Page 43 - Sonoma County Gazette 12-18.indd

Recap: Gosh, it’s hard to believe the holiday season is thrust upon us full speed ahead. I’m finally recovering from Halloween and Thanksgiving and now on to Christmas. Alas, I get to decorate my holiday tree. This year it’s a baby pink tree. The hustle and bustle of shopping does not hold any appeal
to me as I say every year at this time. I am thankful for the people in my life... my brother/family, my steadfast friends, my job and co-workers at the Rio Nido Lodge, my husband and oh, not to forget my Fur Children (who are family). You will not find me shopping for needless gifts (yes, bah humbug). The meaning of the holiday has gone to the malls. With all the fires, displaced families and homeless, I find this entire mad rush to the stores completely
December is many things. Putting the hoses away from the garden, bringing in the cushions from the outdoor chairs, the prayer for rain (as compared to May when we pray for the rain to stop), traditional holiday gift giving, and hunkering down with a good book. A book in hand is the best of the best on our cold coastal days. And books are everywhere.
out of whack and quite frankly it disgusts me. What has happened to society that they place so much emphasis on buying stuff? At the end of the day, it’s just stuff. In my opinion, the very best way to spend the holidays is to give to those who need it most. Adopt a family in need/crisis. It truly is the meaning of the holiday season. It feels right to bring joy to those less fortunate. Make a difference in someone’s life.
Local lending libraries, your friend’s bookshelves, all of our technology offers any book at the push of a button, but there is nothing like walking into a small home town bookstore. I want to offer a shout out to Four Eyed Frog bookstore in Gualala. ‘The Frog’ as it is affectionately known by the locals is not only the best bookstore ever, it offers a place of respite, a local gathering place, book signings with the authors sharing their story, a place to sit and relax as you enjoy a free cup of tea or coffee—you can’t get that from the internet, or a box store.
Kindness goes a long way. Happy Holidays to one and all!
They have all the best sellers, many titles from local authors, every genre
of book, a great Children’s’ section, and a collection of trinket gifts as well
as gift cards. Joel Crockett with the support of his brother Jeremy started
the bookstore in 2003 and now they are owned by a collective group of shareholders, a truly independent bookstore. We have a full write up about their unique story in the gazette gift guide. Oh, and did I say December was also about gift giving? Picture books of our coast, coastal history, natural and cultural history titles and more are great gifts. What’s better than something that lasts for ages and ages?
A Sore Subject: The Friends of Rio Nido (FRN) have hired a law firm to look into the closure of our beloved little Rio Nido Post office. Is there a legal reason the Feds decided to close our Post Office? The Fed Govt. is not following proper protocol. Stay tuned for more info.....
Crosswalk in Rio Nido: FRN met with Lynda Hopkins to discuss a crosswalk/bus stop. Diagrams were taken of River Road. It looks like we will be getting a new bus stop structure. It will have much better visibility and will be safer and protect the people inside. Also, a crosswalk with flashing lights is under discussion. Stay tuned...
Winky Moon is coming near you: Little Elves have been hard at work these last couple of weeks. A new Winky Moon is on its way to Rio Nido... where you might ask? Well, the Rio Nido Lodge will be erecting it very soon. You will be able to see Winky from River Road. How exciting!
For other local areas to do a little shopping try Uncle Sus’s Stocking Stuffers at the Dolphin Gallery of carefully crafted works by local artists or Uncle Sus’s Attic at Gualala Art Center with a selection of gently used arts, housewares, small furniture and more are all creative gift giving ideas. And the Dolphin Gallery will have a special mailbox to drop off letters for Santa. At the art center local talent will perform on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 3 pm featuring the Ernest block Bell Ringers. Friday, December 21, 7 pm a Holiday Concert with our local choir and Saturday, December 22, 2018, 7 pm we will have ‘A Christmas Cabaret!’ For all the details on these heartwarming events please visit the Gualala Art Center web page at gualalaarts.org/ category/events/
The Point Arena Lighthouse is a great place to visit during the
Friends of Rio Nido (FRN): We need help reporting potholes and clogged culverts and other road issues to the County. Go to: sonomacounty.ca.gov/ Services/SoCo-Report-It/Submit-a-Service-Request/ to report. FRN has made a huge difference these past several years in bringing a better quality of life for those of us who reside in RN. Please consider donating to FRN this holiday season. FRN is a tax deductible 501 C3 and your support helps directly in our fight to get our Post Office back and future projects like restoring the Rio Nido Fountain aka the Fountain Revitalization project (specs are being made).
holidays – even if it is raining. The visitor center is full of history, and you can tour the lighthouse. On
Saturday December 16th,
Hank Birnbaum will offer a
The next FRN meeting is scheduled for Sunday, January 21 from 11:00am - 12noon at the Rio Nido Lodge. All are welcome. Go to: friendsofrionido.com for more information or to make a contribution.
talk on Fort Ross. To see all their events visit their web site at pointarenalighthouse. com/visit/calendar-2/winter- lecture-series//
True Value Hardware: True Value is no longer accepting fluorescent
bulbs and other household hazardous waste drop-offs for free. They still do accept household light bulbs (CFL, LED & Incandescent) and small batteries with a limit. There are three options for residents to properly dispose of toxics in Sonoma County: the Household Toxics Facility, Community Toxics Collections and Toxics River Pick up Service. Also available for businesses.
McPhails: Propane Discount through McPhails for all FRN Members—tell a friend it’s easy to join by visiting: friendsofrionido.com.
The Arena Theater on
December 23 at 2:00 PM will
showcase the Nutcracker, a
timeless holiday classic on
the Bolshoi stage for a live
broadcast. It is almost like
being there in Russia. A real
treat for young and old alike.
For more information on this live broadcast, movie times, and other events at the theater check out their web at http://www.arenatheater.org/.
I am going to include a New Year’s Eve party here just to give you
Rio Nido Pet of the Month: Snow is a big and happy Husky. He has called Rio Nido home for approximately 8 years. He seriously enjoys his daily walks around the hood, swimming
a heads up. At the Gualala Art Center “New York New York” from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM (so we can all be back in bed by 10:00), is the annual celebration with all your friends. Great music, food, and dancing.
in the river and hanging out at the Rio Nido dog park. He is big, white and fluffy. The neighborhood kids love to pet him as he is very soft. Snow is a regal boy and is happiest living his life in Rio Nido...He has one blue eye and one yellow eye. He can hypnotize anyone with his astounding beauty. Let’s hear it for Snow.
Well, for me, I am going to grab a good book and snuggle in on the couch. Or maybe take a drive to view the river, or ocean listening to the waves with as I sit in my car, or take a hike and bring a book as I sit under the redwoods, or go kayaking on the river and bring my book, or.....Many blessings to you all.
12/18 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 43