As ballots start landing in Sonoma County mailboxes for the 2024 General Election, politics are raging out in ag country. If you’ve driven around the county’s farmlands lately, you’ve likely noticed there are more “No on Measure J” signs dotting yards and fields these days than there are anti-Newsom signs on The 5.
So what are they all about? Measure J, reportedly authored by Bay Area-based animal and environmental activists, would ban large animal farms from operating in unincorporated parts of Sonoma County — specifically, farms that pack a certain number of animals into a certain amount of space, and ones that don’t follow rigorous disposal standards for getting rid of animal poop. There’s no official analysis of how many farms Measure J would affect, but FWIW, the folks who authored it have counted more than 20 local cow, chicken and duck farms they think meet the definition.
Along with all the yard signs, in-person Measure J rallies have been ramping up — on both the “Yes” and “No” sides. The two camps even held dueling protests in downtown Santa Rosa two weekends ago, according to the Press Democrat:
On Saturday, opponents of the ballot measure said the proposal would hurt family farms, threaten jobs and the local agricultural economy. Supporters of the ballot measure, on the other hand, argued that the measure supports small farms, animals and the environment.
The day’s events kicked off with a No on J tractor parade followed by a pancake breakfast provided by the Professional Fire Fighters of Sonoma County Local 1401 union and a rally in Courthouse Square. About 200 people attended the rally. … The No on J event wrapped up at 12:30 p.m. Yes on J activists kicked off their activities shortly after at 1:15 p.m, also at Courthouse Square. From there, the crowd of about 100 people marched through downtown Santa Rosa and dropped a banner over a pedestrian bridge on Highway 101 near A Street.
The measure’s supporters argue that the way we’ve been farming at scale is cruel to animals and ruining our environment, to boot. Its opponents, for their part, argue that the particular definition of a “factory farm” laid out in the Measure J literature is murky and potentially quite impossible to abide by — fanning fear across the farming industry, and dependent industries like restaurants and tourism, that this initiative could cause the whole system to crumble.
At city halls across Sonoma County, elected officials have been coming out against Measure J, too. “The City of Petaluma published an online statement saying that the measure’s 45 days per year limit on confinement would make dairy and poultry farming at any scale impossible because ranchers must house their animals against the elements in the winter months,” the Bohemian reports.
There’s some big money behind both camps, according to another analysis by the Press Democrat: “The total of about $2 million pouring in — about 60% of it coming from outside Sonoma County — makes it clear that many see Measure J as potentially precedent-setting, whether their interest lies in animal welfare or the survival of the North Bay’s multigenerational family farms,” the paper reports. And KRCB news radio adds that these precedents could extend to the national level.
No pressure, y’all! Good luck parsing through the back-and-forth…
The North Bay cannabis industry has reportedly been struggling this year, too — but there are signs the local stoner scene is going strong. Not least of which was the annual “Hall of Flowers” cannabis market and festival at the Santa Rosa fairgrounds last month, open to the public for the first time this year (it used to be an industry insider event). By the looks of attendee reports and pics, the festival was a dizzying menagerie of radical new strains and blunt haze and weed-aesthetic art and paraphernalia. Cultural icon Wiz Khalifa even stopped by for a surprise “Khalifa Kush Smoke Out”!
And most impressively, at 4:20pm that Sunday, organizers say 7,000 of the event’s most ambitious pot smokers — of the 13,000 who attended, according to the Press Democrat — set a world record for the most joints lit at oncein one place.
“The energy was electric, the vibe was unparalleled, and it was amazing to see everyone come together to set this record,” Hall of Flowers cofounder Rama Mayo says in a press release.
(Not trying to harsh your buzz here, but FYI, because this is still capitalist America in which we’re lighting up, the successful Sept. 21 world-record attempt did happen to be a concoction of the rolling paper brand OCB, which sent reps to the event to unveil the company’s new “Houseplant” line of smoking accessories and home goods — a collaboration with another icon of weed culture, actor and filmmaker Seth Rogen.)
A Forbes journalist investigating the pot-industry downturn braved the Santa Rosa festival to “dive deep into the heart of cannabis in the Golden State and see if it’s still beating.” From his report:
I attended the Hall of Flowers trade show and festival in Santa Rosa on September 20-21st to see if I could find a pulse. Hall of Flowers is typically a B2B event but this year they opened it up to the public on day two for a “fan day”.
This innovation appeared to be a big success judging from the crowds of weed enthusiasts enjoying all the activations, games, and rides. Vendors sold their cannabis directly to the consumer without the usual regulatory hassle. Large branded bags of weed could be seen in the hands of consumers. That was a big win for the event organizers and from their perspective, things may be looking up for the state’s cannabis players.
“The industry is going to continue to evolve over the next 20 years, and we look forward to being at the forefront of that change,” said Rama Mayo, Hall of Flowers’ spokesperson. “Our focus is always on creating the most effective show possible in order to provide optimal value. The industry has been asking for a D2F (direct-to-fan) extension of Hall of Flowers, so we created a ‘Festival Day’ for the first time ever in Santa Rosa. This show hosted more brands than ever before, and that speaks volumes.”
See video from the Press Democrat of Sonoma County’s historic cannabis moment. And here’s some more aerial footage from a guy named Jackson Case-Barnes.
There’s been a big debate running for most of the year about whether the California wine industry is actually facing a downturn of doom. On one hand, the total valuation of the 2023 wine-grape harvest in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and Lake counties smashed all previous records, and the local tasting-room count keeps ticking upward each year. On the other hand, new market reports keep showing that Americans are drinking less wine (especially young people; “Wine is not brat,” in the words of the U.K. Guardian), and for every new tasting room it seems we hear of another winery fire sale around here.
My favorite industry blogger, who I mentioned earlier — the inimitable W. Blake Gray — wrote last weekend: “We interrupt the ongoing reports that the sky is falling on the wine and spirits industry to bring you something new: The sky has already fallen. SipSource released a report today that showed wine sales from wholesalers to retail stores, restaurants and bars dropped 8 percent in the 12 months that ended August 2024.” And our local Business Journal reports: “The North Coast wine grape market is experiencing significant challenges as this year’s harvest season progresses. Growers and wineries are grappling with oversupply, reduced demand and pricing pressures. Industry experts and growers paint a picture of a market in flux.”
So anyway, to get ahead of the curve and fight back against the growing nonalcoholic movement, the wine industry’s PR mafia launched a flashy campaignthis year called “Come Over October.” It’s clap-back to Sober October, which is gaining steam as a pre-holiday respite from drinking, not unlike the post-holiday Dry January.
The movement has some local perks, according to the SF Chronicle:
During October, Jackson Family Wines, which owns more than 25 California wineries and brands, is offering free tastings at seven of its estates: Napa Valley’s Freemark Abbey and Sonoma County’s Matanzas Creek, Siduri, Stonestreet, Copain, La Crema and Kendall-Jackson. The company is also hosting complimentary events, including two on Oct. 19 at Kendall-Jackson and Freemark Abbey.
Jackson Family’s free tastings are part of a grassroots wine industry movement promoting the social benefits of drinking wine. Named Come Over October, it was created as a direct counter to Sober October, the lesser-known sequel to Dry January that encourages people to abstain from alcohol for a month. Come Over October doesn’t quite roll off the tongue as easily as Sober October, but the intention behind it is of urgent concern for the wine industry, because wine consumption is down and a sober movement has undeniably taken off.
Never thought I’d see the day when coercion was needed to get everyone to sit around and get wine-drunk together! The official Come Over October website is a collection of inspirational wine messaging, a la:
“Historically and socially, wine — a communal beverage — has played a role in facilitating conversation, nurturing new friendships, and deepening old ones.”
“We believe that through the simple act of sharing wine, we share other things that matter — generosity, caring, and a belief that being together is an essential part of human happiness.”
Of course, Big Wine is all over this thing. “We’re thrilled to have Total Wine as a Benefactor for Come Over October!” campaign organizers wrote on Instagram in late August. “With a vast selection of wines from around the world and a commitment to helpful customers discover the perfect bottle, Total Wine has become a trusted name in the wine community. Their support means the world to us as we look ahead towards the start of October! Look for our posters and materials in 270 stores. Cheers to that!”
Content is everywhere in this day and age, but content worth consuming is increasingly rare and hard to find—that’s why OtherWise with Jane Harvey is such a diamond in the digital rough.
OtherWise with Jane Harvey is a docu-series and podcast that, through interviews with various intriguing individuals, aims to highlight the unique insights of those who learned to transmute their lived experience into something extraordinary and often beautiful.
As the title suggests, OtherWise is all about showcasing other forms of wisdom from those whose experiences and advice don’t necessarily fall into the mainstream. This newly released show shines bright not only for its stunning technical quality, but for the intent behind its rather inspirational vision, all of which goes to show what can happen when authenticity and talent are brought together by passion and compassion.
The masterminds behind OtherWise with Jane Harvey are, unsurprisingly, Jane and Micah Harvey, a recently married couple who took their talent and compatibility and poured it into a shared entrepreneurial vision. And now, that shared vision is a reality with the series to prove it.
“This project has been in the works for most of my life—finding a way to combine my creativity, my love of humanity and my love of storytelling has been the goal for me since day one,” Jane Harvey explained.
“This show has taken my passion for visual storytelling to a whole new level,” added Micah Harvey. “Creating media that elevates the human experience, at a time when it’s so needed, feels like what I’m meant to do. Hearing the stories of our interviewees, getting to sit down with them and get to know them, deeply moves me. Being able to amplify their messages is incredibly fulfilling.”
OtherWise with Jane Harvey is designed to showcase a wide variety of the elements that make up the human condition through an honest lens—this is especially true of those who took the path that leads from struggle to resilience and then to artistry. In sharing stories of individuals’ unique experiences in learning to balance life’s challenges and success through an accessible platform, OtherWise hopes to uplift and inspire its listeners to pursue their passions and explore life’s many opportunities for creativity.
“This show is about inspiring goodness and fostering connection,” Jane Harvey explained. “Bottom line: It’s here to help you, make you laugh, lift up your heart and boost your energy. ”
The concept for OtherWise first took root in 2021, when Jane Harvey decided to take her experiences as Bay Area art and culture journalist (including for the Pacific Sun and Bohemian, under her original byline, Jane Vick) into a different, more expansive media format. Though she enjoyed speaking with and highlighting the artists, thinkers and otherwise interviewable individuals through written word, she found the medium restricted her ability to truly showcase the extent of her interview experiences.
And so, the former Jane Vick set off to find her own way to share more of others’ wisdom with the world…with the help of her then-boyfriend and now-husband, of course.
“When we were [first] filming, [Micah] saw what I wanted to see and shot what I wanted to shoot, and so we have a synergy in terms of our creative vision that feels really natural and good,” said Jane Harvey.
“After that, it was like, ‘What if we did this—what if we started a business and made a show?’” she continued. “And so, we spent the next two and a half years making a show. We did our 9 to 5 jobs, and then our 5 to 9 was spent in the production studio, interviewing, and making sure we had materials to launch with, building up the entire brand, the website, structure, socials…”
The couple combined their shared talent and experiences in creating and managing content, and what alchemized was the first seed that would eventually grow to become OtherWise.
“I had great opportunities to learn as I developed my career, but found the more I progressed, the more I was guiding and approving other people’s creative process instead of developing my own,” said Micah Harvey. “The pay was comfortable, but it wasn’t that spark I experienced when working with Jane to create and tell stories that inspire people.”
In between their respective 9 to 5 and 5 to 9 jobs, Jane and Micah Harvey also managed to fit a few moves, an engagement and a wedding into their busy schedule. But when one is inspired, it seems as though no work is too much and no life is too busy to make room for the most important parts. The couple agrees that the breadth of everything they accomplished in such a short time span was far from easy, but was very worth the time, effort and risks.
“These two and a half years have been great, and challenging,” said Jane Harvey. “Being comfortable with discomfort was important. Knowing that this is going to be hard and uncomfortable and risky and scary, and those are actually indicators that you’re doing something really important.”
The first two video episodes of OtherWise with Jane Harvey were released just this September, and both are available to watch online. The docu-series begins with an intimate interview with Holly Wong, a San Francisco-based mixed-media artist who transmuted her early struggles into an honest and powerful story of living authentically and fully. The second OtherWise episode features Orin Carpenter, a multimedia artist, painter and arts teacher with a whole lot of wisdom, talent and kindness to share.
“A word that keeps coming up that I’m proud of is ‘authentic,’” said Micah Harvey. “…it’s important for us to come off with that authenticity, so it’s really comforting to hear people are receiving it that way.”
Now, the Harveys are excited to continue their work on OtherWise and share the incredible life stories, struggles and successes alike, of those they interview, with the world. And yes, they are aware of the very meta fact that they too took their struggles and passions, both individual and shared, and turned them into their own impactful artistic expression.
“We feel the magic of the fact that we are living the life that we created, and it’s the very thing we are interviewing people about—living our truth and dream,” said Jane Harvey.
“I have been wanting to do something like this my whole life, and when I met Micah I thought, ‘I can do this with this person,’” she concluded. “I won’t say I couldn’t have done it without him, but I would never want to.”
So, those interested in expanding their horizons and getting inspired one story at a time may tune in and watch an episode (or two) of OtherWise with Jane Harvey—just visit otherwisewithjaneharvey.com and enjoy!
In the words of Janeen Murray, outgoing executive director of North Bay super booster Go Local, moving money to a local bank is “the single most important thing you can do to help the local economy.” In observation of her words and the upcoming Credit Union Day, celebrating the international movement, I reached out to Redwood Credit Union, which put me with senior vice president Matt Martin and public relations manager Tracy Condron.
And it may be time to inquire more deeply of RCU. The bank has grown rapidly in recent years, from its humble and scrappy origin as a desk drawer cash box shared between Sonoma County government employees to a towering financial giant, with $8 billion of deposits available for loan.
CH: Matt, your branding is green. That can evoke healthy growth or greenwashing. In the story we tell of the world, banks and bankers are often cast as arch villains. Why would a credit union be different?
MM: Typically, banks are for-profit and are owned by stock-owning shareholders. Whereas credit unions like RCU are not-for-profit financial cooperatives owned and controlled by their depositing members.
It’s very freeing. We can focus on the needs of our customers, team members and communities as opposed to a bank’s quarterly profit sheets and shareholder needs. So, we can offer low or no fees, great rates on deposits and lower interest rates on loans. Tracy can tell you more about our brand.
TC: We had an outside company come in to help us with brand articulation. After extensive member focus groups and studies, they came back and said, you might not believe this, but your brand is ‘Love!’ Imagine that—for a financial institution!
CH: Tracy, I understand that Matt, who oversees the RCU community fund, indirectly brought you into your current job.
TC: Yes! I love sharing my “why.” I have been at RCU almost seven years, but prior to that I lost my home in the Tubbs fire. Shortly after, I received a check from the North Bay Fire Relief Fund—a partnership between the Press Democrat, RCU Community Fund and State Sen. Mike McGuire.
The impact of what I had lost and the need—which was so great, I basically had left with a jacket and a toothbrush … it’s hard for me to say … but in that moment I decided I wanted to work for an organization that showed up for people in their darkest moments. Three months later, I was working for RCU!
Reviewing a mystery/thriller is always a challenge. One wants to leave a play’s twists and turns for the audience to discover on their own, but in evaluating the play one can’t but help give a bit away. This is my way of saying this entire review should be prefaced with a “spoiler alert.”
You have been so notified!
Ira Levin’s Deathtrap is Broadway’s longest running comedy/thriller. It debuted in 1978 and ran for four years. A film adaptation starring Michael Caine and Christopher Reeve followed in 1982. Its small cast and single set have made it a popular choice over the years for community and regional theaters. Healdsburg’s Raven Players have a production running at the Raven Performing Arts Theater through Oct. 27.
Poor Sidney Bruhl (Craig Peoples). It’s been 18 years since the playwright has had anything close to a hit after the smashing success of his comedy/thriller, The Murder Game. He’s been reduced to giving writing seminars and living off of the largesse of his well-to-do wife, Myra (Elizabeth Henry).
He’s contacted one day by Clifford Anderson (Christopher Johnston), an attendee at one of Sidney’s recent seminars and an aspiring playwright. Clifford has written a play, and he wants Sidney’s thoughts. Sidney thinks it’s a guaranteed hit and one that he would kill to have written. Myra encourages him to invite Clifford over in the hopes of them collaborating. Much to Myra’s consternation, he starts to conjure up a plan to get his hands on the play that involves getting his hands on Clifford’s throat. But he’s only kidding.
Clifford arrives, and the three settle in Sidney’s study. The walls of the study are covered in a variety of weapons, from guns and knives to battle axes and broadswords, as well as a collection of handcuffs. In no time at all, Sidney puts one of the items to use, and the collaboration is over.
After disposing of Clifford’s body, Sidney and Myra’s discussion of what had just happened is interrupted by visiting psychic Helga ten Dorp (Diane Bailey). She’s had visions of terrible pain emanating from the Bruhl’s home and has come to warn them. After Helga’s departure, Sidney and Myra prepare for bed and…
If you think I’ve given too much away at this point, believe me, I haven’t. There are about a half-dozen more twists and turns that I’ll endeavor not to reveal.
Director Steven David Martin has a solid cast at work here. Craig Peoples does well as the beaten-down Bruhl, but he needs to raise the stakes for the character as the plot untwists. The same goes for Johnston’s Clifford. Henry might be Sonoma County’s new scream queen, as she’s required to do a lot of that in this show, and she does it well. Bailey is fun as the flamboyant Dutch psychic whose premonitions are slightly off but close enough to cause the characters some concern.
Set designer Julie-Raven Smart puts the expansive Raven stage to good use, and production manager Beneicka Brown did an excellent job of acquiring the menacing wall-mounted props. Dan Spears’ lighting is effective, from the cavernous theater bathed in pre-show blood red to the climactic lightning storm.
Typewriters, landlines and references to Merv Griffin may date the show a bit, and there’s a lot of “inside” theater-speak, but Deathtrap remains an effective stage thriller. The Raven Players have mounted a solid production that’s a good choice for theater-goers looking for Halloween-season entertainment.
‘Deathtrap’ runs through Oct. 27 at the Raven Performing Arts Theater, 115 North St., Healdsburg. Thu–Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 2pm. $10–$25. 707.433.6335. raventheater.org.
The Republican convention’s theme song, “It’s a Man’s World,” made clear what Donald Trump’s scheme was: Promote 1950s manhood to attract white male voters. But other men may upend this strategy, recognizing the threats women are facing. These other men include pro-reproductive rights men and white dudes.
When more men feel in their hearts the emergency women feel in their whole bodies, our consciousness will expand, too, and more men will join women on the front lines of the fight. More younger men are acutely aware of the issues surrounding abortion rights and identify significantly more as pro-choice than many may think. It’s a trend that’s been accelerating since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, as pollster and abortion strategist Tresa Undem has noted.
Although Trump-Vance allies recently debuted a $20 million campaign to register and motivate young voters in battleground states, a Young Men Research Initiative poll this summer found that while Vice President Kamala Harris is trailing Trump with young men who had not registered to vote, this figure was up 17 points among those who had. A recent Pew poll found that young male voters aged 18-29 supported Harris over Trump, 55 to 31%. Yes, it’s an encouraging snapshot, but not a time to be complacent.
Men of all ages must understand what women are up against. Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, 21 states have either enacted outright abortion bans or severely restricted the procedure earlier in a pregnancy than the benchmark set by Roe.
Abolishing Roe was just the extreme right’s opening volley in its plan to ban and criminalize abortion nationwide. Not convinced? Just read the chilling Handmaid’s Tale-like restrictions outlined in Project 2025.
“Do something!” Michelle Obama urged us. Talk to the men and young men in your life. Encourage them to speak out—and to vote. Their daughters, partners, wives, aunts and sisters depend on it.
Rob Okun is the editor of the anthology ‘Voice Male: The Untold Story of the Profeminist Men’s Movement.’
“As we got on the boat, sunlight brightened the sky, coloring the clouds a soft pastel pink.
Most of the researchers on the 67-foot catamaran called The Fulmar appeared tired yet focused, putting away their things, preparing the space for the day out at sea. Some were making tea, beginning to have breakfast or napping in a quiet corner before the work really began.
I and the other journalists sat at the table, waiting for instructions and talking with researchers who had joined us.
Jaime Jahncke, San Francisco State University adjunct professor and Point Blue Conservation Science ocean ecologist and one of the principal investigators for this cruise, sat with us and gave a breakdown of what we were doing on this boat early in the morning. To put simply what Jahncke explained, we were heading out to the open sea just beyond Marin and Sonoma counties to take samples from the ocean.
These samples and surveys are for the Applied California Current Ecosystems Studies (ACCESS), a dedicated and robust long-term collaborative research program in partnership with the Greater Farallones Association; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Sanctuaries; and Point Blue Conservation Science, based in Petaluma.
The project, now in its 20th year, is a vital part of understanding our impact on the oceans around the Bay Area and will only continue to be critical as the threats from climate change grow with each passing season.
ACCESS is also key to understanding and conserving the area, especially for many of the threatened and endangered species in these waters, such as humpback whales, fin whales, and blue whales.
Jahncke, along with a varied team of scientists, has taken these exact samples and surveys for the whole of ACCESS’s existence.
There is no one true goal for this project. The point, as Jennifer Stock, the media liaison for NOAA Sanctuaries, likes to say, is to gauge the pulse of our oceans. With that knowledge, Stock says, we can better understand what is happening to our coastlines, and therefore, this research can help inform public policy and conservation efforts.
The Plan
As the boat left the dock, Jan Roletto, conservation ecologist and research coordinator for the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and the other principal investigator on the cruise, gave us the itinerary.
We were to head out on a two-hour ride to our first stop, nearing the edge of the continental shelf where the water depth drops rapidly. There, the researchers would net some krill, test the salinity of the water, gather water samples and then collect plankton samples on the water’s surface. The boat would then go a bit further west into the ocean for another water and prey sample. After that, we would start a slow boat ride to other sample locations, this time with researchers at the top deck to survey the birds and marine mammals that we would see on our way back.
Following a short safety instruction, the boat left the bay and headed out to the sea.
Stepping outside with Stock, we talked about the marine sanctuaries as we sped away from shore, emphasizing the enormity of the project itself. After a short time, we watched as a humpback completely breached the water just beside the boat and in front of us, its ribbed belly in full view. We were amazed.
As the itinerary description shows, ACCESS’s work is incredibly varied. The project’s intent, stated on its website, is to gather information to “inform resource managers, policy makers and conservation partners.”
ACCESS collects and analyzes all of its robust data, and it releases a status report each year called the Ocean Climate Indicators Status Report. In this, it presents the historical trends of wind patterns, the nutrients of surface water, plankton species make-up along with the size of krill, hydroacoustics, and its mammal and bird survey observations. All of this is then described historically over the years, and the data has been collected to help inform what might be changing in the environment.
This document, then, can be used by policy makers, conservationists, other curious scientists and journalists to help inform what might be done or what can be learned from the robust information that ACCESS collects.
The Blob
From 2014 through 2016, there was a massive marine heatwave across the western United States, which many refer to ominously as “The Blob.” While people were aware of the high water temperatures then, their severity is abundantly clear in ACCESS’s historical data from their current status report.
Looking at the data, it seems that the heatwave impacted not only the size of adult krill but also the abundance of them offshore. This meant that the Cassin’s auklet, an ocean-dwelling bird that feeds on small animals in the water, had to travel much farther than previous years to find prey. Due to The Blob, humpback whales also arrived earlier than normal, yet left to find food closer to shore, leading them to become “entangled in crab pot gear much more frequently than in past years,” as the report said. Further study, it should be noted, is still needed to confirm if this is precisely true.
Beyond the Ocean Climate Indicator Status Report, these samples are sometimes used by graduate or Ph.D. students to tackle bigger research questions that can’t be answered without the large amount of information gathered by the ACCESS team. One current study by Ph.D. candidate Kaytlin Ingman at SFSU is using ACCESS data to understand why there has been a rise in whale entanglements.
ACCESS has also provided a Teacher-At-Sea program in the past, alloting space on its cruises for educators to learn how research is done and to be able to share and promote the sciences in schools in the Bay Area and beyond.
The most important aspect of the ACCESS cruise project is its consistency. Without it, the information could do very little to inform decision-making or scientific understanding of the region.
What’s more, as Elizabeth Weinberg wrote in an edition of Earth isBlue, oceansprograms like ACCESS can provide critical information, “enabling the sanctuary and seashore to establish a baseline for oil spill damage assessments.”
Seaworthy
After a two-hour trip dotted with sights of white-sided dolphins, disk-shaped ocean sunfish, fin and humpback whales, fur seals and critically endangered northern right whale dolphins, we made it to our first stop.
On the back deck, the sea shrouded in fog, the ACCESS team of researchers gathered outside in jackets, life vests and hard hats around the winch. They secured a large net with three traps to the thick, rusty metal line. Then, it started to sink to the sea floor. There, the net was meant to grab samples of any floating krill. Another device was attached above the net to collect water samples from the sea, which would then be studied to analyze the chemical and nutrient makeup on the seafloor.
Standing on the top deck beside the captain, who kept the boat still against the currents, we watched the winch slowly descend and return to the surface.
The researchers began to gather around Jahncke as he poured the net’s contents through a sieve, revealing a gelatinous pink mass. It was krill from the depths, which he and the team rinsed and placed into specific sample tubes to observe later on land.
KRILL A researcher hoses off a sample of krill taken from the depths. Photo by Cole Hersey.
As the boat continued to move and sway with the current and the rocking of a small swell, the large net was removed and cleared. Another net was placed onto the winch line. This one was intended to drag behind the boat, gathering whatever plankton was floating about. After a short amount of time, they reeled in the line and brought the samples in, rinsed them and placed them into sample tubes.
As the day went on and sampling continued, some of the crew gathered at the top deck to count marine mammals as others counted and observed birds. While there was much mammal and fish activity around the boat prior to the observations, the sea almost seemed to go quiet when they started observing. Some even made a joke about it at the next stop. But, surely enough, they spotted some animals.
Roletto, who I sat beside, spotted a shark, a few fur seals and fin whales. At one point, the entire back of a blue whale rose some 200 feet from the front of the boat, and the sound of water cascaded down its massive sides. We all looked on with excitement at seeing the largest animal on the planet, some 70 feet long, in front of us.
It was incredible what we could witness, even with so much fog.
However, after taking too long at one of the sights, we had to head back to shore.
Back to the Land
As the ship headed in, I heard some crew talking about the news and the fear of a potential furlough due to a shutdown by the federal government. One of the crew members said if the government were to shut down, there goes their jobs. Luckily, a stopgap bill was recently passed that made sure this didn’t happen.
While we sat again at the table, Stock pointed out that finding funding is often challenging for this work. While NOAA Sanctuaries runs part of the program and provides finances to pay for the boat and crew, Point Blue is the organization collecting and analyzing all of this complex data. Since they are a privately funded organization, largely through donations, the challenges for the longevity of their work are often in a slightly tenuous space.
Due to its smaller budget, the ACCESS organization can only plan out its work year by year.
Because of this, Jahncke said he hopes they will have more consistent and better resources in the future.
At that time, Jahncke said, he wants “more predictable resources to be able to plan forward more than year by year, which is how we do it right now.”
“There are also a lot of other things that are used at the bigger programs like CalCOFI [California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations] in Southern California, to improve the way they use the data. For example, there are tools to automatically sample their plankton, and then they use AI and machine learning to identify the critters that they find,” Jahncke said. “That will speed up our process so much.”
The ship slowly made its way to shore just as the sun was about to go down. When we got off the boat, the light in the sky appeared to be the same as when we first left the dock. We had been on the boat for just over 12 hours, and stepping back on land felt surreal. Someone joked that we were in a dream.
As we neared the parking lot, I asked one of the crew members what she would be doing that night.
“Take a shower. Eat some dinner. Go to sleep. Do it all again tomorrow” was the reply.
Almost every week from April to the end of September, this crew heads out to the open and roiling waters of the Pacific to gather data and insight from our oceans. As climate change poses a greater and greater risk to the ocean, as ocean acidification becomes a more significant threat to the lives of trillions of creatures that call the open ocean their home, this data is a critical instrument in understanding what is happening in our waters and, hopefully, how we can ensure these ecosystems are as safe as they can be in an increasingly uncertain future.”
As the election draws closer, we cannot ignore the growing impact of climate change on our communities. Hurricane Helene and now Hurricane Milton, along with dozens of wildfires this past summer, are all clear warning signs of a very real climate crisis.
This issue deserves more attention than it has received so far this election cycle. Only one brief question about climate was asked at the very end of the presidential debate.
The climate crisis impacts us all, no matter where we live or how much money we make. Americans are being told to flee their homes and risk losing everything.
Meanwhile, Big Oil continues to put profits over people by prioritizing fossil fuels that continue to destroy our environment.
We cannot afford to lose any more time in the fight against the climate crisis. We need leaders—at the federal, state and local levels—who believe in the science of climate change and are willing or can be convinced to take bold action before it’s too late.
So I urge everyone: When you cast your ballot this November, think of our planet and the people who call it home.
Chris Bartle
Corte Madera
Room With a View
With regard to American public life, civil discourse, diplomacy and world affairs, leadership and our current political climate, what is the largest room?
For one extraordinary week in 1972, John Lennon and Yoko Ono took over The Mike Douglas Show, and Daytime Revolution brings that radical moment in TV history back to life. The documentary captures five unforgettable episodes where Lennon and Ono pushed the boundaries of daytime television, inviting guests like Jerry Rubin, Bobby Seale, Ralph Nader and George Carlin to discuss issues like police violence and women’s liberation. With candid Q&A sessions, conceptual art and musical performances—including a duet with Chuck Berry—this film is a riveting reminder of art’s power to provoke change. Directed by Erik Nelson, the doc plays 7pm, Saturday, Oct. 19, and 1pm, Sunday, Oct. 20, at the Smith Rafael Film Center, 1118 4th St, San Rafael. Cost is$14 general admission, $10.50 for seniors and youth, and $8.50 for CAFILM members.
Freestone
Howl-O-Ween at Black Kite
Black Kite Cellars is bringing some spooky fun to Freestone with its first annual Pooches & Pinot event, Saturday, Oct. 26. It’s time to dress up those furry friends and join the Halloween Doggy Costume Contest for a chance to win doggy “barkuterie” boards, treats and more. While the pups enjoy their goodies, humans can sample cool-climate pinot noir and chardonnay from Black Kite’s signature flights. They may also capture Instagram-worthy moments in front of murals by Michael Duté, while sipping wine at the laid-back Jasper House, Black Kite’s pet-friendly tasting room. The event occurs in two shifts, 11am and 1pm, Saturday, Oct. 26, at 12747 El Camino Bodega, Freestone. Tickets are $50 per person, available at bit.ly/pooch-pinot.
Petaluma
Bring Your Own Bag
The Petaluma Downtown Association invites kids and their families to avoid the hustle and bustle of neighborhood trick or treating and instead enjoy the relatively calm environs of the Trick or Treat Trail in downtown Petaluma. Over 70 businesses will participate, offering treats and spooky fun from 3 to 5:30pm, Thursday, Oct. 31. The trail runs along Kentucky Street, Western Avenue, Petaluma Boulevard and the Theater District, with highlights including a costume contest at Ivy’s Hideout, a photo booth at Poppy’s and treats from the Petaluma Fire and Police Departments. Maps soon to be available (after Oct. 28) at petalumadowntown.com/trick-or-treat-trail.
San Rafael
Ladies Sing the Blues
Marin Jazz presents Three Ladies Sing the Blues on Friday, Oct. 18, featuring powerhouse artists Terrie Odabi, Tia Carroll and Lady Bianca. These award-winning blues and jazz singers will perform onstage together for the first time at the Marin Center Showcase Theater. Known for their full-throated singing and virtuosic piano playing, the three icons are internationally touring and recording artists and are the Bay Area’s very own blues ambassadors to the world. They perform at 7pm, Friday, Oct. 18, at the Marin Center Showcase Theater, 20 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. Tickets are $55 and $65. For more details and to purchase tickets, go to marinjazz.com.
As ballots start landing in Sonoma County mailboxes for the 2024 General Election, politics are raging out in ag country. If you’ve driven around the county’s farmlands lately, you’ve likely noticed there are more “No on Measure J” signs dotting yards and fields these days than there are anti-Newsom signs on The 5.
So what are they all about? Measure J, reportedly authored by...
The North Bay cannabis industry has reportedly been struggling this year, too — but there are signs the local stoner scene is going strong. Not least of which was the annual “Hall of Flowers” cannabis market and festival at the Santa Rosa fairgrounds last month, open to the public for the first time this year (it used to be an industry insider event)....
There’s been a big debate running for most of the year about whether the California wine industry is actually facing a downturn of doom. On one hand, the total valuation of the 2023 wine-grape harvest in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and Lake counties smashed all previous records, and the local tasting-room count keeps ticking upward each year. On the other hand, new market...
Content is everywhere in this day and age, but content worth consuming is increasingly rare and hard to find—that’s why OtherWise with Jane Harvey is such a diamond in the digital rough.
OtherWise with Jane Harvey is a docu-series and podcast that, through interviews with various intriguing individuals, aims to highlight the unique insights of those who learned to transmute...
In the words of Janeen Murray, outgoing executive director of North Bay super booster Go Local, moving money to a local bank is “the single most important thing you can do to help the local economy.” In observation of her words and the upcoming Credit Union Day, celebrating the international movement, I reached out to Redwood Credit Union, which...
Reviewing a mystery/thriller is always a challenge. One wants to leave a play’s twists and turns for the audience to discover on their own, but in evaluating the play one can’t but help give a bit away. This is my way of saying this entire review should be prefaced with a “spoiler alert.”
You have been so notified!
Ira Levin’s Deathtrap...
The Republican convention’s theme song, “It’s a Man’s World,” made clear what Donald Trump’s scheme was: Promote 1950s manhood to attract white male voters. But other men may upend this strategy, recognizing the threats women are facing. These other men include pro-reproductive rights men and white dudes.
When more men feel in their hearts the emergency women feel in their...
"As we got on the boat, sunlight brightened the sky, coloring the clouds a soft pastel pink.
Most of the researchers on the 67-foot catamaran called The Fulmar appeared tired yet focused, putting away their things, preparing the space for the day out at sea. Some were making tea, beginning to have breakfast or napping in a quiet corner before the work...
Clime of Times
As the election draws closer, we cannot ignore the growing impact of climate change on our communities. Hurricane Helene and now Hurricane Milton, along with dozens of wildfires this past summer, are all clear warning signs of a very real climate crisis.
This issue deserves more attention than it has received so far this election cycle. Only one...
San Rafael
The Revolution Was Televised
For one extraordinary week in 1972, John Lennon and Yoko Ono took over The Mike Douglas Show, and Daytime Revolution brings that radical moment in TV history back to life. The documentary captures five unforgettable episodes where Lennon and Ono pushed the boundaries of daytime television, inviting guests like Jerry Rubin, Bobby Seale, Ralph Nader...
