Athena blooms by Suzanne Whipple

The city recently launched a “Take Your Best Shot!” contest as a way to showcase photos of what makes Cotati a unique and special place to live and do business.

Anyone who lives or works in Cotati is invited to submit up to three photos by June 30,2013. Photos can fall under any of these categories: The Hub, Architecture, Community Life, Going Green, and The Essence of Cotati.

Submission must be a “.jpg” file with a minimum resolution of 360 dpi, no more than one year old and must not be altered in any way other than cropping. You can follow this link to submit a photo online. Per Vicky Parker, with Community Development, judging will take place in the weeks following the contest.

Photo submissions will be posted daily to the City’s General Plan webpage, like the photo used in this article, “Athena Blooms” by Suzanne Whipple. One winner and one runner-up will be selected. The Best of Show winning photo will be featured on the cover of the General Plan. Other winning photos will be featured on the General Plan Update website.

Every Monday night the Tradewinds serves up some rhythm and blues in their weekly Pro Jam which showcases both local talent and well known acts. The show kicks off at 8 p.m. with a chance for local talent to hit the stage followed by a more polished band at 9 p.m. While the show is free the bands happily accept tips. 8210 Old Redwood Highway. 795-7878.

*Correction – the Santa Rosa Symphony was not playing at the Green Music Center on Monday, June 17 as previously listed*

Windsor Dance will present “2013 Dancing Through the Year” at the Spreckels Performing Arts Theater on Monday, June 17 and Tuesday, June 18. Both performance will begin at 7 p.m. and feature 160 students, ages three to adult performing a variety of styles. Tickets are $18. 5409 Snyder Lane. 588-3400.

There will be a Jewelry Workshop for Teens, ages 12 to 19, on Wednesday, June 19 at the Rohnert Park, Cotati Library. This free workshop will be hosted by local artist, Julia Anthony and you will learn to create a set of earrings and a necklace. Seating is limited so call to register. 6250 Lynne Conde Way. 584-9121.

The Rohnert Park Chamber of Commerce After Hours Mixer will take place on Wednesday, June 19 at the Wedgewood Banquet Center at the Foxtail Golf Club. Joining the chamber is a great way to meet other business owners and network within the community. 100 Gold Course Drive. Call the chamber at 584-1415 to learn how to join.

It is time to “Sing-Along with Tim Cain” at the Rohnert Park-Cotati Library on Thursday, June 20. This presentation, as part of the Library Summer Reading Program is geared towards kids and families and will include plenty of fun. This event starts at 11 a.m. and is free. 6250 Lynne Conde Way. 584-9121.

Comedy Night at Sally Tomatoes is back! On Thursday, June 20 at 8:30 p.m. you can enjoy some of the best comics in the North Bay. Dinner is served until 9 p.m. and there is a no host bar until 11 p.m. for this free comedy event. Comics for this show include Eric Murphy, Sara Witmore, Josh Argyle and more. 1100 Valley House Drive. 665-9472.

— Send your Cotati and Penngrove events to rparktowns@gmail.com.

Jack Meyer peers through a Sonoma County Sheriff’s SWAT shield in Penngrove on Wednesday, June 12, 2013. Cub Scouts with the Redwood Empire Council District Twilight Camp got to meet local lawn enforcement and learn about their jobs. (CONNER JAY/ PD)

Penngrove.

During the visit, the boys tried on Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department SWAT equipment and checked out a CHP helicopter.

The event was part of a weeklong “twighlight camp” which runs from 4-8 p.m. daily.

“We do it every year in June,” said camp director Scott Rostoni.

Coffee is a fairly universal pleasure. It is great in the morning, perfect on cold or cloudy days and with the advent of iced coffee, even a nice treat when the weather is warm. So where should you go in Cotati for a cup of Joe? Here are five great spots:

The List – Coffee Spots

Peet’s Coffee & Tea – One of the newer coffee spots in town, the Peet’s chain is always busy. 7764 Old Redwood Highway. 796-7080.

Redwood Cafe – Well known for food, they also have coffee and great Chai tea. 8240 Old Redwood Highway. 795-7868

Johnny’s Java – Tucked away in the Gravenstein center is a local option. 8492 Gravenstein Highway. 794-0168.

Oliver’s Market – Along with a great bakery they have a nice coffee selection. 546 East Cotati Avenue. 795-9501.

Cotati Coffee – Another great option downtown. 8225 Old Redwood Highway. 664-0300.

Do you know of any great coffee spots we missed around Cotati or Penngrove? Make sure to tell us in the comments!

Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) who represents the 3rd District in the California Senate will have mobile office hours in Rohnert Park on Friday, June 14 to help Cotati and Rohnert Park residents with state-related issues.

From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Post Office at 150 Raley’s Towne Center, staff members will be on hand to help with questions, listen to concerns and provide guidance on issues such as disability, unemployment and other issues that fall under state control.

Senator Wolk will not be in attendance as she will be in session at the capital. She is currently serving her second term in the California Senate. For more information, contact Senator Wolk’s Vacaville district office at (707) 454-3808.

On June 2, 2013 the City of Cotati welcomed a flock of sheep back to the city-owned Veronda-Falletti Ranch. The ranch, located on the corner of East School Street and West Sierra Avenue, is a reminder of the community’s agricultural roots which includes chickens and sheep.

As part of the “Walkable Cotati” project a few years ago, the pasture once owned by Al and Jennie Falleti with grazing sheep was considered the best scene to typify Cotati.

The 3.6 acre Veronda-Falletti Ranch was acquired in 2008 through a grant from the Sonoma County Open Space District with the intention to preserve the land for open space and create an urban demonstration farm. The land included the original home of Pete and Elizabeth Veronda, Jennie Falleti’s parents. The Veronda-Falletti Ranch was established in 1938 and over the years has used the land to raise sheep and chickens.

When it was purchased by the city in 2008, three sheep remained on the property. In a private/public partnership, the city entered into an interim agreement with Split Rail Farms of Penngrove to return livestock to the ranch for grazing. The interim agreement will remain in place until final programming is established in a public workshop with the City Council. The recent addition of a new sheep herd will provide an active use on the Veronda-Falletti ranch to help maintain the pasture grass and provides an opportunity for the community to view farm life in downtown Cotati.

The 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Rohnert Park-Cotati Library will take place on Wednesday, June 12. The event is from 5 to 7 p.m. with a ribbon cutting at 6 p.m. by the Rohnert Park and Cotati Chamber of Commerce. There will be refreshments as well. 6250 Lynne Conde Way. 584-9121.

Magic Dan will be performing at the Rohnert Park-Coati Library on Thursday, June 13 as part of the Summer Reading Program. Starting at 11 a.m. you can enjoy this free magic show filled with humor and fun. 6250 Lynne Conde Way. 584-9121.

The Rotten Tomatoes will headline the Cotati’s Farmer’s Market on Thursday, June 13 which will also feature a Green Living fair. From 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. you can enjoy free music along with plenty of vendors selling food, drinks, crafts and fresh produce. The Free Bookmobile will be on hand as well as jumpees for the kids and more! La Plaza Park.

Dynamite Dads is the theme of Pam Brown Storytime at the Rohnert Park-Cotati Library on Saturday, June 15. In honor of Father’s Day, starting at 11 a.m. children ages 2 to 6 can work on crafts and enjoy stories for free. 6250 Lynne Conde Way. 584-9121.

The Festa Italiana Sonoma will take place on Saturday, June 15 at the Rohnert Park Community Center. Enjoy a day filled with fun, food, and musica Italiana from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. featuring Due Zigi Baci and the Don Giovanni’s. Admission is free and food and beverages will be available to purchase during the day. 5401 Snyder Lane. 665-9472.

The Berkshire Choral Festival Chorus will perform at the Green Music Center on Saturday, June 15. Joshua Habermann will conduct the Chorus along with the Santa Rosa Symphony in a program that starts at 7:30 p.m. featuring Mozart and Bach in Weill Hall. Tickets are $15 to $35. 1810 East Cotati Avenue. 866-955-6040.

The 33rd Annual Cotati Jazz Festival is on Sunday, June 16. The perfect place for Father’s Day is at La Plaza Park from 12 to 4 p.m. Four bands will play the main stage and then local venues within walking distance from the park will host bands until 6 or 7 p.m. with free admission to the park and all venues. Sponsored by the Cotati Chamber of Commerce. La Plaza Park. 795-5508

— Send your Cotati and Penngrove events to rparktowns@gmail.com.

“I have such great memories in this space, it is bittersweet to say good-bye,” said owner Amy Strother. However she quickly noted that the new location is looking great at 70 West Cotati Avenue.

The store, which Amy has owned for over six years, has been at its current location for over a decade, but will close on Thursday, June 6 and re-open at its new location on Tuesday, June 11 which is the location Hub Cyclery started 35 years ago.

Strother, a longtime resident of the community and former teacher at SSU with the Child Development program, decided to buy Sweet Pea because she was ready for a change. The mother of two hasn’t looked back and enjoys being a part of the community and watching families grow.

The store itself is a consignment store that is home to numerous local crafts and creations along with gently used clothes, toys and accessories for infants up to teens. There is a large collection of local artist creations such as Mend by Ruby Grace, Just One Designs, Hazel Nut Stuff, Stiches by Julia, NinjaCraftyMoms, and Aunt Coco’s Creations.

“I have become kind of a home for all of these really cool things people design and I feel lucky to show them off,” said Strother.

The new store will open on Tuesday, June 11 at 10 a.m. and will be located at 70 West Cotati Avenue. You can also visit them on Facebook where Amy posts coupons and information about the store or call them at 794-1215.

Cotati Mayor, Mark Landman (PD File 2010)

An extra City Council meeting will take place on Wednesday, June 5 to discuss the budget. Starting at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, the council will discuss the budget for the fiscal year of 2013 – 2014.

For the fourth year in a row the City of Cotati has a balanced budget.

This meeting aims to be informational only as no action will be taken by the council during this “study session”. Members of the public who wish to address the council may do so at the beginning of the meeting but comments will be limited to the budget only.

City Hall is located at 201 West Sierra Avenue.

For the fourth year in a row, the City of Cotati has a balanced budget they announced in a press release today. Along with the balanced budget they have also set aside funding for reserves in accordance with City Council policy.

City Manager Dianne Thompson noted: “The funding model for cities has changed and will continue to change. With the dissolution of redevelopment, and the State continuing to shift more economic burden to cities, we need to rethink how local government is funded.”

The budget impacts due to the State dissolution of redevelopment agencies have so far been absorbed by the General Fund and the City has managed to keep expenditures in line with revenues through the use of various things such as the half-cent sales tax added in 2010.

However, problems with the City’s budget are anticipated to emerge in 2016, as a result of the elimination of redevelopment, the continuing economic downturn, and the sunset of Measure A.

According to Mayor Mark Landman, “If you look at the City’s budget this year or next year, things look fine and the budget continues to be in balance. But if you look further down the road, with the changes in State funding and the City’s 1/2 cent sales tax sunsetting in 2015, expenditures begin to exceed our revenues. Even with minimum staffing levels and no salary increases, ongoing medical and retirement costs are projected to increase at a higher rate than revenues, creating a structural deficit.”

Comparatively, Rohnert Park is facing a $2.3 million budget deficit and Petaluma has money in reserves for the first time in the last four years as each city has adjusted to the loss of redevelopment funds.