Page 44 - Sonoma County Gazette April 2017

It’s been a very busy last few weeks. Although tensions run high on both sides of the “homeless” issue the community has been more engaged recently than I can ever remember. We are finding solutions and winning. We won on Detachment, we won on Transporting Occidental Sewage, we will win on
As I peer out of the windows of my cozy cyber-hut, there is a combination of heavy fog , clouds and a bit of sunshine. We are about to officially leave the very wet winter behind with the advent of the Vernal Equinox and we have been enjoying more light in the evenings.
Low/Fish Flow, and we will win on cleaning up our towns while helping those that want help.
Road Repair: I had the opportunity to contact Supervisor Lynda Hopkins’ office regarding community opposition regarding the possibility of making King Ridge Road and Cazadero Highway a detour as work is commenced on Hwy#1 north of Jenner. I passed on the concerns of Cazadero Community Club members and others to ask CalTrans not to approve this bypass. I have been informed by Susan Upchurch from the Supervisor’s office that The Sonoma County Road Dept. has recommended that the detour not be used.
On one side we have the “compassionate enablers” and the other the “uncompassionate haters”. Really? No, we have some homeless that are down on their luck, want help, and should get help. We also have a lot of homeless (and some non-homeless) that wreak havoc on our environment, our residents, and our tourist industry. These people do not want help and law enforcement must do their jobs to protect our communities.
I also was told that some pot-hole patching has been done on Ft. Ross Rd. We expect more road repair when weather permits. I would suggest that anyone with concerns regarding the road or other things that impact Cazadero call directly to Supervisor Hopkins office.
There should be options, such as clean up your act, enroll in treatment, or leave our community. Guerneville Community Alliance has taken a leading role in handling issues that predominately a ect Guerneville but also spill over into Monte Rio. Wouldn’t it be great if we had a new service center/shelter that helped those that needed help and at the same time we handled the people that refuse help?
Community Updates:
There should be compassion and options for all, including our middle class residents and including our business districts. Any solutions that do not include everyone, will not work, and will further polarize those on both ends of the spectrum. The Alliances are proposing workable solutions. I’m very proud of the daily e orts these volunteers are making, as well as the engagement and e orts of our residents, businesses, and governmental agencies. The results are showing at the street level. The Town Hall Meeting hosted by Lynda Hopkins happens on the day this paper comes out, so check in to SonomaCountyGazette.com.
The Cazadero Community Club will meet on Tuesday, April 4th-7 p.m. at Firehall#1. All are welcome to help plan events, including this year’s Old Time BBQ, which benefit the entire community. Dues are only $10 (Individual) or $15 (Family) and are payable to P.O. Box 3,Cazadero 95421.
The Annual Pole Mountain Breakfast will be held at the same Firehall on Sunday, April 23rd, beginning at 8 a.m. A delicious way to begin your day and help support the only privately funded fire outlook in Sonoma County. See you there!
As we transition (with luck) to a drier time of the year, remember Cazadero Supply’s 1st Saturday 15% Discount Day, which offers a large selection of items for your home, garden and vehicle projects. Both the Duncans Mills and Cazadero General Stores feature a good assortment of daily groceries and locally produced specialty items.
Downtown Cazadero will soon have the addition of longtime local Margie Cramer’s new shop next to the General store and P.O. ‘Caz Central’ will feature several components, including the Cazadero Hysterical Society, ‘What Goes Round’ collectibles and a variety of local artists works. Look for a May opening. Sounds like a good downtown addition!
April is looking to be a fun and adventurous month for the students at Montgomery Elementary School. From April 10th to the 12th Mrs. Mercieca’s 6th-8th grade students will be going on an overnight field trip to Alliance Redwoods. On April 13th, Ms. Port’s K-2nd grade students are hosting their annual Spring Brunch with an Egg Hunt later in the day. April 14th is a local Holiday and there will be NO SCHOOL. On April 21st, Mr. Sotak’s 3rd and 4th grade students are going on a field trip to San Francisco. They will enjoy
a day with the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport, Voyage of Explorers at The Embarcadero, Pier 40.
The Russian River Jewish Community will celebrate Passover, the Festival of Freedom, with a community seder on Thursday, April 13th, 5 p.m. at the Monte Rio Community Center. Reservations are requested and there is a low fee and potluck dish requirement. Please call 632 545 for more info.
The lovely Sky Garden may be expanding. Please contact Cathy at schezer@ comcast regarding volunteering.
I wish a very HAPPY BIRTHDAYS to Tyler Cole, turning 27 on the 2nd, Wes Parmeter on the 5th, J.J. Marek enjoys the 7th, Hannah Lockhart-Murley will be 26 on the 9th, Corina Ryan celebrates on the 12th, along with locally grown Chris Caplan,who will be 27, Brooke Brady on the 14th, Ryan Port- Sonenshine on the 18th, Christian Madrone on the 21st, Steve Parmeter on the 22nd, Liza Brown on the 26th and Justin Thaman on the 27th.
Enjoy Spring and call me at 632-5545 or email mayawrld@sonic.net with info for your Cazadero Column!
Hard work and results are also evident with our Rio Take2 Café team. In collaboration with the owners of the Rio Properties LLC, Alain and Paul
will be picking up one additional weekend a month for entertainment in the theater. Purple Rain will be shown 4/15 and on Saturday 4/29 Paul and Alain will be opening the doors for a gala a air of Priscilla Queen of the Desert Sing-a- Long. Costumes, song and frivolity for all. Come and enjoy the first annual a air.
More info to come on the Rio Cafe website or call 707-865-4190.
But wait there’s more!
If you haven’t had a taste of Alain’s homemade ice cream at the cafe you
will soon be able to choose from 16 homemade avors at Scoop of Sonoma Forestville. That’s right! Paul, Alain, Gregg and Marc are opening a shop to showcase Alain’s down home old world custard ice cream, always available at the cafe in Monte Rio, but now a second location on the main drag in Forestville. I’ve had the Meyer Lemon ice cream several times and it is incredible. Together with the ice cream they will be showcasing some of Sonoma’s finest cottage industry goods. Homemade goodies from farm houses and neighbors around our county. Projected opening date is May 1st.
Wonderful Improvements before summer...You may have noticed landscaping and signage improvements on our Triangle thanks to Monte Rio Chamber. Monte Rio Community Alliance is also making some landscape improvements to our Park & Ride lot. You may have noticed the nights are a little brighter here as well. PG&E has replaced our streetlights with LED fixtures. These produce a brighter, whiter light and use less energy.
The HUNT is ON! Friends of Monte Rio will hold their annual Easter Egg Hunt Sat., April 15th 12-2pm at the MR Community Center. Looking for a seasonal part time job? Monte Rio Rec & Park is seeking Boat Runners for the beach. Apply at administrator@mrrpd.org.
Vacation Wonderland. We just keep getting better.
44 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 4/17