The Sea Ranch Listserv brimmed with cooperative problem solving last week.

A The Sea Ranch community member noticed the air was “smoke-colored” and offered to call 911 if that “makes sense.”

Another The Sea Ranch homeowner announced they were paying $2.38 per gallon for propane. A second replied that they are paying $3.42 per gallon from a different propane provider. But, if you mention that you are a Sea Rancher and provide your social security number, date of birth, and your mother’s maiden name, you are eligible for the special secret rate of $2.15 per gallon. Yet another The Sea Ranch community member claimed that they were currently paying only $1.95 per gallon with the same propane provider. A fourth community member added that they are currently paying only $2.12 per gallon.

Someone’s plants needed a ride up from Los Angeles.

Several The Sea Ranch community members expressed gratitude and optimism when insurance industry representatives held a forum at The Sea Ranch on why insurance premiums are either increasing or altogether unavailable to Sea Ranchers.

A generous Sea Rancher offered to make personalized 2024 calendars for anyone here who needs one. According to this calendar, shared by one community member who took-up the offer, Jasmine is retaining her ‘top cat’ status through (at least) December 2024:

A Sea Rancher asked the Listserv about how they might manage a raccoon infestation under their deck. One community member either encouraged or cautioned against removing the raccoons (it wasn’t clear one way or another) because, once removed, “they must be killed.” Others called them ‘cute’ and encouraged peaceful cohabitation with the raccoons.

One community member offered their own healing story about a “close relationship” with an “older raccoon” that spanned 5 years. They described the relationship with that older raccoon as “weird”, “amazing” and “treasured.”

Nobody seemed to understand or agree on what a county ordinance means for short-term rentals at The Sea Ranch. But at least the back-and-forth gave one board member the opportunity to point out that The Sea Ranch gives more to Sonoma County than it takes, monetarily-speaking.

Someone’s “twirly chair” was stolen from their patio. Other The Sea Ranchers offered unsolicited advice on how to prevent trespass and theft at The Sea Ranch. When one community member recommended using motion sensor-enabled water hoses to dissuade trespassers, another countered that “watering someone is assault.”

Someone hopes that rock climbing and “related sports” are never used as The Sea Ranch marketing hooks by short-term rental owners and the lodge.