There have been a series of new cases of equine herpes virus in California over the last several weeks, in Tuolumne, San Joaquin and Sonoma counties. 

Locally, there was a single confirmed case in Sonoma County, which was quickly identified and quarantined until the risk of contagion had passed.

Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) infection in horses can cause respiratory disease, neurological disease, abortion in mares and neonatal foal death. The neurological form of the disease, is known as Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM),  has the potential to cause high morbidity and mortality. EHV-1 is easily spread and typically has an incubation period between 2-10 days. Respiratory shedding of the virus generally occurs for 7-10 days, but may persist longer in infected horses. For this reason, the isolation period recommendation for confirmed positive EHM cases is twenty-one (21) days.

Read more: Equine Herpes Virus Update

Loleta, Calif. – The Wiyot Tribe and Friends of the Eel River (FOER) were joined by Native American Indian tribes from throughout Northern California in a prayer ceremony Saturday focused on returning the Eel River and the fisheries it supports to a healthy, sustainable state. This event follows several similar ceremonies held since 2009 that have taken place in different parts of the nearly 3,600-square mile Eel River watershed.

“Rivers need water to survive,” said Nadananda, Executive Director of the Friends of the Eel River. “The cost of diverting so much water out of the Eel River is simply too high. Salmon and steelhead are on the brink of extinction here. While increases in water flows over the past five years have made it possible for Chinook salmon populations to begin to make a comeback, significantly more water will need to be returned to the river if we are going to save these fish.”

Read more: TRIBES JOIN CEREMONY TO RETURN NATIVE SALMON TO EEL RIVER

Shedding light on the current debate over immigration reform and the use of "guest workers" in American agriculture, Harvest of Loneliness  is a historical documentary examines what was known as the Bracero Program--a system put in place from 1942 to 1964 to recruit Mexican farm laborers for temporary work in the United States.

The film presents ample testimony from surviving braceros, as well as family members and descendants of these displaced workers, who typically went north expecting not just high wages but also humane treatment and working conditions-expectations that were rarely if ever met.

Producer Gilbert Gonzalez, a professor of Chicano/Latino studies at the University of California, Irvine, worked closely with KRCB to prepare and distribute his film to PBS stations across the country, in time for broadcasts associated with Hispanic Heritage Day this month. It will be shown on KRCB  Television on Tuesday, September 13, at 9 pm. You can preview highlights from the film below.

Read more: Documentary revisits agriculture’s “bracero” program

 I drove past the new sculpture garden at the Sonoma County Museum several times during its construction and finally my curiosity got the better of me.  A few days ago, early on a weekday afternoon, I stopped to take a look around.  The Sculpture Garden was created on land adjacent to the museum, a site previously used to park cars.  Apart from being a vast improvement over the parking lot, the Sculpture Garden is a handsome addition to downtown Santa Rosa.

 The garden makes interesting use of a variety of plants and trees, including olive and plum, as well as grass and hardscape areas.  Although equipped with more than an average number of benches for a comparatively small space, I saw no provision for a place to rest in the shade.  If you visit on a sunny day, take a hat. 

The sculptures vary in scale and size but none dominate at the expense of others.  The materials include wood, steel, aluminum, travertine, and stone.  The entry gate on 7^th Street is almost a sculpture in itself, well proportioned and in keeping with the whole environment.

The Sculpture Garden is also intended to be used for performances and classes.  The next performance, September first, is by the Tom McIntyre Trio. Consult the museum website for other scheduled events.  The Sonoma County Museum is located at 425 7^th Street, Santa Rosa.