RoundUp: The art of it
There's an art to everything, from creating a sculpture or painting to running a city council meeting to growing amazing plants and building a community out of apples
With the human body as inspiration
Sebastopol Chiropractor David Molencupp’s office is filled with his artwork, and, on Friday, he moved one of his larger pieces to the Belonging Exhibition, in the now not-so-empty lot across the street from the downtown plaza.
“I’ve shown this large sculpture at the Maker Fair. I’ve shown it at Burning Man. And then they said I could show it downtown,” Molencupp said of Sebastopol Center for the Arts’ invitation to local artists to add sculptures to the ever-evolving exhibition known as The Belonging Project.
Molencupp sees himself as much as an artist as a chiropractor and says his work with the human body informs his art.
“So I've always kept art—like, I haven’t given up working on my skills to build different sculptural projects,” he said. “I haven’t focused just on chiropractic, but I have been inspired by the human body—even more with the chiropractic doctorate.”
You can see Molencupp’s work and the work of a dozen other artists at the opening reception of The Belonging Project today—Sunday, July 6. It will be open to SebArts members from 12 pm to 1 pm and to the general public from 1 pm to 2 pm.
The invitation from SebArts invites you to “Mingle with fellow art lovers, meet the artists behind the magic, play classic lawn games and soak up the summer vibes with a picnic-style celebration at the site of the new Belonging Project!”
Although there will be some light snacks there, SebArts is urging people to bring a picnic lunch and picnic among the art.
Mary Gourley appointed Interim City Manager
I know what you’re thinking: “Wait, wasn’t she already appointed interim city manager?”
Nope. Turns out that when former City Manager Don Schwartz and the city parted ways in April, Gourley officially became the “acting city manager,” a shorter-term designation.
At the July 1 meeting, the Sebastopol City Council appointed Gourley to serve as interim city manager through January 31, 2026, or until a permanent city manager is hired, whichever comes first. Gourley has agreed to serve under the same terms and conditions as her current employment agreement so this appointment will not result in any additional cost to the city.
According to the city press release, the city council is actively recruiting a full-time permanent city manager and aims to complete the hiring process before the end of January 2026.
Sidewalk chalk art that wows you
Thanks to Franny Minervini-Zick for tipping us off about this amazing artwork at the corner of Jewell and Willow near Ives Park. We stopped by the house and met the artists, Elise Henson and Veydra Crocker, in Veydra’s grandparents’ backyard.
“It’s based off a picture from a video game we really like called Disco Elysium,” said Veydra, who is currently a student at Berkeley. “The game is very political, and it talks a lot about mental health and how at any time in your life, you’re able to change and become a better person.”
Now that’s what I call a volunteer!
Rebecca Evert, who lives on Palm Drive, sent along this photo of a sky-high (or at least rooftop-high) sunflower in her yard.
I asked her if she planted this as a seed or a start and what she fed it.
“It’s a volunteer sunflower,” Rebecca responded. “I just do a winter soil health cover crop that is then cut down and mulched back into the earth, so no fertilizer used.”
And none needed obviously!
Make your appointment now for the Community Apple Press
By Paula Shatkin
Slow Food Russian River and our free Community Apple Press will be ready for you to press your own juice for free from August 19 ’til late October. We are ready to help you and your friends and family, especially kids, on Saturdays and Sundays to share this joyful activity at beautiful Luther Burbank Experiment Farm.
Each group can make a 20-minute reservation and bring 100 pounds of fresh apples. Our simple and efficient press makes it quick and easy. Bring your own containers, and take your juice home to share and freeze and enjoy throughout the year.
Last year our community pressed over 50,000 pounds of local apples! Nothing goes to waste either. The skins and cores that are left over (pomace) go to feed local pigs and goats and create compost for local ranchers or anyone else who wants it.
Slow Food Russian River has worked for over 20 years to promote local apple farms and especially our historic Gravensteins. Now we have expanded to bring in school children on Fridays to press juice and learn the joys of fresh juice.
Slow Food also has a lively booth at the Gravenstein Fair, where we will be pressing organic apples and giving out free juice samples. Come join us and come volunteer with us. Make your reservations or pick your volunteer times at our website: slowfoodrr.org.
Sebastopol Police Logs, June 23-29
The following are crimes excerpted from Sebastopol Police Department daily crime log entries and listed at the time the alleged violation was reported.
MONDAY
10:04 a.m. Possession of a narcotic controlled substance and violation of probation (misdemeanors) at Gravenstein Highway South and Corline Court. Suspect arrested.
11:38 a.m. Creating a disturbance with a loud, unreasonable noise (misdemeanor) at South Main Street. Referred to District Attorney for review.
TUESDAY
5:30 p.m. Knowingly receiving stolen property (felony) and violation of probation (misdemeanor) at Gravenstein Highway North. Pending further investigation.
THURSDAY
1:53 p.m. Obtaining more than $400 under false pretenses (felony) at Petaluma Avenue. Pending further information.
FRIDAY
11:40 a.m. Inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or companion and burglary with breaking and entering (felonies) at Bodega Avenue. Suspect arrested.
7:36 p.m. Disorderly conduct involving an intoxicating drug with alcohol (misdemeanor) at Pitt Avenue. Suspect arrested.
8:35 p.m. Vandalism with property damage (misdemeanor) at Brown and Depot streets. Investigation suspected, leads exhausted.
SATURDAY
1:56 a.m. Vandalism and defacing property (misdemeanor) at Bodega Avenue. Pending further investigation.
SUNDAY
11:13 a.m. Vehicle theft (felony) at South Main Street. Pending further investigation.
OTHER POLICE ACTION
The Sebastopol Police Department also recorded 138 events requiring police action during the period, such as lost animals, assisting citizens, parking violations, foot patrol, traffic hazards and reckless driving.
