Free Mental Health Resources Available to Those Affected by Kincade Fire

By Chelsea Kurnick
Thick smoke from the Kincade fire obscures the setting sun as seen from the Middletown side of the Mayacamas Mountains, Friday, Oct. 25, 2019. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)

Only two years after the devastating wildfires of October 2017 and eight months following the February floods, Sonoma County is again dealing with the impacts of natural catastrophe.

After sparking late Wednesday night, October 23, the Kincade fire has engulfed 282 structures, 141 of which were homes. It has burned 76,825 acres and forced more than a third of Sonoma County residents to flee their homes. Others have been separated from employment by damage or destruction to workplaces or closures due to power outages. Thousands have been in the dark, many for days on end, without electricity, hot water, fresh food and warm houses. The poor air quality continues to affect all of us; those with respiratory problems impacted the most.

The good news this morning, Thursday, October 31, is that containment of the Kincade fire has reached 60 percent and most evacuees have been permitted to return to their homes. The fire, however, remains at 76,825 acres — making it the largest wildfire in Sonoma County history.

Wildfires constitute a particularly stressful experience, according to the American Psychological Association (APA), “because the factors that influence their strength and direction can change at any moment.” Strong emotions — like feelings of hopelessness, depression, anxiety and anger — are common among people who have lived through these circumstances. Even those not directly impacted by the fires may experience “a sense of distress or vulnerability by living close by or watching the destruction unfold in news reports,” adds the APA.

If you or someone you know are experiencing distress due to the fire, or reemergence of PTSD symptoms, there are a number of free mental health services that can offer support — from helplines to online resources to therapy sessions. Please find below a list of resources.

The American Psychological Association also offers advice on their website on how to identify emotional responses to traumatic events, such as a wildfire, and how to recover from this experience: For those immediately affected: www.apa.org/helpcenter/wildfire, and general advice: https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/wildfire-tips.

Phone Support

National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) Sonoma County’s Warm Line is a non-crisis helpline that operates Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Knowledgeable and compassionate NAMI staff members and volunteers provide information, resources, caring attention and non-judgmental support. Some staff and volunteers speak Spanish. Call or text 1-866-960-6264 or email warmline@namisoco.org.

Rebuilding Our Community (ROC) Sonoma County was established after the 2017 fires. Because disasters have long-lasting emotional effects, they are committed to providing long-lasting support. On the second anniversary of the Tubbs fire, they wrote, “If you or someone you know is still in need of help, please do not hesitate to reach out to ROC Sonoma County at 707-535-3349 or visit rocsonomacounty.org.”

Sonoma Rises is a cellphone application designed in response to the 2017 fires. Available on Android and iOS, it provides a mood tracker and support tools for healing and coping with stress. RiseTeens is a specialized section for ages 13-18. It is available in English and Spanish. Look for it in your cellphone’s app store.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMSHA) Disaster Distress Helpline is a 24/7 national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. It offers toll-free, multilingual, confidential crisis support. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. Spanish speakers call 1(800) 985-5990 and press “2” or text Hablanos to 66746. For more information, visit DisasterDistress.samhsa.gov

Magellan Health has opened a free 24-hour crisis line for anyone impacted by California wildfires. Magellan will provide free, confidential consulting services and other resources, such as referrals to local non-profit organizations, shelters and additional community-based support to assist individuals in California. Call 1-800-327-7451

Red Cross volunteer Barbara Wood gives a hug to a Kincade fire evacuee who seemed in distress at the Red Cross Shelter at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds on Sunday, October 27, 2019. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Red Cross volunteer Barbara Wood gives a hug to a Kincade fire evacuee who seemed in distress at the Red Cross Shelter at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds on Sunday, October 27, 2019. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

Online Resources

My Sonoma Strong is a Sonoma-specific web resource created by experts in trauma psychology. It aims to help recent survivors of disaster understand and identify common stress reactions that may occur after such an experience and help survivors develop healthy ways to cope with these reactions. It is free and self-guided, so you can explore it at your own pace. The site is available in English and Spanish.  https://www.mysonomastrong.com/

Supportiv is a Berkeley-based online service that provides anonymous peer support groups in real-time. Users click a Chat Now button on the website, enter a sentence about what they want to discuss, and are routed into a chat room where they can vent and feel supported. The site requires no personal information. Normally there’s a small fee after 24-hours, but fire survivors can use the code SAFETY to receive free access for 30 days. https://www.supportiv.com/

Capacitar provides an “Emergency Kit” of simple body-based practices for immediate use to help people deal with challenging situations, including natural disasters. It teaches a few basic breathing practices, Tai Chi exercises, acupressure points and more. It is available in 20 languages. You can download it here: https://capacitar.org/capacitar-emergency-kit/

Healthy Children is a site created by the American Academy of Pediatrics. It provides a guide for parents and caregivers called “Responding to Children’s Emotional Needs During Times of Crisis.” It is available online in English and Spanish.

The Red Cross provides useful information online, including tips on emotional recovery from disasters. Like Healthy Children, they also provide guides on helping children cope with disaster. Most resources are available in English and Spanish, with some also available in Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Tagalog. Click here to visit their site.

Therapy and Group Support

The Redwood Empire Chapter of California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (RECAMFT) has created a list of providers who have expressed willingness to offer three to five sessions of free therapy to fire survivors. RECAMFT does not guarantee the counseling services of any provider. https://www.recamft.org/freecounseling

NAMI offers weekly Wildfire Support Groups on Tuesdays in Santa Rosa at two different meeting times. For more information, please call or text NAMI Warmline at 866-960-6264 or email warmline@namisoco.org. Find more information on the NAMI website at https://namisonomacounty.org/nami-wildfire-support-group/

Santa Rosa City Schools’ Integrated Wellness Center provides free services in English and Spanish to parents and students based anywhere in Sonoma County; in any school district. The Integrated Wellness Center is open Tuesday through Thursday from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. They have counselors to provide support and referrals for students and parents, basic nurse services, and academic support. Transportation can be arranged. Please note: Power outages may impact hours. Call 707-890-3827 or visit srcschools.org/domain/2112

The Sonoma Community Resilience Collaborative, spearheaded by Santa Rosa Community Health, is working in partnership across the local community and with The Center for Mind-Body Medicine, whose curriculum is the foundation for the program. There are opportunities to experience evidence-based self-care tools for effectively addressing personal and professional stress after the fires, network with peers, and learn an evidence-based model to self-healing and coping skills. For more information and a calendar of workshops, visit srhealth.org/about-us/resilience-collaborative

The Jewish Community Free Clinic in Santa Rosa offers free medical and mental health services. There are no eligibility requirements. Visit the clinic’s website for more information about services: jewishfreeclinic.org/about/services. 50 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-585-7780.

If you are experiencing distress due to the fire, or reemergence of PTSD symptoms, there are a number of free mental health services that can offer support.
Weather permitting, Susan Karle will offer A Walk Honoring Loss and Resilience on November 21 at 10:00 a.m. in Sugarloaf State Park. (Photo by Adrienne Shubin)

Get Physical

Trauma-informed yoga for fire survivors throughout the county is sponsored by Healthcare Foundation Northern Sonoma County, with at least one class offered almost every day of the week. La Luz in the town of Sonoma offers classes in Spanish on Mondays. Specific classes may be temporarily unavailable depending on evacuation status and availability of power. Click here to view the schedule.

Weather permitting, Susan Karle will offer A Walk Honoring Loss and Resilience on November 21 at 10:00 a.m. in Sugarloaf State Park. This gentle Forest Bathing Walk is under a mile on a well-maintained trail. Karle will guide those recovering from the traumatic impact of the natural disaster in sharing circles. Click here for free tickets and more information.

The Kincade Fire in 50 Photos

By Sofia Englund
An ember wash, pushed by high winds during the Kincade fire in the Geysers, spreads over the landscape on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019 in Sonoma County. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)

As the Kincade fire rages in Sonoma County, The Press Democrat photographers John Burgess, Christopher Chung, Alvin Jornada, Kent Porter and Beth Schlanker work overtime to document the destruction and the courageous efforts to contain the conflagration. In one moment, just behind the fire line, they capture the dreadful, yet insidiously haunting flames and the firefighters’ valiant efforts to protect us from them — in another, they turn their lenses to the flight of the evacuees. More intimate scenes show sheltered people and animals, and prepared community members. Finally, there are glimpses of hope — a neighborhood saved, a thankful smile, warm embraces and words of encouragement between family, friends and strangers. Click through the gallery to see some of the images.

Free Museums and Activities for Families Affected by the Kincade Fire

By Karen Kizer

The presence of wildfires and resulting evacuations can take a toll on everyone in a household. Just as adults yearn for a sense of normalcy and routines, children need to get back to the important business of playing. Providing some welcome distraction, a number of local museums and activity centers are offering free admission to evacuees and those affected by the fire. Click through the gallery for more details. Remember to bring proof of address.

How to Help Kincade Fire Victims and Evacuees: Volunteer and Donate

By Sonoma Magazine Staff
Red Cross volunteer Barbara Wood gives a hug to a Kincade fire evacuee who seemed in distress at the Red Cross Shelter at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds on Sunday, October 27, 2019. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

Latest update: Nov. 5, 2019, 3:00 p.m. 

If you would like to help those affected by the Kincade fire, mandatory evacuations and PG&E power shutoffs, here’s how you can volunteer and make donations. Please note that needs will change in the days and weeks to come. Please check back for updates.

Do you know of a volunteer opportunity or fundraising initiative not listed here? Send an email to sofia.englund@pressdemocrat.com.

DONATIONS & VOLUNTEERING

The Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB)

The Redwood Empire Food Bank has deployed its emergency response program, Station 3990. These distributions are open to anyone in need of food. Find food distribution sites here.

Donate food: The Redwood Empire Food Bank is currently accepting food donations at their main facility at 3990 Brickway Blvd in Santa Rosa. They also have donation sites throughout Sonoma County, listed here.

Guidelines for food donations: No glass. No perishable items. No open items. No homemade items.

Most needed items include:
• Tuna and Canned Meat
• Peanut Butter
• Canned Soups, Stews, and Chili
• Rice and Dry Beans
• Cereal
• Canned Fruits and Vegetables
• High Protein Granola Bars
• Trail Mix or Nuts

To volunteer with the REFB — includes helping out in the kitchen and with food distribution — sign up for a shift here.

Make a financial donation here.

Sonoma Family Meal

Founded by SMI dining editor Heather Irwin, Sonoma Family Meal has served more than 200,000 meals to fire survivors since 2017. The nonprofit is also an emergency disaster response kitchen and is now serving Kincade fire victims and evacuees.

Make a financial donation here.

World Central Kitchen (WCK)

The World Central Kitchen’s “Chef Relief Team” provides meals to those in need in disaster areas. WCK will continue to provide meals to first responders, and expect to remain in Sonoma County through early next week. More information here.

Those interested in volunteering should register on wck.org. (Click on the link at the top of the homepage to sign up for a shift.)

Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL) and The Volunteer Center of Sonoma County (VCSC)

The Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL) and The Volunteer Center of Sonoma County (VCSC) coordinate volunteer efforts during a disaster.

To volunteer during this disaster and for long-term recovery efforts, register online at cvnl.org/volunteer-marin. Once registered, individuals will be deployed or contacted directly if and when they are needed for this disaster and for future events.

To make a financial donation, visit cvnl.org/donate (under “additional information,” make sure to select “disaster-related work”). Donations will be distributed directly to local charities supporting evacuees in Sonoma, Marin, and Napa counties. Gift cards can also be delivered to CVNL + VCSC office locations. The organizations kindly ask that people refrain from donating goods/items to their Emergency Volunteer Centers at this time.

Find more information about CVNL + VCSC wildfire relief work here.

Petaluma Peoples Services Center

Petaluma Peoples Services Center is a collection of human services programs. The nonprofit is now serving Kincade fire victims.  

Those interested in making a donation serving Kincade fire victims can do this online at petalumapeople.org/donate and the organization will make “targeted purchases.”

You can also bring a check made out to the Petaluma People Services Center or items from this list to Kenilworth Teen Center, 150 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma. 

Those wanting to volunteer with the Petaluma Peoples Services Center can fill out an online application here: tinyurl.com/PPSC-volunteer.

The Jewish Community Free Clinic

The Jewish Community Free Clinic in Santa Rosa offers completely free medical and mental health services. There are no eligibility requirements. Visit the clinic’s website for more information about services.

To volunteer at the Jewish Community Free Clinic, download and complete an application form. The clinic utilizes volunteers for medical receptionists, medical providers, nurses, interpreters, therapists, social service support, and acupuncturists. They also have special project volunteers and research internships.

To make a financial donation to the clinic, you can donate online, join a giving tree, sponsor an event or send a check to Jewish Community Free Clinic 50 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95404.

COTS

COTS welcomes evacuees to visit their Mary Isaak Center (900 Hopper Street, Petaluma) for showers, laundry, meals and phone charging. All services are free. More information here.

The nonprofit is currently seeking the following donations for fire evacuees:

• Towels and wash cloths
• Shampoo, body wash
• Bedding/sleeping bags
• Laundry detergent
• Toilet paper
• N95 masks

Volunteer: Regular COTS volunteers are encouraged to help coordinate laundry and showers. Get in touch with the front desk: 707-765-6530 x120.

FINANCIAL DONATIONS

Community Foundation of Sonoma County

The Community Foundation of Sonoma County’s ongoing Resilience Fund continues to accept donations to support the mid- and long-term recovery needs of individuals and families, with particular focus on helping individuals impacted by the fires, healing the long-term effects of trauma, and addressing housing solutions within the county. Make a donation here.

Latino Community Foundation

The Latino Community Foundation has reactivated its NorCal Wildfire Relief Fund in response to the Kincade fire. The fund supports nonprofits that include Corazon Healdsburg and Nuestra Comunidad, which are providing essential sheltering and supportive services to Latino immigrants and farmworkers impacted by the fire. Make a donation here.

Rebuild NorthBay Foundation

Rebuild NorthBay Foundation (RNBF) is committed to the long-term rebuilding of Sonoma, Napa, Lake and Mendocino counties in the wake of wildfires. The foundation was founded by Darius Anderson, CEO of Kenwood Investments and managing partner in Sonoma Media Investments, which owns Sonoma Magazine. According to the RNBF, all donations to Kincade fire survivors and evacuees will go directly toward fire relief without any administration fee taken out by the foundation. Make a donation here. (Put “KINCADE” in the memo.)

Russian River Alliance

The nonprofit Russian River Alliance is seeking donations to help fund small emergency cash grants to help cover lost wages and evacuation costs for people who live and work in the area between Forestville and Cazadero, including Occidental, and earn $15 an hour or less.

Organizer Jennifer Wertz notes that workers were displaced just as rents were coming due on the first of the month and residents who lost power already were facing unexpected grocery bills. Grants of up to $300 may be available beginning Monday, November 4, to qualified applicants, who must work at least 20 hours a week.

The effort is part of an ongoing workforce fund started as a homeless prevention effort that morphed to accommodate recovery needs in the wake of the February 2019 floods.
Donations may be made online at russianriveralliance.org/Donate.html.

The Red Cross

To make a financial donation to victims of the Kincade fire, visit redcross.org, call 1-800-733-2767, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. You can also send a check to American Red Cross, 5297 Aero Dr, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. The check should be made out to “American Red Cross” with “Kincade fire” noted on the check.

Find more information about The Red Cross’s wildfire response here and here.

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is serving three meals a day at five evacuation centers in Napa, San Rafael and Petaluma. 100 percent of donations will go toward Kincade fire relief efforts as the Salvation Army feeds and cares for evacuees and first responders. Make a donation here.

UndocuFund

The UndocuFund for Fire Relief in Sonoma County, managed by Graton Day Labor Center, North Bay Organizing Project, and North Bay Jobs with Justice, is currently raising funds to assist the victims of the Kincade fire. This fund is providing direct funding to undocumented immigrants and their families in Sonoma County to help with fire-related expenses. Make a donation here. Find more information about how to support undocumented victims of the Kincade fire here. 

United Way of the Wine Country

United Way has opened the Kincade Fire Emergency Relief & Recovery Fund to help in the relief and recovery efforts post fire. Make a donation here.

Animal Shelters

Several North Bay animal shelters are accepting donations for pets displaced by the Kincade fire. The Humane Society of Sonoma County and Sonoma County Animal Services closed due to mandatory evacuation orders and remain closed due to the power shutoff — check their websites for more information.

To make a monetary donation or to volunteer, visit the animal shelter’s website:

Humane Society of Sonoma County
Sonoma County Animal Services
Sonoma Community Animal Response Team
The Marin Humane Society

Some of the shelters are also looking for supplies — more information and Amazon wish lists are available on their websites.

Report found pets or search for lost ones through the County of Sonoma database. To locate a lost pet, you can also consult this Facebook page.

Do you know of any additional ways to support fire victims? Let us know in the comments. 

Information about fire relief funds provided by Northern California Grantmakers, ncg.org.

Sonoma Magazine Wins 2019 Eppy Award for Best Digital Magazine

By Sonoma Magazine Staff

Sonoma Magazine was honored Friday with an Eppy Award for Best Digital Magazine with under 1 million unique monthly visitors.

The annual awards, presented by Editor & Publisher, recognize excellence in online journalism, digital storytelling and design. Other 2019 Eppy Award winners this year include The Boston Globe for Best Daily Newspaper Website, CNN for Best Online News Website and ESPN for Best Mobile App. This is Sonoma Magazine’s first Eppy.

Since its founding in 2013, Sonoma Magazine has provided an insider’s guide to Sonoma Wine Country. Its digital presence has grown dramatically in the past three years to keep its ever-expanding audience on the pulse of local restaurants, wineries, arts, entertainment, culture and style.

Content created exclusively for sonomamag.com combines vivid photography and informative articles to provide useful guides to the stars and hidden gems of the area. Longtime favorite dining blog BiteClub, penned by dining editor Heather Irwin, has also found a new home on Sonoma Magazine’s recently redesigned website.

“It’s an honor to be awarded an Eppy,” said Sonoma Magazine’s Digital Editor Sofia Englund. “Thanks to the efforts of our small but dedicated team, sonomamag.com has become the little lifestyle website that could. And when you’re lucky enough to live and work in Sonoma County, there’s never a shortage of great stories to tell.”

This is the 24th year that Editor & Publisher—whose roots extend to the founding of its predecessor, The Journalist, in 1884—has awarded its prestigious Eppy Awards. The magazine covers the North American newspaper industry. This year, 300 entries were submitted in over 30 different competing categories.

Displaced Chefs Feed Hundreds of Kincade Fire Evacuees

By Heather Irwin
Domenica Catelli hugs Osvaldo Jimenez of Moustache Baked Goods at the Healdsburg evacuation center. Heather Irwin/PD

The sound of parsley being chopped — a staccato of knives against a cutting board— rings in stereo as volunteer chefs prepare to add it to a simmer pot of marinara sauce. Dinner will be served at the evacuation center in an hour, and parsley is key to Domenica Catelli’s famous sauce.

Huddled in the kitchen of the Healdsburg Senior Center, a small squad of chefs from around Sonoma County works in sync, with few words, to prepare dinner for 200. On the menu is a simple spaghetti and marinara with garlic bread and salad. This isn’t commodity food from cans, but homemade tomato sauce, local butter, freshly chopped herbs and a mix of peppery greens with a light vinaigrette heading to Sonoma County’s northernmost evacuation center during the Kincade fire

Food, like wine, shapes the character of Sonoma County. We are farmers and we are foodies who appreciate water buffalo cheese and bespoke Asian herb gardens. It is in our DNA.

Chefs Katie Falese of KJ Wine Estates and Heather Ames of Sonoma Family Meal prepare garlic bread at the Healdsburg Senior Center on Thursday evening. Heather Irwin/PD
Chefs Katie Falese of KJ Wine Estates and Heather Ames of Sonoma Family Meal prepare garlic bread at the Healdsburg Senior Center on Thursday evening. Heather Irwin/PD

In moments of crisis, which have been in abundance over the last few years, we feed each other with arugula and tri-tip rather than canned ham and tater tots. In the days after the Tubbs fire devastated Santa Rosa in 2017 it was chef-prepared meals from Guy Fieri to top local chefs like Zazu’s John Stewart and Duskie Estes, three-Michelin starred Kyle and Katina Connaughton, John Franchetti, Miriam Donaldson, SF Chefs and hundreds of others that made more than calories — they made disaster cuisine.

At the Healdsburg shelter, which is a beehive of aid workers, news cameras, politicians and dazed evacuees, tables are piled with food. The smell of warm garlic bread wafts from a tiny community kitchen, the owners of Moustache Baked Goods, Osvaldo Jimenez and Christian Sullberg have laid out artisan cupcakes. A grain salad from three-Michelin star restaurant Single Thread has been prepared and throughout the day today, evacuees will have macaroni and cheese from celebrity chef Douglas Keane’s Healdsburg Bar and Grill, bread from Costeaux Bakery and meat from Pete Seghesio’s Journeyman Meats.

A line of hungry evacuees fills their plates, looking bewildered and tired. Most have no idea that the food they’re eating has come from top restaurants, highly trained chefs and local gardens. It doesn’t matter. These are chefs doing what chefs do: They feed people.

Ironically, some of these chefs have been displaced too. Domenica Catelli’s restaurant in Geyserville is in the evacuation zone, and while she’s making marinara, she’s also worried about her own family and the losses to her business that has come from two power outages. She has a worried bride whose wedding she’s supposed to cater this weekend, possibly without power.

The Sonoma County Tourism Bureau estimates that restaurants lose roughly $4,700 each time the power is cut as refrigeration goes down and food has to be thrown away. Most chefs are thriftier than that and cook up what they can and donate it. It doesn’t mitigate the financial loss, which is something few mom and pop restaurants can bear.

The food will continue to arrive wherever it’s needed, for as long as it’s needed from an army of Sonoma County chefs making amazing food for those who need it most.

Sonoma County Chefs Respond to Kincade Fire

By Heather Irwin
Dani Wilcox helps to prepare food at Valette. Heather irwin/PD

If Chef Dustin Valette looks a bit relaxed while making sandwiches for 60, it’s only because he’s lived with a first responder his whole life. The Healdsburg restaurateur snapped into action early this morning, coordinating food relief efforts for evacuees before 10 a.m. — just about the time his dad, Bob Valette, was “wheels up” on a tanker jet headed out of Sonoma County airport to fight the Kincade Fire that is still uncontained near Geyserville.

Chef Dustin Valette of Valette Restaurant in Healdsburg delivering food to the Healdsburg Community Center. Heather Irwin/PD
Chef Dustin Valette of Valette Restaurant in Healdsburg delivering food to the Healdsburg Community Center. Heather Irwin/PD

Though this fire pales in comparison to the Tubbs and Camp Fires — at least at this point — it’s a scary reminder of our new reality. With power out to thousands, news came in the middle of the night that a fire had sparked in northern Sonoma County. At this moment, it is an estimated 10,000 acres.

Valette is working with Chef Kyle Connaughton of Single Thread (which will be closed tonight, Oct, 24), Catelli’s Domenica Catelli (also closed tonight), and helpers from the community (Costeaux provided the bread) to feed the approximately 60 people at the Healdsburg Community Center taking refuge from the fires. They plan to serve about 200 tonight.

As he packed up his car with sandwiches–made with long loaves of fresh French bread, heirloom tomatoes from his own garden, meat and cheese from his restaurant kitchen — he realized the irony of such fancy sandwiches in an emergency. But that’s what he does, and that’s what he knows. And food, after all, is love. And a good sandwich takes just as long to make as a bad one.

It’s still unknown what will happen in the coming days…but restaurateurs are ready. The local food community, including Valette and many others, offered thousands of man hours, kitchens, food, and support activated during the 2017 fires.

As I’ve learned personally, it’s a fine line between helping and being in the way, and aid organizers are relying on vetted food providers to assist during this time.  I went to several agencies and Red Cross stations today, and most are saying that it is “early hours” and they are watching the situation to best inform coordinated responses. 

At the Cal Fire command center at the Jockey Club near the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, their own mobile kitchen is ready to feed first responders. They are currently standing by as the situation progresses. No one was able to speak in an official capacity, but the Cal Fire mobile kitchen was on site in 2017 to feed hundreds of first responders at the Fairgrounds. 

Also ready to assist is a state-of-the-art mobile kitchen built by celebrity chef Guy Fieri after the Tubbs Fire. Having been involved in other recent fire relief efforts, he has seen the devastation up close and was instrumental in the buildout of a custom kitchen that could serve thousands. Fieri has worked closely with Chef Jose Andres and World Central Kitchen, a collaborative chef collective that works with the Red Cross to provide meals in disasters. Jose Andres, who was nominated for a Nobel Prize for his worldwide food relief efforts tweeted this morning that he was here for Sonoma County if needed.

As Valette brought the sandwiches to the community center, surrounded by smoke and crawling with reporters, he smiled as his friend Ken Rochioli of KR Catering pulled up with more trays of food. Rochioli was stopped by reporters for an interview. Valette snuck by, saying that he needed to get back to his restaurant because he had an entirely new menu to prepare at the restaurant this evening. Not to mention helping with dinner for 200 at the shelter.

“What else do I have to do?” he grins.

Sonoma Family Meal has activated for this emergency and is monitoring the situation to see where we can best help our community during this situation. Heather Irwin is the founder of Sonoma Family Meal.

25 Best Cheap Eats in Sonoma County

By Heather Irwin
Reuben Sandwich, Mac’s Deli and Cafe: It’s a splurge to eat their hearty pastrami Reuben, but with a mess of fries on the side, $8.95 seems ridiculously reasonable. Breakfast is a winner, too, for two eggs with pastrami, home fries or hash browns, and a bagel for $8.95. 630 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-545-3785, visit on Facebook

I get hassled (almost daily) about how expensive restaurants can be in Sonoma County. Sometimes it’s justified, because, well, good ingredients aren’t cheap. Neither is good help or a good location. But that’s beside the point of this story — Sonoma County’s Cheap Eats! We’ve found 25 restaurants with great value and great food — mostly ones we haven’t talked about lately. Check the gallery above for the whole list.

Have a favorite we missed? Let us know in the comments…

8 Must-have Kitchen Products from Sonoma Stores

By Karen Kizer

Our kitchens seem to evoke a love/hate response. Most of us love to cook except when we have to, which is most days. But some of the right equipment can make cooking easier, more efficient and more fun. Sonoma stores are full of great buys to enhance your cooking experience. Click through the above gallery for details.

7 Sweater Weather Finds from Sonoma Stores

By Karen Kizer

Crisp mornings and pumpkin lattes call for cozy sweaters! Bring on the big knits, the sumptuous yarns and the oversized styles. Fall is in the fashion air, with a particularly 80s vibe this season, and Sonoma stores have got your back for sweater season. Click through the above gallery for details.