This week, a crew from Sebastopol Public Works dismantled a large tree fort that was part of a homeless encampment located in the Laguna north of the Joe Rodota Trail. Bill Howley alerted us to the demolition of a “fairly impressive, semi-permanent. unpermitted structure” and noticed that dedicated city workers were “continuing to dismantle and carry away the remnants, trash, and assorted detritus.”
Still, there’s something admirable about the amount of effort that went into this particular structure. Steve Pierce, who took the photo above, said the structure had been there for months. Workers told Pierce that they had to cut a rudimentary road through the Laguna so they could access this structure and the surrounding encampment in order to remove it.
Letter to Analy parents about Safeway
We reported in December on a confrontation between Analy students and a delivery driver in the Safeway parking lot. This week, a joint letter signed by Sebastopol Police Chief Sean McDonagh, Analy Principal Chuck Wade and District Superintendent Chris Meredith, said: “We are writing together to address ongoing concerns related to student traffic and loitering in and around the Safeway shopping center before, during, and after the school day.” The letter “strongly encouraged parents” to not use the Safeway parking lot for picking up and dropping off students.
The Safeway parking lot and surrounding businesses are private property and are not approved locations for student gathering, drop-off, or pick-up. When students congregate in these areas, it creates safety concerns, traffic congestion, and challenges for local businesses and community members.
The letter also asked that families speak with their students about their responsibility to be respectful citizens while off campus and in public. “Student behavior beyond the school grounds reflects not only on the individual, but also on Analy High School and the broader community,” the letter said.
Gunshot in downtown on Friday
On Friday. Feb. 6, around 1:30 pm, Sebastopol police officers responded to a report of a gunshot in the 100 block of Weeks Way, near the city plaza. An off-duty Santa Rosa Police officer safely detained the person, a 56-year-old male. The officers located a loaded .22 caliber handgun inside the suspect’s backpack and determined the firearm went off inside the suspect’s backpack unintentionally.
Also inside the suspect’s backpack were methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, metal knuckles, and a concealed straight blade knife. The suspect, a convicted felon, was taken into custody.
Local educators encouraged to seek SREF grants
The deadline to apply for these grants is Feb. 28
By Rollie Atkinson
The Sebastopol Rotary Education Foundation (SREF) is seeking grant applications from Sebastopol and all west county schools and educators. SREF calls these grant funds “seed money for growing minds.”
Last year’s series of grants awarded $60,000 in various amounts to support a sports medicine pathway at Analy High School, funds for a summer session of the popular Maker Camp program, a faculty stipend for a music class at Laguna High School, one-time funding for a multiple school “Challenge Day,” and material supplies for a student T-shirt project at Fort Ross Elementary, among a few others.
Chris Meredith, a SREF board member and superintendent of the West Sonoma County Union High School District, sent a “time sensitive” announcement last week to area school administrators announcing a pending application deadline of February 28. He pointed everyone to the SREF website for a full program explanation and application forms. Both public and private schools are eligible for the SREF grants.
The Sebastopol Rotary Education Foundation was founded in 1982 by the Rotary Club of Sebastopol as an independent nonprofit organization. SREF is led by a 12-member board of trustees, primarily selected from the Rotary Club’s membership. The SREF endowment fund currently exceeds $1.2 million in assets. Annual grants are drawn from the earned interest and new donations. SREF is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and all donations are tax deductible.
In past years, SREF grants have been awarded to Analy’s original Maker Project, a CTE (career training education) building trades program, middle school “wellness” programs, a Math Field Day series and annual Teacher of the Year awards.
“Our aim is to support education that fosters students’ love of learning and their sense of citizenship in a global community,” the SREF mission statement says in part. The current SREF board chair is John Blount, a retired Sebastopol dentist and former director of Rotary International. Other board members include retired educators, local business owners, a retired Superior Court judge and local financial advisors. General inquires can be made at the SREF website.
Charles Becker, master painter, has died
Internationally renowned master painter, Charles Becker, passed away on Jan. 21 surrounded by his loving family in Sonoma County, California. He was 73. Learn more about his fascinating life in his obituary.
Constant Comment
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Two stories this week generated a lot of commentary from our readers. One was whether Main Street should remain a one-way or two- way street, which had 17 comments. The other was Saturday’s story about the city council changing its formula business ordinance and the threat/promise of Grocery Outlet coming to town, which now has 10 comments.
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The Week of February 1-7
While I understand the necessity of removing a structure that is probably a dangerous fire hazard, my eternally 10 year old inner self winces at the removal of any treehouse, anywhere, for any reason. I will need to address this situation specifically when I found my micro-nation.
As for the Grocery Outlet, people do drive outside town to buy at one. Also the store is not real competition to traditional grocery stores as it sells overstock goods