Explosions in Rohnert Park late Saturday night launched more than 150 phone calls by concerned and angry residents to 911 for what turned out to be the long-planned fireworks show ending the gala debut of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University.
The emergency calls came in a 20-minute period, about the length of the fireworks show, which started a little after 10 p.m.
Residents reported gunfire or a variety of other possibilities, Rohnert Park Sgt. Dave Welch said.
Green Music Center Opens
Sandy Weill noted the good luck of a harvest moon on the opening night of the Joan and Sanford J. Weill Hall on the Sonoma State University campus on Saturday night, Sept. 29, 2012.
A Steinway piano and an audience wait on stage for pianist Lang Lang on the opening night of the Joan and Sanford J. Weill Hall on the Sonoma State University campus on Saturday night, Sept. 29, 2012.
Classical music fans filled the tables on the overflow lawn for the opening of the Green Music Center on the Sonoma State University campus on Saturday night, Sept. 29, 2012.
Music fans get a first look at the opened back doors of the Joan and Sanford J. Weill Hall on the Sonoma State University campus on Saturday night, Sept. 29, 2012.
International acclaimed pianist Lang Lang performed on opening night at the Joan and Sanford J. Weill Hall on the Sonoma State University campus on Saturday night, Sept. 29, 2012.
Audrey and Barry Sterling, right, owners of Iron Horse winery arrive with family and friends on the opening night of the Green Music Center on the Sonoma State University campus on Saturday night, Sept. 29, 2012.
Philanthropist Don Green arrives with his grandson Michael's fiance, Wendi Webster and his wife Maureen for the opening of the Green Music Center on the Sonoma State University campus on Saturday night, Sept. 29, 2012.
Governor Jerry Brown and his wife Ann Gust toured the lawn seating outside the Joan and Stanford J. Weill Hall on the opening night of the Green Music Center on the Sonoma State University campus on Saturday night, Sept. 29, 2012.
Governor Jerry Brown and his wife Anne Gust walk through the Green Music Center before the opening night with benefactor Joan and Sandy Weill on the Sonoma State University campus on Saturday night, Sept. 29, 2012.
The overflow lawn seating was packed with tables for music fans and their picnics on the opeing night of the Joan and Sanford J. Weill Hall on the Sonoma State University campus on Saturday night, Sept. 29, 2012.
Corrick Brown, who had a 36 year tenure as the second conductor of the Santa Rosa Symphony, left, arrives for the opening night of the Green Music Center on the Sonoma State University campus on Saturday night, Sept. 29, 2012.
Bruno Ferrandis, music director and conductor of the Santa Rosa Symphony arrives for the opening night of the Green Music Center on the Sonoma State University campus on Saturday night, Sept. 29, 2012.
Bruno Ferrandis, music director and conductor of the Santa Rosa Symphony mingles during the reception on the opening night of the Green Music Center on the Sonoma State University campus on Saturday night, Sept. 29, 2012.
Paul Pelosi, right, greets Bernard Osher and Lynn Fritz at a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
Brad Bollinger, left, and his wife Corine, share stories with Henry Trione at a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
SSU Provost Andrew Rogerson, left, shares a laugh over some cell phone photos with Rohnert Park Mayor Jake MacKenzie and Susan Neece during a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
Patrons enter the Green Music Center on opening night at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
Janet Condron, left, with Massey Bambara, of GMC sponsor Bank of America, and his wife, Barbara Jones Bambara at a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
Ajay Banga, left, CEO of Mastercard, and his wife, pose for a photo with Jessica Biebliowicz and Sandy Weill at a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
Patrons attend a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
Ariann Bulger (left); Erik Greeny, SSU Vice President for Development; Leslie Conway; and Michael Conway, Chief of Staff for Sandy Weill, attend a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
Sara Woodfield (left), Santa Rosa Symphony Board Member; Theresa Silow; Alan Silow, Executive Director of the Santa Rosa Symphony; and Sanford I. "Sandy" Weill, attend a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
Music lovers Rori Habas (left) and Bob Smith; Margaret Gokey, MS; Henry Beaumont, President of PCD, Inc., which designed Green Music Center's audio/visual systems; John Mallon, Branch Manager/Director at UBS Financial; and athlete Julia Stamps-Mallon, attend a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
Ian Hannah, left, and Meghan Ernst of SSU attend a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
Christopher Dinno (left), Senior Director for Facilities Management and Capital Planning, Design and Construction for SSU; Jeanne Dinno; Dr. John Douhan, Senior Principal Scientist at Pfizer; Bill Rawn, Founding Principal of William Rawn Associates, architect of the Green Music Center; and Jennifer Melick, Managing Editor of Symphony Magazine attend a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
Carol Sebastiani (left), of Martin & Sebastiani; Tom Hartle, CEO and co-founder of Bandwidth Publishing; and Karen Hartle attend a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
Ginger Martin, left, and Carol Sebastiani of Martin & Sebastiani attend a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
Rogene Kirkegaard (left), of Kirkegaard Associates; Donna Maynard, CEO of Entries on Time, Inc.; and Kevin Martin, Director of Operations, Green Music Center, attend a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
Peter Woodfield (left), and Katie and Joe Zils attend a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
Jacques and Barbara Schlumberger (left) with Jay Abbe, Board President of Santa Rosa Symphony; and Karen Abbe attend a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
John Diaz (left); Stephanie Markley; Karen Furukawa-Schlerth, Director, Human Resources, SRJC; and Tracy Terrill, CTO of LegalZoom, attend a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
SSU freshmen Brenda Diaz (left) and Julianna Duffy with Rosa and Henry Mendoza, Board of Trustees, California State University, attend a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
Hallie Downey (left), BJ Green, and Carla King attend a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
Deborah Eid (left), an original board member for the Green Music Center, and SSU Dean, Mark Merickel attend a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
Ginger and Sam Brown (left); Holly and Eduardo Ochoa; and Bernadette Cheyne attend a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
Sue and Jerry Knecht (left); Andrea Neves; and Barton Evans attend a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
Terry Sterling (left), Fred Reid, Ellen Reindeau, and Marybeth La Motte attend a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
Philanthropists Bernard Osher, Connie Codding, and Bob Friend attend a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
Lynn Fritz (left), Bernard Osher, and Paul Pelosi attend a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
Corine and Brad Bollinger (left); Jon Mellon; Eileen and Henry Trione; Julia Stamps-Mellon; Yolanda Alvarez; and Sonoma County Supervisor Efren Carrillo attend a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
George Beaudry (left), Constance Guthrie, and Julian Guthrie attend a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
Joan Weill, left, greets friends and fellow music patrons during a champagne reception on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
Internationally acclaimed pianist Lang Lang's live performance inside the Joan and Sanford I. Weill Hall, as seen from the overflow lawn seating, on opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
Fireworks burst above the Trione Courtyard and the Joan and Sanford I. Weill Hall to celebrate opening night of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
Britt Matthews records the opening night fireworks display on his cell phone at the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University on September 29, 2012. (Photo by Alvin Jornada for The Press Democrat)
"There were a few surprised people and scared dogs," the sergeant said.
"A few callers were very, very angry, saying they were not notified," said Welch. "They were angry at the college, angry at the city."
Saturday night, the college celebrated the opening of the $145 million music center on campus with a concert attended by Gov. Jerry Brown and local luminaries and music fans.
The event and fireworks show had been publicized by the college and local media.
Three Rohnert Park dispatchers were on duty on the third floor of the city's public safety building and could see the fireworks from their window.
The deluge of calls inundated dispatchers, who quickly told callers the noise was from a fireworks show and moved on to the next call.
"They handled it as best they could," Welch said.
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Cotati police dispatchers received two 911 calls about the fireworks, Cotati police said.
Sonoma County fire dispatchers said they didn't receive any calls.
You can reach Staff Writer Randi Rossmann at 521-5412 or randi.rossmann@pressdemocrat.com.
Explosions in Rohnert Park late Saturday night launched more than 150 phone calls by concerned and angry residents to 911 for what turned out to be the long-planned fireworks show ending the gala debut of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University.
The emergency calls came in a 20-minute period, about the length of the fireworks show, which started a little after 10 p.m.
Residents reported gunfire or a variety of other possibilities, Rohnert Park Sgt. Dave Welch said.
"There were a few surprised people and scared dogs," the sergeant said.
"A few callers were very, very angry, saying they were not notified," said Welch. "They were angry at the college, angry at the city."
Saturday night, the college celebrated the opening of the $145 million music center on campus with a concert attended by Gov. Jerry Brown and local luminaries and music fans.
The event and fireworks show had been publicized by the college and local media.
Three Rohnert Park dispatchers were on duty on the third floor of the city's public safety building and could see the fireworks from their window.
The deluge of calls inundated dispatchers, who quickly told callers the noise was from a fireworks show and moved on to the next call.
"They handled it as best they could," Welch said.
Cotati police dispatchers received two 911 calls about the fireworks, Cotati police said.
Sonoma County fire dispatchers said they didn't receive any calls.
You can reach Staff Writer Randi Rossmann at 521-5412 or randi.rossmann@pressdemocrat.com.
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