Graton News, Updates & Events

Congratulations and appreciation are the themes this month - so many local accomplishments, so many people to appreciate for their work for this and the world community.

Then - after all that we have to be thankful for this month, we have Santa’s visit to look forward to next month! Mr. Claus’s appointment secretary confirms that His Heartiness will be able to meet and greet his fans Sunday, December 14th, starting from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Graton Community Club. As usual, Mrs. Claus and Sparkle the Elf will be on hand to assist with photo ops, which are provided free for those who have business with Santa. Fans of all ages are welcome.

Starting globally, Ann Hancock, Campaign Director of the Climate Protection Campaign, was selected as a "leader for a sustainable future" by the Leadership Institute for Ecology and the Economy. She, along with other selected leaders, were honored at the Sustainability Awards Dinner at the Mary Agatha Furth Center in Windsor on Saturday, November 7, 2009. Ann is a Grateronian who started The Climate Protection Campaign here in Graton.

Thinking locally, but with global climate impact because of their innovative waste treatment systems, the Graton Community Service District (Graton CSD) announced they have received $2.3 million in grants from FEMA to improve Graton’s wastewater treatment plant. The Graton CSD received $773,254 to pay for sludge removal from the wastewater treatment plant, and $1.5 million to build a concrete and earth wall, 4-feet high and 1-foot thick around the treatment ponds and the plant to make sure the facilities don’t flood. This brings the facility into compliance with the requirements of the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.

The Graton CSD Board members want to thank Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, her representative Tom Roth, the Graton CSD Chief Engineer Peter Lescure and General Manager Robert Rawson for working tirelessly to put the grant applications together. However, great appreciation also goes to the CSD Board members - Judy Christensen, Jane Eagle, David W. Jeppesen, John Roehl, and Roland Wiebe for their dedication as community volunteers to represent Graton citizens on this important board - Graton’s only government. These volunteers give many hours to represent Graton’s interest in the greater community regulating waste water with all of its complications, regulations and state and Federal mandates.

The new kindergarten/primary playgrounds at Oak Grove opened October 9th. The opening celebration festivities included a Mr. Music sing along, the installation of a Big Cat drinking fountain designed by Patrick Amiot, free ice cream and popcorn. Drive by and see how great the old school looks! Congratulations and thanks to the parent volunteers and everyone involved.
The Graton Green Group (GGG) continues to make progress toward creating a park plaza at the site of the Graton Fire House which will be vacated when the Graton Fire District moves into new quarters on Highway 116. The GGG Design Team held their first meeting October 10 and already has a scaled drawing of a proposed plaza design, including parking, a covered bus stop and a hopeful plan to use some of the building structure for an outdoor community gathering place.

The GGG Design Team includes an extraordinary interdisciplinary team that couldn't be better for the purposes of designing a uniquely Graton park. Team members have experience and expertise in construction oversight, mechanical engineering, LEED accreditation, green and sustainable design experience, large format art design and production, park maintenance and universal design. Those who would like to assist with the Graton Plaza design should contact Cricket Seagull at atcrickets@comcast.net.

"Native Spirits," an original musical play by Janey Hirsh and James Duickett, opens Friday, November 20th at the Graton Community Club. A production of the American Dream Theatre, "Native Spirits" features seven original songs composed by Duckett. Playing Fridays and Saturdays, starting at 7:00 p.m., the play, set in northwestern Idaho, will have a final performance on Sunday, December 6th at 2:00 p.m. For additional information and reservations, call 707-538-7543.