Friday, July 21, 2017

Calistoga-Santa Rosa bus would relieve road congestion

Viewed from rear: Backed-up cars stopped on Petrified Forest Road, just outside Calistoga city limits, approaching the junction with Highway 128
Petrified Forest Road, approaching Highway 128
Among thousands of motorists who travel each day between Calistoga and Santa Rosa, surely at least some would rather travel by bus than endure stop-and-go, backed-up traffic. I really want to see a bus route developed, either by Sonoma County Transit, by VINE Transit in Napa County or perhaps a joint-powers project.

A bus route between Calistoga and Santa Rosa would make sense for discerning motorists, because how much more enjoyable would it be to relax on a bus, mini-bus or coach? Maybe catch up on reading, enjoy an audio-book or browse news via onboard Wi-Fi. Viewing stalled cars in multiple directions, argues for at least SOME demand.

SMART multi-use pathway: construction and safety concerns

Officials with Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit are advancing proposals to fund construction of multi-use pathway segments in Rohnert Park and Petaluma (as reported by Derek Moore, Press Democrat).

Friday, July 14, 2017

Aboard SMART Train during preview ride

SMART Train No. 105, southbound to San Rafael, paused at outdoor boarding platform
At Santa Rosa North Station
“Easy to use,” was the pronouncement by one cyclist, securing his bicycle during a preview ride aboard SMART Train. As a cyclist I’d wanted to observe these conditions for myself after reading a review by another SMART Train rider. ​

Sunday, July 9, 2017

Nantucket Bike Basket Co., small-animal carrier


Starfire inspects a special carrier from Nantucket Bike Basket Co. When its sides are folded up, the carrier attaches to a bicycle rack. Its removable, washable, fleece pad surrounds the cat with plush comfort.

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

‘Bicycling Rules of the Road’

Book cover, 'Bicycling Rules of the Road' by Kelly Pulley. Image depicts boy in helmet on his bicycle, shown from the rear view, paused in a roadway next to a stop sign. The boy's head is turned right, looking down a side street that intersects the road he is on. The road is lined with green landscaping, a single blue house and trees. A dog stands in the road next to the boy, looking ahead.
Devin's mother gives him rules for safely riding his bicycle, but once on his bike, he tries but fails to remember what he should and should not do.

He agrees to give his friend Betsy a ride on his handlebars — with immediate loss of visibility and bicycle maneuverability.

Things go from bad to worse as, one by one, Devin acts counter to another bicycling safety rule and soon an entire basketball team, their goat mascot and a rescued cat are all precariously balanced with him and Betsy on his bicycle.

Kelly Pulley relates an entertaining story that carries a serious message in Bicycling Rules of the Road (Schiffer Publishing, November 2017). Brightly colored illustrations, rhyming text and humorous storyline make this book ideal when reinforcing for children, the importance of safely riding a bicycle.

The rules can all be found in a note to Devin from his mother, making them easy to reference and reinforce with children when reading the story aloud. Nothing is ambiguous; each choice by Devin has a consequence and the text makes cause-and-effect clear.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a review copy of this book from the publisher. The opinion expressed is my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Monday, July 3, 2017

Preview rides aboard SMART Train

Bright green SMART Train parked at outdoor station that is decorated by row of lampposts
Source of image: Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit on Facebook
If it works out with our schedules, I hope that Jonathan and I can take a preview ride during coming weeks aboard Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit. Current emphasis for the holiday is bringing people down to attend the Marin County Fair, then returning them after the fireworks — but I simply look forward to straightforward round-trips that let us preview this new passenger rail system in California’s North Bay.