Dutra Asphalt Plant wins vs. Save Schollenberger Park supporters

Judge Chouteau Buys County’s Arguments 

Dutra Asphalt Factory Approval Upheld by Court 

We are very disappointed by Judge Chouteau’s failure to find in favor of our community coalition¹s legal challenge to protect Shollenberger Park, the Petaluma  River and our community’s health and economy.  Judge Chouteau has  rejected our plea to preserve the gateway to Sonoma County from blight  and protect the people of Petaluma from Dutra¹s industrial pollution.
 

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KRCB Auction Annie Murphy-Springer Painting

Annie Murphy-Springer 

Auctions at Painting

to Benefit KRCB

One of my absolute favorite people on this planet is Annie Murphy-Springer of Bodega. Her watercolors glow with rainbow colors. She teaches and inspires people with her watercolor classes and has extended her classes to videos on a KRCB program - The Wonders of Watercolor. In order to support KRCB, she has offered one of her watercolors for auction to benefit KRCB. Learn more about Annie and her paintings below....

A Message from Annie about her painting being auctioned on KRCB,

HI THERE !
  On Dec. 3 rd, Susan Ball (another artist) and I were invited to paint LIVE on KRCB TV channel 22 between segments of Bob Ross's life story. We painted "beat the clock" style, creating finished paintings in less than 2 hours......what fun!

   My painting is of the scene I see from my studio in Joy Woods, Bodega, Ca...............watercolor on a new surface, called YUPO,which is very exciting to work with...........the pigment slips and slides, moves, merges, repels, etc. until I say "STOP" with my brushwork.

   KRCB is auctioning off both paintings until Dec. 29th, with the high bid amount for my painting going directly to fund my series THE WONDERS OF WATERCOLOR !

   So, if you or anyone you know might be interested in acquiring this unique painting, please go to KRCB's website by clicking on the link below. You will see the image, 11" x !4".

http://krcb.org/component/option,com_bids/Itemid,100648/id,286/lang,en/task,viewbids/

   Even if you are not interested at this time, I would really appreciate it if you would forward this to your friends...................many, many thanks

   Meanwhile, have Happy Holidays, and a very happy, healthy and Peaceful New Year!

Best Wishes, 

Annie

------------------------------

Here's a link to Annie's web site so you can learn more about the magical world she paints for all of us to enjoy...as Annie says, "Those who collect my art tell me that my paintings make them feel happy. They respond to the color, freshness, exuberance, and sometimes whimsy of my art.

    Painting is a joyful experience for me, and I love teaching others to find similar joy." - annie murphy springer

http://www.anniemurphyspringer.com/index.php

and a link to a YouTube video of Annie so you can see her in action and learn about who she is and what inspired her to paint. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVz7FMxM4Iw

I have featured Annie several times in my paper because she inspires joy and creativity. Enjoy!

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Comedy for the Holidays in Kenwood Depot

3RD ANNUAL HOLIDAY SHOW 

AT KENWOOD DEPOT

Local Boys Turned Comedy Duo Come Home For More (Two Nights!)

Dec. 26th, 2011 (Mon) 5pm & 8pm

Dec. 27th, 2011 (Tue) 7:30pm

The Kenwood Depot

314 Warm Springs Road

Edgy music-driven comedy duo Dakaboom is two guys doing comedy that combines the musical genres of pop, opera, hip-hop, jazz, musical theatre and a cappella. One is a curly redhead with Franki Valli's sinuses and a keen sense of humor. The other is a wide-eyed brunette ingénue with old-fashioned flair, a flawless voice and an occasional mermaid costume. They're long-time best friends who reference the old-school vaudeville style, while manipulating it into a playful, modern art form. And they’re coming home to Sonoma County.

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OCCUPY Movement - Perspective UPDATE

OCCUPY Reader Input

I also got some great calls from people who didn’t write - thank you everyone for your feedback and on-going engagement in this process. ~ Vesta, publisher

---------------------------

“There’s something happening here;

what it is ain’t

exactly clear.”

By Larry Robinson

The Occupy movement has touched a deep chord in America, particularly among young people who sense that the doors of opportunity are closed to them and that capitalism has finally vanquished democracy. But that is only the most visible face of what is happening here, in Europe, in the Middle East, in Iran, in China and Burma and many other places.

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Petaluma Flood Control Projects Meeting

Petaluma Flood 
Control Projects

The Flood Zone 2A Advisory Committee is holding a meeting to discuss projects in the upper Petaluma River Watershed that could provide flood control and other benefits, like groundwater recharge, improvements to water quality and ecosystem enhancements. The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, December 8 at the Lucchesi Community Center in Petaluma (details below).

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Fighting Diabetes and Hunger

Redwood Empire Food Bank 

Awarded Grant to Fight Diabetes

By Miriam Wilding

The Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB), part of the Feeding America network of food banks, marked World Diabetes Day by announcing an $800,000 grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation to help communities and populations disproportionately affected by type 2 diabetes. The grant is part of a $3.1 million commitment to Feeding America as part of Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation’s Together on Diabetes: Communities Uniting to Meet America’s Diabetes Challenge®, a five-year, $100 million initiative to improve health outcomes for people living with type 2 diabetes in the United States.

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Small Shops of Sonoma County 2011

Our 9th Annual 

Small Shops 

of Sonoma County

By Vesta Copestakes

I started publishing this annual Guide to Holiday Shopping primarily because I met so many wonderful shop keepers while out delivering my papers. At the time my distribution was strictly West County, so I took my time to drop a copy of the paper at stores I passed along my route. Some people were so warm and friendly they became friends over time.

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Sonoma Style - December 2011

Hard to believe that the holidays are upon us, but we know how to celebrate in wine country style. ‘Tis the season to get out and enjoy your community! 

Fabulous Follies

The Sonoma Community Center’s fabulous holiday review show is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 2 at the Center. This is an evening of light-hearted fun, inspiring performers, campy, glittery and humorous holiday entertainment showcasing the talents of local performing artists! Their motto is, “No act is too ridiculous or astounding!” Takes place at the Center, 276 East Napa St., Sonoma. For more information call (707) 938-4626 or see www.sonomacommunitycenter.org. 

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Senior Momentum - December 2011

All In One Place

Once our children are launched and shaping their own lives, it can be really, really difficult to assemble everyone in the same place at the same time – something that many elders hope for -- especially around certain holidays.

In fact, pulling the project together, time and miles notwithstanding, can feel like trying to get the Rock of Gibraltar to move over – just a little! 

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Sebastappeal - December 2011

Power to Our People

We are an unusual community: engaged, informed, researched, opinionated, ideological and passionate. What sets us apart is that we care deeply about each other and where we live.

Show Up and Speak Out Thoughtfully

We have interfaced with the ongoing Occupy Movement in an exemplary way - peacefully.  

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Santa Rosa Snippets - December 2011

Hi Everyone!  I hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and were able to spend it will family, friends and neighbors.  Oh!  Did I say neighbors?  Imagine that. I guess by now you all know that I can’t write a Santa Rosa Snippet without mentioning neighbors and neighborhoods. 

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Rockin' Rio Nido - December 2011

Once upon a December...

It’s hard to believe that Christmas is three weeks away.

Keep in mind that although the stores are doing their best to get you to spend your hard earned dollars, stop and think...do I really need to spend all this money on material possessions? Given the state of the economy and how many families are struggling to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table you may want to rethink this entire commercial obsession. If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it and putting it on credit can backfire. 

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Petaluma Rumas - December 2011

Twenny-leven: news and notes from a bug’s eye view!

We have seen many things change in our communities and in our households, and the resonating chord here in Sonoma County is still, community, sustainable and local. Everything from the Go Local campaign to the flourishing of farmers markets to the laudable efforts of Vesta’s local shopping tour. We need to fix this country the way it got built, not the way it got broken! 

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Occidental Oriented - December 2011

Thanksgiving

My all-time favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. It’s often beautiful fall weather; it’s often a great family get-together; and usually of course, the food is fantastic.

I believe gratitude is one of the most under-rated qualities practiced, even by those spiritually “evolved.” Think how much better our world would be if everyone practiced gratitude on a more regular basis. We’d all be counting our blessings, instead of focusing on the relationships and things we don’t have. 

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Monte Rio Musings - December 2011

The holidays are upon us …. Seems we say this every year as though in some abstract way we forget about them and yet, they arrive still.  There are turkeys to roast and gifts to buy and lights to install and little time to make it all happen.  We manage though, don’t we? And we seem to enjoy it despite the difficulty of bringing it all together.  

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Healdsburg - December 2011

Thanks to Elizabeth and Vesta for inviting me to write about Healdsburg.  I’ve been on board at the Chamber for 10 months  and now that I hang out here everyday I can and this is quite a town.  There’s something about a plaza that draws people to slow down, enjoy intimate walks, and feel like they’ve stepped back in time a bit to a slower pace.  Now that I work there, I can tell you first-hand it’s true. There is an indescribable “It” factor of authenticity that is alive and well in Healdsburg.

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Only in Guerneville - December 2011

Here we are!  December.  How did we get here so fast? And where does the name “December” come from, anyway?  Well, believe it or not, we’ve not always operated life around the Gregorian Calendar systems (in fact, there are still many cultures around the world that don’t).  Thanks to the 10-month Roman Calendar (beginning in March and ending in December), we’ve inherited much of our basis of time recording, including the names.  “December” comes from “decem” meaning “ten.”  Simple as that, right?  Yeah, try to watch more Nova. 

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Meanwhile in Graton... - December 2011

Santa Claus Is Coming!

Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, along with entourage, will be available to hear Holiday wishes at the Graton Community Club at the corner of Edison Street and Graton Road December 18 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.  Snap the photo elf will take pictures of visitors with Santa for take-home keepsakes.  Sparkle Elf, Sizzle Elf and other dignitaries from the North Pole will be serving apple cider, home-baked cookies, various sugar plums and other goodies.  Santa’s visit is sponsored by the Graton Community Club and Graton Community Projects as a free community service.  Everyone is welcome, including pets, but all dogs must be on a leash so as not to frighten Rudolph.  

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Geyserville Grapevine - December 2011

Come Visit our Old Town

The holiday season is upon us and soon the darkness shall be lit up with lights throughout our small town, creating bright smiles and enlightening encounters as Geyservillians go to and fro within the main street that comprises most of our businesses in town.  Each will have a tree outside and our main tree will be in the visitors park and ride, so come on down and enjoy the wine tasting, art galleries, and vintage stores filled to the brim with gift and stocking stuffers. Many are discovering Geyserville as a place not to be missed when touring around Sonoma County. It is such a unique community, with its old facades, and covered sidewalks with benches to sit upon if you wish to rest and just want to view Geyser Peak at a distance.

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Gail's Gardens - December 2011

In praise of really unique, personal, and unusual gardens:  I had the great pleasure of visiting the Garden of the Monsters while visiting Italy: what a delight!  Known in Italian as il Sacro Bosco (Sacred Wood), or Parco di Mostri (Park of the Monsters), this totally unusual garden is located just outside the hill town of Bomarzo, about an hour north of Rome.  According to the romantic story, in 1550s Prince Orsini, heartbroken by the death of his wife, commissioned the noted architect, Pirro Ligorio, to create this fantasy landscape. The park has more than 24 huge and fanciful sculptures, many carved directly out of the hillside’s tufa stone: there are gods and goddesses, ogres, turtles, elephants, and many more.  They are laid out in a green and shady strolling garden which provides the visitor with a new surprise around every corner. 

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Forever Forestville - December 2011

I don’t think there is anything that emphasizes how quickly time flies than the celebration of holiday traditions. Even my 8 year-old said to me the other day, “Didn’t we just put away the Christmas decorations?” When I was a kid, there seemed to be at least three years between each Holiday Season!

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Fire Fighter News - December 2011

BODEGA BAY FIRE

Safety Tips

The District wishes everyone a safe holiday season. Be careful placing your decorations and make sure all decorations are UL listed.  Please take a few minutes to walk outside your home and make sure that you can see your address. If you cannot see it-neither can we. The numbers must be a different color from the material upon which they are mounted.

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Cloverdale Comments - December 2011

Everything’s Coming Up Rosen!

Cloverdale is becoming recognized around the country for the special attraction we hold for creative people in diverse walks of life, especially the arts.

So it is no wonder that our Public Works Department’s Parks and Landscape Maintenance Lead Worker Murray Rosen is typical of so many folks you’ll meet in this sweet, lively town where “Individuality”, as our website proudly proclaims, “is not just tolerated. It’s celebrated!”

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Cazadero Communications - December 2011

As I sit in my cozy cyber-hut today, I am happy to have some heat! The large redwoods around me have sun on them, but it is a chilly day!

I am still warm from the fantastic Cazadero Community Feast that we attended last week. Wow, it was amazing! A happy crowd enjoyed the delicious and copious traditional foods, lovingly cooked and served by the Community Club and the Community Church – such dedicated folks!

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Camp Meeker Beat - December 2011

Quietly Off in the Woods

November is behind us, and we enter the gauntlet of Christmas shopping.     Christmas carols assault the ears at every shopping mall, gas station, convenience store, and coffee shop.  Fortunately, home in Camp Meeker all is blissfully quiet.  Even Christmas lights are rare here (and that’s too bad – I’m a bit of a Grinch this time of year, but even I think Christmas lights are pretty cool – so put ‘em up!).   

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Bodega Report - December 2011

The rain is making me want to put up my Christmas lights, but I am going to restrain myself, as I wish all would, until after Thanksgiving.  I think it’s good to be thankful before buying and requesting stuff.  However, I have to admit a vested interest in holiday shopping, so I will here thank Vesta for the Small Shops of Sonoma County edition and hope that everyone will find their holiday desires in a small local shop. I certainly enjoy Christmas shopping a lot more since I realized I could do it all right here in Bodega.

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Wine Banter - December 2011

Trecini Winery

Trecini is a small family-owned winery producing award winning wines in the heart of Sonoma County. John Vicini grew up in Tuscany immersed in its wine-making traditions and, at age 29 he carried that knowledge with him to the United States. It took many years of running one of the finest Italian restaurants in Santa Rosa before John was able to realize his dream and start his own vineyard and begin making wine.

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When in Windsor - December 2011

Windsor’s Caring People

Two Sonoma County organizations are planning to bring cheer and hot meals to those in need in Windsor and Santa Rosa during the holiday season.

“The Windsor Care Network (WCN) was formed in 2010 to provide Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners free of charge to residents of the community,” said Gary Quackenbush, director of the WCN.  “Last year, these dinners were held at the Windsor Grange Hall and also at the Vineyard of Faith Lutheran Church. In 2010, over 1,000 meals were served at both events and we expect to exceed this total in 2011.”

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Wellness Corner - December 2011

Can We Prevent Chronic Illness?

The Problem

As we’re all aware, we are experiencing a crisis in funding for the  health-care system in our country.  Studies show a rapidly increasing percentage of the GNP is being consumed by all health-care expenditures.  A projection by the US Accounting Office estimates that if health care costs continue to increase at current rates, by 2044 spending in just Medicare and Medicaid will surpass all current tax revenues. 

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OUR County - December 2011

As we enter the holiday season, the community spirit that is part and parcel of our District is on display along with Christmas trees and decorations. 

Cazadero held its first community Thanksgiving dinner – which included meal delivery to folks unable to leave home - and had a huge crowd attend.  

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Mitzvah Moments - December 2011

Make this a Green Christmas

Choose and cut your Christmas tree at one of many local tree farms. Go to www.sonomauncorked.com/wine-country-events/articles/sonoma-county-christmas-tree-farms/ for a complete listing of all the tree farms in Sonoma County, with pictures, hours of operation, and types of trees available – including pre-cut trees – and other activities.

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Kate on Cars - December 2011

Those Winter Squeaks and Rattles, Part 1

So the weather changed and the temperature dropped, and suddenly your car is noisier than usual. Maybe you only notice the noise on rainy days or only first thing in the morning. Or maybe only over bumps. Why would this be? Is it dangerous? What does it mean? Why now? 

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Ask the Loan Man - December 2011

Occupy your own street!

As the Occupy Wall Street movement continues to grow across this wonderful nation of ours, there are a lot of people changing the name and making it their own. Some are doing it to be funny (OccuPIE Thanksgiving) and others to get their own message out.

I am using it here because it is topical and I think it had an effect on my business just last week. I am not part of the elite, I am definitely part of the 99%. My office is in Sebastopol by choice and I am not a fan of  companies that are “too big to fail”.

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Ask Eco Girl - December 2011

From Gratitude to Action

Some years ago, I celebrated Christmas Day with a small family at their beautiful Marin home, which I enjoyed.  However, during the gift-giving segment of the day, I was quietly astonished to see the two young boys rapidly opening their presents at the same time, devouring each one in a flurry of desire, an orgy of consumerism, until all that was left were random piles of wrapping paper, ribbons, toys, and children immobilized as if in a drunken stupor. Throughout this, the parents largely talked with each other, paying little attention to what gift had been given to which child and by whom.

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At The Table - December 2011

Old World Winery

850 River Road, Fulton, CA 95439 707-490-6696 • www.oldworldwinery.com

On a late, breezy fall Sunday afternoon I was coming back from Windsor and happened upon this adorable small winery on River Road.

Upon entering I felt a positive vibe and was immediately enveloped by the warmth and cheerfulness of this small winery.

Darek Trowbridge, a handsome 40-year-old father of two hails from a family of winemakers, his dad Giuseppe and Uncle Lino Martinelli taught Darek the old world style of making wines.

There are quite a few wines to sample at only $5.00 a taste and you will be pleasantly surprised by the selection. The Zinfandel, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noirs were my absolute favorites.  This is not your typical huge commercial winery. It is small,intimate and a wonderful gathering place for small weddings, anniversary parties or small corporate events.The staff is friendly and welcoming and you feel like you are at home when you come here.

 I was told the winery hosts incredible monthly Winemaker Dinners called “Flavor Art” dinners by local Chef and personality Helena Gustavsson Giesea. I eagerly made a reservation for the Winemaker Series dinner.

It was a very memorable night meeting locals from all over the Bay Area over amazing food and terrific wines. Most dinners start with two appetizers and four courses. All dinners are focused with the fresh and sustainable bounty of ingredients from the county. The dinner menu is carefully crafted to complement the wines paired with each course. All the guests were so interesting that many phone numbers were exchanged.

The dinner menu is on the winery website and if you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, Chef Helena will be happy to accomodate you. Winemaker FlavorArt dinners are $65.00 per person, $55.00 for wine club members. You can check out Helena’s web/blog at www.helenaskitchen.com for menus, recipes and FlavorArt dinner and other events. Please stop in, sample some wines and meet the winemaker, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. I certainly was and look forward to going back.

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