News from our towns the week of Feb. 18

ROHNERT PARK

Civilian Academy accepting applications

The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety is currently accepting applications for its upcoming Civilian Academy in March.

The academy training covers numerous areas, including the department’s theory and philosophy, law, use of force, investigations, narcotics, officer safety, traffic, emergency medical services, fire prevention and suppression, hazardous materials and a force options simulator.

All attendees will receive CPR and defibrillator training. Eligible participants must be 18 years old and either live or work within the city limits of Rohnert Park. Classes will take place each Monday from March 19 to May 21 at the Public Safety Building from 6 to 9 p.m. with a limit of 25 people per class.

For more information or to request an application, contact the Department of Public Safety headquarters at 500 City Center Drive between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. or call 707-584-2600.

ROHNERT PARK

Photography exhibition at Sonoma State

“The Eye of a Storyteller: Photographs by Morrie Camhi,”an exhibition of 60 black-and-white vintage photographs by the late Petaluma photographer Morrie Camhi will be on display at Sonoma State University through March 11 in the University Art Gallery. Admission is free. A public reception will be held Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. The photos were donated to SSU by the artist’s estate.

Camhi described himself as a storyteller and a humanist and over the course of his career created a number of powerful series of photographs focusing on such diverse topics as the Jews of Greece, the California farm labor movement and the California prison system. A number of his photographs include statements by the subjects themselves detailing the circumstances of their lives that were captured by Camhi’s camera.

Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; weekends, noon to 4 p.m. For more information, call 707-664-2295.

HEALDSBURG

Community Band set ?to open season at Raven

The Healdsburg Community Band opens its 2018 season with a unique twist, solo performances with band members playing a variety of instruments at the Raven Performing Arts Theater.

The annual Pops Concert is directed by Randy Masselink. It includes music from stage and screen, polkas, light classics and additional works to highlight the skills of the soloists, while backed up by the complete band.

The all-volunteer Healdsburg Community Band includes approximately 50 local musicians, with a wealth of experience and varied skill levels.

The band is accepting new members who know how to play, though there are no auditions. Applicants must know how to read music.

The nonprofit organization supports music at Healdsburg High School with grants for equipment purchases. The band also holds an annual concert to benefit the Healdsburg Education Foundation.

The concert is at 7:30 p.m. March 3. The Raven is located at 115 North St. Admission is free.

HEALDSBURG

West Side School ?hopes to raise $75,000

In order to continue field trips, as well as fund the garden, art, music and Spanish programs, West Side School raises $75,000 each year. This year’s event will be “The Great West Side School Raffle and Community Social” at Sonoma Cider Taproom, 44F Mill St.

The event is free and appetizers will be provided. Drinks will be available for purchase.

The community social will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, March 2.

There will be two door prizes, a collection of wine magnums from local wineries, as well as a gift card for a new bike. The raffle will be held at 6:30 p.m. There are three grand prizes, including a vacation, a wine and dine package, and a spa package.

Raffle tickets $20 each or six for $100. Those unable to attend the event can purchase tickets online at rafflecreator.com/pages/20205/the-great-west-side-school-raffle. Visit the event page on Facebook at facebook.com/events/1768621393158443.

GLEN ELLEN

Quarryhill seeks volunteer docents

Quarryhill Botanical Garden is seeking volunteer docents to lead educational walks and engage visitors at the 25-acre property in Glen Ellen.

Trainings for adult tour guides begin in March. Participants will learn about plant conservation worldwide and gain in-depth knowledge about the garden’s Asian woodland collection and its unique history.

Since its inception 30 years ago, Quarryhill has become home to one of the largest collections of scientifically documented wild-source Asian plans in North America and Europe.

Trainings will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon six consecutive Wednesdays, from March 7 to April 11, at Quarryhill Botanical Garden, 12841 Highway 12, Glen Ellen. To register, call Volunteer Coordinator Neely Hart at 707-996-6027 or email nhart@quarryhillbg.org. For information, visit quarryhillbg.org/volunteer.

GEYSERVILLE

Schools of Hope ?comes to Geyserville

The deficits in reading achievement can be one of the hardest things for a student to overcome. To help, United Way of the Wine Country started its Schools of Hope reading program in 2009.

The program is being used this year in the first grade at Geyserville Elementary School. Volunteers work one-on-one with students during the school day to supplement the work they are doing in the classroom.

The program asks for a volunteer commitment of 30 minutes each week during the school year. Students are seen twice a week for 30 minutes.

Every year Schools of Hope gives its data to Sonoma State University to evaluate the efficiency of the program.

More more information, visit http://bit.ly/2BPaTzW.

CLOVERDALE

City Council seeks student liaisons

The City of Cloverdale is accepting applications for the City Council’s Student Liaison Program for the period beginning in September. This unpaid volunteer program, which runs through May 2019, is designed to increase youth participation in local government by having them attend one City Council meeting per month.

Applications and a list of requirements are available from Terri Matlock at City Hall. The completed forms are due on or before May 14 and will be reviewed by the City Council and School District Subcommittee on May 21. Each student who successfully completes the program will be eligible for a $500 scholarship.

CLOVERDALE

Free recycling event ?at Citrus Fairgrounds

Sonoma County Waste Management is partnering with Conservation Corp North Bay to host a free e-waste and mattress recycling event from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday at the Citrus Fairgrounds. Goodwill Industries also will be there providing free mattress recycling, and accepting household donations

Bring electronics, small household appliances, cords and other devices as well as mattresses, box springs and household items to be recycled or donated. No batteries or large appliances accepted.

Towns correspondents