Members of the public are welcome to join us for the presentation if they are interested in learning about the new programs and services

DIXON, CA (MPG) - You may want to stop and smell the roses when walking by the Dixon Women’s Improvement Club Park. The rose garden located on the north west corner of the park is filled with beautiful blooms ranging from orange, to pink, to red. The garden was established three years ago and the rose plants selected are “old” varieties that existed in the early 1900’s. The location of the rose garden had previously been the site of Thomas Berry’s brewery started in 1874 and purchased by Schomer and Oberholzer Brewery in 1880 that closed their doors in 1895. The building was torn down ten years later when the Dixon Women’s Improvement Club park was built. The rose garden is a collaborative effort between the City of Dixon that provides the irrigation and the DWIC members that tend the roses on a monthly basis.

The Dixon Women’s Improvement Club will announce the recipients of the 2021 Community Grant Awards at their April ZOOM Membership meeting. Clearly, the needs of Dixon’s schools and non-profit organizations are many as reflected by the number of letters and applications that were received. The DWIC is pleased to be able to offer support to community groups and school programs, especially this year with the complications and increased needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Diane Schroeder along with members of the DWIC Scholarship Committee are reviewing scholarship applications submitted by members of the graduating Class of 2021 from Dixon and Maine Prairie High Schools. Top candidates will be selected to participate in a personal interview that will be conducted via ZOOM. In May, $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to two Class of 2021 graduates for expenses at an accredited 2 or 4 year college or university or a specialized training/trade school of the awardee’s choice.

The Dixon Women’s Improvement Club will meet on Wednesday, April 21 at 1:00 pm via ZOOM. We are pleased to welcome Bonnie Katz, Director of the Solano County Library, who will speak on the expanded services being offered by the Dixon Carnegie Library. A little more than a year ago the Dixon School Board recommended the Dixon Library be administered by the Solano County Library system, resulting in Dixon residents having expanded services offered to them.

Solano County Libraries are supported in part from property taxes. In 1997, voters understood libraries were essential for a community’s success and agreed to tax themselves 1/8 of a penny sales tax. (Measure B). In 2012, voters chose to extend the support of the libraries through the increased sales tax (Measure L). Since the passage of the 1/8 of a penny sales tax, the budget for books, digital resources, and other materials increased 341% and programs for youth increase 119%.

Pandemic imposed restrictions closed all California libraries in March 2020. Modified services are offered by the Dixon Carnegie Library at this time allowing for entrance by appointment only. Most residents are not aware of the variety of new services and programs that are now available. The Dixon Library is scheduled to reopen to the public on June 29.

Director Katz will speak about the new services, programs, and electronic opportunities available to residents possessing a Dixon Library card. Members of the public are welcome to join us for the presentation if they are interested in learning about the new programs and services including the 24/7 Digital Library that is always open to borrow free e-books and e-Audiobooks or search databases for up-to-date popular and scholarly articles on a wide range of subjects.

The Zoom meeting starts at 1:00 pm on April 21^st. If you are interested in learning more about the Dixon Women’s Improvement Club or would like to participate in the Zoom presentation featuring Dixon’s New Library Services contact Membership Chair, Mary Kay Callaway 916-541-0417.