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Graton Slowly Re-Opens

This story was originally published on July 1, 2020.

GREETINGS GRATON

Yes, I took two months off from writing my column. I won’t lie it felt great to have one less thing to do but that isn’t why I did it. I took the time off because there wasn’t anything pressing to write about. Our little piece of paradise was so quiet during the Shelter in Place. It was, well… lovely! I know that this pandemic is very serious and has cost people their lives. I am not forgetting that. However, the change in pace has been so refreshing. These last three months reminded me of how west Sonoma County used to be. The back roads were back roads hardly traveled, children played outside and animals roamed in abundance. These last three months everything has just slowed down and I love it. So, now am I asking myself “how do I keep this sanity?” Is the solution to move to a smaller more rural community where things are naturally just slower? Do I quit my high demand job and look for something where I don’t need to travel so much? Or is sanity going to have to come from me making lifestyle changes? If I am honest with myself, I know that this will have to be an inside job. Already, I can feel the tension mounting as we start to open up and my customer are willing to schedule meetings. Already, I can feel myself over committing and putting more pressure on myself to perform. So how long before I am back in the rat race running as hard as I can? I don’t know if I’ll have the discipline to make a change and I suspect that my return to “normal” will be quick but I don’t think I’ll soon forget how much I have enjoyed more time with my partner, more walks with my woofie, more dinners with my children and the 6 foot talks with my neighbors.

GRATON SLOWLY RE-OPENS

Graton’s downtown businesses are slowly re-opening to full capacity. Please remember to shop locally and show them your support as they certainly need it. Something fun and new is Underwood’s creative Speak Easy. You can order at the takeout window and then carry your drinks or food into a delightful little backyard area with lots of space or they will bring your order to you. There is plenty of shade umbrellas and all the sanitation items you need to stay safe.

SPECIAL NOTICE FROM GCSD

If you up on the challenges at the Graton Community Services District, you know that there is more deferred maintenance needed than there are funds. This is typical of any government agency. GCSD, in particular because of the low housing development in an unincorporated community. However, a big thank you to the board for doing the leg work and getting us qualified for the financial assistance from the State Water Recourses Control Board for the planning and engineering study. If you read the newsletter you know the following but if you didn’t please take notice of this important request.

“FLUSHABLE” WIPES

The California Water Resources Control Board is advising special districts that “Flushing wipes, paper towels and similar products down toilets will clog sewers and cause backups and overflows at wastewater treatment facilities, creating an additional public health risk in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.”

Flushable/disposable wipes regardless of what the label says are NOT flushable and need to be disposed of in your trash receptacle after use.

Wipes that get caught in the sewer system can also clog pipes in your home. This can result in expensive plumbing bills that you didn’t count on. Flushable wipes don’t break down like toilet paper when they are flushed.

This has become a huge problem at sewer plants across the nation. At our local sewer plant and lift stations, the operators are manually removing these wipes from clogged equipment. The continued flushing of these wipes has increased the need to replace parts that break in the sewer system.

Please pay special attention to what you are flushing. Do not flush anything other than toilet paper and human waste. Anything used for personal hygiene purposes or for wiping, disinfecting or cleaning surfaces is not flushable.

Together we can help keep sewer service costs down and reduce this problem. THANK YOU!

TOO SOON?

If you have lived in Graton for a while you may remember the haunted house we do on Edison Street. We haven’t done it the last few years but have decided that this year ITS ON! Back by popular demand and scarier than ever. We look forward to seeing all you ghost and goblins then. Pandemic pending of course.

Please let me know if there is something that you would like me to know or write about. You can reach me butlersjennifer@gmail.com

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