Why should Sonoma County provide security for an elitist, men-only summer camp? Columnist AbcarianLAT takes a look:
The Bohemian Grove in Monte Rio, Calif., a retreat for members of the elite Bohemian Club, is facing questions about whether sheriff's deputies should provide security for an event that discriminates by gender.
Each summer, the Bohemian Grove, a couple hours northwest of San Francisco, becomes an alternative world headquarters for about 3,000 rich and well-connected men. They are either members or guests of San Francisco’sThe Bohemian motto, “Weaving spiders come not here,” is a fig leaf, designed to play down or conceal an unassailable truth — men can make profitable connections among the redwoods.
As it happens, for the first time in history, the five-member board has a female majority. Also for the first time, not coincidentally,“How can we contract tax-funded services with a club that openly discriminates against women?” wondered Supervisor Shirlee Zane, setting off a long-overdue debate. Sonoma County Supervisor Lynda Hopkins wonders why the county should provide security services to the all-male Bohemian Grove encampment in Monte Rio, a town in her district. On Tuesday afternoon, Hopkins and I met in a Santa Rosa coffee shop. That morning, she and the rest of the board had voted unanimously to honor the security contract with the Bohemian Grove, mainly because the event is only a month away.
There is no municipal sewer system. Many old septic systems are failing and contributing to bacterial pollution in the Russian River. “In many places,” Hopkins said, “there are cesspools.” Recently, she noted, the Bohemian Grove, which has pulled more than 200 building permits in the last 15 years, has installed its own $3-million sewer system.Local high school students often work seasonally at the Grove, for $13 or $14 an hour.whose proceeds — about $60,000 — are divided among the Fire Department, school and Catholic church. The Bohos donate about $3,000 a year to an annual music festival called “Rockin’ the River,” Hopkins said.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Why should Sonoma County provide security for an elitist, men-only summer camp?It took a majority-female Sonoma County Board of Supervisors to revive a controversy over the Bohemian Club's annual all-male bacchanalia in the redwoods.
Read more »
What $1 million buys right now in three prime L.A. County communitiesTake a look at what roughly $1 million buys right now in Bel-Air, Hollywood Hills and Beverly Hills in L.A. County.
Read more »
Utah man charged with murder in deaths of two men, including L.A. County deputyA Utah man suspected of gunning down a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy and another man in a pair of seemingly random shootings was charged with two counts of murder Thursday, officials said.
Read more »
'I cannot change what they did': Sheriff apologizes for attempted lynching'I cannot change what they did': North Carolina sheriff apologizes for attempted lynching by deputies in 1952.
Read more »
Sheriff, family grieve off-duty deputy's 'senseless and cowardly murder'L.A. County deputy who was fatally shot this week while off duty is being remembered as a kind-hearted family man who gave 13 years of 'selfless service.'
Read more »