Occidental Oriented by Gino Gaffney - November 2018
Happy Fall ya’ll! Hopefully by the time you read this we will have gotten some legitimate rain to tamp down the fire danger and green things up a bit.
Unfortunately by the time of publication the Occidental Community Farmers Market will have been put to bed for the Winter. I already look forward to its return next year, and extend many thanks to those responsible with its creation this year. I think they did a great job and I am excited for the opportunity to improve upon an already awesome event as we move into the future.
On Saturday, November 2nd the Bodega Land Trust host their annual dinner with live and silent auctions. This event runs from 5:30 – 8:30pm, is $15 to attend, and is a lot of fun. I went with my Mom last year and we came home with all kinds of good stuff from the silent auction. Gift certificates to local restaurants & for a Christmas tree. Tickets to the Santa Rosa Symphony and a large, beautiful ceramic planter. This is the BLT’s big fundraiser for the year, so please make a point of checking it out. For more info on the dinner event and their organization in general go to their website at www.bodegalandtrust.org
Tuesday the 5th is Election Day and while there aren’t large State and National issues to be decided there are a couple of important ones locally that cause me to urge you to vote.
Measure C is our local parcel tax measure to fund the Occidental Fire Department, allowing for the hiring of paid staff to supplement the volunteer force. For details see: https://ballotpedia.org/Occidental_Community_Services_District,_California,_Measure_C
There is also an election for the Occidental Community Services District which is our only local publicly elected governing body that actually has pretty broad powers to act on our behalf here in the Occ. There are four local citizens running for three seats. Three of them are incumbents (Ray Lunardi, Steve McNeal & Coy Brown). Carol Schmitt is the lone new-comer looking to bring new energy to the board.
On Sunday the 10th at the Union Hotel there is a fund-raiser for the Beedle family from 1-3pm. They are long time residents who just recently lost their home and possessions in a large fire. Lets show them some community support and help them get back on their feet.
Check out the goings on at www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org, as usual they have a full slate of all kinds of events. We are very lucky to have such a robust Center for the Arts in our little town, please get out and take advantage of their many offerings.
It doesn’t happen until December but this year it’s on the early side so I figured I should throw out a reminder for our annual . Occidental Holiday Craft Faire, taking place this year on December 7th (10-5) and 8th (10-4). We have wonderful vendors (many returnees, and a bunch of new folks), great food an exciting raffle and more. Please come out and support your community in many ways with your attendance and purchases.
See ya next time and in the meantime go Warriors and go 49ers!
