Sonoma County news briefs

WINDSOR: Saving on electricity

The Town of Windsor has saved more than $8,000 a month in electricity charges since it converted its accounts to Sonoma Clean Power in July 2014, according to Town Manager Linda Kelly.

Windsor was the county’s first municipality join Sonoma Clean Power in May 2013, and in April 2014, Sonoma Clean Power randomly selected 119 meters in Windsor to convert from PG&E to Sonoma Clean Power.

At the time, town officials estimated Windsor would save $1,000 a month beginning in July 2014. The conversion to Sonoma Clean Power was completed in January 2015, and Windsor had more than 130 meters converted to Sonoma Clean Power, Kelly said.

“The Town is pleased to be experiencing a savings of over $8,000 a month in electricity charges as a result of converting those accounts. This is more than eight times the savings that was originally estimated,” Kelly said.

Camille Kazarian, Windsor’s administrative services director, said the Town is on track to save $100,000 in the 2015 calendar year.

Energy rates vary, and Windsor will monitor the financial performance of both its PG&E and Sonoma Clean Power accounts, she said.

In its first year report for 2014, released in June, Sonoma Clean Power said it has saved its Sonoma County customers $13.6 million. Sonoma Clean Power said it serves 90 percent of the county’s eligible customers, or 198,000 accounts.

The savings are between 6 and 11 percent of the total electric bill, Sonoma Clean Power said.

Ten percent of the county’s electricity customers have opted out of receiving Sonoma Clean Power and remained with PG&E, Sonoma Clean Power said.

- James Lanaras

HEALDSBURG, Geyserville: Low-cost sports physicals

Dr. Paul Margulio has joined with doctors Judy Widger and Tony Valletto and nurse practitioners Jackie Anderson and Cheryl Gibson to open the new Healdsburg Physician Group, a department of the Healdsburg District Hospital. The new group was formed after the breakup of Healdsburg Primary Care.

The new group has taken over Healdsburg Primary Care’s office space at ?1312 Prentice Drive, as well as its practice of offering low-cost sports physicals for Healdsburg, Geyserville and Windsor students. The physicals, regularly $100, are available for $27 through the fall.

“When we were doing community outreach in concussion assessment, we realized that students often have just a short window of time to get a sports physical,” said Karis Van der Zee Gradek, a nurse at Healdsburg District Hospital. “We saw the need and thought it would be a good way to open the doors of our office to young people.”

Bilingual staff is available to the students. For appointments, call 433-3383.

- Ann Carranza

CLOVERDALE: Roundup

First they remodeled and upgraded the Clover Theater. Then they added the Clover Scoop Shop for ice cream. Now owners Kathryn and Ryan Hecht have opened Clover Comics for comic books, games and toys. It is not necessary to buy a movie ticket to enter either store.

Since they had some space in the lobby, the Hechts said they decided to give it a try. New comics arrive every Wednesday new comics, with a sampling of Magic the Gathering and other games and toys.

The theater is located at 121 E. First St.

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Auditions for “Sin, Sex and the CIA,” a play by Michael and Susan Parker, will be held 6-9 p.m. Monday at the Cloverdale Performing Arts Center, 209 N. Cloverdale Blvd. Director Jeremey Boucher is looking for four female and three male actors over 18. Rehearsals begin Aug. 18, with performances Oct. 9-11 and 16-18. More info: evenflofluent@gmail.com.

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July is traditionally a high demand water month, but according to the Cloverdale City Engineer’s latest report, residents are doing their part to be water wise. Cloverdale’s water conservation rate was 39% in July 2015, compared to the base year of 2013.

“This indicates that Cloverdale has made it through the highest water use month in an excellent position for the remainder of 2015,” said City Manager Paul Cayler.

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Energy drink company Red Bull is working with the City of Cloverdale, the Cloverdale Chamber and NorCal Skydiving to bring an action sports event to the Cloverdale Airport in October.

Red Bull Aces would be a skydiving competition, with a public viewing area for those who want to watch the action. The competition would be filmed for later release to promote Red Bull.

The City Council will consider the matter at its Aug. 12 meeting.

- Mary Jo Winter