Alamo • Danville • Blackhawk • Diablo • San Ramon
VALLEY
Look inside for the latest Regional in Nature Activity Guide!
THE
SENTINEL always for the community VOl 18, nO 12
December 2013
www.valleysentinel.com
SPOTLIGHT
Danville police officers honored for saving Danville resident California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris recently lauded the efforts of Officers Kimberly Cogo and Jamie Williams during a medical emergency. Harris presented both with the Peace Officer Certificate of Commendation for Superior Effort. In the incident, the officers were dispatched to a home in Sept. 2012. On arrival they found a Danville resident
ECRWSS
PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID DANVILLE, CA PERMIT NO. 70
See OFFICERS page 11
On Friday November 29th, Danville residents were treated to the annual Lighting of the Old Oak Tree on Diablo Road. Each Friday after Thanksgiving current San Ramon Valley High School Choral students sing carols and holiday songs to kick off the season in Danville. The Snow Angel and Father Christmas always make an appearance. If you have never been to this fun event for a truly home town experience, don’t miss it next year.
Native Wildlife Report–
Meet the bobcat
Postmaster: Dated Material
by James Hale
The bobcat (Lynx rufus) is one of our most beautiful mammals with a spotted tawny or yellowish brown coat that varies slightly with the seasons. In summer the reddish tinge is the source for the scientific name rufus. Two black bars cross each cheek with a brown stripe accenting the forehead. The prominent ear tufts are up to an inch in length. The chin, throat, belly and underside of the tail are whitish. The upper surface of the tail is barred, and the tip of the tail is black on top. While most cats have long tails which they lash out to the side to help them cornering when pursuing prey, the short “bobbed” tail of the bobcat is an adaptation to hunting in brushy areas so
the tail won’t get caught in branches. Appearing in the Irvingtonian stage about 1.8 million years ago, this North American mammal ranges from Canada to Mexico, including most of the continental United Sates. Approximately 725,000 to 1,020,000 individuals from 12 recognized subspecies remain in the wild, despite widespread trapping, depredation permits, and illegal killing. In the early 1900’s, bobcat populations were decimated in many Midwestern and eastern states of the United States due to increased value of its fur. For more than 200 years the bobcat was considered vermin, and even today this striking native feline remains on the “varmint” list. International laws began to protect the world’s spotted cats in the 1970’s, and populations have recovered in some areas
since then. Animal trade is a $15 billion worldwide industry. Every second of every hour of every day an animal is killed for the skin on its back. The bobcat is “harvested” legally in 38 US states. One half of the US bobcat “harvest” is used within the United States.
This month’s month’s Special Special Sections: Sections: This Sentinel Newspapers, Inc. 390 Diablo Road, Ste. 145 Danville, CA 94526 925-820-6047
Holidays
pages 8-9
Senior Living pages 10-11
In 1984, 84,000 Lynxes, the bobcats larger northern cousin were trapped and killed. China and Russia are prime buyers of the pelts. Illegal ”harvest” and trading may be greater than before. See BOBCAT page 6