Page 39 - Sonoma County Gazette March 2017

The Land has Chosen You
Wendell Berry (In That Distant Land) writes that the land we live on is more than money, more than what it is “worth.” The land expects something of us. We start expecting things of it; then some of us realize that the expectations are going the other way too. Demands are being made of us, whether we know it or not. The place is not its price. The gures give you the right to call it yours for a little while. When you quit living in the price and start living in the place, you are in a di erent line of succession, which continues from Native Americans, to early settler families, to recent residents. The land has chosen us. “Everything about a place that is di erent from its price is a gift. The life of a neighborhood is a gift.”
We’re Alright, Ma. We’re Only Bleedin’
And so we live in the gift of Forestville, of 95436: 23 square miles – which include the con uence of the Laguna de Santa Rosa and Mark West Creek with the Russian River, a portion of the Russian River itself, Steelhead Beach Park, Mount Jackson, redwood forests, and rolling hills of vineyards and apple orchards. The land has chosen us.
Years ago, Kathleen Scha er, then a City Councilmember, while being interviewed on KOWS, stated that Sebastopol had been looking for a radio station of their own, without success. This moment, possibly more than others, was the spark that led KOWS to Sebastopol. The station’s studio was later moved there, their presence became well-established in the town. Only thing is, hardly anyone in Sebastopol can listen to KOWS on the radio.
At a recent planning meeting for the Farmer’s Market, the discussion included whether we want to become a “destination,” like Healdsburg. The consensus was to retain our sense of a functioning and quaint small town that, yes, encourages its businesses and is attractive to tourists. Still, we are Forestville, not a destination. We are a community, surrounded by natural beauty and mindful of our responsibility to it; a community that honors individuality and privacy, that is full of creativity, art and funkiness.
Some think that’s ne because KOWS is on the internet, anyone can listen around the world. This is far from true. No one accidentally
Town Meeting 3-26
discovers a radio station on the internet. Starting a computer from rest takes time. But, the easy ipping of one’s wrist can bring anything on the radio dial to you. Community radio has become the only way for community members to
Stay involved: The Forestville Planning Association hosts a Forestville Town Meeting on Sunday afternoon, March 26, 3-5, in the Social Hall of the Methodist Church (6550 Covey Road, across from Carr’s Drive-in). Meet County Supervisor, Linda Hopkins, hear about County issues which impact Forestville, and get an update on the development of the Downtown Park.
Water
The Sonoma County Water Agency o ers free half day tours of its ood control facilities--a behind-the-scenes look at how ood control e orts have shaped Sonoma County. Tours on 3/4, 3/10, and 3/18, from 9 a.m. until noon. Registration required: www.sonomacountywater.org/tours/.
Senior Housing
SHARE Sonoma County o ers a Home Sharing Program to provide a ordable housing and to help seniors “age in place”. Home Shares are living arrangements between two or more unrelated people, one of whom is 60
years of age or older, who agree to share a home or apartment for their mutual bene t. SHARE is seeking home providers and has houses that are available to be shared. Contact Amy Appleton at amy@sharesonomacounty.org or more info at sharesonomacounty.org/.
express themselves on the airwaves. Petaluma’s starting up a station. Santa Rosa has one. So do Laytonville and Red Blu , and hundreds of other towns.
By Robert Feuer
The KOWS-LP radio antenna project, one that would have vastly increased
their power, though unanimously approved by the Sebastopol City Council, has failed due to a threatened lawsuit by a small group of Sebastopol residents. The KOWS group of 80-100 broadcasters is hurting down deep.
Advanced Healthcare Planning Classes
Baseball Little League: Opening Day is April 1st starting with a pancake breakfast around 8:30am and ceremony around 10am. A great time for the whole Family at the Youth Park!
The annual Rummage Sale at the Forestville United Methodist Church is Saturday, March 4th, from 8am - 2pm. “This huge event is a win-win-win: Donors reduce clutter, shoppers get great bargains, and the church gets great projects done with the proceeds!”
Twist Eatery reopens. After taking a winter break, TE open again 11-4 Tues-Sat. Cozy bistro features world cuisine, locally sourced. 6536 Street. Good food!
Annual Hollydale Clubhouse Corned Beef & Cabbage Feed, Sat evening March 18th @ 6pm w/ the Thugz $15 donation; + “Last Sunday of the Month” Breakfast, March 26th, 9-noon, featuring this month Corned Beef Hash with Guy Fieri’s “Homie Home Fries.” $10. donation, kids under 10 free...Table Tennis following from 1-4pm.
Free classes – Arrange for the type of care you want before a health crisis occurs. Tuesdays April 25, July 25, and October 24 at the Sonoma County Human Services Department Carnelian Room 3725 Westwind Blvd | Santa Rosa, CA 95403 (o Airport Blvd). 1:30-3:30pm. More info and online registration: mycaremyplansonoma.org.
KOWS had been working on their antenna project since 2011. Now, they’re back at Square One. Their very existence is threatened in various ways by this antenna loss. A strong signal would have brought in new members and underwriters, more quality programming.
KOWS allows anyone to speak their piece on air, or play their music, or even have their own show after training. They’ve broadcasted county political debates, and live candidate interviews in the studio. Concerts and street events, roving reporters in the Sebastopol streets, with a microphone and a happy face. A live broadcast of the Sonoma County Bluegrass Festival. Just ip your wrist.
Do the station members have the energy to start over or even continue as they have been? Do they wish they’d never heard the words of Ms. Scha er?
Beauty and the Beast
Beauty and the Beast musical at the Forestville School and Academy! Opening Friday, March 10, at 7pm, with other 7pm evening shows on Saturday, March 11, Friday, March 17 and Saturday, March 18, and Matinee shows (2pm) Sunday, March 12, Saturday March 18, Sunday March 19. $8 Adults/$5 Kids.
Tidbits
Forestville School & Academy hosts their Annual Early Literacy Fair on Thursday, April 6th. All are welcome, especially families with children 0-5 years old. There will be many West County Community Organizations and Parent Resources, games & prizes for the kids and great food.
Also registration for Kindergarten.
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