This was a difficult show to record as it reflected the aftermath of the October 2019 fires (not quite contained at the time of this recording) and the frustrations of the media projecting Sonoma as being completely on fire. Scenes from the 2017 fires were shown on tv with disregard about how it affects small businesses and towns that are driven by hospitality. The headlines were brutal and confusing as Sonoma and Sonoma County can be synonymous even though Sonoma County. Sonoma County is 1,500 square miles/2.414 square kilometers, more than 50 miles/80 kilometers of coastline along the Pacific Ocean and the San Pablo Bay. Three rivers – Russian, Petaluma, and Gualala and One lake – Lake Sonoma. Sonoma County has a population of over 475,000 people. The county has more than 425 wineries, 53 regional parks, 20 coastal beaches and it is very hard for visitors to comprehend the landscape from afar.
We also discuss the potential new normal of our electric company powering the electric down whenever they think that there is a potential danger to our areas. We all want to be safe from fire and we have to respect the authorities and the people who have trained to keep us safe. It has been a couple difficult weeks and we are grateful that a minimal amount of lives were lost and that many of our friends in upper Sonoma County are safe. We are all in this together, but we won’t survive if guests don’t visit and are fearful that either wine country is destroyed, and we are not available for business.
If you are listening forgive Brian and I for ranting, we are truly grateful that it wasn’t worse. If you are still listening – please plan a trip – you can visit ALL of Sonoma County – you will be welcomed warmly and if not – buy Sonoma County wine – that helps too!
To learn more about the fires click here: https://response.ca.gov/
To donate: https://ncg.org/news/kincade-fire-how-help
To find out about volunteer opportunities: https://www.sonomafamilymeal.org/ https://www.corazonhealdsburg.org/ https://www.sonomacf.org/