PAUL HOBBS: CLEAR CUTTING SEBASTOPOL - MORE...

Here's a letter that was recently posted from Shepard Bliss, re: local villain, Paul Hobbs.  I couldn't agree more.  This Hobbs character couldn't care less about our community.  He just bulldozes everything to plant his grapes and he's poised to destroy more habitat.  Please read.


From: Shepherd    Supporting member 
Category: General Community
Thread: Apple Blossom School now will be Wine Grape School ??!!!??!!

I spoke to an organic winegrape grower at the Sebastopol Farmers Market this morning. I indicated that the Watertrough Children's Alliance was open to trying to negotiate with Paul Hobbs for a win/win solution, like his going organic. He assured me that Hobbs would never do that. Given his previous record, that is probably true.
Shepherd

Having already experienced for many years how vineyard owners work their vineyard productions in Freestone and other areas, I do not believe Paul Hobbs is honestly now, or any time, going to work with our communities. He is already getting people to eat out of his dirty hands...

Now there is Hobbs , a vineyard vulture who has all the control and power to do what he wants. And he will get away with doing what he wants ,regardless of what county or state officials say or do. People who are working with this issue seem to be backing down and think Hobbs will"work" with them,forget it ,he is not a honest business person and has already proven it. He really does not care about the schools, and the community other than selling his wine to them... Meanwhile, allowing Paul Hobbs to talk his talk and do his "business as usual" is absolutely WRONG!! Do not back down and allow him to put his vineyard in no matter what.

This letter was posted on WACCOBB.net where you can get more information re: what this winery owner is doing.

PAUL HOBBS: CLEAR CUTTING SEBASTOPOL...

From what I understand, Paul Hobbs has been asked to speak at this meeting.  I know.  I doubt it too.

Regardless, this affects all of us.

BE THERE!

TONIGHT!

What:  CITY COUNCIL MEETING

When:  6:00PM

Where:  The COMMUNITY CENTER, 425 Morris St.

Why:  Councilmember John Eder is proposing two discussions regarding the General Plan and guidelines for the Design Review Board.

During the CVS hearings, it seems a lot of the divisiveness stemmed from just how "general" our current General Plan is.  So-called guidelines are so ambiguous that either side of the project could have argued their position and would have easily had a leg to stand on.  A lot of people, including myself, thought that was, at least part of the reason a project like CVS could get approval at all.

John is proposing we develop guidelines that set in stone (not literally) certain aspects of construction such as building height, doors, solar, whatever...

I would like to see more stringent measures taken to maintain the integrity of neighborhoods when new construction is approved.  That mega-project on Litchfield has destroyed the neighborhood and is quite imposing when viewed from Pinecrest school.  It has diminished the quality of life that folks living nearby have enjoyed since they've lived there.

Without such guidelines, builders, real estate developers and architects would have a field day over-building our community.

Write your letters and show up and support these proposals.

Sebastopol's future depends on it.

NEW PLAN REVEALED...

A team of 6 design and planning professionals from the AIA (American Institute of Architects) has been hard at work here in Sebastopol for the last 3 days collecting community input and formulating an achievable plan for sustainability and vitality in our downtown.

Tonight, they reveal their findings and recommendations.

I've seen many of you at the Community Workshop sessions and Town Hall. I hope to see you tonight at the big "reveal."

Friday, May 17  -  7 PM to 9 PM:  SDAT Presentation of Findings to Community

         .

LOCATION:

Community Church of Sebastopol

1000 Gravenstein Highway North

Sebastopol        

Can't be there? You can still help by

SHARING the SDAT- SebastopolConnect Facebook event pages:  

http://on.fb.me/12w3ZFb

DONATING: We have about $1,000 left to raise as the community’s portion towards covering any costs above and beyond what the AIA has donated. Directions for donating online via PayPal, as well as by check, can be found here:  http://bit.ly/Z16vjs

SEBASTOPOL'S FUTURE ALA THE CORE PROJECT!

COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS ARE TOMORROW HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE WHERE: Community Church of Sebastopol 1000 Gravenstein Highway North Sebastopol, CA 95472 WHEN: Wednesday, May 15 1:00 to 2:15 & 2:30 to 3:45:  Community Workshops (sessions run concurrently) Topics:  Transportation and Parking               Pedestrian, bike and community connections               Urban design & design standards               Land use and land use standards 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM:  Town Hall Friday, May 17 7:00 to 9:00 PM:  Presentation of findings to Community DONATE: Want to help out with expenses?  It's easy Donations may be made online via Paypal here, or by making a check out to The Core Project. Indicate SDAT in the memo section and mail to: The Core Project, c/o 108 Art + Design 108 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol, CA 95472 www.sebastopolconnect.org Like The Core Project on Facebook The Core Project SebastopolConnect SDAT Steering Committee: Paul Fritz, Chairman Lars Langberg Amy Bush Cary Bush Mitch Conner Lynn Deedler Tina Grob Sarah Gurney Holly Hansen Charles Marr Eric Spillman

SEBASTOPOL UKULELE FESTIVAL?!?!?!?

Here's an item I found in the Sonoma County Gazette.  Every month, Sebastopol City Council member, Sarah Glade Gurney writes "Sebastappeal".

Sarah's article provides the skinny on all things Sebastopol.   I'm very excited about the following article I read in her column just last week.

First Annual Ukulele Festival

Sebastopol has become a hotbed of ukulele fever.  Home to two active ukulele clubs, Sebastopol hosts its first annual Ukulele Festival on Saturday, May 25, at the Community Cultural Center, starting at noon.

There will be workshops for everyone – a beginner’s workshop for newbies, plus workshops for more advanced players.  Local clubs and regional talent will perform on two stages all afternoon.  The dinner break will provide an opportunity to eat downtown or, for those who stay on-site, to enjoy Hawaiian food and some informal musical jams. 

The Festival will close with a triple-header evening concert featuring Ralph Shaw, “The King of the Ukulele,” from Vancouver, British Columbia.  Ralph will amaze and delight you.  The concert also features the very best regional talent, Faith Ako, and the band, Mr. December. 

Tickets are only $30 for the whole day – the best deal of the year.  For the price of the concert, you get a whole afternoon of workshops, jams, and the company of happy people with the ukulele spirit.  Organizers expect a sell-out crowd so get your tickets [brown paper] early.  This event benefits Jim Corbett’s Mr. Music Foundation that brings music to our schools.

Here are some famous Ukulele players...

George Formby: King of the Banjo Uke.

George Harrison with a George Formby Banjo Uke.

Warren Buffet with a Martin.

WATERTROUGH CHILDREN'S ALLIANCE...

Here is a website re: the vineyard development on Watertrough that would affect our kids...

http://watertroughchildrensalliance.weebly.com/

SCREAMING MIMI'S...

Just saw that Screaming Mimi's has their Olive Oil ice cream available!!!

You either LOVE or don't love this flavor.  I like it because my kids don't and I get to eat ALL my ice cream without anyone taking samples.

It doesn't last long...

MORATORIUM ON NEW VINEYARDS...

Sonoma County is under siege.  This is an urgent plea for everyone concerned to contact your County Supervisors and Agriculture Commissioner to impose a moratorium on all new vineyard development in Sonoma County in order to study the damage that is being inflicted upon our eco-system.  Big alcohol and rogue winemakers have no interest in slowing development.  Giant entities with very deep pockets are poised to snap up every available property that comes on the market to convert into vineyards.  Only those few people benefit from this environmental wasteland that drains our natural resources and threatens native species and habitat.  Our quality of life takes a huge hit, too.

With every new vineyard installation, we lose crop diversity, parkland and precious land that provides a habitat for the native species that makes this one of the most beautiful places on the planet.  And it is being destroyed by greed without any regard to our community.  Please contact our board of supervisors and County Ag Commissioner to place a moratorium on new vineyard development so we can assess the damage to the place we all live.  Do it now.

Sonoma County Board of Supervisors:

bos@sonoma-county.org

Sonoma County Ag Commsission:

http://www.sonoma-county.org/agcomm/feedback.asp?ID=2&URL=/agcomm/staff.htm&Title=Staff%20Directory%20-%20Agricultural%20Commissioner%20-%20County%20of%20Sonoma%2C%20California

MAKE CONTACT - USE YOUR VOICE - SPREAD THE WORD

Please contact the following to express your concern over vineyard development in our community - in our county...


Here is the letter I sent to the Ag Commish this morning.  You can cut an paste if you like:

Sonoma County has become a mono-culture of vineyards.  New vineyard development is robbing us of habitat and beneficial landscapes that contributes to our quality of life.  With every new vineyard that goes in - vineyards that provide no benefit to anyone except big alcohol concerns and the people who own them, we lose the diversity of fruit trees, parkland and precious land that provides a habitat for the native species that makes this one of the most beautiful places on the planet.  And it is being destroyed by greed without any regard to our community.  Please place a moratorium on new vineyard development so we can assess the damage to the place we all live.  Thank you.

Sonoma County Board of Supervisors:

bos@sonoma-county.org

Sonoma County Ag Commsission:

http://www.sonoma-county.org/agcomm/feedback.asp?ID=2&URL=/agcomm/staff.htm&Title=Staff%20Directory%20-%20Agricultural%20Commissioner%20-%20County%20of%20Sonoma%2C%20California

Paul Hobbs Winery:  

Tara Sharp

Marketing & Public Relations

tsharp@paulhobbs.com

PAUL HOBBS IS DESTROYING OUR ENVIRONMENT...

Paul Hobbs is poised to begin clear-cutting 38 acres of apple orchard on Watertrough Rd. right next to Apple Blossom School.  This is a man who high-jacked property on the 116 across from Harmony Farm Supply.  In that case, he complained about a small stand of fir trees on his property that was suffering from drainage from a septic on a neighboring property.  After fines went unpaid, Paull Hobbs won the property at auction and clearcut an amazing swath of hundred plus year old Redwoods to plant a new vineyard.

Hobbs composited in front of his clear cut of the Jenkel property.

So much for his concern of trees.

Even Supervisor Efren Carrillo came out against Hobbs in the Sonoma County Gazette, saying:  “Paul Hobbs has shown a blatant disregard for Sonoma County, its resources, his fellow vintners and community...

In the case of the Watertrough property, our children who attend Apple Blossom School will be directly affected.  Please read the article and please sign the petition.

Follow this link for a story from 2011 that tells you how this guy operates; without any regard for the environment or his neighbors:


http://theava.com/archives/11113


PLEASE sign this petition if you agree that we need to stop this destruction of where we live.


http://www.thepetitionsite.com/263/347/984/stop-corporate-alcohol-firms-from-endangering-children-and-the-environment/#sign

A sad day...

The apple orchard across the street from us was cut down today.

During season, everyday, I would retrieve my mail and pluck a fallen apple from the ground.  I wouldn't pick from the tree, it wasn't mine.  But once it fell on my side of the fence, I would grab a beautiful Golden Delicious from the grass.  I swear it was the best apple I have ever tasted and I experienced that revelation every time I bit into one.

Each morning I would be greeted by these trees as I travelled down my driveway toward the orchard.  Today, I heard the sound of chainsaws and looked east down my drive.

There was nothing.

Not an apple tree in site.  All of them cut down.  I wished I heard the chainsaws earlier so I could've pleaded to PLEASE - keep - that - one - tree.

My kids cried upon hearing the news.  As sad as it was, I was proud of them.  My bees will miss those sweet blossoms. and my trip to the mailbox will always be a sad reminder of a very delicious past.

Sonoma county needs a moratorium on new vineyards planted.  Yes, I planted a small, 3/4 of an acre vineyard on my property.  It actually restored a horse property that was compressed and void of life.  But over the last seven years of learning about the area, I would've done it differently.  There is so much more we could do with a small chunk of land that has a very far reach.

Personally, our quality of life has taken a substantial hit.

I used to say we were in jeopardy of becoming a mono-culture.  I'm afraid it has happened right under our noses.

Please send this to friends.  Not for the blog - for the earth.

BEE HERE NOW.

Time to put the bees in.  After we lost our hive last winter, we've established two new hives on our property today.  We are thrilled.  BeeKind, in Sebastopol is a great resource and caters to all levels of expertise in all things bees.  Doug is a great help and provides "local" Queens (bees) if you prefer.

And it was a beautiful day to welcome our new friends (20,000 of them) to their new home...

First, we place the box full of bees in the hive.

Then we slide the Queen's box out of the swarm.  This is a bit nerve-wracking as the bees end up all over your hands while you are trying to work.  The sound of all those bees buzzing doesn't help.

The bees that cover the Queen's box need to be brushed off.  We use a small bunch of grass to do this as Bees are not defensive against plant matter.

Though we ordered two local Queens, one of them was an "Italian" Queen.  She is absolutely beautiful with a red mark on her body; very easy to spot.

There's a little cork in the side of the Queen's box.  You remove that cork and replace it with a tube of sugar that takes the other bees two days to chew through to release the Queen into the hive.  Tuesday, I'll check to make sure she is out of the box so I can button things up.

We like to harvest our honey in September.  It has a wonderful earthy flavor, but the yield is lower because the bees need more of their honey to survive the winter.  We just don't take that much.

It's a very rewarding hobby that is extremely helpful for our environment.  If you have a backyard, you can have bees.  In fact, I was impressed at how many folks from the Berkeley area came to pick up their bees from BeeKind - two of which were rooftop bee-keepers.

They are very gentle animals.  Do it.

No humans were stung during this procedure.

APPLE BLOSSOM PARADE...

I had the distinct pleasure of participating in the Apple Blossom Parade today.  What a thrill.  What an exciting day in Sebastopol.  I noticed yesterday that people were already staking out their spots on the street in the late afternoon sun.  And it was just as beautiful today - not too hot as it sometimes can be.  Glorious.  If you don't mind, I'd like to share some images I walked away with.  It's always a great day!

1959 Chevy Kingswood

Marching Band

Analy Pre-School

A man walking his Llama

The ever-present Shriners (clown sold separately)

Sebastopol's Citizen of the Year

And what's a parade without a Beauty Queen?

(Are those Shriners in the background?)

All-in-all a great day.  Saw lots of friends.  Ate some great food and celebrated the rich heritage of Sebastopol and the surrounding area.  I even had an apple.  Onto the fair!

Sebastopol's future

Sebastopol City Manager Larry McLaughlin said today that the public will have adequate time and opportunity to comment at the April 23 joint Sebastopol City Council and Planning Commission meeting during which the SSU Students report will be presented, and will not have to submit written questions as previously announced by the Planning Department.

This is an important meeting that focuses the new General Plan.  If you'd like a voice in the future of Sebastopol, you must attend this meeting.  Bring your ideas and voice your concerns.  But, show up.

FEELS LIKE SUMMER...

CLIFF SWALLOWS ARE DYING in Caltrans netting under Petaluma River Bridge

Cliff Swallows - state and federally protected - are dying in Caltrans netting under Petaluma River Bridge.

For more info:

http://www.nativesongbirdcare.org/

Please spread the word. 

Wildlife advocates decry bird deaths in netting at Petaluma highway project

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20130411/ARTICLES/130419878

Swallows caught and dead in the nets under the Highway 101 bridge over the Petaluma River in Petaluma on Thursday, April 11, 2013.

  * * * *

Petition: Caltrans, USFwS, California Dept of Fish & Wildlife: Take down the bird-killing netting under the Petaluma River Bridge

http://www.change.org/petitions/caltrans-usfws-california-department-of-fish-wildlife-take-down-the-bird-killing-netting-under-the-petaluma-river-bridge

The California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) has placed exclusion netting underneath the Petaluma River Bridge. The purpose of the netting is to stop migratory Cliff Swallows from nesting at a site they have flown 6000 miles to reach. A site where they have nested for generations. The birds become caught in the netting and die a slow death as they struggle to get free. The subcontractor, C.C. Myers, Inc., who put up the netting, and CALTRANS, are violating the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty which forbids the killing of migratory birds unless a "take" permit is granted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. CALTRANS has no such permit. Sadly, the agencies tasked with enforcing this law have chosen to "look into it" instead of requiring the removal of the netting while a new solution is worked on. Over 100 birds are known dead, as of April 15, 2013. Many more have died and not been counted because every night the C.C. Myers company uses a boom truck to send its workers out over the Petaluma River, up 100', to remove the bodies and reattach the netting. This is destruction of evidence in a criminal case that they should be charged with. We demand that CALTRANS TAKE DOWN THE NETS NOW! Watching a bird struggling in a net, while surrounded by its dead flock mates, is a heart wrenching sight, and an act of animal cruelty, in addition to the violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty. All attempts to contact CALTRANS have been met with a wall of silence, our enforcement agencies, California Department of Fish & Wildlife, and US Fish & Wildlife Service have the power to make this stop and have chosen not to do so. We demand an end to the killing of these beautiful birds who benefit all of us by their copious consumption of flying insects, such as mosquitoes.