First Responder Appreciation Sign
Oakmont returned home after the Glass fire, and the signs of appreciation for brave first responders were quick to follow at Oakmont homes, businesses and the two Highway 12 entrances.
Photo credit: Betz Tyler
Firefighter In Need
GoFundMe for Captain Michael Musgrove
In last week’s e-blast, we brought you the story of Captain Musgrove and his crew who were working in Oakmont to hold back the fast-approaching wildfire. At the same time, Musgrove’s house on St. Helena Road in rural Santa Rosa went up in flames and could not be saved, almost to the day one year ago that he unexpectedly lost his 20-year-old daughter. He had owned the house for only two days and had not yet arranged for fire insurance.
The Oakmont News provided the way to the GoFundMe site. Unfortunately, KTVU.com has changed its website since we ascertained how to access the site. Click here and you will be taken right to the donation page.
Important Information
President’s Message
At the end of the third quarter of the Year That Wouldn’t End, the Glass Fire took six of our homes, damaged property and shook the foundations of our lives. The fire’s assault on Oakmont followed four straight weeks of “Spare the Air” days. Smoke from the Atlas and other fires polluted our air and darkened our skies and moods, worsening the effects of COVID isolation. Oakmont was virtually empty for over a week while various organizations fought to save our homes, extinguish hot spots and repair infrastructure damage. Meanwhile, ash piled up on our landscaping and the food in our refrigerators rotted.
It’s kind of hard to put a positive spin on this. I have no intention of waxing poetic or sugar-coating what we’ve been through. Together, we’ve suffered and are still suffering. I will, however, attempt to frankly address three questions: 1) Where are we now? 2) Where do we go from here? and 3) What can we take from this tragedy?
Click Here For The Full President’s Message
OVA Board Meeting
OVA Board Meeting October 20
1pm – www.oakmontvillage.com/live
To view the meeting agenda and member resolution packet, please click here
If you would like to speak during open forum, please join the meeting with this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ttXbzd9DTvuiDyeq9cYpCA
Passcode: 290018 Webinar ID: 813 3019 5257
If you do not plan to speak during open forum or cannot use Zoom, please watch with this link: www. oakmontvillage.com/live
If you cannot join via Zoom but would like your open forum comment read, please send it to AskOVA@oakmontvillage.com.
Before You Replace Fencing Damaged In The Fire Along Hightway 12…
OVA is requesting that all residents directly affected by fire-damaged fencing consult the OVA Architectural Office before taking action and NOT rush to replace wooden fences lost in the fire. More information about fencing options will be available at the virtual OVA Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday, October 20, at 1 p.m. OVA staff is obtaining bids for temporary rental fencing for properties along Highway 12 to protect those sections where fencing was lost. We are looking at chain link fencing with visual barriers.
OVA is investigating fencing alternatives that will better protect Oakmont from grass and brush fires originating across Highway 12. Wildfire protection professionals advise that wooden fences increase fire hazards to our properties and homes. There are several commercial products that provide impressive fire resistance in wildfire emergencies. Additionally, fire-resistant fencing will last much longer than wood fencing; and it can also provide sound attenuation, which may be of particular value to homeowners experiencing traffic noise from Highway 12.
OVA is also looking at how Oakmont can better protect itself from fires spreading in our direction elsewhere along our lengthy perimeter.
CAC Construction Update
CAC Construction Update from Facilities Manager Rick Aubert
Due to the amount of remaining concrete tear out and replacement in the Berger/CAC parking lot, the CAC pool will remain closed for resident safety concerns. The attached photos show walkways all around the Berger in different areas along the north and south sides of the parking lot. At the north entrance to the parking lot, the entire approach from White Oak into the parking lot will be removed the week of October 19-23. Once the approach is re-poured, it must not have any vehicle traffic for a minimum of seven days. We are anticipating the CAC pool can reopen Monday, November 2.
Golf Membership Info
Covid Testing Photos at Berger
The line of cars wrapped from Oakmont Drive around to White Oak before circling within the Berger lot as residents took advantage of testing upon returning home from evacuation. Photos by Kathy Sowers
Santa Rosa Online Art Exhibit Urges You to Vote
In the event that anyone needs reminding, here is something to move you to sit down with your ballot. Rather than try and convince viewers to join a side, this exhibit simply urges people to vote. Read the article by clicking here and view the art by clicking here. The show will continue through November 3.
Fire Safety
Fire Safe Sonoma Webinar
Click here to register for the ENGLISH SPOKEN Fire Safe Sonoma Webinar
Click here to register for the SPANISH SPOKEN Fire Safe Sonoma Webinar
Learn about the fire in the WUI
Do you know where the WUI (pronounced woo-eee) is? Much of Oakmont is in that Wildland/Urban Interface, and understanding the risks of wildfire in and near the WUI is a multi-faceted journey into the intricacies of risk assessment and fire behavior.
The City of Santa Rosa is in the process of adopting a Community Wildfire Protection Plan. This brochure provided by Firewise USA discusses the process of hazard assessment and much more. Oakmont was designated a Firewise USA community in 2018.
Please click here to view the full brochure
Learn how to prepare and protect yourself as Steve Quarles, PhD., Chief Scientist for Wildfire and Durability (retired) and Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) with Yana Valachovic discuss How Wildfires Burn in the WUI.
When: October 27, 6 p.m. Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Topic: How Wildfires Burn
Join on Facebook live stream or via zoom here:
https://firesafemarin.zoom.us/j/87382415962
Online Fun
Online Oakmont activities for weeks of October 19 and October 26
Please Click Here to View the Oakmont Online Activities Calendar
Oakmont Sunday Symposium Broadcast Series
Due to the ongoing coronavirus safety protocols, speakers have been engaged to present either pre-recorded sessions or to appear in LIVE sessions. You won’t want to miss any talks, so please check the Upcoming Talks page weekly for the latest instructions: http://oakmontsundaysymposium.org
Join each Sunday at 11 a.m. on the date of the talk to engage with the speaker.
Oct 25: Bill Montgomery
Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery Graveyard Stomp
Bill Montgomery, an expert in Santa Rosa history, will introduce us to some of the more interesting and colorful residents of the Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery which originated in 1854, the year that Santa Rosa was founded. The presentation will be a photo tour of the Cemetery exploring the lives and history of those buried there. In honor of the 100th year of women’s suffrage, emphasis will be on women either buried there or associated with Santa Rosa, including the owner of the first Mexican rancho, the first female elected official, our first female doctor, Dr. Dear, and the Mother of Civil Rights in California. Bill sure knows how to tell a fascinating story. Come learn about the people who made Santa Rosa happen. Mr. Montgomery served as Deputy Director/Parks for Santa Rosa from 1990 to 2003 at which time he was in charge of the Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery preservation project.
Oakmont Genealogy Club
Monday October 26, 1pm
This is the meeting that had to be canceled in September due to the evacuation.
Check the website (oakgenclub.org) for the Zoom meeting information.
There will be a focus on a few things that are happening in the internet space, particularly on a really neat mapping site, new things in DNA analysis and the increasing availability of church records. Since this will be the first meeting as a club since February, it will also be a chance to bring your questions.
Mondays at 10am
Upcoming topics for the Great Decisions discussion group:
October 26 – Brexit
November 2 – Russia
If you’d like to join the Zoom discussion, email oakmontgd@gmail.com.
Bingo is Back!
November 7, 1pm
The Just for Fun Games Club was scheduled to play Bingo on Saturday, October 3; but we were all evacuated. The virtual BINGO game will now be held via Zoom on Saturday, November 7, at 1 p.m.
If you are interested in playing, register by sending an email to Just4FunGamesClub@earthlink.net
Include your name, email address and telephone number. (if you don’t use email, you may call or text Jeri Phillips at (714) 883-3126 to register.)
After you register, you will receive further info.
Oakmont’s Online Games
There are still a lot of opportunities for you to play games with your neighbors and friends. We have game groups for contract bridge, duplicate bridge, Scrabble, MahJongg, and other games. Online can be a lot of fun and a chance to stay in touch. Email gamesatoakmont@gmail.com.
Free Fitness Class with JoRene
Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 – 10am
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/96799422442?pwd=aVpLZ3NWeDV2ZUE3VnBQbzZILzBiQT09 or go to Zoom.com and type Meeting ID: 967 9942 2442
Passcode: 573596
Zoom Classes with Sonoma Community Center FREE for SCC Members
Seating is limited, so sign up now to reserve your seat.
WED, Oct. 21, 10 a.m.-11 a.m.
THUR, Oct. 22 , 6 p.m.-7 p.m. (Virtual)
FRI, Oct. 23, 10 a.m.-11 a.m. , Intermediate
FRI, Oct 23, 6 p.m.-7 p.m. (Virtual) Intermediate
SAT, Oct. 24, 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Intermediate
Join Nicole Abaté Ducarroz for an encouraging experience that will benefit those who are new users or who have never used Zoom before.
This is a community service and membership perk to enable individuals to stay connected to loved ones, socialize and to learn online. This programming is designed to bring our community with us as we begin our Fall 2020 virtual programming including Gallery Exhibitions, Classes, Artist’s Lecture and more.
The classes will be capped at six students and will be located on the patio of the Community Center with separate tables for each participant, spaced more than six feet apart. If the air quality is poor or there are winds, we will relocate to Andrews Hall.
Participants must bring their own laptop, iPad or smartphone (multiple devices are welcome). Fully charge them ahead of time.
Register here: https://sonomacommunitycenter.org/how-to-zoom/