Columns

On April 22, celebrate the 50th anniversary of the planet’s largest civic event by focusing on the environment, learning more about conservation, being out in nature and promoting a healthy, sustainable environment.

These are strange times. Isn’t this weird? Wow, never experienced this before. Just about everyone I’ve met recently has started the conversation with something similar. It’s understandable, no one really knows what to say because none of us really knows what to expect.

Over the past month or so, life as we know it has changed. The coronavirus pandemic has been a shock to our systems. The personal and economic impacts of COVID-19 in Healdsburg, Sonoma County, and the world will continue to resonate in the months to come.

Senior year is supposed to be a lot of things. All the perks that come with being a senior such as prom, senior night, senior week, graduation and Project Graduation are supposed to be fun events that celebrate what you have accomplished. 

Our “shelter in place” and declared public health emergency started here the day after all of Ireland canceled St. Patrick’s Day festivities on March 17. That cultural shock alone was enough to let us know this virus pandemic and economic disaster would be bringing permanent life-changes to all of us.

Anyone who has ventured out around town over the past days knows that these are desperate times for many small businesses, the life blood of our community. Dire times demand bold measures and strong leadership from our city council and officials. During past crises, floods and fires, the city has acted decisively. Its leadership during the Kincade Fire avoided a devastating scenario for the community. However, now, with the double threat of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic downturn, the city should immediately start relief efforts and plan for a strong economic recovery. The citizens group Healdsburg 2040 encourages the city to use some its financial bolster of approximately $49.4 million in invested reserves and over $3.3 million in cash reserves for disaster relief. 

It’s been five months since any Country Roads column has been written  and I’ve missed the bi-weekly walk with you. My reasons for not writing seemed important back in October, but that was during the threatening fires, drought, and uncertainty if Sonoma County would still be in existence once rains returned to dampen down and finish off the fires.

These are strange times. Isn’t this weird? Wow, never experienced this before. Just about everyone I’ve met recently has started the conversation with something similar. It’s understandable, no one really knows what to say because none of us really knows what to expect.

Senior year is supposed to be a lot of things. All the perks that come with being a senior such as prom, senior night, senior week, graduation and Project Graduation are supposed to be fun events that celebrate what you have accomplished.

I’ve been home for about 10 days, minus a few “essential” moments at work. I haven’t minded, honestly, because I’m an introvert Gen X’er who likes being at home. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t learned a few things in the last week.  1) I’m...