Page 39 - Sonoma County Gazette July 2017

Get The Blues Just down Occidental Rd from Graton is a trail of delectable and local treats. Turn East at the light, and start with some Local Honey products right at the corner stand. A little further and Bohemian Creamery’s yellow signs promise fondue makings, artisan cheese and more; pick up some delectable frozen goat yogurt and then keep driving.
Parking, Parking, Parking
Pull left into Sonoma Swamp Blues before the bridge. After 11:00am most days you will find farmer Mamta Landerman or one of her team selling her certified organic blueberries right next to the field they were picked from that morning. The farm was a dream of Andy Landerman and after his passing three years ago Mamta, who is also an Ayurvedic consultant, has been devoted to maintaining and expanding the farm. Thanks to year-round hardwork by Mamta and her dedicated team, you can also catch some fat swamp berries at local farm markets for a limited time.
I think we agree that free parking is key to the economic vitality of Sebastopol’s central core. “We” includes Sebastopol residents, business owners, commercial property owners, community members living in the surrounding area, visitors, and tourists.
Mamta Anderson and a Blues team member show off some scrumptious organic blueberries
About two years ago, the City launched its “Park Once and Walk in Downtown Sebastopol” campaign with the tag line, “It’s free, easy and convenient!” This e ort uses a simple one-page map to publicize the municipal lots. It’s been circulated to downtown businesses for distribution to customers and for use on websites and Facebook pages. Folks can nd it on the City’s website by searching for the “Free Parking Map 2015.” Learn more about these lots and choose what works for you when.
You may have driven by the farm during the epic floods this winter and seen kayakers navigating several feet over the Sonoma Swamp Blues farm. Under the kayaks those shallow-rooted berry bushes were accustomed to years of drought. With so much rain the berries lost up to 60% of their blooms. These conditions mean a short season and fat juicy berries, so get down there while you can.
Additionally, the Council negotiated extra spaces in the CVS lot that are neither limited in time nor restricted to customers. This seventh lot is featured on the “Free Parking Map,” too. From this new lot, shoppers can walk one block west to Main Street and two blocks north to The Barlow using new street-smart crosswalks on Petaluma and Sebastopol Avenues – an easy distance, according to conventional research that reports shoppers will walk 1⁄4 mile to their destination, farther in a shopping mall.
If you work it just right, you can give your goat fro-yo the blues and let your eyes roll back in your head in bliss.
There are also several private parking lots for customers only: at Rite-Aid; at Whole Foods; at Rialto Cinemas; and at The Barlow. Shoppers use these lots as if they were city-owned, walking to many other locations than the sponsoring business. Fortunately, these private owners have been gracious about not enforcing the customer-only rule.
Street Rods Pacific Christian Academy will host a Classic Car Show Saturday, July 1st, in their playing field. If you have a garage princess or a glorious rust rod, cruise it down that morning; participation fee is only $20. Barbeque picnic will be available during the show 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at 8877 Donald St.
In other situations, there is more con ict. Some business owners vie over spaces outside of their entrances or argue about employees who park there and take customer spots. On-street parking has been illegally spoken for by speci c businesses, with sandwich signs reading, “For [my] customers only.”
If you miss that one, Saturday July 22 from 10-4 you can check out the Veterans of Foreign Wars - VFW Post 3919 First Annual Car Show at the Veterans Memorial Building in Sebastopol. Though admission is free, there is BBQ and an auction all to benefit local veterans. Enter your ride for $15. Call 707 291 7062 to pre-register.
Neighborhoods, too, are not without strife. Most have some etiquette, like parking in front of one’s house rather than across the street. Nonetheless, homemade “tickets” can appear on windshields with messages like, “Don’t park here on Wednesday when the street cleaner comes.”
Street Reads Wondering what to take to the beach or out to staycation
in your hammock along with that sweet tea? Ellen Swenson has established Graton’s very first Little Free Library in front of her house at 8893 Jeannette Ave, just up off the end of North Brush Street. She is encouraging everyone to come by and bring a book and take a book. She says, “Please don’t just bring a book but take one or two with you! I am sure we will all find interesting reads!”
Thank A Plant You’re likely relieved that my column is shorter this month. I have been busy with the business of changing to a new chemo (hard to believe I milked the last one over a year)! Bad news/good news: I do not qualify for an exciting trial I would like to try; the reason is that I am not advanced or “progressed” enough. I am too healthy! Meanwhile I am trying a new magic-of- science made from plants like periwinkle and Pacific Yew. Next time you pass one of these natives, thank it for me!
There are a lot of di erent needs to balance when considering past practices, possible changes, and durable solutions.
I think we have other points in common. Pedestrians want this same area to be friendly and pleasant, and for locals on foot, a place to encounter friends and socialize. Cyclists need it to be safely accessible, with strategically placed bike racks.
The current focus is on the adequacy of available parking. Is Sebastopol’s downtown core under-parked or over-parked? I’ve heard energetic opinions on each side. “I want to park where I want, when I want, for as long as I want, for free, and I can never nd a space.” On the other hand, “Get the cars out of there. They are ruining downtown. We have too many cars and not enough is done for people.”
I’ve received complaints from drivers who circle the Library lot, from neighbors impacted by the Senior Center, from drivers trying to get around The Plaza when cars back up in the Whole Foods driveway, from businesses near Sunday’s Farm Market and The Barlow’s Street Fair.
The City provides free parking in several municipal lots, with time limits of 24-minutes, 2 or 3 hours. Some lots have no limitation; drivers can park all day and/or all night. The six lots are located: behind the Library and City Hall; at The Plaza; west of Rialto Cinemas; by Burnett Street and Hopmonk; behind the Chamber of Commerce; and across from the Vet’s Auditorium, now Center for the Arts.
The Council is considering learning more about the downtown situation. On June 20, it will have reviewed a responsive proposal from the Pine Grove Square Sub-Committee to gather statistics on the Burnett Street/Hopmonk/ Chamber parking lots. Watch the video or review the minutes to learn what action was taken.
The Planning Commission will also consider this issue, when it reviews the Zoning Ordinance and related parking standards, to conform existing rules to the new General Plan. Check future agendas for the meeting date, time and place.
Next month, I’ve invited Mayor Una Glass to report about the Housing Sub- Committeee.
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