The Rotary Club of Sonoma Valley is taking applications for its 2023 spring community grants for local education and nonprofit organizations. “Last year, our club awarded over $75,000 in grants to local groups, including Adele Harrison Middle School, the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation, Grupo Folklorico Quetzalén, Flowery Elementary School, the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, La Luz, the Sonoma Valley Firefighters Association, and Comida Para Todos – Food For All,” said Scott Murray, club president. “We’ve been serving Sonoma Valley continuously since 1946, doing what we can to make our community a little bit better for the people who live, work, or visit here.” Interested nonprofit groups can download the grant guidelines and application at SonomaValleyRotary.org. Applications are due by March 31; grants will be awarded 2023 by the end of April. “Our grants are meant to be very accessible to local organizations who deliver direct services to the Sonoma Valley, and funding is based on the proceeds from our Luck of the Irish Raffle.
Public art project – Sonoma County has approved a plan to create and install commemorative artwork recognizing the lives of those who perished in the 2017 wildfire complex. Creative Sonoma, a division of the Economic Development Board, will facilitate the project on the County’s behalf. Volunteers are sought for the Memorial Task Force to help drive the project. More at: Sonoma-county.granicus.com/boards/w/808bd6e42edf8e0f/boards/45925
Volunteer at Jack London Park – Docent Kate Johnston (above) is one of the 285 essential volunteers providing important services at Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen. An array of volunteer jobs includes trail work, docents, book store, special events and even playing Charmian’s piano. The time commitment is only four hours per month. For information and to sign up, contact Susan St. Marie at sstmarie@jacklondonpark.com.
Arts in schools – Sonoma Valley Unified School District is one of three public school districts in the County to receive a grant supporting more arts education in its schools. The grants, facilitated by Creative Sonoma, will allow districts to create or update their Arts Education plan and receive funds for implementation of key elements. This is the third round of funding from Creative Sonoma for grants and professional consulting to County schools and districts. It complements work that was completed in 2019 to create a countywide “Arts Education Framework” to ensure that all students in Sonoma County have access to arts education. For more information visit Creativesonoma.org
Youth art wanted – The Sonoma Community Center is hosting a month-long interactive gallery exhibit, Posters for Change, featuring art created by Sonoma youth. The social justice posters will be on display throughout the month of March in Gallery 212. Youth under 18, and their families are invited to community poster making workshops on Saturday, March 4 and Saturday, March 11, from 10am to 2pm at the Center, 265 E. Napa St. All materials will be provided. Students can also drop off their social justice posters at the Community Center office Monday through Friday, 10am to 4pm. Teachers can also submit their student’s work by contact Lexi Bakkar at lexi@sonomacommunitycenter.org
Back to public meetings – After nearly two years of virtual public meetings, the Sonoma Valley Health Care District Board will resume in-person public meetings at the City of Sonoma’s Council Chamber, 177 First Street West, the first Thursday of each month beginning April 6, 2023. (The March meeting, on the 9th, will be virtual.) Going forward the 6pm meetings will be held in a hybrid format which allows community members to attend either in-person or virtually. Sonomavalleyhospital.org
K-8 school applications – Sonoma Charter School, a tuition-free public school, is now accepting applications for Transitional Kindergarten through Eighth Grade. Admission is determined through a lottery process to be held on March 8, with an application deadline of March 23. Since 1994, SCS has nurtured competent, creative, and compassionate learners through a well-rounded education combining Academic Rigor, the Arts, 21st Century Skills Development, and Socio-Emotional Wellbeing. Find out more at Sonomacharterschool.org. To schedule a tour, call 707.935.4232.
Be First to Comment