Page 37 - Sonoma County Gazette January 2017

“Courage & Optimism: driving forces of the future of libraries.” ~ Teresa Taboas
It’s a New Year, it’s a new day, time for new ideas and new goals. My daughter asked me today about why there are so many new buildings going up in town? I said because that’s what happens when the economy is in a good place, businesses can a ord to grow and new people are able
to start new businesses. The signs of growth and new money are popping up everywhere in Sonoma County. Have you seen the gorgeous new American Ag Credit building on Airport Blvd, just outside Windsor’s boundaries? Windsor is growing too with new construction starting along Conde Lane and the recent completion in the Downtown area of the new Vintage Oaks Shopping Center that has a new Oliver’s Super Store and new businesses like Wine Country Veterinary and W Real Estate, plus second locations for Sonoma County.
More Live & Kindness
I see all over national advertising this season a call for love and kindness. When you are searching for your next big move in life, giving more love
and kindness is a good place to start. Check out a fabulous new class o ered through the Windsor Parks and Recreation Department. Join Upbeat Times columnist Marcia Singer in living a happier, healthier, optimistic 2017. Sustain positive attitudes and goals, be mindful, and have more fun! The class is called “Living the Upbeat Life” and it is Course #14627 in the Windsor Parks and Recreation Guide. Registration is available online at townofwindsor.com or by calling 707-838-1260. The class meets once a month, January through April on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 6:30 pm at the Windsor Senior Center. Class is open to students 18+ years of age.
Windsor Film Festival
There was a new event in Windsor last year and now it’s back! The Windsor Independent Film Festival returns on January 13 and 14, 2017, with a venue change to the larger theater at Windsor High School.
WIFF is dedicated to showing lms from young and independent lmmakers, as well as making the culture and art of lm approachable to everyone.
“Last year’s festival showcased the creativity and originality of independent lmmakers from as far away as Taiwan and as close as right here in Windsor,” said George Dondero, one of the founders of the Windsor Independent Film Festival. “This year we will build on that success and encourage local and independent lms, while building a community of people who value lm as part of the local art scene.”
Filmmakers are encouraged to upload their lms for consideration to the festival at windsorfest.com. Filmmakers from the North Bay, as well as those who are in school, are especially encouraged to participate. “The Windsor Independent Film Festival isn’t your typical lm fest,” says Bethany Browning, board member. “We want to encourage community and voices that aren’t typically represented in lm to have a chance to be heard and be a part of
it.” Last year’s festival included submissions such as a humorous take on an Australian wedding (“Pint”), an o beat love story about a man and his egg (“Nester”) and a lm-noir send-up with many roles and one actor from a local student (“Tough Case.”) Like last year, many of the lmmakers will be on hand for the festival, giving audience members a chance to say hello and nd out more about their creative process. This year’s categories will include Home Grown (local lms), Animation, US Live Action, Comedy, Documentary, and International, with awards being given for each and one Best of Fest.
Advance tickets are for sale at the festival website, windsorfest.com. The fest expects to sell 400+ tickets for the 2017 Festival. All of the lms will be screened at the Windsor High School theater, conveniently located just south of thriving downtown Windsor at 8695 Windsor Road in Windsor, California. The Windsor Independent Film Festival is a non-pro t event created by Windsor residents
to feature the lms of local lmmakers, to encourage young Sonoma County residents to get involved in lmmaking and to present lms in a range of styles and themes to local audiences.
History shows that a healthy dose of courage and optimism were driving forces of libraries in the past, too. In 1884, one of our county’s rst such organizations, the Cloverdale Library Association, rented books for 30 cents/ month from its Library Hall. After that burned down in 1911, our resolute Women’s Improvement Club (WIC) gathered contributions to open a new, all volunteer facility in the historic Citrus Fair complex.
In 1921, thanks to donated property plus a Carnegie grant, WIC wasted no time realizing their goal of building a combined club location and Cloverdale Free Library. Nestled next to another prohibition era landmark, Pick’s Drive– In, the classic, single-story, fondly remembered brown shingled structure is, appropriately enough, now home to Voss Signature Vintage clothing.
Then, in 1979, twenty-plus years after joining the county system, WIC sold the property to help raise funds to expand into a new Cloverdale Regional Library building further up the Boulevard.
Closed since last October for the three months required by its extensive “Refresh Project” and reopening December 20th to a most appreciative assembly of City o cials, current and retired library professionals, County Library Director Lear, “Friends of the Library” members and local library fans of all ages whose delighted comments included: “Beautiful!”, “So open, bright and inviting!”, “Look, a new computer bank!”, “Really cool carpets and furnishings!” Yes! Our wonderfully refreshed library boasts improvements as varied as seismic bracing, a totally redesigned space layout, upgraded ADA parking, and new checkout technology. Yet, it is still our cherished place of safety, equality, entertainment, knowledge and discovery as well as the priceless brand of community and personal optimism public libraries both demonstrate and encourage.
In charge of it all is Branch Manager Stephanie Hope-Cochran who just came aboard in September. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, she was free to roam her public library, church and school. Teachers encouraged her to use the library as a safe place to grow and expand and, ultimately, to begin her career.
After earning a degree in Public Administration from Central Michigan University plus a Master’s degree in Library Science from Wayne State, Stephanie returned to Florida to serve in a Dade County Library as a “mini-Branch” Manager, working primarily with children. Her next position was with a branch in the Miami Gardens area – which she describes as a “challenged” location.
Here she started a successful program emphasizing collaboration through photography, music, art, lm, and the spoken word. With the result that many young people who never dreamed it possible went on to college.
Next, crossing the country to an opportunity in Westland, Oregon (just outside of Portland), she was mentored by an energetic library director who taught her the skills necessary to e ectively manage a library.
And, now, we’re pleased to say, Stephanie’s here in Cloverdale. A self- described “quirky” person who plays the piano and likes to x things (just give her a tool!), when Reece recently spoke with her, she emphasized that the “service of people comes rst” and believes the Library is not “just a facility” but, rather, “a central part of the community” re ecting all its diversity and positive aspects.
We’d like to leave you with this: Picture a little kid at the checkout desk. Tiny hands clutching books and brand new library card to tiny chest. Big eyes wide. Little face beaming excitedly. Mom, Dad or Grandparent proudly explaining it’s “the rst time checking out a book all on their own.” Over the years most library goers will witness this once-in-a-lifetime moment, while a number of of us can recall experiencing it ourselves. Just as libraries have for the past 4,600 years of their evolution from simple records storage, modern library systems continue
to evolve into their and our future – re ecting, nurturing and celebrating the positive changes brought about by optimistic growth, both within their home communities and their individual cardholders.
Cloverdale Regional Library is currently open: Tues., Thurs. & Fri., 10am-6pm; Wed. 10am-8pm; Sat., 10am-4pm. Thanks to overwhelming passage of Measure Y, county libraries can look forward to a much improved library system. April is Cloverdale’s target for opening on Mon. from 10am-9pm and extending to 9pm on Wed. As 2017 progresses, we look forward to enjoying more library hours and additional programs.
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