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It’s natural to start thinking about offering gratitude to those around us as we move into November and Thanksgiving. And it’s even more natural to want to share that gratitude with those you live with. A small note under a pillow, a hand-picked bouquet of flowers, or just a special moment as you speak
Blue sky is now appearing after a refreshingly damp morning. As I write this in my cosy cyber-hut, the redwoods and madrones appear green and golden. We certainly need a resumption of ‘normal’ rainfall-be extra careful if lighting your fireplace or woodstove as it is still exceptionally dry!
of the little things they do for you. Don’t forget those you work with, your teachers, coaches, the delivery guys, the gardeners, the mechanics, and all those who help to create the life we live in. Again, a hand written note of thanks for those little tasks they do or a little something something goes a long long way! And please don’t forget your sweet animals that adore you each and every day no matter what! Now that is Gratitude!
The Cazadero Community Club invites you to the Annual Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, November 14th, from 10-4 at Firehall #1. A myriad of locally produced handicrafts, including ceramics, jewelry, delicious homemade jams, hand knit items, gorgeous soaps, locally authored books, hand sewn household items, fabulous home baked items (my usual banana cream pie, too), and more await you! If you would like to volunteer to help with the Fair’s Café, please call me at 632-5545. The final monthly meeting for 2015 of the Caz Club will be on Tuesday, November 3rd, 7 p.m. also the Firehall. The Traditional Holiday Feast is sponsored by the Club and spearheaded by Toni Parmeter and you are invited to partake on Saturday, November 21st at 5 p.m. Club members will furnish delicious desserts. I wish to thank Club President MaryLou Porta, VP Kim Gluch, Secretary Susan Moll and Treasurer Maureen Berry for their great work this year.
I would like to say thank you – from all of us in this community to all the businesses that get repeated knocks on the doors for auction items, donations, and to volunteer – A big thank you! Community members, if you have kids in our local schools, if you have a pet you love and adore from our local Humane Society, if you drive a car, if you ride the bus, if you shop at our local stores, if you use our local delivery services, if you attend most of the musical and drama productions, if you breathe the coastal air (did I go too far on this one) you are receiving the benefits from people and places that donate time and services. Sometimes just saying “hey I saw you playing the piano for the students drama production” or “I know your business donates and I want to thank you for making a difference” means everything. It feels good too! Gratitude!
Congrats to new MES School Secretary Julie LaPlante,who will help keep us informed of of the activities, as well as studies for the students at the Montgomery Elementary School. Mr. Ramalia’s 3rd-5th graders went on a great field trip to a pumpkin patch and corn maze in Santa Rosa. After a grey day of fun, they all went home with pumpkins! Ms. Porta’s Kindergartners-2nd graders were planning a trip to Peter’s Pumpkin Patch in Petaluma. The Boosters Club will be cooking up special hot lunches each 3rd Thursday of the month. Music is a very important part of the curriculum and a teacher from the Mr. Music Foundation will spend alternate Friday mornings with the students, encouraging participation in singing, playing instruments and learning music. Of course we also thank Barbara Parmeter for her 30 years as MES Secretary.
Our coast is active and spirited. You can find the many gatherings, events,
art openings, productions, and parade info at these websites. Action Network includes classes for all ages, group meetings, and after school programs
at actionnetwork.info. Gualala Arts lists events including Festival of Trees
at www.gualalaarts.org/Events/index.html. The Redwood Chamber of Commerce is at www.redwoodcoastchamber.com/events and lists many events from various local businesses including Garcia River Casino. The Tuesday Scrabble group looks inviting! And while you’re in the north area visit the Point Arena Lighthouse, www.pointarenalighthouse.com. It takes a village to make a great parade. So please sign up with your business or organization with the Redwood Coast Chamber.
I wish very Happy November birthdays to Colin Kelly, turning 30 on the 1st, Angel Feeney will be 23 on the 6th, David Orlando-Griggs will celebrate #26 on the 14th, Bob Moll will be a very youthful 75 also on that date, Irene Johnson will turn 19 on the 17th, along with Jonathan Ritter becoming 29 on that same date, and Laila Bryant turns 27 on the 27th.
These are interesting times for legal junkies like me, and for others who have even a passing interest in laws and politics. For those of us who supported the Death With Dignity legislation (SB 128) it was refreshing to see our Governor allow the legislation to stand. His statement reflected his own angst (being Jesuit trained and with the Catholic Church opposing the measure) and his understanding that his veto would have deprived many terminally ill of choices.
The Grange raffle (for scholarships) was a big success. Kudos as usual, to Joan Scoggins and thanks to all the contributors. The ATM is in place; the generator came in under budget (thanks to Chuck Gentry and Rod Moore). We all, including our President Jim Moore, continue to scratch our heads about the front page article from the National Grange about how illegal we were by following exactly the terms of our California Corporation requirements and also keeping our funds/fees local instead of sending them to Washington (national—who never sent a cent back to the community). We are proud of our Grange. The community puts it to good use (from tamale-making to weddings and fish marketing meetings). If the song Happy Birthday has been found by the court to not be covered by any copyright, it is hard to see how the word grange could not have passed into the public domain (will they take on Home on the Range next? Kansans will object...it is our state song).
Cazadero Supply continues its 1st Saturday 15% Off Discount Day with a great assortment of items for your yard, automobile and household projects. Cape Fear Café features tasty meals and famous brunch items, The Blue Heron has live music and a lively tavern scene.
Enjoy Autumn, dance for rain and call me at 632 5545 or email mayawrld@ sonic,net with info for your Cazadero Column!
This will be a crucial presidential election for many reasons. By June 2016
we will be nervously awaiting key decisions from the Supreme Court on many crucial issues — affirmative action in admissions, mandatory life sentencing for juveniles convicted of homicide, and the the legality of pretrial seizure before trial of an alleged criminal defendant’s assets (does this violate the 6th Amendment right to counsel for defendants not yet convicted [especially where assets are untainted by the alleged crime?). The Court also has important cases about voting rights involving realigning election districts drawn to protect incumbents and on the rights of unions to require non-members to pay dues.
Fall is beautiful. Sunsets are plentiful. Bodega Bay School is in session;
the osprey are busy. The Chamber of Commerce is busy, my puppy is
getting trained; I am getting the use of my hand back. All is well. Mark your calendar...Fish Fest is April 11; the Tall Ships are scheduled to be here, and
it is the opening day of salmon season. Do something nice for a stranger; take time to stop and admire all the rock cairns along Westshore Road and the
new equestrian area the county has designated (affirming what we all already knew). Enjoy Bodega Bay; one of the best vacation spots in the world (but don’t tell anyone), and continue to pray for peace.
Locally, we have issues like the Gleason Beach road realignment; the building of an informational center at Spud Point, the Local Coastal Plan update and the omnipresent issue of how Airbnb affects our community.
The current county plan expects a population of 11,700 by the year 2020. The plan acknowledges that we have a need for multi-family (and affordable) dwellings but most activists are fearful that the coast will be the site of the next development of Big Wine” uses. (The draft plan can be viewed at www. sonoma-county.org.prmd/docs/coastal.)
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