Okili Celebration for Citizenship in Sebastopol

Come and party with
Okili Nguebari on Feb 27, 2010.
Finally, some good news amidst all the bad, here we have a diamond in the rough, the coming of the light like the end of winter darkness; after nearly 30 years Okili is FINALLY FREE!

As of today, Okili has been officially accepted into the Amnesty Class Action Law suit, NWIRP vs. USCIS, giving him his actual Temporary Resident Visa. This is a triumph after a long battle that began last April 20, 2009 when he was abducted by 6 ICE agents in front of his home and taken away from his American wife of 23 years and two American born children to a remote detention facility in AZ for 3 long months. Within another 18 months he will be eligible to apply for and receive his Permanent Resident Green Card or Citizenship (his choice). Either way, he is finally free to leave the country, free to visit his family abroad, something he could never do for the past nearly 30 years; because if he left the country, he would not be allowed back in. He no longer will have to consider reopening his 26 year old overstay of Student Visa case; something he and his family feared could drag things out for years.

The main purpose of this fundraiser is to pay the balance of legal fees owed Okili’s fantastic and extremely patient Attorney, Ms. Florence M. Ndedi who has been patiently standing by, although most of her successful work on our case has been completed. Although funds were raised in two prior events (FREE OKILI and HE’S HOME), some substantial funds went to lawyers that were unable to help us. Thank goodness we were lead to the right person who helped us honestly and professionally, at last.

In addition to raising the needed legal funds for Okili, partial proceeds will also be raised for The Committee for Immigrant Rights of Sonoma County which is a part of the Reform Immigration for America Campaign. The event is Co- sponsored by The United Africa Club and the Sebastopol Community Center, both non-profit.

GROUPS PERFORMING AT BENEFIT

Onye Onyemaechi (Nigeria) w/ Mendozone (World Beat)
Midnight Sun (World Beat)
Amadou Camara (Guinea)
Kim Atkinson w/ Carnival Spirit (Brazzilian)
African Dance Ensemble (mixed)
Massango Constant & Okili Nguebari (Congo)
Olembe Nguebari (Conscious Rap)
Jalahn Travis (rising child star)
Drummunity – Coordinated large Drum Circle at end of evening

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Food Bank Fundraiser American Philharmonic Concert

The annual Winter Food and Funds Drive
by the Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB) will mark its finale with performances
January 30 and 31
by the American Philharmonic – Sonoma County (APSC)
at Wells Fargo Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa.

The concert entitled, Once Upon A Time, is FREE to the public and is dedicated to the work and supporters of the REFB, Sonoma County’s leading hunger relief agency which provides food to 70,000 Sonoma County residents every month.

The concerts will be performed at the conclusion of the REFB’s three-month-long winter drive to collect food and raise funds to support hunger relief efforts into the New Year.

Concert goers are being urged to donate cash or checks to the REFB during the concerts at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts. Credit or Debit cards may be used to give as well, using remittance envelopes located in each program. Information tables will be set up for donations to REFB.

In dedicating the concert to the Food Bank, American Philharmonic-Sonoma County spokesperson and Co-Chair, Katy Madrigal said: “This time of year is often the hardest for the needy and those who serve them. While many donations come in during the holidays, by the beginning of each new year, REFB has to double its efforts to secure more food. This is a time when all of us in the community can collaborate and help raise much needed food. Please donate to this worthy cause and enjoy the beautiful music.”

David Goodman, Executive Director of the REFB, thanked the American Philharmonic and expressed hope the concerts would remind people that hunger is a year-round problem.
“Every day is a crisis for people who haven’t enough to eat,” Goodman said. “Coming at the conclusion of our annual drive, the two days of music will help us celebrate the generosity of the thousands of people who have contributed and serve as a reminder that our annual winter fund drive ends Jan. 31 but the need continues every day of the year.”

The orchestra, which will be conducted by American Philharmonic Music Director Gabriel Sakakeeny, will be performing Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream-Overture;
Blechinger’s Concerto for Bassoon, featuring guest bassoonist George Sakakeeny; and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade.

The performance on Saturday, Jan. 30 begins at 8 p.m. Sunday’s performance on Jan. 31 begins at 3 p.m. Admission is free. Wells Fargo Center for the Arts lobby doors open an hour prior to the concerts. The Wells Fargo Center for the Arts is wheelchair accessible.

The REFB launched its annual Winter Food and Funds Drive on November 1, and with the help and support of some 360 community drives raised thousands of pounds of food as well as cash. Donations help keep its food shelves stocked into the new year to distribute food through 13 of its own programs and the 146 charitable agencies it partners with in Sonoma County.

The goal is to collect $160,000 in cash and 200,000 lbs. of food by Jan. 31.

By the first week of the new year, Lee Bickley, Community Relations Manager of the REFB, said donors had contributed 160,871 lbs. of canned and packaged food and $111,744 in cash.

“We have just one more month to go, and we’re almost there,” she said. “We’re hoping residents who haven’t yet contributed will find a way to help and help us meet our goal.”

No food will be collected at the Wells Fargo Center concerts, only cash and checks.

Bickley said every cash contribution helps, no matter the amount.

“No donation is too small. We’ve received a $20,000 check from a Healdsburg winery and we’ve received hundreds of pennies from grade schools,” she said. “We have 5,000 volunteers who help us operate our programs throughout the year and because of that volunteer labor we are able to turn a dollar donation into $4 worth of food,” she said. “So each donation counts, no matter the amount, and will enable us to help thousands of our neighbors.”

Bickley urged concert goers to donate cash at the Wells Fargo Center performances and others to send their contributions to the Redwood Empire Food Bank.

Checks can be mailed to 3320 Industrial Drive, Santa Rosa CA 95403.

Donors also can give online www.refb.org or by calling the food bank at 707-523-7900 and put a donation on a charge card.

Canned and packaged food can always be dropped off at REFB’s headquarters, 3320 Industrial Drive in Santa Rosa.

The American Philharmonic–Sonoma County was created in 1998. It has performed more than 60 concert events for more than 40,000 audience members since 1999.

For more information on the REFB, contact David Goodman, 707-523-7900.

The orchestra is sustained almost completely on the generosity of donations by audience members. It has grown from a modest Cotati Philharmonic to become the premier professional volunteer orchestra of the North Bay Area with 60 to 75 musicians and scores of support volunteers. The American Philharmonic-Sonoma County is a resident company of the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts.
F
or more information about the American Philharmonic-Sonoma County, contact Katy Madrigal at mailto:kgomezmadrigal@apsonoma.org" at kgomezmadrigal@apsonoma.org or go to www.apsonoma.org.

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BENEFIT for Indigo Crone at Community Market Jan 15

Indigo Crone Fundraiser for Medical Expenses

Indigo Crone, a beloved member or our community, has an inoperable cancerous tumor. On Friday, January 15th, Santa Rosa Community Market is donating 10% of all sales as a fund raiser for her medical expenses.

Do you shop at Community Market? If so, could you please shop there on Friday, January 15th? If you don’t shop there, could you please consider shopping there on that day? To read the community Market enewsletter with Indigo's story in it go to srcommunitymarket.com

If you cannot go on that day and would like to help, please call Jacqua Miller at (707) 525-1550 for further information.

Could you please forward this e-mail on to your mailing list or anyone else that knows Indigo, shops at Santa Rosa Community Market, or that you think would like to help. Thank you for your support!

New info: Also, Gaia's Garden (formerly Govinda's) a restaurant in front of Community Market is also donating 10% of all sales on that day, January 15th, to Indigo's health fund.

WHAT: Indigo Crone Day

WHEN: Friday January 15th 8am to 9pm

WHERE: Santa Rosa Community Market and Gaia's Garden
1899 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa (Just East of Santa Rosa Junior College)
(707) 546-1806

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Project Censored Looking for help

For 34 years Project Censored has been committed to bringing the most vital stories to public awareness with the belief that genuine democracy depends on freedom of the press. The new Censored 2010 yearbook has drawn international attention to some of the most important underreported stories of our times and we are researching many stories for our next book already. We continue to need your vital support of Project Censored as we transition and expand our work to bring forth the most important news stories of the year both in print and online.

Independent media, both on the local and national level, is at risk. This is just one of the reasons that Project Censored and the Media Freedom Foundation just gave Media Freedom Awards to the KPFA Flashpoints radio team at our recent book release celebration in Santa Rosa. Help us support the critical independent voices that cover the “news that doesn’t make the news.”

Project Censored is not only working on new underreported stories but spreading the word via our new Daily Censored website, Facebook page and Media Freedom Foundation PNN site which aggregates independent news from many of the most reliable sources around the world. We are also organizing the first Modern Media Dialogue Series to be held from February to May at Sonoma State University. This is the only university series in the United States devoted to dialogue and deliberation about the modern media.

Project Censored is also involved in an ongoing and growing collaboration with the college and university affiliates program through Media Freedom International. Peter Phillips and Mickey Huff not only continue to pursue censored media with this effort, but in addition there are also now over 30 affiliates with more on the way, including some from Latin America, Europe, and Asia. The 2010 book contains work from nine of the affiliates, with a few placing stories in the top ten. The MFI website will be a home base for affiliate work and continue to publish Validated Independent News stories and more detailed academic, investigative reports year round in the effort to combat censorship and the ongoing Truth Emergency in the United States and around the world.

As I begin my first year as Project Censored director I would like to personally ask each of you to consider a gift of support so that we may continue our work. Our project requires us to raise $150,000 every year and given the cutbacks in the California State system and on the Sonoma State University campus, your support is more vital to us now more than ever. Please make your tax deductible donation at http://www.projectcensored.org/about/support/

For this holiday period we have set a fund raising target of $10,000 for the next five weeks. You can watch our progress towards that goal on-line at www.projectcensored.org.

We are also offering our new Censored 2010 book edited by Peter Phillips and Mickey Huff for a special 20% discounted rate when you buy two or more for seasonal gifts. You can buy the discounted books at http://www.projectcensored.org/project-censored-2010-book-holiday-promotion

Sincerely,
Benjamin Frymer, Director Project Censored
In cooperation with Peter Phillips, President: Media Freedom Foundation

Media Freedom Foundation is the Fiscal Non-profit Fund Raising Corporation that Supports Project Censored and related Media Freedom Efforts.

Check out some of our most recent work at these links:

http://www.peterbcollins.com/podcast/PBC_20091203.mp3

http://www.dailycensored.com

http://www.projectcensored.org

http://www.mediafreedominternatinal.org

http://mediafreedom.pnn.com/5174-independent-news-sources

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"A Christmas Memory" Craft Fair: December 11th & 12th

On Friday, December 11th from 5:00 to 9:00pm, and Saturday the 12th from noon to 8:00pm, the Russian River Charter School will offer a holiday crafts fair. Gifts made by the school's Small Business class include natural cosmetics, fine foods for the holidays, jewelry, wreaths, and candles. The school gardeners will have an assortment of plants for sale, including our famous strawberry guava trees, and the school's student cooks will present three wonderful meals, including pizza, Shrimp Scampi, Beef Stroganoff, soups and salads, and a host of elegant deserts.

Throughout the day and evening, the Russian River World Drama class will present scenes from Renaissance and modern theater, as well as a reading of Truman Capote's "A Christmas Memory every evening at 6:00 and 7:30 pm." Admission is $2.50 for adults at the door. Children are free and there will be childcare during the readings. If you RSVP we will reserve dinner or a theater seat, but feel welcome to drop in for the festivities any time!! And do bring guests! All proceeds benefit the school's food and arts programs. Call 887-8790!

Russian River Charter just completed our accreditation review by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, who suggested we remind local families about our amazing Aikido class, as just one of the really excellent and unusual course electives offered at RRCS. Others include Music Appreciation, Fine and Performing Arts, Psychology, and Culinary Art. Our Practical Arts and Crafts course is being offered for a second semester this spring by popular demand. We continue to offer two foreign languages; Spanish and Russian, as well as all core classes toward UC entrance. And this summer our junior class experienced two weeks in Costa Rica, teaming up with a San Francisco State class for a service learning art and ecology project. For more information about this excellent college-prep school, or to preview course descriptions and syllabi, check out our website www.russianrivercharterschool.org.

RUSSIAN RIVER CHARTER SCHOOL

10940 River Rd., Forestville, CA 95436

P.O. Box 139, Guerneville, CA 95446

(707)887-8790, fax (707)887-8759

www.russianrivercharterschool.org

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Holiday Toy Drives of Sonoma County

Taking Care of our Children on the Holidays

Below is a story of one family's personal efforts to provide toys for homeless children. There are Toy drives throughout Sonoma County as we approach the Holidays - Please participate in one close to you and let us know of Toy Drives not on our list. Please e-mail information to vesta@sonic.net

Christmas in October Fundraiser for Homeless Children

My family and I were sitting around the dinner table when my oldest son Aidan, who is almost 7, asked, “Mom, can I help give some food to the kids who don’t have any?”. After I wiped the tears from my face, I gave him an absolute firm “yes!”.

That night we got on the computer and started researching places where we might be able to help. We came upon Catholic Charities out of Santa Rosa. They were excited to hear from us and have been extremely helpful from day one.

It started out as possibly bringing cupcakes to the kids, or helping to serve dinner, but my son wanted more. We suggested to Catholic Charities maybe a toy drive. I requested that they send us a list of all of the children living in the shelter with their names, age and gender. Two days ago, I received this list. There are 60 children living in the shelter with their families, ranging in age from 2 weeks old to 15 years old.

Aioli Delicatessen organized a toy drive for these less fortunate children to bring a smile to their faces in this tumultuous and uncertain time in their lives. We assigned people a boy or a girl with an age.They in turn buy a gift that was age appropriate and brought it to Aioli in Forestville.

Community support made it happen! We thank everyone who participated to this a worthy cause.

http://www.srcharities.org/

Autumn Opitz
Aioli – A Gourmet Delicatessen
6536 Front Street
Forestville, CA 95436
707-887-2476

SONOMA COUNTY TOY DRIVES FOR THE HOLIDAYS:

Fire Departments:

Graton Fire: http://www.gratonfire.com/
Please bring new, unwrapped gift to:
• Graton Post office on Ross Road
• Graton Fire Station on Ross at Graton Rd.
• Graton Commuity Center, Graton at Edison on Dec. 13th
• The barrell at Andy's Market on Hwy 116 North

Forestville Fire: http://www.forestvillefire.org/
Please bring new, unwrapped gifts to:
• Forestville Fire Dept on Mirabel Road
Toys will be distributed to The Forestville Giving Tree Program and Toys for Tots

Sebastopol Fire: http://www.ci.sebastopol.ca.us/fire.shtml
Please bring new, unwrapped gifts to
• Sebastopol Fire Station on Bodega Hwy west of downtown.
If you have ideas and gifts for pre-teens and teens it would be very helpful - thank you.

The Giving Tree Program:
Front Street Hair Salon
6681 Front Street in Forestville
Please bring unwrapped, new gifts until December 23rd.
Benefits children from Sonoma County Family, Youth and Children's Maintenance Program (Child Protective Services)

River to Coast Children's Services
Give Santa a hand this year by donating a toy or gift certificate for a child, ages toddler through teen. Please drop off donations at River To Coast Children’s Services. For gift ideas, check out the Christmas Tree in Westamerica Bank, in downtown Guerneville.

Guerenville Holiday Community Dinner & Toy Drive
Friday Dec 25 1-4p.m. Guerneville Vet's Hall on the corner Church & 1st Street. Bob Burke plays Santa, Russian River Sisters and The Metropolitan Church of Guerneville co-sponser this community-wide free dinner. All welcome!!! For donations or to volunteer please call-Leslyn Dooley 869-0660 or Mary Mount 695-3980. Also we are Toy Driving this year on our own sooo please call Leslyn Dooley 869-0660 or Mary Mount 695-3980 for pick up or drop off. We needs to gifts for peole of ALL ages quite honestly!

Redwood Gospel Mission Homeless Shelter
Please drop toy donations to any Redwood Gospel Mission store at:
1821 Piner Road, Santa Rosa
http://www.srmission.org/

Thru Dec 24 ~ Children's Village Toy Drive ~ I'd like to extend this offer to all of you and your friends, family and co-workers... in an effort to collect as many toys and gifts for the Childrens Village Christmas Party, Family Optometry Center will be hosting toy drive here in the office from now until Christmas: 1559 Farmers Lane, Santa Rosa, CA 95405, 707-571-2020, http://www.familyoptometrycenter.com/ There will be a box in the lobby for unwrapped toys and we are also giving each person who comes in with an unwrapped toy $25 off their purchase along with a gift. We will be providing Christmas Trees, filled stockings, dinner and a morning of fun for the children at The Children's Village as well as a 'house stocking' for each of the 4 houses on site. Any donation is greatly appreciated. www.redwoodempire2030.com

Grub for Gifts Exchange
Peter and Annette White, owners of Sugo Trattoria in downtown Petaluma, wanted to help. They have created a weeklong “Grub for Gifts Exchange” in their restaurant to benefit Toys for Tots. Visit Sugo Trattoria for lunch or dinner Dec. 14 – Dec.21, 2009, bring in a new, unwrapped toy and receive a free order of Sugo’s acclaimed Bruschetta Trio. Happy Holiday’s from Sugo Trattoria’s Family to Yours! Sugo is located at 5 Petaluma Blvd. South, Petaluma, 707-782-9298, www.sugopetaluma.com

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Food Banks & Pantries of Sonoma County

I compiled this list off of what I could find online. But it can always be added on to, so if you know of a great food bank/pantry in your area, please email as much info as you can find to aletataylor@hotmail.com, or call me at 707-669-0321. Also email any benefits and charity dinners occurring in Dec. I would love to keep this list going through the end of the year, since now is the time when people find themselves more in need than ever. All of these organizations do wonderful things and need as much support as they can get this year. Whether you can donate food, money, or just some time, every little bit helps.

One thing I would like to mention is that, with the coming of winter, comes the harvesting of citrus. Every time I go for a walk, I see several houses with orange, lemon, and lime trees overflowing with ripening citrus. I can't imagine that those families will eat all that fruit! So if you have a neighbor or friend with surplus citrus this season, please give them this list. And to make it easy on them, I recommend the Farm To Pantry organization, where volunteer come to the home and harvest the produce themselves, then distribute it to local food banks.

This is, after all, the season to give. And sometimes the best giving doesn't come from buying gifts for friends and family, but donating your time to the community and those in need. Happy Holidays!

- Aleta Taylor

Redwood Empire Food Bank
The REFB is the largest food bank serving the North Coast of California from Petaluma to Oregon. Working with 146 other hunger relief agencies that operate 230 programs throughout the county, the REFB provides food to 70,000 Sonoma County residents each month. That number is 10,000 more a month than a year ago, the result of the economic recession’s impact on Sonoma County residents.
Recipients of REFB’s programs include 10,400 seniors, 30,000 children, and thousands of working families, the disabled, unemployed and the homeless. The REFB also is a primary resource for food pantries and other hunger relief agencies in Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties.

How to Help:
Online at www.refb.com, pay by credit card
Schedule a monthly giving through an automatic withdrawal from your checking account or credit card
Organize AND HOST your own food/funds drive with help and supplies from REFB
Organize donations at your workplace by contacting Connie Petty at cpetty@refb.org or 707.523.7900 ext. 35

Contact Info:
3320 Industrial Dr
Santa Rosa California 95403
Phone 707.523.7900
Fax 707.523.7901
www.refb.com
Office Hours & WIC Store Hours:
Monday thru Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Guerneville Community Church
Also supported in part by the Catholic Church, the MCC and Salvation Army. Food pantry open the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month at 9 am.

Contact Info:
14520 Armstrong Woods Rd
Guerneville, CA 95446
(707) 869-2514
guernevillecommunitychurch@yahoo.com
guernevillecommunitychurch.org

COTS – Committee on the Shelterless
COTS offers help and hope to homeless persons in Sonoma County by providing safe shelter and housing, helping people develop steady incomes and helping them get back under a roof of their own. We help homeless families become stable and break the cycle of homelessness by teaching homeless parents to make their children's needs a high priority and to provide a safe, loving and secure home for their children.

How to Help:
Donate online by credit card at www.cots-homeless.org
Donate food or goods listed on their Wish List
Read about their many different volunteer opportunities, download a Volunteer Application, then fax or mail it in.

Contact Info:
P.O. Box 2744
Petaluma, California 94953
1500 Petaluma Blvd. S, #B
Petaluma Blvd, CA 94952
707-765-6530
Fax 707-765-9043
info@cots-homeless.com
www.cots-homeless.com

West County Community Services
WCCS works to strengthen families in western Sonoma County. We provide opportunities, support and resources that touch the lives of youths, adults and seniors. By strengthening families we build stronger communities. WCCS operates five critical social services departments serving thousands of youth, adults, and seniors every year. The program departments include: Counseling and Prevention, Adult and Youth Employment, Russian River Senior Resource Center, After School Programs and Emergency Food & Housing Services. A unique and vibrant organization, WCCS is the only multi-services agency in the entire western Sonoma County area and we continually strive to provide focused, quality assistance that meets the needs of our local community.

How to Help:

Mail a donation check to:

West County Community Services
P. O. Box 325
Guerneville, CA 95446
Attention: Finance Department
Sign up for eScrip.com, COMMUNITYsmart card, and Albertson's Community Partners. When using these methods at participating stores, the merchants will donate a portion of their proceeds to the organization.
Volunteer with either food box preparation or reception by downloading the online application and emailing it to: volunteer@westcountyservices.org.

Contact Info:
P. O. Box 325
Guerneville, CA 95446
(707) 829-5717 voice
(707) 823-1642 fax
www.westcountyservices.com

Saint Andrews Church
St. Andrew’s food program offers a food pantry every Tuesday 5-7pm, and a hot dinner on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month 5-7pm.

Contact Info:
20329 Highway 116
PO Box 721
Monte Rio, California 95472
Tel: (707) 865-0834
Fax: (707) 632-6042
revml@incarnation-sr.org
www.standrews-redwoods.org

Sebastopol Community Church
On Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2009 join us in Memorial Hall as we help host the 9th Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Call the church office at 823-2484 to sign up to work a 4 hour shift on either Wednesday, November 25 or Thursday, November 26. We need prep work, cooking, serving and cleanup. If you are not available to work on either of those days, another big help to the Community Thanksgiving Dinner is to donate food items or cash. Non-perishable food items can be brought to church on Sunday, November 11 & 18 (potatoes, onions, canned goods, etc.) Checks can be made out to the Community Church with a notation in the memo line: Thanksgiving Dinner.

Contact Info:
Office (707) 823-2484
Fax (707) 823-9597
office@uccseb.org
1000 Gravenstein Hwy. North
P.O. Box 579
Sebastopol, CA 95473

Forestville United Methodist Church - Food Closet
The UMC sponsored the origination of the successful Victory Gardens Project in Forestville.
Contact name is Katherine Best-Smith, Phone, 523-0252 and email, kbsmith@sonic.net.

Harvest for the Hungry
Relying exclusively on volunteer labor, the Harvest for the Hungry Garden delivers organically grown produce each week to four local hunger programs: FISH of Santa Rosa; The Living Room, a drop-in center for homeless women and children; Elisha's Pantry, and Food For Thought AIDS Food Bank. Each year we harvest approximately 10,000 lbs of fresh produce (tomatoes, carrots, beets, squash, fruit, lettuce, greens, onions and garlic) all grown on a 3/4 acre lot behind Christ Church United Methodist.

How to Help:
To donate gardening supplies, organic seed, building materials, tools, or soil amendment, please call Martin at
707.579.2584.
To make a cash donation, please call
Katie at 707.575.8250.
Volunteer hours are from 9 AM to 12 noon Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday
during spring, summer, and fall. Our schedule changes seasonally, so please call before you come by, or stroll through the Garden anytime. We're open until sunset seven days a week.

Contact Info:
1717 Yulupa Avenue (Behind Christ Church United Methodist)
Santa Rosa, CA
707.566.7937
harvestgarden@journeyhome.com
www.harvestgarden.org

Ceres Community Project
During 2008, more than 70 teens from a dozen area schools spent 2,250 hours in the Ceres Community Project kitchen. Working together, these remarkable young people prepared 17,300 meals for individuals and their families who are dealing with cancer and other serious illnesses. Nearly 100 adults helped harvest food, deliver meals, mentor our teen chefs and support our clients.

How to Help:
Order their products online, then pick them up at their kitchen on 330 S. Main Street in Sebastopol.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Margaret Howe at volunteer@ceresproject.org or by calling 707·829·5833 extension 2. The next volunteer orientation will be on December 15th 5:30-6:30pm.
Financial donations can be made by sending a check to
PO Box 1562
Sebastopol CA 95473
by using the PayPal link at www.ceresproject.org/donate.html or by calling 707·829·5833.

Contact Info:
330 S. Main Street
Sebastopol CA 95472
707·829·5833
info@ceresproject.org
www.ceresproject.org

Interchurch Food Pantry
The Interchurch Food Pantry is located at the head of the St. Stephen's parking lot. The Pantry is open every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 AM to Noon. Please call ahead to arrange to pick up a food box.
The Pantry serves local families and individuals who may receive one box per month.

Contact Info:
500 Robinson Road
Sebastopol, CA 95472
(707) 823-3281
Pantry:707- 823-2483

Farm to Pantry
Farm to Pantry is a community of volunteers dedicated to providing fresh, healthy and affordable food to everyone. We live and glean in Sonoma County, California, where there is a growing community of farmers, gardeners, and residents dedicated to ensuring fresh and healthy food for everyone.
Garden to Pantry – Plant a garden and offer to donate any portion of your harvest to a local food pantry, shelter or soup kitchen and we will provide you with guidance, advice, and gleaning help should you need it.
Market to Pantry – At the end of the day at the Farmers’ Market, we collect unsold, surplus produce and deliver it to the local food pantry. We also happily accept donations of fresh produce --- purchased at the Farmers’ Market or home-grown.

How to Help:
Join our Gleaning Team. We glean wherever there is healthy, fresh produce to be harvested in Sonoma County. Volunteers receive an email from us when there is a gleaning opportunity in their area, typically once a week for two to three hours
Volunteer your farm, garden, orchard, or tree to be gleaned. Let us know as soon as possible that you expect to have extra fruit or vegetables and we will schedule a time for our volunteers to come to you, pick the surplus produce and then deliver it to a local food pantry for distribution to families in need.

Contact Info:
gleaning@farmtopantry.org to volunteer
Melita Love - Volunteer and Founder: melita@farmtopantry.org
Rosemary Rasori - Volunteer and Project Leader: rosemary@farmtopantry.org
Cathy Wilson - Volunteer and Gleaning: cathy@farmtopantry.org

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Sonoma County Roller Derby Fundraiser

Fundraiser to benefit Sonoma County Roller Derby!
Friday, November 13th at 6pm
All you can eat pasta buffet - $10 per person
Includes all you can eat pasta, salad and garlic bread
Located at the Sally Tomatoes Event Center
1100 Valley House Drive
Rohnert Park Ca. 94928

ABOUT SONOMA COUNTY ROLLER DERBY
Founded in 2006, SCRD is an all-female amateur flat-track roller derby league striving to promote sportswomanship, female empowerment and philanthropy. We are dedicated to giving back to the community through charity work and by promoting family friendly roller derby! Like most leagues across the United States, the Sonoma County Roller Derby is nonprofit organization by skaters, which manages and operates for Skaters. SCRD hopes to continue to be able to compete locally as well as expanding their reputation by playing teams throughout the nation. Sonoma County Roller Derby skates at Cal Skate in Rohnert Park and is currently accepting new skaters of all skill levels.

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Camp Meeker Volunteer Fire Department Annual Spaghetti Dinner

Join us! Come celebrate our community and support your local volunteer efforts.
November 14, 2008 • Anderson Hall 5-9pm
Adults $10.00 Kids $6.00

meat & vegetarian sauces • salad • rolls • dessert
November 14, 2008 • Anderson Hall 5-9pm
Adults $10.00 Kids $6.00

Special Wine Hosts
Available by the bottle & by the glass • Beer Soda • coffee • Tea • collector’s glass • T-shirts • Sweatshirts • kids sizes
Grand Prize raffle!
Your donations fund our department thank you!
Join us! Come celebrate our community and support your local volunteer efforts. Please call Dani or Fred to volunteer or donate. dsheehan@sonic.net • 874-2154

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HELP FYP Build the NEW Playground!

Our Youth Park needs your help in the Community Build Project with the new play structure will be built in phases. Phase One is already complete. Oct. 17th we need people to install posts and decks and slides etc. Then on the 24th we will be laying down the new wood-chip surfacing. (Bring your metal rakes and shovels that day) Lunch, drinks and snacks will be provided on the and 17th. All helpers will need to bring their own gloves, Hats, sunscreen and possibly a tape measure. Kids will not be allowed in the build area enclosed by the orange fence for safety reasons. On the job training provided.

Come be a part of this community project so you can tell your kids and grand kids “I help build that”.

To schedule in your work time please call Bruce Witt 887-9841

The Giving Tree
Dear Friends of Forestville,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for remembering our children from the Sonoma County Family, Youth, and Children’s Family Maintenance Program (Child Protective Services). Many of the children we serve are homeless, live in poverty, and have been neglected and/ or abused. During the previous holiday seasons, the community members of Forestville have cheerfully come forward to participate in the Forestville Giving Tree Project to donate Christmas gifts for the children. On behalf of our families and agency social workers, I send thanks and gratitude to all of you, for your kindness and generosity to the children we serve. My sister, Celeste Reimann and I look forward to meeting with you at the Front Street Hair Studio this Holiday season to celebrate the Forestville Giving Tree Project. Please contact Celeste at 887-2556 for more information. Since 1998 your support has been a heartfelt welcome. If you would like to continue to help brighten a childs holiday, please come and choose an angel from the Giving Tree at 6681 Front Street in Forestville starting November 27th 2009. Deadline for Giving Tree gifts are December 23rd 2009. A new unwrapped toy or donations for Christmas Trees will also be appreciated. Thank You.
Sincerely,
Leslie Gelormino Social Worker IV
Sonoma County Family, Youth, and Children and
Celeste Reimann of Front Street Hair Studio

Nightingale Breads has been awarded several Gold Medals for their wood fired hearth breads in Sonoma County’s Annual Harvest Fair Competition.

The new bakery in Forestville, Nightingale Breads is all the buzz about town these days. Locals and tourists alike are spreading the word about the outstanding breads being made right in the heart of Forestville. Owner/baker Beth Thorp realized a dream when she opened Nightingale Breads a week before Christmas last year. The bakery is becoming exceedingly popular among the local towns’ people, chefs and food enthusiasts.

Baked fresh four days a week, the menu of European-style hearth breads is a classic sweet French baguette, a Sourdough Batard, a Seeded Multi Grain and a Rosemary Focaccia. Two types of sliced sandwich loaves are available daily as well. On Wednesdays a Rye bread is featured for rye lovers and on Saturdays an Epi baguette is a popular sale and unique at that! Local artisan cheeses, jams and vinegars are also available on the shelves.

Customers are planning their meals and celebrations around the bread. Most rave that they can’t get the bread out the door before they rip into it. Three Frenchmen who frequent the bakery say that the baguette (appropriately named Forestville French) is reminiscent of those they’ve eaten in France. Many people agree it is a new “jewel” of the county. Nightingale Breads invites you to come in and smell the aroma of freshly baked breads.

Nightingale Breads
6665 Front St.
Forestville CA 95436
707-887-8887
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 11am-6pm.

Meet Rose and watch her paint our beautiful MURAL on ElMo Store in Downtown Forestville! The Forestville Planning Association donated PART of the money to do this beautification project, and we’d appreciate some help from Forestvillians! You can drop CASH at ElMo Store or mail a check to:
FPA Mural, PO Box 184, Forestville, CA 95436 Donations are tax-deductible!

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HOWL-O-WEEN Annual Pet Parade & Costume Contest

You and your pet can join the fun and help support Pets are Loving Support on Saturday, Oct 31st. Show off your favorite animal friend’s festive or frightening Howl-o-ween outfit in this fun filled romp down Main Street Guerneville.

REGISTRATION is $5.00 at 1 pm at Russian River Resort

DOWNTOWN PARADE begins at 2pm

CONTEST around 2:30 at Russian River Resort with prizes.

RAFFLE
All proceeds benefit PALS providing pet care, food, and basic veterinary care and support to companion pets of people with AIDS in Sonoma County.
Event is cancelled in case of rain.

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Mary's Pizza Dine & Donate for Forestville School

This is the top of the Dine & Donate flyer - please click on Read Article to get the full poster - all the information. If you click on the poster - you should be able to print it out to take to Mary's Pizza for this Forestville School Benefit.

Thank you Mary's Pizza for doing this every year for our schools!
www.maryspizzashack.com

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Gayle LaVal's BENEFIT for Hip Replacement Surgery

Gayle with her Granddaughter and Daughter

Gayle’s Miracle Fund
“It Takes a Village”

A local group of friends are enlisting the help of the community for a dear friend who is dire need of hip replacement surgery after almost two years of debilitating, chronic pain.

Gayle LaVal, a resident of Graton, is a 60 year old single grandmother. She is one of many middle class people in our country who have paid into the system and carried health insurance for most of their lives, and who are now living without medical insurance. Because she is just above poverty qualifications, she is ‘falling through the cracks” of our health care system. She lost her insurance as a result of a personal tragedy that created a financial crisis in which she had to choose between sustaining herself and her family and paying into her insurance. No one should have to make this kind of a choice! But this is happening all the time. While we can’t take care of everyone, we are choosing to do what we can by helping her. We hope you will help in your own way after hearing her story.

Due to a sudden illness that the doctors thought to be cancer, Gayle had to have her thyroid removed several years ago. She managed to pay for this surgery, but she was left with the problem that medical insurance was now unobtainable due to the high costs of coverage because of a “pre-existing” condition and her age. Ironically, Gayle has been in the healing professions much of her life as a nurse as well as a hypnotherapist, working mainly with women and trauma. She has been unable, because of her own health issues, to work for quite some time, so that is where the rest of us come in.

Ever since she was told that her hip surgery was needed in order for her to live a normal life again, she has been working with the local hospital and doctors in an attempt to negotiate the surgery, hospital, pre and post surgery medical costs to a price that would be in the realm of possibility for her. With the help of a friend and several members of the Hospital Foundation, she has worked out an agreement with Palm Drive. With the surgeon, anesthesiologist, other post and pre op medical costs, we have set a goal of $27,000. to be raised for her surgery which is scheduled in October, 2009. Her surgery is now less than six weeks away and we would like to raise as much of this as we can before her surgery.

Mario Ramos, owner of Mexico Lindo Restaurant, has generously offered to kick off our fundraising drive. On Friday, October 2nd at 8PM, we will be throwing a fiesta. This will include a Mexican buffet, music, and frivolity. Mexico Lindo is giving 100% of the proceeds to Gayle’s Miracle Fund. Admission will be $20.

We are also having an event on Sunday, October 18th at 4PM at the Subud Center in Sebastopol. This will include a spaghetti dinner, music, and a silent auction of products or services for people to bid on. Cost is $10. for admission. We already have a weeks stay at a condo near Puerto Vallerta and a gourmet canoe outing for two. If you can donate something, please contact Wanda Lee at 707-829-3044 or Linda Mollenhauer-Meyskens at 707-823-0582.

A special account with Wells Fargo has been opened under the name, “Gayle’s Miracle Fund”. Checks can be sent to “Gayle’s Miracle Fund”, 8813 Bower Street, Sebastopol. CA 95472 and include the account number 8684873881 on the check. Checks can also be deposited directly into this account by going to Wells Fargo Bank and directing the deposit to this account name and number.

We are asking the community to join us in helping Gayle by giving whatever amount you can comfortably give to this fund. Any amount that you can send will help and is most appreciated. By creating this circle of caring and extending the reach out to others, we can give Gayle the support she deserves.

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Monte Rio Events at Park & Rec

Thank you everyone who participated in our Golf Tournament at Northwood Lodge and at our Clean Up Day! Your community involvement is much appreciated!

We are looking forward to a very active 2010 and want to create new programs for the community, update some of the equipment at the Community Center and put us in a better position of offering you the very best experience you can have when using our facilities.

Here is an overview of two new programs for the winter & spring months ahead:

Classic Movie Night - The winter can sometimes crawl by under gray, wet skies. But we want to help lift your spirits by offering $2 movie nights at the Monte Rio Community Center. We will be polling you soon to discover what your favorite classic movie is so we can include as many as possible. Is Casa Blanca your favorite all time film? How about Star Wars? It doesn‚t matter the genre, just so long as the film has a family appeal. We expect to offer Classic Movie night once a week. You‚ll hear more about this soon.

The “Just Read More”Book Event - in March or April we will be organizing a book event at the Monte Rio Community Center. Booksellers and vendors with goods relating to reading will fill the room over a weekend in early spring. On the night before the doors open, a special “Spoken Word” reception will be held where local authors, avid readers and friends will read excerpts from their favorite books. The evening will provide a preview of all that will be for sale the next days and early purchasing will be limited to those attending the evening event. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting event.

Monte Rio Parks and Recreation
707-865-9956
www.mrrpd.org

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Ceres Food Project Benefits Cancer Patients

Food & Wine Event to Benefit Local Cancer Support Organization

Lynmar Winery’s beautiful gardens will be the site of a unique community celebration and fund-raiser on Saturday, September 19th. Benefiting The Ceres Community Project, the event features local farms, food purveyors and wineries who have rallied around the non-profit’s unique mix of providing meals, teaching young people to cook, and promoting the importance of a healthy diet.

Along with Lynmar Winery, the event will feature wines from Iron Horse Vineyards, Skip Stone Ranch and Outpost Winery. Redwood Hill Farm & Dairy and Gourmet Mushrooms, both ongoing supporters of The Ceres Community Project, will create pairings with two of the wines. The other pairings will be created by Ceres’ volunteer teen and adult chefs, who each week prepare about 500 meals for local families dealing with life-threatening illness, primarily cancer. Each pairing will include food grown by Ceres’ many farm partners including First Light Farm, Laguna Farm, Meadow Song Farm, Lynmar Winery and Skipstone Ranch. Whole Foods Market Sebastopol, a major food donor to the organization, will be offering a selection of desserts.

The event celebrates the broad spectrum of community support that has enabled The Ceres Community Project to support hundreds of local families during the past two years. Founded in March 2007, Ceres has provided nearly 35,000 delicious, nourishing and free meals to local families touched by cancer and other illnesses. More than 200 teens have spent time in their kitchens, learning about cooking and eating healthy foods and discovering the joy of contributing to others.

Nearly 11 million Americans are now living with cancer and another 1.5 million will be diagnosed with the disease in 2008 according to the American Cancer Society’s recent report, Cancer Statistics 2008. The report also affirms the growing connection being made between what we eat and the state of our health. JoEllen DeNicola, Ceres’ Nutrition Director, comments “The literature from the American Cancer Society and the American Institute of Cancer Research agree that about 1/3 of all cancer deaths are directly related to poor diet, overweight and/or lack of physical activity – things that are in our control. At The Ceres Community Project we are committed to educating our clients, teen chefs and the larger community about this link and about what we can do to improve our chances of living a healthier life.”

As one of the organization’s clients explains, the weekly delivery of free meals can literally mean the difference between eating and not eating. “I think . . . I really should eat something and go to the refrigerator and see a container. I taste it and think WOW, this is really good. And then I have seconds. I have kept my weight on and just can’t thank you enough.”

Tickets for the Food & Wine Evening are $50 to $100 each sliding scale, and the event is limited to 150.

To order tickets, mail a check to Ceres Project, PO Box 1562, Sebastopol, CA 95473 or email LynmarEvent@ceresproject.org.

www.ceresproject.org to earn more about The Ceres Community Project

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Villa Grande Concert - Fundraiser for Patterson Point

Imagine yourself sitting on a sunny, grassy knoll under the redwoods. You are eating genuine Louisiana Gumbo and other authentic New Orleans food delights. The succulent food prepared by a native chef from the “Big Easy” Maria Vieages. You are sipping fine Sonoma County wine and listening to the mellow sounds of T.A. Barnebey’s New Orleans Jazz Quintet, under the nom de plume of “The Villa Grand Wanderer’s” as they roam the grounds. Shortly after, the beat picks up as the featured band Tom Rigney & Flambeau takes you from the bayou to boogie. You will walk away from this concert thinking to yourself that this is the best Labor Day you have spent in years and that you will definitely return next year.

All of this can be yours this coming Labor Day Sunday at the Monte Rio amphitheater. The Friends of Villa Grande will be putting on a “fun” raising concert for the restoration of Patterson Point in Villa Grande. All proceeds will be used for restoration of riparian habitat and native vegetation. The Friends of Villa Grande is a non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible.

The Friends of Villa Grande was established in 2007 for the purpose of acquiring and restoring Patterson Point in Villa Grande. We have received support in the acquisition from the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. The participation of the Open Space District will insure that this small recreational gem is open to public access in perpetuity.

We plan to remove the ivy and other invasive species that have taken over the natural vegetation and replace it with native species that are typical of an undisturbed Russian River riparian habitat. By doing so, we will encourage native wildlife species to use the area for nesting, foraging and breeding. We feel that Patterson Point can become a significant addition to the local ecosystem and will help provide a sustainable habitat for our indigenous species. In the future, the restored area may serve as an inspiration and demonstration garden for others who wish to restore the riparian areas along the Russian River. In addition, Patterson Point will remain open as a recreational area as it has been used in the past.


Please put us onto your calendar for
2:00 PM on September 6.
Tickets are $20 for general admission and $40 for VIP seating. Tickets and concert information are available at riverwoods.us.

Tickets can also be purchased locally at:
Bartlett’s Market, the Pink Elephant, in Monte Rio,
Berry’s Market in Forestville, Nexus Organic Design, Art Gallery and Home Decor store on Main Street in Guerneville, Frank Howard Allen Realtors on First Street in Guerneville and the Blue Heron in Duncan Mills.

Be sure and bring a low back chair to sit on and a blanket to spread your Louisiana feast onto. The Monte Rio amphitheater is located adjacent to the tennis courts behind the Pink Elephant in downtown Monte Rio. Call Susan Sampson @865-1074 for further information.

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Fundraiser for Sebastopol Public Schools

SEBASTOPOL EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
FUNDRAISER FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
DINNER / AUCTION / LIVE MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2009, 5:30 – 11:00 pm
‘On the Green’ at O’REILLY & ASSOCIATES, 1005 Gravenstein Hwy North, Sebastopol

HAVE FUN AND RAISE FUNDS FOR SEBASTOPOL SCHOOLS*

Featuring: DINNER BY GERARD’S PAELLA
A local favorite and legendary paella chef for Hollywood celebrities, as well as the highlight of the Occidental farmer’s market, he uses only local farm fresh produce and fresh seafood. Gerard is wonderfully engaging and entertaining, sharing the rich its history while cooking his famous two hour layered paella. Guests will have a choice of paellas – seafood, chicken or vegetarian. www.gerardspaella.com

UNIQUE AND EXCITING AUCTION ITEMS
An extensive and unique collection of wines is available as part of the Spanish Fiesta Auction on May 16 – from a signed magnum of Merry Edwards’ famous Pinot Noir to the Korbel champagne used at Obama’s inauguration and more! Preview our growing list at www.sefauction.org.

DRINKS, APPETIZERS & DESSERT
Enjoy a no-host bar featuring sangria, as well as fine local wines and beer.
Delicious appetizers and spectacular desserts are included with the price of admission.

LIVE MUSIC BY DGIIN
Pronounced just like the alcohol ‘gin’, similarly clear and strong, DGIIN is a wildly popular North Bay band with a unique style that brings together various cultures and influences with songs sung mainly in French with an intoxicating beat: French-Gypsy-Funk with a twist of Flamenco and Django. www.dgiin.com

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
BY THE ALCHEMYSTICS
Thrill to the excitement of live fire dancing by the ALCHEMYSTICS who will perform a wild and original Flamenco dance.

HONOR ARTIST PATRICK AMIOT
Endowing Sebastopol and beyond with a legacy of original, fun, witty and intelligent sculptures, Patrick Amiot (pronounced ah –me-o), has long supported Sebastopol public schools by donating the sales of his famous annual calendar. This is your chance to meet and honor him and his family at the event.

ONLINE AUCTION
April 23 – May 9, 2009
Go to www.sefauction.org
Bid on awesome stuff for the necessities of your home, garden, recreation, and body.

TICKETS AND INFORMATION
$50 per person, before May 1
$45 per person when reserving a table for eight, before May 1
$60 per person on or after May 1
To purchase tickets go to: sef.sebastopolschools.org for the Spanish Fiesta on Saturday, May 16.
For more information call or email: 707-824-0361 or sefauction@sebastopolschools.org

*All proceeds benefit Park Side, Pine Crest and Brook Haven School

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Whole Foods, Sebastopol supports Ceres Project

Ceres Project is a wonderful cooperative effort engaging the efforts of young cooks who prepare nutritious meals for people in need. To learn more about the Project - please visit their web site - link below. To help contribute to this project, please shop at Whole Foods Sebastopol from September 29th through December 28th.

Whole Foods Sebastopol has selected the Ceres Project to be the recipient of the Envirocents Program from September 29 to December 28th. This is a great opportunity for us to raise money, but even more to spread the word about our work.

There will be posters in the store featuring Ceres, and our logo will be on the change boxes at each register.

Folks can choose to put their extra change in the boxes, and all of the bag donations will also come to us.

Whole Foods is also giving us three opportunities to table in front of the stores. We will be there on Sunday, October 19 from 11 - 1, and again on the Sunday before Thanksgiving and again in December.

Here's what you can do:

1. Spread the word among your circles and encourage them to take their bags to Whole Foods and to donate their change to us via the change boxes.

2. Put notices up on WACCO and in other newsletters you have access to.

3. Shop at Whole Foods often, take your own bags with you, and donate that $0.05 to Ceres.

4. Help out by volunteering to table October 19, November 23, or pick a date in December.

Thanks for helping to spread the word!

And here's the complete story:

Whole Foods Envirocents Program Helps Get Meals to Local Cancer Survivors

Grab your reusable grocery bag and head to Whole Foods in Sebastopol to help a local non-profit that’s touching a lot of lives with the healing power of food. From now through the end of December, The Ceres Community Project will be the beneficiary of Whole Foods-Sebastopol’s Envirocents Program.

Envirocents gives Whole Foods shoppers the option to donate five cents for every bag they bring in to a local non-profit organization. Change boxes at each register are designed to collect additional donations. Local non-profits get visibility as well as funds to support their work.

The Ceres Community Project, founded in March 2007, provides organic, nutrient-dense meals to families dealing with serious illness while training young chefs in the art of healthy cooking and eating. This year, Ceres will deliver more than 15,000 meals to individuals throughout Sonoma County. More than 100 teens from ten area high schools have worked as chefs in the project’s kitchen.

The majority of the project’s clients are dealing with cancer and the debilitating effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Here’s what one of those clients had to say about the difference that The Ceres Community Project made for her and her family.

“I don't know how to fully express what a lifesaver the Ceres Project food was for me during my chemo. Having food already prepared, tasty food which I knew was good for me and helping me fight the cancer, made my life so much easier during an extremely difficult time. As it came to the end of the treatment, I grew more and more fatigued but there were things I really wanted to be able to do. It was important to me to help with my daughter's 8th grade play and graduation. After nine years of being an active volunteer in her school, especially with the plays, it would have been a shame to not be able to work on her last play. If I hadn't had the Ceres food waiting for me, I wouldn't have been able to handle it.”

Each Wednesday and Thursday afternoon, teen volunteers gather at The Community Church of Sebastopol’s commercial kitchen to chop, sauté, whisk, bake and roast their way through cases of mostly donated local organic food. The teens learn first hand about the relationship between the food we eat and our health, develop their culinary skills and discover how simple it is to make a difference in their world.

If you’d like to learn more about The Ceres Community Project visit their website, www.ceresproject.org . If you know someone who needs food support, call Cherie at 823-2529. If you are a teen or adult who would like to volunteer, call Judi at 829-8295. And from now until the end of December, visit Whole Foods Sebastopol with your reusable bag in hand. Donate that five cents – and whatever change you have – to The Ceres Community Project. If each of us gives a little, we can make a big difference for our neighbors who are struggling with illness, and for the young people who are becoming the leaders of the future.


Cathryn Couch
707-799-7489
www.kitchencosmology.com
"Humans are tuned for relationship. The eyes, the skin, the tongue, ears, nostrils -- all are gates where our body receives the nourishment of otherness." - David Abrams, The Spell of the Sensuous

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