After several years of quiet at the gates of Bohemian Grove, the annual encampment of the rich and powerful is getting renewed attention this weekend, with an infusion of new energy from the Occupy movement.

A rare, undated photo of the annual "Cremation of Care" ceremony that opens the summer encampment at Bohemian Grove When the Bohemian Grove Action Network began its 30-year series of actions outside the Bohemian Grove in 1980, the dominant political issue was nuclear disarmament. Thirty-two years later, explains Lois Pearlman, one of the organizers helping coordinate this year's Occupy Bohemian Grove event, they will feature speakers addressing a wide array of concerns, as shown in the flyer below.

Last week, several of the groups participating in the event, sent a letter to the president of the Bohemian Club, urging them to become more transparent about their speakers and other activities. Peter Phillips, president of the Media Freedom Foundation, was one of the signers of the letter, which also advised the club about the Occupy Bohemian Grove actions.

 Few things are more basic to our health than breathing. Yet how we breathe, unconsciously, can contribute to a wide range of physical problems. And the common root cause is usually stress.

Dorisse NealeTaking a deep breath, warns Respiratory educator and Registered Nurse Dorisse Neale, is not a way to counter the ill effects of "overbreathing." In fact, it's just another symptom of the problem.

A former Sonoma County resident now based in Charlottesville VA,  Neale will present on "The Science of Breathing" at the Science Buzz Café at Sebastopol's Coffee Catz cafe on Thursday, Jyuly 12 at 6:30. She is also holding several clkasses and workshops in Northern California during the remaining summer months. Details on those sessions can be found here.

2011 was a pretty good year for most crops in Sonoma County, except for the biggest one—wine grapes.

Although wine grapes are far and away the largest  and mst visible single crop in Sonoma County, Sonoma County Agricultural commissoner Tony Linegar says he does not share the concerns of those who fear the county is moving to far toward a monocu;ture of vineyeards.

One indication of the agricultural diversity of Sonoma County is the increasing number of small farms that offer a wide variety of vegetables and fruit. While they are very popular with local consumers, Linegar says they are will never challenge grapes, dairly or apples as a major economic factor within the ag sector of the county's economy.

The entire 2011 Sonoma County Crop Report can be downloaded here, along with prior years' reports for comparisons.

Red Rock Island is unique in two ways: It's the only privately owned island in San Francisco Bay—currently for sale at under $5 million—and it is shared by three counties, San Francisco, Marin and Contra Costa. But it is only one among four dozen islands in and around the bay.

Red Rock Island, seen from above at right with the Richmond-San Rafael to the north adn below at sunset, is just one of the subjects covered at length--and beautifuly photographed--in James Martin and Michael Lee's The Islands of San Franciso Bay.  Copies of the book are available online directly from the authors. For more about the island and its history visit this comprehensive website.

[Photos on this page courtesy of James Martin]