Hospital Foundation names new director, funds new projects
The Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation Board of Directors announced Mary Graf Caletges as its new Executive Director. Caletges had held the position of Foundation Coordinator with the organization for the last two years.
“I feel very positive that the SVH Foundation will remain a strong supporter of Sonoma Valley Hospital during another economically challenging year,” she told The Sun. “My optimism is buoyed by our community’s dedication to excellence in quality healthcare, and I am heartened by the trend of groups and individuals to collaborate toward their common goals.”
Experience in business administration and communications were key to the board’s decision, she said. “My plans include additional community networking on behalf of our organization to ensure that we are doing all we can to support the foremost healthcare needs of our community at Sonoma Valley Hospital.”
Founded in 1982, the foundation is the hospital’s chief fundraising arm, providing charitable support for equipment, services and programs. On February 1, it announced that it will provide the hospital’s Skilled Nursing Facility with 17 new beds.
According to SNF director Melissa Evans, “We had 10 new beds last year, but the rest of our beds are very old, rebuilt, 1965-era beds.” Of the facility’s 27 beds, the older ones, Evans said, had out-dated controls that were difficult to adjust.
By funding projects the hospital itself could not afford, the SNF is a unique and valuable service provider for this community, according to Hospital CEO Carl Gerlach. “It plays a critical role in our hospital’s being able to provide a continuum of care. You will not find that in other communities. We are fortunate.”
The hospital will also soon benefit from a room-upgrade project made possible by another group of donors. As donations make it possible, rooms will be remodeled with new window treatments, new flooring, two flat-screen TVs in each room, and possibly new lighting and new bed curtains. With the guidance of Suzanne Brangham, who consulted on the successful SVH Birthplace renovation, the SNF rooms will be repainted in warm and appealing colors. The first room could be complete as soon as next week.
City has two
commission openings
The city of Sonoma is seeking a youth representative to serve on the Community Services and Environment Commission. The Community Services and Environment Commission advises the city council on matters related to parks, recreational facilities, open space and the environment. It hears proposal for special events on city land, and was involved in the process to review management of the Farmers Market. Applicants must reside within the Sonoma Valley and be available to attend one evening meeting a month.
The Design Review Commission, alternate position is also open. The purpose of the Design Review Commission is to enhance the visual character of the built environment, protect the architectural heritage of Sonoma and promote excellence in town design. The alternate attends the weekly meeting and participates as a regular member if a regular members is absent.
Applications are available online at sonomacity.org or may be picked up at City Hall. Completed applications are due to the city clerk no later than 5 p.m. on Feb. 26, 2010. For information call 933.2216
Sonoma County committe positions available
Supervisor Valerie Brown is looking for residents of the First District of Sonoma County to fill the vacancies on the following:
AB 939 Local Task Force – one position available: Guides the development of the siting element of the county-wide integrated waste management plan. Meets bi-monthly on the second Thursday of the month – at 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Santa Rosa.
Advisory Council to Area Agency on Aging, Sonoma County – one position available: Advises the board of supervisors on issues affecting seniors, and adults with disabilities. Meets the third Wednesday of each month – at 1 p.m. in Santa Rosa.
Alcohol and Drug Problems – two positions available: Advises the alcohol and drug program administrator(s) and informs the board of supervisors on policies and goals of the county alcohol and drug program. Meets the third Wednesday of each month from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Santa Rosa.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee – one position available: Participates in the development of a comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian facilities plan, review project proposals and prioritize a project list for consideration by the board of supervisors. Meets the third Wednesday of each month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Santa Rosa.
Sonoma County Fish and Wildlife Commission – one position available: Receives and reviews applications for funding for various projects and recommends to the agricultural commissioner that certain projects be funded from the county’s fish and wildlife propagation fund. Meets the third Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in Santa Rosa.
An application and more information is available at: supervisors.sonoma-county.org/ and then click on the Boards, Commissions, and Committees link on the left side.
Applications are due March 1, 2010 and should be mailed or e-mailed to: Jennifer Hainstock, County Administration Center, 575 Administration Drive, Room 100A, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 jhainsto@sonoma-county.org.
New website for watershed conservancy
The Sonoma Ecology Center and Southern Sonoma County Resource Conservation District have created a new website that provides access to information about Sonoma Valley watershed stewardship events and activities: http://stewards.sonomacreek.net
The Sonoma Valley Watershed Conservancy is a growing coalition of over 500 community members dedicated to the wise stewardship of the watershed. Membership is open to everyone.
The website tracks upcoming educational seminars, community activities, and policy efforts focused on protecting the watershed’s natural resources. It also offers access to the Sonoma Valley Knowledge Base, a library of scientific information about the watershed; provides downloadable brochures with information about fish, animals, plants, pollution and more; and shares information about restoration projects that reduce the potential for flooding while enhancing fish habitat.
Interested citizens can also find opportunities to get involved, such as by joining or starting a Stream Stewards group or by volunteering for a creek cleanup or restoration project.
Funding for this website was provided by voter-approved Proposition 50 funds administered by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board and supported through a grant awarded by the California Department of Conservation.
Commission on the Status of Women vacancy
The Commission on the Status of Women currently has vacancies representing the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Supervisorial districts. Commissioners are appointed to a two-year term by the county supervisor in whose district they reside. The Commission meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m.
The Commission on the Status of Women is a public advisory body comprised of 15 members appointed by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. The purpose of the commission is to promote equal rights and opportunities which enhance the quality of life for all women and girls and to address issues of discrimination and prejudice that negatively affect women in Sonoma County.
Current commission projects include: mentoring Junior Commissioners – from Sonoma County high schools, sponsoring Women’s History Month events, and partnering with community agencies to develop strategies to eradicate human trafficking and domestic violence, while promoting empowerment through political representation, nontraditional career opportunity, and juvenile justice rehabilitation.
For additional information visit the Web site at sonoma-county.org/hr/cid/csw.htm, or e-mail csw@sonoma-ocunty.org, or call 565.2693.
