Page 37 - Sonoma County Gazette April 2018

“I tell the kids, somebody’s got to win, somebody’s got to lose. Just don’t fight about it. Just try to get better.” Yogi Berra
Tucked between Friar Tucks’ Pub and Shige Sushi Japanese Kitchen, is a window to the Sandalady Glove Repair shop. Her door faces north. You could miss this 10 by 10-foot shop in a blink. Although Fran Fleet came to Cotati in 1968 to make signs for the Inn of the Beginning, and she made candles to sell too, she did not stick to those crafts. Now her business consists of re-stitching, cleaning, and conditioning baseball gloves. Baseball gloves are shipped to her from all over the U.S.A. Fleet has received gloves from as far away as Australia. When she opened her glove repair thirty years ago, she purchased a 1910 Singer Walking-Foot patching machine with a rotating 360-degree needle for making sandals and repairing shoes.
For over 40 years Jud
Snyder was a columnist for the Community Voice covering all things Rohnert Park. Most recently he was also a columnist for the Sonoma County Gazette covering Rohnert Park issues. Actively writing until the end, Jud passed away March 3rd at the age of 92.
A Stitch in Time, Let’s Play Nine
Walk in and smell the leather. See dozens of stacked gloves
of all ages, shapes, and sizes
on the counter. Her collection includes antique gloves and mitts, historic pairs of boxing gloves, dozens of thank you plaques and photographs
He was born in Huntington, Long Island, and in 1943 and enlisted
in the U.S. Navy, where he served in the South Paci c for a short while, ultimately serving in the military for three years.
from local Little and league teams. In 2011 Fleet invited local ball players to sign her white wall. Fleet enjoys making visitors laugh, and we were
his friend and fellow journalist Irene Hilsendager wrote about their years working together at the Community Voice - on the Gazette website www. SonomaCoountyGazette.com - Jud Snyder - Rohnert Park Journalist and Friend. This photo was taken at the Rohnert Park Library where Jud volunteered his time among words and people, his favorite subjects.
no exception. To a potential customer she quipped, “Email a photo of both sides of your glove, and if you have been abusing it, I’m going to have to abuse you.” Although we did not take her a glove to repair, her sharp wit left us in stitches.
More upgrades coming to the city of Rohnert Park.
While a Sonoma County resident
for many years he did not move into Rohnert Park until 2008. He did however, begin writing his article, Coffeegrounds, for the Clarion (the precursor to the Community Voice) in 1975.
Dedicated to his craft of writing, he understood the use and power of words. The Rohnert Park City Council voted to recognize Jud an Honorary citizen. Please read the Obituary Jud wrote for himself - and the lovely story
Fleet asks customers, “Do
you read?” She likes books,
newspapers, and listens to
audio books at work. The Sandalady Baseball Glove Repair is open Tuesday – Friday from 10 am – 5 pm at 8201A Old Redwood Hwy., Cotati CA. Visit her Web site at the Sandalady.com or call Fleet at (707) 795-3895 or email fran@ sandalady.com
Survey
Learn Heartmath at Songbird Community Healing Center
According to City Manager, Darrin Jenkins report, one key question tells the story for this year’s survey. When asked “Would you say that things in the City of Rohnert Park are generally headed in the right direction or are they on the wrong track?” respondents overwhelmingly feel the City is going in the right direction with a 72% response. This is two percentage points higher than last year and twelve percentage points higher than 2016.
Discover how you can manage and prevent stress with Heartmath - a system of powerful, easy to learn and easy to use tools and technology. Unlock the inner guidance of your heart. Friday Flock Night, April 6, 7:30pm - 9:30pm for a suggested donation of $10-$20 Songbird Community Healing Center, 8297 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati. Call 707-795-2398 or visit
The survey also revealed tra c is the number concern for our residents. Improving the ow of tra c is a priority for the City and the council.
www.songbirdcenter.org or email info@songbirdenter.org
Three projects to improve the ow of tra c are planned for completion this year.
Birds of a feather ock together at the 10th Annual Chicken BBQ
The rst is is the review and reprogramming of a number of tra c signals
on Rohnert Park Expressway and Golf Course Drive. Caltrans is responsible for lights on both of the o ramps making sure tra c is not stopped on the freeway. The City and is completing a comprehensive retiming e ort with Caltrans to coordinate these two busy corridors signals.
After you eat barbecue on Sunday April 8th behind Cotati City Hall (see my March column)
if you are not too CHICKEN, cross the road to the Old Cotati Cabaret
For old-fashioned boogie woogie at the 4th Annual April Foolery. From 2 to 6 pm, Sonoma County Dance Beats annual music and dance extravaganza features three bands: Wendy DeWitt with Kirk Harwood and Nancy Wright, The Rhythm Drivers and Johnny Tsunami and the Hurricanes. Sliding scale cost, 10 to 30 dollars. All ages welcome, beverages available, free dance lessons, massages and door prizes. For more info call (707) 953-1663 or ann@ socodancebeat.com
A free day of bunny fun, learning about house rabbits, and (of course) absolute cuteness from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. held at the Burton Avenue Recreation Center, Rohnert Park. To volunteer visit sonomacountybunfest.com or email sonomacountybunfest@gmail.com
Mary Grace Pawson, Development Services Director said, “Our main goal is to have our signals better timed with Caltrans signals.”
Sonoma County Bunfest Sunday, April 29, 2018
The City is also working on the Golf Course Drive, Redwood Drive intersection to recon gure the eastbound leg to improve the ow of tra c.
The city council just approved an agreement between the City and PG&E to purchase and install light emitting diode (LED) street lights to replaced aged lights located throughout the city.
The new LED lights will reduce operation and maintenance costs. Over 1600 street lights will be replaced by the end of June.
The City’s community survey is in and 2600 people responded to questions about a wide variety of city subjects. It is important to see what our residents think as it enables sta and council help plan for future capital projects, service improvements and budgeting.
The second project will provide an interconnected, computerized control of the Rohnert Park Expressway and Golf Course Drive corridors. This includes an option allowing the signal timing to respond to congestion in real time.
Join us at Spreckels Performing Arts for Peter Pan. May 4-20th.
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