My "gift" to Healdsburg - The best news photos of the decade from the Boston Globe

Midst all of the holiday preparations, I hope you'll take a few minutes to look at the 51 best news photos of the decade , gathered by the Boston Globe. This is the decade that's described in the introduction to the photos as "dramatic, often brutal." I confess it was painful to look at many of these photos, but I'm glad I did and hope that if you do, you too will gain something from having done so.

Each photo comes with a written description. The photo above is a prisoner of war comforting his four year old child.

CCCC Report # 7 - Tod's reflections on COP15 and what we can do

Tod is en route to Healdsburg. I've linked to today's post about the Copenhagen Climate Change Convention (CCCC), or "COP15": "Reflections on Copenhagen: Activism in Dead. Long Live Activism." This is an achingly beautiful piece. I urge you to read the whole thing.

What have I gained from volunteering to be a non-roving reporter following Tod on his 8,000 mile trip to Copenhagen and back?

1. I've followed what happened at COP15 more closely. For instance, did Obama and Clinton "burst" in on a secret last-minute meeting of China, Brazil, India and South Africa? Apparently the answer is no. Does it matter whether or not they did? I'm not sure.

2. It's helped me stay aware of my inclination to create some mental ease and comfort that creeps in and subtly tells me that maybe this climate change thing isn't so bad after all. I'm referring to the our recent cold snap, that it's raining more than I thought it would, and even D.C. is experiencing a record-breaking snow storm. I wonder if Obama was subject to the same almost-subconscious mind-set when he left COP15 before the vote on the Copenhagen Accord in order to get back home before the storm broke.

3. I'm following the climate change issue more carefully now. The scientific reports seem to be getting worse. For instance, this morning I saw that the prestigious magazine Nature has an article, "Sea level rise may exceed worst expections." Staying informed helps me not be lulled into thinking that if my life is so very, very comfortable, the problem must not be that serious.

4. I'm reminded that my small efforts, from living in a very small home where I have my business, to walking or riding my bike and rarely driving, to helping organize our local 350.org event last October 24 are a miniscule part of the greater collective goal of reducing greenhouse gases into our atmosphere.

5. As I juggle my commitments to helping care for my almost-three-twin grandchildren (you never see me driving them around!), my business, and my citizen activism, I need to remain mindful that if I ruin my health caring too much about too many things, I won't be there with Tod in lifting "the climate message over the fence."

Thanks, Tod, for taking time away from your family to be one of our county's official delegates ahd Healdsburg's unofficial delegate at COP15. You'll be hearing from me.

(photo provided by Tod)

CCCC Report # 6 - Well, that's that - The climate convention has concluded and Tod will return to Healdsburg in a couple of days

What did I expect to be accomplished in Copenhagen? Before I started posting about fellow resident Tod Brilliant's experience there, not much. What happened as a result of Tod's reports and paying more attention to the Copenhagen Climate Change Convention (CCCC)? Somehow, I thought if I and others cared enough about what happened there, somehow our collective energy would make a difference. Weird huh?

So it's done. Tod will leave Copenhagen on the 21st. I hope to meet with him this coming week. Here's Tod's Dec. 18th post, "Obama as White Knight: Naked Ambition at COP 15." As with all his posts, I hope you read the whole thing, though this sentence captures Tod's impression of Obama's influence on the future of climate change: "Barack Obama's honeymoon with both the environmental community and greater Europe has come to an end."

On the home front. Barclay Nalley, whom I've known for 43 years, wrote an angry letter to the Healdsburg Tribune editor, "Copenhagen Hygira." Barclay even called for a grand jury to "demand a complete audit of such frivolous expenditures." What do you think? I'm sure the debate will go on. After some ambivalence, I think the money was well spent even if the result was a weak accord.

For those who aren't quite ready to change their focus from this hugely important issue to the more mundane*, here are some links to articles and videos that I found worthwhile:

1. Bill McKibben of 350.org and Naomi Klein of The Nation on their first take on the results of the convention. A fifteen minute video, worth every minute.

2. "Scramble for the atmosphere," by Tod's and my climate change hero, George Monbiot.

3. But wait! All is not lost. Guess who made sense at the convention? Check it out.

*My "mundane" activity includes cleaning house today.

(photo from Tod's post at the Post Carbon Institute blog)

CCCC Report #5 - A "special magic gift" from Tod

This morning, I received an e-mail alert from Facebook that Tod had given those of us who belong to the Creative Job Agency Group a special gift. Of course, I checked it out immediately, and it was this very funny (if slightly grotesque) video titled "Lord Monckton Raps Al Gore." Watch it. You'll probably get a kick out of it.


If the full screen doesn't show up above, go to the video here.

If time allows, I'll update this post. The news looks pretty grim about the likelihood of a meaningful agreement coming out of Copenhagen. Obama is there today.

What's bothering me, which I hope to dig in to later today:
1. Recent polls show increasing skepticism about the reasons for climate change and Obama's handling of the issue slipping;
2. A leaked UN report shows cuts offered at Copenhagen would lead to a 3C rise.
3. Tiny and poor countries are being pressured to agree to a 2C cut, even though 1.5C will adversely affect millions of people in these countries. The pressure? A promise of cash to help with the problems these countries experience as a result of the increased temperatures. Naomi Klein describes the promise as "blackmail."

Sigh, at least I get to spend the day with my wonderful almost-three twin grandchildren.

Update I: Naomi Klein write a searing article in the UK Guardian, "Better to have no deal at Copenhagen than one that spells catastrophe."

CCCC Report # 4 - Climate Justice looms large - Tod stands up to a CNBC reporter

What I'm gathering for the past couple of days from Tod's posts to the Post Carbon Institute, the mainstream media and the alternate press, "climate justice" is the big issue surfacing at the United Nations Convention on Climate Change. It doesn't appear that it was very high, or even on, the official agenda.

According to Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! in her post to Truthdig, "Copenhagen Climate Summit: The Empire's New Clothes," "Both inside and outside the summit there is a diverse cross section of nongovernmental organizations, or NGOs, from indigenous-peoples delegations to environmental and youth groups. Their separate but connected efforts have been coalescing into a new movement, a movement for climate justice."

This is how Tod described it on his wall at Facebook: "Real protests. Real anger. Real frustration....The real heart of the movement is truly peaceful but getting incredibly frustrated with the UN's effort to keep poor nations from making their points."

According to Tod, a powerful voice for climate justice is Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who made the opening remarks at Oxfam's "First International Climate Hearing." Read Tod's report here.

It appears from Tod's current post, that "Most of us aren't allowed back into the Bella Centre [where the convention is taking place]...." What's up? I thought Tod and the 6 other delegates from Sonoma County were official delegates. Are they all being shut out?

Leave it to Tod to make a difference, whether he's on the the inside or outside. He took the photo below yesterday. It's of indigenous South American farmers displaying handicrafts to a small but interested audience. What did a CNBC reporter standing 15 feet away see and broadcast to millions? "And behind me we have what is called a sit-in protest...." That was too much for Tod, who got into a "wee bit of a tussle [with the CNBC cameraman] over my live on-air correction of his criminally misleading description."

Tod was so upset that he left the convention and on his way back to the flat where he was staying, he saw the Coca cola poster in the photo above. His reaction? "I was intrigued to learn that the global mega-corp is not only saving the planet, but they've somehow managed to bottle Obama."

Back here in Sonoma County, some people are upset that the county spent $23,000 to send 7 delegates to the Climate Change Convention. If none of them are being allowed in on the official meetings, I'm upset, too. Rollie Atkinson's editorial, "Carbon Neutral," in last week's Healdsburg Tribune, raised the issue. At an event for 4th district supervisor candidate Mike McGuire last Tuesday evening, Mike expressed his dismay that the county sent the incumbent 4th District Supervisor Paul Kelley and 6 others to Copenhagen while people here are suffering from loss of jobs.

So the "climate justice" in a different form is also a local issue. Does our county invest it its commitment to climate protection by sending delegates to Copenhagen at the expense of our jobless?

I admit I'm somewhat ambivalent about this. However, Healdsburg residents seem woefully unaware of the consequences of climate change on our local agriculture. In 2006, the Press Democrat published an article by Tim Tesconi, "Could Global Warming Dry Up Wine Industry? New report warns North Coast may get too hot in coming century."

This seemed like a big deal to me, so last October 24th, I,* with a lot of help from Ann Carranza and Robert and Elizabeth Seton, organized a local climate change event in conjunction with 350.org. About ten of us walked through Healdsburg with grape vines and signs on them, "Destination: Canada," and fliers explaining what will happen to our grapes if climate change continues unabated. I was amazed at the lack of awareness of this problem which will adversely affect our $5 billion regional economy.

Will Tod be able to bring home the urgent message that we need to address climate change now? That it's a local issue? That it's not just about climate change but about climate justice? I certainly hope so.

Update: Today I talked with a woman who has spent her adult life working with the disadvantaged: the mentally ill, the unemployed, the underpaid. When I told her about the county paying for 7 people from Sonoma County to attend the climate summit and that some thought this was a waste of money, she said "A pittance! These people will come back all fired up and will undoubtedly make a difference, including the number of green jobs."

*Photo of my twin grandchildren and me at the October 24th "Grapevine March."
Photos from climate convention taken by Tod.

CCCC Report # 3 - What's really going on in Copenhagen?

Yesterday, as I eagerly waited for Tod's reports to show up at the Post Carbon Institute blog, I checked the news for what is going on in Copenhagen.

Good grief! It looked like the convention was already falling apart as African nations led a walkout. I was relieved to see they only walked out for the day, not permanently.

Tod, after traveling 28 hours by plane, cars, buses, and trains, recovered from his jet lag and currently two of his posts are up at the Post Carbon website, "The Search for Conservation Part I: Lonely and Looking," and "Search for Conservation Part 2 - The Politics of Exclusion."

I urge you to read both of them. Tod is a incredible writer and there's no way I can do justice to his descriptions of the convention.

Sidebar: Several years ago Tod lent me George Monbiot's book, Heat. The most memorable chapter, "Love Miles," was on the impact of flying on global warming. George urged us to limit our flying to seeing our families and closest friends.

I know that Tod is conflicted about flying, but I see his trip to Copenhagen as using some of his love miles because he so passionately cares our incredible earth, which is at risk, and his son Justice and other children who will ultimately benefit if we adults can return to sanity and figure out how to reduce our greenhouse gases.

This morning, George Monbiot posted a thoughtful article, "This is about us." "The talks at Copenhagen are not just about climate change. They represent a battle to redefine humanity." I assume he's at the convention, and I hope he gets to meet Tod.

Update I: Just saw this on the Post Carbon Institute Facebook page: "The mood is far from pretty. NGOs are being shut out. People waiting 7 hours to get in. G77 (the poorer nations) walkout. Pretty much a disaster." Stay tuned.

(photo of Tod at the convention)

CCCC Report # 2 - Tod must have landed in Copenhagen by now

Tod's been e-mailing me while en route to Copenhagen. I've been sending him "airplane reading" (long, dense articles), including "Planet Worth - Goldman Sachs bets on global warming."

First, I need to correct yesterday's post. Tod had a place to stay in Copenhagen before he left but he apparently wanted a different place. I don't want you to think he's a rash young man because...well....he isn't!

Secondly, Tod may be Healdsburg's unofficial delegate to the 15th United Nations Convention on Climate Change, but he's an official Sonoma County delegate, according to the Trib's editorial this week by Rollie Atkinson, "Carbon Neutral."

The Sonoma County Water Agency is the lead county that is sending the seven delegates to Copenhagen. At COP15, I'll be checking for updates (blog posts, videos, Twitters, etc.) on the convention from the county's attendees.

Tod is also the Communications Director for the Post Carbon Institute. He suggested I check PCI's website for his reports from Copenhagen.

As Tod landed in Copenhagen, presumably last night, he was met by a huge cheering, candle-carrying crowd (see photo above). Actually, the photo is of some of the 100,000 strong protestors in Copenhagen organized by 350.org.

CCCC Report # 1 - Tod finds a place to stay in Copenhagen

As promised yesterday, I'm going to do my best to keep you informed about local resident Tod Brilliant's adventures as he heads to Copenhagen for the Climate Change Convention (hence, the "CCCC" in the title).

Two days ago via Facebook and through the group that Tod was active in setting up, the Creative Job Agency, I received an urgent request from Tod asking all of us in this group to help him find housing in Copenhagen. How many of us would head to Copenhagen in the winter and not have a place to stay? However, how many of us have the incredible network that Tod does through all of his endeavors? (Check out his website to verify.)

I immediately contacted a distant relative, a near relative, and friends that I thought might know somone who might know someone who might - you get the picture - know of a place where Tod could stay.

A few hours later Tod e-mailed me back that he had found a place in less than four hours through his Creative Job Agency contacts!

Tod is on his way to Copenhagen this morning. I expect he'll be having more adventures and my job is to them to you.

(photo: Wikimedia)

Did you know that a Healdsburger is attending the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference?

I'm sure you've seen Tod Brilliant around town. He's one of the most interesting and creative people I know. He's on his way to Copenhagen. I consider him Healdsburg's unofficial delegate to the climate change convention.

I hope to stay in touch with Tod and post his descriptions of what it's like to be there. Stay tuned!

Making more holiday memories

Ah, Gail, you’ve started something here. Conor and I made this reindeer when he was here last week. I love making projects with him. Often we make things that are nature related or holiday themed.

In fact, both of my sons have asked me to do things with the boys that I did with them. I wish my grandsons were closer so we could do all those memory making activities together more often. The true joy of the holidays is creating memories that last a lifetime.

To make a reindeer:

2 corks

1 small study piece of twig for the neck. We cut all our twigs from our peach tree.

1 long twig for the four legs. Cut into four equal pieces.

2 googly eyes. But paper works, or other materials that catch your fancy

2 twigs for antlers. They can be forked, but also straight. Use what you find and trim and shape as desired.

1 small piece of brown pipe cleaner for the tail. But felt is also good, or a small paper scrap.

Pen to draw mouth and nose.

Yes! Glue. It is really a paste. It is the best project glue I’ve found for kids’ projects.

1. Poke a hole with a small straight screwdriver into the two corks where you want to join them to form the head and body. Swipe a little glue on each end of the small study twig and insert it into each cork.

2. Poke four holes in the bottom cork for the legs. Swipe the leg twigs in a little glue and insert them into the holes. Check to that the reindeer will stand alone.

3. Glue on the googly eyes

4. Poke two holes for the antlers to give that reindeer attitude. Again, swipe the twigs in the glue and insert into the holes.

5. Poke a hole for the pipe cleaner tail, swipe it in glue and insert into hole.

6. Draw on nose and mouth.

Conor is 7, and he was able to do everything, except poke the holes, himself by working side-by-side as I made one to show him the steps.

Enjoy with your favorite children!

What Christmas activity do the kids in my life remember the most?

Over the last 40 years or so, I've made many gingerbread houses with children, grandchildren, and friends' children. As these children grow up, they commonly tell me that what they remember most about what they did as a child when they were with me is making a gingerbread house. Above are grandchildren Jade and Casey, now several years older, who will be joining me along with my almost-three twin granchildren this year.

When is the last time you bought a water buffalo or a llama?

Yesterday my friend Laurel (blond hair) and I (red cap) volunteered at the Heifer table at the annual arts and crafts fair at Summerfield School, an amazing Waldorf school on Willowside Road.

I love Heifer because it provides an opportunity to buy gifts in my grandchildren's name for families around the world who are in great need of help. One year I bought them a water buffalo and a llama another year. On Christmas Day, after they've opened a huge pile of presents, I present them with a card that explains how their gift can mean the difference between life and death or school or no school for children who have so much less than they do.

The other plus about yesterday is that the atmosphere at the Summerfield School was really amazing. The children were given the opportunity to make gifts for others, there were hand-crafted items for sale, and we enjoyed a wonderful lunch of chili, cornbread and salad while several different groups, including children, sang for us.

Laurel and I noticed that the children who attended Summerfield School were self-confident, easy to talk to, and wore highly individual outfits that made it clear they were willing to be different than their peers.

An altogether rewarding day.