My Green Sonoma

Mark your Calendars for an afternoon of live music and local speakers. Hear how leaders are emerging in our community every day to address the challenge of climate change and reducing our carbon footprint.  Mix and learn about you what you can do!

Learn what people are doing, where people are showing leadership in green building, agriculture, and more. Find out what you can do and enjoy the music.

November 3 -- Noon-4pm
Juilliard Park (City Hall in case of rain), Santa Rosa

For more information go to www.climateprotectioncampaign.org

Last night Paul Hess from the City of Santa Rosa, made a presentation to my neighborhood regarding the importance of being prepared in the event of a disaster.

Using this week’s fires in Southern California that have displaced more than 1 million people, and our own local disasters of fire, earthquakes, floods and landslides, Paul reminded us that in the event of a disaster we need to be ready as individuals and as a community to survive for a period of time on our own. For example:

· it may take our emergency crews a minimum period of 3 days to be able to reach and assist us

· phones, lights, water and power for an extended period of time

· at minimum we will need to rely on ourselves to plan ahead a know our evacuation routes, have and adequate supply of water on hand and our “Go Kits” ready,

· as a community we are all better off if we know the specialized skills and needs of our neighbors, particularly those that may need special assistance in the event of an emergency.

This weeks fires in Southern California serve as a wake up call to many that we need to be prepared for emergencies as individuals and communities.  I'm proud to say that, once again, Sonoma County is setting an example for the rest of the nation ... this time its as a community involved in emergency preparedness. 

Sponsored and managed by the City of Santa Rosa, The Santa Rosa COPE (Citizens Organized to Prepare for Emergencies) program makes is easy for communities to get together and become prepared.  Their website has a wealth of information to assist you in organizing a COPE program in your community.

Paul Hess, City of Santa Rosa Emergency Preparedness Coordinator is a valuable resource for ideas and information to get started.  Go to http://ci.santa-rosa.ca.us/default.aspx?PageId=2409 for information about how you can be proactive and prepared for emergencies in your neighborhood.

Thank you Paul for your commitment and leadership in this important endeavor.

All I can say is ... WOW!  If you want to live in a green community, you need to check out this new Sebastopol based live/work community designed by Architect, Steve Sheldon.

Florence Lofts has been created with an unquestionably deep commitment to our environment.  Don't miss the opportunity to check out this project which features, Leed's certified construction, use of sustainable and recycled construction materials, solar power, Graywater recycling, earthfriendly landscaping and the list goes on ... and on.  Take your own personal tour of the Florence Lofts project.  A perfect location for the Green oriented business owner or homebuyer.   Visit their website at www.ibisBuilds.com .

Here's an idea to implement in your community.  Have the "Toxic Rover" do a neighborhood pickup of hazardous wastes.  We all have stuff we want to throw out that we know should never wind up in landfill, here's an opportunity to do something about it. 

The Sonoma County Household Hazardous Waste Facility located at 500 Mecham Road, Petaluma  www.recyclenow.org  collects all types of hazardous wastes including batteries, CF lights and electronics. This site is located at the Central Disposal Site. Residents may bring up to 15 gallons of liquid (5 gal per container) or 125 pounds of solid materials per day. Please be sure to never mix chemicals and use sealed containers to pack in the trunk to prevent spills. This site will also offer toxic rover pickup services to residents only by appointment only.