That .05 percent sales tax on every dollar you spend in Sonoma County? It really adds up. Approved by voters in 2018 as Measure M – the Parks for All initiative – the fund totalled $8.3 million last fiscal year, money that goes directly to support county and municipal park agencies throughout Sonoma County. Of that total, about $953,000 was directed to Sonoma Valley projects. The largest expense was $790,000 in seed money for the Maxwell Farms renovation, part of the $7.5 million that Regional Parks is hoping to raise for that project and another $163,000 for additional Ranger Patrols there, and additional maintenance for Sonoma Valley parklands…. The City of Sonoma had its own $26k of M money, which it used for restoring native plants and reducing fire fuel in the Montini Open Space Preserve.
Meanwhile and always, you’re also paying a quarter-cent sales tax to support Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit – the SMART train system. That levy was approved by voters in 2008. How likely was your ‘yes’ vote back then if you knew the agency, riding on a promise of efficient, affordable rail service from Cloverdale to Larkspur, would someday go into the freight-hauling business? That’s now official, as SMART goes in-house with that new business line. The good news: the long line of (potentially dangerous LPG) storage tankers seem to be gone from the Schellville train tracks.
The Sun welcomes Alyssa Conder as the new editor of our Creative Arts section, stepping up to fill the huge void left behind with the passing of Deb Carlen. Alyssa is a hyper-local, one of those people who just seem to know everybody. A Sonoman since age six, and a 1991 graduate of SVHS in 1991, Alyssa attended the Art Institute in Seattle, and moved back, raising two kids and working in web and graphic design. During the Covid lockdown, most of us learned her name when she started, for free, several local online groups under the umbrella “Sonoma Valley Local”. Because of her efforts to help the people and small businesses, she was awarded the Spirit of Sonoma Award from the Economic Development Board and Sonoma’s Chamber of Commerce in 2021. Currently, Alyssa is the director of marketing and communications for the Sonoma Community Center, which is perfect for her as it involves juggling numerous balls and more than a few cats. If you are a writer or visual artist, she’d like to hear from you: Alyssa@sonomasun.com.
Another warm Sun welcome to David Bolling, the former editor and publisher of the Sonoma Index-Tribune and Sonoma Magazine. The founder of Valley of the Moon magazine, he’s taken a hard look at the troubled School District. See the adjacent story on page 2 (the first of two; there’s lots to dissect) for details.
A new dog park for Sonoma? There’s a movement afoot (apaw?) to create an off-leash dog park on the empty lot adjacent to Jean Carter Park, on Cox Street in Sonoma. The empty land is zoned “Park” and a dog park constitutes a “community use,” so such a conversion meets applicable zoning guidelines, according to David Bell. About 600 feet of chain-link fence (plus a few branches and a water fountain) would do the trick, Bell says. He’s got a petition going (Change.org/SouthSonomaDogPark), but anticipates “concerns” from the 12 homes that border the parcel, and other neighbors.
April 2 is Movie Night at Delicious Dish, with a patio screening of the creepy-fun Return to Oz. Patrons are encouraged to come in themed attire – Dorothy meets several classic Oz characters along the way – but what to wear for “a vivid 80’s fever dream that starts with Dorothy in a sanitarium to get electroshock therapy”? Kansas, it ain’t. Dinner not paired with this one, because, well, where would you even start? But a menu of dogs, fries, popcorn, ice cream and treats available for purchase on site. Plus, wine and beer. Deliciousdishsf.com.
Re paragraph “a new dog park for Sonoma?” This seems a little irresponsible to be quoting David Bell as to the zoning & appropriate use of this property. Who is he? How does something like this get included in your paper?