Ecovillage Project Alive but Dormant

Posted on 18. Nov, 2009 by Jonathan Pichot in Campus

For several decades, PUC has been searching for a way to monetize its 1900 acres of prime Napa Valley real estate.  Unlike many other small schools, PUC does not have a very large endowment.  This makes it particularly financially dependent on enrollment. By finding a way to monetize the college’s largest asset, the administration is hoping to alleviate the constant dependence on tuition dollars.  Over the years, there have been many proposed developments, including a golf course and a five-star resort.  The most routine and lucrative development in the Napa Valley, wine-grape production, is not being considered because of Seventh-day Adventist health beliefs.  In 2006, the PUC Board of Trustees voted to examine the potential of developing the unincorporated village of Angwin.  They approached a development company out of Seattle–Triad Development (triaddev.com)–known for building environmentally friendly, mixed-use communities.  Triad, in consultation with PUC, developed a plan to build what they called an ‘eco-village’ in Angwin.  The proposal included the construction of a new Angwin town square including more retail space and a small hotel and over 580 homes throughout PUC land.

In late 2006 and early 2007, Triad and PUC hosted a series of “town-hall” meetings at which they presented the development plans.  After the plan was revealed, some members of the community formed an opposition group named Save Rural Angwin (saveruralangwin.org).  They opposed any development of Angwin beyond the construction of new facilities for the college.  Their primary criticisms centered on the impact the development would have on the rural nature of Angwin.  They were concerned that Angwin’s infrastructure could not support the number of houses and cars that would be required.

The stand off between Save Rural Angwin (SRA) and PUC/Triad came to a head winter 2008 at a Napa County Board of Supervisor (NCBOS) meeting.  Every five years, the NCBOS reviews the county general plan and accepts new proposals.  At this meeting, SRA proposed a rezoning of Angwin from Planned Development to Institutional zoning.  Angwin has been zoned Planned Development for decades, meaning that PUC could develop within this zoning, dubbed the Angwin Urban Bubble.  The SRA proposal invented a new zoning type, Institutional, that would only allow PUC to build institutional buildings such as dorms and classrooms.  The NCBOS voted against this proposal, explaining that it was out of the purview of the committee, thus allowing PUC and Triad to move forward with presenting an official development plan to the county, which includes an Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

In July 2009, Triad and PUC nullified their contract.  Triad is no longer responsible for spearheading the development efforts, but will remain as a consultant.  PUC will now be taking the lead in negotiating with the county.  In a letter to the county, the PUC Board affirmed that it is still in support of pursuing the eco-village.  The next step in the process is a formal development proposal.  Reports indicate that it will be done, with the anticipated EIR, sometime in 2010.  SRA has indicated that it is still prepared to lobby against the project.

Angwin: Only Fun When You’re Outside

Posted on 27. Oct, 2009 by Craig Hickerson in Campus

When I think of things to do in Angwin, the first thing that comes to mind is nothing, but then I remember with excitement the great outdoors. The College and the surrounding area is a hot bed of natural beauty and adventure.

Starting with the College itself, there are several hundred acres of forest full of trails that are available for your exploration. This land, which is located behind the airport, is owned by our great institution and makes for a fun and memorable activity for groups of any size. In addition, it doesn’t even cost a thing. The most popular destination of the College land is a lookout point where you can see nearly all of Pope Valley. It is known as Inspiration Point, and though it may be disappointing to some because it doesn’t have the dazzle of Disneyland, it gives a clear quest for your group instead of wandering around the trails like the children of Israel. Besides, the enjoyable part isn’t simply the destination but the journey itself, which takes about an hour at a walking pace. If you are interested in checking out the backwoods for the first time, it is recommended to take a map or go with someone that has gone before. Also, if you check your announce emails, there are many groups that go hiking or biking on Sabbath afternoons.

Another common, yet beautiful, student excursion is walking to Linda Falls. This hike has the best of both worlds; it is fun and short. Located just south of the College off of the east side of Howell Mountain Road, Linda Falls follows a paved path properly marked as Falls Road. Follow this path long enough and you will begin to hear the distant sound of falling water break the silence of your hike. The most common path leads to the top of the waterfall allowing viewers to watch as the seemingly tranquil water jumps abruptly off the side of a cliff. Simply sitting and meditating on the surrounding green beauty is a sure delight for anyone, and the perfect way to relax after taking a demanding test.

I would encourage all students to take advantage of the nature that PUC has to offer. These natural wonders are of a caliber that I have rarely encountered even as a resident of Oregon, which prides itself as being a Mecca for nature lovers. So please, be safe and have a good time. Your stay here at PUC only lasts a few years; make the most of them.

Of Superballs and Steak

Posted on 27. Oct, 2009 by Jordan Thornburgh in Community

College students have been known to resort to hunter-gatherer methods to obtain what they need to survive if they feel that their needs aren’t being met. And if your needs extend beyond burritos and pizza, chances are that the average PUC student will find him or herself stalking the aisles of a grocery store.

There are two real options for stocking your fridge if you attend PUC. There’s the college market, and Safeway. Depending on what you need, the right decision can be the difference between a panini and a pop tart. And so I’ve been asked to play Consumer Reports to tell you what you can expect from both.

In our very own front yard, we have the college market. If veggie meat is what gets you out of bed in the mornings, look no further. The freezers are nigh stuffed with the little devils, ranging from the rubbery to the crunchy. And while Safeway carries a few types of garden and veggie burgers, the local market definitely has a wider variety.

The college market also has the advantage of being connected to an Ace Hardware Store and the bookstore. And while this is a little like bribing your grandchildren to come visit by offering them cookies, it is a handy fact if you want to run multiple errands in the least amount of miles. Since the market is within walking distance, it means you don’t have to wait for your friends to go to St. Helena if you don’t have a car or are too lazy to drive yourself. Overall, the local store boasts convenience over its competition.

Safeway is the other option, since WalMart isn’t sophisticated enough to operate in wine country. In Safeway, you will find a wider variety of the same things offered at the college market –veggie products excluded. The biggest difference is most likely the entire quarter of the store dedicated to the booze. But since we’re all angels, this is a moot point.

Also, if you don’t like chewing on something with the consistency of a superball, you can find real meat at Safeway. If it was alive at some point, and humans can eat it, it will most likely be there. This is the deal maker for me. A side note is that there is a wider variety of DVD’s at Safeway, but I’ve never been that hungry myself. Overall, the mainstream contender offers more. Period. And if you get a membership, you can get more for less, just like all the bad slogans tell you.

Both of these establishments will offer what you need (probably). And you will wind up at one or the other at some point in time here at PUC (if you’re normal). But I guess the bottom line is that the college market is like a Motel 6. Convenient in many ways, and it will get the job done. But the Safeway is like a Marriot. It’s a bit more trouble to get to one, but it offers everything the Motel 6 does plus a mint on your pillow.

Thrift: the Antidote to Boredom

Posted on 27. Oct, 2009 by Katelynn Christiensen in Community

One thing I have found that bonds us PUC students together is our experience of those awful days when there is nothing we have to do, nothing we particularly want to do, and all our ideas cease to sound exciting. So, as your fellow sufferer, I would like to suggest that on such an uneventful day, you take on the adventure of thrift store shopping. There are a number of thrift/discount stores in this area, so I will highlight a few for you.

Closest to home, nestled in the hills of beautiful Angwin, sits the Community Services Center, better known as “The Dorcas,” a common name for thrift stores, referring to Dorcas in Acts 9:36-42. She was a dressmaker who made clothes for the poor in her town. You will find it at 275 Clark Way. The building is very blue and, therefore, hard to miss. I have heard inspiring stories from individuals who have ventured there. One family was attempting to furnish their daughter’s apartment as cheaply as possible and found two end tables and two lamps – all for only $10! Another friend of mine has found textbooks there… might be worth looking into.

On Main Street in St. Helena, you will find the Acorn Thrift Shop. It is smallish store with a humble entrance, but inside, smart deals and good times lay waiting. There is a sizeable section of clothing, mostly women’s, but men and children are not excluded. One corner of the store is full of books; you are likely to find something of interest. Two smaller rooms are built into the main store; one is filled with shoes, and the other contains primarily dishes and glassware. If you are in need of goblets or china dishes, this is the place to go. It would be silly of me not to mention that, on my last visit to Acorn, I spied some Guess, Ann Taylor, and DKNY pants in excellent condition selling for around $10.

Lolo’s, a consignment store, also located on Main Street, is a place you might be interested in checking out. Keep in mind that it is a consignment store, not a thrift store, so it is not as cheap. However, good deals do abound; prices are marked down to about 25% of the original retail price.

A number of people do not know the difference between these types of stores, so I will explain. When people want to get rid of their clothes and other belongings, but do not want to throw them away, they donate them to a thrift shop. The money from sales is given to a charity or church organization. People in consignment, however, are in the business of making money. While both have standards for what they will accept, consignment stores have much higher standards. In most cases, clothing must be name brand, season appropriate, and barely worn. People bring their clothes to the store to be sold and then take home a percentage (around 40%) of the final sale price. This is also an option if you are looking to make some money!
If you are willing and able to make the roughly 30 minute drive to Calistoga, you are sure to have a good time. Just as you enter town and turn right onto Lincoln Ave, you find yourself face to face with the Bargain Basket AND Sugar Daddy’s Consignment and Original Design, next door to each other. Bargain Basket provides just what its name promises: great bargains. Sugar Daddy’s carries some truly decent clothes at reasonable prices.

Over the past few weeks, a few friends and I have stopped by most of these shops. We had awesome times trying on random and ridiculous outfits. If you are in need of something to do, I highly recommend giving thrift stores a shot. Remember to bring a camera to capture the memories!