Columns

If you drive on Arata, you’ve probably noticed the field full of chickens. They are in a smaller, fenced pen that is rotated to different spots, and when they are near the road you can see them up close, wandering around, pecking at food and doing other chicken things. I always look for the big off-white dog that guards them—sometimes while dozing in the sun or in the shade, depending on the time of year—and it makes me happy to live in a place where we can enjoy such bucolic scenes.

There’s an app for that

Last November, the world watched with horror as residents of Paradise tried to escape from an oncoming wildfire on clogged roads, some so desperate that they abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot. Government can reduce the risk from wildfires. Our county government should properly enforce the state’s “fire safe” road regulations to stop new development in fire-prone areas and better enable emergency access and evacuation.

This week marks the 15th birthday of Facebook. If you don’t think that’s a local event, think again. As many as two-thirds of us use the social media app everyday. Some people even keep it open all day and the average use is one hour daily. Keep in mind lots of these same people also use Instagram, which happens to be owned by Facebook.

The following snippets of history are drawn from the pages of the Healdsburg Tribune, the Healdsburg Enterprise and the Sotoyome Scimitar, and are prepared by the volunteers at the Healdsburg Museum & Historical Society. Admission is always free at the museum, open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Center Connections - Anna Grant, Active Adult & Senior Services Supervisor:

In the fall, the city applied to the World Health Organization's Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities to become the first city in Sonoma County to receive an Age-Friendly designation. At the core of the Age-Friendly City concept is Eight-to-Eighty, meaning that when a community is designed for an 8-year-old, it also fits an 80-year-old and ultimately everybody. Age-Friendly communities have walkable streets, housing and transportation options, and access to key services and opportunities for residents to participate in community activities.

Some of my best conversations with my kids happen in the car. It seems the forced family commute provides free thought and most times, silly topics. The latest came from my 11 year old. She said, “Mom, I wish I could trade places with you, just like in the Freaky Friday movie.” And I said, “That would be awesome! In fact, I would love to trade places with all of you for a day.”

February is celebrated in the United States as Black History Month. The idea was conceived by Dr. Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950), author of more than twenty books. He dedicated his life to educating African Americans about the achievements and contributions of their ancestors. February was then officially recognized in 1976 by President Gerald Ford, to “seize the opportunity and honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

When most people hear about human trafficking, the first thing they think is that it doesn’t happen in our community. Maybe in foreign countries or poverty-stricken towns, they think. But not here.