NEW CITY COUNCIL...

Ya, know, I went to the City Council meeting last night.

At 5:00pm the City Council interviewed 4 candidates for the 3 vacant seats on the Design Review Board.  Appointed were Ted Luthin, former chair Zac Douch and Christine Level was named alternate.

I had to leave at 6pm, (there was an emergency Martini surplus at Hopmonk they needed help with) but when I returned at 8:00pm, they had just approved an extension on the moratorium for drive-thru windows.  This doesn't ban drive-thrus in Sebastopol at this time, it just gives the Council a full year to review the options on these environmental disasters.

Then, long into the night, the report on the Village Mobile Home park just east of downtown was discussed.  Seems the  City purchased the property in 2007 and now they are trying to figure out what to do with it.  It's costing Sebastopol mucho moolah each year and there's no clear solution in sight.  The odd thing to me was that no one from the trailer park or Tombe Realty who manages the park at $110,000.00 a year, attended the meeting, though they were invited.

I wonder if Tombe was nervous about answering some of the Council's questions.

Stay tuned.

But what impressed me about this new council is that every member provided thought provoking questions and opinions that really dug deep below the surface of the issues at hand.

I was very impressed and truthfully, pleasantly surprised at the type of constructive dialogue that every member took part in.

KUDOS to our new council!  Now let's get out there and support them!  Show up.

Please go to the Sebastopol City website for the minutes of all meetings.

http://ci.sebastopol.ca.us/page/meeting-dates-agendas-minutes-reports

Kathleen Shaffer pulling up stakes?

Well, how do you like 'dem apples?

It seems that Kathleen Shaffer has listed her N. High St. home in Sebastopol with Terra Firma Global Partners.  In fact they just reduced it to $649K, so they seem to be in a hurry.

Now I have no idea if she's leaving Dodge or re-locating within city limits, but if you read my earlier post, "CONSPIRACY THEORY", this fits right in to what I theorized.

But it wouldn't make sense to sell that terrific little cottage in that great location just to move to another part of Sebastopol?

You see, Ms. Shaffer has actually done some good work here.  I won't go into listing the accomplishments, but they include re-stringing Christmas lights throughout Main St. businesses.

But, why leave town?  Just because she lost an election doesn't mean she can't continue the work she did.  She can still visit the elderly.  She can still host food banks and clothing drives.  She can still help steer the entrepreneurial spirit with SEP.  She can still voice her opinion publicly at City Council meetings.  She can still be a force in rallying Rotary Club members behind causes dear to her.  And now she doesn't have to do it "under the radar".

Or maybe, the Agenda was the priority.

Maybe Kathleen Shaffer was an instrumental pawn in bringing the CVS/Chase project to Sebastopol.  You see, the CVS M.O. across America has been to enter a community though Rotary contacts.  They promise that this project will be an "all-Rotary" project; everyone (in the Rotary) wins.  Then the Rotary bullies the City Council into approving the project before the community can get involved.  Before you know it, the town is forever changed.  Landmarks and historical buildings are razed, local businesses are undercut and traffic insulates a community.  Well, at least, that's what happened here.

Is this a telling move by a former council member who once claimed great love and devotion for Sebastopol?  If so, it's pretty scary.

Or am I completely out of my mind?

Uh.  Don't answer that.

CVS vs. Sebastopol...

Here's a link to another article by Shepherd Bliss.

THANK YOU, SHEPHERD!


http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/320-80/15495-cvs-pharmacy-embattled-coast-to-coast

SCREEEEEEEAMING MIMI'S...

Do you like ice cream?

Do you like Kentucky bourbon?

Well, Screaming Mimi's just called me yesterday (I'm on the phone-alert list) and informed me that their Maker's Mark ice cream is released.

This is a special release that they do maybe three times a year, so it doesn't last long.  Get down there and treat yourself, pronto.

BTW, I am not affiliated nor do I work for Screaming Mimi's in any way, shape (well...) or form.  I just slap that stuff on my hips from time to time.

And we always see our friends there.

GENERAL PLAN SUB-COMMITTEE...

I encourage all to attend as many as possible of these General Plan Sub-Committee meetings.  This is a terrific opportunity to witness our march toward the future as a community.  No more "under cover of night" operations.  No more special interest driven agendas.

Have your voice heard.

Be informed.

Here are the dates and subjects:

Jan 7:     Environmental Sustainability

Jan 10:    Economic Vitality

Jan 14:    Community Health

Jan 17     HousingJan 24:    Conservation

Jan 28:    Parks and Open Space

Jan 31:    Community Identity

All meetings at Vets/SCA building, start promptly at 6 and end at 7:30.

A Bunya tree response from Lynn Deedler...

I hope you will not encourage others to save this tree based on the simple ideology that trees are good and should be saved.  Judgement should come from weighing all the issues.  Many needs and values go into the equation that determines if this tree removal is justified, and my conclusion is the removal is justified.  This opinion comes from someone who values trees more than most and who has fought hard battles to save trees in Sebastopol, often a lonesome battle.  And, who has cared for and planted more trees than you can imagine.

I wanted to include a condition for approving the application, to which both the Tree Board and the applicant were not responsive.  I would not mind support to include this condition if the tree is to go.  It was to include a major section of the trunk into the adjacent landscaping.  The following to Barney Aldridge and ZAC, the landscape architect, are from an exchange to let them know I would make this request.

"The Barlow was sold in part as preserving or reflecting the historic nature of the site.  As it has turned out little of the original character has been retained in this project.  Four possible historic aspects of this project that could have been incorporated come to mind.  This is a last chance.  This prominently located tree is the biggest non Redwood in Sebastopol and now it will be going too.  Please come up with a worthy place for it."

"The tendency on things like this tree is to cut it down, hall it off, grind out the stump, and make the place like it was never there.  It is an old and stately fixture in this town worthy of a little honor in its passing.  Making it fit into the landscape, posting a picture next to it, telling a little story about it on a plaque and asking people to count the rings to tell how long it stood.  This kind of thing acknowledges the tree, the past and adds character to a site. It does not take money so much as thought."

A TREE NEEDS OUR HELP!

What is it with developers?!?

I've been excited about the Barlow project, but there's something that I can't help but notice...

NO TREES!

I mean, this project is starting to look like a factory in Poland.  Where are the trees?  Well, I hope this posting doesn't answer my question.  Because instead of planting trees to soften the austere look of this project, the developers want to cut down a tree that has welcome westbound visitors to Sebastopol for over a hundred years.

Read...

Bunya Bunya Tree at Barlow

I just heard from a DRB member that the Sebastopol Tree Board almost approved cutting down the Monkey Puzzle Tree on Sebastopol Ave and Morris Streets last night.  The Barlow project put a notice on the tree around December 17, and tried to get the removal approved last night.  Removing the tree was not a part of the original plans for the development.  This is the unique, tall, landmark tree right at the corner there, with the spiny leaves that grow in spirals around the branches.  It's been there for 100 years.  (The Monkey Puzzle and Bunya Bunya tree are in the same genus and very similar, so I'm not sure which it actually is.)

Please take a moment to email the other members of tree board & City Council and give them your feedback on this tree removal application.

News Flash please forward:

The Barlow project wants to cut down the 80 foot tall Bunya Bunya Tree at the entrance to the town.  The tree has been a landmark at the corner of Morris and Highway 12 for 100 years.  Now the Barlow says the tree is in the way of its corner development.  They want to make the curb more truck friendly and to conform to CalTrans and ADA standards.  They tried to get the Tree Board's approval last night but the Tree Board said there wasn't enough public notice given.  What do you think?  Could there be more effort made to preserve the tree?

Contact the City Officials about it if you have an opinion.  The next Tree Board will meet on Wednesday, January 16^th.

City Council

Sarah Glade Gurney, City Councilmember

Phone: (707) 823-6500

E-Mail: sarahcouncil@yahoo.com

Michael Kyes, Mayor

Phone: (707) 483-2595

E-Mail: michaelkyes@sbcglobal.net

John Eder, City Councilmember

E-Mail: johneder@comcast.net

Patrick Slayter, City Council Member

Phone: (707) 829-9090

E-Mail: ps.sebcc@gmail.com

Robert Jacob, Vice Mayor

E-Mail: robertjacobcc@sonic.net

Mary Gourley, City Clerk

Phone: (707) 823-1153

E-Mail: mgourley@cityofsebastopol.org

THE GENERAL PLAN...

If you are reading this, you need to spread the word and attened one or more or ALL of the Sebastopol General Plan sub-committee meetings listed on the City of Sebastopol website:

http://ci.sebastopol.ca.us/city-sebastopol-community-meetingsgeneral-plan-subcommittees

The prioritized findings from each of the community meetings will be posted in the General Plan Update section of that same website.  In addition, they will be available for any future groups to reference at such time that Sebastopol engages in the formal update of its General Plan.  Three other topics have yet to be scheduled: Land Use, Safety, and Circulation (Traffic).

And tell them what you think!  This is what we fought for:

A VOICE!

To learn more about the Community Meetings, or to be added to the email list for updates concerning the SSU project and the eventual General Plan Update, call the Planning Department Monday through Thursday (707) 823-6167, or email rmansour@cityofsebastopol.org.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! (boy, am I glad that's over).

Happy New Year!  I hope this posting finds you well.  I am working through my second cold in two weeks and can't wait to get back into the swing of 2013!  I've got some info coming re: Sebastopol's General Plan and the inevitable CVS lawsuit updates will be a great source for comic relief.

Also, tonight I'll be posting January's movie and wine selection.

So please...

Keep your ear to the Gravenstein rail.  The holidays took a chunk out of the posting thang, but we're back on track shortly.  Meanwhile, I hope your holidays were half as good as ours were (or better, of course).  And I wish you all good things for the coming year.

LIVE IT UP!

CVS SUES SEBASTOPOL ON XMAS EVE!

Here's the link:

http://www.sonomawest.com/sonoma_west_times_and_news/news/cvs-files-lawsuit-against-city-of-sebastopol/article_40f9c7ee-508f-11e2-a9db-001a4bcf887a.html

It seems to me that what we have here is yet another example of corporate America trying to control small towns to suit their needs.  We have a City Council that determines city laws based on the needs of the community.  How in the world is it possible for a corporate entity to sue us just so they can dispense drugs to people through a drive-through window?!?  How did we get to this point?

This also flies in the face of the Armstrong Developer's representative spewing his desire to be Sebastopol's "next great citizen".  He was referring to CVS way back in August and that has always stuck with me.

The moratorium on drive through windows in Sebastopol got it's start under the Bob Green chaired Planning Commission when they denied Amy's a permit for a drive-through.  This is not about CVS as their lawyer states in the piece by David Abbott.  The drive-through window has always been a point of contention because...

THE CITIZENS DON'T WANT IT!

Anyone smell boycott?

Sebastopol Center for the Arts...

Wow!  Opening night festivities proved to be a successful evening with almost everyone in town in attendance.  Well, not everyone, but it was a terrific crowd.  The wine flowed like wine and the artwork was top-notch.  A wonderfully diverse show from scores of artists from all over Sonoma County.

There was dancing to music by a terrific Cuban band - I don't think they were all Cuban, but the music sure was.  Fantastic.  Here's a clip:

I feel very much at home here particularly when I see so many friends everywhere I go.  It's a wonderful place to live, this Sebastopol.

Do stop by the show.  It will be running through December.  And why not become a member of

Sebastopol Center for the Arts

Unleash the artist within!



The Nutcracker Suite...

2012 Sebastopol Nutcracker

Ya know, I have been living in Sonoma County for only 6 years.  For the first four Christmases, we would all trudge into the city and see the San Francisco Ballet's production of the Nutcracker Suite.  It was magical the first two years, but afterward, the kids couldn't get through it.  They preferred traversing the beds in our room at the Sir Francis Drake.  I happen to be a fan of their quaint lobby bar.

Two Decembers ago, I purchased our first tickets to Sebastopol's Annual Nutcracker and was completely blown away.  In it's 21st year, this is a spectacular rendition of this Christmas classic.  The perk is that you'd probably know someone in the cast.  This year, my daughter has two rolls; an angel and a sheep.  You can see part of the flock pictured above.

So please, do you and your loved ones a favor and buy tickets to this event.  It will fill your heart with Christmas (yes, I said that).


Show dates are:

December 21st, 7:00pm

December 22nd, 2:00pm & 7:00pm

December 23rd, 2:00pm

Analy High School Theater
6950 Analy Avenue
Sebastopol, CA

Please visit their website:  http://www.sebastopolballet.com/nutcracker.htm

Laguna Farms Holiday schedule...

I happen to be a member of this wonderful Sebastopol-based CSA.  As it says on their business card:

Locally, sustainably grown in a way that benefits the environment, the workers, the habitat and you.

I actually know some of the farmers who provide fruit and veggies to this valuable community resource.

If you are a member, the following Holiday schedule applies:

Closed Christmas week.

First pick-up day for 2013 is January 1st (New Year's Day).

Laguna Farm

1720 Cooper Rd.

Sebastopol, CA

95472

Visit their website for more details:  www.lagunafarm.com

Aubergine...

The first thing I notice about Aubergine is the diverse sampling of humanity that is either drinking, playing pool, listening to music, drinking, dancing, watching a silent film, drinking...

Every legal age group is represented; from boomers to whatever it is you call the kids these days.  And everyone is having a blast.

It was the scene of the City Council after party that saw a record number of festive home-baked cakes in a building that wasn't a bakery.  I had the most amazing dark chocolate cake with pure white creamy icing and these little translucent chips.  I think it was the best cake I've ever sunk my rotting teeth into.  Fabulous.  No idea who baked it, but kudos!

Both Eder and Jacob got up to toast their wins for the City Council seats.

Be sure to visit Aubergine's website:  www.aubergineafterdark.com