Sonoma County has banned outdoor burning. Unfortunately that does not include humans exposed to 100-plus temperatures. Earlier this year, the County updated its regulations regarding cooling centers, the centralized places to go to escape from brutal heat. (In the past, that would likely be the Sonoma Memorial Building, staffed by volunteers from Sonoma Overnight Support). The new promise: “the county will work with local groups such as faith-based organizations and nonprofits to open cooling stations during high-heat events.” But the criteria to do so is convoluted. Even though the National Weather Service forecasted temps of up to 110 for July 15-16, for example, the County decided not to open any cooling centers.
The Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival Poster Contest is on. The winning art will be the official event poster of the 126th Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival. The contest committee is seeking a design that displays the colorful history, heritage, and scenic environment of the Valley of the Moon, as well as the theme chosen for the year, “The Roots Run Deep, Under the Harvest Moon.” Perks to the winner are a $250 cash prize and tickets to the fancy Legends Dinner. Deadline is August 4. Get the specs and info at Sonomacity.org… This year’s festival dates are September 29 and 30.
The Sonoma Stompers sent four players straight to Compton for the California Collegiate League All-Star Game. Congrats to the local reps: Mikey Bell, who attends Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; Nico Rodriguez, Texas Rio Grande Valley; Omar Gastelum, San Jose State; and Noah Rabin… It’s back to the Arnold Field diamond for home games on July 18, and 20-22.
Miss commuting and big city traffic? Take a drive through Kenwood for a small taste of that particular urban hell: a stretch of Highway 12 is under one-way traffic control. Caltrans is demolishing and replacing the Sonoma Creek Bridge. It’s a 24/7 ordeal… Meanwhile, near Cavedale Road, crews are replacing the 113-year-old Hooker Bridge. Starting soon, most likely right when you pull up, Caltrans will close Route 12 to through-traffic at Madrone Road and Agua Caliente Road, detouring traffic onto local roads. The detour will be in place for about a month.
Sonoma United Methodist Church welcomed back Pastor Matt Pearson with a community potluck after worship on July 9. The post was his first as a pastor, in 2014. Openly gay, he quickly won the hearts of church members. In 2018, he was reassigned by the bishop to Elk Grove United Methodist. Now he’s back, a rare reassignment to a previous post. “A great shout went up from the pews when well loved Pastor Matt’s reappointment was announced at a service earlier this year,” shares Dave Ransom. The church is located at 109 Patten St. in Sonoma.
The Sonoma City Party, a free two-band bash on the Plaza, is set for Thursday, August 3. The Jacob Benning Trio, and PopFiction provide the tunes… On August 18, things are a bit more highbrow, as the City dedicates a bench honoring acclaimed poet Ada Limón, the 24th Poet Laureate of the United States. The site of the new bench is in front of Readers’ Books, where Limón worked from 1991 to 1993 while attending Sonoma Valley High School… The public ceremony will include speeches from elected officials and representatives and culminate in a ribbon-cutting to unveil a bench that bears a chosen quote from the poet’s distinguished body of work. She will attend, and, following the 9am dedication, sign books.
With State Senator Bill Dodd terming out, his District 3, which includes the City of Sonoma, is up for grabs. Running for the seat are Jackie Elward, a Rohnert Park city councilmember, and Rozzana Verder-Aliga, a councilmember in Vallejo. Sonoma Valley Democrats host a Zoom Q and A with the candidates on Monday, July 24, at 6:30. Details on the club’s Facebook Page… Dodd joined the Legislature in 2014, first as an Assembly member and later as a senator. In that span he’s had 100 of his bills written into law – the single highest number from any legislator over the same period. That means his quill has gone platinum.
– Val Robichaud, page3@sonomasun.com
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