LETTERS to The Sonoma County Gazette January 2012
“I’ve heard some concerns about traffic – in our view heavy
traffic is a sign of success and vitality…a busy and sometimes congested
downtown is a sign of success. Cities are a concentration of human activity.
Having traffic means people want to be there…success.”
~ Planning Director
Come Say NO to
CVS/CHASE
Attend the City Council Meeting
Monday, Jan. 23rd, 6:00 pm
Sebastopol Community Center
390 Morris St.
Sebastopol’s Design Review Board and Planning Commission
have both voted down the CVS/Chase application to move their facilities from
Gravenstein North where they are now, to the second busiest, trafficked
crossroads in the heart of our downtown. – the corner of Petaluma Ave (Hwy 116)
and Sebastopol Road (Hwy 12).
The Design Review Board has found the plan does not adhere
to DRB guidelines or the General Plan.
DRB meetings attracted a couple of hundred community members who
expressed deep concerns about the proposed project.
This denial is being appealed to the City Council. Now is
the time for you to attend the City Council meeting and voice your support of
the DRB and PC, and it is time for your City Council to say NO, too!
Sincerely,
Helen Shane for the
Committee for Small Town Sebastopol
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Well my little magician - yes indeed we all do read the
Gazette cover to cover and I am another one pleased that it has spread the good
and needed info throughout our county and even further.
Thanks Vesta for your wonderful creation and nurturing thru
all of these many years. You and the staff are an asset to this planet.
Here’s to 2012 May it bring peace, health and happiness to
all
Lots of Love
Arleen Zuniga
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I would like to thank Deborah Padrick for her continuous
work in guiding the Forestville School Children with the holiday window
painting. For many years, my children took part in the painting of the windows.
Now years later, I walk through town with my grandson and we enjoy looking at
all the wonderful artwork. Thank You, Deborah
Lori Todd
Forestville
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In your article about small local shops, you really should
have included P&G (Putto and Gargoyle) in Sebastopol. They are
totally wonderful and totally local. Peter and Geri make all their own
brilliant indoor and outdoor ceramics. Geri’s mom does lots of wonderful
watercolors. Peter does haircuts two days a week (for $20).
Check it out. Prices are more than reasonable and finding stuff for
yourself or for people on a gift list is....almost too easy.
Susan
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Dear Vesta,
This is an Open Letter of Gratitude.
A day or so after Christmas a friend’s older brother passed
away. Per tradition, my friend made
arrangements to move the body some 300 miles for burial in the sacred ground of
Home. Upon finding just how costly such
a process is, the family humbly asked for help – the company who would handle
moving him required a sizeable deposit.
This was Wednesday; the funeral was scheduled for Friday.
It was nearly five p.m. when I got the message and it took a
few minutes to phone my friend. By the
time I had his account number, I had 25 minutes to make the 35 minute drive to
Wells Fargo in Sebastopol. Praying through my teeth, I carefully observed all
the speed limits – somehow pulling into the bank’s parking lot just as KCBS
announced “six p.m.”
The funds were needed this evening and my heart sank as I
tried the bank’s front door - locked. I
could see no other customers inside – only staff - busy at their terminals,
closing out the day.
Hope against hope, I tapped on the glass and one of the
bank’s female employees responded non-verbally, shaking her head “No” while she
mouthed the words, “So sorry – we are closed.”
Desperate – I clasped my hands together and silently pleaded with her.
She paused and then - to my amazement - she crossed the lobby. My heart sank again as I realized she
probably only came to the door so I could hear her kindly phrased and patient
explanation. Trying not to weep, I took
a deep breath and - hoping she could hear me as well as I heard her - asked her
if there was any way she could help me send my friend the money his family so
urgently needed.
A heart beat later and she was locking the door behind me
and directing me to a window where I handed her my friend’s name and account
number. In short, this kind and gracious
person made an exception to what I can only imagine is a very firm rule.
Now sure my little transaction took less than five minutes
and sure, as Lead Teller, she has the authority to give a regular customer a
break now and again – oh and sure, if there are people in line at closing time,
it is quite customary to help all of them even though the bank “officially”
should be shutting down its systems…..
But no. I am not a
Wells Fargo customer. I was not in line
inside. And while I hope my little
contribution helped my friend’s family in their time of need, it’s not like I
was “saving the farm” with a last minute mortgage payment. My “problem” was so completely NOT her
problem and just how much simpler might her evening routine have been if she
had chosen to wave me away??
No - Community, this was a case of sheer Human
Kindness. Thank you, Ms Hanson. I am grateful to have met you and hope that
in 2012 I can show others the same level of warm consideration you extended to
me.
(Name withheld by request)
P.S. to Occupy Protestors: Please remember that the workers
are not the bank. I hope my experience
will help you separate how you treat them from whatever point you wish to make
about the institution’s policies.
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Dear Vesta,
Every year, the town of Guerneville celebrates the Winter
Holidays by putting on a wonderful parade, the Parade of Lights, and this year
was no exception. However, the event does not happen without the dedication and
hard work of a few folks. Most of these folks are behind the scenes people who,
year after year, help to make things happen.
The Parade would never take place without the efforts of
Russian River Chamber Staff who make sure that all permits and press deadlines
are met, parade entries obtained etc. The paperwork is extensive and there are
many details to be worked out. Kayte Guglielmino, Office Manager and Valerie
Munthe, deserve a big round of applause for working extra hours, including some
on their own time, to ensure that things run as smoothly as possible.
Beth Rudometkin was the Chair of the Parade Princess Contest
and Dinner. The monies raised by our young teens help to fund the Parade of
Lights. Thank you Beth and our two princesses this year, Hayley Wright and
Jessica VanRillaer. An added plus this year is the willingness of Hayley and
Jessica to help with other town efforts. Thank you - we are very proud of you!
A special mention this year to the parade’s Grand Marshal,
John Schubert. John is our area historian and is someone who is always willing
to help, with a smile and (yes, often) a joke! John, we are proud of you too!
There are many people who help the Chamber Staff and Board
of Directors with the events connected with the Parade of Lights. A job well
done to Valerie Hausmann, Parade Chair. Thank you to the many people who
volunteer to help in many ways, including: Barbara Hoffman, Barbara Seymour,
Cary Ostrof, Scott Mitchell, Clifford of Larks Drugs, Robbi Ernst, the entire
group of Parade Judges who turn up every year. A special mention and thanks to
Diana Nolan, although ‘retired’ as Community Services officer, Diana helped
again this year. Yay!
Sincere thanks to everyone who has helped, throughout the
years to make this event so special. Opal Pullarov- a very special Thank You for
your many years of help with all events.
A round of applause to everyone who enters the Parade, we
love it! Your hard work gives so much pleasure.
There are two parades held along Main St in Downtown
Guerneville, one in December and Stumptown Parade in June. Those wishing to
help are very welcome to contact Kayte at the Chamber office. We will be
pleased to let you know when the work
begins for the Parades.
Sincerely
Margaret Kennett - On behalf of Russian River Chamber of
Commerce
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Hi Vesta,
Earlier this year you posted our Free Reiki Clinic in the
calendar section. I just wanted to follow up and express how thankful I was for
this inclusion in the Sonoma County Gazette. As a result of that posting, I
received inquiries to the Clinic each month and shared the gift of Reiki with
many people who had never heard of it before.
Others were thrilled to be re-acquainted with Reiki. It was
a lot of fun! I love the Clinic. The questions that come up from people who
have never experienced energy healing always connect me back to the root of my
healing practice.
I offer the Reiki Clinic monthly as a service to the
community. People can come as often as they want, as long as I have space. I don’t take money for it, and there are no
strings attached.
I stand by “first Saturdays” as being a space where people
can be present with their healing regardless of income and without financial
stressors.
The Reiki Share will not be happening in January, but it
picks up again in on February 4th and goes for 1st Saturdays (1pm-5pm)
throughout the rest of the year. Many thanks, and holiday blessings!
Dailey, Healing Heart Reiki,
www.SantaRosaReiki.com
707-322-9637
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Dear Vesta,
I have a conservative Republican friend who has been out of
work for two years. I mention this
because she has taken it upon herself to study, through the news and readings,
what is happening politically in our country.
Having been a Republican all her life, her findings have led her to the
belief that it is the Democrats, not the Republicans who are looking out for
the average American, trying to protect civil rights and provide fair taxation.
She sent me several articles, which I want to mention here briefly and let
readers Google for more information
.
The first is a speech Bill Moyers gave to a group called Public
Citizens 40th Gala. He outlines the
history of our political system. What is
most fascinating to me is that in 1971 a wealthy corporate lawyer by the name
of Lewis F. Powell Jr. wrote a letter to wealthy Republicans in this country
outlining a plan to put the wealth of this country in “the hands of the few at
the cost of the many”. I have researched
this, one can go on line to verify that this letter indeed was written and an
entire plan to implement this goal has been in place since that time. It is my opinion that that plan is now coming
to fruition unless Americans become aware and support the Democrats in fighting
it. In my opinion this is the 1% versus
the 99%.
Secondly, there is a group called the Patriotic
Millionaires. They have their own
website and one can read it for their mission statement, their cause and their
proposal. They agree that the wealthiest
Americans should be taxed to equally support the economic stability of this
country. During the Depression, the
wealthiest were taxed at 68%. They list
a trend of taxation throughout following years with the current tax at
35%. They state that 44% of Congressmen
are millionaires.
Thirdly, there is an economic term called “starving the
beast”. Readers may want to Google this
and read up. I have asked a local
economist if this is indeed the fiscal approach the Republicans are
taking. It would appear from all I have
read that this is their approach. Both
Reagan and George W. Bush are quoted using the term. One report by economists
stated this economic practice doesn’t work.
It doesn’t make sense to me.
Reading to educate oneself and make decisions based on these readings, I
believe, is critical to determining which course our country will take in
2012..
Sincerely, Cathy Mabry
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Important Occupy Meeting in January
January 9th, 7:00 to 9:00 Sebastopol United Methodist Church
across from Safeway
If you are interested in what is happening with various
Occupy efforts throughout the region, want to connect with people who share
your interests, goals and actions, come for an evening of information and
continue creating next steps. Together we will quickly develop an agenda in
which all are invited to host or attend a discussion on a regional Occupy topic
that matters to them. Participate in as many or as few topics as you wish.
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Community Leaders Target Wells Fargo Bank
Organizers Cite Foreclosure Policies and Investments in
Immigration Detention Centers
By Jesus Guzman
On Friday, January 6,
2012 at 12:00 noon, a diverse group of community and civil rights organizations
will come together to expose Wells Fargo Bank’s racist, anti-community policies
and to call for customers to close their Wells Fargo accounts. The day will begin with a rally at the old
Albertson’s parking lot on Sebastopol Road in Santa Rosa.
This will start a day of action against Wells Fargo by Occupy
Santa Rosa, Graton Day Labor Center, the D.R.E.A.M Alliance of Sonoma County,
the Committee for Immigrant Rights of Sonoma County, and the MEChA chapter (Movimiento
Estudiantil Chican@ de Aztlán) at Santa Rosa Junior College. After the rally, the group will march on the
downtown Santa Rosa branch of Wells Fargo Bank.
“We are protesting Wells Fargo for investing billions of
dollars into for-profit detention centers which imprison immigrant workers,
while receiving billions in taxpayer bailouts and continuing with their illegal
and fraudulent foreclosures,” say the organizers. Wells Fargo took $25 billion in taxpayer
bail-out dollars, while paying CEO John Stumpf $19 million in 2010. The bank also holds more than $5 billion in
student debt.
In addition, they are heavily invested in two private prison
corporations, Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) and the GEO Group, which
contract with the federal government to run immigrant detention facilities
around the country.
In 2009, some 380,000 immigrants were held in detention
centers at a cost to taxpayers of more than $1.7 billion. These prisons have been the source of
numerous reports and complaints of rape, child abuse and abysmal medical
care. GEO recently was ordered to pay
$40 million in the wrongful death of a prisoner in its Raymondville, Texas
facility.
For more information, please call Jesus Guzman at
707-483-2874, or write him via jesus.guzman07@gmail.com. Visit the Occupy Movement online at
http://www.occupysantarosa.org.
OCCUPY PETALUMA
Solidarity Working GroupCritical Mass Bike Event in
Solidarity with Occupy Santa Rosa
“Pedal for Justice” January 6, 2012
to Wells Fargo Protest
Occupy Petaluma is excited to announce its first Critical
Mass Bike Event, “Pedal for Justice” on January 6th. All are welcome to join in
a ‘peaceful protest on wheels’ departing from Petaluma and arriving in Santa
Rosa to support Occupy Santa Rosa’s January 6th march on the downtown Santa
Rosa branch of Wells Fargo Bank.
Consider breaking out of the mundane to be empowered, make
new friends, be inspired and make history. Taking part in a simple but
challenging event reaffirms that anything is possible – putting one foot in
front of the other and investing in the hard work that rebuilding our democracy
demands. In the words of “Pedal for Justice” organizer Jessica Strasen, “Occupy
Petaluma believes that frustrations with our current system can be channeled in
peaceful and creative ways. We seek to inspire others to rediscover the ability
to occupy our own lives, and be a part of creating our shared future.”
Occupy Petaluma’s 13.5 mile ride is part of a day of action
against Wells Fargo Bank to expose Wells Fargo Bank’s racist, anti-community
policies and to call for customers to close their Wells Fargo accounts.
Organized by Occupy Santa Rosa, Graton Day Labor Center, the D.R.E.A.M Alliance
of Sonoma County, the Committee for Immigrant Rights of Sonoma County, and the
MEChA chapter of Santa Rosa Junior College, this protest will begin with a
rally at the old Albertson’s parking lot on Sebastopol Road in Santa Rosa. “We
are protesting Wells Fargo for investing billions of dollars into for-profit
detention centers which imprison immigrant workers, while receiving billions in
taxpayer bailouts and continuing with their illegal and fraudulent
foreclosures,” say protest organizers.
Participating “Pedal for Justice” riders will meet in the
Kohl’s parking lot (1363 N. McDowell Blvd) at 9:00am on Friday, January 6th,
and depart at 9:20am, traveling up Petaluma Hill Road via Old Redwood Highway.
There will be car support and Petaluma cyclists will arrive at the Sebastopol
Road rally no later than 12:00pm. All riders are responsible for their own
safety and must arrange for their return.
Signs will be worn on the backs of riders, and then used at
the Occupy Santa Rosa demonstration. Occupy Petaluma is hosting a sign making
party at Clearheart Gallery (368-B Petaluma Blvd North, Petaluma) on Thursday,
January 5th at 8:30pm. All are welcome. Cyclists, activists, curious, and
creatives unite!
For more information on Occupy Petaluma’s “Critical Mass
Bike Event– Pedal for Justice”
OCCUPY PETALUMA
a diverse group of concerned citizens standing ground for
the 99%
Labels: 707 Sonoma County, LETTERS
