Page 37 - Sonoma County Gazette 12-2019

Greetings and Happy Holidays to all who happen to be reading this! I hope that on the whole 2019 has been a good year for everyone and that we roll into 2020 safe, happy & strongly surrounded by community.
• Prohibit use and sale of disposable food service ware and other products containing polystyrene foam
As I write this, Coleman Valley Rd. is closed for repairs to the slide just up the hill from town. As I understand it, the County finally gave up on waiting for funds from FEMA for the permanent fix and has moved forward on their own with a more temporary solution. Hopefully, this will be stronger than
the first time around and will at least get us safely through this winter and beyond. It will certainly be nice to go back to two lanes of traffic and lower the level of concern that the whole road will wash out in the winter storms that are on the way.
• Require food providers to use compostable or recyclable disposable food service ware when such products are commercially available
Thursday, December 5th is Dining Out For Life, the fundraiser for Food For Thought. Participating restaurants donate a portion of their proceeds from dinner service (a few from the full day) to help fund FFT’s programs. Representatives will be on hand to provide information on the organization and to sell raffle tickets with the chance of winning some awesome prizes.
I see that Hazel and Fork are the two closest (and 2 of my overall favorites) participants, but the list is long and county-wide so check it out at: fftfoodbank. org and go dine out for life.
Background: The City has a duty to protect the natural environment, our economy, and the health of its citizens. On May 21, 2019, the City passed a Zero Waste Resolution committing to reducing the total pounds of garbage sent to landfill per person per day, currently at 4.6 pounds, by 10% each year. To help achieve this goal, the City is enacting the polystyrene and disposable food service ware ordinance. Polystyrene products and non-recyclable, non- compostable disposable food service ware constitute a significant and avoidable source of garbage generated in Sebastopol; furthermore,
• Products made from expanded polystyrene foam are not biodegradable, returnable or recyclable.
• There is a prevalence of polystyrene foam debris littering our parks and public places, streets and roads, waterways, storm drains and beaches. When polystyrene debris enters waterways, riparian and marine animals confuse polystyrene foam pieces for food; ingesting polystyrene can lead to death for these animals.
• Eliminating the use of polystyrene foam and other non-compostable and non- recyclable items will maximize the operating life of our landfills and will lessen the economic and environmental costs of waste management for businesses and citizens of Sonoma County.
On December 7th and 8th, the Occidental Craft Faire returns for another fun-filled weekend of wonderful crafts, sumptuous foods, splendid raffle prizes, local music, and Santa sightings. Saturday the faire is open 10 - 5 and on Sunday 10 – 4. Please stop by and support your local vendors and the Occidental Community Council. I know there is a lot going on this time of year and that there are several other faire’s and festivals that weekend. However, none of them are as close to home and several charge money to attend. We also curate all of our vendors to make sure that they are local artisans selling handmade items.
Compostable Items:
Items Still Allowed
That same weekend the Occidental Community Choir will be performing across the street from the Craft Faire at the Occidental Center for the Arts. Performances will be Friday & Saturday at 8 pm, and a matinee on Sunday at 3. The following weekend there will be a final performance in Occidental on Saturday the 14th at 8 pm and a matinee on Sunday at 3 pm at the Glaser Center in Santa Rosa.
Paper “hot cups”& Paper Soup Containers
It sounds to me like you should come to Occidental on the weekend of the 7th and 8th and make a full day and night of it. On Saturday there will be a tie in of Craft Faire and Choir with a community caroling starting at the Community Center at the end of the Craft Faire and making it’s way up through town for a 2nd annual tree-lighting ceremony in front of the Bohemian Market. Stores will stay open late, there will be live music and Santa will be stopping by so come join in the festivities.
Recyclable Items:
Coated paper cups are not currently accepted in the compost or recycling streams in Sonoma County (even if
they are labeled compostable); however, because there are no compostable or recyclable alternatives commercially available for take-out hot liquids, they are allowed.
Sebastopol Leads on the Environmental Path
The City of Sebastopol is enacting a new Ordinance, effective November 25, 2019 written to:
For questions please call the City of Sebastopol Engineering Department, (707) 823-2151. A Copy of the Full Ordinance (Including Exemptions) is Posted on the City Website: http://sebastopol.municipal.codes/SMC/8.36.020
• Uncoated natural plant fiber & paper products (straws, bowls, deli boats, etc.) including bagasse products (sugar cane fiber)
• 100% wood or bamboo products (utensils, chopsticks, stirring sticks, etc.)
• Plastic containers accepted in recycling
• Aluminum containers
• Glass containers
An intriguing item to look forward to for the new year will be the opening of the Altamont General Store, hopefully sometime early in January. They are just waiting for the permits to come through from the County. The Altamont will be an eclectic space with many reasons to draw you in and keep you coming back for more. There will be a cafe with food and beverage service (including beer & wine), and grab and go ready-made food items for lunch
Products:
• Cups, plates, clamshells, etc
• Coolers/ ice chests, or similar
containers
• Pool or beach toys
• Packing peanuts or other packaging
“Compostable” Plant/Bio-Plastic Products/ PLA Plastics: Although technically compostable in certain facilities, compost facilities serving Sonoma County do not currently accept these items, therefore these products are not compostable in Sonoma County. Coated paper food containers: If it has a shiny surface/moisture barrier, it is likely coated. Exception: paper coffee cups/ containers for hot beverages or soups. Only Upon Request by Customers: Lids, cutlery, to-go condiment packages, and paper straws
on the go or an easy last-minute dinner option for home. The General Store will offer items for the kitchen and home and packaged foods of the highest quality. They will be a showcase for local artists hosting several at a time and on a rotational basis. There will be room for hosting private events, community workshops and more. I hear there is likely to be an in house ceramics studio
materials (unless donated by customers to a packaging store for reuse).
as well (more on that to come later). They are currently looking for artist and vendors and welcome you contacting Jenay or Andzia at: info@ thealtamontgeneralstore.com
Non-Recyclable, Disposable Plastic Service Ware:
• Disposable plastic utensils • Plastic Straws
Items No Longer Allowed Polystyrene Foam
December 19 ~ Lower Russian River Municipal
Advisory Council Meeting. Agenda and location will be published on the website and posted at the meeting site at least 72 hours before the meeting date.
INFO: http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Lower-Russian-River-
Municipal-Advisory-Council/ and Elise VanDyne at Elise. VanDyne@sonoma-county.org. 707.565.2241
Be well out there, don’t become too much of a hermit during the winter season. Come out to the events around town and engage with your neighbors. Enjoy the winding down of 2019 and look forward to the excitement of a new year.
See You Out and About My Dear Occidentalians!
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