Page 34 - Sonoma County Gazette July 2020

Last year the Green Music Center inside Sonoma State University hosted the Transcendence Theatre Company for the 4th of July celebration and it was amazing. It’s obviously not happening this year. The good news is that the Transcendence Theatre Company is offering, free of charge, a thrilling night of heart exploding performances that is over nine years in the making. “Don’t Stop Believin” is the musical journey of a lifetime that has been created to empower you to believe in yourself. Be blown away by Broadway artists performing a dynamic range of songs from musicals including “Les Miserables”, “Wicked”, “Rock of Ages” and more. It’s online. July 10 through 19th 730pm. Visit bestnightever.org for more information.
Black Lives Matter
Fireworks: The Rohnert Park City Council took up the issue of fireworks for the upcoming July 4th holiday at their regular meeting. City Manager, Darrin Jenkins, asked Public Safety Chief Tim Mattos to prepare a presentation and make recommendations concerning continued sales offireworks in Rohner Park from a Public Safety aspect. He provided three options for the council to consider.
KBBF’s Director of Programming, Edgar Avila, and Board President Alicia Sanchez also have released a statement of solidarity from the station.
First was a complete ban, a one year ban or continued sales with additional restrictions on the sale and use within city limits.
The United States is a country founded entirely on the exploitation and slavery of African-Americans, resulting in centuries of inequality, the effects of which have still not been fixed or even honestly confronted by our government to this day. This is why KBBF supports the Black Lives Matter movement and the right of all people to fight for their freedom.
Staff recommendation was to ban the sale and use of fireworks. The chief outlined factors he considered in making his recommendation. They were the recent history of wildfires. Cotati, Santa Rosa, Sonoma, Healdsburg, Windsor, Petaluma, Sebastopol and Cloverdale banned the sale of fireworks this year.
Rebel Fagin’s Speaking of Palestine show, airing on KBBF on July 6th from 4 to 5pm, will also address current events around racial justice as well as police brutality.
Much discussion focussed on both the financial benefits of fireworks sales to local non-profits, as well as the run on fireworks in R.P. because they are banned in other communities. In the end, the council decided that, for now, fireworks can be sold & used in Rohnert Park. BE CAREFUL everyone - this is high-fire season!
Support KBBF: Become a vital part of KBBF’s community of listeners and supporters. Visit the KBBF.org website to sign up for a monthly donation or a one-time gift. GRACIAS!
$25 million approved for Roseland Village
for affordable housing & public transit expansion
Everyone at KBBF values its role as a community radio station. When the country and this county saw upheaval in the face of racial injustice, programmers responded. In addition to airing news and information, the station also hosted a special bonus edition of the Broken Record program, featuring members of the Sonoma County Black Coalition (SCBC).
The SCBC describes itself as “a grassroots civil rights organization dedicated to amplifying and unifying Black voices in Sonoma County.”
Reading Cinemas, Rohnert Park, has launched the Reading Cinemas
Eats at Home program. Through this new program, cinema guests can
take their at-home movie experience to the next level with popcorn and
more goodies available via pickup or delivery. For more information visit ReadingCinemasUS.com/RohnertPark. Like I said in my film/theater column the Reading theater will hopefully open July 17th. Very exciting.
Senator McGuire, the County of Sonoma, the City of Santa Rosa, SMART and MidPen Housing have been working together to secure the funds for over a year to provide a huge boost in the development of the transformational Roseland Village project on Sebastopol Road.
One of my favorite Rohnert Park people is Mickey Zeldes
This project, the result of over 10 years of planning and outreach, adds 75 units of affordable housing that directly connects to the 8.5-mile long Joe Rodota Trail. It also closes a key pathway gap in the Trail, connecting it to downtown Santa Rosa and the SMART Station via a new bike and pedestrian crossing on Third Street. The gap closure creates 10 miles of continuous pathway from the SMART Santa Rosa North station to Sonoma Mountain Village in Rohnert Park, and west to Sebastopol.
from the Rohnert Park Animal Shelter. I call her every month to see which adorable dogs she has for adoption. She wasn’t there when I called, but I was lucky to have Taylor answer my call.
Additionally, a workforce partnership with JobLink of Sonoma County will train and place low income residents into quality careers on site.
Taylor is 20 years old and she’s from Pasadena. She has worked with Mickey for 2 years and loves her job. She is studying biology anthopology but will always work with animal shelters one way or another. She said there are
two adorable dogs for adoption: Sheila, a Blue Healer, and Kaibo, a German Shepherd. and 3 incredibly cute cats: Thornberry, Emma, and Buddy.
The funding award includes $5M towards the SMART rail extension to the Town of Windsor, including the new station platform in Downtown Windsor. Additionally, by locating affordable housing in a central location with ease of access to public transit, the result is a significant reduction in the number of vehicle miles traveled by people in cars.
The services by appointment include bringing in a stray animal, reclaiming your lost pet and owner surrender ofyour pet. Call 707 584 1582 with any questions.
I want to wish all of you a fun and SAFE 4th of July!
The grant award also includes an additional $4.1 million for City of Santa Rosa projects that will upgrade bus stops and transit hubs on Santa Rosa’s high-frequency bus transit corridors benefitting Santa Rosa CityBus, Sonoma County Transit, and Golden Gate Transit riders; improve bus service in southwest Santa Rosa and support electrification of the City’s transit fleet; provide free access to the CityBus system for Roseland Village residents; fill gaps in pedestrian infrastructure in southwest Santa Rosa; and establish a new pedestrian crossing on Third Street adjacent to the Downtown Santa Rosa SMART Station. Additionally, a state Infill Infrastructure Grant will pour an additional more than $11 million into not only the Roseland Village development affordable and market rate housing, but also two affordable and market rate housing projects in downtown Santa Rosa.
34 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 7/20