Community Connection

Winter 2007

Working Towards a New Library for Our Valley
By Michelle Mosher

Imagine a new library next to the Felton Post Office, a branch to serve our entire Valley. Picture a library that’s easy for commuters to stop by, one that has a comfortable place for adults of all ages to read, do computer research or attend meetings in the community room. Envision a staffed homework center open in the afternoon, and a special place for toddlers, preschoolers and their families.

Felton Library Friends is currently working with the staff of the San Francisco Public Library on how to mount a campaign to create such a library for the Valley, thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation. The last workshop of this series took place on November 27 at the Felton firehouse, with many ideas and exciting support.

As we move toward the phase of seeking funding, FLF is also working with advisor Jane Lorn Wade through the end of the grant next June. Jane is helping the group to identify interested individuals and groups, work effectively with the Library Joint Powers Board, and create compelling messages.

Please join us in the effort to get this library build for our children, our seniors, and all of us in the SLV! Visit www.feltonlibraryfriends.org for updates or call 831 335-1135. Your energy is needed!

Senior Center At Highlands Invites You to Join in the Fun!
 By Lyse McGilvery

"If I had known that growing old would be this much fun, I’d have done it sooner!" (Saying on a postcard by Stan Mullen of Roseburg, Oregon.)

The Senior Citizens Organization of San Lorenzo Valley is here to make that saying a reality, with on-going classes like "Ukelele Sing-Along", Tai Chi, and a class on playing bridge with lots of opportunity to practice. In addition, it offers resource networking for health services, volunteer help, transportation or legal counsel, and puts out a monthly newsletter to its members.

The organization is located at the SLV Senior Center at Highlands Park, 8500 Highway 9, just below the town of Ben Lomond. The objective of the center is to "promote and provide educational, recreational, and social services " for those who have reached the magical age of 50. It provides the opportunity for people to socialize, learn, share experiences, and support one another. In addition, the facility provides a site for public activities at very reasonable prices. It houses fund-raisers and events for up to 200 guests, offers a venue for speakers and community organizations to make presentations and workshops, or just a great place to have a party. The Center itself provides a monthly Sunday morning Pancake Breakfast that offers a delicious meal at a very low cost, to anyone who wants to attend.

 Highlands Park became a County Park in the mid-1970’s and has provided an extraordinary range of services since then. Named to honor the Scottish heritage of Lady and Lord Anderson, who owned the property in the early 1900's, Highlands Park is considered one of the most popular places for weddings in the San Lorenzo Valley due to its beautiful, spacious grounds and the large home – a lovely place for meetings or celebrations.  On its 26 acres, it has a recently renovated children’s play area, tennis courts, volleyball courts, fields for baseball and soccer, picnic areas, a great Skatepark, the SLV Children’s Daycare Center, and the Senior Center.

Patti Smith, Director of the Senior Center, is available between 9:30am and 4:00pm, excluding the lunch hour, at 831/336-8900 or on-line at seniorcenterslv@cruzio.com. Give her a call to find out about joining the Seniors’ Organization or about using the Center for an event.

Felton on TV in Europe and Water is the Topic!

A special TV program about Felton's struggle to acquire its water system from the German multinational company RWE was aired in November on ARTE television in Europe and other countries around the world. This was a follow-up TV program to one last summer about similar problems of water privatization and local communities trying to get their water systems back into municipal control in Germany.As a result, FLOW has so far received 25 emails of support plus a few contributions from Germany, France, and Switzerland.  The writers related stories of huge rate increases, deteriorated service, and maddening interactions with RWE similar to ours in Felton. All wished us good luck, and want to hear of our progress.

PLEASE KEEP CONSERVING WATER !

FLOW urges all Felton water users to continue conserving water as much as possible. The rains so far this autumn have been insufficient to recover from the low water supplies yet.  Our target is a water use reduction of 20% compared to last year.  Save money, save energy, and prevent the digging of an unnecessary well.  Contact FLOW at Felton FLOW feltonflow@sbcglobal.net.

TRANSPORTATION FUNDING TASK FORCE REPORT
by Donna Ziel
  
The Transportation Funding Task Force has been meeting for two years to investigate and discuss transportation problems in the County, and to come up with proposals to address those problems.  The meetings (with about 75 representatives from throughout the County) were often lengthy and emotion-packed. Led by Convener, Fred Keeley, they culminated in a series of proposals which will be put together for a bond issue for the November, 2008 election.

Once the range of priorities was defined, a polling firm was hired to find out what County residents preferred. EMC Research contacted approximately 600 Santa Cruz County residents to determine their preferences for items to be included in the final Transportation Funding Plan.  Each of the five Supervisorial Districts was fairly equally represented in the poll.  The results of the polling were interesting, but showed no one area in which two thirds of those polled would vote affirmatively for a 1/2 cent tax.  While transportation problems ranked high among issues that people want "fixed", it was not at the top of the list.  It was clear to me that, if the Regional Transportation Commission decides to place an issue on the November 2008 ballot, a good deal of educating of the public will be necessary in order for it to pass at the 2/3 level required.  The various transportation projects will need to be "packaged" carefully in order for a super majority of voters to approve.  Please read the entire report from the polling agency at:  http://www.sccrtc.org.

The Proposed Mobility Plan represents the best efforts of Fred Keeley and the staff assigned to work with the Transportation Funding TF to respond to the various plans submitted by the members of the Task Force.  It would require a 1/2-cent Sales Tax which, over 30 years, would generate $600 million to fund a range of transportation projects.  These would include:

A REGIONAL PACKAGE including Congestion Relief ($300 million) for Highway 1 Widening/HOV Lane, Carpools/Vanpool Programs, Future Connections ($50 million), Watsonville Junction/Pajaro Train Station, Rail Right of Way Renovations (continue freight service and keep trucks off roads). Train Service connecting Santa Cruz to Amtrak and Caltrain at Watsonville (seed
money).

A COMMUNITY PACKAGE ($125 million) of Access Options including Bus Service - maintain and expand, and Elderly/Disabled Transportation.

A NEIGHBORHOOD PACKAGE ($125 million) with Quality of Life improvements like Local Street/Road Maintenance and Repair, School Traffic Safety Projects, Bike/Pedestrian Projects,  Local Enforcement and Neighborhood Safety.

The final determination on what should be presented to the voters was to be made at the final meeting.  We’ll have those results in the next Newsletter.

Mountain Arts Center a Community Resource

Santa Cruz Mountain Arts Center Board Member, Linda Levy, came to the November VWC Board Meeting bringing exciting information about the remarkable accomplishments and offerings of the Mountain Arts Center, located in downtown Ben Lomond. The VWC and Arts Center plan to increase support for each other’s endeavors relating to the arts and music, including PR for events, participation and outreach. The Mountain Arts Center goes far beyond being a showplace for the arts.

Envisioned as a gallery and showroom featuring San Lorenzo Valley artists, artisans, musicians and literary endeavors, as well as an arts education center, Mountain Arts has met and exceeded its founders’ vision. For example, seeing the increasing lack of art opportunities at the local schools, the Center has a wide range of educational and hands-on experiences available for local teens, with an excellent scholarship program for those who could not afford the (low) costs involved. Along with art programs for teens there are several Art Camps during the year and over the summer for younger children.

Of course there are dozens of opportunities for adults as well. These include ukulele classes, ceramics classes (including raku, the wheel, free expression and discussion), life drawing and more. There are fees for the classes and information is available by calling 366-4ART, or by going to their website.

The upcoming gallery exhibits will feature “The Gift of Art” from November 21 through December 23. This Annual Holiday Gift Exhibition features unique handmade, artful items, decorating the walls and display areas, including jewelry, wearable art, ceramics, cards and ornaments, all handmade by local talented artists and priced with gift-giving in mind. In January the first show is entitled, “Purple Visions,” and in February it’s “Left Turns Only.” Admission to the Gallery is free; the Gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 6 pm.

On the third Friday of each month, from 7:30 to 10 pm, local poets read their works in an atmosphere of warmth and encouragement, surrounded by visual arts in the gallery of the art center. (For more info call Phyllis Mayfield, 338-1231).
New this year is a FREE family gift-making workshop, on Saturday, December 8, 11 am – 3 pm. This is for kids and their favorite adults! Join them in making cards, ornaments, and other holiday gifts.

The VWC Environmental Committee hopes to sponsor an art show with the environment in mind in 2009; contact Nancy Macy if you are interested in helping with this project! (338-1728).

The Mountain Arts Center is located a 1341 Mill St. Ben Lomond, CA 95005. Come join in supporting and enjoying the arts in the San Lorenzo Valley!

©2007 Valley Women's Club