Page 38 - Sonoma County Gazette - May, 2018

Get on your track shoes, there is a lot going on in May and early June in our little town. All of it sounds pretty cool. There are some things you don’t want to miss.
TOWN HALL MEETING: For example, my number one pick, the Forestville Planning Association is hosting another of our Town Hall meetings Sunday, May 20 from 1-3 p.m. at El Molino High School library. This is a new location as we expect lots of folks to come and let Lynda Hopkins know what you want for our town going forward. Find out what ever happened to the Roundabout and where that money will end up. Yes,
you could help determine that, but you have to show up. Town Halls are local governance in action. It’s why I joined the Board of the FPA years ago. It’s what I’m most proud of. Look for those bright pink signs I post along Mirabel and 116 to remind you. It’s important. I’ll be there, come say hi.
And how fun is this? The day before, Saturday May 19 from 11 am to noon, live from the Monte Rio Theater is the Wonderland Radio Hour. This four- part series covers the people, places and history of the lower Russian River, and Forestville is the first to be featured! Come hear about the 71-year history of the Hollydale Club, how is it that we have two private parks, and PALS— Pets Are Loving Support—a nonprofit based in Forestville. Think Garrison Keillor style of entertainment, which will then be broadcast as a radio program on KRCB Sundays at 4 pm. It’s FREE, thanks to a grant from the California Humanities and Rihan Miller, the Project Director. It’s going to be fun. Did I say it was free? Let’s make some noise!
Celebrate our Volunteers: Later that night (May 19) we celebrate the Citizen of the Year Awards Dinner where Andy Farriester, Backyard Restaurant and Wendy Flowers take center stage as they are acknowledged for their extraordinary commitment to our community. It starts at 5 pm at Trappe Hall. Get your tickets at the Pharmacy or call Wendy at 887-2561.
It’s grant time. Applications for projects that beneft our community are available for the Forestville Community Fund grants. Hard copies are at the Pharmacy or go to 95436.org for an online application. Deadline is mid-June.
Little League: Are your kiddos in the mood for face painting, magic, a
lego building table, a balloon artist and you’d personally like some music, delicious BBQ tri tip and an opportunity to bid on a trip to Hawaii or date night packages? All that and more at the Little League Fundraiser at the Youth Park Saturday, May 5.
Our Youngers
Only one more month of school so I’d like to take an opportunity to thank our teachers, the office staff who grease those wheels and yes, the administrators. I come from a long line of teachers and I can’t think of more dedicated human beings. With a teacher for a husband (known as Mr. Bob at El Molino) I witnessed first-hand the long hours he put in reading students practice journals, grading their papers, correcting their grammar, holding respect for their thoughts and dreams. He never gave up on a student. He saw in them what they didn’t see yet. Even if they struggled, if they had faith in themselves, like he had faith in them, they would do great things.
Individual help is available, too: foot care; counseling on health insurance and legal aid; assistance on housing from the Sebastopol branch of SHARE Sonoma County, led by Amy Appleton. An Analy High School student tutors seniors in how to optimize use of their cell phones. Dean Brittingham coordinates an award-winning ride program taking folks to medical and dental appointments as well as on shopping errands.
Here is a partial list of all they are doing as they wrap up another school year. Go to their websites for details as I’m running out of room.
Participants and walk-ins can enjoy lunch Monday through Thursday and Brunch on Fridays, from 11 AM to 1 PM, for $4 age 60 and over, $6.50 if under. The “boutique” food is prepared fresh on site and served by wait staff. The menu offers four choices and changes every two weeks. Everyone says try the Eggs Benedict.
May 2nd, 2 pm Spring Concert; May 2nd and 5th, Green Sneaker Challenge; May 4th Star Wars Concert at 9, 10:30 and 3; May 10th School Board Meeting; May 12th Bowling Night at Windsor Bowling Alley where for $24 you get bowling, mini golf, hot dog, drink and chips; May 18th Paint Nite at Wine Guerilla for $45 with great food and fun; May 25th, third grade opera (hmmm, trying to imagine that one); May 30th eighth grade promotion (used to call it graduation) then it’s here. Summer Vacation.
“We’re a lot more than a place to play bingo. Come and see what we have to offer,” invites Linda.
JOIN US for the Youth Park Parade and BBQ June 2nd and 3rd. It’s the
kick off to summer with bands all day long, great BBQ ribs and oysters, pasta and corn dogs, bingo, booths, fair rides, live music & dancing! Every penny from that two-day blow out goes to support our own Youth Park. Start with
the parade at 10 am on Saturday the 2nd. We are looking for more of you to participate, it’s free and lots of fun! The theme this year is “Under the Sea.“ Forms available at Sequoia Real Estate office, downtown. Who says small towns don’t know how to have fun?
38 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 5/18
The new offerings result, in part, from increasing membership and donor generosity. All together, these sources account for 26% of the revenue. The Legacy Store provides another 27% and will likely increase it share, due to expanded hours 7 days/week. Once a destination store, it now enjoys foot traffic from its neighbors in Southpoint Shopping Center and greets a waiting crowd when it opens on half-off days.
Congratulations to our teachers, students, and families who are completing the school year this month. Three West County teachers received the top honor of “Teacher of the Year” from the Education Foundation of our Friday- noon Rotary Club. From Foundation President Keller McDonald, former Superintendent of the West Sonoma County Union High School District, “The award is important because it allows us to show [teachers] how much we appreciate all that they do.”
Jeff Stucker, a 30-year veteran currently teaching 6th grade English and World History at Brook Haven, integrates activities and projects into his program. For example, his students adopted a section of Bodega Highway [Hwy. 12] to keep it clean. Mr. Stucker’s responsibilities don’t stop at his classroom door: he’s volunteered as a club advisor and coach and served on various committees.
Karen McKenna teaches 6th grade English and History at Twin Hills. She found teaching so difficult in her first year that she thought about quitting, but she challenged herself to apply the “growth mindset,” improved her skills, and loves her career. She instructs her students similarly: to believe in themselves as learners. Described as a “consummate educator with endless energy,” she balances high performance standards with fun.
Jolene Johnson started her career by teaching kindergarten through second grade, then dance drew her in. Now at El Molino High School, she teaches “dance as a way of life,” meaning much more than dance techniques. She includes education on nutrition and assigns research and writing on dance- related topics.
Our Elders
Shifting to another age group in our community, our Senior Center has changed its appearance, upped its offerings, and made significant strides to financial sustainability. These improvements are the work of Linda Civitello, Executive Director for the last fifteen months, and her Board of Directors.
The Staff welcome people into a re-furnished front room, with a new wood floor (thanks to DSB Flooring) extending all the way to the freshly painted dining room (credit to our Friday-noon Rotary). The place is bright and airy.
Classes are often fully registered and field trips sell out: yoga, tai chi, Pilates, mediation, Feldenkrais, ukulele, balance, driver safety, art, writing, book discussion, movie night, whale watching, LGBTQI dances, TED Talks, and more. Program Director Katie Davis continues to enrich the Center’s offerings.
Two big fundraising events happen this Spring. The Classic Car Show takes over the O’Reilly parking lot at the north end of town on Saturday, May 26. Aged to Perfection honors Gus St. Marie with a gala dinner on Saturday, June 16.
Linda summarizes, “A newer Board Member had the goal that, someday, the Center would become a place he wanted to go. Now he’s enrolling in an art history class about Frida and Diego.” Don’t know who they are? Then maybe you need to take the class, too.