community guide & business directory 2015

Community Guide &

Business Directory 2015

There’s a train a comin’ ...Hear them tracks a hummin’

¢ ∫ ¢ ∫

The Cotati Chamber of Commerce

presents

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101 East Cotati Ave. Cotati707-795-3354

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Monday, April 20, 2015 11:30:15 AM

COTATI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS & STAFF

Welcome to the “Hub of Sonoma County,” the city of Cotati. Cotati was founded in 1893 and incorporated in 1963 and is one of only two cities in the United States based on a hexagonal design. We are located in one of the most beautiful areas in California and are conveniently located a short distance from both rural and cosmopolitan pursuits. Cotati offers a location with small town charm with access to larger urban centers. And our proximity to Sonoma State University includes an infusion of youthful energy to our town’s commerce.

Cotati’s residents are very passionate about how we plan ahead for our future. We want to expand our business base but simultaneously maintain our small town atmosphere. Some of our businesses have been around for many years and others are up and coming with the hopes of staying here in this community for years to come. Our Chamber of Commerce has been involved in many of our annual events such as the Kids Day Parade and Festival, Jazz Festival, Oktoberfest, the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, and the Accordion Festival. These traditions, which take place in our downtown La Plaza Park, make for a real sense of community pride and a great place to live.

Come and spend some time here listening to great music, eating some delicious locally produced food, enjoying the public art throughout the city, learning more about our history at the Cotati Historical Society Museum located in City Hall, and getting to know our city. Cotati is a great place to make a home, raise a family, or operate a business.

Wendy SkillmanMayor of Cotati

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- Table of Contents -

Mayor's Message

Chamber of Commerce

Message from Chamber President

Parks & Recreation

Education in Cotati

Calendar of Events

City of Cotati Profile

Cotati Businesses Celebrate

Landmark Anniversaries

Community Contacts

& Important Numbers

Service Clubs: Essential Part of

our Community

Music and the Arts, Alive in Cotati

Fun & Fitness in Cotati

Chamber Membership Directory

Categorical Listing

SMART Train Comes to Cotati

Cotati Non-Profits & Organizations

Advertiser Index

Wendy Skillman

Mayor's Message

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PRESIDENT Cherie Chipman Exchange Bank

VICE PRESIDENT Eris Weaver Cotati Gateway, LLC

SECRETARY Gayle E. Lash Lash Internet Marketing

TREASURER Yvonne Van Dyke Church of the Oaks

PAST PRESIDENT Jami Brady Individual Member

DIRECTORS Kevin Gingher Spancky’s Bar

Joe Hainer Cotati Food Service

Patrick McCarty Individual Member

André Morrow Individual Member

Cheryl Nixon Friar Tuck’s Pub

Executive Director Suzanne Whipple 707-795-5508

Administrative Coordinator Rick Minervini 707-795-5508

CotatiCommunity Guide &

Business Directory 2015

Downtown garden

Pocket Park

¢ ∫ ¢ ∫

Published By Penngrove Publishing P.O. Box 553, Penngrove, CA 94951

707.665.9408 Phone866-886-9658 Fax

[email protected] www.penngroveproud.com

Available via Direct Mail, Cotati Chamber Office, Cotati City Hall, Cotati merchants, local businesses,

libraries, hotels, restaurants and visitor centers.

Publisher/Creative Director - Lynda Sutton-SmithEditorial Director - John Sutton-Smith

Advertising Sales - Debbie Goodier KoosContributing Writers - Chuck Lucas, John Sutton-Smith

Patty Lyn TwetenContributing Photographers - Chuck Lucas, Lynda Sutton-Smith, Suzanne Whipple

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SO…WHAT DOES THE COTATI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DO FOR YOU?

COMMUNITY SERVICES Business Referrals – Assistance locating a particular service or productBusiness Visitation - Meet with representatives from the Sonoma County Economic Development Board, City of Cotati & the Cotati Chamber at local businesses Relocation & Visitors Packets – Acquainting new residents, visitors and businesses with CotatiFYI – All you want to know and more about community events & resourcesEvents – Sponsor and run the Cotati Jazz Festival, Cotati Kids Day Parade & Festival, Pasta Dinner & Bingo, Cotati Oktoberfest, Candidates Night, Nights of Festive Fun, and Chamber Annual Awards Dinner honoring Cotati Citizen of the YearCotati Merchandise – T-shirts, sweatshirts, polo shirts, denim shirts, wine glasses, and ornaments available at the Chamber office - Great for Gift Giving!

MEMBER SERVICESAdvertising Opportunities — Reaching thousands of potential customers through our cooperative ad programs Business After Hours Mixers — Opportunities for networking to develop professional & business relationshipsChamber Speaker Series Meetings — Featuring speakers with a variety of business-related topics Cotati Community Guide — Cotati Chamber businesses listed in this community resource guide Grand Openings & Ribbon Cuttings — Ceremonies and publicity for business openings, anniversaries and relocationsSocial Media — Promotion of your business via sharing of your Facebook postsEmail News Updates — Providing information about the community, as well as business resources and eventsWebsite Directory Listing — Cotati Chamber members listed on our website at www.cotati.org Cotati Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center216 E. School Street, Cotati, CA 94931Phone: 707-795-5508 Fax: 707-795-5868 [email protected] www.cotati.org

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AnnualMembershipDuesBUSINESS 0-3 employees $145 4-10 employees $195 11-20 employees $265 21+ employees $395

MembershipApplicationContact Name: Business Name: Mailing Address: Business Address: Phone: Fax: Type of Business: Website: E-mail:# of Employees: Annual Dues: Payment by (circle one): Check MasterCard Visa Credit Card # Exp. Date (mm/yy) Security Code:SignatureBilling Address & Zip

SENDWITHPAYMENTTO:Cotati Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 592Cotati, CA 94931

NON-PROFIT 0-3 employees $115 4-10 employees $155 11-20 employees $205 21+ employees $300

INDIVIDUAL Non-business $100

NOTE: Membership dues may be tax deductible as a business expense.

SENIOR INDIVIDUAL Over 65 $55

WANT TO JOIN THE COTATI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE?

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As President of the Cotati Chamber of Commerce, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the businesses of Cotati, its citizens, volunteers, and our members and supporters. We are a close-knit volunteer organization. We are dedicated to promoting and enhancing the wonderful small town of Cotati, for businesses, citizens, neighbors and visitors.

Our Board of Directors volunteers its time and talents to promote, advocate and support our fine businesses. We enjoy sponsoring and organizing several special events through-out the year. These fun-filled events are free and welcome to all. They include the Annual Cotati Jazz Festival held on Father’s Day in June, the Cotati Kids Day Parade & Festival the second Saturday in July, our Annual Oktoberfest the second Saturday in October, and the Nights of Festive Fun the first week of December.

We encourage all businesses to join the Cotati Chamber of Commerce. Come meet with us and other business owners at our mixers, Quarterly Speaker Series, ribbon cutting ceremonies and other events. You can meet other merchants, share advice, and gain valuable information which will help your business succeed.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Cotati Chamber of Commerce, we would like to thank all of our members and volunteers. We look forward to a year filled with fun and economic prosperity.

Sincerely,Cherie ChipmanPresidentCotati Chamber of Commerce

Cherie Chipman

Message from the Cotati Chamber President

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CIVIC CENTER PARKEAST SCHOOL STREET

• Basketball courts • Cator Field - Baseball • Group barbeque• Picnic tables• Small playing field

DELANO PARKBetween VALPARAISO AVE & PAGE ST • Passive Park

DRAPER PARKWILFRED AVENUE

• Picnic tables• Small playing field

FALLETTI PARKGRAVENSTEIN WAY & VILLAGE CT

• Barbecue • Picnic tables• Playground equipment

KOTATE PARKLASALLE & LINCOLN AVENUE

• Playground equipment• Small playing field

Parks and Recreation LA PLAZA PARKOLD REDWOOD HWY & WEST SIERRA AVENUE

• Bandstand• Picnic tables• Playground equipment • Restrooms

PUTNAM PARKMYRTLE AVENUE

• Baseball field• Dog park• Picnic tables• Playground equipment• Soccer fields

SUNFLOWER PARKE COTATI AVENUE & SUNFLOWER DRIVE

• Tennis courts

VETERANS MEMORIAL PARKPARK AVENUE & OLD REDWOOD HWY

• Barbeque• Horseshoe pit• Picnic tables • Porta-pottie• Sand volleyball court

For a small City, Cotati has an impressive number of parks with varied recreation offerings for all ages.

Chief among them is La Plaza Park in the heart of town, with a bandstand, picnic tables, play equipment and modern restrooms. Shaded by large trees, it is a popular gathering place for small groups or informal meals, as well as City festivals. La Plaza Park is also one of Cotati's claims to fame: it has been registered as California Historical Landmark No. 879 because of its unique hexagonal shape.

All parks are available for casual use or by arrangement with Cotati City Hall for large group use. Additionally, the City has recreation and event rental facilities at the Ray Miller Commu-nity Center adjacent to City Hall. The Cotati Room is a large multi-purpose room that is available for rental for weddings and other special events.

Delano Park

Protected Historic Ranch, Cotati

Rick Stewart • 8079 La Plaza • Cotati

Licensed Contractor #647838

Arch’s Glass Inc.

Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.707-795-6976

Featuring Milgard WindoWs & doors,

insulated glass replaceMent,

screens, shoWer doors & Mirrors

coMplete glass

service

Serving the Community for Over 50 Years

“Life is too long to live it in pain”Sandy McCabe MFT

Individuals - Couples - FamiliesEmotionally focused therapy for couples

Bioenergetic TherapyGrief Recovery: Groups and Individual

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Rancho Cotate High School is known for its comprehensive high school programs and outstanding sports teams. An instructional program designed around college and career pathways distinguishes this campus as a place where students can fully prepare themselves for life beyond high school. Rancho students may select from among six pathways based on their specific interests: Liberal Arts; Health, Science, and Medical Technologies; World Languages; Media Arts and Business; Visual and Performing Arts Entertainment; and Clean Technologies: Design, Automotive and Construction.

Sonoma State University, one of the 23 campuses of the California State University system, has been an important part of the local scene since 1961. With enrollment this year of approximately 8,000, SSU has 36 academic departments and offers 46 bachelor's degree and 15 master's degree programs, 9 credential programs, and 8 certificate programs.

SSU has a state-of-the-art library and information center, and the recently open Green Music Center is designed to become one of the great concert halls of the world. The Wine Business Institute in the School of Business & Economics is one of the only programs in the U.S. to focus exclusively on the business aspects of the wine industry. Each year SSU sponsors hundreds of seminars, workshops, lectures, conferences, exhibits and other programs open to the public. The Center for the Performing Arts and University Art Gallery are also major local attractions.

Santa Rosa Junior College, founded in 1918, is known for its academic rigor, its outstanding job training programs, superb faculty, comprehensive student services, and excellent facilities.

SRJC operates two campuses in Sonoma County: a 100+ acre campus in the heart of Santa Rosa and a 40-acre campus in Petaluma. SRJC also operates a regional Public Safety Training Center in Windsor, a 365-acre self-supporting Shone Farm near Forestville, a Culinary Arts Center in downtown Santa Rosa, and a Technology Academy on the Petaluma Campus. Each semester classes are offered at more than 70 locations throughout the District by nearly 3,500 faculty and staff.

SRJC offers a strong General Education program for students planning to transfer to four-year colleges and universities, and more than 175 career skills certificate programs that prepare students for the workforce. SRJC’s basic skills program prepares students for college level courses. The College grants both associate in arts (A.A.) and associate in science (A.S.) degrees.

In 2014, more than 28,000 students were enrolled at SRJC at all of its locations. The College attracts students from throughout the state and from more than 40 countries around the world.

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For its size, Cotati has unique educational resources, beginning with four preschools to serve the youngest citizens and extending through the university years at Sonoma State University, immediately adjacent to Cotati, and beyond that at Santa Rosa Junior College.

The Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District serves approximately 6,000 students in Cotati and Rohnert Park. The district believes all students are entitled to a successful education.Our focus is learning and we are a team. The district has two guiding goals: improve student achievement and increase student enrollment.

The district seven elementary schools offer a rigorous curriculum enriched by art, music and physical education. Many of the schools have gardens and other outdoor learning opportunities for students. All elementary schools have full-time libraries and computer labs to support student learning. Class sizes at kindergarten through third grade are 24 or fewer and in fourth and fifth grade 28.

Located in the beautiful rolling hills of Cotati is Thomas Page Academy. The school serves all students in Cotati from kindergarten through eighth grade. The school has a focus on environmental studies and sustainability.

Lawrence E. Jones Middle School and Technology Middle School serve students sixth through eighth grade. Middle school students receive a rigorous, comprehensive curriculum delivered in a safe and caring environment. Both schools have band, visual and performing arts, language, leadership, interscholastic and intramural sports. Additionally, Lawrence E. Jones has the Expeditionary Learning Program that employs thematic study reinforced by real-life excursions and hands-on projects. At Technology Middle School students learn in a one-to-one computing environment and have courses in programming and web design.

Technology High School, founded in 1999, is a science math and engineering college preparatory magnet school located on the campus of Sonoma State University. The school’s vision is to develop critical and creative thinking in students in a small learning community environment. Key program components include: Project-based and applied learning; integrated and thematic instruction and teamwork. In its short history, the school has been selected as a California Distinguished School in every year of eligibility, recognition as one of the best high schools in America by the U.S. News and World Report and a Magna Award winner by the American School Board Journal.

Education in Cotati

Waldo Rohnert Elementary School

Cross & Crown Lutheran School

795-7863www.crossandcrownschoolrp.org

Preschool License #490100475

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Marin/Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control DistrictAnniversary Open HouseMay 30th, 11 a.m – 3 p.m. 595 Helman Lane, Cotatiwww.msmosquito.com Cotati Farmers Market & Concerts in the ParkThursdays, June 4 – August 27, 4:30 - 7:30 pm June 4 - Miracle Mule June 11 - Keenan Webster & Nicco Tyson June 18 - Fred McCarty June 25 - The Ramblers July 2 - Momentous Jazz July 9 - David Silva July 16 - Afrobeat July 23 - Jacob Green & friends July 30 - Jim Whalen August 6 - Dave Hamilton & Friends August 13 - Fred McCarty August 20 - TBA August 27 - Rosetown Ramblers La Plaza ParkAgricultural Community Events Farmers Markets(415) 999-5635www.communityfarmersmarkets.com

35th Annual Cotati Jazz FestivalSun. June 21, 12 noon – 6 p.m. La Plaza Park and in downtown Cotati venuesCotati Chamber of Commerce – (707) 795-5508www.cotatijazz.com

Cotati Pancake BreakfastSat. July 11, 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. - FREEChurch of the Oaks, W. Sierra & Page St., CotatiChurch of the Oaks - (707) 695-6098www.churchoftheoaks.org

23rd Annual Kids Day Parade & Festival 2015 Theme: Up With Art!Sat. July 11 - FREEKids Day Parade - 9 am Lineup, 10 am ParadeKids Day Festival - 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. La Plaza ParkCotati Chamber of Commerce – (707) 795-5508 www.cotatikidsday.org

24th Annual Cotati Accordion Festival Sat. & Sun., Aug. 22 & 23, 9:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. La Plaza Park, Old Redwood Hwy. & W. Sierra Cotati Accordion Festival - (707) 664-0444www.cotatifest.com

9th Annual Cotati OktoberfestSat. October 10, 12 noon – 6 p.m. - FREELa Plaza Park, Old Redwood Hwy. & W. Sierra Cotati Chamber of Commerce – (707) 795-5508www.cotati.org

Cotati Holiday Celebration - Nights of Festive FunThurs. Dec. 3 – Holiday Cheer Pub Crawl (21 and older)Fri. Dec. 4 – Holiday Tree Lighting Cotati Chamber of Commerce – (707) 795-5508www.cotati.org

COTATI CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2015

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Kids Day Festival

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Date of Incorporation: July 16, 1963

Total City Land Area: Approximately 2 square miles

Elevation: 114 ft. above sea level

Average Temperatures: January - Low 39/High 58 July - Low 52/High 83 Annual Precipitation: 26 inches

Population & Demographics: Population 7318 - 46.1% male, 53.9% female Median Age: 36 Households: 2,980 Average Household Size: 2.44 Family Households: 984 - 33% with children Median Household Income: $58,765

CITY OF COTATI PROFILE Housing: Total Housing Units: 3,005 56% owner-occupied, 44% renter-occupied Median Home Price: $427,000 Median Rent: $1,695

Employment: Unemployment Rate (7/14): 6.1% Major Employers: Lowe’s Home Improvement ProTransport-1 Oliver’s Market Education: Percentage of English Learners: 18.7% Average Total SAT Scores: 1554 Percentage with High School Diploma: 26% Percentage with Bachelor's Degree: 15% Percentage with Graduate Degree: 7%

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Barbara L. StaggAttorney at Law

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The founding of Cotati in 1963 was a bellwether of business start-ups. Recently, many of those businesses have celebrated major anniversariea; a few in just the past year. From The 8 Ball, begun in 1937, to Arch’s Glass in 1964, these Cotati businesses have two similar themes to their success: commitment to family and commitment to the community they serve.

Friend of Critters and CotatiFamed Cotati native, Dr. Bill Kortum ad-vocated on behalf of the city and the coastal environment. This in no way overshadows his commitment to the animals he doctored on a daily basis. In 1955, he founded Cotati

Large Animal. Three years later Dr. Fred Groverman joined him at the practice out on Gravenstein Highway. The hospital eventually expanded to 8 veterinarians, including Gene Harlan who arrived in 1974. Dr. Harlan remains today and has expanded the surgical and lab facilities making his large animal facility unique in its care of large animals.

Cotati Animal Hospital broke into two entities in 1984 when Dr. Groverman opened Cotati Small Animal Hospital, with the help of Dr. William Cook. The small pet vets have made their hospital a cozy place where patients are greet- ed by the resident cat, Kiwi, along with a committed long-time staff.

Both hospitals have an eye on the future. They regularly infuse their practice with new veterinarians and technicians trained in the latest techniques and procedures. Dr. Harlen has also established a preceptor program that allows veterinary students to visit the hospital to try “real world” application of their skills.

As the Cotati Small and Large Animal Hospitals continue into the new millennium, they are well equipped to doctor any member of the animal kingdom crossing their threshold.

Where Everybody Knows Your NameOne can’t drive down Old Redwood Highway on a given evening and not notice the cheerful ruddy glow of The 8 Ball tavern sign. But, many do not know that sign has been casting forth it’s neon invitation since 1937. Built by Howard Jacobsen, the tavern took its name from a battered 8 ball found in the rafters of an old house on the original property. In the beginning, the tavern served classic bar food, such as hamburgers and pickled eggs, and it sported a pinball machine and pool table. And, not much has changed. Jacobsen and his wife, Mildred, operated the bar and tavern for 15 years during which they developed the rest of the property. Residents of the apartments they built were heard to quip that they, literally, “lived behind The 8 ball.”

After changing hands a few times, the 8 Ball was purchased in 1974 by the Blankenship Family. Steve Blankenship managed the bar with his partner Rick Gorell until his death in 2005. In 2006, Rick brought on a new partner, John Graham. A native of Ireland, John melded his homeland’s concept of an Irish Pub — a public house which is the social and community hub — with the existing genial and laid-back atmosphere of The 8 Ball tavern. Regulars at the 8 Ball are known by name and have their birthdays remembered. John describes the place as a “family bar.” When times get tough, regulars are not “behind the 8 Ball;” The 8 ball gets behind them and their families.

The 8 Ball has a history of charity events for the community, centering on their Annual Golf Tournament. Begun by Rick and his wife Carin, the event is traditionally held around the “9-11” anniversary. The tournament has supported many organizations in its 15-year history, from the Cub Scouts to the Lions Club, the Rohnert Park Animal Shelter, Habitat for Humanity of Sonoma County, and the Cotati K9 Team. Over the years, more than 50% of tournament revenue has supported the morale and welfare of the 579th Battalion of the California National Guard located in Santa Rosa. The 8 Ball’s generosity is also seen on a more individual level. The tavern hosts fish feeds, BBQ’s and other smaller fundraisers for families in the community experiencing hardship through the loss of a loved one or through illness.

The owners are proud to have the 8 Ball be of service, but they wish to credit their clientele for the success of the fundraising activities. John notes, “We don’t need accolades — the awards go to the customers.”

John is in the bar business for the long haul. He’s philosophical about what the 8 Ball is — and what it should remain. “My goal is to carry

Cotati Businesses Celebrate

Landmark AnniversariesThe keys to longevity: Family and Community

Dr. William Cook. Photo courtesy of Cotati Small Animal Hospital

By Patty Lyn Tweten

It’s not just an urban legend. The original 8 Ball exists. A photo of it along with a 1937 image of the tavern sits behind the bar.

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on the reputation established in 1936 by the Jacobsen family and carry on ‘till my retirement. The 8 Ball is the ‘Cheers’ of California. It’s one of the last original watering holes in Sonoma County along with the Washoe House and the Twin Oaks.” So, as far as Rick and John are concerned, when you want a place where everybody will know your name, they’ll leave that 78-year-old neon light on for you.

Financing the Golden Gate and the Growth of CotatiIn April 2015, Exchange Bank announced the celebration of 125 years in Sonoma County. Begun in Santa Rosa by the Doyle Family, known for their generous contribution to Santa Rosa Junior College and their visionary financing of the Golden Gate Bridge, the bank opened its first office in Cotati over 74 years ago in 1941. It was fortunate timing because WWII began right afterwards and building in Sonoma County became nearly impossible during the war years.

2014 also marks a notable change for the Exchange’s Cotati branch. It has moved off Old Redwood Highway to its new location in front of Oliver’s, 590-A East Cotati Avenue. The feeling of the interior has been updated as well. It’s modeled after the new Windsor Exchange Bank interior, with a comfortable lounge feel, a coffee and tea bar, and a conference room for members of the community to use for meetings. From its quiet beginnings on Old Redwood Highway in the location now housing Hot Spot Eatery, Exchange Bank continues to be the only neighborhood bank in Cotati. Its service to the city has spanned the 20th and 21st centuries.

Rohnert Park Animal Shelter

www.facebook.com/rpanimalshelter

Info: 584-1582 ❖ rpanimalshelter.orgFor appointment call 588-3531

Wed 1-6:30pm Thur-Fri-Sat 1-5:30pm Sun 1-4:30pm Like us on Facebook301 J Rogers Lane, Off Redwood Drive Tel: 584-1582 www.rpanimalshelter.org

A safe haven for lost animals An adoption center – giving animals a second chance An educational resource promoting responsible pet care

MEET THE BUNNY

2nd Saturday of each month • 1:00-5:00pm Rohnert Park Animal Shelter

Kidz ‘n Critters Summer Camp

For kids who LOVE animals!

Learn about animals and animal care througharts & crafts, guest speakers, fieldtrips, videos,

and hands-on time with shelter animals

“Where Friends Become Family”Call about volunteer

opportunities, group tours,

birthday parties

or school programs

Sponsored by the RP Animal Shelter and the City of Rohnert Park

For low-income

residents of RP

and Cotati

✔ Meet adorable adoptable bunnies ✔ Bring your bunny for a FREE nail trim ✔ Shop the “Bunny Boutique” for food, hay, toys, treats ✔ Bunny matchmaking services available ✔ Q & A with knowledgable volunteers

Have you been putting off veterinarian visits essential to your pet’s health due to financial reasons? The Silver Paws program has funds available to qualifying Rohnert Park and

Cotati seniors to help you maintain a good quality of life for your animal companion. We can provide funds for an initial exam; further funding will be determined on a case by case basis.

Please call the Animal Shelter League of Rohnert Park at 523-9420 for more details and a referral to local veterinarians participating in the program.

A veterinary assistance program for low-income seniors and the pets they love!

Have you been putting off veterinarian visits essential to your pet’s health due to financial reasons? The Silver Paws program has funds available to qualifying Rohnert Park and

Cotati seniors to help you maintain a good quality of life for your animal companion. We can provide funds for an initial exam; further funding will be determined on a case by case basis.

Please call the Animal Shelter League of Rohnert Park at 523-9420 for more details and a referral to local veterinarians participating in the program.


Please call the Animal Shelter League of Rohnert Park at 523-9420 for more details and a referral to

local participating veterinarians.


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A Body of WorkCarl Schollman, founder of Carl’s Auto Body, has joked that he came to Cotati in 1938 — the year he was born. After attending Santa Rosa Junior College, he began working at Cotati Body Shop. In 1963, he opened Carl’s Body Shop, leasing half the space of his former employer. Soon afterwards, Carl’s moved to its current location off of West Sierra on Pine Lane near their family’s home. Carl recalls that Cotati's incorporation coincided with the birth of his own shop. “Cotati was already a commuter town,” he notes. This, and the close proximity of Highway 101, led to a steady flow of business, literally, right past his shop.

In those early years, Carl’s wife, Mary, did the bookkeeping, and his son, Bruce, joined him in the shop after school. After Bruce’s graduation,

he joined his father full time in the shop.

In 2005, Carl took the opportunity to retire, passing on his business to Bruce and his wife, Helen. The couple met and married in the ‘90s, and, in anticipation of stepping in for her mother-in-law, Helen attended Empire College to learn bookkeeping. Now Helen and Bruce run the show in, virtually, the same roles as Bruce’s folks.

Helen trained as a nail technician, so her bookkeeping career offers some new challenges. She says, “It’s getting easier — doing stuff out of my comfort zone like advertising and promoting.” She has launched the company’s web site, complete with testimonials and online deals. Helen also follows up with Bruce to make sure they practice what they preach. While it is often convenient for customers to receive e-mail estimates, she

Exchange Bank's second Cotati location on Old Redwood Highway was opened in the 1950's. Just recently, they moved to their current location in front of Oliver's. Photo courtesy of Exchange Bank

Continued on page 16~

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EMERGENCY - 911795-6011www.rancho-adobe-fire.org

MEDICAL SERVICES/HOSPITALSSanta Rosa Memorial Hospital1165 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa 95405 546-3210

Petaluma Valley Hospital400 North McDowell Blvd., Petaluma 94954 778-1111

Rohnert Park Urgent Care Center1450 Medical Center Drive, Rohnert Park 94928 584-0672

Kaiser Permanente – Santa Rosa Medical Center401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403 393-4000

Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital30 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa 95403 576-4000

ANIMAL SHELTERRohnert Park Animal Shelter301 J. Rogers Lane, Rohnert Park 94928584-1582www.rpanimalshelter.org

CITY OF COTATIwww.cotaticity.orgCity Hall 201 W. Sierra Ave., Cotati 94931792-4600Fax: 795-7067Administrative Services / Water & Sewer – 665-3631Administrative Services / Business Licenses – 665-3631City Council – 665-3622

Mayor Wendy Skillman Vice Mayor John C. Moore

Councilmember John Dell’Osso Councilmember Susan Harvey

Councilmember Mark LandmanCity Manager & Clerk - 665-3622Community Development / Planning – 665-3637Community Development / Building – 665-3636

Building Inspection Requests (24-hour) – 665-3632Facilities Rentals & Parks Use – 665-3637Public Works / Engineering – 792-4685(after hours 792-4611)Cotati Police Department 203 W. Sierra Ave., Cotati 94931792-4611EMERGENCY – 911 or 792-4614

FIRE DISTRICTRancho Adobe Fire District1 East Cotati Ave., Cotati 94931 (Station #1)PO Box 1029, Penngrove 94951 (office)

COMMUNITY CONTACTS and IMPORTANT NUMBERS COTATI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & VISITOR CENTER216 E. School St., Cotati 94931795-5508www.cotati.org

CABLEComcast Service Center369 S. McDowell Blvd, Petaluma 94954 (800) 945-2288

CENTRAL LANDFILL 500 Meacham Rd., Petaluma 94952Refuse Disposal - 565-7940Recycling & Reuse - 795-3660Household Toxics Facility - 795-2025 Composting - 578-5459www.recycle.now

GARBAGE/RECYCLINGRedwood Empire DisposalP.O. Box 14609, Santa Rosa 95402585-0291 800-243-0291www.unicycler.com

GAS & ELECTRICPacific Gas & ElectricResidential - (800) 743-5000Business - (800) 468-4743www.pge.com

Revenue for local High School Scholarships

One hundred micro-loans to women in Africa

Telemedicine around the Globe

A Dictionary for every Third Grader

Rotary Means Business - networking

You can make a difference in your community -

and the world

Come join us 15 minutes early, share a complimentary meal, and learn more...

Rotary Club of Rancho Cotati“Where Friends Meet”

Thursday 12:15 - 1:30 pmSally Tomatoes

1100 Valley House Dr, Rohnert Parkwww.ranchocotatirotary.org

Service Above Self

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1495 Schaeffer Road, Sebastopol707-823-2173 phone - 707-823-2731 fax

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13

Sonoma Clean Power1 (855) 202-2139www.sonomacleanpower.org

WATER/SEWERCity of Cotati201 W. Sierra Ave., Cotati 94931665-3631www.cotaticity.org

MOSQUITO & VECTOR CONTROLMarin Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control District595 Helman Lane, Cotati 94931800-231-3236 or 285-2200www.msmosquito.com

NEWSPAPERS & LOCAL ONLINE NEWSThe Press Democrat (daily)427 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa 95401546-2020www.pressdemocrat.com

The Community Voice (weekly)100 Professional Center Dr. #110, Rohnert Park 94928584-2222www.thecommunityvoice.com

Northbay Bits (online)www.northbaybits.com

Northern California Bohemian (weekly)216 E St., Santa Rosa 95404527-1200www.bohemian.com

Rohnert Park-Cotati Patch (online)www.rohnertpark-cotati.patch.com

Sonoma County Gazette (monthly)6490 Front Street #300, Forestville 95436887-0253 www.sonomacountygazette.com

POST OFFICECotati Branch502 E. Cotati Ave., Cotati 94931792-7372www.usps.com

PUBLIC LIBRARYRohnert Park-Cotati Branch6250 Lynne Conde Way, Rohnert Park 94928584-9121www.sonomalibrary.org

TRANSPORTATIONSonoma County Transit576-7433www.sctransit.com

Golden Gate Transit541-2000www.goldengatetransit.org

Airport Express837-8700www.airportexpressinc.com

Rideshare/Carpool/ Vanpoolwww.rideshare.511.org

Volunteer Wheels/Paratransit (seniors & disabled)573-3377www.sctransit.com

CHURCHES and SYNAGOGUES Church of the OaksPage St. & W. Sierra PO Box 265, Cotati 94931795-8624www.churchoftheoaks.org

Congregation Ner Shalom85 La Plaza, Cotati 94931664-8622www.nershalom.org

Korean Baptist Church of Sonoma County81 W. Cotati Ave., Cotati 94931792-0691

New Hope Church Assembly of God183 E. Cotati Ave., PO Box 297, Cotati 94931795-4889www.newhopechurchcotati.com

Continued on page 14

COMMUNITY CONTACTS and IMPORTANT NUMBERS

707-795-48838755 Pine Lane, Cotati

carlsbodyshopcotati.com • Free estimates

Locally owned and operated for 50 years

We warranty all our work & work with all insurance companies

Open Mon-Sat 8:00 am to 5:30 pm

$100 OFF

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8045 Old Redwood Hwy. Cotati

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Pizza • Pasta Burgers • Ribs

Wings • Salads Beer & WineTake & Bake

10101 Main St. Suite F, Penngrove, CA

707-664-1515Open Tuesday-Sunday, Closed Monday

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St. Joseph Catholic Church150 St. Joseph Way, Cotati 94931795-4807www.stjosephcotati.org

PRESCHOOLSCotati-RP Co-op Nursery School150 W. Sierra Ave., Cotati 94931795-4846www.cotaticoop.org

Rainbow Bridge Montessori School (Pre-K & K)21William St. & 70 William Street, Cotati 94931795-6666

Small Miracles45 Henry, Cotati 94931792-9256www.smallmiraclespreschool.net

Training Wheels Preschool65 W. Cotati Ave., Cotati 94931795-3527www.trainingwheelspreschool.com

PUBLIC SCHOOLS Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District 7165 Burton Ave., Rohnert Park 94928 792-4722, Fax: 792-4537 www.crpusd.org

ELEMENTARY (K-5) Evergreen 1125 Emily Ave., Rohnert Park 94928 588-5715

Marguerite Hahn 825 Hudis St., Rohnert Park 94928 588-5675

Monte Vista 1400 Magnolia Ave., Rohnert Park 94928 792-4531

Thomas Page Academy (K-8) 1075 Madrone Ave., Cotati 94931 792-4860

John Reed (K-2) 390 Arlen Dr., Rohnert Park 94928 792-4845

Waldo Rohnert (3-5) 550 Bonnie Ave., Rohnert Park 94928 792-4830

University Elementary School at La Fiesta (K-2) 8511 Liman Way, Rohnert Park, CA 94928 792-4840

MIDDLE SCHOOLS (6-8) Lawrence E. Jones Middle School 5154 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park 94928 588-5600

Technology Middle School 7165 Burton Avenue Rohnert Park, CA 94928 792-4800

HIGH SCHOOLS (9-12) Rancho Cotate High School 5450 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park 94928 792-4750

Technology High School 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park 94928 792-4825

Phoenix High School 5450 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park 94928 792-4750

El Camino High School 5450 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park 94928 792-4750

COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIESSonoma State University1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park 94928664-2880www.sonoma.edu Santa Rosa Junior College1501 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa 95401527-4011www.santarosa.edu

Continued from page 13

COMMUNITY CONTACTS and IMPORTANT NUMBERS

7400 Gravenstein Hwy., Cotati707-527-7328 707-795-4106

www.larsensfeedandpetsupply.com

Hay & Grain, Dog & Cat Food Organic Oat Hay & Organic Alfalfa

Bird, Poultry & Rabbit Feed & Supplies Straw, Rice Hulls & Shavings

Pelleted Bedding, Western Saddles & Tack Dog & Cat Vaccines & Supplies

Mon-Fri: 8:30am - 5:30pm Sat: 8:30am - 5:00pmSun: 9:30am - 2:00pm

Family owned & operated since 1974

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¢ ∫ ¢ ∫16

The Schollman family celebrated Carl's Auto Body's silver anniversary with a picnic for family and friends in August of 2013. Photo courtesy of the Community Voice.

Continued from page 11~

Monday-Sunday 7am-3pm

We serve Breakfast & Lunch

7991 Old Redwood Hwy. 707-664-1720 • Free Wifi

Marvin’s of Cotati Restaurant

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8000 Old Redwood Highway • Cotati, CA707-792-4980 phone • 707-792-4988 fax

We are proud of the fine City of Cotati and salute all its

businesses and residents.

Thank you for making it such a great place

to live and do business.

encourages Bruce to continue to talk to them in person to carefully explain the estimates. “We have better success with our face-to-face, personal approach. We’re a very small shop so we like to have that service. We’re not treating you like you’re a number,” she notes. Clearly this is good for Carl’s, since nearly 90% of their clientele is word of mouth and repeat business.

Carl’s is still a family affair. Helen and Bruce’s 9-year-old daughter can be seen in the office, occasionally zooming through on roller blades. Is she the next generation for Carl’s Body Shop? “We’ll have to see,” says Helen. But, given the Schollman family history for walking in their parent’s footsteps, one shouldn’t bet against it.

A Family Business at the Hub of CotatiRick Stewart, owner of Arch’s Glass, celebrated the company’s Gold anniversary in May of 2014. His father, Arch Stewart, began the company in 1964 in a garage, “kind of like HP, but we didn’t get that big,” jokes Rick. Arch built the business up while helping Cotati grow. He served on the city council for a number of years and held the mayoral position twice.

Rick began working for his dad at the age of 8, sweeping floors. Arch moved the business to its current location on Old Redwood Highway in 1971, and, after Rick’s graduation from Rancho Cotati in 1976, he joined his dad full-time. 2016 will mark his 40th year in the glazing business.

Over the years, the business has changed ever so slightly. The bulk of Arch’s clients remain private homeowners. There have been tough economic times, especially during the recent recession when the company had to let some of their skilled employees go. New technologies, products and installation techniques have changed the skill set of the 5 glaziers working for the company. Rick, however, remains committed to balancing growth with customer service. “We don’t want to get too much bigger.

We want to keep good customer service like a smaller business — keep it ‘old school’.”

Although he made his father’s business his own, he has not followed in his political footsteps. However, he inherited his father’s civic pride. Rick helps out with different community events and appreciates Arch’s location. “I enjoy being located on the plaza where people walk dogs and exchange ‘hello’s’.”

Rick lost his father, and the company’s namesake, in 2011, but he had taken over the business many years before that. When asked if he considered other careers, he says, “I never thought about it. It’s what I’m used to — what I grew up with. It was his [Arch’s] retirement. I was proud to do that for him.”

The Drive for SuccessThe energetic, straight-talking Roileen Miller can be found on any given day either tootling with a student around town in a Miller’s Driving School vehicle, or drilling her pupils in the latest California regulations.

Cotati Businesses ~

Rick Stewart, right, pictured with his

father, Arch, founder of Arch's

Glass and two-time mayor of Cotati.

Photo courtesy of the Community Voice.

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Roileen's father started the business in Palm Springs in 1964. The Cotati location was established in 1979. Now, there are four Miller’s locations run by family members throughout the state: Palm Springs, Mendocino, Willits, and, of course, 8053 Old Redwood Highway.

Listening to Roileen talk about Miller’s Driving School, one would think she’s a natural instructor. But she, herself, admits that she just fell into it. A Palm Springs native, she never worked for her father while growing up. However, after having moved to northern California in the mid-70’s, she found herself in need of employment. She followed her father's suggestion of opening up a satellite location. It was a leap of faith, “I thought I would starve to death, but there was more business than I anticipated!” She didn’t need to advertise much, people were scoping out the driving school’s phone number printed on her training vehicle. Roileen ended up teaching a lot of teens because their parents didn’t feel like they were getting enough of an education through the high school programs at the time. Now, of course, all driver’s education and training is privately done. Roileen thinks it is a good idea to have specialized businesses doing the education and training as it leads to better quality instruction.

Since that first exciting year in business, Roileen has come to love her job. “Driving is a rite of passage in America. It’s something everyone wants to do — this is not a trip to the dentist,” she quips. Her students are motivated and there’s a lot to teach, especially these days where drivers are increasingly distracted by things inside and outside the car. “I’m amazed at all the distracted drivers doing everything but driving,” she notes.

Students at Miller’s Driving school learn all the basics, plus tricks and tips from 36 years of teaching. Roileen likes to point out that, even though cars are safer than ever, driving is one of the most dangerous things that anyone will do. She also recommends brush-up courses for seniors. Car technology has changed so much that owners often don’t have a good understanding of what their vehicle is capable of. She gives anti-lock brakes as an example. Many drivers don’t understand how they work, or that once a driver brakes they have traction and steering. She tells her students if they’re going off road, “don’t hit a tree, hit the barbed wire fence instead!”

In addition to her professional career in Cotati, Roileen has traveled extensively and frequents antique auto shows. However, she feels that there is no place prettier than Sonoma County and is devoted to Cotati. “I love Cotati,” she gushes, “I’ve seen that bumper sticker ‘Keep Cotati Weird,’ and I want it to stay that way.”

Roileen is amazed that Miller’s Driving School has been in existence 50 years. “I’m on my third generation of teaching people,” and, she is also philosophical about the school’s longevity. “I’m very proud of it, but I don’t think it’s me. It's the need and the right place and the right time.”

Home Grown in CotatiLike the city of Cotati itself, these businesses have taken care to grow carefully so they could offer excellent service, and have chosen to rejuvenate from within. It seems fitting that, at the hub of these successes are a commitment to family and community.

Roileen Miller, owner, and Katie Stewart, office manager of Miller's Driving School. Katie is a second generation Miller's employee. Her mom, Erin Goldsbrough was Miller's driving instructor for many years

¢ ∫ ¢ ∫18

Service clubs have long been an essential part of the fabric of American society, providing support systems and help in the community for the less fortunate and those in need. Cotati has three traditional service clubs that are members of the Chamber: the Cotati Lions Club, the Rotary Club of Rancho Cotati and the Rotary Club of Rohnert Park-Cotati. There are also three other CHamber Member organizations that provide valuable services in our area: the Education Foundation of Cotati/Rohnert Park, the Friends of the Rohnert Park/Cotati Library and Rebuilding Together Rohnert Park-Cotati.

All of these groups are staffed and funded by the good people of Cotati and Rohnert Park and help to provide and encourage a quality of life that we are so fortunate to have here in our community. Following is a piece by Kristine Redko, a founder and former president of the Rotary Club of Rancho Cotati illustrating the importance of their work.

In May of 2007, 25 men and women – some veteran Rotarians and some inquisitive new members - came together with passion to form the Rotary Club of Rancho Cotati (RCRC). Supported by our sister Club, The Rotary Club of Rohnert Park-Cotati, RCRC has stayed steady at 28 continuous members and has served our local community, Northern California and the world with our projects and funding. Rotary is a global service organization, uniting neighbors, citizens, and leaders — all committed to creating positive change. Visit www.rotary.org to learn more, and see our ad in this publication as well.

As the Past President of RCRC in 2010-11 (and pregnant with my twins at the time), I am so very proud to be a part of this amazing organization and Club. In eight years, we have raised thousands of dollars and donated numerous hours to causes that matter to us. These projects — many in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Rohnert Park-Cotati — include:

• The donation of hard-cover dictionaries to third graders in Rohnert Park-Cotati schools.

• The purchasing and distribution of food via the NOAH Food Bank.

• Participation in Light the Night and The Human Race.

• Sponsorship of youth leadership (Interact and Rotaract) clubs at the middle school, high school and college levels.

• “Warm Bodies Warm Hearts” – the knitting and donation of scarves and toiletries to local homeless shelters and women’s advocacy organizations.

• “Cards for a Cause” – working with third graders at Thomas Page Elementary to create hand-made cards and sell for a profit, to benefit charities/causes of their choosing.

• The Backpack Program – ensuring that children get at least one balanced meal a day at school, packaged and distributed by Rotarians.

• The Four Way Test Award – honoring local businesses that demonstrate ethics, accountability, and dedication to their community and the environment. • Clean water well construction, literacy (book donations) and tele-medicine projects in Kenya, Mexico, and Eleuthera (low-income community in The Bahamas).

Service Clubs: An Essential Part of Our Community

Service Above Self:Rotary in Our Community

Cotati Lions ClubPO Box 183, Cotati 94931(707) 794-0599www.lionsclubs.org

Rotary Club of Rancho CotatiP.O. Box 3006, Rohnert Park 94927www.ranchocotatirotary.org Rotary Club of Rohnert Park-CotatiP.O. Box 1564, Rohnert Park 94927www.rotaryrpc.org

Education Foundation of Cotati/Rohnert ParkP.O. Box 2736, Rohnert Park 94927(707) 795-3648www.efcrp.org

Friends of the Rohnert Park/Cotati Library6250 Lynn Conde Way, Rohnert Park 94928(707) 584-9121www.sonomalibrary.org/friends/Rohnert_fr.html

Rebuilding Together Rohnert Park-Cotati245 Southwest Blvd., Rohnert Park 94928(707) 792-2650www.rtrpc.org

by Kristine M. Redko

19

8297 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati • (707) 795-2398 www.songbirdcenter.org

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• “Helping Hands” – assisting our local seniors with routine maintenance and home improvement projects.

• Polio Plus™ – Rotary’s globally-recognized program to eradicate Polio.

• Awarding of college scholarships to seniors at Rancho Cotate High School, Tech High, and Credo.

Along with all of this, Rotary gives you the opportunity to form friendships and build strong fellowship bonds with men and women of various ages, backgrounds, races, religions and global locations – all with the goal and desire to put Service Above Self (Rotary’s universal motto). Generally, Rotary Clubs meet once a week – RPC meets on Tuesday morning at the Doubletree and RCRC meets on Thursday afternoon at Sally Tomatoes. There is a financial commitment, which varies by Club, but it is minimal in comparison to the joy and satisfaction you will likely feel when wearing your Rotary pin and serving others.

Rotary also means business, in that many of us are full-time, working professionals who look to Rotary to grow our network and meet potential customers or business partners. At RCRC, for example, we allow each member once a year to give a “craft talk,” highlighting their professional background, education, skills and current job. Local businesses represented in our Club include Exchange Bank, Carl’s Auto Body, Century 21, Mojica Insurance, Pro Transport, Sonoma State University, The Community Voice, and Vision Health Optometry – to name just a few. We also work with local Chambers of Commerce to co-host events and support community initiatives that benefit our members and their families.

It literally takes a village to solve problems and come up with new ideas for change, and that’s where we ALL can add value in a Rotary Club. As President of RCRC, I always focused on the time-treasure-talent quotient. As a retiree, you may have more time to give. As a young professional, your gift may be treasure (financial donations) at this point in your life. And everyone has a talent to share if they feel comfortable: whether it’s helping to design a web site, balance the Club’s books, sing a song at a Rotary meeting to boost morale, or translate a letter of thanks from Spanish to English from a high-school student in our Project Amigo program in Mexico. By playing to our members’ strengths and interests, we are truly inclusive and a “safe” place for everyone to meet, share a meal once a week and explore leadership and problem-solving skills. We are also family oriented, and we encourage members to bring their children to meetings/projects. The best way to teach service to our young people is to lead by example!

Do me a favor and look for the familiar Rotary wheel when you are traveling for business or on vacation. You will recognize just how vast and impactful the Rotary network can be. It’s not for everyone, but if you think it is for you, please visit one of our breakfast or lunch meetings (on us) to learn more! I may be contacted at [email protected] or 707-535-6427. Thank you!

“The best way to teach service to our young people

is to lead by example!”

Past President Keith Schoenthal reads to students at Project Amigo in Mexico.

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Cotati is a town rich with music and the performance arts, with renowned studios and a history of legendary clubs like the Cotati Cabaret and Inn of the Beginning, and famous for its longtime music events like the Jazz and Accordion festivals, this year celebrating their 35th and 25th anniversaries respectively. Cotati continues to boast a wide variety of clubs, pubs and cafes offering musical events of all kinds, while the Green Center on the SSU campus brings in spectacular world-class classical and contemporary acts, making it a thriving hub of contemporary culture.

It is a special year for local jazz fans with the 35th Annual Cotati Jazz Festival taking place on Sunday, June 21st in La Plaza Park, from 12 noon to 6 p.m. André Morrow, who has been booking the festival for the past fourteen years, says that a thousand people attend the event each year. “It’s a small town with a great musical culture, and we simply try and provide a friendly, family-oriented, mellow jazz festival,” he told the Guide. “Bring your blanket out to the park, listen to the music, eat some good food, and walk around.” The wildly varied and eclectic mix of jazz styles performing this year include the Dave Haskell Group, Charged Particles and Swingfever, among many others. The music continues throughout the evening at The 8 Ball, Friar Tuck‘s and the Redwood Cafe, as well as other local clubs and bars, all within easy walking distance. Admission is free to the park and all the venues. Thirty-five years is a big accomplishment for a small festival. “We try to keep it going,” says Morrow, an experienced booking agent. “There was a time about fifteen years ago, when it almost went out of existence, and we were able to bring it back and keep its special ambience. So we’re very happy with it.” Congratulations to the biggest little jazz festival in Sonoma County!

It is also a big anniversary year for what is perhaps the most famous musical event in town - the annual Cotati Accordion Festival, now in its 25th year. This year’s Silver Jubilee edition

spans a three-day weekend on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 21st, 22nd and 23rd, in La Plaza Park, with a special benefit show for student accordion scholarships on Friday evening at the Redwood Cafe. The weekend features a truly international mix of squeeze-box serenades, polka dancing, jam sessions and bands playing everything from zydeco to conjunto. Executive Director, Linda Conner says that a few extra things are planned for the anniversary. “As this is our 25th Annual Silver Jubilee Accordion Festival,” she says, “we’re celebrating with a star-studded Grand Finale that’s going to happen at the end of the day on Sunday; there’ll be a lot of stars on stage for that.” Also new this year is the Polka-Palooza, on Sunday afternoon in the polka tent, with two different polka bands playing extended sets.

Each year there is an amazing line-up of accordion players from around the world and this year is no exception. “We have Matthias Matzke, who has won all kinds of awards, coming from Germany; Sergiu

Popa is very big in the accordion world coming in from Canada; Giorgio Albanese from Bari, Italy, and as always the Steve Balich Jr. Polka Band. Steve Sr., the patriarch of the family, has played the festival for all 25 years. He played at the very first festival, but he is close to ninety and can’t hold his accordion anymore, so he’ll be there, but his son Steve Jr. has taken over the band.” Conner has worked the festival for all twenty-five years, starting out in 1991 as the graphic artist, doing the souvenir program. “Over the years my responsibility has increased,” she says. “I’ve been helping produce the event for the last ten years, and this year it’s fallen on me.” Other names to look out for over the weekend include Stas Venglevski, the Wild Catahoulas, Motordude Zydeco, Maggie Martin of the Mad Maggies, the Johnny Koenig Polka Band, the Great Morgani, Sourdough Slim & Robert Armstrong, Jessica Fichot, Il Sole with infamous producer Steve Albini and Tatiana Semichastnaya, and Those Darn Accordions in a Silver Anniversary Reunion. On Saturday, there’ll also be a Cajun/Zydeco

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Dance Party at Friar Tuck‘s as well as a Polka Dance Party and Zydeco in the Polka Tent on site. From 9:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. both days, opening with an accordion parade, the festival is supported by the City of Cotati and local businesses. The festival includes the Jam Tent, the Polka Tent, and Zydeco Dance Party, the arts and crafts vendors, and plenty of food, wine and beer. Tickets are available online at www.cotatifest.com, at all Oliver’s Markets, People’s Music and The Last Record Store.

On Saturday there will be a Student Stage, which is new this year. With an aim towards fostering a new generation of accordionists, it’s being organized by Sheri Mignano from the Redwood Accordion Club and held in the Social Hall at the Church of the Oaks, located just south of the polka tent at the corner of West Sierra and Page Streets, from 9am to 1pm. “This was Sheri’s idea,” says Conner, “and she is very passionate about it.” There will be both a competitive stage as well as a non-competitive portion of the program giving an opportunity to perform in public without the pressure of competing. For those who are interested in competing, students should sign up and apply for a slot. Email your application, teacher’s letter of recommendation with verification of student status, and your tentative playlist to the Student Stage Coordinator, Sheri Mignano Crawford, at [email protected] or send to Sheri at P.O. Box 2704, Petaluma, CA 94953-2704. All materials must arrive and be postmarked no later than June 15, 2015.

A three-person panel has been selected to review and award the scholarship. The Student Stage recipient will be announced from the Main Stage on Sunday. Mignano asks on the website whether there will be any accordion teachers or students attending the Cotati Accordion Festival in 2040 when it celebrates its 50th anniversary! After a lifetime of devotion to teaching the accordion, it is even more crucial for those who are fond of the instrument’s compact versatility to actively support the continuation of this legacy. Invest in the future by sponsoring the Student Stage. Contact Sheri Mignano Crawford and see how your business can play an active role in helping to support the upcoming generation of young accordionists.

One of the highlights of a Cotati summer in recent years is the annual 4th of July Celebration at Green Music Center, followed by a dazzling fireworks display on the lawn in front of the spectacular Weill Hall. The now internationally renowned auditorium is situated

on the picturesque campus of Sonoma State University, and hosts hundreds of notable concerts of all kinds all year long. (See more at: http://www.sonomacounty.com/articles/great-outdoor-music-concerts-and-summer-festivals.)

Weill Hall, the center’s 1,400-seat concert space, has quickly established itself as a great performance venue attracting a remarkable program of classical music, from local symphonies and conservatories, to contemporary acts with the likes of Ramsey Lewis, Bobby McFerrin, Tony Bennett and Elvis Costello. Over the next year we can look forward to seeing a diverse and eclectic mix of global music and artistry from Martina McBride, Kevin Spacey, Colbie Caillat and Christina Perri, Pink Martini, Joshua Bell, Lang Lang and the Juilliard String Quartet, among many others. There will be world music from Zap Mama, Habib Koité & Vusi Mahlasela, the Bollywood Masala Orchestra and Dancers of India and Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club on their “Adios Tour.” Ireland is represented with shows by the great Paddy Maloney and the Chieftains and Sir James Galway, while jazz lovers can hear Chick Corea & Béla Fleck, the Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz Band, the Pete Escovedo Latin Jazz Orchestra, Chucho Valdés and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. Two special events are the Dawg Day Afternoon Bluegrass Festival with local hero David Grisman and the Del McCoury Band and, on Independence Day, the 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular with Megan Hilty and the Santa Rosa Symphony.


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“I’m very happy with the whole Cotati and Penngrove music vibe over the last year."

With the arrival of veteran concert producer Zarin Mehta to oversee the artistic program for musical events, including appearances by the San Francisco and Santa Rosa symphony orchestras, a rich and rewarding panoply of superb music is available right on Cotati’s doorstep. Mehta says he is primarily guided by the size of the hall itself. “We will have a different kind of attraction,” Mehta says, “because we can open the back doors and spill out on to the lawn with the audience, so we can bring in slightly bigger acts and names.”

Sally Tomatoes, just up the road in Rohnert Park, presents music and comedy many nights of the week and promotes bigger shows at the neighboring Sonoma Mountain Event Center. The next major show is on Saturday afternoon, May 17th with the Seva Foundation benefit, celebrating iconic and legendary host Wavy Gravy’s 79th birthday! Seva has been producing incredible benefit concerts for 35 years, starting in 1979 when the Grateful Dead played a concert in Oakland that raised $100,000. Since then, dozens of artists have donated their time and talent to support Seva’s work. This year the headliners include Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Steve Kimock & Friends, the California Honeydrops and Hot Buttered Rum.

Perhaps the brightest musical note locally is the Redwood Cafe which has become a vital creative hub in downtown Cotati. Booker and owner Michael McCullaugh has been promoting a full calendar of musical events every night of the week, focusing on local artists and musicians. “We’re still trying to get Cotati to be the musical hub of Sonoma County,” says McCullaugh. “That’s one of my goals. We have had the music program for nearly two years now, and I’m really happy with the progress we’re making. I feel

there’s a good quality of music coming through the cafe. We’re supporting the local bands and we’ve had some pretty high-end bands that have played over the last year or so, so it’s been good.”

McCullaugh has introduced monthly showcases for local artists, ranging from evenings of jazz, Irish jam sessions, belly dancing and poetry with an open mic every Thursday. “They are all just passionate about what they do,” he says. Plans are for these evenings to continue throughout the next year, featuring everything from folk and jazz to rock and reggae. “I’m very happy with the whole Cotati and Penngrove music vibe over the last year.

One of my aims has been kind of incubating music in Cotati, and trying to generate an energy in the area. It’s been a lot of fun too, because Sonoma State University has come on board, supporting the cafe with regard to fundraisers and music programs.”

He has also built an outdoor patio to create an open-air beer and wine garden. “We’re going to be doing shows, maybe three to seven, and get a little bar and do some things outside. Hopefully we can create that little beer and wine garden thing during the day. There’s an amazing amount of talent out there, so there’s a huge interest for it. It took a while to get the stage in and I just bought another PA for outside. Everything takes a little bit longer than you think and then running a restaurant on top of that, it makes it a little more challenging. But the space itself has turned out really nicely. It’s very attractive I think.”


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The wide variety of performing arts events include regular weekly jazz and Irish, belly dancing and poetry nights. “We’ve definitely been reaching out. Some of nights have been a great success, the belly dancing is a great evening, it just showcases the art of movement which is lovely.” He also has plans for a weekend night with live bands to raise money for local mental health programs.”

“I think we’ve kind of planted a seed, and it’s growing. We can be kind of a musical icon for the area. I love doing the non-profit fundraisers; I’m quite fortunate that the cafe itself does quite well, so I can afford to be a little more generous with my money and my time and my efforts.”And the food’s pretty good too! “Cotati has got the talent to support itself for music,” McCullaugh says, “and it has the history behind it to do that.”

Traditional haunts like Tradewinds, Spancky’s and Friar Tuck‘s offer a variety of live music most nights of the week. Located in the middle of Sonoma’s sumptuous farmlands, good food is also big in Cotati, and as we know food and music go so well together so the return of the Cotati Farmers Market & Concerts in the Park is welcome news, every Thursday from June to the end of August, 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.in La Plaza Park. You’ll find not only the best fresh vegetables and fruit, but some great live music too.

Always a big day in Cotati is the Annual Cotati Kids Day Parade & Festival, a free family fun event on Saturday, July 11th in La Plaza Park from 10am to 2pm. The parade gets going at 10am and participants will be judged in a variety of categories and prizes will be awarded at the festival in the park. VIPs from the City of Cotati and all around Sonoma County will be in attendance, and introduced on stage. The day begins with a free pancake breakfast sponsored by the Church of the Oaks from 7am to 9am. Everyone is welcome for delicious home-made pancakes and coffee! Once you’re filled up on pancakes, take a load off between West Sierra

and Old Redwood Highway as a spectator, or burn some calories and join the parade procession! The Cotati Kids Day Parade and Festival is put

on entirely by volunteers and the Cotati Chamber of Commerce, and funded through donations from local businesses like Oliver’s Market, Redwood Empire Disposal, Exchange Bank and AM Printing of Rohnert Park! The Cotati Chamber of Commerce ensures this unique, grass-roots event continues to thrive in celebration of kids and families to enrich Cotati’s heritage.

Another unsurprisingly popular event is the Cotati Oktoberfest, a local celebration of the German tradition now in its ninth year that comes to La Plaza Park on Saturday, October 10th, 12 noon - 6 p.m. and features the oom-pah-pah of Karl Lebherz and his

Bavarian band under a giant tent. Get out your lederhosen and practice your yodeling or polka to

your heart’s content on the dance floor. No admission charge. Authentic meals of grilled bratwurst, German

potato salad and sauerkraut will be served. Vegetarian brats available too.

Beyond the live events, there is music in the air everywhere you look in Cotati. Local studios like Prairie Sun and Zone Recording are going strong, while Loud & Clear Music continues to be the best place for musical instruments. An important resource in Cotati is Music to My Ears, which provides music lessons, especially for kids, and thus helps cultivate the next generation of Cotati’s musical tradition. The Cotati Historical Society continues a favorite Cotati tradition with an old-fashioned chicken barbecue, raising funds for the museum for all of those who are interested in Cotati’s past.

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Chamber Membership Directory - Categorical Listing ACUPUNCTURECotati Community Acupuncture315 E. Cotati Ave. Suite C Cotati CA 94931 (707)242-6812

ADVERTISING SPECIALTIES Sales Promotion 2763 Canterbury Dr. Santa Rosa CA 95405 (707)595-3966

AMBULANCE SERVICE ProTransport-1 720 Portal St. Cotati CA 94931 (800)650-4003

ARCHITECTS Greg LeDoux & Associates Inc. 48 W. Sierra Ave. Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-8855

ATTORNEYS James M. Barrett Esq. 150 E. Cotati Ave. Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-1510 AUTO & TRUCK REPAIR Carl’s Body Shop 8755 Pine Lane Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-4883

BANKS Exchange Bank 590-A E. Cotati Avenue Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-5482

Summit State Bank 10 Raleys Towne Center Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)568-4961

BARBER SHOPS Cotati Barber Shop 8099 La Plaza Suite J Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-8099

BARS 8 Ball 8 Charles St. Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-9859

Friar Tucks Pub 8201 Old Redwood Hwy. Cotati CA 94931 (707)792-9847

Spancky’s Bar8201 Old Redwood Hwy. Cotati CA 94931 (707)664-0169

Twin Oaks Tavern 5745 Old Redwood Hwy. Penngrove CA 94951 (707)795-5118

BEAUTY SALONS Sasee Boutique & Salon 8109 La Plaza Cotati CA 94931 (707)793-0811

BREWERIES Lagunitas Brewing Co. 1280 N. McDowell Blvd. Petaluma CA 94954 (707)769-4495

BREWERY TOURS North Bay Brewery Tours Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)602-7397

CAR WASHES Easy Breezy Car Wash 930 E. Cotati Ave. Cotati CA 94931 (707)664-1540

CARDROOMS/RESTAURANTS The 101 Casino 5151 Montero Way Petaluma CA 94594 (707)795-6121

CATERERS Sally Tomatoes 1100 Valley House Drive Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)665-9472

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS Timothy J. Mayclin CPA 101 Golf Course Dr. Suite C-4 Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)584-1040

CHIROPRACTIC CARE Armstrong Chiropractic 6950 Commerce Blvd. #4 Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)792-1400

Maher Chiropractic 101 Golf Course Dr. Suite C5 Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)792-0202

CHURCHES & SYNAGOGUES Church of the Oaks PO Box 265 Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-8624

CLAIMS ADJUSTING Risk Management Services 8000 Old Redwood Hwy. Cotati CA 94931 (707)792-4980

COFFEE SHOPS Peet’s Coffee & Tea 7764 Old Redwood Hwy. Cotati CA 94931 (707)796-7080

COLLISION REPAIRS & CUSTOM PAINT Eddie’s Paint Works 6811 Redwood Dr. Suite D Cotati CA 94931 (707)992-0965

COMMUNITY MAGAZINES Penngrove Proud PO Box 553, Penngrove CA 94951 (707)665-9408

COMMUNITY NEWS WEBSITES Northbay Bits PO Box 516 Cotati CA 94931 (707)792-1450

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COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS Cotati Accordion Festival PO Box 809 Cotati CA 94931 (707)664-0444

Cotati Lions Club PO Box 183 Cotati CA 94931 (707)794-0599

Education Foundation of Cotati-Rohnert Park PO Box 2736 Rohnert Park CA 94927 (707)795-3648

Friends of the Rohnert Park/Cotati Library6250 Lynn Conde Way Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)584-9121

Rebuilding Together Rohnert Park-Cotati 245 Southwest Blvd. Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)792-2650

Rotary Club of Rancho Cotati PO Box 3006 Rohnert Park CA 94927 (707)535-6427

Rotary Club of Rohnert Park-Cotati PO Box 1564 Rohnert Park CA 94927 (707)765-4898

COMPUTER SERVICE & SALES DK Systems 5833 Redwood Dr. Suite C Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)206-9228

CONTRACTORS Soule Building Systems Inc. 475 Portal St. Ste. C Cotati CA 94931 (707)793-9277

CUSTOM PRINT PROMOTIONS & APPAREL Five Thousand Forms 421 E. Cotati Ave. #D Cotati CA 94931 (707)794-7906

DENTAL SPECIALISTS – ORTHO/ENDO/PERIO/ORAL SURGERY SoCo Dental Specialty Group 1301 Medical Center Dr. Suite B Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)978-2077

DENTISTS Cotati Dental Wellness 8125 La Plaza Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-6424

George A. Malkemus DDS 2 Padre Parkway #200 Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)585-8595

JT Henley DDS and John Mann DDS 5200 Snyder Lane Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)584-9589

Sonoma County Family Dental 1301 Medical Center Dr. Suite A Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)623-9123

Sonoma Smiles 1330 Medical Center Dr. #1 Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)585-2555

DENTISTS - PEDIATRIC Sahouria Pediatric Dentistry 1303 Medical Center Dr. Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)586-6600

DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATIONS Sonoma County Tourism 3637 Westwind Blvd. Santa Rosa CA 95403 (707)522-5826

DISTRIBUTORS/ASSEMBLERS OF PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Kryolan Professional Make-up 364 Blodgett St. Cotati CA 94931 (415)863-9684

DRUGSTORES Walgreens 7800 Old Redwood Hwy. Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-0763

DRYER VENT SERVICES Dryer Vent Wizard of the Greater North Bay PO Box 7625, Cotati CA 94931 (707)326-7171

EDUCATION Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District 7165 Burton Avenue Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)792-4722

First Stage Publishing Company 8614 Gravenstein Way Cotati CA 94931 (707)664-0164

Sonoma State University 1801 E. Cotati Ave. Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)664-2732

ELECTRICITY PROVIDERS Sonoma Clean Power 50 Old Courthouse Square Suite 605 Santa Rosa CA 95404 (707)978-3463

FIRE DEPARTMENTS Rancho Adobe Fire District PO Box 1029, Penngrove CA 94951 (707)795-6011

FIRE EQUIPMENT SALES & SERVICE Santa Rosa Fire Equipment Service PO Box 7070 Santa Rosa CA 95407 (707)546-0797

FOOD DISTRIBUTORS Cotati Food Service 441 Houser St. Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-4489

Chamber Membership Directory - Categorical Listing

THOMAS PAGE ACADEMY

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CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS COMING SOON!Contruction is underway on two brand new buildings for TPA and modernization of all the existing buildings. Surrounding site work will enhance the existing campus and outdoor programs.

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GARBAGE COLLECTION & RECYCLING Redwood Empire Disposal PO Box 1916 Santa Rosa CA 95402 (707)586-8215

GIFTS Stones Throw 15 Charles St. Cotati CA 94931 (707)242-6669

GLASS Arch’s Glass Inc. 8079 La Plaza Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-7731

GOLF COURSES Washoe Creek Golf Course 1475 W. Sierra Ave. Cotati CA 94931 (707)792-7700

GOVERNMENT City of Cotati 201 W. Sierra Avenue Cotati CA 94931 (707)792-4600

HALLS & AUDITORIUMS Cotati Veterans Memorial Building 8505 Park Ave. Cotati CA 94931 (707)568-4338

HEALING CENTERS Songbird Community Healing Center 8297 Old Redwood Hwy. Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-2398

HOME IMPROVEMENT Lowe’s 7921 Redwood Dr. Cotati CA 94931 (707)242-5000

HOTELS & MOTELS Fairfield Inn & Suites Sebastopol 1101 Gravenstein Hwy. So. Sebastopol CA 95472 (707)829-6677

HUMAN RESOURCES & MOBILE NOTARIES Small Biz Help 4 You 837 Madison St. Petaluma CA 94952 (707) 658-3887

ICE CREAM & SANDWICHES IScream Cafe 8252 Old Redwood Hwy. Cotati CA 94931 (707)242-6359

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS Jami Brady John Dell’Osso Prue Draper Andrew Hutchins Patrick McCarty John C. MooreAndré Morrow

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS Janet Orchard Carl & Mary Schollmann Gary SternerNadine Wolford

INSURANCE Dorfman Insurance Services 6040 Commerce Blvd. #107 Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)584-8575 Jared Soukup, State Farm Insurance Agent8492 Gravenstein Hwy. Cotati CA 94931 (707)794-8100

Mojica Insurance Agency 6650 Commerce Blvd. Suite 25 Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)585-9500

INSURANCE & FINANCIAL SERVICES Wasson Investment Services 100 Professional Center Dr. #107 Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)206-9643

INTERNET MARKETING CONSULTING Lash Internet Marketing Services 521 E. Railroad Ave., Cotati CA 94931 (707)794-9294

JIN SHIN JYUTSU Rejuvenation & Well Being 315 E. Cotati Ave. #A Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-1063

LAUNDROMATSWiFi Wash 7981 Old Redwood Hwy. Suite E Cotati CA 94931 (707)242-6383

LIBRARIESRohnert Park-Cotati Regional Library 6250 Lynne Conde Way Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)584-9121

LOCAL MARKETING NETWORKS Sonoma County GO LOCAL Co-op 555 5th St. Suite 300N Santa Rosa CA 95401 (707)888-6105

MANUFACTURERS Treats for Chickens 442 Houser Street Unit E, Cotati CA 94931 (877)598-4468

MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS JAG Public Relations 8581 Lakewood Ave., Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-9400

MASSAGE THERAPY Massage Envy 640 E. Cotati Ave. Suite F, Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-7700

MEAL DELIVERY & TAKE OUT Ruthy’s Real Meals 8492 Gravenstein Hwy. #O Cotati CA 94931 (707)888-0128


MILLER DRIVING SCHOOLPatient,CourteousInstructors

707-585-1398HandicapEquippedVehiclesAvailable

8053OldRedwoodHighway,Cotati,CA

AskaboutourSpecialPromotion

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Celebrating 50 Years of Serving our Community

May 30SAVE THE DATE

Anniversary Open HouseCELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH

11am - 3pm595 Helman Lane, Cotati

Learn more at www.msmosquito.com

www.animalhospitalofcotati.com

Open Evenings and Saturdays Western and Holistic Medicine

AAHA Accredited

792-0200331 East Cotati Ave. Cotati

Pets are not our whole life,but they make our lives whole

Animal Hospital of Cotati

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MOTORCYCLES Sonoma County Harley-Davidson 7601 Redwood Dr. Cotati CA 94931 (707)793-9180

NEWSPAPERS The Community Voice 100 Professional Center Dr. #110 Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)584-2222

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY Cullinen Hand Therapy 7950 Redwood Dr. #13 Cotati CA 94931 (707)792-1370

ORTHODONTISTS Nicole Smith Orthodontics 1331 Medical Center Dr. Ste F Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)584-7755

PAYROLL PREPARATION SERVICES Paychex 88 Rowland Way Suite 100 Novato CA 94945 (800)400-2439

PERFORMING ARTS VENUES Green Music Center 1801 E. Cotati Ave. Rohnert Park CA 94928 (866)955-6040

PET SUPPLIES Larsen’s Feed & Pet Supply 7400 Gravenstein Hwy. Cotati CA 94931 (707)527-7328

PICTURE FRAMING Professional Framing Services 8172 La Plaza Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-2791

PLANTS & GIFTS Artful Arrangements 205 Orchard LanePenngrove CA 94951 (707)664-8656

PRESCHOOLS Cotati-R.P. Co-op Nursery School 150 W. Sierra Ave. Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-4846

Training Wheels Preschool 65 W. Cotati Ave. Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-3527

PRINTING & GRAPHIC DESIGN AM Printing & Graphics 631 Martin Ave. #4 Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)586-9636

DIGI-TYPE 1726 E. Cotati Ave. Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)527-0873

Definite Impressions Graphics & Printing421 Portal St. #D Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-1022

PRINTING SERVICES & SUPPLIES Barlow Printing Inc. 481 Aaron St. Cotati CA 94931 (707)664-9773

REAL ESTATE Klassic Key Properties 6040 Commerce Blvd. Ste. 110 Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)636-5539

Maria Neff Real Estate 8045 Old Redwood Hwy. Cotati CA 94931 (415)699-9393

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS Codding Enterprises PO Box 3550 Rohnert Park CA 94927 (707)795-3550

The Colvin Group 45 Camino Alto #208 Mill Valley CA 94941 (415)388-4455

RESTAURANTS Cafe Salsa 8230 Old Redwood Hwy. Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-7068

Hot Spot Eatery 8246 Old Redwood Hwy Cotati CA 94931 (707)242-6656

Mi Ranchito 7600 Commerce Blvd. Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-7600

Redwood Cafe 8240 Old Redwood Hwy. Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-7868

Sal’s New Yorker Pizzeria 8270 Old Redwood Hwy. Cotati CA 94931 (707)664-8460

St@x Social Eatery8204 Old Redwood Hwy.Cotati, CA 94931(707)664-1418

Tiny Thai 8238 Old Redwood Hwy. Cotati CA 94931 (707)794-9404

RETAIL & COMMERCIAL CENTERS Cotati Gateway LLC 101 Ross St., Cotati CA 94931 (707)338-8589

Gravenstein Business Center 7950 Redwood Dr., Cotati CA 94931 (415)385-2385

Cotati Veterans Memorial Building Let us host your banquet, wedding,

meeting or event.

Our auditorium seats 200.The Memorial Room seats 107. Available throughout the week.

Affordable. Friendly. Professional.

Call us at 707-568-4338 for a tour.

For Reservations 800-678-5102 8505 Park Avenue, Cotati

www.UCCR.org

707-242-6812

COTATI COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE COTATI COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURECOTATI COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE

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• Headaches & Body Pain

• Digestive Issues

• Allergies / Asthma

• Irritability

• Fatigue & Night Sweats

• Stress, Anxiety & Insomnia

•Wellness & Peak Performance

Marc D. Velez, L.Ac. - Acupuncturist / Herbalist315 e. Cotati ave., suite e, Cotati

Pointing the way to a healthier, happier YOU!

“The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will instruct his patient in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease. - Thomas Edison

Sonna, Crystal, Katie, Lindsey, Megan, Melanie, Morgan

Hair & Skin Care for the Entire Family

Call for an appointment!

707-665-5826Open 7 days-a-week

ChampagneHair Lounge

7981 Old Redwood Hwy. Cotati, CA

Cut, Color & Style Special $65

For 1st time clients


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Chamber Membership Directory - Categorical Listing RETAIL HARDWARE Cotati True Value Hardware 7520 Commerce Blvd. Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-5456 ROCK Soiland Co. Inc. 3450-A Regional Parkway Santa Rosa CA 95403 (707)795-1775

SENIOR HOUSING Oak View of Sonoma Hills 1350 Oak View Circle Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)585-1800

SIGNS Hines Signs 8259 Old Redwood Hwy. Cotati CA 94931 (707)664-0468

SPAS POOLS & PATIO FURNITURE Sonoma Backyard 410 Aaron St. Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-0772

TRUCKING F.J. Crikos Trucking Co. 141 Helman Lane Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-5449

I.R.B. Trucking 8510 Park Ave. Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-8994

UTILITIES Pacific Gas and Electric 111 Stony Circle Santa Rosa CA 95401 (707)577-1030

VACATION RENTALS Villa Sonoma Townhouse 6303 Santero Way, Cotati CA 94931 (510)553-0859

VETERINARIANS Cotati Large Animal Hospital 8079 Gravenstein Hwy. Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-4356

Cotati Small Animal Hospital 8055 Gravenstein Hwy. Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-3694

La Plaza Veterinary Clinic 60 W. Cotati Ave., Cotati CA 94931 (707)794-1299

WEB DESIGN Blairworks PO Box 360, Cotati CA 94931 (707)794-1203

WELLNESS CENTERS Mercy Wellness Center 7950 Redwood Dr #8, Cotati CA 94931 (707)795-1600

WHOLESALERS Costco Wholesale 5901 Redwood Dr. Rohnert Park CA 94928 (707)540-9113

3911 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 707-585-0511 707-585-8246www.industrialcarting.com

Industrial Carting and Global Materials Recovery Services

Mon - Sat: 7 am - 5 pm, Sun: 8 am - 5 pm

Open to the Public

RECYCLING TODAY FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

• Construction & Demolition Recycling Facility

• Commercial Recycling • Storage Containers

• Debris Boxes & Clean Up Bins

• Tanker Pumping Services

• We Buy Cardboard, CRV Beverage Containers

Newspaper & Non-Ferrous Metals

Family Owned & Operated

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g r e e n m u s i c c e n t e r | s o n o m a s tat e u n i v e r s i t y

1 8 01 E . COTAT I AV E . R O H N E RT PA R K , CA 9492 8

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¢ ∫ ¢ ∫32

First Smart Train Rolls into Cotati byChuckLucas

Crowd waiting for the first SMART train to arrive at the Cotati Station.

TYPE

D I G I1726 E. Cotati Avenue (across from SSU in the Wolf Den Plaza)

707 527-0873 www.digi-type.com

DIGI -TYPE !

Your local print, copy and everything else shop!

• Printing • Color Copying • Fax • Graphic Design • Bro

chu

res • B

usin

ess C

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s • • P

ost

ers

• P

ho

to R

eto

uch

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Banners • Scanning • Laminating • Mounting

Enjoy Life and Keep Smiling!

GEORGE A. MALKEMUS, DDS

2 PADRE PARKWAY, SUITE 200

ROHNERT PARK, CA

www.malkemusdds.com

Family High Tech Dentistry

(707) 585•8595

The first steam locomotives pulled into Cotati in 1870. By 1907, Cotati had two train stations. They were Page’s Station, named after the first Eu-ropean settler in Cotati, Thomas Page, and the Cotati Station that was located on East Cotati Avenue. Today, the Cotati station is the location for SMART's new train depot.

In 2002, SMART (Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit) was created by the state legislature. In 2008, Measure Q was passed by voters from the two counties. A 0.25 % sales tax was initiated to fund the project. An optimistic plan pro-posed that the construction would be fully implemented by 2014, but with the economic downturn the plan had to be scaled back resulting in the project being completed in stages with the first portion from the Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa to Larkspur Landing to be finished by 2016.

On April 7, 2015, the first train rolled into the Cotati station with great fanfare. Congressmen Mike Thompson and Jared Hoffman both spoke glowingly of the accomplishment of getting the rail up and running. The SMART Board of Directors all took seats for the opening ceremony with County Supervisors, David Rabbitt and Shirlee Zane, in attendance, as the first train rolled smoothly down the tracks. The Chair of the SMART Board, Judy Arnold, welcomed the crowd of several hundred people.

Eventually the plan is to unite Cloverdale and San Rafael with 70 miles of track and a bicycle-pedestrian pathway, but the first phase is to run from San Rafael to Santa Rosa. According to SMART, “more than 75% of commuters in the North Bay travel either within or between the two counties to get to work.” It is hoped that the new rail system will get drivers out of their cars and improve traffic along 101.

Passenger service is expected to begin in 2016 and will serve about 70-80% of the ridership of the full system. Cost for the first phase of the system is es-timated to be $428 million dollars. Ten stations are planned for the system's route. Propelled by diesel engines, the seven two-car train sets were designed in Japan and manufactured in Rochelle, Illinois. Each train will have a seating capacity of 158, with 160 standing passengers and room for bicycles, wheel-chairs and strollers.

Currently the plan as stated by SMART is that “the trains will operate in both directions every 30 minutes during peak commute hours, with a mid-day trip and weekend service planned as well.” The trains will reach speeds of 70 mph with the average speed, including stops, at 40 mph. They state that the fares will be compatible with other local transit options.

SMART says that its contracts providing service suppliers, local materials and over 183,500 union labor hours, have put more than $24 million dollars back into the local community.

If the hundreds of well-wishers at the opening ceremony are any indication, SMART will be welcomed in Cotati and Sonoma County and the trains will be running again along the tracks just as they were 145 years ago.

Sleek SMART car at Cotati Station.

The crowd cheers as the first SMART train arrives at the Cotati Station.

33

COTATI NON-PROFITS, SPORTS GROUPS, & SERVICE ORGANIZATIONSActive 20-30 Club North Bay #6561100 Valley House Dr., Rohnert Park 94928www.active20-30.com

American Cancer Society1451 Guerneville Rd. #220, Santa Rosa 95403(707) 545-6720www.cancer.org

American Red Cross–Sonoma, Mendocino & Lake Counties5297 Aero, Santa Rosa 95403(707) 577-7600www.redcross.org/ca/santa-rosa

Ballet Califia368 Blodgett Street, Studio 1, Cotati 94931 (707) 570-7682

Blood Centers of the Pacific2324 Bethards Dr., Santa Rosa 954051-888-393-GIVE (4483)www.bloodcenters.org

Boys and Girls Club of Central Sonoma County - Rohnert Park Club7450 Santa Barbara Dr., Rohnert Park 94928(707) 795-0139www.bgccsc.org

Boy Scouts of America Miwok District1000 Apollo Way, Ste. 106, Santa Rosa 95407 (707) 546-8137http://www.redwoodbsa.org/Miwok/default shtml

Chess for Kids(707)527-6427www.chessclubforkids.com

Conservation Corps North Bay365 Blodgett St., Cotati 94931(707)303-3069www.conservationcorpsnorthbay.org

Cotati Accordion FestivalPO Box 809, Cotati 94931(707) 664-0444www.cotatifest.com

Cotati Chamber of Commerce216 E. School St., Cotati 94931 (707) 795-5508www.cotati.org

Cotati Historical SocietyPO Box 7013, Cotati 94931Museum – 201 W. Sierra Ave., Cotati 94931(707) 794-0305www.cotatihistoricalsociety.org

Cotati Law Enforcement Cadet Programc/o Cotati Police Dept.203 W. Sierra Ave., Cotati 94931(707) 792-4611http://www.ci.cotati.ca.us/sections/ police/cadet.cfm

Cotati Lions ClubPO Box 183, Cotati 94931(707) 794-0599www.lionsclubs.org

Cotati-Rohnert Park Co-op Nursery School150 W. Sierra, Cotati 94931(707) 795-4846www.cotaticoop.org

CYO Basketballwww.northbaycyo.org

Education Foundation of Cotati/Rohnert ParkP.O. Box 2736, Rohnert Park 94927 (707) 795-3648www.efcrp.org

Friends of the Rohert Park/Cotati Library6250 Lynn Conde Way, Rohnert Park 94928 (707) 584-9121www.sonomalibrary.org/friends/Rohnert_fr.html

Girl Scouts of Northern California4825 Old Redwood Hwy, Santa Rosa(707) 544-5472www.girlscoutsnorcal.org

Italian Catholic Federationc/o St. Joseph Church, 150 St. Joseph Way, Cotati 94931(707) 795-4807 or (707)795-7729http://www.icf.org

Forget Retail! Shop Us and Compare!• APPLIANCES

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7950 Redwood Drive • Cotati(AcrossfromLowe’s)

(707) 792-9200Open Tues - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Big Box Store: $2,299Matt’s Wholesale: $1,379

KitchenAid Architect Series II26.3 Cu. Ft Side by SideRefrigerator, Stainless Steel

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COTATI NON-PROFITS, SPORTS GROUPS, & SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

Jewish Community Free Clinic50 Montgomery Dr, Santa Rosa 95404 (707) 585-7780www.jewishfreeclinic.org

Kiwanis Club of Cotati-Rohnert Parkwww.kiwanis.org

Marin / Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control District595 Helman Lane, Cotati 94931(707) 285-2200www.msmosquito.com

Neighbors Organized Against Hunger (NOAH)5443 Snyder Ln., Rohnert Park 94928Food Pantry – Wed. 4 – 6 pm

Piranha Swim Club1170 Golf Course Drive, Rohnert Park 94928(707) 524-4363www.piranhaswimming.com

Rancho Cotati Lacrosse ClubP.O. Box 1513, Rohnert Park 94927(707) 588-8514www.rancholax.org

Rancho Cotati Little LeagueP.O. Box 658, Cotati 94931(707) 795-7974www.eteamz.com/RCLL

Rebuilding Together Rohnert Park-Cotati245 Southwest Blvd., Rohnert Park 94928(707) 792-2650www.rtrpc.org

Rohnert Park-Cotati Mothers’ ClubPO Box 1632, Rohnert Park 94927(707) 242-1886www.rpcmothersclub.org

Family Resource Center (formerly SCAYD)P.O. Box 7078, Cotati 949317345 Burton Ave., Rohnert Park 94928 (707) 793-9458www.calparents.org

Rohnert Park Girls SoftballPO Box 2723, Rohnert Park 94927(707) 523-8220www.rpgsa.com

Rohnert Park Soccer ClubP.O. Box 1656, Rohnert Park 94927www.rpsoccerclub.org

Rohnert Park Tennis ClubP.O. Box 1121, Rohnert Park 94927(707) 584-0426www.rptc.net

Rohnert Park Warriors Youth Football & Cheer www.rpwarriors.org

Rotary Club of Rancho CotatiP.O. Box 3006, Rohnert Park 94927www.ranchocotatirotary.org

Rotary Club of Rohnert Park-CotatiP.O. Box 1564, Rohnert Park 94927www.rotaryrpc.org

Sami Disharoon Brain Tumor Research Foundation121 Falcon Dr., Cotati 94931(707) 792-1116www.samifoundation.org

Sonoma County 4-H(707)565-2621cesonoma.ucanr.edu/Youth_Development/

Sonoma County Alliance Soccer ClubPO Box 905, Petaluma 94952www.scasoccer.com

Thomas Page Academy PTA1075 Madrone Ave., Cotati 94931(707) 792-4860

Volunteer Center of Sonoma County153 Stony Circle, Ste. 100, Santa Rosa 95401 (707) 573-3399www.volunteernow.org


Advertiser IndexPleasevisittheselocalbusinesseswhosesupporthashelpedmakethispublicationpossible.

Animal Hospital of Cotati331 East Cotati Avenue 792-0200 Arch’s Glass 8079 La Plaza 795-6976 Artful Arrangements 205 Orchard Lane Penngrove 664-8656 Barbara Stagg 6950 Commerce Blvd. Suite 3, Rohnert Park 792-2957 Brodies Tire and Brake 1276 Petaluma Blvd. North Petaluma 778-7808 Cape Cod Fish n Chips 7530 Commerce Blvd. Suite C 792-0982 Caprara’s Pizzeria 10101 Main Street Penngrove 664-1515 Carl’s Body Shop 8755 Pine Street 795-4883 Champagne Hair Lounge 7981 Old Redwood Hwy. 665-5826 Clover Stornetta Farms www.cloverstornetta.com Petaluma Cotati Accordion Festival www.cotatifest.com 664-0444 Cotati Community Acupuncture 315 E. Cotati Ave., Suite C 242-6812 Cotati Dental Wellness 8125 La Plaza 795-6424 Cotati Gateway 8270-8282 Old Redwood Hwy. Cotati Jazz Festival www.cotatijazz.com 795-5508 Cotati Kids Day www.cotatikidsday.org 795-5508 Cotati Large Animal Hospital 8079 Gravenstein Hwy. 795-4356 Cotati Museum 201 W. Sierra Avenue 794-0305 Cotati Oktoberfest www.cotati.org 795-5508 Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District www.CRPUSC.ORG Rohnert Park 792-4860 Cotati Veterans Memorial Building 8505 Park Avenue 568-4338 Cross & Crown Lutheran School 5475 Snyder Lane Rohnert Park 795-7863 DIGI-TYPE 1726 E. Cotati Ave. Rohnert Park 527-0873 Double Decker Lanes 300 Golf Course Drive Rohnert Park 585-0226 Dryer Vent Wizard 326-7171 El Caballo De Oro Western Wear 8280 Old Redwood Hwy. 792-2017 El Paso Bakery 8282 Old Redwood Hwy. 665-9068 Fundemonium Toys 579 Rohnert Park Expy. W.Rohnert Park George A. Malkemus, DDS 2 Padre Parkway Suite 200, Rohnert Park 585-8595 Golden Gate Press 495 Schaeffer Rd. Sebastopol 823-2173 Grape Leaf Café and Grill 101 East Cotati Avenue 795-3354 Gravenstein Business Center 7950 Redwood Drive Green Music Center www.gmc.sonoma.edu 866-955-6040 JavaMore 10101 Main Street Suite A, Penngrove 794-1516 Kryolan Professional Make-up 134 Ninth Street, San Francisco 415-863-9236

La Plaza Veterinary Clinic 60 W. Cotati Ave. 794-1299 Lagunitas Brewing Co. 1280 N. McDowell Blvd. Petaluma 769-4495 Larsen’s Feed & Pet Supply 7400 Gravenstein Hwy. 795-4106 Maria Neff Real Estate 8045 Old Redwood Hwy. 415-699-9393 Marin Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control District 595 Helman Lane Marvin’s of Cotati Restaurant 7991 Old Redwood Hwy. 664-1720 Mary’s Pizza Shack 101 Golf Course Drive Rohnert Park 585-3500 Matt’s Wholesale 7950 Redwood Drive Suite 12 792-9200 Miller Driving School 8053 Old Redwood Hwy. 585-1398 Mojica Insurance Agency 6650 Commerce Blvd. Suite 25 Rohnert Park 585-9500 Nicole Smith Orthodontics 1331 Medical Center Dr., Suite F Rohnert Park 584-7755 North Coast Tile 3854 Santa Rosa Avenue Santa Rosa 586-2064 Paws Grooming Salon 7981 Old Redwood Hwy. Suite G 792-4451 Pecoraro’s Fitness & Kickboxing 300 Valley House Drive Rohnert Park 795-3135 Penngrove Pets 10035 Main Street Penngrove 795-BARK Penngrove Proud Magazine www.penngroveproud.com Penngrove 665-9408 Penngrove Publishing www.penngroveproud.com Penngrove 665-9408 Redwood Café 8240 Old Redwood Hwy. 795-7868 Redwood Montessori School 11201 Main St. Penngrove 665-9830 Risk Management Services 8000 Old Redwood Hwy. 792-4980 Rob Sullivan Real Estate www.RobSullivan.Estate 772-9171 Rohnert Park Animal Shelter 301 J. Rogers Lane Rohnert Park 584-1582 Rotary Club of Rancho Cotati www.ranchocotatirotary.org Ruthy’s Real Meals 8492 Gravenstein Hwy. Suite 0 888-0128 Sal’s New Yorker Pizzeria 8270 Old Redwood Hwy. 664-8460 Sandy McCabe MFT 525 E. Cotati Ave. #230 776-0698 Scandia Family Fun Center 5301 Redwood Dr. Rohnert Park 584-1398Sharp Cuts 8272 Old Redwood Hwy. 792-0136 Shawn and Patty Loucks www.shawnandpatty.com Santa Rosa 486-4123 Songbird Community Healing Center 8297 Old Redwood Hwy. 795-2398 Sonoma Clean Power sonomacleanpower.org 855-202-2139 State Farm Insurance - Jared Soukup 8492 Gravenstein Hwy. Suite I 794-8100 Stones Throw 15 Charles Street 242-6669Training Wheels PreSchool 65 West Cotati Avenue 795-3527Washoe Creek Golf Course 1475 West Sierra Avenue 792-7700

35

Rob SullivanRealtor 707.772.9171www.RobSullivan.EstateCA BRE #01259514Coldwell Banker Petaluma

Postal Patron

Penngrove PublishingPOB 553Penngrove, CA 94951

STANDARD MAIL

POSTAGE & FEES PAID

PERMIT NO. 553

PENNGROVE, CA 94951

Family-Friendly Dental Practice

Gentle, Comfortable Esthetic Dentistry

www.CotatiDentalWellness.com

Call us at

707.795.6424

Dr. Varlakova & Dr. Tetz

Rally Varlakova, DDS & Lee Tetz, DDS General Family Dentistry

• Sedation• Invisalign

• Shot-Free Fillings• Mercury-Free Dentistry

• Digital X-rays and Photos

8125 La Plaza in Cotati(By the bandstand in the park)

Husband & Wife Team dedicated to Your Care

Limited Offer: Free Electric Toothbrush or Whitening Kit with New Patient Exam!

community guide & business directory 2015

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