Page 42 - Sonoma County Gazette 12-18.indd

Authentic Artisans of Greater Bodega
I hope you each made it to the quaint craft faire on November 24 and got some precious gifts. If not, have no fear, the Holiday Sale is coming to the Artisans’ Co-op Gallery. Before and after Christmas, December 22 - January 3. They’ll take 10% off everything in the shop except notecards. If you haven’t yet or recently been in, now is a great time to come take a look at all the goods they have to offer. It is a sensory feast!
WELL, the election is over. As usual, Bodega Bay election program ran smoothly and the universal statement was that we (Bodega Bay residents) did not want to abdicate our voting in situ and just mail in our ballots. We did receive more mail in ballots than usual, but many people had taken out mail in ballots, but decided to vote in person.
Also, every two months the Co-op hold d
s s
a a
t t
h
We had more than 100 voters by lunchtime; and without exception the voters expressed their support for keeping the polls open to walk in voters. We had a real run on the little I Have Voted stickers and the camaradarie was noticeable. It is always pleasant to get to meet the new generation of service dogs, and hear about those who have moved (but still in the district.)
e
e
h
e
d d
e
m
e
m
showcase, including free raffles of their f f
e
t
u u
r r
e e
d d
a a
r r
t t
o o r r c c r r a a f f t t . . W W h h a a t t a a t t r r e e a a s s u u r r e e i i t t w wo o u u l l d d b b e e t t o o w
y
a
l l
t
a
a
k k
a
w
a
w w i i t t h h a a u u n n i i q q u u e e p p i i e e c c e e o o f f h h a a n n d d m m a a d d e e a a r r t t w wo o r
y
Special thanks go to the Spud Point Crab Company for bringing over the cups of chowder just when our energy was beginning to fail. It is not easy to start a job at 6:30 and continue until 9:30 (although some of us who are of advanced age cut the hours a little short (always assuring that the requisite staff remain to count the ballots.)
You can check their website for a full list of 2019’s showcase dates and themes
as well as information on individual artisans: artisansco-op.com/.
k
w
r
a
a
k
. .
w
a
There is currently a large variety of 55 artisans on display in the gallery.
Of them, there are 15 “full members” who work at least 2-3 days a month, pay a share of rent, get the entire amount
of their sales and are involved with decisions in the planning committee. The remaining 40 artisans split their sales with the Gallery.
It is noticeable about how many local precincts have merged. We are one of the last precincts where voters can walk in and vote. We can even accommodate those who had filled out ballots to mail in but who hadn’t done it, and voters from other precincts. Since we have such a good place to vote (handicapped accessible and good parking) we hope those who decide on voting locations leave us as we are—in Bodega Bay at the Grange Hall.
The Co-op is dedicated to bringing
back traditional hand-made arts and crafts with environmentally respectful products. These include fiber works, leather, beach woodwork and sheepskin boots. The boots are machine washable and can be customized to your feet. Then you can choose to add personalized embellishments. Another special treasure is loden, the German word for felt, which is boiled down sheep wool that creates a tight weatherproof product with beautiful embedded accents. This uncommon craftwork is a rare and beautiful find.
Speaking of elections, the Grange Hall was quite full of those who
had come to hear the candidates for appointment to the Advisory committee
to the Sonoma Coast MAC. The audience at the Grange Hall Novemeber 13,
was attentive and plentiful. It had been arranged at the suggestion of the local Bodega Bay Collaberative. As usual the Grange provided a good place for a forum, and Jim Moore represented the Grange and along with Janet Moore did a very good job of running the meeting). Supervisor Lynda Hopkins was present and with her staff kept the meeting moving.
The committee also leaves room for experimental and new crafts. There is plenty room for creativity and revolutionary ideas in this quirky and extensive little gallery. You will find gifts unlike anything anywhere else.
Time is very short for decision making. The ballots were due within two days, and many of the audience had already voted. The six citizen candidates represented a wide group of Bodega Bay Citizens who are willing to donate their time to the new advisory program known as the MAC (designed to provide support and information to the Board of Supervisors.
At its birth in April of 1996, the Co-op began with 15 artisans. I talked to
one of the founders, Martha Cant, who is now the treasurer and remains one of the fiber artists. She is the last of that initial group still here standing, with her balls of wool in hand. Martha is glad to have somewhere to sell her goods without a consignment fee, likes meeting new people from varied places and is friends with other artisans in the Co-op.
Cant says to “Come in, because there’s always something new and things
are always changing!” There is something for everybody at the Gallery since there is so much diversity in what they offer. She also noted that there is more pottery and paintings than in the beginning. Art sales vary tremendously every day, though there surely are some loyal repeat customers.
The candidates represented a wide variety of experience with Bodega Bay, its problems and programs. The candidates were Bob Amiral, Cathy Beck, Brooks Rooney, Jodie Rubin, Tom Tucker and Max Wyss.
It is a true convergence of community.
There were some candidates who had significant administrative experience (like Tom Tucker) and some who were candid about good training, but little experience with Bodega Bay. One candidate, Max Wyss, admitted to having little experience with Bodega Bay, even though he believes that his training as a seismologist would be very valuable to the Board of Supervisors. Brooks Rooney had extensive experience with Bodega Bay in that she had been instrumental in making the Fish Fest the success it has been. One candidate, Judie Rubin, said that she hadn’t voted in the last election because “her signature didn’t match”. Everyone else said they had voted in the last election.
Not unlike politics, when you combine so many temperamental artististic personalities, opinions sometimes clash. It is difficult to manage such situations democratically. WIth or without conflict, this intimate niche community has kept themselves together and thriving for almost 23 years and is going strong.
The featured artisans live within 25 miles of Bodega. Annie Springer says that they are “always looking for new artists who understand the philosophy and intent of the gallery.” New artists must meet the criteria of high quality, space appropriate items with a moderate price range and fit in harmoniously with what’s already there while also being unique. Interested persons should contact the Gallery.
A majority of the candidates live in the Harbour, and most seemed very supportive of the Fire District and its program and all seemed concerned about the need for rules and regulations for vacation rentals.
The Artisans’ Co-op Gallery is dynamic and constantly changing. Even existing artists will bring in brand new releases on a regular basis. You can find this engaging Gallery in the center of Bodega, at 17175 Bodega Hwy, Bodega, CA 94922. Call them at (707) 876-9830 with any questions or comments, or email Francesca Scalpi at fscalpi@gmail.com. They are open everyday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Several of the candidates didn’t seem to realize that the county already enforces and collects the TOT (Transit Occupancy Tax) and seemed to consider this tax a panacea for County needs. All the candidates agreed that there is a need for more affordable housing. The forum was well attended and thanks should go to the organizers.
42 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 12/18
Now we can look forward to the next big meeting at the
Grange: the Community Christmas Carol Sing Along, December 14. We hope to have a good turnout. Last year the audience just didn’t want to stop singing. December 14 at 7 p.m. at the Grange—music provided. Come join us.
The range of experience was significant. All candidates were asked about their contact with Bodega Bay and there was a wide range of abilities. Some of the candidates seemed hung up on doing something with the TOT (although several did not know exactly what that tax was (or is). There were many candidates with some strong feelings about the fire district and all seemed very supportive .