Page 38 - Sonoma County Gazette September 2019
P. 38

   Doing nothing for others is the undoing of ourselves. - Horace Mann
The City of Cotati has handed a challenge to all cities in Sonoma County. Go 100% renewable for your electricity. Mayor John Dell’Osso said, “After many years of focusing on energy conservation measures, the Cotati City Council recognized that switching our city electricity accounts to Evergreen will reduce our greenhouse emissions by another 60%. This is the most significant step we could take at this time to lead the way to cleaner air and a safer environment for our community.”
Be My Guest – Do you have some news or thoughts you’d like to share about Penngrove? I love to have guest contributions. Send me an email (above)!
Penngrove’s Community Clubhouse
By Jack Withington
If buildings could talk,
Will your city go 100% renewable sourced for electric power?
 Round-up NO MORE! A healthier choice for Cotati Our City Council banned the use of
Penngrove’s Community
Clubhouse could spin a story that
includes Penngrove’s rich and
interesting history. Originally built
as the Penngrove Social Welfare
Club and completed in 1922, the
name changed over the years;
it later became the Penngrove
Women’s Club and now it is
the Penngrove Community
Clubhouse, maintained by Penngrove Social Firemen.
 Glyphosate (Round-up) for all municipal operations and plantings done by either City staff or contractor. At the August 13th council meeting about thirty-five people came and spoke in favor of a ban. Dozens more sent emails to our mayor and city council members. I had planned to attend that meeting but a migraine on Sunday required several days to recover.
Mrs. Tillie Hermann was the Women’s Club’s first president. Tillie was the wife of local builder Al Hermann, the contactor responsible for the construction of the six room Eagle Elementary School (later the name was changed to Penngrove Grammar School), and many other projects in southern Sonoma County.
The City of Cotati plans to develop an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan to look at other synthetics being used for weeds and insects. What a fine change for Cotatians.
In 1930, the basement of the clubhouse served as the home of Penngrove’s Fire Department until 1938, when a new two-story firehouse was built next door utilizing lumber from the razed old Eagle School building. The little metal building on display at the Penngrove Park was formerly located in front of this fire house.
In July, I met Cotati Mayor John A. Dell’Osso.
He arrived early at Your Sweet Expectations
and treated me to coffee and a yummy cookie. I enjoyed our lovely chat. Before we finished, Dell’Osso handed me a prepared sheet of handy tips and notes for my column. I feel grateful I receive direct emails from him to keep me up to the minute on our city actions, challenges, and changes.
The clubhouse has served the community for nearly 100 years. There is a good chance you have fond memories of it, at the corner of Woodward and Oak streets in Penngrove.
Every person can do things to save water
Many Penngrove Elementary School graduations and Christmas pageants were held in the building. The Old Adobe or other 4-H clubs and Petaluma Grange met there. Finnish and other ethnic groups met there, as did folk and square dance groups. Your polling place was at the Women’s Clubhouse. If your group was raising funds, you held bazaars, card parties, or carnivals there. The Penngrove Grange, for many years, met there.
Water conservation continues as an ongoing concern. So, if you have not sheet mulched your lawn, now is an excellent time. Cotati City continues to offer homeowners Cash for Grass. City will rebate you up to $1.00 for every square foot of lawn area removed. Lawns must be watered with City water and well-maintained before removal. City staff will arrange a brief inspection at your site and make you an offer.
Please call (707) 665-3638. You can DIY and swap your water
Simply using an efficient drip system will help you save money on outdoor watering. Use a layer of organic mulch around plants to save hundreds of gallons of water per year. Weed your garden regularly because weeds drink what your plants need.
Dances were a popular use of the clubhouse. Local groups like the Korn Vendors Orchestra led by Penngrove poultry farmer, Larry Sani, played to crowds there in the 1950s. You could also dance to and enjoy the music of Ralph Rawson and his band. The country group Black Jack Wayne with Cal and Rose Maddox were a regular feature in Penngrove.
hog lawn for low water or xeriscaping.
When the hall underwent stressful times, the Penngrove Social Firemen stepped in and brought financial stability to this iconic clubhouse. Members of the non-profit can rent the facility for their parties and celebrations. It is used each month for the membership dinner.
Benefits of planting low water California Native plants include attracting butterflies and bees. Pollinator insects need all the help they can get. Butterflies need milkweed to lay their eggs. Monarchs need nectar rich plants like butterfly-bush (Buddleia davidii). We grow several in our garden, vigorous yet never invasive. Butterfly-bush’s flowering spikes tend to bloom in shades of lavender and purple but some varieties sport white blossoms.
Jack Withington lived in and around Penngrove in the 50s. But nothing lasts forever. Empty chicken houses, old unused milk houses tell the story of Penngrove. His years spent on a poultry ranch meant hard work alternating with the best that life had to offer. He saw the Penngrove Park go from a farmers field to a local showcase.
www.sonoma.watersavingplants.com
Fun Events in September
Hawaiian Luau, Penngrove Style – Sept. 7 - The food is great -- kalua pork, yams, Hawaiian Rice, Asian salad, Hawaiian chicken, and dessert. The exceptional performance by Taimalietane Islands of Polynesia dance troupe. Funds go to the upkeep of the lovely Penngrove Park, owned by Penngrove Social Firemen. Pre-purchase tickets by phone: Kim Hanson at JavAmore Café, 794-1516. Limited tickets at the door. $25 adults; $10 children ages 6 -12, under 5 FREE. Also at https://penngroveluau.brownpapertickets.com
Sitting Room—Sara Valerio and Nicki Orser will hold one of their “Moving Words” workshops, with body and mind connections, on Saturday, Sept. 14, 1:00 PM. RSVP to Sara at tortugamoon@hotmail.com. A Tribute to Tony Morrison is on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2 :00 pm. All welcome, no RSVP needed. For more events, see SittingRoom.org
Cotati has two low water demonstration gardens you can view, the Pocket Park at La Salle & Loretto Ave., and the lovely low water garden across from La Plaza Park on Old Redwood Hwy. which hosts the bus stop on the westside.
Sep 13 ~ Lego Movie2: Movies in the Park
Family friendly and free. In La Plaza Park. Old Redwood Hwy & West Sierra Ave. Bring blankets and beach chairs. September 13, 8:30 to 10:30 PM.
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