How To Change the World One Fire Department at a Time

Posted on October 26, 2020 by Baja Rock Pat

Photo Credit: Glen Haven Area Volunteer Fire Department

I can’t sit back and do nothing. Especially when I have something to offer that could possibly help those who so unselfishly risk their lives on a daily basis to help the rest of us. The unsung heroes.

My most recent post described the incredible devastation to mountain communities, national parks, and wilderness areas from the current wildfires here in Northern Colorado–the Cameron Peak Fire, the CalWood Fire, East Troublesome Fire, Lefthand Canyon Fire, and smaller spot fires that have ignited as well. Dry conditions, high winds, and beetle-kill pine trees have contributed to two of the largest wildfires in Colorado history; as of this writing, and according to an article in The Coloradoan, an astounding 401,223 acres.

While these fires are temporarily subdued due to recent snowfall in the area, they are expected to resume as the temperature rises and the snow melts.

Small town fire departments struggle to keep up with the increasing demand on their already-depleted resources

I reached out to the Windsor Severance Fire Rescue, to find out what I could do to help their firefighters during this harrowing time, and was told by the Fire Chief there, that the Glen Haven Area Volunteer Fire Department was sorely in need of help. GHAVFD’s resources have already been depleted. They’ve spent more than $3,000 in fuel alone for which they will not be reimbursed, and anticipate at least another $10,000 in expenses to cover volunteer costs and other unexpected expenses. The person with whom I was in contact, also mentioned that since GHAVFD is such a small fire department, they are often overlooked when it comes to donations.

An offer too good to refuse – everybody wins!

I have several boxes of copies of my book, Dance of the Electric Hummingbird (personally endorsed by rock legend Sammy Hagar, former lead singer of Van Halen) in my office right now, books I’ve purchased personally from my publisher, (yes, I had to buy my own books) so from now until November 30, 2020, (I may extend that timeframe depending on need and interest), I’m donating 100% of the money (minus shipping & sales tax for CO residents) from the sale of my book to the Glen Haven Area Volunteer Fire Department, but my offer only applies to books purchased here, through my website; I have no control over Amazon.com or other outlets. In selling these books, it provides me with the means to donate much more money than I’ve been able to donate on my own.

And… don’t forget–the holidays are coming and books make great holiday gifts! I will even personalize your book for you–make sure you provide me with a name.

If you buy a book from my website, you’ll have to pay for shipping, & sales tax for CO residents, but 100% of what you pay for the book will go directly to the Glen Haven Area Volunteer Fire Department.

Thank you for your kind generosity. We are all in this together.

To purchase Dance of the Electric Hummingbird, please click here: http://www.bajarockpat.net/my-book/ordering-information/

(Important: ONLY books purchased through bajarockpat.net are eligible for the GHAVFD donation fund. Offer does not apply to books purchased through other outlets.)

Colorado Burning

Posted on October 23, 2020 by Baja Rock Pat

An apocalyptic dark-orange sky shrouds the deep-pink sun as if it’s 7:00 at night while, in reality, it’s only noon. Ash rains down like snowflakes and collects into black piles on cars, in cracks in the cement, and against buildings. You can’t go outside for long because the air is toxic. We live less than 15 miles from the fires and are staying informed through local updates. This has been our lifestyle for more than two months now.

About 1:00 in the afternoon. Normally you can see the mountains in the background, but not now; there’s too much smoke.
Photo credit: Dee Walker

Many have had to evacuate and many have lost their homes.

Ignited on August 13, 2020, the Cameron Peak Fire is the largest forest fire in Colorado history, and, as of this writing, according to https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/cameronpeakfire, with the assistance of unrelenting 40 mile-per-hour winds, a tremendous of amount of fuel, such as beetle-kill pine, very little precipitation, and steep terrain, the fire has consumed nearly 207,000 acres thus far and is currently only 55% contained. The ravenous monster grows daily, creating new spot fires like the East Troublesome Fire, which grew in a matter of hours from 1,000 acres to an astounding 100,000 acres, burning into the majestic Rocky Mountain National Park, and threatening the picturesque towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake, and could join forces with the Cameron Peak Fire. And the CalWood Fire is threatening the cities of Boulder, Lyons, and others.

Confluence Spruce and Forest Canyon, photo credit: Rocky Mountain National Park Service

Firefighters like those from Glen Haven Area Volunteer Fire Department, joined by firefighters from all over our state, have come together to subdue the beast, risking their lives in severe and unpredictable conditions.

Per an email I received from Fire Chief Kris Kazian with Windsor Severance Fire Rescue:

[The] Glen Haven Fire Dept. is a very small fire dept. that has exceeded their budget. They have over $3,000 in fuel costs that they do not have funds for and will not be reimbursed.

And

The impacts of these fires are not even being felt yet. We have the impacts to people losing their homes but the subsequent potential flooding and water contamination concerns, I think we are sadly just getting started!

Photo credit: enriquelopezgarre, Pixabay

Also, in an email from a representative at GHAVD, I was told,

Right now they (GHAVD) are $3,000 out of pocket expense for fuel and anticipate approximately a total of $10,000 for [their] volunteer crew. [They] have reached out to all for help… many times they get left behind when it comes to help.

2020 has been a year of constant turmoil and fear for many, and in the face of so much adversity, I believe that the best thing we can do as human beings, is to be of service to others. I most humbly request that you join me in supporting those who put their lives on the line each time they go to work to unselfishly help save our families and friends, our homes, our wilderness, our pets and our wildlife–our world. We cannot begin to know the tremendous amount of mental, emotional, and physical stress they must be dealing with as they work through all of this. They are truly our unsung heroes and we are forever in their debt.

Please direct your donations here: Glen Haven Volunteer Fire Department

Thank you and God bless. Together, we will get through this.

NCW Event This Tuesday: Patricia Walker’s Book Sales to Benefit Cabo Hurricane Victims

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Baja Rock Pat

Please join author Patricia Walker as she, along with other members of Northern Colorado Writers, will be reading excerpts from their work from 7:00-9:00 p.m. this Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014 at Bas Bleu Theater in Fort Collins.

Following the reading, authors will be selling and signing copies of their books.

Walker is donating 100% of her share from sales of Dance of the Electric Hummingbird at the event to benefit the people of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, who recently suffered severe damage as a result of Hurricane Odile. NBC News reported that Odile was the worst hurricane in history to ever hit the Baja peninsula. No deaths have been reported but the majority of residents have very little to begin with and many lost everything.

Says Walker:

There really hasn’t been much in the news about what happened down in Cabo recently. In fact, most people I talk to haven’t even heard about it. But if it weren’t for Cabo, and the wonderful people who live there, my book would never have happened. DANCE OF THE ELECTRIC HUMMINGBIRD is the true story of mystical events that changed my life and it all started in Cabo. I feel that the least I can do is to give something back to these people. Hurricane Odile made a devastatingly direct hit in Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, Todos Santos, La Paz and neighboring towns on September 14, 2014, two weeks ago, and as of today, many residents still do not have electricity or water, nor can they return to their homes to determine if their homes are still standing. The airport was severely damaged.

They’re making progress down there, but it’s still very bad. I can’t just sit back and not do something to help.

Evacuation at San Jose del Cabo International Airport. Photo by Suset Esquivel Flores. Used by permission.

When most people think of Cabo San Lucas, it brings to mind the world-renowned arch or El Arco, extraordinary fishing, fancy hotels, vacations, beaches, sun and margaritas. And while those images do describe Cabo, it’s also true that there are some very poor people who live there. It’s a stark and shocking contrast.

Cabo pretty much has no middle class. With a few exceptions, people who live there are either dirt poor or movie-star wealthy. I have personally witnessed people living in cardboard shacks without plumbing. The lucky ones are those who work at your fancy hotels–who tirelessly serve your margaritas and guacamole and chips, but they certainly don’t live in mansions, nor do they live in middle-class-type houses.

Then there are those who spend all day every day tramping up and down the burning sand on the beach and hawking trinkets in the scorching sun–even the elderly who can barely walk and children who can’t be more than 3 years old.

Photo by Lynne Pierce. Used by permission.

We take so much for granted in the United States. We have no clue how good we have it compared to most of those people. And now, many of them lost everything they had.

Land’s End photo by Patricia Walker

Some may question why I’m asking for donations for the people of Mexico when there are so many in our own country who are in need. My response to that would be: donate to whomever you like; just do SOMETHING. People are people wherever they live. Do what you can. It all helps.

We can also help by booking our vacations to the Los Cabos area in the near future. Our dollars will help these people get back on their feet.

El Arco photo by Patricia Walker

Donations from purchases of my book will only come from those that I bought personally from my publisher, not from the sale of books from Amazon.com or other outlets. This is coming straight out of my pocket. I’m hoping to keep contributing to various charities in Cabo as long as I am able, but obviously I can’t afford to do it indefinitely. If you buy a book from my website, you’ll have to pay for shipping, but 100% of what you pay for the book will go to the people of Cabo. And I will post which charity it’s going to so you’ll know exactly where your donations are going.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

Because I personally know most of the people involved, current donations are being made to: Wicked Pizza Employees/Family at http://www.gofundme.com/envqes

So please, if you can, come support Northern Colorado Writers this Tuesday, and buy a book for yourself or for a friend. Or just come and hear some great stories. For more information on the event:

Enjoy an evening of readings by local writers on September 30 at 7:00pm at Bas Bleu Theater. There will be poetry, excerpts from novels and essays. Written and read by members of Northern Colorado Writers: Josh Lehman, Lynn Kincanon, Mary Roberts, Diana Balogh, Pat Walker, Kerrie Flanagan, Eleanore D. Trupkiewicz and Donna Nitz Muller. Doors open at 6:30pm and admission is $5.

Refreshments will be served following the readings. Books by NCW members will be available for sale in the theater lobby.

Please be aware that this is a PG-13 event if you are thinking about bringing children.

*This is not a Bas Bleu Theater Company event.

Tickets available at the door or for online tickets, please click here: http://northerncoloradowriters.com/upcoming-events-mainmenu-133/upcoming-classes-and-events/special-event/readings-by-writers

**All photos used by permission. Please do not copy without permission.