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valleysentinel.com
June 2012
VOL 17, NO 6
SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS
SPOTLIGHT
Lady Wolves win NCS title
ECRWSS
Postmaster: Dated Material
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The San Ramon Valley High School Women’s Varsity Swim Team captured the 2012 California Interscholastic Federation’s North Coast Section (NCS) team title for the second consecutive year after competing May 18th and 19th in Concord. The title capped a perfect season for the Wolves who won each of their dual meets, swim invitational meets and the EBAL Championship meet. This is the 3rd NCS title for seniors Allison Brown, Marissa Brown, Captain Shannon Herman, and Marissa Neel. Congratulations to the entire SRVHS team, their coach, Heather Johnston, and to the Wolves’ NCS team: Jenny Barcellona, Allison Brown, Marissa Brown, Jackie Doyle, Nicole Eklund, Ana Henderson, Shannon Herman, Paige Matherson, Amanda Miller, Marissa Neel, Dani Orlandi, Heidi Poppe, Kristen Schumann, Marina Smith, and Cailey Steffens.
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On May 15th, stage 3 of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California started in north San Jose and made its way to Livermore. For the first time in the history of the race, the riders were challenged with a climb up Mt. Diablo, one of the most revered climbs in California. Peter Sagan (SVK) of Liquigas-Cannondale crossed the finish line first taking his third stage win of the 2012 race and making Amgen Tour of California history by winning three consecutive stages. (Photo by Scott Hein)
Hikers Beware as rattlesnakes are awake with warm weather By James M. Hale
The Northern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus oreganus) is the only rattlesnake found in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is a venomous pitviper species that is found in the western United States from British Columbia to northwestern Mexico. Like other reptiles, their metabolism and activity patterns are governed by the ambient, surrounding temperature. In the East Bay, they usually emerge from their retreats with the warm weather starting in April, and are most active from May through July. Rattlesnakes remain active, both day and night, until the return of the rainy season and colder weather in October. The color pattern is quite varied, however locally most individuals have a dark gray to olive brown base color, highlighted with black, white and pale yellow, and overlaid dorsally on the back with a series of large dark blotches. A series of light and dark rings precedes the rattles on the tail. The large,
triangular head, rattles, loreal heat sensitive pits on the snout and keeled scales that are overlaid like shingles on a roof are key diagnostic characteristics. The young are born with a button at the tip of the tail. Every time they shed their skin as they mature, they acquire a new rattle. During good years they may shed several times. Adults may reach 64 inches in length. Rattlesnakes are often confused with gopher snakes, which mimic rattlesnakes by hissing loudly and rattling their tails. Gopher snakes are brownish in color and lack the triangular head and rattles. Rattlesnakes frequent a wide variety of habitats from grasslands to woodlands where they pursue small mammals and other animals as prey. They in turn are preyed upon by king snakes, raptors, and wild boars. Rocky outcrops,
stream courses, talus slopes and ledges are favorite haunts. The rattlesnake is a live-bearing species, with one to twenty five young born between August and October. The young are born with fully active venom glands. Rattlesnakes usually make their presence known by rattling their segmented tails when threatened or to avoid being stepped on. However, some researchers suggest that as humans have encroached in rattler territory, the snakes are using their legendary rattles less frequently. Rattlesnakes were a significant part of Native American culture. The rattlesnake was the Keeper of the Hereafter, and a symbol of transformation and healing. Locally the Ohlone women wore abalone pendants and necklaces around their necks, Tripne (magic)
This month’s Special Sections:
Health & Wellness pages 8-9 Spring Home & Garden pages 10-11
Photo by James Hale
against rattlesnakes, which jingle and throw glints of sunlight as they walk. Rattlesnake shamans (Trudum) were prominent among the Yokuts near Altamont and throughout their territory. Such shamans or rattlesnake doctors were medicine men who gained the power to cure and prevent snake bites by cultivating dream communications with the rattlesnakes. The Yokut Rattlesnake Dances and songs See RATTLESNAKES page 7