Page 2 - Sonoma County Gazette Sept 2017

Dear Readers,
A favorite phrase of mine is...” Volunteer...get a social life. You’ll meet nice people.” It’s one of the things I miss about not having much time outside the Gazette. But believe me...I meet plenty of nice people! If you ever want to get
a boost for your opinion on humanity, volunteer. Find something you can feel passionate about and seek others who feel the same way.
Today the phone rang and it was a woman who volunteers at the breakfast dining hall at her church where they feed homeless people every morning. Scrambled eggs, toast, juice, hot oatmeal. She loves doing it and loves the people she meets, both her fellow volunteers as well as the homeless people they serve. Right now they’re looking for someone to take over the clothing exchange a former volunteer managed. She knows, through experience, that you can change someone’s life just by being kind and supportive.
On page 16 and 17 you’ll find out annual fall guide to waterway cleanups. Groups have been doing these cleanups for years in preparation for winter rains. Wherever they go, water flows more freely and trash doesn’t get washed out to sea. These cleanups used to be just once a year, then Clean River Alliance Chris Brokate came along and he inspired people to clean up weekly. He even created a trash service for homeless camps.
The difference he and his volunteers make in people’s lives is immense.
But the biggest difference has been evident when groups go to beaches for cleanups. In the past they’d haul off thousands of pounds of debris. Now they get mere hundreds of pounds. That’s a lot of trash not interfering with wildlife in their home.
Take a look and see if this is something that gets you excited. It’s outdoors, fresh air, beautiful places, great people. It’s a win/win all around.
WELCOME David Abbott! If you are a regular reader you’ve been seeing the byline for David Abbott recently. I’ve known David for years. He worked for Sonoma West Publishers as a journalist and editor. He and I would show up at events with our cameras and got into the habit of taking pictures of each other. He’d say ”some day I’m going to work for YOU’. And now...that’s true! I love sending him out to cover a story I want researched and written well. I’m not a journalist. I write and do graphic design. He’s a REAL journalist, so I’m taking advantage of his skills.
Right now my printer is waiting for the last section of this issue. I’m as tired as a person can be and want to go to sleep. So I’ll leave you here and hope to see you out and about somewhere.
Enjoy!
2 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 9/17