Page 43 - Sonoma County Gazette - May, 2018

Moving into high tourist season!
Are you enjoying our spring? Don’t you love the surprise weather we have each day; maybe rain and the next day sun, a day of warmth taking off the jacket, putting the jacket on, bringing the umbrella out, putting it away, building a fire, or closing the wood room down. Spring! A gentle reminder to us all to appreciate the last of this wacky weather as we will soon wish once again for the cleansing downpours and the big storms! Enjoy each day, enjoy the moment it brings.
Expectations for the season are high because many businesses and workers have difficulties making it through slow winter months. The Workforce Housing Fund was awarded to, and is administered by, the Russian River Alliance to assist local workers who have experienced cashflow problems due to shortened work hours or the lack of affordable housing. Since January, 6 households needed help with rent & utilities.
Speaking of time... I often remind us all to slow down. It’s a big question in our lives isn’t it? Should one plan out their day and build in personal alone time and a nap? Or do you lose the calendar and pretend that your day is booked when an event comes across your desk and gracefully bow out? How about losing the phone for an afternoon? Or do you take one day at a time and do exactly as you please?
How can you help? Need help? Workforce Wednesdays (first Wednesdays of the month) are held at Timberline Restaurant (16440 4th St, Guerneville) where you can assist by purchasing a $15 dinner. Timberline has been graciously donating the food for the cause. Smart Pizza (16205 First St, Guerneville) also donates 10% of profits each Monday night. And Nutsack Creations has hosted fundraising events. If you would like to support our local workforce, or want more information and an application, please go to RussianRiverAlliance.org.
I do know it’s true when they say you will be busier than heck when you retire. Visiting with friends, family, a big trip here, a small one there! It’s true, oh so true. My favorite is my walk each day. I encourage you to take a walk
in some of the many trails in our many parks or stroll on one of our lovely beaches. Or pretend the house work is all done and the garden chores too –then grab a book and lounge around in your favorite nature spot. If you want to fill up that calendar there is plenty to do.
If you are a local business seeking financing to purchase real estate or
need funds for expansion, please contact me (see email above). Through a partnership with Sonoma County Economic Development Board consulting fees are covered by the county.
Another area where grants and financing will be needed is for septic upgrades. Several agencies are working together to locate funding for those who cant afford to upgrade their systems without aid. Due to State regulations, our upgrade process is now coming to reality this year. Permit Sonoma (formerly known as PRMD) has stated that no houses will be condemned, and no one will be forced out on the street due to a lack of ability to afford the required upgrades.
Lots going on out there for everyone. At the Gualala Art Center are three opening receptions to attend early May; from oil on canvas, to water color on paper, photography, and wood sculpture. Strolling in the art gallery alone or with a friend fills is good for the soul. Meeting the artists is a good way to meet the community you live in.
Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District has opened an office in the former Youth Center building near the Monte Rio Amphitheater. They handle issues such as erosion control, ecosystem health, and water quality. These districts provide non-regulatory, confidential, free outreach and technical assistance to our community. goldridgercd.org
On May 5th at 1:00 take a garden tour with Sus, executive director of the art center. The Brubeck Soul Brothers are on the same day at 7:00 PM. These guys are great and have been performing, playing, and sharing stories on our coast for many years. “Spring into Summer—A Taoist Perspective” (this is what I was saying earlier) is May 6 at 10:00 AM.
The next MAC (Municipal Advisory Committee) workshop will be held Wednesday May 9th, 6pm at the Guerneville Elementary School.
This month repaving will begin on Bohemian Highway from Occidental to Monte Rio. This well-traveled road certainly needs the work.
And there is more: acting classes, thought provoking lectures, a quilt workshop, another wonderful concert and art fair. Please visit the Gualala Art Center website for all the details on these events at gualalaarts.org/ category/events/. At the Point Arena theater the Stompy Jones Rhythm and Blues show is Saturday May 12 at 7:00. Perfect music for some good swing dancing. And of course they have the best movies in town. Check them out at arenatheater.org/.
Have you noticed how much persistence is required to get the right thing done? It’s no wonder most folks just give up trying. Whether it is dealing with government agencies or businesses. I’ll give you a few examples:
The one event I want to highlight this month is the Alaskan Native Day
at Fort Ross State Historic Park on May 19th from 10:00 to This is the Fifth Annual Alaska Native Day to celebrate the Alaska Native history at Fort Ross/ Metini and to build community among the Alaska Native people. Kayak race, crafts, dance performance, storytelling, and games. Come learn about the Alaska Native community at Fort Ross. The Alaskan Native story at Colony Ross is a piece of our coastal history that is important. Lauren Peters created this event to tell the story of these often forgotten people who lived and worked here, intermarried with local tribal people, and were some of the more diverse communities to live here during this changing time. Here is there Facebook feed for more info: facebook.com/events/2052646281614336/.
Instead of maintaining our roads or responding quickly to issues, when
the repairs finally must get addressed, the cost is much higher than it would have been if addressed early on. Another example is financial elder abuse. When I questioned a state agency about why they weren’t following their own regulations regarding making sure work is completed in a satisfactory manner before allowing PACE finance companies to place tax liens on seniors’ homes,
I was told, “Chuck we don’t have the personnel to enforce those regulations”. To me, it’s their job, they are the government, and if they don’t follow their own policies, procedures, and regulations to protect the elderly who will? There are many unscrupulous contractors targeting the elderly on home improvement projects and neither the finance companies nor the government do much to stop this abuse.
I wish you all a wonderful spring. If you have events or stories, or people you want to highlight please contact me. Many blessings to you all.
If you are getting a home improvement project done, make sure you get the municipality to sign off on work permits before the contractor is paid. It’s pathetic to hear people saying, “He seemed like such a nice guy, he served our country in Afghanistan as my son did, etc.“ It’s worse to hear the government oversight agencies saying we don’t have the time or staff to deal with this.
The Russian River Historical Society has a new exhibit and an open house to announce: “Taverns & Restaurants Along the Russian River” Saturday May 5 at Guerneville Bank Club, (16290 Main St, Guerneville,) 1 to 3pm; Music by Out of the Blue. No-host wine, pie and ice cream
Bottom line is do your homework, be skeptical, read behind the lines, don’t expect much help from government or businesses, and if you think you can make a difference in protecting others, be persistent in your efforts.
“RRHS Archives Open House” Saturday, May 26 at 21482 Moscow Road (behind Bartlett’s) 4 to 6pm. Free to RRHS members $20 for non-members. For more information, including scheduling 15-minute tours, email info@ russianriverhistory.org
Garden plots are still available at our Monte Rio Rec & Park community gardens. $40 a year. Monte Rio Rec & Park also has two new events at the MR Community Center: Sound Emersion Healing classes, Wednesday nights, 7:30 to 8:30pm and Aikido classes starting Tuesday, May 15, 7 to 8pm. Both $10. mrrpd.org
Vacation Wonderland, we just keep getting better!
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