4a Group #1

1. Story title and Author:

The Big Valley; by Mark Arax
Transients in Paradise; by Aimee Liu
Showing off the Owens; by T. Jefferson Parker
The Distant Cataract about Which We Do Not Speak; by Mary Mackey

2. Summarize the reading:

The Big Valley; by Mark Arax
Mark Arax lived in Fresno, in a big fig orchard. Playing in fig orchard with frogs in the irrigation canal. Mark’s grandfather started his first vineyard in the San Joaquin Valley. Mark’s father also lived and worked on an orchard land. Today the home farmland of Fig orchard Mark grew up is now swallowed up with tract homes, stores such as Target and Wal-mart, and many fast food restaurants A farmer back then could read the land, and animals, and knew what kind of harvest year it would be. Modern day suburbia has snuffed out more and more farms. A farmer is hard work, yet with irrigation, it is an art. However, it was rewards are many.

Transients in Paradise; by Aimee Liu
Aimee Liu lived in Beverley Hills. She describes the city like “hobos and madwomen living in the Garden of Eden.” Those living outside of Beverly Hills think it is a city of celebrities,’ famous people in glamorous clothes with fancy hairstyles. However, the traffic there is horrible; mansions are beautiful and always needing fixing. People yelling and fighting with one another, and when you cross the cross walk, your life is at risk. The TV does not show the really Beverly Hills, it’s not all that its portrayed to be. The rich and famous are remember for a time, but the homeless person on the street corner is never remembered. The city is filled with marriages that do not last, children neglected and homeless people hoping someone will hand them change from their pocket for food.

Showing off the Owens; by T. Jefferson Parker
The author wrote about California’s Lower Owens River, where people could catch large Rainbow Trout. He remembers the Owen River as a great place for fishing, with all kinds of fish. Yet today it is no longer that way, as the river has lost over half of what it uses to be like, with fish and the waters. The author tells a bout two friends Tom, experienced commercial fisherman and Brian who was great a fly-fishing.

The Distant Cataract about which we do not Speak; By Mary Mackey
Mary is fascinated with birds, especial ducks. She gives a beautiful illustration on how she moves in close to observe the ducks. She does not kill them; she studies them and learns from them. Mary tells about the American River Parkway, which is over thirty mils running through the city of Folsom Lake and to the American River into Sacramento.

3. My Favorite Sentence or Paragraph:

The Big Valley:
“Today, the fig orchards of northwest Fresno are gone, swallowed up by custom houses and tract houses.” Page 19

Transients in Paradise:
“The tide of mortality, of discarded channel bags, rejected talent, stale newspapers and abandoned trumpets, neglected children and wasted beauty…" Page 34

Showing off the Owens:
“I looked down into the water and pictured the thousands of trout down there unwilling to be caught.” Page 40

The distant Cataract About, which we do not speak:
“Suddenly a female with six tiny ducklings trailing behind her paddles toward me, freezes and does a double take. That Thing is definitely not a duck! She gives a terrified squawk and my cover is blown. Instantly, all hell breaks loose. Quacking in panic, the ducks scatter like swimmers who have just realized that the log floating toward them is actually a crocodile. Most of the flock takes to the air, the mothers.” Page 46


4. What did the reading make me think about?

The Big Valley:
This story reminds me of when I was growing up in Pleasant Hill, California. Like Fresno, Pleasant Hill, Concord, and Walnut Creek were once small towns with farmlands all around. I lived on a 4-acre farm with an orchard of Walnut trees. I can relate to this story about how Pleasant Hill was once farmlands that were swallowed up by suburbia homes, stores, and malls. My dad was a farmer and it was the good life. I miss it a lot.

Transients in Paradise:
On the surface, we see wealthy mansions, movie stars, and glamorous rich people living the elegant life. Yet in reality it is not all what it appears to be. In Beverly Hills and LA with there are many homeless people walking the streets, living out of garbage dumpsters. In addition, we wonder, how can a wealthy city have homeless people? People tend to forget the less fortunate, and we tend to me more selfish. All it takes is one person to show a little kindness and help those in need.

Showing off the Owens:
Like the story, the Big Valley, the Owens was a beautiful place to fish. Now it is changed from the progress of homes, stores, and office buildings. We lose more of nature, less fish, less trees and less land when more and more beautiful pasturelands are covered over in a concrete city.

The distant Cataract about which we do not speak:
I can relate to this story. Being on the farm raising chickens, I would follow them and watch them interact with one another, what foods they liked best and sitting and hatching eggs. It was great to study the animals, you learn from them. Chickens like ducks all belong in the Poultry group.

5. One thing I did not know before:

Big Valley:
Summers are not measured by a calendar. Farmers measure the weather by picking and squeezing the unbroken harvests of fruits and vegetables. You can see what kind of year a farmer had by looking at his fields in late winter.

Transients in Paradise:
People on a Sunday risk their lives as they jay walk across the street on the Santa Monica Blvd.

Showing off the Owens:
I never knew much about the art of fly-fishing and how much patience’s it takes to study the fish and become a great fisherman.

The distant Cataract about which we do not speak:
I did know about beavers, that they are a crepuscular creature who was out by mid afternoon. It was interesting how the beaver swam circles around Mary. It is always interesting to see how wild animals interact with people in their own surrounding territories.

Petaluma and Sacramento Assignment 3c

1. Inland Areas, Petaluma Valley, and the Sacramento Valley:


2.
Website information:

Petaluma Valley, California:
http://www.visitpetaluma.com/
http://cityofpetaluma.net/
http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/usa/california/city/Petaluma-CA.htm

Sacramento Valley
http://www.sacramentovalley.com/
http://www.sacbee.com/

3.
There is no video’s about Petaluma Ca. or Lewiston Id. Very hard to find. However, here are some photos. However, for Petaluma there are Audio’s touring the city and the valley. http://www.visitpetaluma.com/petaluma-audio-tours.asp
Sacramento Valley has traded with all cities over California. Sacramento is where our, federal, state and local government reside. Petaluma Valley is much like Sacramento only smaller and agriculture is also a big part of the valley. Both Sacramento and Petaluma are vast in food processing and both are important economic areas in the valley. Visitors are attracted to Sacramento by the State Capitol and many other historical attractions such as Sutter's Fort. Visitors are also attracted to Petaluma, from the Adobe state Historical Park, museums, and Mrs. Grossman’s Sticker factory and the shollenberger nature and bird watching park. The Sacramento county has a location at the intersection of four major highways brings additional visitors destined for the bay area and surroundings cities and town.
Sacramento Valley has a very well know college, UC Davis. The college is huge in the study of agriculture from farm animals to growing crops. However, Petaluma Valley is also strong in agriculture. Petaluma has an extension of Santa Rosa Junior college.

4.

a.
Some assumptions why people like the Petaluma Valley location are the marchlands, hills, and acres of grass hay. Horses, cattle, and sheep being raised all over the valley. In addition, In Sacramento, the huge lands of crop growing from tomatoes to alfalfa, corn and many more.

b.
Both Petaluma and Sacramento have a college, one a Junior college, and the other a University. Both inland areas are strong in agriculture and farming. In addition, finial both Sacramento and Petaluma have people come from the Bay Area, site seeing, vacation and boating.

c.
Sacramento is much different then Petaluma, in politics, agriculture, and climate. With politics Sacramento is the State’s capital, all laws are added or changed. Where as Petaluma is more a smaller town with little known fact on changing state laws like the politicians do in Sacramento. Sacramento is different in agriculture from Petaluma. Sacramento handles more crops, where as Petaluma handles more live stock. Lastly, both are very different in climate. Sacramento in the summer gets up past 100 degree, where as Petaluma is cooler and windy.

d.
What draws people back to Sacramento or Petaluma Valley? Is it not the golden poppies that shine on the roadsides, or maybe is just as State capital, which brings people to see how our State Government works As for Petaluma with the town’s strength in aquiculture, the raising of poultry and dairy cows.

5.
Last week we learned from Rhianom, who states the greatness of our Oceanside seashores with sandy beaches and people interacting to better help us understand the beaches of Northern California. Rhianom, mentions Bodega Bay a beach, where in fact Bodega Bay beaches run from Salmon creek beach to Goat Rock. Seal point is near Los Angles, off and Oceanside town.

Assignment 3b "Beaches"

1.
Beaches: Bodega Bay, Goats Rock, and Doran Beach:

2.
Website information, Bodega Bay Beaches:
http://www.bodegabay.com/discover/activities.html#beaches
http://beaches.uptake.com/california/bodega_bay/goat_rock_7125714.html http://www.bodegabay.com/discover/activities.html
http://www.goingtothebeach.com/usdetail.asp?beachid=948

3.
There is no video’s on Goat Rock or Doran Beach. Very hard to find. However, here are photos of Goat Rock and Doran beach.

4.
Bodega Bay has the most beautiful beaches on the west cost of California. Bodega Bay is located in Sonoma County on the Pacific Coast about 68 miles North of San Francisco and only one hour from Santa Rosa. To of most popular beaches are Goat Rock and Doran Beach.

a.
Goat Rock beach is, about ten minutes from the town of Jenner north off Hwy 1. Goat Rock Beach is where the Russian river runs into the ocean. Goat Rock is named for its huge rock. The huge cliffs are high above sea level. The beach is well known for its great tide pools especially when its low tides. The beach is more rocky, lots of different tiny rocks for sand; you find crystals polished by the waves, beautiful pebbles of all sizes, shapes, and types. The beach is a great place for beachcombing, yet its one of Jenner’s and Bodega Bay most dangerous beaches to swim. Signs are all over restricting visitors to swim in the waters. It has been well know that many people have died in the waters where the Russian river runs into the ocean. Goat Rock is an awesome beach, beautiful and a great place to visit as long as people do not swim in the water or play by the shore alone. Goats Rock beach is popular for beachcombing. Moreover, it is known for its sleeper waves. These waves sneak up behind and can pull anyone under without warning. The waves are strong and once it grabs hold, it is almost impossible to return on shore.

Doran Beach is just five minutes from the town of Bodega Bay. Its smooth sandy beaches and great picnic areas, makes a great day for family and friends to get together. Doran beach is much more fun for visitors. With a low or medium tide, anyone can play in the waters. There are no sleeper waves. The ocean is more flat and smooth. The sand is fine and easy to make sandcastles with. Kids love this beach the best, because they can play in the water without the current of the waves pulling them in.

b.
Both Goat Rock and Doran beach are similar in receiving wind, seaweed, and fog.
Goat Rock beach gets the strong winds from the ocean, even on a sunny clam day. Doran beach does not get as much strong winds as Goat Rock, but it still gets a great about of wind, which makes it hard because the fine sand stings peoples skin and gets into their eyes. As for Goat Rock, the sand pebbles are bigger, making it harder for the wind to pick up the sand as it does on Doran beach. Goat Rock always has huge amount of seaweed brought in from the waves. Doran beach also gets large amounts of seaweed, much more then Goat Rock. Goat Rock has many rocks to stop most of the seaweed from coming in; where as Doran beach is flat with little rocks and receives more seaweed by the tons. Both Goat Rock and Doran beach get a great amount of fog. Fog is 80% of the time. When the inland is hot, then the beaches have no fog. However, when it is cool inland, the beaches have fog. With the fog over the cost, it cools down all of Sonoma County.

c.
Goat Rock is much different then Doran beach in there location, the waves and sand. Goat Rock beach is surrounded by high cliffs. Doran beach is more flat, with no high cliffs surrounding it. The waves at Goat Rock are more dingoes, with sleeper waves and high waves. The wave’s crash against the rocks before it hits the shore. However, Doran Beach is more flat, there are no rocks for the waves to crash against. The beach is long and easy to walk on, where as Goat Rock there is more rock to climb over or walk around. The sand on Goat Rock is rockier; pebbles are lager, which can hurt walking on with bare feet. As for Doran beach the sand is fine, easy to walk on without shoes. The beach makes a great place to run and hike on.

d.
Our coastline beaches are beautiful and majestic. However if you know about sleep waves, would still travel on the shore alone? It is always better to have a friend when going to the beach. Even with Doran beach with the waves smooth and less sleeper waves it’s always best to have someone with you just incase of an accident of any kind. Our beaches can be safe and fun, as long as you obey the signs, walk the beaches in the day, and never at night. In addition, stay way when the waves are high or rough.

5.
Last week we learned from Thida’s, who tells about cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles. She gave the difference weather climate and atmosphere from San Francisco to Los Angeles, and explains how fun it is to explore the streets of San Francisco. She also explained how Los Angeles more well known for its rich, movie stars and famous people with all the glamour and fun. She also loves the sandy sunny beaches, which are great fun tourist to visit, take pictures, and swim in the waters.

3a "World Cities"

1.
Two World Cities: Rome and Paris

City of Rome, Italy: You-Tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENNrPGgXuvA


City in Paris, France: You-Tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U70exffxR54


2.
Info about Rome:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome

Info about Pairs:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris,_France

3.
Pairs is the capital and largest city in France and it is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with its lovely gardens, and parks and historic structures. Paris has long been a world center of the Arts and Education for hundreds of years. Paris grew rapidly and become a major center of culture and government. Today Pairs has modern offices and housing complexes that are in the city. Rome in comparison is also the capital of Italy and one of the world's greatest historic cities. Rome has been an important center of civilization for over 2,000 years, because of its long history. Rome is called the Eternal City, another of the world’s most beautiful cities, with its ancient monuments and magnificent buildings showing Rome’s past glory when Rome ruled the ancient western world as the capital of the mighty Roman Empire. Today Rome has new buildings, which are a sign of its modern-day cultures.

4.
a.
Paris is known for its fantastic and beautiful gardens and parks thought-out the city; the people there enjoy quiet, scenic resting places in the city looking at the gardens. A number of historic buildings of Pairs house government offices, the house of Franc’s Parliament assemble and meet in the Bourbon Palace. Paris is famous for is Arts, painters, writers study there, many students go to Pairs to learn Fine Arts. Rome on the other hand also has many public parks and gardens. The villas there are rich looking with the structures resembling the architecture of ancient Rome. Rome is famous from is theaters, museums and art galleries and its music. Rome is governed by a city council of 80 members who are elected every four years.
b.
Paris, France has many famous buildings, such as the Place de la Concorde, the arc de Triomphe, and the famous Eiffel Tower. Rome, Italy has famous buildings too, such as the Arch of Constantine, the catacombs, the Pantheon and the famous Colosseum. Paris and Rome are well known for the famous gardens, parks, and squares. In addition, Paris and Rome are both famous in the Arts.

c.
The city of Paris is southwest of the English Channel; it is in the heart of the fertile, heavily populated lowland called Paris basin. The city of Rome on the other hand is on land that looks like a boot, which is surrounded by water on three sides. The government in Paris is chief executive, with a Mayor who is in office for six years. In addition, the city council has 109 members. Rome has a Mayor for a four-year term, and they have a legislature of 80 members. The area of Paris is 41 miles; where as the area of Rome is 582 square miles.

d.
Paris economy has many companies headquarter and banks, over half of the nations business is done in Paris. Where as Rome, is a heavily industrialized city, were most Romans earn there living from jobs in government and some work in restaurants and building trades. My question is how is Paris and Rome doing finically in today’s economy?

5.
Last week we learned from Maria, the importance of our Pacific Aquarium. They entertained us with many wonderful fish and sea creatures of all kinds, and with each cost line, there are different cultures in which people use the oceans. Here in California, we fish and do, more projecting our cost line, where as in some countries, the sea is their way of life, for food, clothing, and housing.

Assignment 2c

1. Contains a title using the format listed above:
Volunteering Is Rewarding “Therapeutic-Riding”

2. Contains the sources I used with links to these sources:
http://www.giantstepsriding.org/gs_home.html
http://www.giantstepsriding.org/gs_can_do.html
http://www.giantstepsriding.org/pdf/red_cross_heroes.pdf


3. Contains a brief paragraph in study of humanities:
Humanities is not just the works of art, philosophy, religion, music and drama, but it also demonstrates the value of people and importance of helping others, reaching out and learn different cultural context, especially when its those who are disabled and in need of help.

Therapeutic riding programs such as Giant Steps in Petaluma, are helping young children and adults with disabilities of all kinds just from riding a horse. Volunteering at a Therapeutic-riding program such as Giant Steps or Equi-Ed has been very rewarding. In today’s society people are out to make money and no or very little time to volunteer their time. Volunteering is essential, especially today with the economy hitting a spiral down hill. I find that helping other people is more rewarding then making millions of dollars just for self.

Therapeutic riding also helps Veterans who return home from the war. Therapeutic riding is essential in helping them with rehabilitation for their physical, mental, and emotional traumas. Even those who show no obvious damage may have injuries, such as brain trauma due to shock waves from munitions explosions. All have been in extraordinary circumstances performing duties that have little in common with their civilian lives. Their integration into normal life must include therapies that address their special needs as well as those of their families.


4. Contains the following, “Analytical Elements.”

a. Observation:
Therapeutic riding is an equestrian program, which helps young children and adults, who are handicap, either physical or mental. Horses are used in the program with activities that help an individual to learn and develop different physical motion skills, develop positive self-esteem, communication skills, a sense of responsibility and respect for others and help them live a productive life. The horse helps an individual who is unable to walk, to ultimately walk, due to the motion of the horse’s body as it moves with the rider on his back. People volunteer their time helping these students reach their goal.

b. Interpretation:
I chose this topic because of the importance of volunteering. In Therapeutic riding programs as a volunteer you get to see the rewards of how the horse has improved the rider’s motor skills, reconnected to learning the five senses, and improves balance, strengthens muscles, improves circulation, and increases range of motion in the joints of small children, teens and adults. It is a joy to watch someone not able to walk, then riding on the horse they were able to walk. It is a reward to volunteer my time, without expecting anything in return.

c. Judgment:
In the world of humanities, helping others is the key. Helping and giving of your self is what lacks. Today is everyone out for themselves, not caring who they step on to get ahead. I strongly believe everyone should volunteer their time helping others in some place or program, to get the feel of what it is like to give and not take, to give of your time with no pay. The reward you get from volunteering seeing the joy in someone's eyes as they smile up at you for helping them and reaching out to them to meet their goal.

d. Questioning:
If more and more people volunteer their time in helping others, would the world be a better place?


5. Using a classmate’s work from this week, tell us one thing you learned from this student.
From Thida… She writes, how she believes the California Grizzly Bear, id our state animal since 1953. The bear is a culture of Californians who enjoy the humanities of cultural contexts. Thida also mentions how the California grizzly bear was dying out and he was one of the most powerful carnivores who live in this state. Its important to save the exaction of all animals, and this bear too, and making a flag to honor the bear has helped bring the grizzly bear back in numbers, and now there are more bears roaming the mountains and valleys of this golden state.

Assignment 2a Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma Co.

1. Contains a title using the format listed above.

Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County

2. Contains the sources you used with links to these sources.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonoma_County_(California)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DryCreekValley.jpg

http://www.sonomawine.com/index.php?option=com_scvmaps&Itemid=133&file=4&filecat=35

3. Contains a brief paragraph in study of humanities.

The art of wine making is made to prefection here in Sonoma County.

4. Contains the following "analytical elements":
a. Observation:

I chose Sonoma County’s lands for grape growing in Dry Creek Valley. I strongly feel because of the Russian River, Sonoma County benefits in profits to the people by bring money to Sonoma County business and families from wine growing. The Russian River when it floods brings a high deposit of minerals to the soil making the grape lands rich in nutrients, which produce high quality grapes. Dry Creek Valley vineyards help the economy by employing many people in all areas of jobs working with the development and growth of the grapes and producing the wine. Picture the Russian River, over flowing, coving the grapes with water, the plant is not destroyed. Moreover the water bring many rich minerals the sink into the soil, making the soil rich for the vineyards, which produce high quality, sweet tasting grapes.

b. Interpretation:

The grapes are helping to keep the economy strong in Sonoma County. Moreover, with the rich soil, here in Dry Creek Valley is producing quality grapes making quality income for the people of Sonoma County.

c. Judgment:

With the economy so bad all over the United States and reaching into the world, it is important that we work together here in our local community, and the grapes growing in Dry Creek Valley are helping to bring jobs to many people and helping many businesses to keep their doors open. When there are jobs, people will spend and with the spending, the economy will grow.

d. Questioning:

I learned how helpful the grape and wine industries are to Sonoma County. What if Sonoma County did not grow grapes? Where would Sonoma County be today with the economy so bad?

5. Using your classmates work from last week, tell us one thing you learned from 1 student.

Thida’s blog states how she was raised in Sonoma County and wishes to raise her family here. She loves this county with all its fine arts, Jazz festival and the culture of the people is wonderful.