Letters to the Editor 7-3-14

Conservation in Cloverdale
Editor: People here watch very closely all attempts to develop Cloverdale. Development carries many hidden effects, like lots of pavement, a sea of buildings, dams, wider roads, malls, bigger, better and more entertainment.  It’s almost un-American, but fairly easy to resist pressures to build yet another casino or a huge resort, or a golf course. When it comes to convenience, though, it’s harder to see problems with a Trader Joe’s store, a competitive super market, or a Costco. Think about it. Do we really need them? What will be the cost?
There is something missing in Cloverdale’s beautiful garden this year: water. The air is drier and dustier than usual.  The river looks more like a creek. Many lawns are yellow, and we look askance at those that are too green. We are living in drought conditions, again, for the third year, and things are getting serious.  Water saving is a big topic of conversation. We point out to friends how many buckets we have in the house to transport shower water, rinse water, dish water (not too soapy) to storage tanks outside, that is, bigger buckets with covers to keep out mosquito larvae. The plants are going to have to get used to tasting all kinds of flavors in their water.  Probably old trees in backyards that have experienced drought before now are saying things like, “Oh, they had cereal for breakfast this morning,” or “Wow, she really needed that shower!” Or, thinking it, anyway. We haul several buckets of used water each day, good bone density strengthening, and the water keeps precious plants alive that have no purpose than the beauty they add to our lives.
It seems we have pushed Gaia to her limit.  There are too many people planting too many water intensive plants, and all these people running loads of wash, flushing toilets, washing themselves and their food and their dishes. Mother doesn’t like it.  She is frowning, and you know what that means. Actually we don’t, and that’s what all the fuss is about. When Mother Nature sees climate change deniers, running the sprinklers, washing the car, cooling down the patio and taking long showers, Mother is not only frowning, she is looming, and she looks mad!
It’s irritating to have to accept the reality that our planet is in deep trouble.  And just when summer is here.  Summer is so wonderful, it seems a shame to have to mess it up with reality.  Our world is green and wonderfully decorative.  Billions of leaves wave in soft breezes; birds sing us awake in the morning, foxes, quail, turkeys and deer visit our backyards, and frog concerts lull us to sleep at night. Long days lie before us for walks, picnics, day trips to beach and mountains, dinner on the deck.  Bees crowd the plants they like, humming a lullaby for an afternoon nap, pollinating them for posterity.
Here it is! Life: burgeoning, abundant, fecund life in such unbelievable profusion. Such glorious wealth! It is impossible, unthinkable, that a year should pass without the fullness of summer. Carpe diem. Enjoy every minute and every delight of the season. It passes so soon.
How many more summers of abundance will we have?  Much depends on what we do now, what we plant, how we live, how much of the planet’s resources we co-opt for ourselves. Can we, the wealthiest people in the world, learn to live sustainably? The knowledge is available, but it takes most of the village working together to bring about the dream of living in harmony with nature, each person doing what she or he can.  May we prosper.  Indeed, may we yet thrive.
Louise Young,
Cloverdale
Cloverdale cares
Editor:   
Cloverdale ROCKS and Cloverdale CARES! This town is amazing. What started out last year as a little idea to help raise much needed food items for the summer morphed into a full blown community event. The Cloverdale Food Pantry took in over 1,300 pounds of rice and beans, bins and bins of canned items especially much needed tuna and well over $7,000 to help ongoing operations and additional food items.
While it is impossible to thank everyone here, the Pantry and its patrons thank you immensely. We even received donations from those who used to live in the area. A special shout out to Gene Marcinkowski and the American Legion for the use of the Veterans Hall, the Lions, Soroptimists, Rotary, CHS Interact Club for their generous donations, Savvy on First for yummy sandwiches, the Clover Springs swimmers for the disappearing deviled eggs and the wonderful people of Cloverdale who came out to bag, sort and party.  
Please do not forget the Cloverdale Food Pantry.  As your gardens produce extra fruits or vegetables, drop them off on Fridays at the Food Pantry.  The address is 202 Commercial Street. Volunteers are generally there starting late morning. Non-perishable items can be dropped off at the Clover Springs Lodge or call 396-8383 to arrange a time for larger donations.  Financial donations can be sent to Cloverdale Food Pantry, P.O. Box 1038, Cloverdale, CA 95425.
MJ Dellaquila and Jean Herschede
Co-chairs Christmas in June