Around Forestville

Though the weather doesn’t want to cooperate, the signs of summer are all around. Kids are dreading finals and counting the days until end of the year field trips. Weeds are being pulled and gardens tended. And we fortunate Forestvillians are waiting in anticipation for the official kick-off of summertime, the Forestville Parade and Youth Park Bar-B-Q! This year is going to be extra special as we celebrate its 50th year!

Saturday, June 5th the Parade begins at 10 am. The BBQ runs Saturday 11am until 10pm and Sunday 11am until 8pm.

There will be pie eating contests, balloon tosses, vendors, and great food and fine Sonoma County wines and beer. The Forestville Historical Society will be running a photo booth where you and a friend can have your picture taken as old-costumed mannequins!

Student Snippets
Forestville School and El Molino High School are winding down another successful year of top-notch academics and activities. Despite major budget cuts, both schools improved their API scores this year and are graduating students with high GPA’s, well-rounded interests, and scholarships to some of the best colleges and universities in the country.

A Forestville 8th grader, Katelyn Barnes, earned the Community Service award for working with Kindergarteners and other programs for 211 hours! Two El Molino students, both former Forestville School students, Andy Cornelis and Nelson Brock, have been honored with acceptance into a very prestigious bio-technology program at Sonoma State this summer, just to name a few of the many achievements. Forestville Academy’s graduation is on June 2nd and El Molino’s on June 3rd.

Grant Opportunity
The Russian River Community Trust Fund is accepting applications from non-profit organizations for projects serving communities from Forestville west to the ocean. The Trust will award grants for capital projects, equipment purchases or projects of a one-time nature. The maximum grant will be $5,000. Applications due July 15, 2010.

Call Robert Judd at the Community Foundation: (707) 579-4073.

Scrumptious Summer Offerings
You can enjoy a summer bounty of just-picked vegetables and fruit even if you don't have the time or space to grow your own! The SRJC’s magnificent 365-acre Shone Farm off River Road is beginning this season’s CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) vegetable box program the week of June 14th. For $240 for 10 weeks you will receive a box containing 6 to 8 different vegetables and fruits grown and harvested by SRJC students the morning of delivery, enough for a family of 2 to 3 adults. The produce is grown using sustainable methods, with no pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides. CSA membership supports the work of Shone Farm and its future farmers. Boxes are available on Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Directions and location will be sent after your signup is complete. Contact dwalton2@santarosa.edu or call 887-2173

FYI
The Board of Directors of the Forestville Fire Protection District is cutting the Fire Chief's hours in half to slow down the effects of declining revenue. This unfortunate situation has come to pass because the District relies primarily on property taxes for its operations and the reduction in home values as well as lack of growth in Forestville has led to a reduction in revenue. As the budget has gotten tighter, the Forestville Firefighters have learned to do more with less. They have put off replacing safety equipment, performing repairs to their 35-year-old fire station, and replacing aging apparatus in order to save money. Unfortunately there is nothing left to cut that will not impact the level of service that they provide to the community.

The Forestville Chamber mixer will be on June 24th, 5-7pm at the Forestville Pharmacy. Come celebrate the completion of the town mural by Rose Halady.

The long awaited Sarah's Forestville Kitchen is finally open at 6566 Front Street. It’s a perfect breakfast and lunch restaurant with good food, fantastic prices and a lovely atmosphere. Come and see what Greg and Dean have created for us.

Don’t miss the Western Bacon Cheeseburger BBQ at the Hollydale Club on Saturday June 26th at 6:00PM

Can’t wait to see you all this summer Around Forestville!