the house with outside work continuing to be completed. They are part of the family of the previous long time owners of the property....

Hoping things will be finishing up on the East street property that has been in the works for quite a few years now and will change that face of the street a bit...hmmm.

WOW....take a stroll down our street and slow down driving....yes we are a great walkable city and treasures you will find looking all around you.

Healdsburg's Own Smith Robinson

This is a article I wrote for Chris Smith's Column(SRPD)in 2004. So as you read my article, remember it is 2004.

My father attended HHS with Smitty, and Smitty was a visitor in our house on Fitch St, all my growing up years. Smitty often said that he saw me before my father did when I was born, because he happened to be in the delivery room fixing something when I arrived. In the late 40's and 50's Smitty directed the Federated Church Chancel Choir. I was a member of that choir from the time I was 10 until I graduated from high school in 1954. He taught us all so much. Our choir with Smitty as our director, sang all over the Bay Area. The choir was made up of all white kids, and Smitty. We thought nothing of it. Every year he would take us to San Francisco to sing for the Spring Tea that was held at the Baptist Church near Divisadero St. His brother-in-law was the Pastor there. The first year I went there with Smitty, I was 12. As I looked down on an audience of 250 black people, I was so scared, I couldn't sing. I had never been in that place before. After our concert was over, we were all invited to have refreshments with the Baptist congregation. I stayed back stage, then all of the sudden there was Smitty. He took my hand, and I followed him, from that time on I was never afraid to go there. In 1952 when Ebony Magazine did a feature article on Smitty, they came and took pictures of our Choir with Smitty directing. It was published with his article in Ebony Magazine. Just 50 years ago this month, "This Is you Life". picked Smitty to honor on their TV show. I remember how we all knew in advance, but we had to keep it a secret from him. As his "Choir Cherubs" (as he called us) we were so proud of him. We sent him a telegram to let him know how proud we all were. I have a video copy of that old TV show. All his "Choir Cherubs" gathered together in Healdsburg that night to watch the show on a small black/white TV. I remember it like it was yesterday. Smitty continued to be my friend, attending our wedding in 1957, and coming to Santa Rosa to have dinner with us after we were married and always keeping in touch.
In 1963, the whole town of Healdsburg gathered together at the Villa and raised funds for Smitty so that he could have open heart surgery. The funds were raised, but Smitty never had the surgery. I went to the Memorial hospital one night in June 1963, I hadn't plan on going that night to visit him, but something just told me that I had to go see him. When I got there, he told me that he was not going to have the surgery, and he mentioned all the things he was going to miss in life, including his mother's biscuits, and of course his choir cherubs. At 26, I didn't want to hear that or even think about it. I tried to tell him that he was going to be fine, and that he would have his mother's biscuits another day, then I left. A few minutes after I left, a nurse came in and he was gone. Once again, in his gentle way, he know better than I did.
Francis Passalacqua, a longtime Healdsburg residence, once said, "The Robinsons made Healdsburg a better place, and us better people." In my mind, that statement is so true, and that is really the way it was. In the years since Smitty's death, the Robinson family have donated all Smitty's scrap books, pictures, tapes etc. to the Healdsburg Museum. It is there for everyone to see. Two years ago, Holly Hoods, from the Healdsburg Museum and myself were invited to have lunch in San Francisco with Smitty's younger sister, Effie Robinson. The two of us had a delightful afternoon visit and lunch with Effie and her niece. Effie died last May.
Smith Robinson was much more than I am telling you to Healdsburg, and the people of Healdsburg, but for now this is enough. If you ever need more info, Holly Hoods at the Healdsburg Museum can help you, and of course I will always be glad to share with you what I know. I just want to say that I have often heard it said that the Robinsons were the only black family in Healdsburg, that is not true. The other family lived at the s/e corner of East St & Plaza. I will always miss Smitty, but I was lucky to have had him in my life for 26 years.

Darla Williams Budworth

Smith Robinson's 1951 Chancel Choir photo from Darla Williams Budworth

Darla Williams Budworth knew Smitty very well. She has a story behind this photo and she also wrote a published article about Smitty. I'll let her tell it in her own words...

Trees matter

Do you walk or bike in Healdsburg? If so, do you ever look up? We have a wonderful treescape. Those who hike the ridge trails report that Healdsburg appears to be densely populated with trees.

Do trees matter? You bet! I’m glad Healdsburg’s decision makers agree with me. We even have a full time arborist, Matthew Thompson.

How do I know trees matter here in Healdsburg?

A. Because there are several redwood trees that have been given precedence over straight sidewalks. The redwood tree in the photo above was taken in the one hundred block of First Street, right across from where I used to live.

B. We have a heritage tree ordinance. More information is available here.

C. The Healdsburg Community Service Department has a small pamphlet, “Tree Walk of Healdsburg,” available at the museum and at the department office. It allows you to take a self-guided tour of some of Healdsburg’s wonderful trees.

Finally, trees matter because they not only make Healdsburg a more attractive town, but they do lots of wonderful things for our earth. Check out Ten top reasons why trees are important.

North Street Neighbors

What great fun I am having these days with "authoring" a few blogs and being "administrator" for a few FaceBook pages. The comfort of my home office is in the old front room of g.grandma "Grace" Myrthena Freshour Perry's house on north street. The traffic on our "racetrack" street has slowed nicely as folks check out the site at 227 North Street and very blessed our corner has not been a casualty of another road accident. When Jack moved in to the SW corner of Fitch and North, I reminded him that he has the neighborhood job of calling in the accidents to the police department being in his house as I was relinquishing that duty which I covered after Rick and Kathy moved out. Jack thought I was kidding! I broke him in on the next accident which included phoning it in to local pd quickly assessing what emergency vehicles to dispatch ie. injury, non operating motor vehicle in roadway, fights, liquid leaks now called hazardous spill. Get to know the responders that show up as you never know when you might need help yourself. With phone in hand (make sure your house phone and not cell phone), grab bottle of water for the crash victim for drinking, etc. and direct traffic to avoid a secondary accident. Response time is pretty good unless another emergency at the same time whereas you will probably get another neighbor out to help you as the corner crashes do resonate into our old houses pretty well. Jack I think was a bit put off by this as "not disclosed" in his purchase of the home...but then again it is all good neighbors supporting each other in time of need.

We need not try to remember the arson fires a few years back that rocked our neighborhood and many lost sleep at night hearing the fire trucks patrolling our streets at night with the search lights searching for the arsonist. Not before he set many of our old structures on fire and a few more than once because our neighbors noticed the first ones before they did serious damage.

Our neighbors come and go like the tennants at the apartment house, work out of town as professional jobs are limited here, have lived their lives in their house and have passed on to our dear lord, moved on so that they can sell house to pay for kids college tuitition (these old ladies do hold value and also increase in value based on restoration), attempt to restore an old house but change opinion with pressures from building department that better to "tear the old thing down as not worth it and too expensive to restore - tear the place down, build new and go for the stars" forgetting you have neighbors. I feel blessed to be "new" to the neighborhood since 1988 and to have great neighbors around us. My parents loved town so much they moved here also and blessed they are our neighbors too.

I love the story from Ann Carranza (her son is a great sports couch to my son too) about sharing your plentiful fruit with neighbors and what a great way to get to know them better. Say "Hi", give a wave....especially during Farmer's Market or walking to/from with your bountiful of local harvest.

Neighbors and Neighborhoods

Tonight I am thinking about neighbors and neighborhoods here in our community. My two friends, Robert and Heidi, just knocked on my door to come say "Hi" because they were taking a late evening walk around town. And as my pal Sue Yavorsky says, "I love that we can just walk to each other's house. Where else can you do that?"

Haydon Street, where I live in the southeast corner of old Healdsburg, has changed many times over in the 11 years that I have lived here. I used to know many more of my neighbors than I do today. Actually, four of the homes on my block are second homes that rarely have people inside. I find that rather sad.

I know a little about Barb Tuscany's neighborhood because she is vitally interested in her neighbors and has shared with me about them, especially about the big goings-on at 227 North Street. When I interviewed Gina Riner for Neighbors, she invited me to a neighborhood party and I still see some of the people I met that night. I know some of my neighbors on both Tucker and Mason Streets, because these are the streets that border mine. But generally, I don't know much of anything about the little micro-communities in town. And I am curious.

One of the things we could talk about on our community blog is about our neighborhoods. Please tell me more about yours...

More on the Community First Committee as written by Gary Goss

The Community First Committee, chaired by Gail Jonas, will ask the members of the city council to set up an official committee to look into a requirement that community impact reports be filed for large developments. Community impact reports differ from town to town (San Diego, San Jose, Petaluma, for example), so that they can meet local needs. That's why we are asking our council members to shape the requirement.

If we had had a community impact report on Saggio Hills, we might have had a more focused and quicker discussion.

Note that CIRs are much shorter and less expensive than Environmental Impact Reports. They look at whether change will help or hurt a town. I'll give one example. Let's say that Home Depot decides it would like to build a megastore in Healdsburg. Will the sales and taxes generated by Home Depot add to the taxes provided by the existing stores in town, or will the sales and taxes at Home Depot come at the expense of the older stores, adding no new income to the town? 

If you are free, come to the meeting of the City Council at 6 on Monday, September 21.  Our presentation will have to be brief (those are the rules), and you should be able to leave by 6:30. 

Community First and Community Impact Reports

Healdsburg is a wonderful community—vibrant, perfect location, wonderful people. And then we had Saggio Hills, and whether one came down for the project or against, most who were involved do believe the process was painful and a, to be hoped, once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, out of the painful, and yet to be resolved Saggio Hills affair, arose a new community organization—Community First.

Self-described as, “A diverse group of community members committed to smart, sustainable, equitable development,” the committee is striving toward a Community Impact Report (CIR) ordinance for the city of Healdsburg. Leading communities already adopting CIRs are such diverse places as Bennington, Vermont, and San Diego, California. Locally, Petaluma has already adopted a CIR ordinance and Sebastopol, as well as Healdsburg, are in the process of exploring this option.

A CIR is an informational report that provides an early, transparent look at large developments within a community. They typically cover a fiscal assessment (costs and benefits to public agencies and the impact on current businesses); an employment assessment (number, type, wages/benefits of both temporary and permanent jobs created by a development); an affordable housing assessment; a neighborhood needs assessment (child care, parks, impacts on schools and medical facilities); and a smart growth assessment (pedestrian friendly, green spaces, and mass transit availability).

Community Impact Reports are not required of existing businesses and they will not apply to small businesses and entrepreneurs. Certain “triggers” would provide impetus to start the process. Those triggers would be set by the City of Healdsburg, should they adopt a CIR ordinance, and could be such things as the special study areas, a certain amount of Planning Department hours, square footage, as well as other possible conditions.

A CIR is a short “balance sheet” by which to weigh the benefits and costs of a particular project, in order to build consensus, cooperation, and compromise, and a manner by which to avoid costly litigation. A CIR does not mandate changes to proposed projects and is performed by an independent consultant, chosen by the city, and paid for by the developer.

Prepared at the beginning the development process, and only about thirty pages long, it uncovers questions and concerns early enough for valuable and timely input by the community, thereby saving the developer time and money. In addition, when the community is satisfied with a project, they can become goodwill ambassadors for a development company by “selling” it to the community at large.

Community Impact Reports are proving beneficial to developers by promoting constructive public input in a timely manner and avoids confrontation by disgruntled opposition. CIRs provide complete information regarding jobs and the economic base, as well as impact on infrastructure to policy-makers. For active community members, they encourage a discussion on broader benefits, including jobs, housing, and the impact on education. For all residents, a CIR reveals information regarding wages and number of employment opportunities. Well-planned projects can provide significant public benefits and good paying jobs that will help reduce poverty and its associated public costs, such as health care and social-service programs. Existing businesses will have questions answered early on whether or how a proposed project will affect them.

Members of the committee are the first to point out that the city will actually write the ordinance, with input from members of the committee, as well as local business leaders. Community First will present their proposal to the city council on September 21, and ask for the city council to agendize it for further consideration.

For further information on the committee, including membership, please contact Gail Jonas, gail@GailJonas.com, or Ann Carranza, positivelyann@sbcglobal.net

Remembering Smith Robinson: Part Two (Photos)

Smith Robinson is as close to a hero as I have. I have been lucky to borrow from Clarence Ruonavaara (my not so secret source for all things past) several original newspaper articles about Smitty that I will be posting in the next day or so. But meanwhile, here is a brief mention from the July 18, 1963 edition of the Healdsburg Tribune entitled "City to Pay Homage to Smith Robinson":

"No other person in Sonoma County of this era can compare in fame to this man who had been written up in Time and Reader's Digest, and was on Ralph Edward's 'This is Your Life'... in addition to a myriad of articles in local newspapers and magazines.

"Though succumbing at a premature 55 years, Mr. Robinson had lived a fuller life than most, finding that doing for others can be life's richest reward." 

Healdsburg's First Volunteer Fire Department

photo: Members of the Rescue Hook and Ladder Company in front of the New Healdsburg City Hall Circa 1887. Photo courtesy Bob Taylor, former Healdsburg Fire Chief

The Healdsburg Fire Department had its incipience in the year 1858 in the shape of a Hook and Ladder Company, which was established, with Henry D. Lee as Foreman, by a subscription raised among the members. (History of Sonoma County, 1880) The hand pulled Hook and Ladder Company under the direction of Henry Lee was similar to the one shown in the picture. It carried ladders, water buckets hooks for pulling down burning walls and ceilings. The apparatus shown was purchased in 1882 for $325 and was housed in the City Hall on the Matheson St. side where 2 large doors appear on the left side of the picture. The City hall contained two stalls for fire equipment and there was space on the second floor for an office and crews quarters. It was the only Healdsburg Fire Department Station to have a fire pole.

Instructions for Fire Bell: Paste this in Your Hat or Some Other Conspicuous Place

The following fire alarm and signals for meetings have been established by the department

District No. 1 - One tap after rapid ringing. Bounded on the north by North street, east by East street south and west by railway track. District No. 2 - Two slow taps after rapid ringing. Bounded on the north by city limits, south by North street, east by Johnson and East street, west by railway track. District No. 3 – Three slow taps after rapid ringing. Bounded on the north by city limits, south by North street, east by city limits, west by East and Johnson streets. District No. 4 - Four slow taps after rapid ringing. Bounded on the north by North street, south by railway track, east by city limits, and west by East Street

Signals for fireman’s meetings are as follows:

Alert Hose company, two taps of the fire bell.

Rescue Hook and Ladder company, three taps

Alert Chemical Engine, four taps

Department meeting, five taps

(Healdsburg Tribune January 18, 1900)

The fire bell in front of the fire station was used to alert the fireman of a fire or meeting. The above signals were used so that the hand drawn equipment could be brought to the vicinity of the alarm. Either smoke or residents then directed the companies to the scene. The current bell is the second one purchased by the city. The first bell was destroyed in 1881 when the building adjacent to the bell tower caught fire and the fire exposed the tower. The original bell shattered when the tower collapsed and a new bell was purchased in 1882. The second bell served as the fire alarm until 1925 when it was replaced by a siren. (Healdsburg Enterprise August 21, 1925)

 

 

 

Healdsburg and Health Care History

Sometimes I’m reminded how tight a community Healdsburg is when I witness a gathering as part of a U.S. “hot button issue.” We’re making history happen though public action and caring—that warmth and compassionate consideration are apparent when we just show up.

A diverse group of about fifty people, including me, attended a vigil on the Healdsburg Plaza, Wednesday evening September 2, 2009. I was only able to attend for the first half-hour as I had another commitment, but I got a chance to walk and talk to, and record on tape, these friendly, benevolent individuals. The most striking part of this small gathering is that as many people attended to support health care reform and the public option for others—children, grandchildren, spouses, and neighbors—as were there because they were without health care themselves, losing their health care, or were underinsured or “uninsurable.”

Carrying placards that read, “We can’t afford to wait,” “Health Care for All,” and “Americans Deserve Affordable Health Care Now,” the peaceful assembly received mostly positive and enthusiastic support from passing motorists. Some individuals shared their stories, thoughts, and desires for health care reform, reminding me that while there’s suffering among us, we all suffer.

Arlene Dalton has lived in Healdsburg since 1985, and was carrying a sign saying “My grandchildren don’t have health care.” She said, “I’ve been for universal health care for as long as I can remember as a voter and as a citizen, and I’m hoping this time we’ll finally get it right. It should include everybody.

Cynthia Branson’s poignant words spoke to the heart of health care reform and a public option. “I was 19 years old when my mother died of colon cancer because of lack of adequate health care coverage. My brother-in-law has had to put up with extreme pain because he couldn’t afford a hip replacement. It took him two years to save enough money due to lack of health care [coverage].”

The selfless thoughts went on: “I’m concerned with all the young people who have lost their jobs and who can’t get insurance now. My daughter has been laid off and she’s paying for COBRA now. My son has been laid off and he’s paying for COBRA.”

Andres Rialle from Windsor shared these words, “I was bought out—got early retirement—we lost our health care with the company; we tried to get health care for ourselves, but she’s [his wife] a breast cancer survivor. I went to the doctor once, and they said I had a preexisting condition. I got part time work and through that I got insurance for a little while, but it is going to run out.”

Healdsburg Senior citizen, Maureen Gradek stated “Two out of [my] three grown children cannot afford insurance. They are uninsured.”

Maurice Blout, retired with PERS, “I’ve been a member of Kaiser since 1972. My co-pays are $10.00 a pop, none of my medicines is more than $15.00, though some of them are worth hundreds of dollars. I’ve had numerous operations, a double bypass, it cost me nothing.” Standing vigil was his way to support those who don’t share his fortune. Blout’s final words to me were, “Everybody should have this kind of health care.”

He’s right—and as a community, we do care about what’s right, and we’re making Healdsburg history when we stand up to be counted.

Looking for New Bloggers

 Town Plat, August 10, 1857  

The original March, 1857 version of the map did not have purchasers names in the lots. The 85 lots originally sold for $15 each. West Street is now called Healdsburg Avenue, South Street is now Matheson Street. -- image from Healdsburg Museum

We are looking for more bloggers for the Healdsburg History Blog.

Our goal is to build a real community blog for  networking and sharing interesting information. I have a fair sized e-mail list, but I don't know if you are following the blog unless you actually enroll as a "follower" on the blog. I welcome anyone who wants to become an "author" and post relevant material on the blog. You just need to let me know if you wish to author or send me your blog to post.

What is relevant?

•  historical anecdotes/information/photos

•  current all-Healdsburg volunteer efforts that need promotion

•  links and information about other interesting/relevant Healdsburg websites

•  information/updates/photos on historic homes

•  stories on past/present Healdsburg people of interest

•  memories of the "good old days"

•  community/environmental issues in Healdsburg

•  personal experiences of Healdsburg

•  book reviews/links related to Healdsburg

•  links to your own fiction/non-fiction written about Healdsburg

What is not relevant?

•  self-promotion of your personal cause, business or politics

•  linking to your business unless you run it by the blog Administrator (me)

•  political commentary that is not relevant to Healdsburg

•  bad mouthing anyone in any manner

Remembering Smith Robinson: Part One

From Gaye LeBaron's Notebook (Jan. 1995):

Once upon a time there was 

a most remarkable man

The video is black and white and a little jumpy,

made from a brittle 16mm film. The audio is

scratchy. Crew-cut Bob Warren's commercials

for Hazel Bishop lipstick seem unbelievably primitive

in the eyes of the '90s. Host Ralph Edwards works on

suspense-building as the camera scans the studio

audience.

"It could be you," says Edwards. "Or it could be

YOU!" The camera comes to rest on a handsome black

man in horn-rimmed glasses seated on the aisle. "But, it

is YOU Smith Robinson of Healdsburg, California. 

This is YOUR life!"

• • •

THE YEAR was 1954. And when Edwards suggested,

a few minutes into the program, that there were "about

50 people to a television set in the town of Healdsburg

that night, his estimate was probably low. Healdsburg

had 3,500 souls in those days. And not one of them

didn't know "Smitty."

Smitty's story seems almost like a fairy tale today.

Too good to be true. When you mention his name to

people who have been around a while, there's an

immediate smile and a heartfelt, "What a great guy he

was!"

Robinson's role in the community life of mid-century

Healdsburg had almost nothing to do with the fact that

he was black, or that he and his family were the only

blacks in town. Or, if it was a factor, it was more in his

eagerness to be a credit to his community because of

his race, not in spite of it. People didn't expiate their

guilt by loving Smitty. Rather, he earned the

admiration and, yes, love of an entire town with his

deeds.

There were so many stars in Smitty's crown it's hard

to know where to begin...

Men who were in the military in World War II

remember "Smitty's Scoops," a hometown newsletter

he wrote for all the Healdsburg men who were in the

armed forces. This project began as a personal

letter-writing campaign. Kept out of the service by a

heart condition, Robinson determined that his part in

the war effort would be to write letters to those who

served. He was up to 300 letters a month when he

realized he had taken on more than he could do alone.

When his fellow Rotarians learned of "Smitty's

Scoops," the club became the newsletter sponsor.

"Scoops" endured for almost 20 years - as long as

Smitty wrote them - keeping servicemen in touch with

home.

(Thanks to Clarence Ruonavaara for lending me this 

original article. Many thanks to Lillian Reid, my Production

Assistant for help turning scanned material to blog

material!)