Santa Rosa Snippets by Elaine B. Holtz - January 2018
Update from Councilman/Vice Mayor Jack Tibbetts
District Elections: Due to the local state of emergency for Santa Rosa, the topic of district based elections was put on hold. Councilman Tibbetts reports the city was granted a postponement from the attorney, Kevin Shankenman, to resume in early spring. At that time the city will have 90 days to achieve safe harbor. Shankenman wants reassurance that district elections will be held in 2018 and he is confident it will happen. Tibbetts is hopeful that the meetings around mapping will begin in January and conclude around the end of March. For Dates and meeting information go to srcity.org/2593/District-Based-Elections
Housing: Tibbetts reports that the city’s housing situation is beyond dire and funds are to be needed to both meet the city’s previous housing shortage of 5,000 homes, as well as the additional 3,000 homes that were lost in the fire. He believes it is important to act now to prevent the city from experiencing great economic loss, and the threat it poses to our diversity. Tibbetts believes we must act now.
Fire Clean-up is progressing, and the council is doing what they can within their authority to ensure that as a new debris removal contractor comes in that local people are hired with their highest priority being to keep workers and the environment safe.
Verity Offers Support for Women – Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Harassment
With all that is happening around the country with women speaking out about sexual abuse and harassment I decided to do some research to see what is available for Women in Santa Rosa and found Verity.
Verity was founded in 1974 as Women Against Rape, a grassroots organization for those traumatized by the rape of women. According to Communications Coordinator, Caitlin Quinn, Verity offers a weekly free, confidential support group for women who are survivors of sexual assault, regardless of when their assault took place. It is a drop-in group with no prior registration or ongoing commitment required. Nonbinary survivors are welcome, too. The group takes place every Monday night from 6 pm to 7 pm. This group is currently only offered in English.
Verity also offers a monthly skill-building group for parents and caregivers of children who have experienced trauma. Parents and caregivers don’t always know how to help their loved ones after traumatic events, and we are here to help. This group takes place on the third Thursday of every month from 4 pm to 5 pm. This group can be led in English, Spanish, or both.
Both groups take place in Santa Rosa at 835 Piner Road, Suite D. For more information on either group, call 707-545-7270.
Quinn reports that the #MeToo is helping our clients know that they are not alone and that we take what happened to them seriously. Founded by Social activist and community organizer Tarana Burke created the phrase “#MeToo” on the Myspace social network[8] in 2006 as part of a grassroots campaign to promote “empowerment through empathy” among women of color who have experienced sexual abuse, particularly within underprivileged communities.
Awards and Congratulations:
At the Annual Health Care Foundations “Community Health Advocate Awards three individuals were honored with that award for their service to our community during the fires in October. Honorees were Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore, KSRO News Director Pat Kerrigan, and KBBF Spanish Language Radio President Alicia Sanchez. Congratulations to Linda Lemus of Santa Rosa, She was the recipient of the 2017 Spirit of Sonoma award. The Annual Spirit of Sonoma County Award honors those who contribute to the economic development and enhancement of the communities in which they live, work and conduct business
Happy Birthday Dr. Martin Luther King –Theme for this year’s Celebration, “Get up, Stand Up! Building a Beloved Community Together.”
In honor of Dr. King two events are taking place in Santa Rosa. The first event will take place on Sunday, January 14 featuring middle and high school oratories, special music, the Children’s Art Contest and a special guest speaker, Event will take place at the Santa Rosa High School Auditorium from 7:00-8:30pm. For more information call (707)795-1044.
The second event is, ”MLK Day On Not A Day Off,” Annual Day of Service is on Monday, January 15. According to organizer,Niki Giovonie,gioconie@yahoo.com the goal of this event is to get people involved in the community which (includes service projects that help organizations and individuals. Service includes Youth at theCommunity Baptist Church in Santa Rosa designed blankets to give to folks who are in need. Participants will also volunteer with the parks and recreation department cleaning up South Park and helping out atBayer Farm Neighborhood Park and Gardens. For further information contact,Pastor H. Lee Turner, 707 546-0744 or meet at the church at 1620 Sonoma Ave. at 10am to volunteer.
Roseland Annexation Celebration,Welcome Roseland Community Celebration
On November 1, 2017, the neighborhood of Roseland officially became a part of the City of Santa Rosa. The community is invited to celebrate this historic event on January 20. There will be an opening ceremony hosted by Roseland community members, as well as food, games, music, performances and more.
If you are interested in performing at this event, or be a food vendor, please email communityengagement@srcity.org or call 707-543-4624.or visit www.srcity.org/roseland. The event takes place from 12:00-4:00pm at Roseland Neighborhood Village 779 Sebastopol Road
Something to think about: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”Anna Eleanor Roosevelt October 11, 1884- November 7, 1962 was an American politician, diplomat and activist. She was the longest-serving First Lady of the United States, having held the post from March 1933 to April 1945.Wishing all my readers a Happy and Healthy Year.
