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Geyserville Grapevine by deTraci Regula - May 2017

What a winter and early spring! We had some great weather that made our hearts lift with the sense that Spring is finally here – and then cold wet storms made us wonder if we were moving backwards through the seasons this year. As I write this in mid-April on a dark and stormy day, the question is still on my mind. It looks like it will be a scant year for fruit - our French golden plum trees here at

In Geyserville, a big controversy right now is a proposed large truck-friendly gas station which would be opposite our iconic Red Barn at the corner of Geyserville Avenue (aka “The Redwood Highway”) and Canyon Road. While Geyserville once had a tiny gas station all of its own, it has been many years since you could fill up in town – instead, we all plan to have enough gas in our vehicles to make it to Healdsburg or Cloverdale, where gas stations are abundant. This new one would be open all night with a fast-food restaurant and mini-mart, permanently altering the rural character of the north end of town. But that would not be its only effect. Local arborist Mike Mahoney and amateur stargazer was chatting with me at the recent Geyserville Planning meeting. He pointed out that a fortuitous bend in Highway 101 and the placement of some hills protects Geyserville from light pollution from both Healdsburg and our farther, bigger neighbor SR. The proposed new gas station with its all-night illumination would go a long way in canceling this protective effect, permanently erasing some stars from our nighttime sky here. Is it worth it for a gas station that might be convenient to have here at moments, but would mainly exist to serve truckers and those speeding by to other destinations? I’m sure this will continue to be vigorously debated. It’s ultimately a Sonoma County decision to approve it or not - we can influence the outcome through the Planning Committee but unincorporated Geyserville does not have any veto power.

May Day - On May 7th…On lighter subjects, the “Foodie Moment of the Month” this time definitely go Geyserville’s local May Day celebration has been a tradition for many decades. It usually happens a bit closer to May first, but this year, the family-friendly event and barbecue competition will take place on May 7th at the Hoffman House picnic grounds just north of the Canyon Road and Geyserville Avenue intersection. Visitors can enjoy tasting and voting in the Kiwanis Rib Cook-off (extra fee), watch the legendary Geyserville Elementary Third Grade May Pole Dance, enjoy the colorful and graceful Ballet Folklorico dance performance, let the kids loose in the jump house, scramble up the portable rock climbing wall, and taste wine and food offerings accompanied by live music from local groups. More information from the Geyserville Chamber of Commerce at (707) 276-6067.

As always, if you have Geyserville news to share! Write to me at tregula@msn.com

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