Page 39 - Sonoma County Gazette 12-18.indd

It’s all about the holidays!
Hello to all, and happy December to you. I hope your Thanksgiving was great and the end of year holidays and festivities go smoothly and bring everyone happily into the new year.
For years, Earl Stevens made sure the downtown holiday tree was cut, hauled, put up and decorated so we could celebrate our very own town tree lighting. When an indispensable volunteer like that retires, what happens? The Wood and Trappe families knew what to do. They stepped in and have now made this formidable task a fun family and friend’s event where everyone from their darling toddlers to town patron Hal Wood shows up to make it happen. A grant from the Forestville Community Fund helped pay for the lift, but the bulk of the work, carefully placed ornaments and stringing the lights, is done by this dynamic can-do family group. It looks beautiful! Let’s hope this new tradition lasts for generations to come.
Though the smoke and sadness from Butte still hangs heavy in the air and in my heart, rain is finally on the way in the next few days and I am finding plenty to be thankful for myself.
Adding to our holiday spirit the Fire Department put up illuminated decorations on phone poles and kids from Forestville School who (for a small donation) painted holiday themes on downtown windows. That was something I loved to do when I was a kid. Looks like the town is ready. Are you?
Locally I attended a couple of events recently that were quite fun and from the looks of things successful fund-raising efforts.
If not, I have an idea. You can find amazing gifts at the Forestville Pharmacy, The Service Station and even Ideal Hardware. Don’t forget our local restaurants and wineries for gift certificates. These “mom and pop” operations depend on us locals to keep them in business.
The Bodega Land Trust held their annual dinner and my Mom and I attended for the first time. The place was packed, food tasty, auction items aplenty. I ran into many people I knew, some expected some not and made some new acquaintances as well.
Yes, I know how easy it is to get stuff online and not lift more than an index finger to make it happen. It’s just that getting out and about, seeing what’s going on in our town, what stores have to offer, participating, supporting and visiting with others makes us feel good. After all isn’t that what we hope to get out of the holiday’s when all is said and done?
Camp Meeker Fire Department hosted a bbq and bingo evening that was a real hoot. The bbq was great, and the bingo was real fun. I hadn’t played bingo in years. I took home a whole home-made bundt cake at the end of the night for a real deal as they had too many desserts. I also took home numerous raffle prizes which included Lagunitas beer, pint glasses and tee-shirt, a nice beverage dispenser and a gift certificate to a bike shop.
You don’t have to go far for entertainment this month. Starting Saturday December 1st at 6:30 pm is the play “Jason and the Argonauts” at Forestville School Auditorium. It repeats Sunday at 1 then the 7th & 8th at 6:30. Last performance the 9th at 1. El Molino’s Winter Dance Performance is at 7 pm Wednesday, December 5th, then the 6th and 7th. My husband got a sneak preview as a substitute teacher for them and says it’s wonderful. If you are a fan of music, the Choir Concert is Tuesday the 11th at 7 and the Band Concert the 13th at 7. In addition to practicing for their shows, those students had to put up with jackhammers of late. Ground has broken on their new Performing Arts Center. It’s going to be great! Winter break from December 21st till January 8th. Be careful driving with more kids out and about.
While YOU are out and about, you may notice the bright yellow
paint that heralds the opening of Russian River Cycle Service. Check out
the cute bike “decoration” that sits outside. I’ve only peeked in so far, but
it looks beautiful inside. I’m not surprised as owner Brian Borchers was so creative with the bike kiosk he built for the downtown park awhile back. He’s a talented guy who’s been in the bike business for years. Rentals available. Stop in to say hello.
The FREE First Friday Night Movie December 14 is my favorite holiday movie ever...Elf. Doors to the Methodist Church open at 6:45 for cartoons, then Elf shows at 7. Santa’s coming too so bring your biggest smiles for free photos. Movie has Spanish subtitles. Think hot chocolate, Christmas Cookies and popcorn for sale. Is this sweet or what?
Did you know you can nominate someone for Volunteer or
I bring up these events in the past because they will come around again, and there are many other similar events throughout the year around West County. I encourage you, dear reader to make an appearance at any & all. Attending events such as these is one of my favorite things to do locally. They are fun, you get to commune with your neighbors and raise money for good causes and you get a tasty meal in the process. Plus, you generally have pretty good odds at taking home some cool schwag! Kudos to all who made these particular events happen and to those engaged in creating the next ones down the line—count me in.
Business of the Year for 2018? Forms are at the Bank of the West, Forestville Pharmacy, The Service Station, Sheer Pleasure Salon and Sequoia Properties, or drop it off at the next Chamber meeting, 5:30 pm on the 5th at the Fire Station.
December 8th there are also some fun holiday themed goings on up in the middle of town. Starting at 4pm there will be a community sing along at one of the churches in town. I apologize for not knowing which one, but seeing as how there are only 2 arriving a little early and strolling through town if you chose the wrong one first doesn’t sound like too bad a thing to me. Also, keep your eyes out for the fliers around town. At 5:30 there will be a tree-lighting ceremony in front of the Bohemian market.
The Chamber is busy working on plans for their annual Crab Feed to be held at Holy Ghost Hall January 19. It’s a not to miss feast with music, dancing, prizes along with pasta, salad and lots of crab to enjoy.
Come to town for the Crafts Faire and grab some lunch, go check out the shops around town and participate in the sing along and tree-lighting. Then grab some dinner from any of the great establishments and stick around for the choir concert. Sounds like a wonderfully full day to me.
The Forestville Wellness Center is forming a new Diabetes Group in January. Good timing for if you are like me, you’ve made some poor food choices this month and may need help getting back on track to lead a healthy life.
Bring Toys for Tots donations to the Fire Station at 6554 Mirabel Rd, from now till Christmas. You will make someone very happy, maybe even you!
I hope to see ya’ll around. As always let me know if you have anything you’d like included in a future column and in the meantime happy holidays!
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Democrats took back the house, Measure M passed and Prop. 6 did not. I am hopeful that the divided congress can come together on some bi-partisan issues, happy that our local parks have a dedicated source of funding, and relieved that transportation infrastructure improvements throughout the state will continue to be funded.
Speaking of events, December brings quite a few of them:
The first is the return of the Occidental Community Choir, celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. They will be performing at the Arts Center Nov. 30th and Dec. 1st at 8pm, Dec. 2nd at 3pm, Dec. 8th at 8pm and on Sunday Dec. 9th at the Glaser Center in Santa Rosa at 3pm.
The Holiday Crafts Faire returns on December 8th and 9th. Saturday hours are 10-5 and Sunday 10-4. There are a lot of new vendors this year that I’m excited to see, with many favorites from years past returning as well. Let the smell of fresh popped popcorn welcome you in the door, say hi to Santa who should be making an appearance both days. Buy some tickets for the always amazing bucket raffle, purchase some tasty lunch or scrumptious baked goods. Early afternoon Sunday there will be a performance by the local ukelele club which is quite fun. Funds raised over the weekend go to the Occidental Community Council which helps to fund the unmet needs of the Occidental Community.