Grant Apps Open, El Molino Benefit, Colorful Forestville + More

These posts first appear in the Sonoma County Gazette and then reprinted here on the FPA Blog.

by Vesta Copestakes
April 2021

Community Fund Applications Open up for 2021
Although the Community Fund Committee determined last year to suspend applications for 2020 due to the pandemic shut down, they did fund the Methodist Church Food Closet $10,000 and the Youth Park $5,000 since their primary fundraising BBQ had to be cancelled. This year the applications will once again be available for the public and nonprofits to apply, recognizing there remains great need in our little community.

You can find the Community Fund application here: Community Fund App. While there check out all the projects that have been funded since 2008 to get a good idea of the types of funding that has been awarded to date: Grants Awarded. Special thanks go to our local quarries who provide 100% of the $15,000 given out each year.

Benefit El Molino
As you know by now, the super-majority vote of 66.66% missed the mark to save El Molino High School from consolidation with Analy High School in August 2021. To say our community is disappointed doesn’t come close to the loud ROAR El Molino supporters expressed in pain and frustration. But these are determined Lions, so no one is sitting back licking wounds.

El Molino Boosters are raising money to keep the school open at least another year so students coming out of COVID can feel the comfort of their home school for a little longer. Who knows what can be accomplished by our determined community! Please consider making a tax deductible donation to the saveelmo.com fund.

A FUN way to help and eat at the same time…join us for a Chicken and Rib drive-thru BBQ April 10th at the Forestville Youth Park, 7045 Mirabel Rd, Forestville. BBQ pick up begins at 4 ends at 7pm. Pre-sales will probably be happening the time you are reading this column at ElMo Boosters Facebook page: facebook.com/Elmoboosters

SAVE ELMO Chicken & Ribs Drive Thru BBQ Fundraiser:
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/5098280?fbclid=IwAR2DTseOymMXpaZz1VAlWZAevpiNS5o–l6sfshpPWtB7OtjroV3xxtUP-Y

April Lower River MAC Public Meeting
On April 15th at 5:30 pm we will have our 2nd Lower River MAC meeting. The agenda and link to the ZOOM meeting will be posted here: https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/River-Municipal-Advisory-Council/Calendar/ and on the LRRMAC facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LRRMAC.

Because I’m chair of the Vacation Rental Committee, and I have an aggressive agenda for which I need community feedback, I am asking you to please attend via ZOOM. Our VR committee wants to MAP neighborhoods to determine how many homes vs, 2nd homes, vs. Vacation Rentals are in each neighborhood so we can help the county draft the next Vacation Rental Ordinance. The side-benefit of this mapping is that we will better know our neighborhoods to determine the best emergency preparedness procedures that would work best for each neighborhood. We are also putting together a GUIDE for neighborhoods so we can live in harmony with vacation rentals.

Amandalynn Colors Barbra
Ever since mural artist Amandalynn came to live in Forestville, she’s been adding color and joy to our tiny town. First it was the large wall on the side of the laundromat that faces Forestvile’s Downtown Park. Now Barbra Friedman commissioned her to paint Cottage Massage (at the American Wine Building property), just one block down hill from Front Street across from Rick’s Garage at 6450 1st St. On Friday night Amandalynn projected the image on the cottage to outline her design. By mid-week the mural was done for all to enjoy. Barbra is THRILLED to share the beauty and joy with everyone. When you go to visit, please use quiet voices as Barbra may be giving a massage.To learn more about Amandalynn, please visit her website at alynnpaint.com To book a massage by Forestille’s healer, please visit Barbra’s website at barbrafriedman.com, or call 707-696-2009.

Forestville Chamber of Commerce
The chamber closed applications for their $500 We Care grants for businesses in need, so now the chamber board will choose grantees. We hope to announce those by next month’s column.

The chamber sponsors our summer season Farmers Market and Mary Rand, the market manager, has great plans that start in June. Look for details on opening day in the May Gazette.

The chamber is holding their membership drive so if you are a local business and want to reap the benefits of our home town business support group, please go to the website forestvillechamber.org/join. Email questions to ForestvilleChamberofCommerce@gmail.com

Forestville Downtown Park
Spring has sprung and our downtown park is getting used more and more, especially since the new bridge built by Regional Parks makes it so much easier to get on the West County Trail! Please remember that this is OUR park and it’s OUR responsibility to keep it clean for everyone. People who move here from cities aren’t used to living in unincorporated communities where volunteers maintain public places. If you see trash, please pick it up and put it in the receptacles provided by the Forestville Planning Association (FPA) This land was purchased by community donations and is maintained by the FPA for all our enjoyment. The FPA is a 100% volunteer organization of people who care about our home.

Rezoning Sites for Housing in Forestville
Public Comment is STILL not open yet so I’ll just keep revisiting the site to make sure readers are aware when it’s time to make your opinions known. If you want to REVIEW the potential sites, please visit this website: https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/PRMD/Regulations/Housing/Housing-Sites-EIR/ – and for the MAP: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/83b2b6566c33411cb67841d1d6981d67