Federal Relief Package for State & Local Governments

For the policy wonks who want the full story on upcoming funding. Click on the image below to view the presentation by Cal Cities. 

Two Debates on Measures A & B - Videos

Video #1, Hosted by League of Women Voters. 

Video #2, Hosted by Russian River Chamber of Commerce.

Vaccines: Available to 65 and over...but appointments will be hard to find...

City Council Mtg Summary Feb 16 2021 Meeting

Interviewed applicants for the alternate position on the Design Review Board. Appointed Marshall Balfe. Approved administrative corrections to the Climate Action Committee. Authorized City Staff to submit an application for a One Bay Area Grant. Approved the mid-year budget adjustment. Approved a proposal to move to electronic filing of campaign documents and Form 700s. Received a report on Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) numbers. Received reports from the City Manager and City Councilmembers on City-related developments since the last City Council meeting. (Click on the title above for full details.)

Tax Time Assistance. Resources for Free Help.

United Way: 211 or 800-325-9604/ www.unitedwaywinecountry.org/earn-it-keep-it-save-it/

AARP Tax Help: Sebastopol Center for the Arts (861-1048) / www.aarpca2.org / 707-327-240/ Email Ca2D10@aarpfoundation.org.

(Click on title above for full information.) 

New Police Chief Kevin Kilgore!

We are greater than our differences....a message to take in...completely...

I am so excited to be helping with vaccinations!

Yes, vaccinations are happening! I know because I'm helping at the Petaluma Vaccination Location. It is so wonderful to see hundreds of people in the 70 and over age group get their first doses. Plus we had many Latinos from Petaluma Poultry and Petaluma Bakery come through. The sad but not surprising comment from my experience with this particular group: almost all of them had Covid-19 in November or December. They were SO pleased to be getting the vaccine! It was a wonderful day. Over 250 vaccinated. I can hardly wait to do it again next week! 

Local Music. Eliza Gilkyson and Nina Gerber.

A VERY Bad Zoom Experience...

Covid-19.Vaccine Information

Vaccines - Centralized County Link for Appointments Still in the Works

Vaccinations Open for West County Over 70 Group on Feb 10, and Over 65 on Feb 15.

Click Here for West County Health Center Website

Measures A & B - Both sides of the argument. Video. League of Women Voters.

Sebastopol Walks - Self Guided Walking Routes. Fun!

Sebastopol Walks is on hiatus as a result of Covid-19. But that doesn't stop walkers! Here are maps that you can use for two self-guided walks around town. Fun!!

Little Free Libraries Walk: Download the full map here: Little_Free_Libraries_Map.pdf

Peace Pole Walk: Download the full map here: Peace_Pole_Walk_Map_2021.pdf

Reliable Vaccination Info from Supervisor Lynda Hopkins.

Forum Feb 3-West Sonoma County March 2nd Ballot Measures

VACCINATIONS - For West County Residents 75 or Over, Starting Mon Feb 1.

Click on the title above for the full details. 

WEATHER ALERT. This is from Skip Jirrels, Sebastopol Public Safety Outreach Coordinator. Bottom Line? Windy weather coming!

Click on the title above for full report from Skip Jirrels. 

NEWS FLASH! STAY HOME ORDER LIFTED!! We're still in purple tier, but outdoor dining plus other activities can resume. See Lynda Hopkins email here.

Bernie Meme's a'la The Holderness Family. Just for fun...

Sonoma County News Conference - Covid-19 Update. Next one is Wed Jan 28@3pm.

Local Music. California Honeydrops.

Biden Signs 10 More Executive Orders. Focus? Covid-19.

Amanda Gorman. Watch the video. Hope, youth, poetry, a message that has deep personal and national meaning.

Inauguration Day! Here's the full 12 hour video.

Today...A message from Supervisor Lynda Hopkins.

A message from Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, as she tucked her kids in to bed tonight, the end of a day of celebration and reflection as new President Biden was inaugurated. Click on the title above for the full message. 

Proudly flying the American flag. The sense of celebration is palpable.

Proudly flying the American flag. The sense of celebration is palpable. I thought I was prepared for this, but the emotion I am feeling is overwhelming. I had no idea how much I was holding in. My heart is overflowing ( and so are a few tears).

In the "Warm and Fuzzy" Category. Sometimes you need something to make you smile.

High Wind Advisory through 6pm tonight.

California Sunshine. Enjoying it with my dog Arya. It’s a beautiful day. If only I could forget the drought. Sorry, but really? Spring, on Jan 18th?!

Music. The Rainbow Girls. They live near Bodega Bay. Their voices will live in your heart. Video.

Business News: Rob Daly is back! He ran Taylor Maid before it was Taylor Lane. Now he's bought the coffee side of Acre Coffee.

Local Nonprofits need our help - Donate to one today. No matter the amount, it helps.

Sebastopol has wonderful nonprofits. They're hurting these days. Help them out. Make a donation to one you love - the one you want to see up and running after the pandemic. These groups give, give, give to us, improving the quality of all our lives. They need us to give to them now. Choose a worthy local nonprofit. Send in $25 (or more..the point is to send what feels OK to send in this odd pandemic time when everyone is facing financial stresses). Click on the title above for the full details.

It's here: The CoMission Community Vitality Report and Residential Survey! Read it!

Very interesting report commissioned by the City of Sebastopol, being presented at the City Council meeting on January 19. Read a short introduction and the full report by clicking on the title above.

ADU Workshop - Specifically about building ADUs in Sebastopol. I'm definitely going. Free. Thu Feb 11 11am to 12:30p

To register, CLICK HERE.

FOOD DRIVE MONDAY 10-4. Drop off at the Sebastopol Grange parking lot, on Highway 12.

KIWANIS ROCKS. NO FIREWORKS? NO PROBLEM!

FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT! Sat Jan 23. Deadline to order food: TODAY Jan 17

Mass Covid-19 Site at Fairgrounds for in-home care givers and private doctors.

Vaccine’s for Anyone Age 65 or Older. Call your provider. The governor announced this earlier in the week.

Vaccine’s for Anyone Age 65 or Older. Call your provider. The governor announced this earlier in the week. If you are in this age group, you should have been notified by your provider. For example, Kaiser sent emails to all patients 65 or older (571-4044 is the Kaiser number to call to make your vaccination appointment). Get vaccinated!!

Inauguration Day Event. The Democratic National Committee. Register so you can join the festivities "virtually."

Ragle Park. Have you seen these woodpeckers busy with their food storage?

Those are acorns! A nod to Kathleen Moore for posting this great photo on Nextdoor. Love what Mother Nature offers us in this beautiful County.

Vaccinations - Major Push. Here’s a news flash.

Yesterday the County reached out to Sonoma County primary care doctors to alert them that ALL these doctors offices’ will be expected to administer vaccines. This is huge. So far it’s only been Sutter, Memorial, and Kaiser, with some clinics and now the Fairgrounds. If we can get vaccinations through all internal medicine and family medicine doctors, that would be great! FYI, the tiers still apply, so no jumping the line! Hooray to Dr Mace and Barbie Robinson!

On the Lighthearted Side...Sometimes you just need a reason to smile, right?

Why? I continue to seek the answer to this question. This article is super interesting.

It's a bit dense-packed with sociology theory, but when I got done reading it, I really felt I understood the motivations behind the high emotions we saw driving the escalation of violence at the Capitol on January 6. Definitely worth reading.

President Trump Just Now Impeachment by US House of Representatives

President Donald Trump was just impeached by the US House of Representatives. 232 to 197 vote, including 10 Republicans, making this a bipartisan vote. The Senate will vote next. 17 Republicans will need to vote along with all Democrats for the Senate to support the impeachment. The Senate is currently not scheduled to reconvene until January 19th.

Celebrating the furry members of our families. This is Arya, five years old today.

Arya is a rescue who has taught her adopted family all about loyalty and love and kindness (and oh-so-much about patience!). She has been our go-to for hugs and unconditional love during these troubling and unsettling times. Love you a ton, Arya. Happy birthday!

FOODIES ALERT. Three Leaves Foods. Yum!!

Topic: Climate Change & the Sebastopol Climate Action Subcommittee. Wow!

What a great day. I facilitated the Kick-Off meeting for our new Climate Action Ad Hoc Subcommittee. What an amazing and inspiring group of locals! This is definitely the brain trust we need to take aggressive action on climate change. Kenna Lee is Chair, with Luke Lindenbusch and Josho Somine as Co-Chairs. Keep an eye on this very impressive group! Click on the title above for the full Subcommittee Member list. 

Congressman Jared Huffman on the violence at the Capitol (Town Hall video).

LOCAL ART FOR LOCAL LOVE. Check out all the great gifts you can buy...

... through Sebastopol Center for the Arts "Valentine Pop Up" store.

Who represents Sebastopol in the US and State Legislatures? How do I reach them?

In the White House
US Representative Jared Huffman
US Senator Dianne Feinstein
US Senator Kamala Harris (soon to be replaced by Alex Padilla)

In the State Capitol
Assembly Member Marc Levine
Senator Mike McGuire

(Click on the title above for contact information)

Our US Rep Jared Huffman-efforts to address last week's attack on the Capitol.

Jared Huffman, the US Representative whose district includes Sebastopol, signed onto a list of demands to take corrective action in the wake of the attack on the US Capitol this past week. Click on the title above to read his full statement.

Governor Gavin Newsom provides an update on the state’s response to the #COVID19 pandemic.

Articles of Impeachment just introduced. Vote expected Wednesday.

Read the article - here.

25th Amendment: No. Next: Impeachment.

The House just rejected 25th amendment move (Republicans objected, which immediately quashed the move.) Next step is expected to be the introduction of articles of impeachment, most likely tomorrow, and a vote on Wednesday.

House: Starting 25th Amendment and Impeachment Process.

25th Amendment: Being voted on by the US House within a few minutes. Expected not to get the necessary votes. Next step: Impeachment vote this Wednesday. Turn to any news channel to watch.

Arnold Schwarzenegger: "My message to my fellow Americans and friends around the world."

Are we finally ready to face the consequences of our color biases..now that we see that the impact is on ALL people without regard to skin color??!!

WaccoBB, West County online bastion of open discussion and commentary, closes its (virtual) doors.

Thank you to Barry Chertov for his commitment to giving the community a voice for so many years.

Mike Thompson - US Congressman - Town Hall with Q&A Thu Jan 6@7pm. Covers the attack on the Capital as well as other issues.

Had to share this. I’m not a tik tok fan (don’t get me started!), but this is where it shines - the ease of sharing a warm sweet moment with others.

Our Asst Fire Chief passed away suddenly yesterday. So sad...

It is with sadness in our hearts that we share our Assistant Fire Chief Mike Reeser has passed away. Mike has been with the department over 42 years. Sebastopol has lost not only a member of the Fire Department but a valuable member of the community. Today we would have been saying happy birthday now we are saying rest in peace. Mike we will all miss you.

Stay-Home Order Extended. From Supervisor Lynda Hopkins.

Remembering Officer Brian Sicknick, the police officer slain while defending our Capitol. So sad...

First Amendment Redux from Santa Rosa Mayor Chris Rogers. Well stated.

Martha's Old Mexico - Yum! My first stop on the Take Out Pledge - ordering take-out once a week to support our local restaurants.

I took the pledge (you can too by filling out this form). I placed my order and then picked up at the restaurant. Had a very nice meal, and supported this sweet local business. Nice. To place your order online, go to this link. Or you can call them at 823-4458. Location: 305 North Main Street in Sebastopol.

REGISTER TODAY to vote for new delegates to the California Democratic Party. If you're a registered democrat you can vote.

You need to register in order to receive a ballot. Register at www.ADEMelections.com. A number of our Sebastopol neighbors are running, Jerry Threet, Omar Figueroa, and Carey Wheaton among them. Deadline for requesting your ballot: Jan 11. Deadline for your completed ballot to be received: Jan 27.

For information about the delegates and their roles, see https://adem.cadem.org/. Note Sebastopol is in Assembly District 10. I'm voting...make sure you do too!

APPLY NOW. Six Days Left. Small Business Loan Program deadline extended to Jan 13.

Individual grants range from $5,000 to $25,000. Offered by the state of California. Apply by January 13 (original deadline was Jan 8, but it's just been extended to Jan 13!). Go to the site below for application and details.

VACCINE: Who gets it when? Good regularly updated info from our splendid Dr Mase.

NEEDING COMFORT FOOD. Snickerdoodles, anyone?

This was a hard couple of days politically & emotionally. What to do? Snickerdoodles! Super soft and buttery, loaded with cinnamon and sugar. Yes!! The perfect comfort food. (Click on the title above for the full recipe.)

VACCINATIONS? Great description of the tiers.

Democrats take Georgia. Wow!

INSURRECTION? WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OUR DEMOCRACY??!!

This is not free speech.

This is insurrection and an attack on our democracy.

Let's call it what it is - fear-mongering and challenging the very principles that built this country.

Thinking positive thoughts, but feeling such despair and sadness for our already beleaguered nation.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING (Jan 5) - NOTES.

Happy New Year Everyone! I hope 2021 is treating you well so far. I sure won’t miss 2020.

I’ve got all the holiday decorations collected and ready to pack.

 

No tears of sadness that this holiday season and year is over. In fact, I find myself quite thrilled to be saying goodbye to it!

 

And yes, I am hopeful about 2021. So far, a few days in, my hope continues. That’s good, right??!!

 

Here’s to a healthier and happier 2021!!

CITY COUNCIL MEETING TONIGHT (Jan 5@6pm). Zoom Link here....

Here's the City webpage where you'll find the zoom link and the meeting packet. See you there at 6pm!

12/26: ROTARY IN ACTION. Celebrating the compassion and love at the heart of this community.

Two Hundred boxes of groceries distributed. Wow! 

12/26: Another comforting constant in life: Our dogs. You just can’t help but smile, right?

12/25: ‘Twas the night before Christmas.” A pandemic twist on a classic tale (with a happy ending!).

12/25: Rain on First Street. Lovely.

12/25: Hello December 25, 2020! Sebastopol in the rain. Beautiful.

12/25: Remembering smiles and togetherness - all the joy that comes with family and friends.

Funny how even though it's not ALL perfect (!!??) and the memories aren't ALL rosy, family and friends are still what grounds us and keeps us moving forward.

As I sit here wishing they were all with me right now, I can't help but treasure all they've given me over my 61 years of life. This year is just one of those many many years, and the sixty that came before have got to sustain me through this one...leaping forward into the next when yet more memories will be made.

Here's to all those many years of family and friends, past and yet to come!! Remember, this is just one of SO many! Happy Holidays Everyone!

12/24: HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE. It’s been a tough year, but honestly that’s when traditions like the holidays feel all the more important.

It’s different this year, but in many ways it’s also comfortingly the same: the same music on the radio, twinkling lights in people’s homes, smiles from friends and family, and, most importantly for me, the same bright hint of hope for the future. This year even more than others that feels like a truly precious gift. Let’s celebrate what we treasure most today, and also think good thoughts for what our future brings. And yes, happy holidays to all! And if your tradition includes Santa, check out the Santa tracker. It’s definitely fun.

12/16: Dog philosophy....

So I asked Arya what she thought about my 5pm to 10:30pm City Council meeting last night. She was speechless, but spoke her truth through her eyes.

12/16: SEBASTOPOL INN UPDATE. Summary from Dec 15 Presentation by the County.

The Sebastopol Inn project definitely has the joint commitment of the County and the City to make sure that it is successful in the short term AND the long term. There were many supportive comments, recognizing the benefits of the Sebastopol Inn as a definite move toward housing the unsheltered (a real solution). There were also real concerns expressed, with many of them answered in real time at the meeting, and more importantly a plan put in place that will allow additional concerns to be addressed into the future. (Click on the title above to read the full entry (including a note on the very real limitations imposed by the Brown Act).)

12/16: Shout out to Supervisor Lynda Hopkins for her role in helping to line up $350,000 from the County to the City of Sebastopol ...

...as part of the Sebastopol Inn transaction. Thank you, Supervisor Hopkins, for recognizing the financial impact we face from the loss of one of only two hotels in town. You rock!!

12/7: YES, THE SEBASTOPOL INN IS THE LATEST ISSUE.

Please, if you have input or suggestions, email me at drich@cityofsebastopol.org (new email). The purchase agreement is within hours/days of being signed. The City Staff and City Council are moving forward to make sure we've done our best to put in place measures that will help ensure that our businesses and residents (and visitors) can feel as comfortable as possible with the County's plan. The plan, FYI, still seems to be to house vulnerable homeless seniors, with 24/7 supervision. The County will be available for a Q&A at the Sebastopol City Council meeting on December 15 (yes, open to the Public). Again, email Diana Rich at drich@cityofsebastopol.org with your concerns/questions regarding the County's purchase of the Sebastopol Inn. Remember, we are not negotiating WHETHER the purchase will happen. That's a done deal. Please focus on what rules or conditions we can place on the operations in order to protect the needs and interests of Sebastopol's businesses and residents. Thanks!!

11/23: IT'S OFFICIAL!

The Sonoma County Registrar of Voters issued her certification last night, and I am now officially elected to the Sebastopol City Council. Hooray!! The swearing-in ceremony will be this coming Tuesday December 1st at the 6pm Sebastopol City Council meeting. Please be there to cheer me on!! Zoom Link to be added here when available.

11/20: GREAT NEWS! All ballots have been counted by the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters. Attached is last night's report (Friday November 20).

Voter Turnout for City of Sebastopol: 92.77% (5223 of 5630 total registered voters)! Go Sebastopol! Certification should be next week, at which point it's official!

11/18: CARDBOARD SIGNS GO FULL CIRCLE. These campaign signs were wonderful. Their lifespan was unusual for campaign signs: made of cardboard....

...sourced from dumpsters, each piece individually cut to size, painted with end-of-paint-can white paint, screen-printed, then hosted by campaign supporters for months. They survived through the smoke-filled days of fire season, a few light rainstorms, and our late-summer dewy mornings.Today they all returned to their original dumpster home. They'll soon be recycled, and undoubtedly go on to become some other item of use to humans. Nice environmentally friendly end-of-campaign bedtime story!

 

Question: What about those large plywood campaign signs?

Answer: Artist Patrick Amiot is using them to make shelving!

11/17: Walking the dog in the rain (photo). It’s beautiful out here!

11/16: Monday. Only a handful of ballots remain to be counted. The posted website report (image below) from Friday is still unchanged.

In a phone call this morning, I learned that there are only two "returned" ballots that are not included in the website report numbers. A few more will be added as they review provisional ballots this week, and as they continue to process any late-arriving mail-in ballots. But I think we're looking at close-to-final numbers here. The results can be certified any time after this Friday November 20, with Friday December 4 as the legal deadline for all counties to submit certified results to the Secretary of State.

11/13: UPDATED VOTER NUMBERS. RESULTS STILL GOOD.

This was posted tonight at about 5pm. It represents 5166 ballots, which is a 91.76% voter turnout for Sebastopol. Wow! Is there a possibility that more ballots will trickle in? Yes...but not many. Friday of next week (November 20th) the Registrar stops accepting any more ballots. I would bet we'll get a very-close-to-final count by Monday the 24th of November. Soon we'll be able to call it final!!

11/10: LATEST CITY COUNCIL RACE UPDATE. MORE VOTES. SAME RESULTS. This was posted on the official website today at about 5:30pm.

11/10: WHEN CAN WE EXPECT FINAL OFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS FOR SONOMA COUNTY. Answer: Between November 23 and December 4.

(Those in the know advise to expect official results after Thanksgiving.) Why Nov 3-Dec 4? Because Sonoma County requires that the Registrar of Voters keep counting mail-in ballots received through Friday November 20 (so long as they've been postmarked by Nov 3). That means that the very earliest date for a final official count would be Monday November 23. The latest date for official results is set by the Elections Code, which requires that the count end by December 3, and that certified results be submitted to the Secretary of State by December 4. (Click on the title above to read the remainder of this entry.)

11/9: AMAZING! VOTER TURNOUT IN SEBASTOPOL CONTINUES TO RISE...

11/8: THANK YOU EVERYONE. (POSTING THIS AFTER DOING SOME MATH-NERD CALCULATIONS.) THE LEAD FOR ME LOOKS SOLID...

And it could not have happened without all your support!!! Thank you so much for your confidence in my ability to do what's right for this wonderful town!! Number of outstanding votes remaining to be counted: My prediction is somewhere between 250 and 425. As of Thursday, the Registrar had confirmed receipt of 202 ballots that aren't reflected in the numbers reported below (based on data downloaded from the Registrar website, plus a phone call I had with that office on November 5). Even if no more ballots were received, that's already an amazing 80.63% voter turnout for Sebastopol!!! But we know that number will go up because of additional mail-in ballots processed over the next few days. If we end up with 85% final voter turnout that would mean we have 425 ballots outstanding (including the 202). Bottom line: It all looks good!!! GO SEBASTOPOL!!!

11/7: CONGRATULATIONS AMERICA! Biden has won. We have a chance to heal and recover.