Page 38 - Sonoma County Gazette Juy 2019

Graton Community Services District
I have reached out a few times lately asking for an update on the Occidental waste project, but no one has gotten back to me. I’ll keep trying to bring you an update. However, if you live in Graton please know that GCSD Meets very 3rd Monday. These meetings are open to the public and board members have expressed that they encourage your attendance. 6:00PM to end at Graton Day Labor Center. I
Oak Grove Unified School District
Oak Grove Unified School District is making some major upgrades this summer to both Oak Grove and Willowside campuses. Oak Grove is getting a much needed new roof, replacing the failing HVAC system, upgrading to LED lighting and bring in in solar power generation. Willowside is getting new modulars, LED lighting upgrade and also brining in solar power generation. These projects will result in an improved learning environment for the students, the district will gain significant savings in utility costs, meet California Energy Commission’s standards and boost the district’s commitment to sustainability. The district also welcomes a wonderful new Superintendent this year, Amber Stringfellow. I will be interviewing Amber for next month’s article
Brittney Skin + Lash Artistry
I want to make sure I point out a wonderful little Graton business right in downtown! Her boutique is located at 9060 Graton Road. She does eyelash extensions, customized holistic facials, peels, waxing makeup and so much more. I have a friend who goes regularly and says it is a great experience. You can reach Brittney by calling 707-836-6227 or make an appointment online at www.brittneyskinandlashartistry.com
Graton Green Park
The Graton Green park is open for use! The engraved bricks are also in place but its not too late to purchase one for your family or friends. Go online and order at www.gratongreen.org and order under the donate tab. Here is a beautiful rendering of the park
An Abundance of Fruit
With all the rain we had there looks to be an abundance of fruit this year.
I have heard several neighbors say that they have just too much and will be setting bags out for the neighbors to share. I also do this with my pears and persimmons so be looking out
for those later in the summer. I am looking forward to a stellar year of blackberries on the bike path and new batch of delicious jam and syrup.
Bisquits @ Bowman’s
The silver airstream is now a food truck called the biscuit bullet featuring Big Bottom Market in Guerneville. They will be serving homemade biscuit sandwiches. Open Saturdays and Sundays from 11-4:00 PM. Bowman Cellars also has an impressive series of pop-up dinners! Check them out at www. bowmancellars.com
38 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 7/19
USA, USA! With the Warriors disheartening loss in the NBA Finals, my sporting focus shifts to cheering on our national team in the Women’s World Cup. The tournament is taking place in France and as of this writing we beat Spain yesterday in the round of 16, setting up a quarterfinal showdown with the host team. We are the defending champions, currently ranked #1 in the world while France is at #3. It should be quite the match-up. Go USA!
The Occidental Community Choir (OCC) is looking for a new
Choir Director! Heartfelt thanks and much appreciation to Sarah Saulsbury for her many years of service, dedication and hard work!
Now in its 41st year, the OCC has a reputation for excellence by producing unique concert experiences that combine humor, storytelling, poetry, varied instrumental accompaniment, and an off-the-beaten-path repertoire. OCC is a progressive and diverse group made up of delightful, quirky folks of all ages and many beliefs. If you’re interested in learning more, please contact Maria Culberson: culbersonm@gmail.com and visit occidentalchoir.org
The annual Occidental Fire Department BBQ is coming up
on Sunday, July 21st. Noon – 6 in the Union Hotel Grove. There are so many wonderful facets to this event, a must attend on my yearly calendar—please make sure to put it on yours.
The Farmers Market is in full swing and boy is it nice to have it back, especially with the rekindled appreciation of having it at all. I really like the use of 2nd St. for the food vendors and eating area, it creates a nice community vibe. I also appreciate the new bathroom setup taking advantage of the unused lot where the old red barn used to be at the corner of 1st St. It’s such a nice space, good to see it getting used. It seems to me that we’ve lost
a few vendor spaces in the re-configuration of the market, I wonder if this is early season temporary or an ongoing change? I will inquire and report back with more detail. I commend all who have contributed to making the Farmers Market a reality, you have done and continue to do a great job! I look forward to the ongoing pleasure of attending and seeing how it evolves over the next months and years.
I want to extend a personal thank you to the outgoing Harmony School District Principal Rene McBride. She gave us many years of exemplary work and will be missed. I had the pleasure of working with her over the years and always appreciated her efforts on behalf of the school and students therein. Good luck in whatever your next adventures may be Rene!
The Occidental Community Services District (OCSD) is the most important public entity in Occidental that you’ve probably never heard of. Or if you’re like me, you’ve heard of them but don’t have much of an idea how they are composed, what their responsibilities are, and how they serve the community. Well, the answer is it’s too big of a nut for me to crack with one-go, but this will be the first in an ongoing series of exposés into the OCSD.
Community Services Districts were formed to serve the needs of residents living in rural areas that are not served by any other municipal entities. Under the California State Charter, they have latent powers to do almost anything a city can do, providing that no other municipal entity provides that service.
Among the powers: water and sewer services, recreation and parks, acquire land and infrastructure projects for that purpose, libraries, cemeteries, develop broad band systems, airports, fire and police services, streets, landscaping, lighting, electric power plants, levy taxes, bond indebtedness, etc, etc.
Ours has been around for a long time and has mostly flown under the radar while being a publicly elected board and taking care of (or being responsible for) many things around town like water, lighting, trash, landscaping, etc.
There are some rather large projects envisioned for town (public bathrooms, water fountains, improved landscaping, remodeling the community center, etc.) with the possibility that the OCSD can be involved in any number of ways. They are governed by a five member board of elected volunteers.
Three of the five seats are up for re-election this November with a County filing deadline for candidacy coming up in the middle of August. The next meeting of the OCSD is Tuesday, July 9th from 7-8pm at the firehouse.
That’s it for now Occidental, enjoy Summer!