Sunday RoundUp: When a butterfly stops by
Grab a Gravenstein, police tow away lived-in vehicles from Keating & Brown Streets, a new teen center is opening, and more...
Is there any summer guest more welcome than a butterfly dropping by the garden for a short, unexpected visit? Artist Lisa Beerntsen caught this fleeting moment in her photo of the Western Tiger Swallowtail atop a Queen Anne’s Lace flower.
Is there any better sign to see in town than this one at Andy’s Produce, signaling that our signature apple is now ready for eating? It reminds you how many months it has been since you last had the taste of a really flavorful, crisp apple in your mouth.
The Gravenstein Apple Fair is coming August 8th and 9th. We’ll have our preview out later this week.
Police impound lived-in vehicles in downtown encampment
On Friday, officers from the Sebastopol Police Department removed several lived-in vehicles from Keating Avenue and Brown Street, which had become a homeless encampment. According to the department’s Facebook page, “the vehicles had remained on public streets for extended periods and presented ongoing public safety concerns, including lengthy registration violations, accumulated debris, fire and health hazards, and conditions that attracted theft, vandalism, and other criminal activity.”
The Sebastopol Police Department worked with the City of Sebastopol Public Works Department who came in to clean up the large amount of trash left behind. As might be expected, commenters on Facebook were divided about this action by Sebastopol police.
Sebastopol Times will follow up to learn more about the number of cars towed away and whether any efforts were made to find alternative housing for those who had been living in their vehicles.
Fusion Teen Center opens in August
Jim Matteri, the director of the new Fusion Teen Center, believes there’s a real need for a place where teens can go after school. The teen center is opening next month for 6th-12th grade students at Sebastopol Christian Church, “Kids need a place where they can hang out with other teens,” said Matteri, who has worked with teens for over 34 years and has children who are teens. “We offer ping pong, pool games, video games, a movie room,” said Matteri. “It’s not so much what’s there, but who’s there.”
There will be an open house on Saturday, August 1st from 5pm - 6pm, a date/time chosen because it occurs just before the movie event in Ives Park.
In August, the teen center will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 - 5:30 pm. When school starts, it will be open Monday through Thursday for the same hours. The Teen Center is free! The only cost is for snacks that are available for purchase.
The Fusion Teen Center will have at least 2 adult volunteers present during the program. More will be added depending on the number of teens attending. Volunteers will undergo background checks and an interview. While located at the Sebastopol Christian Church, 7433 Bodega Ave., the teen center is not religious and everyone is welcome.
Michele Anna Jordan moves to Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Well-known local food writer, Michele Anna Jordan, is no longer local. She’s moved to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, as she tells us on her own Substack. We wish her well and hope she might find her way back someday.
Farmers market seeks support for its expansion
The Sebastopol Farmers Market is seeking to expand into the West America Bank parking lot, creating space for more of the local farmers, food producers, artisans, and community vendors.
The expansion will go before the Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday, July 28 at 6:00 PM at the Sebastopol Community Center. The organizers of the market are asking the community to write a letter of support for the expansion. Send the letter to jjay@cityofsebastopol.gov by Saturday, July 25. For more information, you can find the Sebastopol Farmers Market on Facebook.
“Talking with Your Mouth Full” dinner at St. Stephen’s
A monthly dinner series, Talking with Your Mouth Full, returns to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on Thursday, July 30th. The topic is Gender and Identity 101. Drew Rose and Joy Anderson-Lacy from Positive Images will discuss how to help parents, caregivers, and community members better understand and support LGBTQIA+ youth. RSVP is required by Thursday, July 23rd. RSVP here.
Non-profits can apply for Sebastopol West 100’s next grant cycle
The Sebastopol West 100 giving circle will begin accepting applications for its next round of grant-making to local non-profits. The window opens July 20th and closes August 10th. The application can be found here with an FAQ explaining eligibility and the kinds of activities the group will consider funding.
Moving a mound around
It’s happening very slowly but a work crew is removing a protruding hillside at 7950 Bodega Avenue between Golden Ridge Avenue and Pleasant Hill Road North. The hill has been a tough obstacle for anyone trying to walk down that side of the road.
Up behind the hill is the Huntley Square development, a group of ten mini-townhouses that are under construction. The hillside will be cut back by the developer’s contractor and supported with a retaining wall. Once cleared, there will be a level sidewalk next to the bike lane that CalTrans added in May when they widened and repaved Bodega Highway.
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The Week of July 12 - 18
Rollie Atkinson’s two articles about environmental planner Rick Retecki and the development of the Sonoma County General Plan in 1978 were much appreciated by readers this week.
Last week, alas, the majority of the 16 people who responded didn’t care who won the World Cup.
Extra credit this week:
Now, it’s time to go look for butterflies in your garden.
I sure hope that those whose cars were taken will be given a real solution. I can imagine what it would be like, with my car being the last refuge, the only home I have, being taken away. Notice I"m not using the word 'Stolen". It would be devastating.