It’s a big weekend on the Russian River this Saturday and Sunday
starting with a River Cleanup on Saturday followed by the Russian
Riverkeeper’s Riverfest barbecue and awards ceremonies Sunday
afternoon at Burke’s Canoe Trips.
“Everyone’s invited to come out and celebrate the river and the
bounty of the harvest” from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday (Sept. 27) at the
18th annual Riverfest, said Russian Riverkeeper director Don
McEnhill.
A gourmet barbecue dinner, all-organic wines, a raffled
inflatable kayak, a silent auction plus sure-to-be “inspiring
speeches and awards” will highlight Sunday’s gathering, said
McEnhill.
Keynote speaker is Zeke Grader, Executive Director of the
Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, the San
Francisco-based association of commercial fishermen.
“We’ve wanted to have him for the last couple of years,” said
McEnhill. As an activist for healthy fisheries habitat, Grader’s
appearance this year is underscored by current Russian River water
diversion and withdrawal issues that affect the survival of native
salmon.
“He’s a timely speaker to have,” said McEnhill.
Long-time Russian River watershed defender and former Sonoma
County Planning Commissioner Rue Furch of Sebastopol will be
honored Sunday with a Riverkeeper Lifetime Achievement Award.
During 16 years on the planning commission, “she’s done a lot of
great things for the River and the watershed,” said McEnhill.
A Friend of the River Award will be presented to the entire
Healdsburg City Council on Sunday for taking a stand against a plan
to irrigate local vineyards with treated wastewater and for
opposing the location of a regional wastewater discharge pipe in
the River at Healdsburg.
Steve Jackson and the crew at King’s Sport and Tackle in
Guerneville will receive Riverkeeper’s Business Stewardship Award
for their support of a healthy Russian River environment.
“We like what they do,” said McEnhill.
Mary Jeanne and Tim McAteer will be honored as Riverkeeper Park
Volunteers of the Year for their work in helping restore and
maintain the Guerneville riverside park.
Held outside under the redwoods on the riverbank at Burke’s
Canoe Trips on River Road in Forestville, Riverfest has always been
a quintessential West County bash and political schmooze that draws
public officials, environmentalists, foodies and river rats who
share an affection for the River’s laid-back ambiance. The
celebration this year may be enhanced by last week’s Sonoma County
Board of Supervisors’ decision to abandon a long-time plan to pump
more water out of the River to supply growth in Marin and Sonoma
counties.
McEnhill said the Riverkeeper project applauds the county’s new
direction that means a greater push will be on to conserve and
recycle water.
“It looks like reality wins the day here,” said McEnhill.
Riverkeeper will also be celebrating a new project that got
under way this year to restore Healdsburg’s Foss Creek, where
volunteers are removing invasive non-native plants and replanting
native species along the creekbank in downtown Healdsburg.
The project began in April and is scheduled to continue through
fall of 2013 thanks to funding from Alexander Valley Vineyards,
Glazer’s, the national beverage marketer that distributes
Alexander Valley Vineyards wines, Healdsburg winegrowers Tony Crab
and Barbara Grassechi, and
h2Hotel, the new energy efficient luxury hotel under
construction on Healdsburg Avenue.
The next Foss Creek volunteer day is Saturday, Oct. 10.
Volunteers start work at 8:30 a.m. and work until 11:30, then break
for a barbecue lunch. The Foss Creek restoration “has really turned
into a great event,” said McEnhill. “There’s been a heck of a
turnout.”
The Russian Riverkeeper project was launched eight years ago as
part of the national Waterkeeper program founded by Robert F.
Kennedy Jr. who was the speaker at the fundraiser when the Russian
Riverkeeper project was christened and its river patrol boat
launched.
Sunday’s barbecue includes Mediterranean spiced chicken with
salsa, barbecued tofu, cold pasta salad, corn and black bean salad
with cilantro and peppers, French bread and brownies. There will be
organic wines from Preston of Dry Creek, Sky Saddle Wines, Michel
Schlumberger, DeLoach Vineyards and Inman Family Wines.
Riverfest includes live music by Doug Lipton and Dan Imhoff, a
raffle and more to benefit the Russian Riverkeeper program. Tickets
are $50 and are available online or by calling Riverkeeper at
433-1958.
