between how many posts are on the different topics?
I am amazed that there are only 382 posts in the PETS and CRITTERS but as many as 1,278 in EVENTS, 2,702 in the FOR SALE, and 945 in HOUSING.
I thought there were a lot of animal lovers in Sonoma County but somehow I wonder where they are???
If there are any replies, please do so publicly.
helen s
moonrise
08-16-2006, 08:17 PM
Helen,
I'm not all that surprised really. Not because people don't care but because what I see is a lot more people struggling. There are a lot of people looking for housing, more so than I've seen in awhile. Finding a place to rent that will accept pets is really hard. Even those advertising a room for rent can't or won't make room for a pet cat or little dog or bird for someone who needs a room to rent. Unless one is a landowner it is geting more and more difficult to have pets and keep the committment to them that most feel and believe in. And there is a change in the demographics of our area too. I think that will continue to change as people move in from other more crowded areas. I heard Sebastopol was on Outside Magazine's 10 Top places to live. That will change things very much. Every place that's been published in that previously has changed drastically from what it was before.
Also I suspect people are needing money and selling things they don't need trying to get more money. There are a lot of items for sale - or maybe they are having a hard time selling them and posting them wherever possible? The increase is notable though.
I think you are noticing a reflection of times, not whether people care about animals or not. Those who care are being swamped: trying to find funds for animals needing shelter, trying to find a place to live that will take dogs and so on. And then there's the environmental issues that affect is all - people and animals.
The place we rent is ok but is an inlaw deal that's like a short double wide trailer. The water source is an open tank - not closed. It's not potable - all kinds of microscopic life in the water including psudamonas. I was sick a long time from it. The walk is falling in, so much is falling apart the windows don't close all the way because the hillside is slipping a little each wet year.. But they allow pets. We've been looking for something better for months and nothing. So here we stay, for the time being. People tell me we need to report the bad water and get them to fix it. I don't want to lose a place to live that we can have our animals - that is too scary to me. So we buy bottled water and hope we'll find a better place sometime. In the meantime at least we are safe and have a roof. It's not even so much about money - we can afford plenty for rent. But finding a decent place with an honest owner that will keep up repairs and be glad for good tenants AND good pets is very rare.
Maybe there are some other ideas, but wanted to let you know this is what I see, most every day, people are struggling more and more. Oh, also there are several critter related posts in the general catagory as well.
regards,
Dorothy
helenscott08
08-16-2006, 09:23 PM
Thank you for your response. Yes, I remember well how difficult it has always been to find a place one can afford if you have pets. For years I was a renter and had about 2 -3 cats at all times (all strays) and one dog.
It was my experience that if someone would allow cats, they would not allow dogs, or vice-versa. But I stuck it out and finally found a couple of pretty fair places that were good for both myself and my pets.
THEN I was fortunate to be able to BUY a small mobile home in a park that allowed pets. It has been a real pleasure not to have to worry about where I would be living. Giving my pets up just was not a possiblity although there were a couple of times where I had to have friends care for them, and in one instance, I even put 2 cats in a kennel that gave me a good price and was very good to them..they were able to get in and out of doors (enclosed area). I was very lucky. That was BUNDOCK KENNELS in Sebastopol.
And, I am sure you are right about the times, and people selling things to keep afloat. I am a SO-CALLED SENIOR CITIZEN and never thought I would be glad to be in that category but I don't know how the younger generations are managing. I know they make more money than people in comparable jobs did in prior generations but after all the high costs of transportation, housing, food and clothing, I don't see how they come out any better, and perhaps even less than their parents.
I hope this might give some landlords some thought to allowing tenants with animals AND WILL MAKE ALL TENANTS AWARE THAT it is their responsibility to care for the property they are renting so that when they move, the landlord will be open to renting to others with pets. When they move out or while living there and the pets cause problems for landlord or neighbors, the tenants are making it more difficult for others who ARE responsible to find good housing for themselves and their pets.
You are right on all other counts as well. Still I hope people will start posting in the PET AREA more because I would think they would get more exposure by posting in area that anyone looking for info about pets would just naturally drift to.
Again, many thanks for your input.
helen s
Helen,
I'm not all that surprised really. Not because people don't care but because what I see is a lot more people struggling. There are a lot of people looking for housing, more so than I've seen in awhile. Finding a place to rent that will accept pets is really hard. Even those advertising a room for rent can't or won't make room for a pet cat or little dog or bird for someone who needs a room to rent. Unless one is a landowner it is geting more and more difficult to have pets and keep the committment to them that most feel and believe in. And there is a change in the demographics of our area too. I think that will continue to change as people move in from other more crowded areas. I heard Sebastopol was on Outside Magazine's 10 Top places to live. That will change things very much. Every place that's been published in that previously has changed drastically from what it was before.
Also I suspect people are needing money and selling things they don't need trying to get more money. There are a lot of items for sale - or maybe they are having a hard time selling them and posting them wherever possible? The increase is notable though.
I think you are noticing a reflection of times, not whether people care about animals or not. Those who care are being swamped: trying to find funds for animals needing shelter, trying to find a place to live that will take dogs and so on. And then there's the environmental issues that affect is all - people and animals.
The place we rent is ok but is an inlaw deal that's like a short double wide trailer. The water source is an open tank - not closed. It's not potable - all kinds of microscopic life in the water including psudamonas. I was sick a long time from it. The walk is falling in, so much is falling apart the windows don't close all the way because the hillside is slipping a little each wet year.. But they allow pets. We've been looking for something better for months and nothing. So here we stay, for the time being. People tell me we need to report the bad water and get them to fix it. I don't want to lose a place to live that we can have our animals - that is too scary to me. So we buy bottled water and hope we'll find a better place sometime. In the meantime at least we are safe and have a roof. It's not even so much about money - we can afford plenty for rent. But finding a decent place with an honest owner that will keep up repairs and be glad for good tenants AND good pets is very rare.
Maybe there are some other ideas, but wanted to let you know this is what I see, most every day, people are struggling more and more. Oh, also there are several critter related posts in the general catagory as well.
regards,
Dorothy
Vet-To-Pet
08-17-2006, 12:02 AM
I have only been aware of WACCO for the past couple of months, since I moved to sonoma County in late May, so I don't know what the posts used to be like. But I have to say that there seems to be quite a skewed number of posts related to classes being offered ( for a fee), and businesses being "advertised", which is not completely wrong or bad---many people want to take those classes & wouldn't hear about them otherwise. but I was under the impression that this was a community bulletin board, to bring folks together, highlight local events (festivals, concerts, lectures, dances, etc), not something to provide free advertising to anyone who wants to promote their sagging class attendances. It DOES seem like there are very few "discussion" topics as well as animal related postings. How about trying to get some of the animal rescue organizations involved with posting any fund-raisers they have coming up, or what they have on their "wish lists", or how one can volunteer to help out by fostering dogs or cats who'd otherwise be in shelters waiting to be adopted or euthanized?
It seems like the "Events" listings are growing longer & longer every day. I don't believe this should be a free way to advertise one's job, no matter how "enlightened" that profession is considered in this community. Why shouldn't the local hair stylist be able to list his/her latest rates for a color or perm? Or the produce on sale at Andy's this week? Where do we draw the line? I don't think this should be a way to produce revenue for any individual, unless it's to try to sell items that someone else might want/need (furniture, places for rent---ones that allow pets!---"gentley used" baby items, etc.)
Just look at the listings, Barry. Do you see a change in the kinds of postings that were intended when WACCO was first started? how about some feedback from you? What did you envision for WACCO, and is that vision being met?
Just wondering...
Guppy
between how many posts are on the different topics?
I am amazed that there are only 382 posts in the PETS and CRITTERS but as many as 1,278 in EVENTS, 2,702 in the FOR SALE, and 945 in HOUSING.
I thought there were a lot of animal lovers in Sonoma County but somehow I wonder where they are???
If there are any replies, please do so publicly.
helen s
Barry
08-18-2006, 02:57 PM
Just look at the listings, Barry. Do you see a change in the kinds of postings that were intended when WACCO was first started? how about some feedback from you? What did you envision for WACCO, and is that vision being met?
Just wondering...
GuppyGood questions, Guppy! I've been busy with my daughter's birthday celebrations. I'll be happy to address these questions next week!
moonrise
08-19-2006, 12:40 AM
I think you have some good points, Guppy. I was surprised also by the overwhelming amount of things for sale posted here today - much like the Friday postings on Craigslist - which is fine for Craigslist but wow there were a lot of them to download in email tonight! Something else I wonder about is seeing frequent ads for rentals that are the same place. I wonder if it was ever rented.. did it not work out or was it just for a month or??? I wonder also about job offers. I know plenty of people who are interested and quite capable for many of these jobs. But often it turns out the rate of pay is not that great (to put it mildly). I think "community" minded might iinclude more details when advertising jobs or places for rent - what's the rate of pay and estimated hours a week; water sewer garbage included? Stuff like that ;)
Glad there are still people posting free or trades like plants and fruit and such. I've lived here a long time but only found Wacco about 4 or 5 years ago. I know the community has changed a lot and I see such a difference in west county. I miss those posts about things to share, things needed. It seems quite a lot more money orientated. I assumed it was a reflection of the changing demographics. :dunno:
There's lots of ways to contribute to helping animals. I'm sure there are people who can post a list quite handily. A couple of folks still post for the Peace and Justice Center and related groups/events/causes. There is the downtown renovation plan section. The Laguna Vista thing has been stalled behind the veil of "mediation" that is a farce. The green party in town seems to have turned a different kind of green (imho). Something I miss about the old format is the compilations of resources that was kept. I'd like to see these return and kept updated.
So by the way, is your name really Guppy? Something I value about a local community forum is knowing people's names.
-Dorothy
Barry
08-22-2006, 11:31 PM
I have only been aware of WACCO for the past couple of months, since I moved to sonoma County in late May, so I don't know what the posts used to be like. But I have to say that there seems to be quite a skewed number of posts related to classes being offered ( for a fee), and businesses being "advertised", which is not completely wrong or bad---many people want to take those classes & wouldn't hear about them otherwise. but I was under the impression that this was a community bulletin board, to bring folks together, highlight local events (festivals, concerts, lectures, dances, etc), not something to provide free advertising to anyone who wants to promote their sagging class attendances. It DOES seem like there are very few "discussion" topics as well as animal related postings. How about trying to get some of the animal rescue organizations involved with posting any fund-raisers they have coming up, or what they have on their "wish lists", or how one can volunteer to help out by fostering dogs or cats who'd otherwise be in shelters waiting to be adopted or euthanized?
It seems like the "Events" listings are growing longer & longer every day. I don't believe this should be a free way to advertise one's job, no matter how "enlightened" that profession is considered in this community. Why shouldn't the local hair stylist be able to list his/her latest rates for a color or perm? Or the produce on sale at Andy's this week? Where do we draw the line? I don't think this should be a way to produce revenue for any individual, unless it's to try to sell items that someone else might want/need (furniture, places for rent---ones that allow pets!---"gentley used" baby items, etc.)
Just look at the listings, Barry. Do you see a change in the kinds of postings that were intended when WACCO was first started? how about some feedback from you? What did you envision for WACCO, and is that vision being met?
Just wondering...
GuppyWaCCO was born from a circle following a Sweat Your Prayers dance as a way of sharing information between like minded people who valued dance and movement, personal growth and healing, spiritual inquiry and awareness, eco-consciousness and celebrating the divine! They also needed to find places to live, had cars to sell, pets to take care of, etc. It still serves those needs, even as the form has evolved to support 3,000 members, up from the original 30.
The key aspects of WaccoBB are:
- it serves the local progressive community
- it allows for personal and respectful communications within that community.
I have no problem with people "advertising" their service, especially if it something that helps us heal ,grow or celebrate. And we all need to manage the practical aspects of our lives, so that is also welcome here, especially when presented personally and with integrity. If Andy's wants to post their organic specials, that's fine with me! Conducting our personal business with fellow Waccos is a way building and deepening our community.
And someplace there is a line to draw (NASCAR is out!) but that's tricky business. I have been encouraged that somehow most of the postings continue to be consistent with our Conscious Community's values. And I try to work with people who seem off base.
Having said all that, I would LOVE to see more discussions and other non-commercial and non-practical postings. That's why I have reserved the General Community category for non-commercial postings.
I am working on WaccoBB.net full time these days. I find it very rewarding and I am constantly told that it creates a lot of value in people's lives! And, I've grown attached to eating and have a family to support, so it also needs to support me. The sponsorship banner ads (https://www.waccobb.net/forums/showthread.php?t=10521) are the first part of that initiative. Sometime this fall, after a major system upgrade, I will be asking for $5 for any "advertising" post. So the advertising will no longer be free (but still cheap!) and it will be helping to support our community.
Just look at the listings, Barry. Do you see a change in the kinds of postings that were intended when WACCO was first started? how about some feedback from you? What did you envision for WACCO, and is that vision being met?
Just wondering... So to recap, I think the posting are fine. However, I would like to see them even more personal with more personal replies that are appropriate for public viewing. I would also like to see more non-commercial postings. So if you have something on your mind, some community initiative, or perhaps an original poem or prose you want to share with us, please post it!
Barry
Barry
08-23-2006, 12:54 AM
... Something I miss about the old format is the compilations of resources that was kept. I'd like to see these return and kept updated. That's what the Services Needed/Referrals Requested (https://forumdisplay.php?f=12) category is there for! Now the compilations are done automatically when people reply as they become part of the thread. You are welcome to use the "Search this Category" feature to find what you are looking for in there.
So by the way, is your name really Guppy? Something I value about a local community forum is knowing people's names. -Dorothy
https://img206.imageshack.us/img206/9531/publicprofilegm1.jpgI agree! That's why I ask people for their real name when they register. Their name (as given) and any other profile information is available by clicking on the poster's username at the top-left of their post and selecting "View Public Profile". Also notice the handy "Find all posts by {username}" option.
Barry
Joan Price
08-25-2006, 12:19 AM
...But I have to say that there seems to be quite a skewed number of posts related to classes being offered ( for a fee), and businesses being "advertised", which is not completely wrong or bad---many people want to take those classes & wouldn't hear about them otherwise. but I was under the impression that this was a community bulletin board, to bring folks together, highlight local events (festivals, concerts, lectures, dances, etc), not something to provide free advertising ...
Guppy, I'm one of the people who is grateful to have Wacco to share news of my local workshops. To me, Wacco is a true "bulletin board" -- with news and views from anyone who cares to post, including notices of classes and events taking place locally. How wonderful to be able to find this all in one place! I thank Barry and all the Wacco subscribers for the opportunity to read what everyone has to say and speak out myself.
Joan Price
Author of Better Than I Ever Expected: Straight Talk about Sex After Sixty (https://www.joanprice.com/BetterThanExpected.htm) (Seal Press, 2006)
Join us -- we're talking about ageless sexuality at https://www.betterthanieverexpected.blogspot.com (https://www.betterthanieverexpected.blogspot.com/)