Page 38 - Sonoma County Gazette MARCH 2020

Great news for El Molino High School. They recently received
the largest grant from the John Jordan Foundation of $25,000 to increase the number of classroom computers available to students. We are all happy about that. Those students are our future.
Be Part of the Change Apply for the New Climate Action Sub-Committee Deadline March 20, 2020
Guided by dance teacher, Jolene Johnson, student dancers are perfecting their skills for their Spring Performance at 7 pm on March 4th, 5th and
6th. That next night, Saturday, March 7, the Boosters host their fundraising “PigNic” at Shone Farm, postponed from last October’s Kincade Fire evacuation. $35 gets you in and “Who’s Your Daddy” is the band. Money raised is targeted to Project Graduation. Full steam ahead they are hosting a second fundraiser in March in case you missed the first. It’s March 28, again at Shone Farm. This event will be catered by the competitive BBQ team called “When Pigs Fly.” You’ll get home- made desserts from the students themselves plus another opportunity for scoring notable silent auction items.
On January 7, 2020, the City Council approved the creation of a Climate Action Sub-Committee. The new Climate Action Sub-Committee will include a cross-section of community members representing all sectors, working together to make recommendations to the Council on specific future actions to address the climate crisis. This initial group will write a work plan for a later, more formal “standing” Sub-Committee.
For our elementary and middle school, the BIG spring play this year is The Wizard of Oz, performed by all grades and sure to please. I can hardly wait to see what teacher Nicole Huberty has in store for us. Dates are March 6th, 7th, 13th and 14th at 7 pm and matinees on March 8th and 15th at 1 pm. You can be sure the students and the parents who make it happen are busy getting ready to create another masterpiece for our entertainment.
The deadline to apply is March 20, 2020. Interviews before the Council will follow. Appointments to this volunteer group will be made by a majority vote of the Council and it is anticipated to begin work by May.
If you have a young one ready for Kindergarten, registration is now open, so don’t miss out on having them get a great start in school. This school’s the kind of place where students recently raised $1,300 to help animals impacted by the Australian wildfires. I’m proud of both our schools. Aren’t you?
The Climate Action Sub-Committee will consist of eleven to thirteen members including one City Council Member, one Planning Commissioner, and the Planning Director or her designee. There will be a seat for Youth (ages 17-23), a local business owner, and a representative from a local climate activist group. Also included will be someone with a background in environmental justice/equity, “rights of nature,” and climate. Residents both within the
city limits and, if outside but within the 95472 zip code, can apply. Those outside the city limits should be able to show strong affiliations with the local community.
Spring break for both the elementary and high schools will be March 16th through the 20th so watch out for kids on the roads.
The group is expected to meet regularly at a time conducive to the members and at least once per month. It is anticipated that this sub-committee will appoint a person to act as its chair and work with Staff on agendas and minutes from the meetings.
The Methodist Church is as busy as ever. Their HUGE rummage sale takes place Saturday, March 7th starting at 8 am and going until 2. I arrived late last year, but still managed to score some really nice items.
The duties of the Climate Action Sub-Committee are to:
• Prioritize the actions listed in the Climate Emergency Resolution dated December 3, 2019
• Formulate a Work Plan
• Research the composition and duties of other cities’ similar sub-committees
• Update the City’s current Climate Action Plan Document
• Create a Climate Action Calendar of events, and
• Consider ideas for climate events, including volunteer appreciation
It is likely that the work of the new Climate Action Sub-Committee may involve areas of concern or responsibility of other boards and commissions. In these situations, Staff may be asked to bring those items to those other bodies and report back to the new sub-committee.
The Church’s Irish Potato Supper takes place March 15; doors open at
5:30, supper at 6. “The Forestville Strings” start out the night, then “Plaid Menagerie” kicks in Irish music after. Although the supper is free, donations are accepted. There you’ll have a chance to bid on some lovely auction items. Call the church 887-2020 to let them know you are coming so they have enough potatoes for all. Supporting the fun activities at the church hall helps them run our local Food Closet currently serving 65 Forestville families.
And speaking of celebrating all things Irish don’t miss your opportunity for authentic Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner at the Hollydale Club Saturday, March 14 at 6 pm. They use an age-old recipe brought over from County Cork not far from where my own relatives lived generations ago.
The Lower Russian River MAC (Municipal Advisory Council) is finishing up its first year of public meetings where we heard from multiple County offices. Presentations were from Human Services, Health Services, the Homeless Task Force, Rapid Rehousing, Permit Sonoma, Flood Relief Loan Funding, the Sheriff’s Office on disaster response, road repair updates, broadband to outlying areas, wastewater and sewer issues and more.
Sebastopol’s 2019 Climate Action Highlights
The MAC consists of 9 elected members and 7 alternates. We meet every other month on the third Thursday of the month and welcome you to participate. Go to INFO: http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Lower-Russian-River- Municipal-Advisory-Council/ for meeting agendas & locations.
Clean Power’s Evergreen Program
• Subsidized the ridership fare on the local shuttle to make this bus service free
• Sponsored two one-month-long periods of the Bus Buddy Program to boost
transit ridership
• Partnered with the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition to hold SebastoPedal Green,
a guided bike ride using the green bike lanes on Highway 116
• Sponsored the Sebastopol Walks Program to encourage pedestrians
• Established a policy to purchase carbon credits to offset City travel (partial list)
More information & the application are on the City’s website at : co.sebastopol.ca.us. Planning Staffer Alan Montes, at 707.823.6167 and Amontes@cityofsebastopol.org, can answer any questions.
Jennette Dillman from Pocket Canyon was voted Council President, and Claudia Sisomphou from Hacienda was voted Vice President for 2020. Vesta Copestakes, Lucy Hardcastle, & gary Harris are your Forestville representatives. Let’s talk!
What’s happening locally? The next Town Hall meeting will be Sunday, April 19 from 3-5 at El Mo High School library.
The Community Outreach Coordinator has developed a special brochure for interested parties. There’s also a new application form that includes specific questions regarding expertise, knowledge, and commitment to climate actions.
• Empaneled the Zero Waste Sub-Committee
• Adopted an ordinance banning polystyrene and single-use plastic
• Switched City utility accounts to 100% local, renewable energy through Sonoma
38 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 3/20