Coverdale Comments by Carol Russell and Reece Foxen - September 2017

Thanks to its brilliant board of directors, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters, for fourteen fabulous evenings Cloverdale’s free concert series has once again kicked-off our summer weekends with a joy filled variety of outstanding music, a delightful street fair, and lots of family-friendly fun.

But come September and, as in years past, all too soon summer and FNL become sweet memories. However, all is not lost! For, as the Chamber of Commerce reminds us, the 24th Annual Car Show (Fri., 9/08 & Sat., 9/09) is just around the corner ensuring that for one more sweet time:

Friday Night Rocks On!

You may recall that Cloverdale Comments featured the Car Show last month. In case you missed it: Friday, 9/08, revs-up at 7 p.m. with the beloved Downtown Cruise starting at Ace Hardware plaza and traveling up Cloverdale Blvd. showcasing some of the Show’s fabulous classic vehicles. Next, 7:30 p.m. brings live music back to the Plaza thanks toJohnny Vegas & The High Rollers! Then, on Saturday, 9/09, (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) 200+ car and motorcycle entries line the downtown Blvd. vying for trophies. (For details: cloverdalecarshow.com)

Indivisible in Cloverdale

In 2016 a team of savvy former congressional staffers published Indivisible: A Practical Guide for Resisting the Trump Administration, an online handbook modeled on the strategies of the Tea Partymovement which focused on local actions and strong Congressional advocacy. Instantly, the Indivisible movement was born and is growing so rapidly that, as of last May, about 6,000 groups were reported active for an average of 13 in every Congressional district.

Now, thanks to Vicky Groom, that expanding list includes Cloverdale. Raised here (her father was City Manager), she moved away at 18 but returned in 2008 and the increasing membership of the Indivisible group she founded recently are glad she did.

Intelligent, focused, and productive yet consistently warm, open-minded and approachable, it comes as a surprise to her colleagues when Vicky explains: I’m an introvert... But then, given that fact, we have to agree when she adds with a wry smile: and you know when I come out things are really bad!

Then, too, though she seems a natural at activism and it’s clear she cares deeply about what she’s doing, Vicky explains that in the past she was not political. In fact, her strong interest began during the Obama campaign and increased when, thanks to a friend, she discovered Rachel Maddow and was hooked.

Having heard of Indivisible (indivisible.us) and witnessed her fellow Cloverdalians’ interest in local activism during the successful January, 2017, protest in the Plaza against President Trump’s executive order on immigration initiated by business leader Marne Dupere, Vicky made contact with the organization after its representative appeared on one of Maddow’s shows.

She then got right to work building an Indivisible group and, with 50+ at the first meeting, it was off and running toward the goal of resistance in positive, non-violent ways. So far, based on the interests, skills, and concerns of members, there are five very active committees dedicated to: Immigration; Women’s Health; Healthcare in general; Environment, and Election 2018. There are no dues and membership is open to residents in the Cloverdale/North County area. Contact Vicky at: groomskis@comcast.net.

Here are a couple of examples of what Indivisibles is already accomplishing: on August 13th, joining similar actions in three other Sonoma County cities, members and supporters met in the Plaza to stand in solidarity with Charlottesville and against white supremacy and, on September 16th, the Election Committee (Carol belongs) launches a series of local voter registration days at the very popular:

Cloverdale Latino Independence Day & Bi-National Health Fair Don’t miss it! Look for the Indivisible table on Saturday, September 16th, at the Citrus Fairgrounds, 1 Citrus Fair Drive, when from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. this very special free community event brings us: Music, Ballet Folklorico, a Latin Pioneer Discussion, Kids’ Games, Crafts and Activities, Exhibit Booths, Food Vendors, and Free Prize Drawings, plus: Free flu shots! Health screenings & Health insurance information! We appreciate all the agencies, community organizations, and individuals who make this unique event possible.