Local HEROES Clean Water

Dear Readers,New Year’s Day does something topeople. Kind of like when we werein school and September had suchintense meaning. As adults, thatmeaning switches to January 1st. Allof a sudden we have a chance to dosomething different - to start fresh.It gives us hope that we can changeourselves into something better. Withthat in mind, I wrote Staying Lighton Your Feet. My contribution to thecause of Hope that Obama got rolling.I know that the only reason mynewspaper thrives is because it’smostly a one-woman show. I’d giveit 98% me, so that counts. I create thepaper on my computer in the bedroomthat used to be my daughter’s, so myoverhead is low. The truck I deliverthe paper in is a 1990 pickup I boughtfor cash from my neighbor. My creditcard debt is now down a few hundreddollars after paying off airfare costsfor going back east twice in 2007 aftermy brother, and then my father, died.Bless my father for giving mea positive outlook on life. It camethrough from his genetics as wellas the lessons he taught me. Whenpeople ask how I can be so happy, Icredit my dad. He gave the same gift tomy brother David, and now that theyare both gone, it’s my job to carry forththe message…Attitude is Everything.So with optimism in mind I havegrand plans for 2009. I am about to getlast year’s Nursery Tour on its own website and when the 2009 Small NurseryTour rolls around, it will be one heckof a resource guide for gardeners.Keeping in mind that we have aserious water shortage, gardeningthis year, and into the future if we aresmart, will be all about low water use.So read about our water issues,please use the information toinfluencing decision-makers in powerand do your best to live happy lives.There’s no limit what we can do if wethink that way.2 - www.westcountygazette.com - 1/15/09

Dear WCG Readers,I adopted a soldier in Afghanistana couple of months ago, and have beensending letters and care packages tohim. (And I am loving it.) I noticed lastweek on the Soldier’s Angels websitethat the count of soldiers waiting foradoption went waaaaay up. (We weredown to about 30.)Today I received the email below..I know from the extensive research Idid that packages from home mean somuch to them.You can look at any photos of ourfighting soldiers on many websitesand there will be at least one or two ina series that show them with packagesfrom home and big, big smiles. If youwant to check it out, try Ron Tabor’sblog before he left FOB Lightening. (Ifound it by looking at FOB Lighteningwebsite.)Packages and letters from home arethe highlight of their day, and they areprecious.I also want to say that I have firsthand knowledge that an awful lot ofthe soldiers get little or no emotionalsupport from home, and with thecurrent financial climate, this year hasto be especially bad for them. Imaginewhat some good snacks, a magazineor book, or a global calling card fromAT & T could do for you if you werethousands of miles from home.If you decide to join, use thewww.soldiersangels,org link. Itonly takes about 24 hours to get aname assigned. This is a ‘duration’commitment. If you sign on, you willbe providing a link to home until yoursoldier returns stateside.(Also there are other ways to help onthe regular website for Soldiers Angelsthat you can make a difference if youwant to do something but cannot fullycommit to this.)Th a n k you, my f r iend s, forconsidering this project.CarolEditor:Wh i le wa l k i ng i n dow ntow nGuerneville recently, I couldn’t helpbut notice what an eyesore the MDFood building (where the day workersgather) has become (one of many,actually). There is no longer anylandscaping in the median strip (gee...umm...could it be due to daily trompingby twenty or thirty pairs of feet?),there is litter all over the place...what amess! After talking with the businessowner (Menghal Dhillo, 546-7500)and the buliding manager (Ted atNexus properties, 769-5280), I realizedthat they are caught between a rockand a hard place. Apparently, theyfinally stopped trying to maintain theproperty, because anything they do issimply destroyed by the gentlemen thathang out there on a daily basis. Whyis this ‘hanging out’ being allowed?Guerneville has enough problems withdrunken, drugged out riff-raff that areripe for the Jerry Springer show. Whatin hell is going on in Guerneville? Itused to be delightfully tacky; now, it’sjust tacky.Peter JamesGuernevilleWell, Peter, you inspired an article - seeWilling to Work. Everything I learned isthat it’s hard to change decades of habits, butyou can try. And the place to start is withthe people who hire the laborers off the street.Send them to Labor Centers - listed in thearticle. These centers take the pressure offboth the employers as well as the laborers,people are treated with respect and everyonebenefits. Anyone willing to work is welcome,they keep records of skills and conduct,provide classes and services and help ourtowns in many ways. - VTo Readers across West CountyA rumor is circulating West Countythat El Molino High School may closenext year due to enrollment and budgetwoes. This is simply not true! Thestate budget crisis will likely impactour District in a number of ways, butwe are not considering closing anyof our WSCUHSD schools. In thesedifficult times, we need to keep workingtogether to maximize studentenrollment and continue deliveringoutstanding educational programs tostudents across West County.If you hear this rumor, please doyour part to politely set the recordstraight.Thankss!Keller McDonald,WSCUHSD SuperintendentLETTERS cont’d on page 4Dream as if you’ll live forever;live as if you’ll die today.1/15/09 - www.westcountygazette.com - 3

ADVERTISERS INDEXActive 23-230 Club.......................................43Almost Home Doggy Day Care..................2Art & Soul of Sebastopol............................35Beekind Honey............................................38Blue Hill Design...........................................38Burbank Housing/Hollyhock......................2Canyon Rock Quarry....................................3Cape Fear Cafe.............................................27Carport Gallery............................................47Cavagna Tree Care......................................38Community First Credit Union................. 10Corks at Russian River Vineyards............25Dawn Ranch Lodge Roadhouse................23El Molino Little League..............................28Food for Thought......................................... 19Forestville Chamber of Commerce...........27Forgotten Felines......................................... 16Funeria Gallery..............................................7Grab n’ Grow Soil Products....................... 39Graton Labor Center.....................................9Hans Bruhner/First Priority Financial.... 10Jeff Rebischung Fine Tree Care........12 & 48Johanna Palmer Bookkeeping...................26Kate Anchorduguy Landscaping................9KRCB Public Television..............................26Lipstick Home Improvement.....................27Love Your Neighbor Thrift Shop.............. 37Mary Lou’s Soap Appeal............................26Michelle Koenigshofer/CPS R.E..................5Miller Candy Emporium............................ 13Miller Oil/Shell Gas....................................35Mirabel Lodge Elder Care............................2New Horizons/Stop Smoking.....................7Noel’s Automotive.........................................3Northwood Golf Course.............................23One Stop Shop & Deli...................................9Osmosis Day Spa.........................................12People’s Music..............................................45Quicksilver Mine. Co..................................47Redwood Marketplace................................ 17Russian River Rotary Crab Feed...............25Service Directory....................................32-34Shula Luxe Team/Prudential R.E............. 14Silk Moon......................................................23Santa Rosa Treatment Program................. 14Sophies Cellars............................................. 24The Good Life.............................................. 14The Package Store - Biz Supplies...............35The Tree Climber......................................... 15Tom Trent Builders......................................23The Realty Network Group........................ 11Vira’s Never Ends Salon.............................47Weavers and Dreamers.................................3Table of Contents1 - Little Red Saves Food Pantry1 - Stay Light on Your Feet1 – Clean Water Disappearing2 - Dear Readers3 - LETTERS4 - LETTERS cont’d - Adv./T of C5 - LETTERS cont’d6 - LETTERS cont’d - Ad Rates, etc.7 - Choosing Optimism8 - Choosing Optimism, cont’d9 - WATER cont’d10 – Willing to Work11 – Willing to Work cont’d12 – Spread the Organizing13 – I’m a Whale14 – ASK THE LOAN MAN15 – School Garden Network16 – Don’t Trash Home/Coho Salmon17 – CHINESE MEDICINE18 – Eco Adventure, Parkside School19 – Business & Community Profiles20 – Save Sheephouse Creek21 – Paying Attention, Happiness22 – Water Ski lake, Transit, Laguna23 – Nightingale Breads24 – WINE BANTER25 – RESTAURANT REVIEW26 – MITZVAH MOMENTS27 – SHARK BAIT - LAW28 – YOUR WATERSHED29 - FIRE DEPARTMENT NEWS30 - FORESTVILLE31 - GRATON/OCCIDENTAL32 - SERVICE DIRECTORY33 - SERVICE DIRECTORY34 - SERVICE DIRECTORY35 - LISTENING 2 CHILDREN36 - CINEMA CHATTER37 - ARTIST PROFILE38 - ASK ECOGIRL39 - GAIL’S GARDEN40 - ATROLOGY - Rio Olesky41 - CALENDAR: Meetings, Res.42 - CALENDAR: Classes, etc.43 - CALENDAR: Events/Bene./Grdn44 - CALENDAR: Volun./Theater45 - CALENDAR: Music46 - CALENDAR: Art47 - CALENDAR: Art cont’d48 - Fine Tree Care• REGULAR FEATURESAll Advertisers have a link to theirweb site on the web edition of theWest County Gazette atwww.westcountygazette.comGo to the Advertisers Index and clickon their web connection to see indepthwhat our advertisers offer.THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTINGOUR ADVERTISERS!4 - www.westcountygazette.com - 1/15/09LETTERS cont’d from page 3Hi all,I just wanted to let you all know aboutthe latest WATER Institute web videocollaboration with filmmaker Ben Zolnoand underwater videographer CorbyHines called: Your Salmon Creek!www.oaecwater.org/your-salmoncreek-videoWe are blessed to have some amazingunderwater footage to give you abelow-the-scenes look at the historicreintroduction of endangered CohoSalmon to the Salmon Creek Watershedin Sonoma County, CA, where expertsreveal why Coho are disappearing, andwhy you should care...Watch to see how protecting yourhome, your land and your family canimprove your environment and theendangered species in your area.Have a look! If you like it - watch it abunch of times!And tell your friends to watch it todayas well so that we can get a lot of hits inone day to rank high on YouTube!!!Forward widely to all your friendsand lists!!Mostly Water,Brock DolmanWATER Institute DirectorOccidental Arts and Ecology Centerwww.oaec.orgwww.oaecwater.orgThis is up on WCG Extra! At www.westcountygazette.com for links to all threesites – ENVIRONMENT categoryVesta,So the “Discharge ComplianceProject” has finally come to an end. Thevery name of this thing is maddening. Ifelt like either “Compliance” should bein quotation marks or it should be calledthe “Discharge Non-Compliance Project,”because the idea, aside from cleaning upthe water to meet standards, was to pipethe same “non-compliant” dischargedirectly to the river, where hopefully itwould be lost in the bigger stream.Because people use these areas asrecreation and swimming areas, andwells for drinking water are located here,this is a terrible idea. It’s not just a “not inmy neighborhood” type of thing. It’s nota good idea to dump millions of gallonsof wastewater on top of anyone’s watersupply, nor is it appropriate to locatea wastewater discharge facility in anypublic park.This idea was so bad it didn’t merit asecond thought, much less a 5,000-pagereport. Given the overwhelming publicopposition from the beginning and theobvious unsolvable problems, I wonderwhy the Board of Public Utilities pursuedthis idea. Who was whispering in theirear urging them to conduct this study?Pipeline builders? Engineers who dostudies? It seems like a scandalouswaste of public resources to conducta two-year study of an unacceptable“solution.”Were they really considering puttinga discharge facility at Steelhead Beach,which just recently has had a lotof money put into it to provide ayear-round boat launch, picnic tables,barbeques and bathrooms? It mademe wonder if this whole “project” wascarried out to gain public acceptancefor dumping in the Laguna. Now, withthis study, they can say, “Oh you don’tlike dumping in the Laguna? Wellhere’s our alternative: we can pumpthe wastewater right to your swimminghole and put the discharge facility inyour park! How do you like that?” Towhich we would of course say, “Pleasedump in the Laguna!” It’s kind of likewhen a builder tells you he wants tobuild eleven housing units where thereshould only be three so that he can getyou to accept building eight. Threatenworse, then “compromise” on what youwere going to do anyway.The best part of the final hearingwas when Brenda Adelman presentedthe citizens’ petition against puttingwastewater discharge at SteelheadBeach. I’m grateful to live in acommunity where people care abouttheir environment and will stand upfor it. I was glad that Brenda askedthe BPU to notify the 5026 concernedpeople if this proposal should evercome up again, because we didn’t getany basic agreements from them - likethat it’s a bad idea to put wastewateron top of drinking water, or that parkland shouldn’t be used for wastewaterdisposal. They just “chose” the nobrainersolution - to upgrade the plantand dump at the current location in theLaguna.Our next challenge to the healthof the river is the new call for morelowered flows. I want to see irrefutableproof that less water makes morefish before we endanger this wholerecreation/wildlife area. What aboutthe endangered Swimmer, Canoeist,Kayaker and Rafter? It’s our habitat too.The Russian River forms a beautifulmiles-long park that couldn’t be builtfor millions of dollars. All we have todo is not ruin it.Barbara DeIonnoForestvilleDear Vesta,I really loved the article on page 21in the current issue about NutritionPrograms in Schools. I thoughtpeople might be interested to knowthat our great local non-profit,School Garden Network (w w w.schoolgardens.org), works to promoteschool garden and nutrition programs.Sincerely,Brian Wise

LETTERS cont’d from page 4Dear WCG Readers,I know the fight still continueswhether it is 2008 or 2009 and nothingreally changes except for the calendar,but I wanted to thank you for all yoursupport and help with our attemptsto affect change and perhaps deny theRicioli Ranch NTMP. 2008 was a toughyear for many of us on many differentlevels. Here is hoping that 2009 is abetter year for everyone and it is a yearin which better and more enlighteneddecison making is made on behalf ofour people and our planet.Happy new year!Mike Keller, the Keller family, and the“Friends of Sheephouse Creek”Dear Vesta,I recently retained the services of FINETREE CARE, one of your advertisers.I contracted with Jeff Rebischungbecause my property requires significantrestoration and I needed a company withthe skills and equipment required forthe complexity of this job. I want to tellyou and your readers that Jeff and hiscrew are truly amazing. They are “OldSchool” which is just about the highestcomplement I could give anybody. Theyall worked nonstop from the time theyarrived until the job was completed. Idoubted they could actually finish withonly short winter days; I now realize thiswas ridiculous. What Jeff and his crewshowed me was remarkable. They area team of workers who refuse to quit orslow down no matter how exhausted.They work together like a fine tunedorchestra, and exude confidence andintegrity with their work ethic. Ontop of that, these guys are well spoken,gracious, and outgoing. No wonder theyhave such great repeat business!Nan HallOccidentalLetter to the Editor:SANTA’S LITTLE HELPERSSanta was assisted this year byhundreds of elves around West County!By purchasing gifts from the tree atWestAmerica bank, local residentsassured that over 300 children woke upto new toys and clothes on Christmasday. Many people and agencies workingtogether helped make this holiday alittle bit brighter for lots of families. TheGuerneville fire department donated lotsof toys and stuffed animals and donationsfrom the Dennis and Carol Ann RockeyFund helped to buy clothes for kids.We also want to thank members of theRussian River Chamber of Commercewho donated gift certificates for teenswho are often overlooked at this timeof year. Finally, the Welfare League andthe Volunteer Center assisted families aswell. The generosity of the community atthis time of year is overwhelming. We soappreciate your support.Donna RoperRiver to Coast Children’s ServicesPO Box 16Guerneville, CA 95446Dear Carolyn, (WCG Restauarant Review)I enjoyed your review of this finerestaurant (Terrapin Creek Cafe) in theWest County Gazette. My wife and I goto Bodega Bay almost every weekend,and Terrapin Creek has become afavorite. We’ve had lunch there a dozentimes. Andrew and Liya have added aDungeness crab cake salad and an openface meatball sandwich (with a Chicorysalad) to the menu. Delicious.Happy New YearDan MetzSan Rafael, California…and more…Terrapin Creek Cafe is something specialin our own backyard! In the Decemberissue of the Gazette Carolyn Horanwrote about a new restaurant in BodegaBay. Thanks for the heads up, Carolyn,but you really didn’t do enough todescribe the magic that is happening atthe Terrapin Creek Cafe.To celebrate the New Year, Vesta andI drove out to the coast, saw a beautifulsunset and decided to see for ourselveswhat these folks were up to. Wow, theTerrapin Creek Cafe was an absolute treat!Liya and Andrew Truong love what theydo and it comes across in every bite.The owners of this restaurant arecooking with care and passion and itshows up in dish after dish. While Ireveled in beef short ribs in red winesauce with shitake mushrooms, Vestaeffused about beautifully cooked tofuand vegetables with a subtle curry sauce.Our meals couldn’t have been moredifferent, but both were prepared withflare and commitment to strong flavors.In a trade typified with standardizedfare prepared by dispassionate linecooks, these two people are in a class oftheir own.It is rare to meet people who puteverything they have behind theirpassion. Here is an opportunity tosample care and creation expressed in amemorable meal. Gather up your friendsand take the drive to Bodega Bay. Thebeauty of the coast is astounding andthe warmth and wonder of this couple’screations will delight your senses andwarm your soul. All hail a passionatecalling... ..875-2200.Alan JosephSanta RosaLETTERS cont’d on page 61/15/09 - www.westcountygazette.com - 5

Choosing OptimismBy Vesta CopestakesThere’s no question that at leastsome of the Gloom and Doom in thenews is very, very real. But rather thanget depressed about it, we can take asimpler, and more pleasurable, pathtoward turning this tide around.KISS – Keep it Simple StupidWe’ve all heard this one and itusually means that simpler is better. Itdoesn’t matter what subject you applythis principle to, it all comes out to thesimpler we live, the easier life is.Food: If you eat heavy, processedfood, not only is your body heavy, butyour heart and soul feel heavy as well.Whatever is in that stuff, it weighs youdown, physically as well as emotionally.Simpler food, fresh vegetables forexample, simply makes you feel better.Light chicken instead of heavy beef.Fresh food instead of packaged food.Not only do they make us feel better,they cost less as well. And if you takeit one step further and make sure yourfood comes from local sources, youeven support your local economy whilemaking your life – well – lighter!Decisions: You can apply KISS to justabout any decision you make. Will itmake your life more complicated – orless complicated? Go simple. Will itmake you happy? Go that way. Will itcost more than you have? Forget it. “Ifin doubt – don’t” applies here as well.Doing nothing is simpler than doingsomething when it comes to addingburdens to your life.Even dating. My mantra – beforeI met Alan – was “I will only date ifthe relationship is an enhancementto my already happy life.” Well, Alanpassed the test and I have to say, lovingsomeone who contributes on everylevel, is a LOT lighter than a personwho weighs you down mentally &emotionally.Going GREENThis is also a simpler approach to life.If you look at just about everything youdo through GREEN lenses, you can findways that take some of the weight outof your life. For one thing, most peoplewho are conscious of the environmentfeel pretty guilty when they know theyare doing something that is un-GREEN.Throw that bottle away and feel theweight of guilt! Recycle it – either inthe bin or if you need cash – collect allthat you use and take it to the cash-backrecycling stations everywhere. Theymake it easy – 24 hours – no people –slip the container through the slot andBINGO! A receipt for cash at the nearbystore.There are so many ways you can gogreen, it’s amazing. Rather than go intothem, I’ll refer you to WCG columnistPatricia Dines and her AskEcoGirlcolumn. Find her in these pages and ifyou have internet, look her up on ourweb site, www.westcountygazette.comat WCG Extra! for past columns withlinks to her resources. And yes, she alsohas her own web site – so check it out forthe FULL STORY! Patricia is an amazingresource of Eco-information!Making a LivingYes, there’s a way to do this simpleas well. Make a living at something youenjoy. Really. You work many hours outof your day and life. If you enjoy whatyou are doing, your heart will be lighter.And for all those people who dependupon jobs that businesses create, thinkagain. Out of a job? You can create yourown job! I did it and have since I was 19.When graphic design work was light, Iput up a poster to clean houses. ThenI looked around my collection of toolsand knowledge and decided to addgarden services. Within three days I wasin business. That gave me three waysto make a living and the variety keptmy sanity. It also allowed me to spendtime with my daughter as she grew up. Icould volunteer at her school, catch hersoccer games, you name it. For a singlemother, this was golden!My daughter is doing that now aswell. The receptionist job she had wasn’tany fun so she went back to cleaninghouses like she did when she was inhigh school and college. The pay isbetter and it allows her flexibility to bewith her daughter! Now I’m sendingdata-entry work her way, something shecan do at home. Where there’s a will…there’s a way!Go LocalThis is a mantra I chant over and overin these pages and support with myShopping, Nursery and Summer Tours.We live in paradise! If we want to keephaving products and services for ourlives, we need to look at where we shopand do business. The more LOCAL it is,the more we will have what we needinto the future. Every dollar we spendlocally supports our local economythrough tax dollars. Those taxes payfor our roads and services from fireprotection to street lights.OPTIMISM - cont’d on page 8“Strength does not come fromphysical capacity. It comesfrom an indomitable will.”--Mahatma Gandhi1/15/09 - www.westcountygazette.com - 7

OPTIMISM - cont’d from page 7 HEROES cont’d from page 18 - www.westcountygazette.com -1/15/09Another benefit to staying local is theone I remind readers of all the time. Theseare our neighbors running businesses andhiring employees. The stronger they are,the stronger we are. You want all the factsand figures about why supporting whereyou live works better for everyone? Logon to www.GoLocal.coop for details. Itsimply makes sense.State of MindThis one is harder to control because itinvolves how you think. Optimists haveit easy. For pessimists it’s a struggle. Idon’t know how you turn the light on inyour heart if it’s not there to begin with.But I will advise you to think YES insteadof NO. Think OPPORTUNIY instead ofOBSTACLE. Think LIGHT instead ofHEAVY.The easiest way I know to boost yourself-esteem and therefore state of mind isto accomplish something, then blow yourown horn. No one has to be listening. Thisis something you do for yourself and withyourself. Accomplish anything – evenwashing the dishes. Look at what youdid and pat yourself on the back. Clean aroom then sit in that clean chair and lookaround at how much more pleasant yourenvironment has become.Walk out the door and tour the streetswhere you live. Look up instead of down.Look out and away to distances. Turnthe corners of your mouth up even ifthey feel like turning down. Try it. Eventhat simple act can change the way youfeel. My Dad always said “Attitude iseverything.” I believe that to be true.There IS a Better WaySo much of life is what we makeit. When we stop blaming others orlooking to others for support or evenconfirmation that we’re good people, weare taking charge of our own lives. Thissimple effort means the WE are in control– not someone else. Being dependent onothers for anything is a weight on boththem as well as ourselves. The moreindependent we can be, the lighter onour feet we are. Life starts looking likesomething we can do something about!That makes us feel positive, optimistic,hopeful – and well – light on our feet!Remember that old advertising headline?Try it – you’ll like it!”While one personhesitates because he feelsinferior, the other is busymaking mistakes andbecoming superior.“ –Henry C. LinkThe Little Red Hen Foundation, hadjust donated $15, 000 at a time when thePantry’s coffers were nearly empty. Thesecretary’s duties involve sending thankyou notes for all donations, and so wesent one to an address in Sebastopol. AGoogle search produced some tracksand traces of this heretofore-unknowngroup. ‘Little Red Hen’ has a historyof mysterious good works and theInternet produced very little specifichistory; in the last few years The LittleRed Hen Foundation has donated tothe Sebastopol Center for the Artsand Social Advocated for Youth in ourCounty.It takes several thousands ofdollars each month for the SebastopolInterchurch Pantryto serve all our clients. We usedto help about five hundred peoplemonthly, and now it is more muchmore (see November 19). The mortgagecrisis and inflated prices of grocerieshave produced record numbers of localpeople unable to feed their familiesthrough the second half of the month.By the end of December, the Pantrystores were depleted again.The Interchurch Pantry of Sebastopolwould like to publicly thank andack nowledge the Kiwanis Club,Sebastopol Realtors ThanksgivingFood Drive and The Little Red HenFoundation. We function with thecooperation of several SebastopolChurches: St. Stephens EpiscopalChurch, Communit y Church ofS eba stopol, S eba stopol Un itedMethodist, First Church of Christ,Scientist, Mt. Olive Lutheran Church,and Sebastopol Christian Church.We hope that the good people of WestSonoma County will remember theirneighbors this season and in the comingyear, 2009 and send donations as theyare able to The Sebastopol InterchurchPantry, c/o Diana Godwin, Treasurer,500 Robinson Road, Sebastopol, CA,95473.

WATER cont’d from page 1These proposed changes include apossible permanent lowering of flows,closing the river mouth at Jenner insummer (even though it would have adire effect on harbor seals, an animalprotected under the Marine MammalAct, and also under the oversight ofNMFS), and making significant habitatalterations to Dry Creek (or requiringthe construction of a very expensivepipeline to get the water from LakeSonoma down to the Russian River).Everything is ConnectedEverything in our environmenti s i nt ercon nec t e d a nd a l l t heenvironmental problems we haveignored in the past are coming to hauntus now. We can’t divorce ourselvesfrom them by denying they exist. Weare in the midst of a major economicdownturn, which is limiting our abilityto access the funds needed to addressthe problem. For example, as a resultof our failing State budget, all our localhabitat restoration groups had mostof their funding stopped while onlypartway through their projects.The Water Agency is being asked byNMFS to make very expensive changesto their water supply system in orderto protect the endangered fish. Somepeople may say “to heck with the fish”,but it is important to realize that thefish are the “canary in the mine”, whoseloss emblemizes great damage to theecosystem, which affects us all. Humanbeings derive great health benefitsfrom the fish we eat, fisherman andrestaurants and grocery stores deriveeconomic benefit from the fishingindustry, and there are many otherimportant reasons to save these species.At a recent meeting, water contractorsrepresenting City water users recoiledat the prospect of as much as a 30%increase in water rates needed toaddress this problem. Where will theyget this money at a time when localeconomies are starting to feel the bruntof fiscal cutbacks? We have now arrivedat the point between the rock and thehard place. This coming year will seea great deal of conflict over this issue.Wateris our Gold StandardAnd there is another major concern.In order to protect our graduallydiminishing clean water supplieswe need to show more care andappreciation for the supplies we’vegot. We need to think of our wateras gold and treat it accordingly. It isabsolutely essential that we addressthe burgeoning pollution issue becausethere are 80,000 chemicals on themarket that are turned into a chemicalsoup by every sewage treatment plant,including all the prescribed and overthe counter drugs we ingest and all thepersonal care and cleaning productswe use. We really don’t know how allof that is affecting aquatic life and ourdrinking water supply. If our cleanwater supplies get polluted, what willwe drink? We can’t make new water.It is true that current wastewatertechnology takes out many of thechemical pollutants. But of the 80,000or so on the market, only 126 areregulated. So when the North CoastRegional Board tells us that currentwastewater technology is safe andbeneficial uses are protected, it isbased on a dearth of information. Weare especially concerned about this,because the State Water Board andthe North Coast Regional Board arecurrently promoting new policy thatwill allow “low threat discharges”and “incidental runoff” of irrigatedwastewater, at the time summer flowswill be greatly diminished and impactscan be exacerbated by cumulativerunoff incidents.Russian River Watershed ProtectionCommittee believes this runoffproposal is being pushed throughwith inadequate anti-degradationanalysis. We believe that they needto have much more information onthe polluted contents of this treatedwastewater before the City of SantaRosa and other places are allowed tospread it around our environmentwith impunity. The Laguna de SantaRosa is one of the most impairedwater bodies on the North Coast, andirrigated and discharged wastewater isat least partially responsible. To loosenregulations even further before moreis known about this chemical soup isa travesty.It is much harder (and moreexpensive) to get rid of pollution onceit’s done its damage, than to stop it inthe first place. The focus should be onconservation and fixing leaky pipes, notallowing summer discharge.Russian R iver WatershedProtection Committee is in theprocess of developing a letter tosend the Regional Board aboutthis issue.The deadline forcomments is Jan. 29 th .Please contact Brenda Adelmansoon at rrwpc@comcast.net formore information.“In elevating to a level ofdemiworship people with bigbucks, we have been destroyingthe values of our futuregeneration. We need a totalrethinking of who the heroesare, who the role models are,who we should be honoring.”- RABBI BENJAMIN BLECHPlease see Willing toWork - page 101/15/09 - www.westcountygazette.com - 9

Willing to Work“Less talk, more thought, even more action”– Old Chassidic saying.10 - www.westcountygazette.com - 1/15/09By Vesta CopestakesI was recently approached by an iratebusiness owner in one of our smallcommunities. Latin day laborers arehanging out on the street, milling aboutwaiting to be picked up for work. Thisgoes on from early morning to mid-dayor even into the afternoon. Downtownmerchants get people complaining thatthey feel uncomfortable walking thestreets. Business is down. People arediscouraged and wondering what to do.What’s wrong with this picture?The laborers tend to look dirty. Theirclothes are work clothes and they areprepared to get dirty all day. They areall men. Some times their behavioris less than desirable, like when theywhistle and leer at women. Some timesthey drink. Some times they come invans and even sleep in those vans on thestreet. They come in from Santa Rosa onbuses to stand on these corners and waitfor work. Fulton, Healdsburg, Graton,Guerneville all share the same problem.Three of these towns have attemptedto do something about it. Two of thetowns have succeeded on some levelsand failed on others. Healdsburg andGraton have refined, organized andsophisticated hiring halls and systemsin place that support both the laborersand the people who hire them. Fultonhas started the process but has a longway to go before they graduate pastthe hiring table in the parking lot.The centers with buildings provideservices, language lessons, healthcare and a full range of opportunities.They contribute to their respectivecommunities. In Graton laborers fromthe center regularly work to keep thetown clean, groom the walking trail,and volunteer to help local citizens.The centers welcome anyone willingto work; men, women, any nationalityand race. Educated college studentsshow up to fill in their income betweenclasses. Women come seeking workwhere they feel protected and safe.Skilled workers know they will findlabor using their knowledge andexperience. Ones who don’t speakEnglish, take lessons. It goes on. Thebenefits are many for both the laborersas well as the people who hire them.Then with all of these benefits, whydo laborers continue to mill about on thestreets, get in people’s way and offendbusinesses trying to survive?Two reasons, really.One is that people continue to hirelaborers from the street. As long as“employers” show up, why not standthere and take advantage of the nonsystemwhere the most aggressive getthe job? It works.Two is because many of these peopleare not citizens and are not documented.Getting into any system brings fear totheir hearts that they will get caughtand shipped out of the country – orworse, put in jail. They have familiesback home depending upon them.Add to the problem that getting inand out of our country has becomemore difficult. It used to be that wintercame and we’d have our street cornersback. Now if the laborers go home forthe winter, they may not make it backin spring. The risk is too great to try.Finding a SolutionUltimately, the Day Labor Centers arethe solution. The hard part is gettingpeople to use them – both the workersand the people who hire workers. Theother day I was in Fulton and literallyran into a man who regularly picksup laborers for a variety of tasks. Heextolled their virtues of hard work,strength, their willingness to do justabout anything, and their ability tohandle hot sun all day. “White peoplecan’t do that – and won’t!” For this manit was all about the ease of picking upworkers in his truck. When I suggestedhe use the labor table in Fulton, helooked surprised. I explained that it’shard for local businesses to deal withpeople milling about.WORK cont’d on page 11

WORK cont’d from page 10In this case, in thepa rk i ng lot ac rossfrom the post office. Iwatched a woman getout of her truck and getwhistled at because shewas attractive. As shecrossed the street to thepost office, her bodylanguage betrayed howuncomfortable she felt.In Graton the laborcenter is remarkablye f f e c t i ve f o r b o t h“employers” as wellas laborers. You canliterally call up a day orso in advance and orderup the kind of labor you want. Eachperson has a record of their skills, theirlanguage, their credibility, etc.So why do people still hire off thestreet? Because the laborers are easy tosee and they don’t need to fill out forms?Because they can cheat the laborer outof income? Because they don’t want tobe bothered? Because the labor centerwants them to pay decent wages for thework performed?Supply & DemandA goal of organized labor centers isto provide a respectful environmentfor both laborers as well as employers.When people feel respected they actrespectful. One of the merchants inGraton solved his problem of loiteringlaborers by talking to them withrespect. They moved across the streetand don’t stand in front of his store anymore. Too simple a solution to respectsomeone?Ultimately it’s up to the people whohire the laborers off the street to stopdoing it. It’s like any supply & demandsituation. As long as the demand isthere, the supply is plentiful. Even withall the bright yellow signs in downtownGraton pointing to the labor center,people still hire off the street.So the next time you see someonepull up in front of laborers on thestreet to hire someone, if you don’twant it to happen any more, go up tothem and talk them out of it. Tell the“employers” that you need them torespect your downtown, your business,your community. That it’s your homethey are using for their purposes andyou need their cooperation.Your target is not the laborers, it’s the“employers.” You need them to respectyou and your home town. When theystop hiring off the street, the laborerswill stop standing there. Sound toosimple? Try it. It might work. But liketaking candy from a child, make sureyou offer an alternative. Give them a listof labor center in the area where theycan hire workers.Sonoma County labor centers:Sonoma County Job Link2245 Challenger Way # 104Santa Rosa, CA(707) 565-5550socojoblink.orgHealdsburg Day Labor CenterCalifornia Human DevelopmentMart Nunez405 Grove StHealdsburg, CA 95448(707) 433-6652Graton Day Labor Centerwww.Gratondaylabor.org(707) 829-18642981 Bowen, Graton, CA 95444Open every day, from 6:30 a.m.until 11:30 am.Fulton Day Labor CenterLeticia RomeroCommunity OrganizerSt. Joseph Health System(707) 525-5300 X3213Table in parking lot on Fulton Roadat River Road – please use the table!1/15/09 - www.westcountygazette.com - 11

Spread the OrganizingBy Davin CardenasThe Graton Day Labor Center, opensince September 2007, supports theexpansion of other day labor centersand day labor organizing across thecounty and state. The benefits are broadbased, supporting workers, employers,and the outlying community. Some ofthose benefits have to be felt to be trulyappreciated but we’ll try to convey ithere.We have discovered that through theprocess of organizing we have all foundfamily. Places are few in our societywhere one is welcomed daily, whereone has their voice respected personallyas well as through democratic avenues,and where the means and opportunityto progress is directly in front of them.The Center walks a fine line betweenproviding necessary services (suchas on-site health consultations, dailyEnglish classes, occupational health andsafety training, job training, and wageclaims), and organizing around commonneeds (such as promoting health,human rights education, leadershipdevelopment, civic participation andvolunteerism).Though times and circumstancesare challenging, we keep our mentalhealth playing sports, music and chess,promoting culture, and of course,with frequent celebrating. What wehave accomplished has taken patience,understanding and even conflict, butwithout a doubt, beautiful thingshappen on a daily basis within thecenter.Employers who hire from our centerhave given us overwhelmingly positivefeedback regarding the benefits weoffer. A large part of how we gaugethe work ethic of our members is bythe feedback cards that are voluntarilyturned in by the employers at the end ofthe job. Employers aren’t even requiredto come to the Center; they may call inadvance to establish their on-the-jobneeds (certain skills, English, etc.), andreserve workers or ask them to show upat the job site.Employers who hire from the center,support a community process thathas been developed over several yearsby local residents and merchants,county officials, and the workersthemselves. Workers understand theirresponsibility when they make thechoice to come to the center, and theytake pride in being part of a greatercommunity vision.12 - www.westcountygazette.com - 1/15/09We hope that day labor centerscan also function as “spaces” wherecommunities sit down to dialoguedifferences and similarities, insteadof engaging in the incoherent barkingwhich seems to be more and more thenorm in mainstream media.As you can see that the day laborcenter has become much more thana hiring hall; it is a place where wecollectively become active, takingresponsibility for the betterment of ourlives, and our communities.Graton Day Labor Centerwww.Gratondaylabor.org(707) 829-18642981 Bowen, Graton, CA 95444Open every day, from 6:30 a.m.until 11:30 am.

I’M A WHALEby Bethany ArgisleWe’re just starting a new year andthe whales are doing what they’vedone for centuries...take a look, they aremigrating from North to South. WhaleWatchers know, and whales, for sure arein the know and go to Mexico.How many whales prevail? Therewere only 2,000 around the turnof the century and now there areapproximately 20,000 gray whales...ourneighbors so close by...and they will betravelling up North again in April.In April, the proclamation I receivedon behalf of the Whales will becelebrated for the second year in arow and the original whale day was sodeclared by then Mayor Joseph Aliotoand I participated and it changed mylife forever...whales, sure they are inthe sea and so the whales be...yet, withall the travel upon the sea and the sonicboom boom boom that may not be theirhealing tune...it has become a challengefor the whales to have a true home freeof oil leaks and propellors and plastictrash and dumpsites...and stuff fallingin the sea from every which direction..How would you feel if you werea whale? So, please take this as areminder of their very presence/presents to us all...they are the ancientones, they sound and spout...whales,I wouldn’t want to do without. Eventhough there seems to be more thanthere were before, they are challengedto exist and not exit at an alarming rate...their date with fate has been adjusted bythe machine age and it is a miracle thereare still whales on the stage.Here’s my suggestion, stand at theshore, go to the Point Reyes Lighthousewhere they may be seen if it isn’t toofoggy...and play the part of a whale inthe greatness of the sea and the whalefamily...Let us tend to their presence bymaking sure they stay where they playnot only on Whale Day but each andevery Wavespicious Day!I’M A WHALE, written for andwith the children of San Francisco forthe then first Whale Day Celebrationso declared by then Mayor Alioto.Performed as a giant whale cheeringsection on their behalf to inspire andstimulate the Endangered Species Act,which has helped their population sofar.I’m a whaleand some may saythat below the seais where I should stay and playbut someone couldn’t live withoutnoticing my spoutand carved me upand dished me outas soapas blubberas a business One’s bank AccountNow I am on the wave of extinctionthat means I MAY NEVER EVER NOLONGER BEA whale just playing in infinity’s seaBlubberSpout!BlubberSpout!BlubberSpout!Is that what we are all about?Bethany Argisle writes children’s books andperforms theatrical learning experienceswith, and for, children…among otherthings. She’s really quite multi-talented!She can be reached at aei@pacbell.net1/15/09 - www.estcountygazette.com- 13

Ask theLoan ManHans Bruhner(707) 887-1275 • hans@hansblog.comYour Loan….. Refi or Modify?OK, let’s start with my area ofexpertise – refinancing. With almost 2decades in the real estate and mortgagebusiness, I have helped thousands ofpeople get into a home or refinance thehome they are in. I have traveled thecountry and spent thousands of dollarsto further my education and I am mostdefinitely an expert and I am going togive you the exact same advice that Igive to every one of my clients whenthey ask – Should I refinance?...... Myanswer is I DON’T KNOW!Well there you go, you now havefree expert advice. Here is the deal,I honestly don’t know until I run thenumbers. If the answer is yes then Idon’t know exactly what loan programor features you should get until wecompare options on a spreadsheet.These days, most people are getting a30 year fixed rate because they are solow (Yes, rates are 4.5% to 5.5% rightnow). There are a lot of choices whengetting a 30 year fixed rate mortgage:Points or no points? - Pay the costs outof pocket or roll them in? – ShouldI pay off debts? – Should I take somecash? etc. etc.The hardest part about refinancingtoday is that we have much differentquestions that we have to ask and someof the answers are making it impossiblefor people to refinance. Some peoplewho would have qualified 2 yearsago won’t qualify today. The housethat I live in and the duplex I rent outhave both lost equity to the point thatI simply don’t have enough equity torefinance and so I can’t even get a loanfor myself.So, what happens when you can’trefinance? Well, in my case, I wait.I can’t get a better interest rate andselling doesn’t make sense so I wait.Luckily for me, that was my plananyway. Some people will want to takea look at a loan modification and thisis a completely different animal from arefinance.A loan modification is when youcontact your current mortgage holderand you ask them to modify the termsof your mortgage. The bank can lowerthe interest rate, take past due amountsand tack them on to the back of theloan, lower the principal balance, letyou skip a couple of payments… Whywould the bank do this you say? Thatis a good question and you need areally good answer or they won’t. Ifyou are behind on payments and yourmortgage has just adjusted from a lowrate to a higher rate then you may be agood candidate for a loan modification.If you just don’t have enough equityto fit into a refinance and you wanta better rate then you are not a goodcandidate for a modification.You entered into a contract for amortgage and the bank wants to getpaid. If they feel you are in danger oflosing the house to foreclosure thenthey will want to work with you tokeep you in the home and save theirloan. The bottom line is that you needto prove to the bank that you can’tcontinue on the path that you are onand then you need to show them whatyou can do and strike a bargain. Acouple of things to consider….. Gettingthem to lower your principal is almostout of the question and getting themto even speak with you if you arecurrent with your payments probablywon’t happen either. I am not a loanmodification expert and I do not dothem for my clients. There are a lot ofnew companies out there and many ofthem are predatory companies lookingto make a quick buck. I have beenoffering advice to clients and referralsto reputable companies and helpingclients prepare to tackle these on theirown.I welcome questions about homeloans and the real estate market ingeneral. Please let me know what youwant to hear about in future articles.Hans Bruhner, CMPS is licensed in CA & HI. If you have a question, pleasecontact Hans at (707) 887-1275 or hans@hansblog.com . First Priority Financial,Inc. is licensed by the CA DRE #00654852.14 - www.westcountygazette.com - 1/15/09

School Garden NetworkSupports Local ProgramsBy, Nicole ZimmermanAt Career Academy of Piner OlivetHigh School in Santa Rosa, studentsgrow food in the garden, cook in theclassroom, and sell produce at theirown farm stand. Adam Napoleon,who teaches Organic Gardening, sayscooking has become one of the mostpopular activities. “Once the kids trysomething they’ve grown themselvesbut have never eaten before, like SwissChard,” Adam says, “they never let meforget it in the next stir fry! And theyoften come back for seconds.”A s h o u r i n a Wo o d s , g a r d e ncoordinator at Geyserville Elementary,understands the pressures today’sclassroom teachers face. To help themaddress state educational standards, sheintegrates math, science, reading andwriting into her part-time K-5 gardencurriculum. “I never had a child whodidn’t want to go to the garden,” sheadmits proudly.During the Great Backyard BirdCount at Dunbar Elementary in GlenEllen, children identify Sharp-shinnedHawks, Lesser Goldfinches, and AcornWoodpeckers. Another garden activityfavorite is peeling the flavorful favabean, which school kids eat by thehandful. “The beans are perfect fordiscussing the anatomy of a seed,”says veteran garden coordinator TracySalcedo-Chourre.Aside from connecting children withnature through project-based learning,what do these school garden programshave in common? Much of their successis based on support from the SchoolGarden Network of Sonoma County,mainly in the form of grant fundingand mentorship.About the School Garden NetworkThe School Garden Network (SGN)is a non-profit organization includinggarden program coordinators, teachers,parent volunteers and communitypartners. SGN supports and promotessustainable garden- and nutrition-basedlearning programs in Sonoma Countyschools, connects school communitieswith fresh, locally grown foods, andprovides a forum for exchanginginformation and resources. Theyempower youth to embrace healthyeating habits and to develop respect forand stewardship of all living things. Achapter of the California School GardenNetwork, SGN has steadily grown itsmembership base since 2003.Why is school garden educationimportant?School gardens address nationalconc er n s about fo od s ec u r it y,resource consumption, environmentaldegradation and health epidemics likechildhood obesity and Type II Diabetes.Cooking from the garden encourageshealthier eating, as kids are morewilling to taste and eat foods they’veplanted, harvested and prepared.Farm to school connections supportlocal farmers, sustain healthy foodsystems and increase biodiversity whileexposing kids to food that is nutritious,fresh, seasonal and local. Children learnimportant life skills and social valuesby connecting to the natural worldthrough environmental stewardship.Garden education also promotesacademic achievement by incorporatingstate standards through experientialand place-based learning. Recognizingthese beneficial outcomes, the State ofCalifornia Department of Educationmandated the creation of a gardenon every elementary school campus. 1Unfortunately, the “Garden in EverySchool” initiative has largely beenunfunded, leaving most schoolsstruggling to make it a reality.What does SGN do?The School Garden Network raisescommunity awareness of the need for,and success of, school garden programs,and seeks continued funding for theseprograms. They offer workshops,distribute free seeds and plantsdonated by nurseries, and coordinatefundraising plant sales.Communicating through the websiteand listserve of SGN, membersshare best practices, resources, grantinformation and curricular ideas likethe garden “theme boxes” donated tothe Sonoma County Office of Education(SCOE). Immediate goals of SGN are tocontinue to help fund and mentor moregarden projects through the followinggrants. (All new grant announcementswill be posted on the website in early2009.)School Garden Education GrantSGN believes the best way to ensurethe long-term viability of schoolgardens is to provide financial supportfor the education coordinators whomaintain gardens, develop and teachcurriculum, organize parent volunteersand liaise with school staff. This awardoffers partial funding for salaries,and includes tuition for the teachertraining at Occidental Arts and EcologyCenter. An SGN mentor is assigned toeach grantee for additional guidanceand support. Grant recipients haveincluded: McNear Elementary andLa Tercera Elementary in Petaluma,Dunbar Elementary in Glen Ellen,Cloverdale High School and GeyservilleElementary.Salad Bar GrantThe Salad Bar Grant offers fundingand mentoring to increase access tohealthy and fresh produce throughschool cafeteria salad bars, supportedby contributions from the school’sgarden and a local farm-to-schoolconnection. Grant recipient: Oak GroveElementary in Graton.Cooking from the Garden GrantThis award supports nutritioneducat ion by f u nd i ng cook i ngequipment, supplies and educationalmaterials. Grant recipients: CareerAcademy at Piner Olivet High School(CAPO) and Valley of the MoonChildren’s Community School in SantaRosa.Community PartnersSGN recognizes the necessity forcollaboration between educational,health, agricultural and business sectorsof the community. SGN appreciatesthe support of the Occidental Arts& Ecology Center, Kendall-JacksonWine Estates, Dempsey’s Restaurant& Brewery, Whole Foods, SonomaJail Industries Nursery, SweetwaterNursery, Home Depot, School GardenCompany, Exchange Bank and more!How to get Involved:• Become a member or sponsor agrant.• Join a committee: Help is neededwith educational workshops, fundraising, community outreach,website developme nt, g ra ntmanagement and more.• Volunteer at your local schoolgarden!• Table at events or farmers markets toinform the community.• Donate garden materials, time orfunds.• Share information and resourceson the yahoo group listserve:“schoolgardennetwork”For more information:www.schoolgardens.orginfo@schoolgardens.org707-874-1557 x223(Nicole Zimmerman serves on the Board ofthe School Garden Network.)1/15/09 - www.westcountygazette.com - 15

Coho SalmonOur Canary in the Coal MineDon’t Trash the ‘HoodBy Bob BurkeHow often do you see mattresses,beer cans and plastic bags of garbagethrown on the side of the road or, worseyet, in the creeks in your neighborhood?Probably often. And, if you’re like me,such a sight causes depressed feelingsabout the state of the human condition.And you’ve probably felt helpless to domuch about it.Well, things have recently improvedin terms of what you can do aboutthis problem. There is a new website( www.keepsonomaclean.org )where you can report illegal dumping.It’s user-friendly, and I have used it withgreat results.Four Sonoma County agencies gottogether and obtained a grant from theState Integrated Waste ManagementBoard to establish a program toreduce and hopefully eliminate illegaldumping in the County. The agenciesare the Environmental Health Divisionof the Department of Health Services,and the Department of Transportationand Public Works, Roads and IntegratedWaste. In addition, the County’sInformation Services Department andthe Community Oriented Policingand Problem Solving Unit (COPPS) ofthe Sheriff’s Department complete theline-up of agencies. As part of the newprogram, the agencies have createdthis web site as a means of identifyingillegally dumped trash so it can becollected before it does greater harm toour environment. Because collectionof dumped trash is not a long-termsolution to the problem, the programincludes education and public outreachintended to reduce illegal dumping.It is regrettable that our tax dollarshave to be used for this purpose but,given the scope of the problem, I believeit is an appropriate use of our tax dollarsbeing put to good use. But to go aroundcleaning up after violators is not a longtermsolution. The only sustainablesolution is to make illegal dumpingsocially unacceptable. The best way toreach this goal is for each of us to letour friends and acquaintances knowthat roadside dumping is harmful andincompatible with the rules of society.While we strive toward that goal,I believe we should clean up trashthat has found its way, willfully orinadvertently, onto our roads, into ourcreeks and across our countyside. Untilwe reach that goal we should do ourbest to clean up after those whosesocial consciousness is deficient.Many watershed councils, schoolsand other civic-minded organizationsorganize clean-up efforts regularly. TheAtascadero / Green Valley WatershedCouncil (AGVWC), for wh ich Ivolunteer, recently completed its annualclean-up of the creeks and roads inGraton and along Green Valley Roadbetween the Atascadero and BonesRoad. If you’d like to be a part of futureAGVWC clean-up projects, visit www.atascaderogreenvalleywatershed.netShowing respect for our homesets an example for visitors.16 - www.westcountygazette.com - 1/15/09By Vesta CopestakesOnce again, I’m merely a connectionfor readers. I’m providing more links onmy web site www.westcountygazette.com through WCG Extra! in theENVIRONMENT category if you wantto go directly to web sites for moreinformation.In these pages, I can only hopeto inspire you to learn more, to payattention to our beautiful home andto love every part of our planet thatsustains all our lives. As I wrote inmy article in the December WCG,Falling in Love with Fish & Forests,it takes a personal relationship withour environment, a real love affair, tobecome intimate enough to feel howour lives – and decisions – impact ourpresent and future. And in reality - notjust the us as humans – but the us asevery living entity on our planet –Mother Earth.Right now we are about lose anotherprecious water creature, Coho Salmon.There are a few watershed areas inthe west that have managed to bringback marginally healthy populationsof these rather delicate fish, but righthere in our back yard, our efforts arebeing hampered by the density of ourpopulation, the increasing water useof agriculture, specifically vineyards,and the drought we are continuing toexperience, especially during thesemonths when Coho come back tospawn.Within the past month a group ofvolunteers, biologists and governmentenvironmental scientists releasedhatchery bred wild salmon into SalmonCreek near Bodega Bay. This creek wasonce filled with salmon and it’s beendecades since the creek has lived upto its name. These fish are now largeenough and old enough to head outto sea, and if all goes well, they willreturn in three years to spawn in SalmonCreek. It’s a lot like raising a child andsending him/her off to college andbeyond. Will they ever return to raisetheir families where we can watch andbe part of their lives? We don’t know.Down in Marin County in LagunitasCreek Watershed, fish that were releasedthree years ago are not returning.Hampered by seriously lacking rainfall,water levels of streams that flow intothe sea are insufficient to allow Coho tobreach sand bars to find their spawninggrounds. Fish that were released threeyears ago are not coming home to raisetheir families. This winter could bethe worst spawning year in recordedhistory. For a fish already on theEndangered Species List, this couldmean the end of the line.Is there something we can do to helpour fish children return home to raisetheir children? Yes. Brock Dolman of theOccidental Arts& Ecology Center has alist below and you can visit web sitesto educate yourself and your humanchildren on wise water use. (see linkbelow)We c a n b e c o m e p a r t o f t h eenvironmental movement in meaningfulways that are more than a few dollarsin an envelope. There are groups thatrestore watersheds on weekends,restore fish habitat along streams, planttrees to shade water in summer whereagriculture has denuded huge areasand baked creeks dry. (SEE the WCGVOLUNTEER section & articles I thispaper) Bringing our human children withus on these environmental adventuresraises them to see the heart connectionbetween themselves and the othercritters with whom we share our planet.Fall in love, so we can all survive.Securing your watershedUse less waterUse water wisely, the reuse that waterReduce stormwater dischargeUse NO toxic chemicalsRetain your soil on your propertySource : www.OAECwater.orghttp://www.oaecwater.org/yoursalmon-creek-video“We share out of a fierce need, and out of an ‘innercall’ to give voice to what the earth would say if itcould speak in human language. Our art points outwhat is already embedded all along the mountains,the rivers, our gardens, and in our blood.”- Joaquin Lopez de San Roman

Chinese MedicineBy Marcy Basel • marcybasel@aol.comFoot PainThe foot is primarily associated withwalking, movement toward the outsideworld, from yin to yang, and constitutesone of our modes of communication. Insupporting the principle of the body inthe walking mode, the foot is not only thesymbol of grounding, but also of our innerstrength in the sense that it supports theupright position and also our vulnerability.The feet our first stage of developmentis standing and walking and the foot establishescontact with the earth. The footstepswe leave on the ground bear witness to thepath we are on, either good or bad.In my practice I have worked with somany different types of foot problems suchas tendonitis, cold feet, neuropathy, bonespur and plantar fascitis. These are justseveral of the many aside from toe painthat is sometimes involved. All of thesedisorders are diagnosed in accordancewith the Qi. Most often plantar heel painindicates a yin access and can be eliminatedby needling certain kidney points.It can also be an excess problem in somecases and that would involve drainingcertain points around the foot. Tendonitiscan be an athletic injury and can rangein its severity, however, when untreateda minor injury can quickly turn into asevere injury. There are three places thattendonitis can occur along the heel. Thispain needs to be distinguished from bonespur and rheumatoid arthritis.Bone spurs are treatable with acupunctureand herbs. Since this has to do withthe bone, in Chinese medicine it is relatedto the Kidney energy, which is in chargeof building bone. Bone spur is a commonproblem on the foot and is an overgrowthof bone most commonly seen at a joint,the place where the two bones meet andallow for movement. Abnormal motionat the level of the joint over the course oftime will cause the spur to form. You canalso have spurring of the joint as a result ofexcessive tension on the bone from wherethe tendon attaches. Normal aging willalso cause bone spurs to form. The mostfamous bone spur occurs on the heel. Ihave had good luck combing acupunctureand also I use a Chinese formula, whichhas worked wonders on many patients.Personally I have seen too many botchedsurgeries and I am not one to condonecortisone shots.Neuropathy is another peripheral vasculardisease that can be a very seriousproblem. This is also called the diabeticfoot and is sometimes overlooked untilit accelerates to a total loss of sensation.As diabetes progresses many diabeticslose sensation in their feet but it can alsopresent as relentless burning, tingling ornumbness. I have treated many patientsover the last ten years and they haveall experienced a difference with thecombination of acupuncture and herbs.This is also related to the kidney but Ihave seen the liver and spleen meridiansinvolves as well. In the foot in Chinesemedicine there are the Liver, Gall Bladder,Kidney and Spleen meridians thatall run through different parts of thefoot. So many times through a diagnosisI can decipher the problems as an organproblem it the presentation goes rightdown a specific channel. Also I havenoticed that many patients can presentthe same problem but it will demand adifferent diagnosis depending on thepatient.The last common complaint is Coldfeet. In addition to cold weather, a poorfunctioning thyroid, blood deficiency,Raynauds disease, rheumatoid arthritisand high blood pressure, many peopleneed to change their diet and stay awayform cold foods, caffeine and smokingin order to allow their Qi to movethrough their body into their feet. Colddamp weather with further restricts theblood flow that goes to the toes. I alsohave many patients who work outdoorsand need to protect themselves betterfrom the cold. Circulation and bloodflow are the main things to increasewith cold feet. Chinese medicine doesnot usually refer to western terms butrather the patient comes in and presentstheir symptoms and the acupuncturetreats them according to what they see,their pulses and their tongue are thediagnostic tools.Through its transport points, thefoot is a place of exchange betweenhuman Qi and universal Qi. It is oneof the branches of the body. I believerehabilitation can take place withoutsurgery and there are many differentapproaches through the use of acupunctureand herbs that are extremelyeffective.Marcy Basel is currently in private practicein Sebastopol and has been using Herbs andAcupuncture for over seventeen years. She hasan extensive pharmacy on location and alsodoes Nutrition and Cranial Sacral Therapy.To make an appointment or to get informationplease call 707-824-8747. Marcy also offers afree fifteen-minute consultation for free onMonday, Wednesday and Thursday.1/15/09 - www.westcountygazette.com - 17

Eco AdventureProgram Reenergizes Corporate ProfessionalsBy Jim Skiba, CMPIt was a November mor n i ngwhen two motor coaches arrived atArmstrong Redwoods State Reservewith 63 eager city dwellers from atechnology company based in Boston.They were staying at a hotel in SanFrancisco for four nights, and thiswas the kick-off team-building eventbefore they continued with three daysof indoor meetings back in the big city.Though only in the Russian River areafor ten hours, they would retain lastingmemories of the eco-destination - andcontribute over $50,000 in local revenuefor the one day trip. This single eventprovided work for 35 local people on aslow day in the off-season.The technology company hadenjoyed rapid growth and successduring the past two quarters. A smartmanagement decision was made tobuild on the company’s strengths. Theyencouraged the full time staff to takethis opportunity as an introductionto working with outside consultants.The primary goal was capitalize onthe teamwork dynamic. This first dayof team-building activities had beencustomized specifically as a jump-startto the entire California trip.Incentives to Intrigue (ITI), theevent’s creator, had designed theunique event so the whole programcould also serve as an incentivemodel for the attendees, rewardinggood performance for the past yearwhile concurrently reaching for newgoals. Additional incentives were tocreatively protect the environment ininnovative ways. ITI could have keptthe group in San Francisco, but decidedto recommend the Russian River –where the group could be outdoors ina completely different environmentfrom the structured indoor meetingschedule. They were told they mayhave rain, mud, and cold weather inNovember – but people were educatedin packing layers of clothing for allweather types. On the actual day, therewas plenty of sunshine and around 70degrees.A month before the program, ITIdid an extensive survey of the tripattendees to assess the physical abilitiesof the group. Activities such as hiking,biking, and water sports were optionsif the group’s stamina was suited tothese exertions. The group assessmentwas thorough enough to determinethe level of challenge forthe event, but details ofthe activities were notrevealed so to maintainan element of surprise.Guests were assigned tovarious teams based onskill levels throughoutt h e d a y w i t h t h eadditional goal of havingpeople experience fourdifferent teams with anew mix of people eachtime.Upon a r r iv i ng atArmstrong RedwoodsState Reserve the eleventeams were pre-assignedwith colored bandanas.The teams launched intoa 90-minute GPS & photo treasure hunton the floor of the forest. This activitywas both physical and adventurous,invigorating the group after the scenicdrive into the Redwood Empire; a firstfor many new to Northern California.Being in the heart of the Redwoodforest set an exciting stage for the groupactivities.An elaborate lunch followed. Itincluded options for vegetarian,low-sodium, gluten-free and otherspecialized dietary needs ascertainedthrough ITI’s group survey. The buffetwas displayed on large platters andalso offered small easy-carry bags fora dozen snack items that guests couldchoose to take for the rest of the day.After the feast, reassigned teamsrode bicycles from the picnic areathrough Guerneville and across thebridge into Mays Canyon, circling backto the beach near Odd Fellows Road.The bicycles were parked at the beachthen kayaks were paddled down riverto the Highland Dell in Monte Rio.18 - www.westcountygazette.com - 1/15/09Guests then took showers and changedinto detective outfits, reuniting at theoutside bar on the deck for a receptionfeaturing local wines and cheeses,German beer and sausages. Once thefinal stragglers arrived at the reception,ITI hosted a spirited Murder Mysterydinner featuring six professional actors.Detective teams were seated withnew associates at four-top tables. Themystery continued while dinner wasserved and savored. At the conclusionprizes were awarded to the teams thatdid the best job in cracking the case.Cordials and cigars followed on thedeck and at 9:30pm it was time to headback to San Francisco in the motorcoaches.As Certified Meeting Professionals,consultants such as ITI, have a greatdeal of research experience in creatingcustomized adventure programs forcorporate clients. There are many levelsof development, such as the overlay ofEco-Adventure that seeks to bring aboutawareness to the activities in a subtlemanner. During this program, ITIhelped the tech company accomplish allthe goals they contracted for, and more.ITI laid the template and confidencefor future successful programs. Theprogram was inclusive of many localvendors – some of whom neededspecial encouragement to meet highsustainable standards throughout theirrole to be included for participation.Business owners had to agree to mentorstaff members through continuingawareness training about Eco-relatedlocal issues. In addition, many suppliersneeded to understand the importance oftiming and infrastructure when dealingwith a corporate client in a highlyplanned, tightly paced group event.Sustainable elements that helped usto be 98% Eco-Friendly and promoteprinciples of sustainability and resourceconservation:• Choosing motor coach companythat is monitored by Green RideGlobal Program.• Recycling all packaging andcontainers.• Name tags, plates, utensils, andeven the bags to hold wet clotheswere are all made from compostablevegetable matter.• Foods and beverages purchasedlocally.• Leftover food later donated to FoodFor Thought.• Research into local communityfundraisers scheduled for later thatweek to donate surplus reusablesupplies.• Attendees made to be responsiblefor their own impact on the areasthey visited – leaving no trace oftheir presence.• All garbage, decoration and propsremoved from the area and takenwith the event host.• 63 redwoods trees were donated(one to represent each corporateattendee) by the corporate group as ashow of gratitude and appreciation.As professional meeting plannerssuch as Incentives to Intrigue continueto develop more quality programs – useof the Russian River region can becomemore widely viewed as a great resourcefor many outdoor group events – yearround. ITI has been involved withcorporate meetings, incentive rewardprograms, and Eco Adventures for 25years in the Bay Area, Latin America,Europe, and Asia. ITI is a member of theRussian River Chamber of Commerceand also serves as a consultant toEcoRing. ITI’s professionals live andwork locally and use sustainablepractices at home and in the office.Jim Skiba, CMPIncentives To Intriguejim@incentivestointrigue.com(707) 869-8205Park Side SchoolHelps theEnvironment!On December 6 and 7 Park SideS c ho ol s p on s or e d a n E -Wa steRecycling Event to raise funds for theirInternational Baccalaureate PrimaryYears Program. 19,583 pounds ofE-Waste (TVs, computers, cell phones,monitors, and other electronic surplus)was kept out of the landfill! This wasa free service and the discarded itemsraised money for the school. Park Sideis working with Neuwaste Recycling,an environmentally responsiblecompany that dismantles and recyclesall materials. Nothing is shippedoverseas or dumped into landfills.Park Side will be sponsoring anotherE-Waste Recycling Event on February 28and March 1 at the front of the school,facing Bodega Avenue. So help us, helpyourselves and help the planet- bringyour electronic junk to Park Side onFebruary 28 and March 1!Contact:Jude Kreissmandjkreissmanibo@sebusd.orgPark Side School8929-7400

Business & Community ProfilesA Nexus of Natural and Human ArtBy Rex Good and Buck SierraNexus Organic Design & Floral isan event and floral design shop, an artgallery, and a home decor store. Ourinspiration is the beauty of nature.The visual gifts of Sonoma Countydrew us here to create a business withwhich we can celebrate the diversenatural beauty around us by utilizingnature’s shapes, textures and colors inour floral design creations. Our artcelebrates and appreciates nature’saesthetics and promotes respect for ourinterconnectedness with the earth…aNEXUS of natural and human art.(Nexus means the point ofconnection, the binding oftwo or more things.) To modelrespect for our earth, wemake every effort to buy frompesticide free growers.We enjoy designing forevents and moments in lifethat produce long lastingmemories. We don’t justsimply arrange flowers in avase; we create installationso f e x q u i s i t e , e l e g a n t ,nature-inspired designst hat make your specialmoment mesmerizing. Ifyou were one of the luckyones to celebrate New Yearsat Dawn Ranch Lodge lastweek, you witnessed how wetransformed the beautifullodge into a winter wonderland rich inelegance, warmth, fragrance and evensnow!The best way to define our styleis “Sonoma Wine-Country, meetsCalifornia Wildlife, meets JapaneseIkebana” sculptural floral art. Wepay attention to textures, shapes,vessels, colors, scents and lightingwhen we design and stage installationsfor lobbies, vineyards, inns, resorts,restaurants, homes and special events.In our installations, and at our shop,we feature original art from localartists who share our high standards ofcraftsmanship and excellence.We proudly promote local artists tobring their moving work to a wideraudience and to also promote the use ofone-of-a-kind original art in designing.We make every effort to find originalart at various price ranges in an attemptto make it affordable. For example,we offer our customers the option totake home one of our floral designs ina hand made vase by local Sebastopolpotters Cheryl Costantini and MikioMatsumoto. We also carry antiquecontainers from around the world thatwe use as vessels to give our designsa sophisticated elegance. We focuson engaging pieces of nature and artthat can inspire conversation and addwarmth to grand celebrations, smallgatherings or even simple gestures offriendship or love.Come to Nexus Organic for a uniquesculptural floral design or for exoticflowers and plants. Find art bylocal artists from diverse culturalbackgrounds. You can hire us toimpress your guests at your weddingor event with our distinct creations ofnature inspired beauty. We take thetime to focus on the little details thatmake an event, an art piece, a flowerstem or a beautiful floral design foryour loved one more stunning andmeaningful. And yes, we deliver rightto your door across Sonoma County.Nexus Organic Design & Floral isnot just the new flower shop on MainStreet in Guerneville. It is a placeof art, of design and nature. Let usmake your celebration, your momentof love, or your surroundings, morebeautiful, a little more special and alot more inspirational and memorable.Valentine’s day is coming, so pleasecome by our shop to see how wecan help you express your love andappreciation in unique ways that willshine.Thank you, Rex and BuckNexus Organic Design & Floral16442 Main Street, Guerneville707.869.3374www.nexusorganic.comThe Shop “Indoor Garden SuppliesFor Plants, and Tools For The People That Care For Them”By Adam VurekWe, here at The Shop would like tosay hello to everyone we haven’t met yetand extend an open invitation to comecheck us out up close and personal.As a local business owner/operatorthe experience I want people to walkaway with is that I personally aminterested in the health of your plants.Now, as it stands my stock and thebulk of my experience, and knowledgeare in indoor gardens but I am alwaysinterested in learning about, and havingthe simpler supplies that go along withany type of gardening. I myself amgearing up to take on some family foodproduction, outside, on the land we arerenting here in Forestville. Myself, mywife, our son, and our daughter are inlove with the area and are proud to beapart of the growing local economy. Myboy Thailan (7) has been recently hiredas our resident window washer and mydaughter Eris (5months) fills in as latenight consultant.In this industry teeming withm a nu f ac t u r e r s u s i n g i n f l at e dadvertising budgets to steer people incircles, my intent is to be here most ofall with things that plants need. I alsohave the tools and tricks to give plantsthe best chance at achieving “maximumgenetic potential”. Many peoplesfavorites are the tools and tricks tomake a user friendly garden, be it withnutrient additives or environmentalcontrollers, that gives gardeners thebest chance at achieving “maximumgardener enjoyment” instead of worriesabout their plants health or the room’stemperature. That includes productsthat are based in application test results,with helpful support and consultationon finding an outlook that is goodfor your garden, and ways to make agarden that is good for your outlook.Indoor gardening can take on manyfaces, from the full cycle space, whereplants are planted and grown untilharvest, to the seed starting cabinetin the garage where you can sproutand plant for your garden outside toget a head start or to just save moneyby buying seed instead of plant starts.The ability to control all the factorsinvolved is a big responsibility butit brings with it many perks. First ofall you know exactly what you areconsuming when enjoying the fruitsof your labor. What is the biggestproblem with loving a fruit or vegetablethat is locally seasonal? You either gowithout or purchase these items thatwere grown in some far off place inwho knows what kind of conditions.As with any investment, cost analysisis essential. With that said and out-ofseasonproduce prices at a premium,an indoor garden can be a great way tooffset, if not eliminate, certain producepurchases while connecting you all themore to what you eat.Thanx and Happy Gardening1/15/09 - www.westcountygazette.com - 19

Save Sheephouse CreekIn these uncertain times,AN OPPORTUNITY FORSmall Business OwnersSonoma State University provides student business consultantsSpring, 2009 ~ February – May 2009]• Is your business trying to get to the next level amidst the recession?• Are you an owner of a small, for-profit business that can benefit frompersonal attention?• Do you have at least one employee other than yourself?• Have you been in business for one year or more?Sheephouse Creek is an important2,176 acre watershed west ofDuncans Mills.Sheephouse Creek’s headwaters arepart of the Jenner Headlands OpenSpace.Sheephouse Creek is part of anongoing multi million dollartaxpayer funded Russian RiverCoho Salmon Captive BroodstockProgram started in 2001.Sheephouse Creek is designated bythe CA Coastal Commission as aSpecial Treatment Area.Sheephouse Creek is proposedfor multiple habitat restorationprojects in 2009 by CA Department of Fish and Game.Sheephouse Creek is identified by National Marine Fisheries Service as a corerecovery area for Coho salmon.Sheephouse Creek’s cool, clear waters are important to the development of theperched estuarian habitat that the Sonoma County Water Agency will becreating under mandate of the recently released Biological Opinion for theRussian River.Sheephouse Creek’s watershed is the home to several threatened orendangered species, including the Coho salmon, Steelhead trout, CA RedLegged Frog, the Red Tree Vole, and the Northern Spotted Owl.Sheephouse Creek has been negatively impacted by past land use activities,primarily poor logging practices.Question: Why is Sheephouse Creek today being considered by the CADepartment of Forestry for two timber harvest plans, totaling 412 acres or20% of its watershed? These two plans and those dating back 15 years means56% of the watershed will have been impacted by logging. Are the shortterm economic gains of a few landowners and their negative and long lastingimpacts upon the environment more important than the health of a watershedand the species it supports?Conclusion: There is something terribly out of sync if all these organizationssee the importance of saving what they consider to be a vital watershed and,at the same time, a timber harvest plan is being considered by a state agencywhose membership and decisions do not reflect the general public interest.Concerned? Help save an important Sonoma County watershed and sendletters of comment to the CA Department of Forestry at 135 Ridgway Avenue,Santa Rosa, CA. 95401 or e-mail: santarosapubliccomment@fire.ca.gov. Be sureto reference the NTMP #: 1-08NTMP-004SON.Thank you!Sponsored by the “Friends of Sheephouse Creek”, 8645 Alden Lane, Windsor, CA.95492For PEITION to Save Sheephouse cCeek, lease visit: www.arrowflight.com/pdfs/sheephousepetition.pdf20 - www.westcountygazette.com - 1/15/09If the answer to these questions is YES, then you can apply for businessconsulting services provided by Sonoma State University’s business students. Ourstudent team consultants program has received national awards from the SmallBusiness Institute Director’s Association (1996, 1998, and 2004). Your team willwork under the guidance of a School of Business and Economics faculty member.This program has successfully served community businesses for over twelve years.Recent small business program clients have included:, Cotati Clothing, E. R.Sawyer Jewelers, Guayaki, Mombo’s Pizza, Pita Café, School Garden, She HasEverything, Sonoma Mountain Business Cluster, and Vito Catering.Business students in small teams will meet with you to define the problems andchallenges you face as a small business owner. They will sign a ConfidentialityAgreement and agree upon a Scope of Work. Consultation will takes place on aweekly basis during the Spring ‘08 semester Small Business Consulting course.During the second and third weeks in May, our student consultants will deliverand present a final report to you, containing findings and recommendations foraction. Our student teams can assist you in the following areas:• Strategic & financial planning• Personnel policies & employee handbooks• Customer acquisition & retention• Market research & competitor analyses• Accounting & financial forecastingVoluntary Participation Fee: $500. Your donations will be used to fund SSUbusiness student scholarships to attend future conferences to present their projects.Admission is selective and will be limited to six (6) small businesses this spring.For more information or to apply, please contact Professor Nicholas Gurney,Sonoma State University, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, CA 94928, (707) 824-4418/(707) 664-4009 (fax), or e-mail: nicholas.gurney@gmail.com.Inquiries are welcomed now through January 30, 2009.Free Workshop Availablefor Parents with College Funding ProblemsLiving with college funding problems can be a confusing, frustrating, timeconsumingprocess. A free workshop has just been made available to the parentsof Sonoma County college-bound students who are looking for the solutions totheir college funding problems.“There are so many great opportunities for parents in the Sonoma County areawith trouble paying for college”, says Montgomery Taylor, CPA, CFP, an advisorin college funding. “Unfortunately, parents often run around in circles and missthe great opportunities to finance their child’s education.”To help parents, Taylor is offering a free workshop on “How to Beat the HighCost of College”. Workshops will be held at 7:15 PM in Santa Rosa on the followingdates and locations:Thursday, January 22, City Life Community Center, 2425 Mendocino AvenueTuesday, January 27, Odd Fellows Hall, 545 Pacific AvenueThe workshop will cover many topics, including how to double or eventriple your eligibility for financial aid, how to locate and apply for need-basedscholarships, grants, and low-interest loans that your child may be eligible for,and how to pick the colleges that will give you the best financial aid packages.The workshop is free, but reservations are required. For reservations andinformation, call the College Financial Planning Workshop Reservation Hotlineat (707) 522-0259 day or night.

Paying AttentionLocal Issues on our AgendaBy Rue FurchThe Board of Supervisors’ Agendasare packed with interesting items.Many of them are in the ConsentCalendar and/or the Closed Session. OnTuesday, January 13 th , in addition to themorning Agenda, they discussed theHousing Element of the General Plan(see below – this is being written beforethe meeting and published after).As a Planning Commissioner I sat onthe Housing Ordinance several yearsago, and more recently on the Draft2009 Housing Element. One thing Ihope will be maintained is the languageI put in to allow/encourage the countyto support existing affordable housingby being proactive regarding AB 885(septic tanks rules for homes adjacent tothe Russian River). I hope it will serve tohelp us all advocate for our “unofficial”affordable housing.I made the point that if we loosehousing that is functionally affordable(albeit not any the county is “credited”with) - it will result in more people whoneed housing that the county will haveto supply elsewhere. The language doesnot spell out how this will be done (itcan’t do that yet) but allows advocatesand the county to look for solutions andfunding as part of the General Plan.The language may not be perfect -please look for ways to improve it if youcan. As you likely know, AB 885 waswritten to deal with a situation in SantaBarbara County and is creating hugeproblems here (and in other counties).NOTE: from the EnvironmentalProtection Agency (and on the heels ofthe Housing Element:In case you folks haven’t seen theseitems on septic tanks....California Water News has a link to aCalifornia Farm Bureau article on theSeptic Tank controls proposed by theCA SWRCB.The article seems to be a good summary.Here is the linkhttp://www.cfbf.com/agalert/AgAlertStory.cfm?ID=1205&ck=B571ECEA16A9824023EE1AF16897A582Note that the article has a link to theSWRCB site that is full of information,http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/septic_tanks/and that there is a public workshopscheduled for Santa Rosa (Wells FargoCenter) on January 27 at 7 pm.Please visit www.westcountygazette.com - go to WCG Extra! – Environmentfor links to these web sites.By John CondonI assume there are many Clubmembers and local Forestville citizensthat don’t know how it started, whoand why…Let me start wit h who…pastHollydale Community Club President;Tommy Blocher…why?Well, one rainy morning in Decemberon his way to work, Tommy saw thiswet elderly lady along the roadway. Hestopped his car and asked if he coulddrive her somewhere. She was verydisoriented in her reply. Being nearSunny Slope Home on Mirabel Road,Tommy figured they might assist him infinding out more about her. As it turnedout she was a resident there, and hadwandered off before she was missed.Tommy mentioned this situationto Hol lyda le Com mu n it y Clubmembers; Dave and Mary Calhan, TomHarshbarger, Ruby and Merritt Colson.The question came up regarding beingable to do something for these elderlyfolks at Sunny Slope Home. Dave andMerritt went and asked how manymale and female residents there wereand if there would be any objection tobringing in Christmas gifts and somegood cheer to the residents. Meetingwith their approval, the HollydaleCommunity Club’s “Happiness Fund”came to be… Assisted by Polly Mayhew,Irene Winan, Neil Ferguson, a shoppinggroup was formed from the abovemembers and ably assisted by HelmaKamstra, Vetta Si dorov, Mary Durbin,Ted Johnson and Lois Hipps.The next year we heard of a youngGirl in the Forestville area who hadfallen into a swimming pool and a longperiod of time passed before she wasdiscovered, resulting in severe damage.Bills and more bills mounted for herrecovery. Father had to take muchtime off work while mother had to stayhome and care for the other children.There were fund raising programs setHollydale Community Club“Happiness Fund”up, but all the monies went to medicalbills. So the Hollydale Community Clubmembers said “Give a direct monetarydonation at Christmas, no stringsattached.”Next, we heard of a group called“Make a Dream Come True” who arecollecting to take a leukemia victim toDisneyland, but he said he would ratherhave a video game so his brothers andsisters could enjoy it with him…againmonies were sent to make this wishcome true, all courtesy of HappinessFund donations collected throughoutthe year.We learned of a large family livingin a shack, father unemployed formonths, mother pregnant, childrenwithout shoes, hand-me-down clothing,food and money scarce…Holidaymonies were given to brighten theirChristmas, with a special effort towardsthe children.There are many more cases andworthy causes in areas that couldstand a lift in a time of need. Instead ofjust a few original “Happiness Fund”members, the suggestion was made toput a jar out and get dona tions towardmaking one or more causes benefit fromour fund. Remember we try to takecare of our local folk who are in need.Any amount is always welcome in the“Happiness Fund” jar.Once a preacher said “lets keep thenoise of the donation down”, but we saya rattle brings attention to our cause.Get a good feeling buy giving a helpinghand, and put some money in the jar tohelp a needy person or cause…any daycan be a need day.Past Hollydale Community ClubBoard Chairman, Merritt Colson(Hollydale archives ~ 1982)Hollydale Club, 10250 Field LnForestville, CA 95436 (707) 887-0330,www.hollydaleclub.org1/15/09 - www.westcountygazette.com - 21

Water Ski Lakeis Back yet AgainTransit OrientedDevelopmentBy Anna RansomeIt’s been a few years since we heardfrom these people – and now they aretaking a new approach toward theirgoal of a water ski lake in our back yard.I oppose the U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers (USACE) granting a Section404 permit and the North CoastRegional Water Quality Control Board(NCRWQCB) granting a 401 Permitfor the Vineyard Lake Project, aka thewater ski lake off Mill Station Rd. inSebastopol. This infamous project hadwidespread opposition to the buildingof the lake and then to a use permitapplication which would have legalizeda water-skiing business. That usepermit application was unanimouslydenied by the Sonoma County Boardof Supervisors. Now the applicants areattempting to retroactively get permitsfor the “stock pond.”The lake was constructed with a cheapgrading permit and no environmentalreview, destroying wetlands andirreversibly altering the hydrologyof the Atascadero Creek watershed.We have our own studies that refutethe studies presented with the 401and 404 application. This project iswithin a quarter mile of both therecent wetlands trenching incident(O’Brien) at 9170 Occidental Rd. and thewetlands destruction several years agoon Mill Station Rd. (Tomich) in whichthe USACE was involved. AtascaderoCreek is an anadromous fish bearingstream and all these projects have hada deleterious effect on the creek andsurrounding wetlands.Many of us on this list have workedfor years to find ways to reverse theeffects of the building of this lake inU.S. jurisdictional wetlands. There is apractice in Sonoma County of buildingprojects without permits and thenretroactively applying for permits for aproject which would most likely havebeen denied on application. I’m sure wedo not want to encourage such unethicaltactics to circumvent federal, state andlocal laws and regulations.If you would like to make detailedcomment by reading both applications,please call the NCRWQCB by phoningthe main desk at 576-2220 to get theaddress and file viewing hours. Theapplicant is Gerald Bybee of VineyardLake Associates, LLC and the projectaddress is 9499 Mill Station Road,Sebastopol. I am attempting to getelectronic copies of the applications andwill send them to this list if I do.There is no deadline yet for commentsto NCRWQCB. The date for commentsto USACE is January 23, 2009. If youoppose the applications, a general letteris sufficient. Addresses are below:Katerina GalacatosU.S. Army Corps of Engineers1455 Market Street - Floor 17San Francisco CA 94103 -1398Refer to 404 Application 28994NSteven BargstenNCRWQCB5550 Skylane Blvd. - Suite ASanta Rosa CA 95403Refer to 401 Application for VineyardLake Associates, LLCBy Jenna BragerConservation Action, GreenbeltAlliance, and Urban Habitat arecosponsoring a fantastic workshopon transit oriented development -TOD 101 . Now that SMART Trainand Pathway passed, we need to beready for what comes next. Please post,publish, announce, and spread the wordas best you are able. Info is below.This Workshop Will Teach You To:1) Articulate the need for TOD2) Understand the components of TOD -transit, housing, amenities, and openspace.3) Identify the benefits of TOD - healthyenvironment, minimized traffic,transit support, improved air quality,preserved open space, economicvitality, walkable communities,increased social capital, sense ofplace, opportunities for meaningfulinput.Instructors:Denny Rosatti, Executive Director,Sonoma County Conservation ActionDaisy Pistey-Lyhne, North Bay FieldRepresentative for Greenbelt Alliance*Workshop curriculum developed byUrban Habitat, Bay Area non-profitwhose mission is to promote TOD andensure equity for all communities inthe development process. Workshopwill be attended by Laurie Neighbors,Education and Training Coordinator forUrban Habitat.*Cosponsored by Sonoma CountyConservation Action, ConservationAction Fund for Education, GreenbeltAlliance, Urban Habitat.CALL NOW TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT!707-571-8868jenna@conservationaction.orgwww.conservationaction.orgTRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT 101Saturday, January 24, Environmental Center, 55ARidgeway Ave, Santa Rosa$10-30, scholarships available*Light refreshments provided*Laguna Docent Training ClassIf your goals for 2009 include havinga positive effect on the community andthe natural world, consider trainingto become a volunteer docent for theLaguna de Santa Rosa.As part of its mission to restore,scientifically understand and educatepeople about the Laguna, The LagunaFoundation trains people as docentsto volunteer with elementary schoolstudents. Trainees learn about thenatural and cultural history of theLaguna and how to run the LearningLaguna classroom and field activitystations while developing practicalskills for working with 2nd-4th gradestudents. All it takes to get started iscuriosity, enthusiasm and a desire tofoster a connection to nature in schoolchildren.Being a docent for the Laguna ismeaningful, fun and rewarding. Thework benefits schools, children, thecommunity, and the Laguna directly.Plus, each person who becomes a docentpersonally feels the rewards by sharingthe wonder of nature with children.Training begins March 16 and runsfrom 9:30 am -2:30 pm on consecutiveMondays thru May 18. Informationand orientation events are scheduledfor Tuesday, February 10th from 6:30-8:00 PM at the Sebastopol Library andMonday, February 23rd from 6:30-8:00at the Central Santa Rosa Library.For detailed information visit www.lagunafoundation.org or call EducationPrograms Director Christine Fontaineat 527-9277x10222 - www.westcountygazette.com - 1/15/09

Nightingale BreadsTakes FlightBy Beth ThorpFor more than 14years I have wanted toopen my own bakery.It has taken manyforms in my headover the years andbeen conceptualizedin many towns. Ithas finally come tolife, real life, here inForestville. I nowknow I couldn’t havepicked a better place.I n 2 0 0 4 I l e f tMontana where I’dbeen living for 10years. Montana was great, but as a4th generation Californian the wintersfinally got to me. I decided to comehome to California and I knew thiswas my time to finally make the bakeryhappen, but where exactly?I searched many towns in NorthernCalifornia. Then with the help of arandomly picked realtor who soonbecame a friend, I was led to Forestville.Oddly enough my grandmother, EthelWiggins, grew up here. My greatgrandmother was Agnes Winter. Ibelieve they lived south of town. I knewI had found my new home when Chrisfound the ‘almost’ perfect building.After a whirlwind of building permitsand construction the door was openedjust in time for Christmas. During thesefirst few months I’m starting off simplywith three hearth loaves, baked dailyin a wood fired oven: a classic Frenchb a g u e t t ethat I callForestvilleFr e n c h , asourdoughbatard, anda s e e d e dmultigrainloaf that ispacked with multiple grains and seedsinside and out. I am a firm believer thatbread of this nature should be eatenfresh. I bake first thing in the morningbefore opening the door and then I havea bake later in the afternoon so thatpeople can have fresh bread for dinner.In addition to the hearth loaves, I alsohave two kinds of sandwich loaves:whole-wheat and a seeded sourdough.Currently I am the only baker, but havebeen so busy (thank you Forestville)I am hiring someone to help me withproduction. Baking breads is mypassion and I look forward to addingnew breads and bread accompanimentssoon.I am transitioning out of my nursingcareer and still working part time atSanta Rosa Memorial. You guessed it,the name for ‘Nightingale Breads’ wasinspired by the nineteenth centurynurse, Florence Nightingale. I don’t everwant to forget my first career, whichpaid me well and allowed me to travelall over the country. However, after 22years as a nurse, I am ready to settledown to a new career and break breadhere in Forestville.Thank you so much, Forestville andthe surrounding communities for yourwarm welcome and all your patiencewhile I fine tune my production andfigure out how I can make more breadand still sleep! Also thanks go outto all you local folks who worked onthis project, especially Ed Brush, mycontractor, who did so much to makemy dream a reality.Please keep an eye out for new breadsand additional hours coming soon.Nightingale BreadsOpen: Thursday, Friday andSaturday 11 am to 6 pm6665 Front Street, Forestville707-887-88871/15/09 - www.westcountygazette.com - 23

Have trouble keeping New Year’sResolutions? Here are some easy oneswith great rewards.• Click daily at www.thehungersite.com and access five other charities.When joined with other people clickingdaily, you can make a real difference inless than a minute. Last year clicking––and shopping––provided 72 millioncups of food for the hungry, nearly7600 mammograms for needy women,health care for nearly 1,000,000 childrenworldwide, over 500,000 books forunderprivileged children, nearly 78million bowls of food for needy animals,and preserved nearly 15,000 acres ofland.• Donate blood regularly. Everythree seconds, someone needs blood.Although 5 million Americans needblood annually, less than 10% of thoseeligible donate. Now while helpingsave a life, you can improve your ownhealth. A recent long-term study ofmore than 1,0000,0000 Scandinavianblood donors showed a possible linkbetween donation and a lower risk ofcertain cancers (liver, lung, stomach,and throat) and a possible reductionin heart disease in men. While therearen’t yet results for women, donatingcan’t hurt their health––you get a minicheckupincluding a blood pressure testeach time you donate. Now you canschedule a donation online at either theblood bank or at a mobile blood drive;go to http://www.bbr.org/ or call 707-545-1222.• When you’re grocery shopping,buy something extra for the RedwoodEmpire Food Bank’s Winter Food Drive.With the economy in serious trouble,and unemployment rising, more peopleneed the Food Bank’s help. REFB serves60,000 people monthly, including 22,000children and 9,000 seniors. Of the18,8000 households they serve, 7,300 areworking families. Drop foods in barrelsat G&G Supermarkets, Longs, Lucky,Safeway, and Whole Foods or call 707-523-7900 for other locations.You can’t separate one from theother. Global warming, water, fuel use,and electricity are all interwoven.• Save water. We are now into ourthird drought year. Last spring wasthe driest in recorded history. FromJuly 1st to January 1st, Sonoma Countyrainfall was only about 50% of normal.We appear to be in a “la Niña” weatherpattern, with another dry spring onthe way. Measurements of the watercontent in the Sierra snow pack are83% of normal; unseasonably warmweather, an affect of global warming,could evaporate much of that. Droughtisn’t the only factor affecting our watersupplies. A growing population––partlyfrom people moving here, but mostlyfrom people born here who choose tostay here, new and expanding industriesand agriculture, and protecting thesalmon and steelhead runs, all meanwe’ll need to conserve more water,all year around. With so little rain thiswinter, gardens still needs watering.Save water when you turn on the hotwater tap in the shower or kitchensink by capturing the cold water andusing it to water plants. Start planningahead for a dry summer––go to http://www.sonoma.watersavingplants.com/to view the Sonoma County WaterAgency’s water saving CD.• Save gas. The less gas we use, theless global warming, which also meanswe’ll have more water. Last year gasprices soared to nearly $5/gallon, andAmericans responded by driving 100billion less miles; gas consumptionwas down 3.2% in 2008. Prices droppeddramatically during the fall, but nowthey’ve bottomed out. The situationin the Middle East, OPEC reducingits output, a dispute between Russiaand the Ukraine, and reduced refinerycapacity all contributed to gas pricesrising steadily since December. Also,Congress may increase the gasoline taxby 10 cents/gallon to offset the loss offunds for roads. So all the things welearned when gas prices were soaringstill apply. And while we’re savingmoney and fossil fuels, we’re helpingto reduce global warming. One idea––take public transit once a week. (SeePatricia Dines’ article on public transitexperiences in this issue.)• Save electricity. PGE has to purchasepower from non-renewable sources indry winters and when water suppliesare low, because there’s not enoughwater for hydroelectric generation,so saving electricity means less fossilfuel will have to be burned. Unplugelectronics and battery chargers whenthey’re not in use. If all Californians didthis, it would be like taking 120,000 carsoff the road. For other energy savingideas go to www.pge.com/myhome/saveenergymoney.26 - www.westcountygazette.com - 1/15/09

Shark BaitBy Debra A. Newby, Attorney at Lawdebra@newbylawoffice.com 707-526-7200Dear Readers:As a New Year gift to YOU--theoutstanding and altruistic neighbors ofSonoma County—I offer my three “toppicks” of painless legally-related stepsyou can take to reduce the chance ofbeing sued and to protect your assets.(My typical “Dear-Abby-Q&A-styledcolumn”will resume next time). Forgetthe resolutions to lose weight, exercise,or clean out your closets—they fade insix weeks. Act on some or hopefully allof my free tips--they will last a lifetime:Tip #1: Don’t let strangers plan yourwake. t OK...can we talk? We will die…eventually. If you do not have a willor trust, you do in fact have an “estateplan”. Strangers, not you, will decidethe fate of EVERYTHING you own—thehome, the bank and stock accounts, andthat one-of-a-kind 1920’s chandelier thatgraced your Aunt’s Shangri-La. Those“strangers” are our State Legislature,as under California law, when you diewithout a will or trust (legally termed“intestate”) your “stuff” will likelygo through probate court. Probateproceedings may take up to1½ years. If the delay isn’t enough tobring you down a few clouds from yourangelic state, think about the costs….probate costs can consume 5-10% ofyour estate. Even more moola will go toother fees and our Golden State (55% ofyour estate can go to Uncle Sam).If your final wishes are not clearlydefined in a Will and Trust, finda lawyer that specializes in estateplanning. Ask a trustworthy friendor neighbor if they can recommend areputable estate planning attorney oryou can email me and I’ll reply withthe contact information of local estateplanning attorneys whom I trust.Tip #2: Save a life—your teenagers,your grandparents, or an innocentdriver. If your teenager is learningto drive, consider a defensive drivingclass as a prerequisite to their permit orlicense. The California Highway Patrol(CHP) offers an outstanding classroomprogram called “Start Smart” for 15-19year-olds. Check out the CHP websiteor contact your local CHP office. Also,take the time to enter a contract withyour teenager which outlines terms suchas hours of driving, geographical limits,and responsibilities of passengers.Sample contracts are available on-line.Be cautious—some sites will try to sellyou a contract—freebies are available.Just remember, the contract is a writtenpromise between you and your teen.You can and should add any terms thatyou and the teen agree to. Talk it out andput it on paper.Do you know any senior drivers?Classes to sharpen and refresh drivingskills are also regularly offered toseniors (and may also reduce yourautomobile insurance premium). AsRalph Waldo Emerson observed, “thesecret of education is respecting thepupil”. Rephrased, love your I-podtootingteenager and your UncleGeorge—send them to driving safetyclass.Tip#3: Spend a few extra bucks forcertain types of insurance and saveten-fold. Many of my potential clientscome into my law office and are surethey have “full coverage” to help paythe bills from a car crash. Their belief issometimes not the reality. Insuranceis tricky—there are so many types ofcoverage. California law requires thatonly “liability insurance” be purchased.Liability coverage “kicks in” if theinsured is found to be at fault, and theminimum required in California is only$15,000.If the at-fault person has no insurance,you may have little recourse unless youhave UM/UIM coverage and Med Payon YOUR policy. An “umbrella policy”also offers additional protection. UM/UIM, Med Pay, and an umbrella policywill provide additional protection andpeace of mind, at a fraction of the costof your required liability coverage. Callyour automobile insurance companyor your insurance agent now to updateyour policy so that you are indeed“fully” protected.Be Safe. Be Healthy. Laugh often andembrace every day of the New Year!Got a legal question? Email Debra –debra@newbylawoffice.com. This column isdesigned as community service to addressgeneral legal principles and does not createan attorney-client relationship.Debra A. Newby is a resident of West County andhas practiced law for 26 years. She maintains anactive law office in Santa Rosa and emphasizespersonal injury law (bicycle/motorcycle/motorvehicle accidents and fatalities, dog bites, trip andfalls, etc.) and expungements (clearing criminalrecords). Debra can be reached via email (debra@newbylawoffice.com), phone (707-526-7200),fax (526-7202) or pony express (930 MendocinoAvenue, Suite 101, Santa Rosa, 95401).Give recognition to thepeople who make yourtown HOME!1/15/09 - www.westcountygazette.com - 27

Your WatershedRussian RiverWatershed AssociationIsn’t Clean Water Worth It?28 - www.westcountygazette.com - 1/15/09You don’t have to travel far in thispart of Northern California to see whatprotecting our water quality means: asparkling coastline, rivers we dependon for drinking water, irrigation andrecreation. Local governments’ businessis to work for the public interest. Aslong as clean water is vitally connectedto our economy, public health, theenvironment and our quality of life, thencities, counties, and utility districts mustto do what they can to keep the waterclean. Yet there is another reason thatlocal governments strive for clean water:It’s the law.The Clean Water Act is the primaryfederal law that governs water quality.Prior to its passage in 1972, waterpollution across the country waswidespread. Raw sewage was commonlypiped directly to lakes, rivers and bays.Pressed by an alarmed public, Congresspassed the Federal Water PollutionControl Act of 1972 (a.k.a the CleanWater Act) and set out to achieve twonational goals: eliminate the dischargeof untreated wastewater from municipaland industrial sources into the nation’swaterways, and improve water qualityto protect fishing and swimming.To jumpstart the effort, the federalgovernment provided billions ofdollars for construction of wastewatertreatment plants across the nation. Italso established the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency (EPA) to developwater quality standards and enforce thereduction of pollutants into waterwaysby industries and municipalities.Over the past 30 years, a myriadof regulating agencies at all levelshave worked to implement the CleanWater Act as well as each state’s ownclean water laws. The CaliforniaEnvironmental Protection Agency(Cal-EPA) develops and enforces thestate’s environmental protection laws,including those linked to clean water.The State Water Resources ControlBoard (SWRCB) regulates wastewaterdischarges to both surface water (rivers,ocean, etc.) and to groundwater (vialand). Along with the SWRCB, each ofthe nine Regional Water Boards alsoregulate storm water discharges fromconstruction, industrial, and municipalactivities; discharges from irrigatedagriculture; dredge and fill activities;and other activities that could degradewater quality.At the receiving end of the regulationsare local governments that must complywith the law to meet clean water goals.The regulators develop standardsand provide guidance on such thingsas how clean drinking water is; howpure recycled water must be for useon crops, parks and landscaping; orhow much water to release from damsduring fish spawning season. Thisregulation greatly affects the way thatmunicipalities operate their water,wastewater and storm drain systems.As water quality standards become morerigorous, local governments and utilitiesare compelled to look at increasedpublic outreach and education, morelegal authority, comprehensive landuse controls, newer technologies andupdated infrastructure. And this allcosts money.Who pays for all these water qualityefforts?While the majority of clean waterregulations come from the federaland State government, most fundingfor drinking water and wastewatertreatment comes from local ratepayersand taxpayers. The constant challengefor local governments and utilities isthat they are under pressure to keeprates as low as possible, but need tocollect enough revenue to operate andmaintain the systems to ever-stringentwater quality standards. Additionally,since the pumps, pipes and plants thatmake up our water and wastewatersystems are aging, financial reservesmust be built to eventually replace vitalinfrastructure. Complying with the lawand providing clean water aren’t free.R e g u l a t i n g a g e n c i e s , l o c a lgovernments and utilities, and ratepayersoften seem at constant tension. For theregulators who must enforce the law,more work remains to be done: 40%of the nation’s waterways still havean unacceptable level of pollutants.For local governments and utilities,meeting increasingly strict water qualitystandards strains already-lean resources.For ratepayers, paying even more forwater and sewer is hard to do in thesetough financial times.Ultimately, we all want the samething – clean water. The environmentalprogress achieved since the 1970’s isdue to the guidance and enforcementof regulatory agencies, the demands ofcitizen and watchdog groups, and theconstant efforts of local governmentsand utility districts to protect the publicinterest and comply with the CleanWater Act. Isn’t clean water worth it?Written by Eydie Tacata, a Management Analyst withthe City of Rohnert Park on behalf of RRWA. (www.rrwatershed.org) an association of public agencies inthe Russian River Watershed that have come together tocoordinate regional programs for clean water, fisheriesrestoration, and watershed enhancement.

Fire Department NewsChristmas Tree Farm/New Fire StationThank you to everyone that came to ournew property on Highway 116 to get aChristmas tree... We sold more treesthan ever before! A big “Thank You” toour tree farm manager, Heather O’Dell,for all of her hard work getting the treefarm looking so great. We had a greattime meeting everyone and raised a lotof money to go towards the new firestation. Remember- your Christmastree was also a donation and, therefore,a tax-deductible item for your taxes. Welook forward to seeing you next season!The Fire Board hired an architectto design the new station and wewill begin the review process withthe county building department verysoon. All of the volunteer firefighterslook forward to being able to fit all ofour equipment indoors in a buildingthat we trust will hold up during anearthquake.Toy Drive... Another SuccessThe 2008 Toy Drive was a fantasticsuccess, thank you! Graton Fire was ableto deliver presents to over 50 children,brightening their holidays. We wisheveryone could experience the joy wesee when the fire engine pulls up anddelivers your presents... once again,thank you. Tremendous thanks alsoneeds to go out to the Graton Post Officefor collecting the toys for us.Help Us, Help YouReflective address signs help usfind you Download the order format www.gratonfire.com or stop by thefirehouse and pick up an order formjustto the right of the front door. If youhave any questions, please call us at829-7939 for more information.New Laws- Texting and GPS UnitsAs of January 1 st , it is no longer okayto type or read text messages whiledriving; this even includes when sittingat a traffic light or stop sign. Secondly,GPS units are very popular and greatfor finding your way around. Startingin 2009, they can be secured in thelower left or lower right corners of yourwindshield as well as the dash (whichhas always been okay). The goal is toprevent the GPS unit from obstructingthe driver’s view of the road whenplaced in the center of the windshield.2008 in ReviewAs 2008 ended, the firefighters ofthe Graton Fire Protection Districtcompleted 525 calls... a new record.This may not seem like much when youcompare it with large city departments,but Graton Fire still runs every call withvolunteers- from the Fire Chief to theTrainees... they interrupt their payingjobs and personal lives to serve thecommunity. Graton runs more calls thanany other volunteer fire department inSonoma County (and even more thansome paid departments). Thank youto all of our volunteers, employers, andfamilies for their understanding andsupport.Graton Fire hits new record for call in 2008 - 525Forestville FireDan Norther, Chief887-2212Toys for TotsTh e For e s t v i l le Fi r e f ig ht e r sAssociation would like to thank all ofyou who contributed to the Toys for Totsprogram in December. Because of yourdonations the Association was able topass on enough toys to the Giving Treeat the Forestville School, the MethodistChurch and the Toys for Tots Programto meet local needs.GrantCongresswoman Lynn Wolseyannounced recently that the FederalEmergency Management Agency(FEMA) and the United States FireAdministration (USFA) have awardedthe Forestville Fire Protection District$46,233.00, under the Assistance toFirefighters Grant Program (AFG).Local firefighters and first respondersare our first line in defense in the eventof a natural disaster such as a forest fire,earthquake, or flood” said CongresswomanWoolsey, “but they can’t do it alone. Theyneed our help and support to ensure thatthey have the resources and equipmentnecessary to do their jobs - keeping ourfamilies, homes, and communities safe. Iwant to congratulate Chief Northern forhis continued leadership of the District, andthank every member of his team for theircontinued commitment and sacrifice.”The Forestville Fire Protection Districtwill use the federal funds to purchaseand install an exhaust extractionsystem in the District’s apparatus bay.The exhaust extraction system willassure that the fire station will be freefrom the deadly, carcinogenic vehicleexhaust that firefighting personneland visitors are currently exposed towhen apparatus are started within thestation. Since 2002 the Forestville FireProtection District has been awardedover $450,000.00 in local, State andFederal Grants.The Year in ReviewThe District responded to 694 requestsfor service in 2008. Slightly over half ofthose requests were medical relatedwhich includes vehicle accidents. Firelosses totaled $252,000.00. Fortunatelythere were no fire related deathshowever; there was one firefighterinjury that resulted in time off work.District paid and volunteer membersparticipated in over 1700 hours oftraining in 2008.While You were SleepingAt 3:30 am on December 14, 2008Forestville Fire District personnel weredispatched to a “person thrown from ahorse near the Forestville VeterinaryClinic”. As the Fire Chief, I typicallydo not respond to medical calls, butthis one happened to peak my interest.First of all it was one of those 27 degreemornings and second why wouldsomeone be riding a horse along Hwy116 at 3:30 am? As I listened to my radiofrom home, I heard the officer on theresponding engine state that there wasa loose horse on Hwy 116 near AppianWay (very appropriately named at thismoment). The engine continued on theHwy until they located the patient nearMom’s Apple Pie.Since cars and horses don’t mix, itwas apparent to me that a loose horseon Hwy 116 was significant enoughto require my response and besidesmy curiosity got the best of me. As Iapproached Templemen Road I foundthe horse calmly eating grass alongthe east side of the highway. I exitedmy truck feeling confident that I couldhandle the situation. As I put on theappropriate reflective gear, whitehelmet (the good cowboys alwayswear white cowboy hats), grabbedmy flashlight and my trusty rope, theengine notified me that, according tothe patient, there may be more thanone horse involved. The next thing Iknew, out of the darkness, came fivemore horses for a total of six. They wereall walking lazily down the highwayheading towards town. It didn’t take alot of fire chief training for me to realizethat I was clearly out numbered andneeded help and maybe a few moreropes. I requested another engine andcrew from the station hoping I wouldbe able to prevent an accident untilthey arrived to help. Shortly after thereinforcements arrived, the horsesheaded for a horse corral area north ofTemplemen Road. With a little coaxingwe were able to open a gate and herdthem in without further incident.Apparently the patient in this casethought it would be a good idea toborrow one of the horses from a nearbycoral and take it for a ride along thehighway. While the gate was openthe five additional horses escaped.Somewhere around Templemen thepatient was bucked off the horse,stepped on by another, and althoughnot seriously hurt was transported byambulance to the hospital. Now youknow the rest of the story….Graton volunteer fire fighter Josh Skikos, Anthony Bopp and trainees Kris hawkes and MattMckenzie hand out toys at the annual Toy Drive1/15/09 - www.westcountygazette.com - 29

Around ForestvilleGOT NEWS? Vesta Copestakes • vesta@sonic.net • 887-0253Misty Humphrey has a new career…Misty has started a career in health andnutrition. She’s offering classes on howpeople can “take charge of their bodies,”and they are an affordable $10 perclass. Her new 12 week series of classesstarted on the 13 th – but heck – maybeshe can squeeze you in – 887-0561SAV E THE BELL TOW ER! I’vewritten about the Leaning Towerof Forestville in the past and nowthe Methodist Church is reachingout to the community for some help.They are having a CONSTRUCTIONBANQUET on Saturday, February 21 st .There’s a Silent Auction and a LiveAuction as well, so you might want tocall to see if there’s something you candonate to help the cause. Items theyhave so far include fancy hotels, catereddinners – you name it. Reservations arerequired since seating is limited – 887-2020 Dinner is a mere $15 for adults, $10for children and children 5 and undera free. There’s a maximum charge of$40 per family so this is an affordableway to have dinner, enjoy the companyof others and contribute to the cause.Come by-have a good time!Peace Vigil…participants read a listof people who were killed in Iraq andAfghanistan each week…one bellring for each name. People take turnsreading the names. Drop by someFriday evening at 6:30pm. It’s one wayto put your heart toward peace on ourearth. As Sarah Wright said, “Hearingthe daily accounting of death is difficult,but there’s nothing else that bringsme closer to my appreciation for thefreedoms we have and my love of thiscommunity and our country”. They areexpanding this program to honor ourcommunity members who are servingin the military. A collage of picturesand information will be displayedduring the Peace Vigil. Please send aphoto and the name of your loved onewith their Branch, title or rank andservice locale to: FUMC, 6550 CoveyRd, Forestville, CA 95436The Green Valley Restoration Teamworked almost every month of 2008to ensure the restoration project thatwas started a few years back on theMartinelli Ranch had continuedsuccess. Whether or not the plantedtrees would survive the ‘08 drought was“iffy” as it got toward the fall seasonand still no rain. Happily, the creek andthe restoration area have never lookedbetter! Many of the trees are in the 10to 15 foot height range and most ofthe instream structures are intact. TheRestoration Team will be out there againa little later in the year for continuingrestoration and protection but I thoughtyou should know that Forest Unlimitedis having its annual tree planting Fridayand Saturday, Jan. 9 and 10. Over fifteenhundred redwood trees were plantedover two days. Larry Hanson thanksall who participate and the restorationcrew are seeking ore volunteers asspring approaches. Keep in touch.Forestville wine goes to Washington!John and Chris Mason of EMTU EstateWines were invited to have theirwine poured at ten of the presidentialingaugural dinners. The dinners will beput together with local farmers marketsand cooked by Alice Waters of ChezPanisse and a group of other famouschef’s including Jacques Pepin, NancySilverton, Suzanne Goines etc.. Thisis a $500 per plate dinner will benefitsome local causes. Speaking of Chris &John, they are off to Peru right now todo their winter work of helping people.They will be reporting in next month.Hollydale Community Club…Join us Saturday February 21st for theClub’s annual Country Breakfast from9:00 until Noon.Congratulations to Scott Lykken &Jordan Condon, 2008 recipients of theTaylor Atkins Memorial ScholarshipAward…these Graduating Senior’shopefully will find good use for thefunds while pursuing their highereducation. $600 Distributed in 2008.The 20 09 Lifetime HollydaleCommunity Club Member selectionis Jay & Brenda Eldridge. Long-timemembers and Forestville residents whosupport the monthly Clubhouse eventsand it’s inner workings by volunteeringtheir time and energy to maintain thefacility and help organize the events.Thanks goes out to them from ourcommunity for all their help.$450 in Hollydale Happiness Fundsdistributed over the holidays, thesedonations from Club members andguests during the last year helped bringa little cheer during the holiday seasonto two Elmo students, one ForestvilleElementary student’s family and alocal family of 4. Feels good to spreadthe positive vibe and help where andwhen we can. Thanks to all those whodonated to the fund...let’s keep it full.Coming up:Sat. February 21st Clubhouse CountryBreakfast 9:00-NoonSat. March 14th Corned Beef &Cabbage Feed 6:0030 - www.westcountygazette.com - 1/15/09THE FPA REPORTSThe Forestville Planning AssociationBy Richard Naegle, President - www. forestvillefpa.orgCanyon Rock QuarryA number of people have askedme about the current status of thelawsuit brought by Citizens for SensibleGrowth against Canyon Rock Quarry.The suit was instigated against theQuarry and Sonoma County; it claimedthat the environmental impact report(EIR) approved by the County Boardof Supervisors regarding CanyonRock’s expansion plans was flawedand inadequate. The court found somemerit in the original suit and awardedCFSG its attorney’s fees. CFSG has sinceappealed aspects of the judge’s ruling.It is hard to get the “facts.” So Iinterviewed both Wendell Trappe,ow ner a nd operator of Ca nyonRock Quarry, and Sig Anderman,spokesperson for Citizens for SensibleGrowth (CFSG). I have summarizedeach of their perspectives on the facts,and present, with their approval, myreport of them below. I have tried to onlyuse their language. I apologize ahead oftime for any inaccuracy; I have tried mybest to be neutral and objective.The Quarry PerspectiveThere has been a citizens’ appeal ofthe EIR which is going to the appellatecourt. We are now waiting for a courtdate which may be in January orFebruary or later in the year. CFSGwon its original suit “on the language”regarding importing rock. Of CFSG’sthirteen charges, the judge onlysupported this one. He therefore madeCanyon Rock pay $150,000 to CFSG forits attorney fees.Canyon Rock and the Countyreturned to the judge with a suggestionthat would not require the entire EIR tobe redone. They asked that the amountof imported rock be cut in half, i.e. bedecreased by 60,000 tons. The judgeapproved. It is that decision which theCFSG has appealed.Things are therefore at a stalemate.The bypass is being delayed andperhaps killed. [Editor’s note: CountySupervisor, Mike Reilly, does not agree.While the building of the bypass isbeing delayed, he is convinced that iteventually will be built.]Canyon Rock’s existing permit isgood until 2011. Wendell has enoughrock to keep mining under his currentpermit.The CFSG PerspectiveIn the original suit, the judge ruledin favor of CFSG that the permit givento Canyon Rock by the County wouldhave allowed 62,000 cubic yards moreof production than was described andcertified by the EIR. If allowed, therewould have been an additional 4400truck trips per year through Forestville.CFSG has filed an appeal onthree issues which it did not win inthe original hearing: the failure toadequately evaluate and mitigate airquality impacts; the failure to analyzeand mitigate the impacts associatedwith rezoning to Mineral Resourcethe entire parcel owned by CR; andinconsistencies with the general plan.About half of the fees that CanyonRock was required to pay were incurredin CFSG defending against the discoverypropounded by Canyon Rock on ourattorney’s fees motion. For example,Canyon Rock was demanding lists ofmembers and names of people who haddonated to CFSG; and was threateningto depose people who testified againstthe project at public hearings.The FPA on the QuarryThe Forestville Planning Associationis a non-profit educational corporation.It is a different organization from theForestville Citizens for Sensible Growth,which is a private political activistgroup. Regarding Canyon Rock’sexpansion plans, the FPA held severalTown meetings to explore all sides ofthe proposals and their ramifications.Representatives from Canyon RockQuarry were invited to and were activein each of these meetings. Finally, aTown Meeting vote was taken and wasso divided that the FPA took no positionon Canyon Rock’s proposal to expand.We continue to acknowledge thevaluable contributions which WendellTrappe, his family, and family businesshave made over the years to ourcommunity. Our goal has been toeducate residents of Forestville on theimpacts of quarry expansionso that youcan make your opinions heard.The FCSG did bring the FPA, asa more neutral party, into its legalnegotiations with Blue Rock Quarryto help broker a settlement aroundBlue Rock’s expansion plans. Thosenegotiations resulted in the GoodNeighbor Agreement, which includedimportant environmental mitigationsby Blue Rock as well as funding for theForestville Community Fund. The FPAhas continued to work cooperativelywith Blue Rock Quarry to assure abetter environment and more positiveeffects of Quarry activities on theForestville community. This has beenthrough the Good Neighbor WorkingGroup, composed of local citizens andBill Williams, General Manager of theBodean Company (owner of Blue RockQuarry). The Good Neighbor WorkingGroup has invited representativesof Canyon Rock Quarry to join theirmeetings. However, Canyon Rock hasdeclined until legal matters with CFSGare completed.

Meanwhilein Graton…By HolLynn D’Lilgratoncolumn@comcast.net(707) 829 9440A new year begins for our zip codedonut hole town, and in contemplatingthe young year with its unwrittenpages, it’s comforting to review a fewchapters from Graton 2008.We started out making the news when“Eye on the Bay,” of CBS televisionfeatured Graton as one of the BayArea’s remarkable small towns. InFebruary, we enjoyed the Third AnnualGraton Variety Show sponsored by theGraton Community Club. The Club alsoprovided two more flower show events,completing a run of 84 annual flowershows. In recognition of the club’slongstanding service to the community,the U.S. government awarded the clubwith status as a nonprofit organizationpredated back to 1957.Graton’s Love Your Neighbor ThriftStore moved to Santa Rosa. Neda andJessica sold their organic producemarket, Vincini’s. At that site now isValley Oak Real Estate Investments.Graton’s Trail Stewards and Keepersconducted several trail keeping daysto keep the blackberries in line on theWest County Trail. They also tossedout more native wildflower seed balls,some of which are producing newcrops for 2009. Two benches wereadded to the trail, contributions fromthe Christensen Family and FarfetchedJewelry’s Richard Wolf. The TrailStewards also landscaped the GreyStreet entrance to the trail with nativeplants that mostly survived our dryyear.The Graton Labor Center, Centro Laboralcelebrated its first year anniversary inSeptember. In June, members of CentroLaboral spent a day sprucing up MissHallberg’s Butterfly Garden to getit ready for the annual open house.(Miss Hallberg turned 90 this year,too, another event well celebrated. Hercousin, Hazel Jens also turned 90 andmoved to Fairfield. She is greatly missed,especially att h e G r a t o nC o m m u n i t yClub.)In December,the memberso f C e n t r oLaboral onceagain pitchedin to removea n d t r i mb l a c k b e r r ybushes on theWest CountyTra i l. Th e i re n d e a v o r su n c o v e r e de i g h t o a ksaplings near the Grey Street entranceto the trail. Below are photographs ofthe members with Graton volunteersand Sonoma County Regional Parksrangers. Featured is Antonio Leonproudly displaying some blackberryroot trophies.Graton became a two-stop town, thanksto the advocacy of Graton Projects. OakGrove students cleaned up after theadults again during their annual creekcleanup day. At the Graton CommunityClub, Jane Kurtz and Randi Francisconducted a community meetingabout how to COPE - CommunitiesOrganizing to Prepare for Emergencies.Neighbors at Donald/Brush/Shirley/Arroyo Court held a COPE meeting inDecember. If others have held meetings,please let me know! We need to knowhow well Graton is prepared foremergencies.The Board members of the GratonServices District which runs theGraton Sewer served another yearin their arduous course to meet newCounty, State and Federal standards.Jane Eagle, board member reports thatthe community’s presentation beforethe North Coast Region Water QualityControl Board resulted in an extensionof a looming deadline. The extra timewill allow Graton to apply for moregrants to make Graton’s innovativesewer more efficient to meet newmandates. We owe many thanks to thehard-working members of the SewerBoard.And, of course, Gratonians enjoyedanother annual event that makes Gratonthe sweet, friendly neighborhood it is- the Graton Fire Pancake Breakfast.Late Breaking News about the GratonFire Folks is that they have actuallybegun consideration of the possibilityof letting their corner lot become apark for Graton. This was learned atthe December meeting of the GratonFire Board. What the Graton Fire needsto make the park possible is supportfrom the community they serve toraise funds to build their new facilityon Gravenstein Highway. A park attheir present location will connectthe parking lot on the West CountyTrail with downtown Graton andserve the businesses well, in additionto providing a playground for thechildren. Hopefully, 2009 will see uswell on our way to creating Graton’sfirst park.Hopefully, 2009. . . . That just about sumsit up, doesn’t it?Thank you everyonewho makes Graton sucha fine home for us all.Occidentalneedsa newColumnistI confess I’ve lostmy SECONDOccidental columnist to my desireto keep the Community Columnsfocused on community-building - notcommunity complaints. It’s not alwayseasy to refrain from pointing a finger atdisruptive individuals or people doingthings that seem contrary to our hometowns - but - there are other placesfor those comments. The LETTERS orFORUM section of this newspaper is agood example.The community column is a placefor good news about our homes,opportunities to connect with eachother through events and projects,etc. This is a good place to announcemeetings - like water, sewer and firedepartment meetings, etc. that keeppeople informed and part of theprocess of running a town. It’s also agood place to give credit to individualswho make a town home - the volunteersand coordinators who run the show ona very local level. Take at look at theGraton and Forestville columns to getthe idea. If anyone wants to take thison, please give me a call at 887-0253 ore-mail me at vesta@sonic.net.Harmony Village MeetingThe Occidental Center for theArts will be hosting a question andanswer meeting with Orrin Theissen,developer of Harmony Village, onJanuary 27th, starting at 7pm at theUnion Hotel in downtown Occidental.This is an excellent opportunity tosee what Orrin has planned for thecommunity.Harmony Village was born out ofthe old harmony School which closedits doors and moved students to theSalmon Creek campus. The projectincludes business offices/commercialspace, residences, a community gardenand mini-park and a new home for thearts center. You’ve seen the tractorsmoving soil, now see the plans.This project has been at the center ofmany of the upgrades to Occidental’swater and sewer infrastructure. It willgive Occidental a refined arts centerand provide more downtown homes.For all the people who have beenwondering what it looks like, how bigit will be, etc. this is your chance tofind out.1/15/09 - www.westcountygazette.com - 31

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Listening 2ChildrenBy Sharon Ann Wikoffneways@pon.net • (707) 543-6355Listening 2 Children…of All Ages!After I wrote the last article for theGazette I pondered, “What should thefocus be for my column in the NewYear”? Ideas came and went! Then asDecember came to a close and the NewYear rolled around, I continued mythought process. I wanted somethingNEW… something DIFFERENT…something to catch everyone’s attention.Several subject entered my mind but nodecision was made! My considerationscontinued.Life continued! Day after day,situations arose where the absoluten e c e s s i t y f o r “ L I S T E N I N G 2CHILDREN” arose. I was reminded timeand time again about the importance ofthe act of LISTENING!• Listening to the infant as her eyesfocus on the first rain!• Listening to the four-year oldfeeling snow for the first time!• Listening to the child who justlearned to ride her bike!• Listening to the crying toddler whojust had his ice cream fall!• Listening to the young women whohas just fallen in love!• Listening to the teen that just losthis job!Opportunities arise around us allthe time where listening is needed!However, in this busy busy world,sometimes, the act of listening is notgiven the importance that it deserves.Listening deepens the connectionbetween two people greatly! Listeningbonds people together in miraculousways. When two people take the timeto be in conversation, sharing andtalking, a synergy develops that isso special. Conversations cannot behurried. Well, they can be hurried, butif one wants the delight and pleasureand closeness that comes from listening,then conversations should be given thetime they deserve!When listening doesn’t take place,the person not listened to may end upholding on to un-processed thoughtsand feelings. When such thoughtsbuild up time after time, they can causeemotional upsets. I’ve seen this happentime and time again in classrooms.Teachers wonder WHY is this childacting out? Nine times out of ten whenI see an incident that has happenedwhere a child is upset, I’ve been ableto trace the ‘cause’ back to somethingthat happened that was not addressed.The importance of listening begins atbirth and continues into adulthood andbeyond!Over the past months I’ve had themarvelous experience of having one ofmy children ‘fall in love’! She’s over 30and has been SO patient in dating andfinding Mr. Right. And now everythingis falling into place! Although she’sknown him for 3 years, they were notserious until recently. Then they becamea couple! Almost immediately he wasoffered a fabulous work promotion butit entailed a move to another state! ABIG decision had to be made! It wasamazing to listen to her talk about allthe conversations they were havingabout the move. At one point, I hadMORE questions than she had answersso I had to sit quietly and wait! Thisreminded me that sometimes, theprocess of listening requires SILENCE!So, silence it was for about 10 days!But tonight, we spent over 90 minuteson the phone discussing their trip nextweek out of state to locate housing andtheir upcoming move. The timingwasn’t great for me, but if I had said noto the call tonight, what I would havelost out on would be irreplaceable! Iwould have missed listening to hertalk about what furniture to take, howshe found a matching piece to her wildpurple flowered luggage and the hugesignificance of this time in her life! Yes,listening is crucial to close relationshipswhen our children are 3 months or 30years.It’s never too late to begin listeningagain! And the very act of listeningcan change lives! It can bring peopletogether! And it can create a connectionso strong, so beautiful, so special!AND it can all begin with just 10minutes of listening! I call this the 10Minute Miracle. JUST listen to a lovedone for 10 minutes. Have no agendaother than listening! Listening is amiracle that can last a lifetime!Sharon hosts The VOICE of CHANGEradio programs and more. Details canbe found on her website:www.AuthenticWays.com1/15/09 - www.westcountygazette.com - 35

Cinema ChatterBy Joan GarverickRio Recession RollbackThe Monte Rio Theater is doing a Rio Recession Rollback on ticket prices---Starting Jan 1 st until May 15 th we will roll ticket prices back to just$5.00 all showings, all movies, all people!We will go back to regular prices just before summer. www.riotheater.comon the corner of Bohemian Hwy and Hwy 116 in Monte Rio by the bridge.FALL/WINTER/SPRING SHOWTIMES: Closed Mon, Tues & WedThursday & Friday: 7:00pm • Saturday: 4 & 7:00pm • Sunday: 1 & 3:30pmPLEASE CALL TO DOUBLECHECK: 707-865-0913Your Home Town Theater with affordable snacks!Gold Ridge 4H Steps Up!Gold Ridge 4-H has stepped up their community serviceefforts to help out with the tough economic times!!!By Gianna Pendleton, Gold Ridge 4-HOne of the main focuses in the4-H organization is to give back tothe community through communityservice projects. Gold Ridge 4-Hnormally hosts one community serviceproject each month. This year the clubhas realized that times are tough andaffecting more people and have decidedto help with more service projects.One of the projects originated byBrandon Riebli and taken over byGianna Pendleton & Cassie Reddingis the adoption of a troop in Iraq.The members of Gold Ridge arecollecting items to send to them.From miscellaneous necessity itemsto thoughtful wishes posted on agarland made of leaves were sentover. Going forward we will be sendinggift packages each month.The Arts & Craft project made fleecescarves that will be donated to theLiving Room in Santa Rosa to help outwomen & children in need. The SheepProject is collecting soda pop tabs to bedonated to the Ronald McDonald Housewhich benefit the families staying there.In October, Alex Browder coordinateda can food drive in October and donatedthe items to the local food bank. GiannaPendleton coordinated a pumpkincarving/decoration day at AppleValley Convalescent in Sebastopol. InNovember, Cory Corcoran coordinateda Thanksgiving tray favors projectand 90 tray favors were made byall the members and delivered toApple Valley Convalescent home forThanksgiving. Currently a coat/blanket drive is underway.Working with the Salvation Army,this year the Salvation Army has beenable to have 4-H volunteers ring thebell for holiday donations. Next yearmany other fun projects are in theworks. Since people need food all yearlong, not just during the holidays, wewill start January off with anotherfood drive.Valentine & Easter tray favors willbe made for the convalescent homes,Easter egg coloring will be done and ofcourse each month we will be sendingpackages to troops in war zones. Sincethe residents of convalescent homes areunable to have pets, we will be bringinganimals to visit them. The kids lovehearing stories from days of old beingshared by the residents.36 - www.westcountygazette.com - 1/15/09A good movie is comprised of manyelements. First is the story, thenacting,next editing, if a period piecethe set decoration and costume areimportant. Controlling all these is thedirector’s vision and decisions. DirectorDavid Fincher whose vision gave usSeven &Fight Club have gone in a wholenew direction in The Curious Case ofBenjamin Button. Starring Brad Pittin the title role, his curious case is heis born old and ages backward, towardyouth, childhood and eventuallybecomes an infant.The story begins on Armistice DayWorld War 1 1918 in New Orleans andmoves through the 20 th century andbeyond when Hurricane Katrina isabout to slam the birthplace of Jazz.Oddly enough these events are both thebeginning of this fascinating and welldone movie.The extraordinary Cate Blanchett isthe love of his life and since she agesthe usual way they manage to meetin the middle. This movie does runlong (2hours and 45 minutes), and myexperience is people either run hotor cold on the experience. I howeverfound this a thought provoking filmexamining ageing, love, and parentalresponsibility.Screen writers Eric Roth and RobinSwicord have done a wonderful jobweaving a story going in two directionsat once with humor, suspense and lotsof loving emotion.The Sebastopol Documentary FilmFestival is going to be happening fromMarch 6 th until March 8 th .They willbe screening 44 films at five differentvenues. These films have a wide range ofdiverse subjects. For more informationcontact www.SebastopolFilmFestival.org or call 707-829-4797My documentary pick this monthMan on Wire reminds me of an oldElectric Light Orchestra song Hold ontight to your dream, This is exactlywhat Philippe Petit French high wireartist did. While waiting for a dentistappointment in 1966 this man saw adrawing of the still to be built WorldTrade Towers. He promptly tore thepage out of the magazine and left thedentist office taking his toothache andstolen article with him. Mr. Petit knewat that moment he HAD TO string awire between these two towers andwalk 1,350 feet above New York City!He planned and trained and waiteduntil August 7, 1974 to achieve hisdream.This fascinating documentarychronicles his quest from that day in1966 until he lives the dream eight yearslater. This outrageous story is told withsuspense The wonderfully Frenchmusic soundtrack fits each situation toperfection.My home viewing pick this monthis The Duchess. A delightful frothyconfection of a film about a long pastera. The story is about GeorgianaSpencer who was Princess Dianna’s18 th Century ancestor. Both were thrustinto an arranged marriage while intheir teens. Georgiana (played be KeiraKnightly) was married to the Duke ofDevonshire (played by Ralph Fiennes)at the age of seventeen. Both husbandshad a roving eye and enjoyed a dallianceoutside of the marriage, finally bothwomen were icons of the fashion world.In Georgiana’s case it was mile highhair festooned with feathers. Thischapter in history is told with perfectpitch by cinematographer Gyula Padoswho with the help of costume designerMichael O’Connor and set decoratorRebecca Alleway have created anenvironment so authentic you are pulledinto the film as if you are witnessing thestory in person.The strict social code of behaviorand mandated political attitudes areon display and fascinatingly told withan eye towards the lack of power orinfluence of women then. Mr. Fiennesperformance as the Duke is nuanced,multi layered and quietly powerful.Director Saul Dibb has assembled allthe factors in making a great film andpresented it to us with such an easeand fluidity that you are barely awareof the complexity of knowledge beingpresented.

Artist ProfileBy Barbara Shulabshula@comcast.netHester ZoutendijkHester Zoutendijk is clearly a masterof drawing animals – horses, dogs,cats, sheep, cows …. The list goeson. Her sketches are created withgraphite or water soluble color pencilson 23 x 29 inch sheets of 100% ragvellum white paper with exact detailto the personality of the subject. I wasintroduced to Hester through a friendwho owns horses. My friend gaveme a beautiful note card with a highquality reproduction of a horse portrait.She mentioned that the horse was hergelding, Paragon. Little did I know thespecialness of this gesture until I metHester in her studio nestled in a fieldoff of Starr Road outside of Windsor.Horse enthusiasts have knownHester as a horse trainer and teacher ofdressage since her arrival in SonomaCounty in 1990. Her home is on a twoacre horse ranch and her professionallife was totally consumed with horses.In 2000, Hester was kicked by a horsein the forearm while training. Theinjury was serious and the trauma wasa wakeup call for Hester. She beganexperiencing fear while working withthe horses which, of course, they couldsense. She had a six year old daughterand a wonderful husband and sheneeded to pursue a less physicallydemanding profession.He ster h a s d raw n c r eat u r e sthroughout her life. She liked to createfantasy animals and funny sketchesto amuse herself and her large familyduring her childhood. She also has anaffinity for the animal world and earlyin her life found that she was a naturalvegetarian. She remembers as a childsaving her money to purchase cagedbirds at the pet store, sketching themand then releasing them into freedom.She attended an art school in SouthAmerica as a teenager and eventuallygraduated from the Royal Academy ofArt in Amsterdam. Her deep connectionwith animals allows her to portray thepersonality of the animal and not justthe superficial exterior appearance. Shedrew her first animal portrait of a JackRussell in 1992 as a gift for a friend. Theresponse was delight. Hester’s abilityto capture the essence of an animalcreated a loyal following of pet andlivestock owners who wished to havetheir companions memorialized in awork of fine art. Although Hester hasalways exercised her artist skills, theefforts were for her personal pleasureand not something that she considereda professional activity. That all changedwithin six months of the accident.As always, I wanted to know the storyof Hester’s journey to Sonoma County.With the surname of Zoutendijk, thereis little doubt that Hester is Dutch. Butaccording to Hester, “Holland wasnot large enough to handle” her, heradventurous parents and her sevensiblings. Shortly aftershe was born, Hester’sparents moved theireight children to theDutch Colony of NewGuinea where herfather was a schoolpr i nc ipa l. Theyremained there untilNew Guinea revertedback to Indonesia.Th e Z out e nd ijk sreturned to Hollandfor a few years andt hen vent ured toSuriname, a DutchColony located on the northern edge ofSouth America where Hester’s fatherstarted a center for performing arts. Atage 17, Hester left her family to attendthe Royal Academy of Art in Holland.After school, Hester sailed, traveledand recorded her adventures throughsketching. She eventually returnedto Holland and began working withhorses. On vacation, she visited oneof her sisters who lived on Mark WestSpring Road. Recognizing that SonomaCounty offered one of the best yearround climates in the world, she movedhere in 1990 bringing her horse, dog andparrot. She finally had found a placewhere she could settle down and growreal roots.Seeing Hester’s work is a specialtreat. I learned while visiting her thatwith each original portrait, she providesan 8.5 x 11 print and two note cardswith smaller prints. I now hold one ofthose small prints of Paragon. Hesterhas ventured into Sonoma Countylandscapes that always include somecreature, baby portraits and otherobservations. You will find her workat the St. Helena Hometown HarvestFaire, Windsor Town Green events(check out the Windsor Official Website2008 Fine Art Gallery) and varioushorse shows. Hauck Cellars has gracedtheir Sauvignon Blanc with a portrait ofwinery dog Margaux by Hester. Twovenues in Windsor, Lupe’s Restaurantand Copperstone Coffee Shop currentlyhave exhibits of Hester’s work. Checkout www.portraitsbyhester.com forprints for sale, price lists for customportraits and to learn more aboutHester.You can email your comments to bshula@comcast.net1/15/09 - www.westcountygazette.com - 37

38 - www.westcountygazette.com - 1/15/09Ask EcoGirlBy Patricia DinesEcoGirl@askecogirl.infowww.AskEcoGirl.infoHappy Traveling onPublic TransitDear EcoGirl: I want to use public transit,both for the planet’s well-being and myconvenience, but I’m not sure how to start.Any advice?Signed, Stuck in TrafficDear Stuck: Thank you for your question.Yes, using public transit is a wonderfulway for us to help decrease car pollution,reverse global climate change, embodya greener lifestyle, and trim our wealthtransfer to oil-rich nations. Accordingto the Union of Concerned Scientists,transportation is the largest source of U.S.air pollution and accounts for over 25% ofour greenhouse gas emissions.Shifting to public transit can alsobring personal benefits, reducingdriving hassles and cutting costs forgas, insurance, repairs, and parking.I see it as a “chauffeur for the rest ofus,” transforming tense travel timeinto a chance to read, write, ponder,savor the scenery, connect with newfolks, and experience our community inricher detail. Plus, our patronage bringsvital support to the system, especiallyimportant with today’s governmentcutbacks.Getting Started• Begin with something easy, such asplanning one trip. Consider how you’dtake transit to work, school, shopping,the airport, a park, or an event. Look firstfor journeys that don’t require transfersand where timing isn’t critical, to helpkeep things relaxed. Use the resourcesbelow to identify appropriate routes,stop locations, schedules, costs, andparking options. (Note: Sports fans mightbe interested in Golden Gate Transit’sexpress bus from Santa Rosa to 49ersgames.)• Explore bus routes that stop near yourhouse, visiting recreational destinationsalong their paths. (This idea comes fromtransit advocate Alice Linn.)• Play with others. For instance, journeywith friends to San Francisco or the coast.(For the latter, columnist Tish Leveerecommends Sonoma County Transit’ssummer route 29.) Also, Sebastopol Walks(info@sebastopol.org, 823-3032) offersbus-walk trips that combine exercise andcamaraderie.• Experiment with various types oftrips, to learn what works best for you.Note: Some workplaces offer free transitpasses to employees!Key Resources• Peruse information about area transitsystems at www.511.org or call 511(toll-free). Here you’ll find route maps,© CopyrightPatriciaDines, 2008.All rightsreserved.schedules, and fares, plus information ondiscount passes, bringing bikes on transit,and accessibility.Another useful resource is Getting Thereon Transit, with overview maps of BayArea systems. Download it at (www.mtc.ca.gov/library/getting_there/Getting_There_On_Transit-07.pdf) or request a freeprint copy from 510-817-5836 or (library@mtc.ca.gov). It’s from 2007, so confirm anyroute specifics.• Learn the local options. Start withSonoma County Transit (www.sctransit.com, 576-7433, 800-345-7433), whichlinks to various city systems. Alsolook at Golden Gate Transit (www.goldengate.org, 415-455-2000), whichgoes to San Francisco via both busand ferry. Download their New Rider’sGuide at (http://goldengatetransit.org/services/publications.php). These twotransit agencies can link you to other areasystems and points beyond.Traveling Tips• Prepare for your comfort. Dress forexpected temperatures, ideally in layers,and with comfortable shoes. Bring water,maybe a snack, plus items to amuseyourself, such as reading or knitting.• Make the connection. To ensure thatyou catch your bus, confirm that yourschedule is current and arrive a littleearly. Bring exact change, a timepiecewith the correct time, and the schedulein case your plans shift. Check that you’reat the right transit agency’s stop, on thecorrect side of the street, and boardingthe desired bus.• Enjoy the adventure. Your travel timecan be an opportunity to get work done,find new perspectives, share engagingconversations, and discover new places.Riders often experience memorableinteractions. For example, Novato’s LionelGambill recalls meeting a Mongolianwoman grateful that here she’s allowed totravel without her husband. Alice Tuckerfondly remembers singing Motownon Route 20 to the River one night andmeeting an Internet bride from theUkraine. “Driving in a car can isolate youfrom people,” Alice comments. “It’s goodto know your species.”Santa Rosa’s Marsha Vas Dupre lovesriding the MTA route from Santa Rosato Sea Ranch. “Most riders are regulars,”she says, who chat with each otherand welcome new passengers intoconversations. Plus, she adds, “It’s soooogreat not to have to drive and to be able tolook at the incredibly beautiful scenery!”And, of course, to feel part of creating ahealthier world and future for all.Thank you to the riders who shared theirperspectives with me.

New Years ResolutionsHappy New Year West CountyGardeners! I hope you had a joyfulHoliday Season and are ready to diveinto a productive year in the gardenwith me. I thought I would share withyou some of my hopes for my gardenin 2009: perhaps you may be inspiredto try some of the same.First, I want to continue to learnmore about soils, plants, climates, andtechniques to improve my garden.There are so many great educationalopportunities for gardeners here inSonoma county that it is a shame notto take advantage of at least a few.Try the free educational programs atlocal nurseries that are announcedhere in the Gazette: I will be teachinga class at Bassignani’s Nursery onJanuary 10 on Rose Pruning, and TonyBassignani teaches about Fruit TreeCare on January 24.If you want to learn more about caringfor your plants, don’t miss my Hands-On Pruning Intensive on January 17 th :for only $20 you will receive a morning’sinstruction and practice in pruning forroses, shrubs, perennials, and evensmall trees! (e-mail bluehilldesign9@aol.com to register: class size is limited,so please register soon). I will also beteaching a 6 week class ‘DesigningSustainable Gardens’ with my friendand fellow garden designer RuthBracken beginning in February (seeSRJC Community Education websitefor registration).There are great classes for a reasonableprice at the Santa Rosa Junior College: Ihope to take Dave Fazio’s class ’UniqueShrubs, Vines and Groundcoversfor Nothern California’ this spring.Try a weekend seminar offered byHorticulture Magazine (www.hortmag.com), or the Garden Conservancy OpenDays (www.gardenconservancy.org) forexciting learning opportunities. And forthose of you who are really ambitious,consider the Master Gardener program(camastergardeners.ucdavis.edu) fora really in-depth learning experience.No time for classes? Why notsubscribe to a new magazine this year?Sunset is an old standby, of course,but I also enjoy Horticulture, OrganicGardening, and Fine Gardening. Thisis an easy way to learn and be inspiredin your gardening.Second, I want to make my gardenas sustainable and earth-friendly aspossible. I will continue to work tomake my irrigation systems as efficientas possible to avoid wasting water,and I will decrease the size of my lawn(the most water intensive part of anygarden).I plan to increase my composting ofkitchen wastes, which will improve thehealth of my garden and soil. Thereare so many ways to compost that eachof us should be able to find a simpleand relatively easy way to make ourown great ‘brown gold’ to nourishour plants. And if you can’t makeyour own compost, you can buy fromSonoma Compost wonderful productsmade from local household greenwaste (Improved Mallard Mulch is myfavorite for both soil amendment andmulching).I will use only natural methods ofpest and weed control, even if it meansa little more work: I hope that you willall join me in this resolution to improvethe health of our planet, our familiesand our fellow creatures on this earth.I plan to contribute to the largergarden community this year: there areso many ways that we can help others!Community gardens like Harvest forthe Hungry in Santa Rosa always needhelp, and every school in the county hasa garden which can use volunteers. Orperhaps you have an elderly neighbor orfamily member who would appreciateyour help in making their garden morebeautiful.On a more national level you shouldconsider becoming a member of theGarden Conservancy or Royal OakSociety: both excellent organizationsdedicated to preserving some trulyspectacular gardens for the future.I will spend time in my garden eachday: even on a rainy and cloudy day,it is invigorating for my spirit to beoutside in the fresh air, exercising andenjoying my plants. Eat outside, sitoutside, enjoy your garden with yourfamily and friends.I resolve to have fun in my gardenand try something new this year. I hopeyou will join me!1/15/09 - www.westcountygazette.com - 39

WheelAries: The planet thatrules Aries is Mars. Itenters Aquarius on the 4thand conjuncts Jupiter onthe 11th. This offers thepotential to expand yourof Lightchanges that are oriented to new, liberating 3/21-4/199/23-10/22states of consciousness and patterns ofwww.starwatcher.comRio OleskyFebruary 2009Jupiter is the archetype of expansion.It can expand attitudinally, being positive,enthusiastic and joyful. It can suggestexpansion in terms of opportunities. Andit can bring expansion to the mind throughacademic as well as spiritual learning.Jupiter transits through each sign inabout 12 months. Last month, on January5, Jupiter entered Aquarius, where it willremain until January 2010.Aquarius has been called the sign ofhumanity. It represents the desire to reachout to everyone and perceive all of us aspart of the human family. It is inventiveand inspiring and prefers to be on thecutting edge of change. Yet, for all of itstendency to be inclusive, it is also one ofthe most independent of the signs. TheAquarian paradox is the challenge to beopen and friendly while maintaining asense of individuality.Another paradox is that Aquarius isco-ruled by Saturn and Uranus. In its loweroctave influence, the Saturnine influenceindicates a tendency to be controlling. TheUranian influence can be detached andaloof. The combination can cause Aquariusto have an „above it all‰ attitude.In a more centered way, Uranuscan provide a big picture, conceptualunderstanding to what is, and aninspiration of what could be. Saturnprovides the discipline and structureto actually embody what could be arevolutionary concept.The influence of Jupiter in Aquarius,therefore, could have the followingmanifestations. If we are centered, wecould feel ourselves inspired to break outof old patterns of thinking and behaving.We could change by being open to differentkinds of people and experiences than weever have been. We could relate morereadily to new forms of technology and beready for new techniques of consciousnessdevelopment.If we are off-center, we could getcarried away with too much enthusiasmfor new ideas or social situations andget overextended. We could relate toothers so idealistically that our potentialfor fulfillment or satisfaction in thosesituations is minimized. Alternatively, wecould get carried away with our concept ofthe way things are or should be and relateto anyone with a different mind set in ademeaning or reductive way.Any of the patterns come into veryhigh and clear focus in mid-month, asMars moves into a conjunction with Jupiterfrom approximately the 11th -24th. Thisaspect will provide more drive, energy anda sense of independence to the enthusiasmof Jupiter. It could also bring more courageor willingness to take risks and makebehavior. One of the challenges at that timeis to not get carried away with too muchtheory or idealism. This aspect could alsobring a sense and attitude of entitlementthat actually limits, rather than liberates.Meanwhile, the co-rulers of Aquarius,Saturn and Uranus, remain in opposition toeach other all month. This aspect began inSeptember and will continue until Marchand returning again from late Augustthrough mid October. As mentioned inprevious columns, this aspect representsthe classic conflict between the traditional,conservative, authoritarian elements oflife with those that are more progressiveand innovative. Saturn is the box of rulesand regulations we are supposed tofollow. Aquarius is always outside thatbox, looking at life through the lens ofthe outsider, the rebel. This month, withthis aspect complimented by Jupiter andMars, these forces could become morecontentious or even bombastic. Some olderastrology books refer to the Mars-Jupiterconjunction as productive of tremendousanger or rage.A way to avoid the downside potentialof these influences is by integrating theirvarious energies in a cohesive way inwhich neither neither the old nor thenew elements of your life dominate at theexpense of the other. Certainly the forcesof change have the upper hand here. Butit is not time to forget about the old andtime honored just to start somethingunencumbered by our past. In fact, byincluding the wisdom of experience inthe equation of strategic change, we aremore likely to be successful in whateverchanges we make.In the chart of the United States, Jupiteris transiting the second house. Amongother things, this area of life experiencedeals with resources and assets andthe way in which we use them to creatematerial security. Jupiter in this area cancreate a positive, even abundant flowof resources. In the face of numerableaspects that suggest a very dark time forus economically, this is one transit thatsuggests otherwise. It provides energy toutilize our collective resources in waysthat coincide with our traditional valuesof thrift and financial self-reliance. It alsooffers the possibility of expanding theflow of income throughout the country.This could come from expanding ourinvestment in technology (Aquarius) andspecifically, technology that is orientedto things such as clean energy andenvironmental health. However, the senseof entitlement referred to above could alsoexpand our recent history of greed andcontinue the economic downturn bothfor families and the government. It willbe interesting to see how this energy willbe utilized as the year unfolds.40 - www.westcountygazette.com - 1/15/09life socially. This is a goodtime to initiate either new relationships ornew elements in pre-existing ones. Yourconfidence, enthusiasm and willingnessto take risks are very strong this month.Growth comes from integrating thesequalities into your life in ways that enhancethe relationships, not your own sense of self.Taurus: This is a timeto foc u s on h a r mony.This could be t hroughrelationships, the arts or evenspending time on personal4/20-5/20appearance. Growth comesfrom avoiding emotionalextremes. Becoming obsessively attachedto a person, feelings about that person,or to the state or nature of a relationshiplimits the potential for harmony. Similarly,seeking to avoid closeness altogetherprevents any opportunity to connect in adeep, meaningful way.Gemini: This is a goodtime to undertake a newstudy, take a trip or sharewhat you know with others.The sharing could take the5/21-6/20form of writing as well asspeaking. Teaching couldalso prove exciting to you,inspiring to others. Your mind is ultrainventive, but the challenge is to not get socarried away with the ideas that they don‚tmanifest in practical ways.Cancer: The full Moonon the 9th will be a lunareclipse. The bad news aboutthis is that we usually feel apeak of energy and clarity6/21-7/22at the time of the full Moonwhich is often minimizedwith the eclipse. The good news is thatthere could be insights and inspiration thatmanifest spontaneously and that pertain toconsciousness development, compassionrelating to others or creative expression.Leo: Early month couldb r i n g t h e d e s i r e f o rincreased alone time. Thiscould be spent in creativeexpression or pursuing a7/23-8/22spiritual discipline. Midmonthbrings physical andsocial energy and lots of joyful enthusiasmabout your life both now and in the future.Growth comes from using these influencesin ways that both enhance your own senseof individuality as well as provide supportand encouragement to others.Virgo: This is a good time tolearn new work-related skillsor to refine and improveold ones. Learning moreabout health maintenance8/23-9/22or actually implementinga new health care regimenis also supported. It could also be a goodtime to hire new employees. Growth comesfrom avoiding worry that comes fromhaving either idealistic expectations abouta situation or getting over extended andfearing you can‚t honor commitments.Libra: Relationship is invery high focus for youthis month. This is a goodtime to either start a newrelationship or to initiatean element or behavior intoa pre-existing one. Growthcomes from maintaining your sense of self,and equanimity. When the emotions getintense, which they could in early month.This is a good time to work on being moreemotionally open and honest in yourprimary relationship.Scorpio: A mont ho f e x t r e m e s . O n einfluence involves socialactiv it ies, espec iallywith family, neighbors10/23-11/21or good friends. Growthcomes from relating inthoughtful, harmoniousways even when the energies get intense.Simultaneously you may feel moreexpansive toward your family in newways. You could be open to making, eveninitiating, domestic changes that enableeveryone in the family to feel more seenand accepted.Sagittarius: Jupiter isyour ruling planet and itstransit through Aquariusshould feel comfortableto you. Like Aquarius,11/22-12/21Sag it tarius is h ighlyindependent. They arealso similar in their embrace of the bigpicture. Growth for you this year comesfrom being more outgoing socially, evenwilling to take certain risks in that area. Atthe same time, learn to be more acceptingand inclusive of others, especially withdifferent points of view.Capricorn: The energythis month could pullyou inward. You couldfocus either on creating amore pleasant relationship12/22-1/19with yourself or a moreharmonious interactionwith your family. Or both. The challengesare not being too self-critical or trying torun the show by being excessively criticalof others. Growth comes from being selfacceptingeven as you strive to changeelements of yourself that you don‚t like.Aquarius: Jupiter‚stransit through Aquariusthis year should increaseyo u r s e l f- c o n f ide n c eas well as producing a1/20-2/18positive outlook on yourlife both now and into thefuture. This transit could also impel youto new experiences, some social and somepertaining to consciousness development.Taking some classes, writing or committingmore time to spiritual pursuits are realisticways of taking advantage of Jupiter inAquarius.Pisces: The new Moonin Pisces on the 24thprovides a significantopportunity to focusinward. This could help2/19-3/20enhance your spiritualpath or even enable youto work through and release old emotionalbaggage left over from past relationships.Pay attention to your dreams and anyprofound intuitive insights you have justprior to the new Moon. The informationcontained therein could prove enlightening.

MeetingsJan 15 ~ Russian River RedevelopmentOversight Committee (RRROC) ~ ThirdThursday of each month at 6:00 pm. Oddmonths: Veteran’s Hall, 1st & Church,Guerneville. Even months: Monte Rio CommunityCenter, 20488 Hwy 116, Monte Rio~ www.microbulletinboard.com/schedulesJan 21 ~ Forestville Historical Society ~Meetings the third Wednesday of everymonth. 7:00 pm in the Conference Roomof the Forestville School Library, Highway116 at Travis Rd., Forestville ~ Ron Davis,707-823-2921 ~ www.sonic.net/forestvilleJan 27 ~ Salmon Creek Watershed CouncilMeeting ~ fourth Tuesday of each month at6:30pm. Black Oak Room, at Salmon CreekSchool, 1935 Bohemian Hwy. Occidental ~David Shatkin, dshatkin@sonic.netFeb 5, 19 ~ PRMD Planning CommissionMeetings ~ first & third Thursday of eachmonth. 1:00 pm at Permit & Resource ManagementDepartment Hearing Room, 2550Ventura Ave, Santa Rosa ~ www.sonomacounty.org/prmdFeb 4 ~ Forestville Chamber of Commerce~ first Wednesday of every month. 5:30 pmat Food for Thought, 6550 Railroad Ave,Forestville ~ 707-887-1111 ~ www.forestvillechamber.orgFeb 5 ~ In Home Support Services ~ Caregivers’support meeting the first Thursdayof every month. 4:30 pm at the GuernevilleRegional Library, 14107 Armstrong WoodsRd ~ www.sonomacounty-ihsspa.orgFeb 7 ~ AGV Watershed Council Meeting~ first Saturday of every month, 10-12 noon.Info & location, Jean Redus, 707-823-2006 ~www.atascaderogreenvalleywatershed.netFeb 9 ~ Russian River Interfaith Coalition(RRIC) ~ Monthly on second Monday. 6:30pm at St Hubert’s Hall, 4th St & 5th Street,Guerneville ~ 707-865-1200 ~ www.microbulletinboard.com/IC/index.htmFeb 10 ~ Bodega Volunteer Fire DepartmentBoard Meetings ~ 2nd Tuesday of eachmonth, 7:30 pm at McCaughey Hall, Bodega~ www.bodegafire.orgFeb 10 ~ Russian River Historical Society~ Meetings are the 2nd Tuesday of everyMonth at 6:30. Anyone who is interested isinvited! Russian River Historical SocietyRoom at the Monte Rio Community Center,20488 Highway 116, Monte Rio ~ www.russianriverhistory.orgFeb 11 ~ Progressive Democrats SonomaCounty ~ Visitors and New Members arewelcome at our meeting on the 2nd Wednesdayof each month. 6:00 pm, arrive, orderfood, socialize; meeting begins 6:30 pm atFrench Garden Restaurant, 8050 BodegaAvenue, Sebastopol ~ www.pdsonoma.orgTuesdays ~ Noon Toastmasters ~ growand excel in communication and leadership.All are welcome. 11:30 am at the Center forSpiritual Living, 2075 Occidental Road,Santa Rosa ~ 707-836-8876 ~ www.toastmasters.orgTuesdays ~ Russian River Rotary ~ Serviceabove Self. 6:30 pm at Highland Dell Lodge,21050 River Blvd., Monte Rio ~ 707-869-0808~ www.russianriverrotary.orgPEACE VIGILRemembering lives lostIn the Iraq WarFRIDAY EVENINGS, 6:30PMForestville United Methodist Church6550 Covey Road, ForestvilleInfo: Katherine Best-Smith 887-2020ResourcesAl-Anon ~ Support to friends and familiesof alcoholics dealing with the problemsof alcohol abuse. Two on-going and wellestablishedmeetings in Guerneville. Mondays,7:30 pm and Saturdays, 9:15 am at theRussian River Senior Center, back room,15010 Armstrong Woods Rd, Guerneville~ 24-hour Information Line , 707-575-6760Clutterers Anonymous ~ offering help tothe true clutterer, who is overwhelmed bydisorder. Every second Friday, 2:00 to 4:00pm at City Life Fellowship Building, 2425Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa ~ Ann, 707-569-9808 ~ www.clutterersanonymous.netCo-Dependents Anonymous ~ CODA isan anonymous meeting for people whowant to improve the quality of their relationships.Meeting held on Thursdays,7:00-8:00 pm at the Russian River CommunitySenior Center, 15010 ArmstrongWoods Rd, GuernevilleDisability Services & Legal Center(DSLC) ~ a non-profit agency establishedto advance the rights of persons with disabilitiesto equal justice, access, opportunityand participation in our communities.980 Hopper Ave., Santa Rosa ~ 707-528-2745 (voice) or 707-528-2151 (TTY) ~ www.cri-dove.orgElder Financial Protection Network(EFPN) ~ works to prevent financial abuseof elders through innovative partnershipsthat build public awareness, drive communityoutreach and provide professionaltraining. To report suspected elder abuse,call toll free 1-888-436-3600 (24 hours). Reportsof suspected abuse are kept strictlyconfidential ~ www.bewiseonline.orgFamily Service Agency ~ Do you or yourfamily need counseling but can’t afford it?Family Service Agency therapists offer helpfor everyone: children, adolescents, adults,couples and families. $30 per session. Assistanceavailable. Mon-Fri, 9:00 am to 8:00pm at 751 Lombardi Court, Suite C, SantaRosa (off Sebastopol Rd near Stony PointRd) ~ 707-545-4551 x210 (English) or x209(Español) ~ www.familyservicesonoma.orgHospice House ~ Food for your mind, body& spirit! An evening of conversation andinformation over light snacks and coffee.Wednesdays, 7:00-9:00 pm at Hospice ofPetaluma, 416 Payran St., Petaluma ~ 707-778-6242 ~ www.memorialhospice.org/hospice_petaluma.aspxRiver to Coast Children’s Services (RCCS)~ Serving west Sonoma County with childcare assistance (families & providers),Kindergym & Infantgym, car safety seatprogram, family counseling. 16300 1st St.,Guerneville ~ 707-869-3613 ~ www.rccservices.orgRussian River Empowerment Center ~A mental health and wellness, consumerdriven, drop-in center offering supportgroups, peer counseling, creative activities,referrals and a safe community environment.Free and confidential membership.A West County Community Services project.Hours: Tue-Wed-Thu 11:30-5:30, & Fri11:30-6:30. 16229 Third Street, off ArmstrongWoods Road, Guerneville ~ 707-604-7264 ~www.westcountyservices.orgTeen Clinic ~ Pregnancy testing & counseling,birth control choices, sexuallytransmitted disease testing and treatment,emergency contraception, free condoms.Teen staff, relaxed atmosphere, snacks. Freeand confidential. No appointment needed!Mon, Tues, & Thurs 2:30-5:30 pm at CASA,6570 1st St., Forestville ~ 707-887-0427 ~www.wchealth.orgUnited Against Sexual Assault ~ UASAfacilitates healing and promotes the preventionof violence by providing counseling,advocacy, intervention, and education. 835Piner Road, Suite D, Santa Rosa ~ Business:707-545-7270 ~ 24/7 Crisis Line: 707-545-7273~ www.uasasonoma.orgVeterans’ Group ~ A group for all Veteransin West Sonoma County. To receive notifications,call Fred, 707-869-2948, or email yourcontact info to johnnyu00@hotmail.comWatchers of Weight (WOW) ~ Support forhealthy eating & weight loss goals. Membership$10/Weekly meeting $5. Wednesdays,5:30 pm at the Monte Rio CommunityCenter, 20488 Highway 116, Monte Rio ~707-865-9956 ~ www.mrrpd.orgWomen’s Alcoholics Anonymous ~ Mondaysat 7:30pm at the Russian River SeniorCenter, 15010 Armstrong Woods Road,Guerneville ~ AA Hotline 544-1300SONOMACOUNTYCALENDARON-LINE:Log on to:www.westcountygazette.comALL MONTH LONGcomplete withGoogle maps!February 12Issue Deadline:Feb. 21/15/09 - www.westcountygazette.com - 41

Classes toSeminarsunder $50Take Back Your Health ~ a fun-filled 12-week nutrition lecture series with CertifiedNutrition Educator, Misty Humphrey. $10per session or $100 for all 12. HollydaleCommunity Club, 10250 Field Lane (OldRiver Road & Frank Street) ~ Details andto RSVP: 707-887-0561Jan 17 ~ Entering the Heart ~ Discoverthe daily meditation practice of KadampaBuddhists. Come to any or all sessionsfor explanation of different aspects. $10single/$25 all, by donation. 9:00, 11:00, 2:00,4:00, 7:00 at Compassion Kadampa BuddhistCenter, 120 North St, Healdsburg ~ 707-293-8096 ~ www.meditationinhealdsburg.orgHow to Beat the High Cost of College ~Montgomery Taylor, CPA, CFP, a collegefunding advisor, will reveal the “closelyguarded” inside secrets of college financialplanning. 7:15 pm. The workshop is free, butreservations are required. Call day or night,707-522-0259Jan 22 ~ City Life Fellowship, 2425Mendocino Avenue, Santa RosaJan 27 ~ Odd Fellows Hall, 545 PacificAvenue, Santa RosaJan 24 ~ Transit-Oriented Development101 ~ Now that SMART Train and Pathwaypassed, we need to be ready for what comesnext. $10-30, scholarships available. Lightrefreshments provided. 10:00am-12:30pmat the Environmental Center, 55A RidgewayAve, Santa Rosa ~ RSVP 707-571-8868 ~www.conservationaction.orgJan 25 ~ Optimum Health throughEssential Oils ~ Lynn Kwitt demonstrateshow essential oils naturally balance thesystems of the body. This will be a funclass, so come relax and play! $30.00. 1:00-3:00 pm in the Gaslight Apts. Rec. Room,3637 Sonoma Ave., Santa Rosa ~ RSVP707-570-0751 or 707-280-5449 ~ www.wholisticapproaches.comJan 31 ~ Financial Management Workshop~ Got Control (over your money)? Get Help(with your budget)! Hands-on workshopon budgeting & money management, plusclothing exchange. 10:00-Noon at River toCoast Children’s Services, 16300 1st Streetat Church, Guerneville ~ RSVP 707-869-3613~ www.rccservices.orgJan 31 ~ Mediation for Stress-Free Living~ with Marshall Zaslove, M.D. 1:00 pm atthe Guerneville Library, 14107 ArmstrongWoods Road, Guerneville ~ 707-869-9004 ~www.sonomalibrary.orgFeb 7 ~ Law of Attraction Coaching Group~ Tools, support, and encouragement. Dropinswelcome! By donation; all proceedsbenefit local non-profits. Facilitated byEdward Mills. 9:30am-12:15pm the firstSaturday of each month at the Glaser Center,547 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa ~ 707-824-0554 ~ www.edwardmills.comFeb 7 ~ Truffles for your Sweet Baboo ~Make your own truffles & Valentine’s Daygifts in this yummy workshop. 9:00-Noon &1:00–4:00pm at Charles M. Schulz Museum,2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa ~ RSVP 707-284-1263 ~ www.schulzmuseum.orgFeb 10 ~ The Power of Yum! ~ CeresCommunity Project presents an eveningwith Rebecca Katz, author of One Bite at aTime: Nourishing Recipes for Cancer Survivorsand Their Friends. Rebecca shares recipes anda demo on dishes that boost the immunesystem! 5:00-7:00 pm. Location TBA. RSVP:info@ceresproject.org or jo@ceresproject.orgFeb 14 ~ Unraveling the Mysteries ofLove ~ Come hear the Buddhist view aboutlove in a festive atmosphere. Anonymousquestions answered by a ‘Love Panel.’ $25individual/$40 couple. 11:45-3:00 pm at theCompassion Kadampa Buddhist Center,120 North St, Healdsburg ~ 707-293-8096 ~www.meditationinhealdsburg.orgWeekly Meditation Sessions ~ $10/bydonation. Compassion Kadampa BuddhistCenter, 120 North St., Healdsburg ~ 707-293-8096 ~ www.meditationinhealdsburg.orgSundays ~ Prayers and Meditations for WorldPeace ~ 11:15am-12:30pmWednesdays ~ Meditation for Everyone ~7:00-8:15 pmFridays ~ Noon-Time Meditation ~ ‘til-1:00 pmMondays & Wednesdays ~ Figure StudySessions ~ Drop-in & draw, paint orsculpt from a live model. All levels; yourmaterials (no turpenoid or solvents). Age18+. Mondays, Noon-3:00, $15. Wednesdays,7:00-10:00 pm, $10. Sebastopol Center for theArts, 6780 Depot St, Sebastopol ~ 707-829-4797 ~ www.sebarts.orgThursdays ~ Brazilian Dance ~ Each classa unique blend of Brazilian, African, Jazz,Silvestre Technique, Improvisation, Yogaand Song. Thursdays, 7:30–9:00pm, justdrop in! Sebastopol Community Center,390 Moris Street, Sebastopol ~ Leah Weiss,707-874-2782 ~ www.artsguaracyana.comKIDS Stuff!Family Fun Series ~ Come an hour early at5:30 pm for free fun with art! Show at 6:30pm at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts,Ruth Finley Person Theater, 50 Mark WestSprings Road, Santa Rosa ~ 707-546-3600 ~www.wellsfargocenterarts.orgJan 15 ~ Peking Acrobats, Tickets $15 Child,$20 AdultFeb 3 ~ The Ant and the Elephant, $11 Child,$16 AdultStarting Jan 21 ~ Orff Music and MovementClasses ~ A joyful approach to music anddance education for children ages 4-9.Enroll now! Classes at Wischemann Hall,460 Eddie Ln, Sebastopol ~ Director JanetGreene, 707-632-5526Jan 21 to June 7 ~ Down the Drain ~ araindrop’s journey from cloud to creek.Free admission w/ paid parking. Wed-Sun, Noon-5:00 pm at the EnvironmentalDiscovery Center of Sonoma County atSpring Lake Regional Park ~ 707-539-2865~ www.sonoma-county.org/parks/edc.htm42 - www.westcountygazette.com - 1/15/09How to Beat the High Cost of College ~Montgomery Taylor, CPA, CFP, a collegefunding advisor, will reveal the “closelyguarded” inside secrets of college financialplanning. 7:15 pm. The workshop is free, butreservations are required. Call day or night,707-522-0259Jan 22 ~ City Life Fellowship, 2425Mendocino Avenue, Santa RosaJan 27 ~ Odd Fellows Hall, 545 PacificAvenue, Santa RosaMondays thru Feb 23 ~ Mommy and Me ~Children aged 1–5 and their adult guardians:stories, movement games, and art & drawingprojects. $5 per child, adults free before11:00am. 10:00am-Noon at Charles M. SchulzMuseum, 2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa ~707-284-1265 ~ www.schulzmuseum.orgPreschool Storytime ~ Stories, songs, &fingerplays for children ages 2-5, with acaregiver. Free! ~ www.sonomalibrary.orgTuesdays ~ 11:00 am at the GuernevilleRegional Library, 14107 Armstrong WoodsRd ~ 707-869-9004Wednesdays ~ 10:30 am at the SebastopolRegional Library, 7140 Bodega Ave ~ 707-823-7691NATUREJan 17 ~ Hike Tolay Lake Regional Park~ 2-hour guided tour with optional BYOlunch after hike. 11:00am-1:00pm at TolayLake Regional Park, Lakeville Hwy atCannon Lane, Petaluma ~ RSVP 707-565-2730 ~ www.sonoma-county.org/parks/pk_tolay.htmJan 17 ~ LagunaKeepers Workday ~ (Raindate: January 24) Middle Reach. Help uscut and install willow sprigs to stabilizebare spots or minor erosion. Snacks are onus; Bring gloves, water, and friends! Onlyheavy rain cancels. Meet at Stone Farm, 900Sanford Road, Santa Rosa to caravan to thesite. 9:00am–Noon ~ 707-527-9277 x108 ~www.lagunafoundation.orgCommunity Education Seminar/DocentTraining ~ $15 per seminar; regularvolunteers Free. RSVP required. RubyHerrick, 707-869-9177 x1#, rherrick@mcn.org~ www.stewardsofthecoastandredwoods.orgJan 24 ~ Principles of Interpretation &Interpretation with Children. 10:00-3:30with lunch break.Feb 7 ~ Tidepool Orientation & IntertidalExploration. 10:00-4:00 with lunch break.Feb 14 ~ Pinnipeds, Coastal Birds, & SealWatch Program Logistics. 9:00-3:30 withlunch break.Jan 25, Feb 14 ~ Cotati Creek StewardshipDays ~ Tasks such as planting, weeding,mulching, refurbishing used tools. Allwelcome, rain or shine! Second Saturdays9:00am–Noon & last Sundays 10:00am–1:00pm. Meet at ‘Ladybug Lot’ (Cityof Cotati Well Lot #2 next to LadybugPark), Lakewood Ave, Cotati ~ RSVPto Jenny Blaker, 707-792-4422 ~ www.cotaticreekcritters.infoFeb 2 ~ Sonoma County Oaks ~ Theident ificat ion, biolog y, ecolog y, &management of Sonoma County’s oaks,with reference to the impacts of agriculture,urbanization & disease. Refreshmentsprovided. Donations welcome. 7:00 pm atthe Ray Miller Community Center, 216 E.School St. (behind City Hall), Cotati ~ 707-792-4422 ~ www.cotaticreekcritters.infoLaguna Docent Training Orientation ~Learn about the Laguna Docent TrainingProgram beginning March 16, continuingon Mondays thru May 18. ~ 707-527-9277x102 ~ www.lagunafoundation.orgFeb 10 ~ 6:30-8:00 pm at the SebastopolLibrary, 7140 Bodega Ave.Feb 23 ~ 6:30-8:00 pm at the Central SantaRosa Library, 211 E St. at 3rd.Feb 14 ~ Mushroom Hunt & Cook-up ~Hunt for seasonal finds, discuss huntingetiquette, & notables. Afterwards, cookup edible finds and enjoy a potluck picnic.Fee: $30 & potluck picnic item. (Kids ½price.) 10:00-3:00 pm at Salt Point StatePark. Registration: Charmoon Richardson,Wild About Mushrooms, PO Box #1088,Forestville, CA 95436 ~ 707-829-2063 ~ www.wildaboutmushrooms.netFeb 15 ~ Mushroom Identification Class ~Learn the basics: terminology, techniques,spore prints, using ID keys, and muchmore. Classroom & outdoor time. Specimendisplay included. Fee: $49/$46 for members.10:00-4:30 with the Pt. Reyes Field Seminarsat the Pt. Reyes National Seashore Visitors’Center ~ RSVP 415-663-1200 ~ www.wildaboutmushrooms.netWednesdays ~ Riverkeeper StewardshipDays ~ Help keep our Park clean for all toenjoy! Tools needed. Rain cancels. 8:30–11:30am next to the pedestrian bridge, 16153 MainSt., Guerneville ~ Victoria Wikle, 865-2474 ~www.russianriverkeeper.orgSENIORSFeb 4 ~ Super Senior Wednesday~ the first Wednesday of the month…everything in the store is at least 20% off.Open 7:00am-6:00pm, Sebastopol HardwareCenter, 660 Gravenstein Hwy N, Sebastopol~ 707-823-7688Sebastopol Senior Center~ Activities, classes, and events for adultsof all ages! Drop-ins always welcome. 167North High Street (next to the Library),Sebastopol ~ 707-829-2440 ~ www.sebastopolseniorcenter.orgSenior Meals Program ~ anutritious lunch & friendly conversation forseniors age 60+, their younger significantothers, and their caregivers. Lunch is at12:00 Noon. Reservations and $4.00 donationrequested. ~ www.councilonaging.com/dining-rooms.htmlForestville ~ Tuesday and Thursday ~(Operated by West County CommunityServices.) United Methodist Church, 6550Covey Road at Center ~ 707-887-1070Guerneville ~ Tuesday and Friday ~Russian River Senior Center, 15010Armstrong Woods Road ~ 707-869-3998Occidental ~ Monday and Wednesday ~St. Phillips Church, 3770 Bohemian Hwy~ 707-525-0383Sebastopol ~ Monday through Friday ~Sebastopol Senior Center, 167 North HighStreet ~ 707-829-8381

BENEFITS:Jan 17 ~ Chautauqua Road Show ~ SPROUTSeed Library and the Occidental Arts &Ecology Center present the second annualvaudeville variety show revue. $15-150,sliding scale, proceeds benefit SPROUT SeedLibrary. 8:00 pm at the Bolinas CommunityCenter, 14 Wharf Rd, Bolinas ~ James, 707-874-1557 x208 ~ www.happybelly.orgJan 17 ~ Jack London Foundation ~ 707-996-2888 ~ www.jacklondonfdn.orgAuction ~ 20th annual fund-raising Books& Collectibles Auction. Free admission.Preview at Noon, auction at 1:00. SonomaCommunity Center, 276 East Napa Street,near downtown Sonoma.Birthday Banquet ~ 39th Annual event inhonor of and celebrating Jack London’s133rd birthday. The theme is Martin Eden.RSVP required.Jan 24 ~ Active 20-30 Crab Feed ~ Crab,pasta, salad, cocktails, live entertainment,& live cake auction! Tickets $50. Proceedsfurther the Club’s activities enriching thelives of local children in need. 6:00-9:30 pmat Sally Tomatoes Event Center in SonomaMountain Village, 1100 Valley House Dr,Rohnert Park ~ 707-843-0320 ~ www.myspace.com/redwoodempire2030Feb 21 ~ Save the Bell Tower! ~ ConstructionBanquet & Auction. ‘Build’ your meal fromthe menu, but the items may be mixed up– that’s the fun of this event! Proceeds torepair the leaning Bell Tower. Tickets $15,$10 under age 12, under age 5 Free. $40max. Social & Silent Auction 6:00; Banquet6:30; Live Auction 7:30 at Forestville UnitedMethodist Church, 6550 Covey Rd at Center,Forestville ~ RSVP 707-887-2020 ~ www.forestvilleumc.orgMar 7 ~ Environmental Awards Dinner2009 ~ The Sonoma County ConservationCouncil and the Sierra Club Sonoma Grouppresent Looking Back/Looking Forward, aDialog with David Glass and Rue Furch, +auction, dinner, dancing. A benefit for theEnvironmental Center of Sonoma County.Tickets: before Feb 21, $40/after, $50.Students w/ID $20/$25. 5:30-9:00 pm at theSebastopol Veterans’ Auditorium, 282 SouthHigh Street, Sebastopol ~ RSVP 707 578-0595~ www.envirocentersoco.orgFlex your power.Move, yourself orsomeone you careabout, from being avictim to becoming asurvivor.Log on towww.uasasonoma.orgEVENTS:Now to Jan 30 ~ Shoe Drive ~ The Krush,Wine Country radio 95.5. & 95.9, & RedWing Shoes want to keep everyone’s toestapping this winter. Donate your gentlyworn shoes & you’ll receive a Krush musicCD! Red Wing Shoes, 2200 ClevelandAvenue, Santa Rosa ~ 707-526-1717 ~ www.santarosaredwing.comJan 17 ~ Crab Feed ~ for the twenty-fourthyear, the Spark Plugs bring you the FreshestCrab in Sonoma County! Crab, pasta, salad,wine, beer & soft drinks. ‘All you can eat’for $38, kids under 12, $19.00; under 6,free. Dinner at 5:00 pm & 7:00 pm at theSebastopol Masonic Center, 373 N. Main St.Sebastopol ~ Dennis Cianfichi, 707-321-9479Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual BirthdayCelebration ~ Free events for the community.Info: 707-546-0744Jan 18 ~ Film, Keynote Speaker, MulticulturalPerformances. 5:00-8:00 pm at WellsFargo Center for the Arts, 50 Mark WestSprings Road (off Hwy 101), Santa RosaJan 19 ~ A day on not a day off. 10:00-4:00at the Community Baptist Church, 1620Sonoma Ave, Santa RosaJan 24 ~ Inauguration Party ~ CelebrateObama’s Inauguration! Music by the BluesBurners, raffle prizes. Bring finger food &beverages to share. Free admission; thisis to Thank You! Donations to ‘Friends ofRue Furch’ gratefully received. 7:00-’tilyour socks fall down at the SebastopolCommunity Center, 390 Morris Street,Sebastopol ~ RSVP ruefurchparty@ruefurch.com ~ www.ruefurch.comJan 24 ~ Sebastopol Walks ~ See whatyou’ve been missing from the driver’s seat!Get out & explore Sebastopol on foot thefourth Saturday of each month. This month:The Sebastopol Walkabout, 7 miles. Meet at9:00 am in the Town Plaza ~ 707-823-3032 ~www.sebastopol.orgJan 31 ~ To the Moon: Snoopy Soars withNASA ~ Exhibit launches with the chance tomeet astronauts Lieutenant General ThomasStafford, Captain Eugene Cernan, and othermembers of the Apollo 10 mission! 1:00-3:00pm at Charles M. Schulz Museum, 2301Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa ~ 707-579-4452 ~www.schulzmuseum.orgFeb 14 ~ Russian River Sisters Bingo~ Proceeds benefit local non-profitorganizations. Snacks and meals available.Seating first come, first served. Ages 18+.One card $15, two for $20. 6:00 pm doors;7:00 pm start at Odd Fellows Hall, 16219First Street, Guerneville ~ www.rrsisters.orgFeb 21 ~ Country Breakfast ~ Join us forall you can eat: eggs, sausage, hash browns,biscuits & gravy, chili, fresh fruit, salsa,juice, milk & coffee! $8.00 (donation). 9:00-Noon at the Hollydale Community Club,10250 Field Lane, Forestville (Old RiverRoad at Frank Street) ~ 707-887-0330 ~ www.hollydaleclub.orgGardenersJan 20, Feb 17 ~ California Native PlantSociety ~ Join us for guest speakers andpresentations of floral interest the thirdTuesday of each month. Plant ID hour, 6:30pm, meeting 7:30 pm at the Luther BurbankArt and Garden Center, 2050 Yulupa Street,Santa Rosa ~ April Owens, 707-528-3111 ~www.cnpsmb.orgJan 24 ~ Rose Pruning & Propagation~ Join us for a fun, hands-on day of rosepruning with ‘Jan, the Rose Lady’ in ourdisplay garden. $30 per person includesrefreshments, handouts, nursery discount!Bring sack lunch, work gloves, pruningshears, clipboard. Rain date: January 31.9:00-4:00 pm at the Russian River RoseCompany, 1685 Magnolia Dr. Healdsburg~ RSVP 707-433-7455 ~ www.russian-riverrose.comFree Gardening Demonstrations ~ Enterto win a free prize at each demonstration!Presented by Gail Fanning of Blue HillGarden Design, 10:30 am at Bassignani’sNursery, 1841 Gravenstein Highway S,Sebastopol ~ 707-823-3984 or 707-829-2455~ www.bluehilldesign.shorturl.comJan 24 ~ Bare Root Fruit Trees: Choose, plant& pruneFeb 7 ~ Plant your Sweet Peas Now!Sonoma County Master GardenersEvents ~ 10:30 am to 12:30 pm ~ www.sonomamastergardeners.orgJan 24 ~ Rose Care ~ Sebastopol Library,7140 Bodega Avenue ~ Bob & Dana Lozano,707-823-7691Feb 7 ~ Lawn Alternatives ~ Windsor Library,9291 Old Redwood Highway ~ SandyMetzger, 707-838-1020Feb 21 ~ Healthy Garden ~ SebastopolLibrary, 7140 Bodega Avenue ~ GloriaWhitely, 707-823-7691Jan 31 ~ Fruit Tree Grafting Classes &Cuttings Exchange ~ Over 500 varietiesof rare fruit cuttings & rootstock, graftingdemonstrations & customs grafts! Presentedby the Redwood Empire Chapter of theCalifornia Rare Fruit Growers. $5 admission.10:00 am-2:00 pm at the Sebastopol Veterans’Hall, 282 High Street ~ 707-795-6574 ~ www.crfg.org/chapters/redwood_empireFeb 7, 8 ~ The Lore and Legend of Orchids~ The Sonoma County Orchid Society’sannual Orchid Show and Sale. Displays,raffle prizes, growing supplies, photoopportunities. Admission $7.00. Hours: Sat,10:00-5:00pm & Sun 10::00-4:00 pm at theSanta Rosa Veterans Memorial Building,1351 Maple Ave, Santa Rosa (across from thefairgrounds) ~ Show Chair, Tony Mininno,707-874-2200 ~ tony@tonypaints.com1/15/09 - www.westcountygazette.com - 43

Musican 17 ~ Afiara String Quartet ~ TheRedwood Arts Council presents ViolinistValerie Li, violinist Yuri Cho, violist DavidSamuel, & cellist Adrian Fung performinga Mozart String Quartet, K428, a BeethovenString Quartet, Opus 130, and Bartok’sString Quartet No. 3. Tickets $25 general,$10 students w/ID. Infants and very youngchildren will not be admitted. 8:15 pm inthe Occidental Community Church, 2nd& Church St, Occidental ~ 707-874-1124 ~www.redwoodarts.orgJan 22 ~ John Jorgenson Quintet ~ Musicthat is equally romantic and ecstatic, playedwith virtuosity and soul. $18 advance, $20door. 8:00 pm at First Church of ChristScientist, 522 B St at 6th, downtownPetaluma ~ Lance Walker, 707-542-1894 ~www.petalumachurchconcerts.comThe Thugz ~ Rockin’ Cosmic Americanafrom the Tribal Hippie UnderGround Zone~ www.thethugz.netThursdays ~ 7:30-10:30 pm at the PinkElephant, 9895 Main St., Monte RioJan 22 ~ Noon at Russian River Brewing Co,725 4th Street, Santa RosaJan 24 ~ 9:00 pm at Smiley’s, 41 Wharf Rd,Bolinas,Jan 28 ~ 9:00 pm at the Tradewinds, 8210Old Redwood Hwy, CotatiFeb 7 ~ 8:00 pm at the Pink Elephant, 9895Main St., Monte RioFeb 14 ~ 8:00 pm at the Black Cat, 10056Main St, PenngroveJan 23 ~ Big B and his Snakeoil Saviors~ serving up a steaming plate of WesternSwing and Hillbilly Boogie especially for thedancers. $10. 8:00 dance lesson, 8:30 show atRancho Nicasio, 1 Old Rancheria Rd. Nicasio~ www.snakeoilswing.comD’Giin ~ Acoustic-Flamenco-Funk. Wecame, we played, They Danced!Jan 23 ~ 8:30 pm at Aubergine Cafe & VintageStore, 755 Petaluma Ave, Sebastopol, $8Jan 30 ~ 9:00 pm at Stumptown Brewery,15045 River rd, GuernevilleTone Bent ~ Original songs & an occasionalold chestnut in a new shell. Bill Horvitz,guitar, banjo & voice and Robin Eschner,guitar & voice. free ~ www.tonebent.comJan 23, 24 ~ 7:00-10:00 pm at FrenchGarden Restaurant, 8050 Bodega Avenue,SebastopolJan 28 ~ 6:00-9:00 pm at Ace in the Hole, 3100Gravenstein Highway North, SebastopolJan 24 ~ Laurie Lewis & Nina Gerber ~ $25in advance. 7:30 doors/8:00 pm concert. Fortickets, contact: Laurie Schaeffer, 1275 FourthSt., PMB 653, Santa Rosa ~ musicfan@sonic.net ~ www.northbaylive.comBeethoven Recital ~ 2:00-3:00 pm atCharles M. Schulz Museum, 2301 HardiesLane, Santa Rosa ~ 707-284-1265 ~ www.schulzmuseum.orgJan 24 ~ Local amateur quartet, the “FelixString Quartet”Jan 25 ~ Local pianist Elizabeth WalterJan 24, 25 ~ Cloverdale Old Time FiddleFestival ~ Contests, band scramble,entertainment, rousing jamming sessions, +handmade crafts and tasty food available forsale. $12.50 one day, $20 both days, $5 bandscramble. Child, Senior and Group avail. 1Citrus Fair Dr, Cloverdale ~ 707-894-2067 ~www.cloverdalehistoricalsociety.org/fiddleJan 24-26 ~ Santa Rosa Symphony ~ DavidLockington, conductor; Carol Wincenc, flute.Program: Bernstein, Halil; Sierra, Carnavalfor Orchestra (a Magnum Opus work);Copland, Symphony No. 3. Tickets $27-$50,senior/student discounts avail. DiscoveryRehearsal, Sat, 2:00 pm. Perfomances: Sat8:00 pm; Sun 3:00 pm; Mon 8:00 pm. WellsFargo Center for the Arts, 50 Mark WestSprings Road, Santa Rosa ~ 707-546-8742 ~www.santarosasymphony.comJan 31 ~ Peggy Day & the Gypsy Knights~ Let’s Rock! Gypsy Rock, that is! Nocover. 10:00 pm at The Black Cat, 10056Main St, Penngrove ~ www.myspace.com/peggydaythegypsyknightsFeb 6 ~ Claire Lynch Band ~ Fabuloussinger-songwriter from Nashville out fora rare west coast tour! $20, 8:00 pm at theSebastopol Youth Annex, 425 Morris St.,Sebastopol ~ Kevin Russell, krussellmft@aol.com, 707-824-1858 ~ www.clairelynch.comFeb 13 ~ Outernational Science ~ LIVEtraditional & future-forward electronicsounds from the Subcontinent, Arab, &Western worlds. $10, 21+. Second Friday ofthe month, 10:00pm–3:00am at Club Six, 60Sixth Street, San Francisco ~ 415-863-1221Feb 14 ~ Jug Dealers ~ Folk sounds with areal twisted twist. Folkdiggity and surelyfresh right off the train from Spatula City.7:00-10:00pm at the Ace in The Hole, 3100Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol ~www.myspace.com/thejugdealersFeb 14 ~ Marshall, Bolt & Harr ~ OriginalAmericana, Blues, Boogie, & a wee bit oftomfoolery. 8:30 pm at the Black Rose Pub,2074 Armory Dr, Santa Rosa ~ 707-546-ROSE~ www.rogerboltmusic.comFeb 14, 15 ~ Music for Lovers ~ GuestConductor John Kendall Bailey leads theAmerican Philharmonic in celebration ofclassical music’s most famous lovers, fromRomeo & Juliet to Tristan & Isolde. FREEadmission; tickets available day of show.Please, no children under 5 years old. Sat8:00 pm & Sun 3:00 pm at Wells Fargo Centerfor Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road, SantaRosa ~ 707-793-2177 ~ www.apsonoma.orgFeb 14 ~ Synchronicity ~ Brothers Garahand Gregory Landes fuse classical and jazzmusic into an exciting and highly visualexperience. Presented by Redwood ArtsCouncil. Infants and very young childrenwill not be admitted. Tickets $25 general/$10students w/ID. Members $23/$8. 8:15 pmat the Occidental Community Church, 3637Church St at 2nd ~ 707-874-1124 ~ www.redwoodarts.orgFeb 15 ~ String Circle ~ Santa RosaSymphony Concertmaster Joseph Edelbergdirects Kati Kyme, 2nd Violin; AnthonyMartin, Viola; & Thalia Moore, Cello. Tickets$18 general, free for students w/ID. 2:00-4:00pm at the Friedman Center, 4676 MayetteAve, Santa Rosa ~ 707-538-9731 ~ www.absolutemusicseries.comTuesdays ~ Out of the Blue ~ An eclecticmix of Jazz age and Western Swing with atouch of blues. Mark Larson, guitars andvocals; TerryAnn Gillette, fiddle; CarollShumate, bass fiddle; Tommy Belton, drums.7:00 pm at Main Street Station, 16280 MainSt, Guerneville ~ www.myspace.com/montyrioThursdays ~ Café Jazz Series ~ Come fordinner, stay for the Jazz! Presented by thePalette Art Café and the Healdsburg JazzFestival. No Cover. 7:00-10:00 pm at PaletteArt Café, 235 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg ~707-433-2788 ~ www.healdsburgjazzfestival.comThursdays ~ Ladies’ Night at the Triple R~ DJ JFX hosts “Felt Up” with Retro, Funk,Old-Skool, Dance and Top 40. Russian RiverResort, 16390 4th St, Guerneville ~ 707-869-0691 ~ www.russianriverresort.comThursdays ~ ‘Pink’ at seVen ~ Weekly partyfor LGBTQ community & friends! 21+, $5,9:00pm–2:00am at seVen Ultra Lounge, 528Seventh St, Santa Rosa ~ 707-528-4700 ~www.sevensr.com/ultralounge/thursdays.htmSaturdays ~ Jazz Styles ~ Tune your radiodial to KBBF 89.1FM where Elbert “Big Man”Howard brings you jazz at its best. 10:00pmto Midnight.Musical Residencies & Spotlight GiftCertificates ~ The Russian River PerformingArts Center and SF Concerto Orchestra isoffering practice & performing residencies,and opportunities to be featured withorchestra! To learn more about theseexciting programs, please contact SethMontfort at the RRPAC, 16375 4th Street (atMill), Guerneville ~ 707-604-7600 ~ www.sfconcerto.orgJAM SES-SION (n.) A musical act withoutpreparation or detailed arrangements ~Mondays ~ Open Mic Night, 6:00-9:00 pm,Ace in the Hole Pub, 3100 GravensteinHighway North at Graton Road, Sebastopol~ 707-829-1101 ~ www.acecider.comMondays ~ ‘Closed’ Mic Night (sign upin advance), 7:00-11:00, Aubergine VintageEmporium and Café, 755 Petaluma Ave,Sebastopol (next to Palm Drive Hospital)~ 707-849-9758 ~ newmoontalentshow@hotmail.comWednesdays ~ Traditional music, 7:30pm, Black Rose Irish Pub, 2074 ArmoryDrive, Santa Rosa ~ 707-546- ROSE ~ www.theblackrosepub.comWednesdays ~ Open Mic Night, 8:30pm–2:00am, Club Yamagata, 16225 MainStreet, Guerneville ~ 707-869-9875 ~ www.clubyamagata.comAlternate Thursdays ~ Open Session Night,5:30 pm, Ruth McGowan’s Brewpub, 131 E.1st St, Cloverdale ~ 707-894-2932 ~ www.ruthmcgowansbrewpub.comSaturdays ~ Old-Time, Bluegrass, oldCountry, Blues & Ballads, 2:00-5:00 pm,Coffee Catz, 6761 Sebastopol Ave, Sebastopol~ 707-829-6600Second Sundays ~ Celtic Jam, 4:00-6:00 pm,Redwood Café, 8240 Old Redwood Hwy,downtown Cotati ~ 707-795-7868 ~ www.blairworks.com/redwoodcafe1/15/09 - www.westcountygazette.com - 45

With our lowwater situation, itwill be even moreimportant to lookat how we plantour yards.“There are always flowers for those who want to see them.”- Henri MatisseArtNow to Jan 18 ~ Drawing Out the Shadows~ Wendy Goldberg, pastel drawings &paintings. Gallery Hours: 11:00-6:00, Thu-Mon (closed Tue-Wed). The QuicksilverMine Co, 6671 Front St./Hwy 116, Forestville~ 707-887-0799 ~ www.quicksilvermineco.comNow to Jan 18 ~ Gifts of Art ~ The walls (&jewelry cases, patio, shelves & windows...)are decked with one-of-a-kind hand-craftedcreations by over 80 local artists! Opendaily (except Monday), 10:30am-6:00pm atGraton Gallery, 9048 Graton Road, Graton~ 707-829-8912 ~ www.GratonGallery.comNow to Jan 25 ~ Members’ Show ~ Finda diverse array of works by talented localartists in the G.K. Hardt Gallery at thenew home of the Petaluma Arts Council.Admission is free. Thu-Mon, Noon-4:00pm,The Petaluma Arts Center (in the FreightDepot Building), 230 Lakeville Street,Petaluma 94952 ~ 707-762-5600 ~ www.petalumaartscouncil.orgNow to Jan 31 ~ Heads Up ~ 20 communityartists express the human face. Galleryhours: Thursday-Monday, 11-5. QuerciaGallery, 25193 Highway 116, Duncans Mills~ 707-865-0243 ~ www.quercia-gallery.com10-5. Hammerfriar Gallery, 139 HealdsburgAvenue, Healdsburg ~ 707-473-9600 ~ www.hammerfriar.comNow to Mar 1 ~ Absolutely Abstract~ Featuring Jerrie Jerne and MicheleRosett, plus members’ group show, “A BigDifference.” Reception Jan 17 from 5:00-9:00pm. Gallery hours: Tue-Wed-Thu-Sun, 10:30-6:00 pm; Fri-Sat, 10:30-8:00 (closed Mon).Riverfront Art Gallery, 132 Petaluma Blvd.North, Petaluma ~ 707-775-4278 ~ www.riverfrontartgallery.com46 - www.westcountygazette.com - 1/15/09Now to Feb 1 ~ Artists Showcase #1 ~Seven artists in a juried group show in thegallery plus. Hours: 11:00-5:00 daily. PlazaArts Center, 130 Plaza Street, Healdsburg~ 707-431-1970 ~ www.plazaartscenter.orgNow to Feb 4 ~ Art Show & Sale ~ SterlingHoffmann, Gerald Huth, Stella Monday,& Henry White. CPS Graton Office, 8989Graton Road, Graton ~ 707-829-5200 ~ 707-869-5611 ~ www.artdirectsonoma.comNow to Feb 8 ~ Sonoma Stone IV ~ Stonesculpture by 13 Sonoma County artists,in the Main gallery. In Gallery II, PinkDress Wishes, prints by Jennifer Anderson.Admission is free. Gallery Hours: Mon-Fri,10-5; Sat-Sun, 1-4. Sebastopol Center for theArts, 6780 Depot Street, Sebastopol ~ 707-829-4797 ~ www.sebarts.orgNow to Feb 10 ~ “String Puppets” byGene McClelland & “Shaky Positions” byA&W Gerber. Hours: Tue-Fri, 10-6 and Sat,Now to Mar 8 ~ Members’ Exhibit ~Painting and prints, photography, sculpture,mixed media, ceramics, and designerjewelry. Artists’ Reception on Jan 31, 5:00-7:00 pm. Open daily 11:00-6:00. SebastopolGallery, 150 North Main, Sebastopol ~ 707-829-7200 ~ www.sebastopol-gallery.comNow to May 1 ~ Alice Thibeau ~ the“Girlie” Series, a cheeky group of paintings,oil-on-canvas, inspired by 1920s boudoirphotos. Opening reception, Feb 8 from2:00-5:00 pm. Hours: Wed-Sun 12-6 pm orby appointment. The Wine Emporium, Inc.,125 North Main Street, Sebastopol ~ 707-823-5200 ~ www.the-wine-emporium.comNow to April 2010 ~ Shape & Space ~Everything that is exists within a space andthat space defines and brings meaning to itsexistence. Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, 50Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa ~ 707-546-3600 ~ www.wellsfargocenterarts.org

Jan 16, Feb 13 ~ Knitting Clinic ~ Help,advice, and sharing the enjoyment ofknitting on the “teenth” Friday of eachmonth. 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at Artisans’Co-Op, 17135-A Bodega Highway (acrossfrom St. Teresa’s), Bodega ~ 707-876-9830 ~www.artisansco-op.com~ 707-829-4797 ~ www.sebarts.orgJan 31 to July 20 ~ To the Moon: SnoopySoars with NASA ~ Exhibit launches withthe chance to meet astronauts LieutenantGeneral Thomas Stafford, Captain EugeneCernan, and other members of the Apollo 10mission! Jan 31 from 1:00-3:00pm. Museumhours: Daily except Tuesdays, 11:00-5:00;Sat-Sun, 10:00-5:00. Charles M. SchulzMuseum, 2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa~ 707-579-4452 ~ www.schulzmuseum.orgFebruary ~Celebrate Love ~ Several newworks will be shown including someespecially ‘heart-y’ ones. Thu-Mon, Noon-5:00pm at Russian River Art Gallery, 16200First Street (on the Plaza), Guerneville ~707-869-9099Jan 20 to Mar 1 ~ Invitational ~ Featuring 26of Northern California’s most outstandingfine art painters and printmakers in thethird annual event. Opening Reception,Jan 24, 2:00-5:00 pm. Open daily (exceptMonday), 10:30am-6:00pm at Graton Gallery,9048 Graton Road, downtown Graton ~ 707-829-8912 ~ www.GratonGallery.comJan 21 ~ Gallery Talk ~ An evening withsculptors Edwin Hamilton and Mark Sever.Bring a large sketch pad (newsprint best),with graphite or other drawing material.$7 general, $5 members. 7:00-9:00 pm atSebastopol Center for the Arts, 6780 DepotStreet, Sebastopol ~ 707-829-4797 ~ www.sebarts.orgFeb 4 to 23 ~ Student Exhibition ~ Worksby the advanced placement art students atHealdsburg High. Reception Feb 8, 3:00 pm.Hours: 11:00-5:00 daily. Plaza Arts Center,130 Plaza Street, Healdsburg ~ 707-431-1970~ www.plazaartscenter.orgFeb 6 to Mar 2 ~ Still ~ An exhibit of stilllife paintings, all 12”x9”, from 20 Artists.Reception Feb 7, 3:00-6:00 pm. Gallery hours:Thursday-Monday, 11-5. Quercia Gallery,25193 Highway 116, Duncans Mills ~ 707-865-0243 ~ www.quercia-gallery.comJan 23 to Mar 1 ~ Bakers Dozen 2009 ~Annual group exhibition featuring the workof 13 northern California artists. ReceptionJan 24, 4:00-6:00 pm. Gallery Hours: 11:00-6:00, Thu-Mon (closed Tue-Wed). TheQuicksilver Mine Co, 6671 Front St./Hwy116, Forestville ~ 707-887-0799 ~ www.quicksilvermineco.comArtsLive! 2009 ~ “Arts in Service toCommunity.” Tickets 1/2 hour beforeeach performance. Petaluma Arts Center,230 Lakeville Street at East D, Petaluma ~Michael Fontaine, 707-762-5600 x101 ~ www.petalumaartscouncil.orgJan 29 to Feb 1 ~ Alchemia Exhibition,artwork by adults with disabilities.Jan 29 ~ Listen & Be Heard, an evening ofpoetry and music, 8:00 pm, $5Jan 30 ~ Alchemia Exhibition Artists’ Reception,6:00-8:00pm, FreeJan 31 ~ Lil’ Red, a play about Independenceand Safety, 2:00 pm, $5Jan 31 ~ Porter Creek Project, 8:00 pm, $5Feb 1 ~ Yiddish & Klezmer Music, 3:00 pm, $10Jan 30 ~ Carving in Stone ~ Karen Ryerpresents the fundamentals of stonesculpting. Age 16 & up. $7 general, SCAmembers $5. 7:00 pm at Sebastopol Centerfor the Arts, 6780 Depot Street, SebastopolFeb 12 to Mar 15 ~ Impressions 2009 ~Juried Printmaking Exhibition in the MainGallery. In Gallery II, Susan Stover, NewWorks in Encaustic. Artist reception Feb 12,6:00-7:30 pm. Gallery Hours: Mon-Fri, 10-5;Sat-Sun, 1-4. Sebastopol Center for the Arts,6780 Depot Street, Sebastopol ~ 707-829-4797~ www.sebarts.orgFeb 14 ~ Cartoonist-in-Residence ~ Everysecond Saturday, meet, watch, & talk toa different cartoonist. This month, MikeGray, award–winning writer, cartoonist,animator, director, & stand–up comedian.1:00-3:00 pm at the Charles M. SchulzMuseum, 2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa~ 707-579-4452 ~ www.schulzmuseum.orgCall To Artists - SculptorsPlaza Arts Center is accepting applicationsfor “Chiselers”, an all sculpture showcase.Show dates are February 26th to March 24th,2009 with a reception on February 27th.All forms of sculpture will be considered;free standing, pedestal mounted or wallhung, in medium of artist’s choice. EachShowcase is juried and runs for a period offour weeks The fee is $125. per Showcase.Call the gallery at 707.431.1970 or ShowcaseDirector Estelle Watts at 707.433.1090estellewatts@comcast.net , to request anapplication or for more information.“The best gift you cangive is a hug: one sizefits all and no one everminds if you return it.Happy Valentineto Every Lover!1/15/09 - www.westcountygazette.com - 47