VWC's The Butt Stops Here! Campaign in Full Swing

The Butt Stops Here

Valley Women’s Club installs cigarette butt receptacles in San Lorenzo Valley

San Lorenzo Valley streets and waterways will be cleaner and safer thanks to four cigarette butt disposal containers installed by The Valley Women's Club of the San Lorenzo Valley. Purchased with the assistance of a watershed education grant from the San Lorenzo Valley Water District and contributions from John Schumacher at Hallcrest Vineyards and other community sponsors, the receptacles are located at Boulder Creek Brewery & Cafe, Junction Park, Henfling's Tavern and Don Quixote's International Music Hall. Easy to spot, each bright red container bears the Butt Stops Here logo, created by Bonny Doon artist Stephanie Sellers Sakasai. More The Butt Stops Here receptacles will be placed at strategic San Lorenzo Valley Locations in the coming months.

Along with purchasing receptacles and finding partner businesses to host them, "The Butt Stops Here" campaign includes educational posters and mailers, and a website www.thebuttstopshere.org. Funds, labor and locations for receptacles have been donated by local businesses and area residents.

Contributions in support of the campaign can be sent with your name, address, phone and email address, to The Butt Stops Here c/o The Valley Women's Club, PO Box 574 Ben Lomond, CA 95005. Contributions to The Valley Women's Club are tax deductible. The Valley Women's Club is a 501-c-3 nonprofit organization, Federal ID # 94-2900221.

            
For more information about becoming a sponsoring partner, contact Mark Becker at (831) 338-0258, or visit www.thebuttstopshere.org. Additional information about The Valley Women's Club can be found at www.valleywomensclub.com.

Valley Women's Club Welcomes New Board Members

The Board of Directors of the Valley Women's Club of San Lorenzo Valley held their first meeting of 2013 this week.

In the recent general election, VWC members elected Rosalind Alley of Brookdale, Amanda Robinson of Felton, Pam Spehar and Sanda Spiegel of Boulder Creek and Thomas Wynn of Ben Lomond for two year terms.  Jim Coffis of Ben Lomond, Nancy Gerdt of Felton and Mary Hammer of Boulder Creek were re-elected.  The eight joined Sheila DeLany, Dusty Gipson, Nancy Macy and Lynn McKibben of Boulder Creek, Paul Machlis and Michele Moser of Felton and Donna Ziel of Ben Lomond who will complete their terms in 2014.

Board members chose Lynn McKibben to be President, Donna Ziel, Vice President, Jim Coffis, Secretary, Sheila DeLany, Treasurer and Sanda Spiegel, Budget Officer for the new year.

The 35 year old organization was founded in 1978 to promote community action, awareness and leadership in environmental, educational, social, and political concerns affecting the San Lorenzo Valley.

In addition to environmental education and advocacy, the club annually awards scholarships to graduating seniors; provides ready for school materials to kindergartners, supports and promotes equality for women and girls; operates 3 recycling and redemption centers in the Valley and produces the popular Redwood Mountain Faire, a two-day music, arts and craft fair at Roaring Camp the first weekend in June that last year distributed over $30,000 to local organizations.

Regular Board meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at the Satellite Center in Felton and are open to the public.  The annual membership meeting featuring remarks by local elected officials will be held on Sunday March 24th at the Senior Center in Highlands Park, Ben Lomond.

Big Turnout in SLV for Safe Bike Routes

It was a classic collection of Valley folks: elementary age kids, young professionals, school officials, community leaders and a smattering of the old guard, who showed up for a community meeting at San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School to discuss plans for safe routes for walking and biking to school.  

About 70 were in attendance and organizers claimed over 300 had already signed petitions of support.

The meeting was put together by Bryan Largay a Felton parent and Tawn Kennedy of PeoplePower, the local bike rider advocacy group.  The two spearheaded the formation of Safe Routes to School SLV, a coalition of of community members and local organizations.

Largay referenced past efforts including,  the SLV Trails Committee, local groups that had offered support like the SLVUSD Board of Trustees, The Valley Women’s Club, People Power, the Sierra Club of Santa Cruz County and the SLV Chamber of Commerce and said this gathering was  “another step on the journey”.

He suggested it would not be easy or quick, but he hoped that in five years his child could safely ride their bike to school.

Kennedy, spoke briefly about state and national initiatives that currently exist to promote healthier lifestyle choices for students - 16% walk or ride bikes to school today vs 42% in 1969; as well as efforts to reduce traffic congestion - 25% of morning commute traffic is attributed to parents taking children to school.  He spoke of existing and potential coalitions and pledged to continue dedicate resources to see the project through.

Superior Court Judge Jeff Almquist, a Felton resident and former County Supervisor, spoke about his experience as an avid bike rider in the Valley.  His concern for the safety of cyclists, particularly along Hwy 9 led him to spearhead a plan to develop a safe bike route from Santa Cruz to Boulder Creek. As a County Supervisor and a member of the Transportation Commission he spearheaded a process which eventually resulted in the publication of the SLV Trail Feasibility Study.  (Almquist was appointed to the bench before the study was published in July 2006.)

Almquist pointed out that the existence of the finished study could at least provide the “predicate for future funding” and he noted that the transportation budget was separate from the State’s general fund and might not be as severely affected by the current state budget mess.

The three candidates for County Supervisor were in attendance and all pledged their support.  Eric Hammer, (who has already earned the endorsement of PeoplePower) urged the group to use the “momentum you have clearly developed” to press for a meeting with John Presleigh, County Director of Public Works and “start a conversation”  about what kinds of incremental improvements might be feasible in the short term.  “Working as a community we can do this.”  he said, adding that this is exactly the kind of project that describes the work he hopes to do as Supervisor.

Bruce McPherson was optimistic but listed three obstacles to overcome: “1. The topography of Hwy 9, 2. Money and 3. Property owners.”  He decried the traffic congestion problems, saying “Highway 9 is a mess” and that something needs to be done “so we don’t have a parking lot twice a day.”  

He mentioned the current tax property owners pay for road maintenance, suggesting that it was something that would have to be “looked at”.  

“I don’t like tax and spend”  he said  “but we have to think about it.”
 
He thought the project would find favor with everyone from “highway people to health care.”  As far as property owners he said only that “we have to deal with it.”


Bill Smallman said he was “100% in support” and then went on to explain and defend his opposition to the coastal rail purchase.


When the audience was invited to provide comments, many wanted to know what were the next steps.  Mr Largay suggested no real action could occur before January because of the elections.  It was at this point that Hammer suggested the level of support in the room deserved swifter action.  Largay wasted no time in tapping the momentum by scheduling an organizational meeting for the following Monday, 7-8pm at SLE.



To get involved contact Tawn Kennedy at   greenways@peoplepowersc.org


In the interest of proividing a complete account; one gentleman was curious about who would protect his property rights.  He claims he has to watch misbehaving youth cutting across his land doing “all sorts of things;  fighting, using drugs, screwing.”

Local Artists Sought for Redwood Mountain Faire

Local artists and crafters are being sought for The Valley Women’s Club's annual Redwood Mountain Faire, June 2nd and 3rd at Roaring Camp in Felton. Deadline for applications is March 31.  To be considered, items for sale must be hand-made by the artist/exhibitor.  Accepted applicants will get a 10' by 10' space to exhibit and sell their wares.  There is no cost to apply but exhibitors selected will be charged $150 and are expected to provide their own booth.

Applications are available online at www.redwoodmountainfaire.com. Applicants may also call 831/216-6535 to request an application by mail or to leave a message with Arts/Crafts Chair, Pam Spehar.

The layout of the 2012 Faire has been reconfigured to improve access and enhance the overall ambience of the popular event. An extraordinary range of talented musicians will be featured (watch for announcement soon) along with the wonderful works by local artists and crafters, expanded children’s activities, and food and beverages to appeal to everyone inlcuding local micro-breweries and Santa Cruz Mountains wines. 

Volunteers are always  needed to help staff the event.  Interested individuals or groups are encouraged to go online or email: fairedirector@redwoodmountainfaire.com, contact Volunteer Coordinator, Linda Moore  831/216/6535 and leave a message with your name, phone number and email address.

Annual River and Road Cleanup Saturday

The 25th Annual Al Haynes Memorial

River & Road Clean Up

With BBQ Celebration to Follow – Saturday, 9/17

When Al Haynes had the idea 25 years ago to hold a River clean up, he knew the community would respond and help – and they did. The basic pattern of involving students, families and individuals, keeping recyclables separate from trash, weighing the materials, and enlisting the support of the SLV Water District and the County to haul the materials to the dump, and then celebrating at a BBQ at Highlands Park was established. Al was the Watershed Analyst for the Water District, and applied for grant money to support the event the first year. Nancy Macy helped out, learned the process, and took over coordination of the event under the auspices of the Valley Women's Club the second year.

Each year has been an adventure, and many VWC members became annual volunteers, helping staff the tables, helping at the BBQ, or working all day picking up trash. And hundreds of community members came to help, bringing in over 95,000 pounds of junk over the years. Some years there were a dozen appliances hauled in, another year there was a remarkable collection of electronic discards – then there was the year of the car parts, including an entire VW bug hauled from the River north of Boulder Creek and a dozen tires hauled from along a creek in Felton. Of course an entire house could have been furnished with chairs, beds, couches and other broken, dirty discards, and a wide variety of sports equipment has been hauled in… And cigarette butts, always cigarette butts.

So, especially this year, your help is needed—to honor Al (who passed away last December), to pick up trash, to celebrate our River and its watershed. The clean up will take place on Saturday, September 17th from 9 am to 3 pm. Following the Clean Up, from 3:30 to 5, the free-for-participants BBQ celebration will take place at Highlands Park down on the deck by the playground. We'll have a special gift for ALL volunteers, prizes for "extra effort," awards, and memories to share and honors to give.

You can help in many ways –

• Staff the sign-in tables (8:45-12 or 11:45 to 3) in Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond or Felton (Felton afternoon only)
• Help come up with prizes for the "extra effort" awards
• Help with the BBQ – planning, bringing salads or desserts, cooking, set-up, clean-up
• Getting the word out

CALL OR EMAIL NOW TO LET US KNOW YOU CAN PLAN TO HELP! Call Nancy at 345-1555, or Email. Download the flyer.

Lots of Fun in the Forecast for Redwood Mountain Faire in Felton

While we certainly prefer a more normal June weather forecast the threat of showers should not keep you from attending the Redwood Mountain Faire, Saturday and Sunday at Roaring Camp in Felton.  The rewards are too great to miss the annual Faire that this year runs two days and features 22 musical acts, over 30 arts and crafts vendors and nearly a dozen food, wine and micro brewery stands.

An overnight rain storm is forecast to end Saturday morning and be followed by intermittent showers the rest of the weekend.  Locals understand this as “sunshine and showers”  as the clouds roll over the mountains drop some precipitation and move on providing a stunning and ever changing spectacle.   There is plenty of shelter including covered areas in front of each stage and the open meadow affords a beautiful view to the west so you can anticipate any rainfall in plenty of time to open your umbrella.  Winds will be light and temperatures mild.  

To ensure maximum enjoyment plan ahead and follow some of these tips:

1. Purchase tickets online or at one of these outlets:  

Scarborough Lumber & Building Supply in Boulder Creek
12990 Highway 9
Boulder Creek, CA 95006-9118
Scarborough Lumber & Building Supply in Ben Lomond
9470 Highway 9
Ben Lomond, CA 95005-9228
Scarborough Ace Hardware in Scotts Valley
(Kings Village Store)
218 Mt. Hermon Road
Scotts Valley, California 95066
Liberty Bank in Felton
6230 Highway 9
Felton, CA 95018-9713
Streetlight Records in Santa Cruz
939 Pacific Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-4429

2.  Arrive early.  The Faire Gates open at 10.  There is plenty of parking ($5) but you can also take the Metro to the Felton Fair shopping center and walk to Roaring Camp.  

3.  Dress sensibly and in layers.  A poncho, or hat and an umbrella would be wise.  A small ground cover would also make sense.  (No coolers or pets though.)

4.  Keep moving. The music will keep most people on the move but be sure and dance around the whole venue.  With two stages, rows of arts, crafts and food vendors and acres of beautiful property at Roaring Camp and the adjacent Henry Cowell Redwood State Park to wander you’ll want to check it all out.  Plus your guaranteed to run into old and new friends.    

5.  Keep smiling.  This should be easy.  Beautiful surroundings, great music, unique arts and crafts; award winning food, wine and beer and the company of the colorful local San Lorenzo Valley and Santa Cruz Mountain residents and knowing that the whole event benefits dozens of diverse, local non-profits should keep everybody feeling good about themselves and their community.