New mascot mix-up
Editor: I was greatly bemused by the new “hybrid species” called “chickow” being cloned for the benefit of both Sonoma natives and tourists. This chimera, an animal that has two or more different populations of genetically distinct cells, has prominent wattles.
To my understanding, wattles, an organ of sexual dimorphism, are not consistent with egg laying duties. In other words, our new mascot may have the head of a rooster. Consequently, for our city council not to look too foolish this April day, they may need to change its name to “cockow” or, more generically, to “galbos” for the genera Gallus and Bos; and that’s no cock-and-bull story.
Michael Heiman
Sonoma
Amusing April Fool’s
Hi Folks,
We got a big kick out of your April Fool’s Day cover. Thanks for the laugh!
Corey Sharp-Sabatino
Clutter Bug, Sonoma
Farmer’s Market rebuttal
Editor: I am writing to respond to the letter published April, 1, 2010 by Emily Fitzpatrick and her support of the way the current market management is ‘doing business.” While I appreciate her opinion, what Fitzpatrick failed to mention is she is not just a vendor supporting the market management she is also part of the management. Fitzpatrick is the current secretary on the Farmers Market board of directors as well as a vendor, which is in and of itself an issue. The fact the current seated board members and officers are also vendors is highly unethical in the world of nonprofits. When one financially gains from their position in an organization it creates muddy waters. It is not illegal, but it is unethical and would create an atmosphere where the community could question how decisions are made.
It is not a matter of “not getting what you want” it is a matter of the community not getting choices as well as an organization not following through on the commitment they made publicly to the community. Such is the case with the current market management. While I understand there is limited space, why then is some of the space taken up by non-local processed-food vendors while denying a local food vendor a space? Especially if that vendor would be providing fresh, healthy local food? Rocket is a perfect fit for the market and that cannot be said for some of the current non-local food vendors.
Regarding Popo, how many times does she really need to apply to the market and be turned down before demonstrating her commitment? While I could be mistaken, I have not seen your current face painter at Friday’s morning market. If what you’re saying is true about needing to demonstrate putting in some hard market time in the less crowded Friday Morning Market then does this criteria apply to your clown category as well? Fitzpatrick claims she had applied and been turned down and while this may be true, the fact she currently sits on their board of directors I’m sure helps her continue to reserve her space at the market as a vendor. Maybe Popo and Rocket should join the board, perhaps this is the unspoken true criteria for being a vendor at the Tuesday’s night market.
My advice to Fitzpatrick is this: if you want people to “respect the process” perhaps it would be wise to create a process in which respect and fairness is implemented. Your board made many promises to the Sonoma community and many of us are wondering when those promises will be kept. Thus far it feels like business as usual. If you want people to support you, to volunteer, to respect you then you should make more of an effort to be more honest and forthcoming with information and stop all this “good-ol’-boys” allocation of vendor space.
Instead of seeing letters like mine and Popo’s as just criticism you may want to take a few moments and really listen to what the community is telling you. I met with your market management regarding a project I was willing to help you with, despite the fact I am not one of your supporters. I am a supporter of the community and want to help bring things the community needs and deserves and because of this I offered to help you. Your board is making it very hard to inspire volunteerism and instead continues to discourage. This is very frustrating. Listen to what people are telling you. They are trying to help you. Business as usual is not the answer to the market’s troubles.
Celeste Winders
Sonoma
Dogs Gone Wild
Editor: Even smart dogs do not score well on reading tests, but as escape artists they have few equals. Given an open door or gate, not many can resist the siren call of the wild.
Who can blame them? They’re dogs. Cats get good press for curiosity but dogs are famous for poking their noses in fascinating places, and are always looking for new places to poke.
“Dogs Gone Wild” do not enter an enchanted forest. Instead, they find themselves alone in a 21st century world of unnatural hazards they often cannot appreciate until it’s too late. Four recent local escapes illustrate the risks they face, and what it means to be a responsible dog lover in a community that cares.
In case number one, a big goofy lab surprised a neighbor who, at the request of its owner, let him out of the garage for a pee-break while the owner was at work. When the door cracked open, dog split. What ensued was a Keystone Kops pursuit through town led by His Exuberance, trailing a growing posse of strangers intent on recapturing an escapee who was suddenly the star of the best game he ever started.
He might have been killed in traffic, stolen and sold for dog-fighting bait or simply disappeared, but he was recovered unharmed. He will likely try it again, given the chance.
In case number two, a child left a door ajar and before mom could intervene, a feisty defender of home and hearth bolted outside. Passing the house was a woman walking her own dog. Perhaps feeling the “pack” was under threat, the defender sprang to its defense and before a brief scuffle ended – lots of frantic yelling and grabbing – inflicted enough damage on the passing dog to warrant a trip to the veterinarian.
Mom was very apologetic and, like every responsible dog owner, promptly paid the injured pup’s veterinarian’s bill, no questions asked. Later, her husband stopped by the injured dog’s home to check on it and apologize again. He assured the family he was taking the defender to the trainer for a refresher course and getting the yard fence fixed. Two dog-loving families got to know each other and the defender is probably taking full credit.
In case number three: a car hit a loose dog on West Napa Street. At last word, possible internal bleeding was being monitored. The dog’s owners and the car’s driver are very worried about the dog. So far, no one seems to have money for the veterinarian’s bill but hopefully it will be worked out.
In case number four the owners of a loose dog who was struck by a car did not want to take it to the veterinarian; perhaps they didn’t have the money to pay. The distraught family of the driver insisted on it, and paid the veterinarian bill, too.
There were other such stories in the last two weeks and each had “teaching moments” common to Escaped Dog stories: The dogs did nothing wrong; they were just being dogs; like children, they slipped away from inattentive or distracted humans; in an urban environment they were immediately exposed to traffic and other deadly dangers; people were emotionally shaken by the experience; and a lot of folks went out of their way to help them.
The law makes owners/guardians liable for injury or damage caused by their dogs, but the dog is a dog-lover’s first concern. Its primary protection is the vigilance of its person, but lapses or plain bad luck sometimes happen even to the most responsible people. That’s why all dogs need a community that refuses to allow any of them to be abused, harmed, lost, strayed or homeless.
That’s why all loose, lost or stray dogs should be reported to Animal Control. The number in Sonoma is 996.3601 and in the county it is 565.7100; please call both numbers.
Those missing a dog should also immediately alert Pets Lifeline, 996.4577, the Sonoma County Humane Society, 542.0882 and the Sonoma Police Department, 996.3601 in case anyone turns in a familiar fur-ball which might be looking for dinner. Since an injured dog may be taken to a veterinarian by a Good Samaritan; call the veterinarian clinics in the Valley; their numbers can be found at svdog.org on the “dog businesses” page.
Then e-mail a description of the missing dog to Sonoma Valley Dog Owners and Guardians at: info@svdog.org, to have an e-mail alert and photo sent to Sonoma Valley Dog Owners and Gardians’ list of dog-lovers. Seekers can also sign into Facebook, search Sonoma Valley Dog Owners and Guardians and post a message and photo of the dog on Sonoma Valley Dog Owners and Guardians’ Facebook page.
Last – actually first – every dog should wear five canine fashion accessories to help them get home again: Collar, license, nametag, leash and microchip. Smart dogs never leave home without them.
Katy Byrne
Sonoma
Bob Edwards
Sonoma Valley Dog Owners and Guardians
Questions for hospital
A letter similar to this was sent to the Sonoma Valley Hospital administrator:
Dear Sir,
Would you be so kind as to enlighten me on several matters?
First: The local news recently noted there would be some activity regarding the 2013 state earthquake requirements. It was my understanding those regulations were postponed to around 2020. Is another refit contemplated?
Second: Is it true the delivery/maternity service was examined by outside experts who advised closure due to low utilization and consequent reduction of expertise?
Third: Initially the board agreed, but changed its mind after a presentation by an interested party, and, if so, what did the party present that justified the reversal?
Fourth: Is it true the maternity service operates in the red, and by how much, and what are the chances of remedy – not, I hope, by deep-felt wishful intentions? It is doubtful many pregnant women could be effectively lured, optionally or while in labor, from their nearby, and larger, hospitals. Is there evidence to the contrary?
Recall the hundreds of thousands of dollars lost in a futile attempt to bring in more patients by means of an expensive hospital-sponsored satellite-clinic in Kenwood. This was based largely on misplaced belief an intensive publicity campaign would induce people to drive to Sonoma versus larger hospitals in Santa Rosa.
Thank you for your consideration
W. Reilly, M.D.
Sonoma